Chapter 13
Alex and Maddie at their best.
Alex Grant sat in his solar, staring at the wall of weapons. They were symbols of his ancestry, of the clan that he held so dear, of his pride in his land, and he was suddenly acutely aware he was at risk of losing all of it.
But nothing frightened him as much as the possibility of losing his eldest daughter.
Kyla, with eyes the color of Maddie’s and a heart as big as they came, was in the hands of brutal men, and he was almost close to vomiting over it.
He knew what bad men did to women, had spent half his life fighting against it.
This was his daughter. His enemies could bring him to his knees.
What unsettled him most was how powerless he was.
Aye, there had been many threats over the years, but he’d always had a strong sword arm and worked hard to maintain that strength.
His recent injury had changed all. His wife would remind him that he’d spent years training their sons and nephews to be equally mighty.
Would it be enough?
A knock sounded at the door and he heard his wife’s voice. “Come in, Maddie.”
Maddie stepped inside, a small smile lighting her face and her blue eyes sparkling. “Alex, I have something to tell you.”
“Wonderful, Maddie. Come sit with me.” He patted his lap.
“Oh, Alex. I’m quite sure I shall cause you pain. I can sit in my own chair.”
He shook his head and tugged her to him, plopping her down on his lap before he kissed her.
She pulled back and placed both hands on his chest. “Alex, I have good news.”
“Go ahead. I could use some about now.” He settled his hands on her hips.
“Before Kyla left, Maggie taught her how to use a dagger. She said our daughter was the quickest learner she’d ever seen.”
“Aye, that is good news.”
Maddie hung her head, absently rubbing a circle on his chest with one hand.
“What is it, wife?”
“I am troubled that Kyla did this after the previous trip, but I know how upset she was about Davina. She came to us about her, and we both turned her down. She made this decision because of two reasons. First because she was worried about us.
Jamie said she truly believed she could convince Davina to talk to her sire and stop the battle. The second reason is she could not believe what Davina’s sire had forced on her in the past, and what he planned to do. She is so innocent, she couldn’t comprehend such cruelty.”
“Aye, I think you’re right. The problem with our eldest daughter is that she has a big heart. Her concern for others outweighs her sense of danger, and I cannot fault her for that. She believed Davina needed help to get her out of a terrible situation.
I also believe she didn’t wish to cause us any concern. She was here the day my pain returned.”
“Aye, it makes sense.”
“‘Tis not defiance but consideration that guides her. I recall a young lass who wished to stop my pursuit of two monsters because she didn’t want anyone hurt on account of her.” He trailed his finger down the line of her jaw and over her chin. “Do you not recall something similar?”
She latched on to his hand. “Aye, I remember. Do you think she is so headstrong about Davina because the lass has been abused as I was?”
Tears misted his wife’s eyes, and he set his finger under her chin to lift her gaze to his. “Do not ever think that you have done aught but raise a beautiful soul who is generous of heart.”
“I’m sorry, Alex, if she’s gone on this venture because of me or my past.”
The tears in her eyes grew as big as his thumb, and he brushed them away as fast as they fell.
“Know this. I do not fault Kyla for going after a cruel bastard, nor do I fault Finlay for assisting her when she became headstrong. They were both raised with the honor of our ancestors and I am proud of them. Mayhap this will be good for all in the end.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and sobbed. “I miss her, Alex. Go get her…and get Davina, too. Find Finlay and bring him home. The poor lad just lost his mother.”
“Our clan is strong and has many allies. We will bring Kyla and Finlay home. If Davina wishes to come here, we will welcome her with open arms.” How he needed to believe his own words and make good on his promise to his wife.