Chapter Six
-DECLAN-
As always, from the moment Astrid joined my father and me upon the king’s arrival to the second we went our separate ways after dining, I was overly aware of her.
Though always beautiful, she had looked especially radiant today, dressed in blue and the Mackay plaid, with her honey blond hair flowing around her slender shoulders.
A vision that turned many a head, including Gustav’s.
So, I wasn’t surprised when Gustav and I stood before the fire later that evening, after the king and my father had retired, sharing a dram of whisky, and he brought her up, his gaze lingering on the stairs she had climbed earlier.
“Astrid marrying your father is quite unexpected,” he commented, looking at me curiously if not dubiously. “Quite frankly, given the way you look at her, ‘tis surprising the elder marries her and not the junior.”
Was my desire for her that obvious? Somehow, I suspected it might be. Must be. I would have to try harder to be less noticeable. Even so, this line of conversation could easily tread into dangerous waters, so I answered carefully, if not truthfully, to a degree.
“She is a bonnie lass,” I conceded, shaking my head.
“But as you know, I dinnae favor the Norse any more than you, where Father has always been partial to those in this area with long-established roots.
So, ‘tis not so shocking he might wish to marry one, especially if she can help keep the peace in these parts and mayhap forge a bridge betwixt the local Norse and our fellow countrymen.”
“’Tis sound reasoning,” Gustav granted. “However awkward it might prove for you.” He sipped his whisky and shrugged. “Though I cannae help but wonder if your father is the best choice, given his age and standing these days with the king.”
“What of his standing?” Frowning, I wondered where he was going with this. “’Tis clearly bloody good.”
“Aye, as a father figure who doesnae ride by the king’s side anymore nor battle,” he reminded, a smug edge to his voice if I were not mistaken.
“And we both know Alexander would likely rather have such a potentially valuable asset, such as Earl Bj?rn Helvig’s daughter, married to a Scotsman closer to his inner circle. ”
“And I imagine that would be you,” I assumed dryly, wondering where the friend I’d known years ago had gone because he wasn’t this opportunist before me now, willing to do anything to position himself well with the king. Yet I knew it was not just that.
He wanted Astrid, too.
Just as much as I did based on the way he’d watched her tonight.
“’Twould be me,” Gustav confessed without shame, disregarding Astrid’s betrothal to my father. “And I hope the king sees that after our travels. That he understands the MacGreggor clan is the better choice to harness new ties with Norwegian nobility for many generations to come.”
“And why would that be again, given your dislike of the Norse?” I answered back, not missing the slight narrowing of his eyes as he looked at me. The challenge he had laid, because he meant to take her from Father. From me. Meant to steal away someone who meant far too much to us.
“What do you mean, my dislike of the Norse?” he asked innocently, a sly predatory look in his gaze now.
“I fear you are mistaken, friend.” Shaking his head, the corners of his mouth jerked up ever-so-slightly.
“Whilst I dinnae like those determined to raid us and take territory that no longer belongs to them, I have become unbearably fond of their lasses. Especially those of untouchable beauty who could bear me many wee bairns.”
It took everything in me not to slice my dagger across his throat then and there, might he never lay a finger on her, but instead I rallied my emotions and did my best to keep a cool head. I had to for Father’s sake. My clan’s sake.
Most of all, though, for Astrid.
If I cut Gustav down now, the king would label me a traitor, and God knows what would become of her. Nothing good, I imagined.
Clenching my fist around my mug, I downed the last of my whisky and bid Gustav a good eve, claiming I needed to prepare for traveling tomorrow.
Then I climbed the stairs, hoping my father was still awake.
I would much rather enjoy this last night with him than the likes of Gustav and his vastly changed ways.
While I was glad to find Father sitting in front of the fire with Oksana at his feet, enjoying a whisky, I was even more pleased to see Astrid sitting beside him once again. The two were smiling at something they had been discussing, and the scene warmed me in ways I didn’t expect.
“Ah, he arrives at last.” Father gestured at the empty chair beside him and poured another cup of whisky. “Come join us this last night together, my son.”
Although the way he said that made me uneasy, I kept it from my face. “’Twill nae be the last night but one of many once we return, Da.”
“Aye, of course it will,” he replied softly, looking from Astrid to me fondly. “Ending each day with those who are dearest to me by my side.”
Though we said nothing more about it, I’d once again noticed Father eating very little tonight, and his color was paler than I would have liked.
Yet he seemed in good enough spirits as we chatted for a bit.
It felt so natural between us three that one would have never thought she’d only sat with us for the first time last night.
In fact, Astrid and I even shared a mutual smile or two while Father shared one humorous story or another.
Eventually, however, he grew wearier and addressed us with what I suspected had been on his mind since Alexander’s request that Astrid travel with him.
“Whilst I thought to speak with you two separately, I think mayhap together is better.” He looked from Astrid to me before his gaze settled on the fire, and he spoke softly, his tone resolute.
“Whether you believe it or not, son, I am still dying, and Astrid and I know it.
It might not be soon, but ‘twill be, and I would have you both agree to something before you leave lest I not be here when you return.”
“Och, you arenae—”
“I am,” he cut me off, his voice stronger and sterner when his gaze shot to me. “Tell him, Astrid. Give him the truth.”
“Aye.” I frowned at her. “Tell me, lass, for it seems you truly are a seer after all if you can divine such.”
“I am,” she said gently, without the usual bite to her voice. Swallowing hard, she blinked back tears and looked me in the eyes. “But I am also a verra good healer and can confirm Lachlann is right. ‘Tis just a matter of time.”
“Yet you are recovering, Da,” I exclaimed, turning my frown his way.
“Mayhap it seems like that at the moment, but ‘twill come for me.” He shook his head. “There cannae be any doubt.”
“Nay,” I denied.
“Aye.”
“Then I will stay and—”
“Nay, you willnae,” my father bit out, his voice sterner still, his gaze never straying from my face, daring me to defy him. “As your chieftain, I am ordering you to go and represent this clan. Ordering you to be as loyal to our rightful king as we are.”
Inhaling deeply, I held his gaze, tempted to oppose him, but I knew better. Father might be older, yet fierce when needed, and I sensed this was one of those moments if I did not tread lightly and agree to his terms.
“What would you have of me now?” I looked from Astrid back to him, not liking being forced into a corner, but truth be told, there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him, and he knew it. “Of Astrid now? We already agreed to marry if you passed, so I cannae imagine what else weighs on your mind.”
“I would have you marry this verra night in this chamber.”
“Och, nay,” I exclaimed, just as surprised as Astrid, given how her eyes rounded at my father.
He shook his head sharply. “I willnae go to my grave leaving Astrid in harm’s way because mark my words, if the king receives word of my death whilst you are gone, he will marry her to Gustav, and that man will make her life a living hell.
I dinnae doubt it for a moment. I already sent word with Astrid’s sister, Freya, to Earl Bj?rn Helvig that you two were to be married and to send his seal of approval so ‘twill be indisputable.”
“And what of our clan and me, Da?” I returned, baffled by this request. By what he’d already done without my knowing.
“All will be well.” Father assured, even though he had no way of knowing that.
He held up a hand to stop our protests and shook his head.
“’Twill be done, and there’s nothing more to say about it.
Whilst you will have to keep it secret for now, I would see it finalized this verra night, so she’s protected when Gustav manages to get his way. ”
Was he fevered and ill of mind? He appeared paler than usual, so mayhap that was it. “This is blatantly treasonous without the king’s permission and ‘twill bring the wrath of Alexander down on innocent people. Our innocent people.”
“’Twill nae.” Father's steady gaze remained on my face, his eyes clear enough.
“Because you and Astrid will win his favor during your travels and ‘twill be granted without him knowing it already happened.” He shook his head. “For I would never risk you, Astrid, or our clan. Trust me in this.” Gesturing at what was once my mother’s trunk in the corner, he patted his pocket.
“If, in the end, the king finds out you married in secret and takes issue with it, make sure he gets what’s in there.
‘Twill protect you, Astrid, and our clan well into the future.”