Chapter 7 #2
He never had to help cut peat or scour the barnacles off a birlinn or bring the sheep down for the season. But I did, and I wouldn’t be ashamed of it.
“Stormseeker,” Callor’s grandson finally acknowledged. “I was no’ aware I’d offended ye. But what other reason could there be, for keeping us waiting?”
“My apologies,” I bit out, eyes narrowing. “I was busy in the fields. My people needed me.”
The lad sniffed and—one hand resting on the hilt of his weapon—flicked his fingers dismissively.
“Well, we willnae be staying long. My grandfather, Callor of Battleborn, sent me.”
Obviously.
“Allow me to offer refreshments?”
“Nay, yer female has already asked. I told ye, we’re no’ staying long.”
My female—?
Oh, Issa. She acted as hostess on the rare occasions we had a visiting clan.
But the phrase reminded me that Rowena was nearby; I could feel her.
Aye, when I shifted slightly, I could see her in that lovely blue gown, standing beside Maardok among the gathered crowd.
Her hands were on her hips, and she was glaring at Dallin.
Just knowing she was beside me made me feel stronger, especially when the lad continued.
“We’re only here to check on the ore tribute ye are obligated to make. My grandfather expected it already. Our smiths are waiting to turn it into weapons, and rumor has it that ye returned almost a fortnight ago.”
From the crowd, my brother stepped forward. “Our chief has been ill.”
Dallin made a show of looking me up and down, while I hid my wince at Maardok’s confession. I hated appearing weak or making excuses.
“Ye dinnae look ill,” the lad finally said.
“I was wounded on the raid.” My left hand rose to touch my right shoulder. “No’ severely.”
Callor’s grandson sneered.
“How unfortunate. I thought ye were supposed to be a fearsome warrior.”
Aye. I just met one who was my equal.
I kept my lips from twitching and instead inclined my head as regally as I could manage.
“Yer sympathies are noted.”
Since the lad hadn’t been offering sympathies, my deliberate misunderstanding caused him to scowl and glance at the two bodyguards at his side.
“When are ye sending the ore, Stormseeker? My grandfather is impatient to begin his campaign against the Breakbone clan.”
When?
‘Twas something I’d been putting off thinking about. Callor hadn’t given me a deadline when he’d demanded tribute, and I hadn’t asked. I’d been hoping to put off the journey until after the harvest was stored and sorted, and the animals slaughtered and preserved.
But Dallin didn’t need to hear that. So, I kept my expression impassive.
“Soon, I hope.”
“I want to see it,” he announced, chin high. “I need to ensure ye’re no’ using it yerself, having yer smith forge it into weapons for yer use.”
I’ll admit that on our raid, my warriors had taken more ore than Callor had demanded, for just that purpose. But I met my obligations.
“I swore an oath to yer grandfather when I became chief,” I told him stiffly. “I continue to meet his demands.”
Even when they became more and more burdensome.
“We shall see,” Dallin sniffed.
“Ye’re welcome to take the ore with ye today, return it to Callor.”
But the lad was already shaking his head.
“My men and I traveled lightly, without a wagon. We couldnae possibly take on such a burden.”
Meaning he was expecting my warriors to be the ones to travel to the Highlands and back, taking time away from obligations and family in order to deliver the ore.
I couldn’t help the way I growled.
“Then ye will take a sample with ye, as a sign of the loyalty of Battleborn of Islay.”
Just saying that word—loyalty—made my Kteer growl and my stomach heave.
I gestured to Maardok.
“My lieutenant will show ye where the ore is being stored.”
My brother glared at me, likely because he was irritated at such a lowly chore—or mayhap at having to spend time in Dallin’s company.
But he was my lieutenant, and I owed him for pointing out my weakness to our liege’s man.
So, I merely raised a brow and tipped my head, and he huffed and gestured to the delegation for the mainland, leading them toward the barns where we’d stored the ore.
Fook.
I waited until Dallin and his men had left and my clan began to dissipate before allowing myself to sigh. The tension was still there, however, as my sister moved to my side, watching them go.
And then Rowena was there at my other side, and my Kteer purred silently at her presence. I felt her there, felt stronger because of her—and because of the way she was glaring after Dallin. I couldn’t help but consider Jean’s certainty.
Mate.
I stared down at my fierce wildcat, thinking of the way my body, my heart, my Kteer had responded to her, even as my sister spoke.
“What are ye going to do? Can we afford to send a delegation right now?”
How could I not? I was pledged to the mainland Battleborn, and our liege had demanded the tribute now. I was an honorable male, even if my clan struggled.
Rowena finally turned her gaze up at me, and when I inhaled her scent, I felt the band around my chest ease. Just having her looking up at me, silently asking how she could help, made me stronger.
Mate.
Aye, ‘twas the truth. I saw it now.
Could I convince Rowena?
Would she accept it, or did she still think of me as her enemy?
Did she still yearn to return to her world in a few weeks?
I wouldn’t be able to escort her and the ore.
If she still wanted to go home, could I—in good conscience—object?
Could I tell her that she was my Mate, or would that be manipulative and selfish?
If she didn’t accept my world, how could she accept me?
I needed to explain it to her—explain everything—and ask her intentions.
Now, my Kteer seemed to whisper to me.
“Vrogul?” Issa prompted. “What are ye going to do?”
I slung my arm around Rowena’s shoulders, tugging her up against my side. Where she belonged.
“I’m going to take a bath.”
I winked down at the woman in my arms.
“And I’m going to bring my wee wildcat to scrub my back.”
One of Rowena’s brows twitched teasingly. “I could plant a blade in it instead.”
“Aye, that ye could,” I drawled, squeezing her. “But ye willnae. Ye like my back.”
She huffed, but didn’t object when I turned us toward home to pick up soap and a clean plaid.
I needed to hear Rowena’s thoughts, and the hot springs was the perfect place.