Chapter 12 #2
“Nay, not at all. You were distracted at the time.” Her finger poked my side. “But I had a nice visit with Isadora and Verna last night, and they explained.”
“Thank fook,” I sighed. “And? Are ye willing to undergo such a ceremony?”
Lillian was quiet for long enough for the dread to settle in my chest once more, and my Kteer to whine with worry. She pressed her cheek to my shoulder.
Finally, she took a deep breath.
“I think… I am terrified at the prospect of so many eyes upon me for any ceremony, Kragorn. But I think, if it means being joined with you for the rest of our lives, then I can undergo such humiliation.”
Humiliation?
My Mate’s words bounced around my chest, even as I gathered her to me, rolling her atop me, trying to show her my joy and excitement.
“Love, ‘tis an honor, no’ a humiliation. But the fact ye’re willing to become my Mate in every sense . . ..” My voice grew thick with emotion. “It means much to me.”
“Does it?” she whispered, wriggling her warm little naked body atop mine. “How much?”
Grinning, I showed her exactly how much she meant to me.
‘Twas much later—the sun already high in the sky, when I finished dressing. Lillian was pattering around the cottage with her hair tumbling down around her shoulders and her feet encased with warm woolen socks as she finished ladling the porridge into bowls.
How had I become so used to her presence in such a short time? Here in my home, in my heart. I vowed to have some rugs made to keep her feet warm in the winter, and to fetch some sweet-smelling herbs for the hearth.
What else could I do to bring my Mate joy?
I would have a lifetime to discover.
The knock at the door jolted me into muttering a curse.
“Who is it?” Lillian shot me a curious look. “You sound as if you’re expecting someone.”
“I suspect,” I growled, then stomped to the door and raised my voice. “Go away. My Mate is naked and ye’ll no’ gawk at her.”
Lillian’s gasp was drowned out by the chuckles from the other side of the door.
“Ye sleep late, chief,” came the mocking call.
“Fook me,” I muttered, and turned to see Lillian’s wide eyes, and I knew I had to explain. “’Tis Vrogul Stormseeker, the chief of the Islay Battleborn. He came to visit last night with news.”
“News?” she squeaked as her hands—holding the porridge—began to shake. Nay, her entire body shook!
“He was the one in the hall…that—that night?”
Forgetting the other male, I darted to her side, placing the porridge bowl safely on the table and gathering her in my arms.
“Hush, love, hush. He cannae hurt ye, he cannae hurt us.”
I wondered if ‘twas a lie.
Lillian turned to bury her face against my chest and I wrapped my arms around her back, willing my warmth and strength into her.
“This is why I would make a poor wife of a chief, Kragorn.” Her words were muffled. “I am terrified of everything.”
“Aye, dkaar,” I drawled, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. “But ye face yer fears bravely, and that is why the clan will look to ye in example.”
I felt her shudder, and I sighed in response. She was willing to stand in front of our people and accept my claim…how could she doubt her courage?
“The Stormseeker told me last night that he wanted to speak with me today in private.” I squeezed her. “I suppose, after I eat, I’ll find him—”
“Nay.” She pulled away with a deep breath. “Call him in now. He can have my portion of porridge, and I will leave you both—”
I interrupted her with a squeeze. “Whatever he has to say, he can say to my Mate as well as me.” I met Lillian’s surprised gaze and nodded firmly. “Ye will be my partner, love. I will want ye by my side for all important decisions. We will start today.”
Her nod was hesitant, and there was surprise in her eyes, but she smiled softly.
“I am just wondering what my father or another laird would say if someone were to suggest his wife should help him make decisions.”
Considering he likely had treated his wife the way he’d treated Lillian, as a servant to his needs, I could well imagine. I squeezed her lightly again.
“I keep telling ye, dkaar, ye are no’ in the human’s world any longer.”
I took a deep breath to tell her the news of her father—that Tarbert was here in our world—but Lillian tugged away from me and hurried to the door. When she cracked it open, I could see her steeling herself as she lifted her chin.
“Hello again, Laird Battleborn. My Mate will see you now.”
“Lillian,” I murmured, holding my hand out to her, ridiculously proud of her courage. When she hurried back to my side, leaving the Stormseeker to duck his head and enter our home, I tucked her up against my side.
“Sit down, Stormseeker,” I commanded, sinking into my own chair and pulling Lillian down into my lap. “Ye will tell both my Mate and myself what ye need to say.”
The other male nodded respectfully before following my command. He did, however, push the bowl of porridge toward Lillian, who ignored it to curl her fingers around a pleat of my kilt.
Stormseeker placed his palms flat on the table and met my eyes before glancing at my Mate and back again.
“I have traveled here from Islay for two reasons. My first was to apologize to ye.”
I reared back in surprise and Lillian made a little noise of astonishment.
The other male nodded solemnly. “My crew and I have made life…interesting for the humans who live on the western isles, and Tarbert knew we would be powerful allies. He already has the Bladesedge clan, thanks to the Mating of his daughters.” He nodded to Lillian. “Yer sisters.”
“I know,” she whispered, her hold on me tightening. “Kragorn assures me they are well-cared for.”
“Aye, of course.” Stormseeker sounded surprised. “An orc would never mistreat his Mate—”
“Or any female,” I growled impatiently, and the other male’s lips twitched briefly.
“Or any female,” he agreed. “I have nae alliance with Bladesedge or Bloodfire, so I went to listen to what Tarbert had to offer my clan. He has warriors and weapons, but Battleborn have nae need of that.”
I nodded thoughtfully, my palm slowly running up and down my Mate’s spine.
“’Tis true. The Battleborn are fierce enough on their own.”
The other man grunted in agreement. “He offered me rich foods and heavy wine, and much gold.”
With a scoff, I shook my head. “The arsehole still doesnae understand what we value?”
“On Hogmanay, he offered me ye. Said that having the chief of an enemy clan at my mercy would make me feared in the Highlands.”
Lillian sat forward. “And you told him you were already feared in the Highlands.”
Stormseeker’s grin flashed for a moment. “Indeed, Lady Lillian. But the thought of one of my kind in captivity…it didnae sit well. I agreed to accept his gift, thinking I would no’ be obligated to keep my word to a slaver.”
“You were going to take him?” My Mate was shaking again. “You were going to accept my father’s offer?”
I’d prepared to comfort her, but when I realized ‘twas fury that made her shake, I sat back in my chair, my lips curling in pride. I could tell the other male was equally impressed by her defense of me.
“Aye, I was, Lady Lillian,” he said quietly. “I figured we had a short amount of time to escape Tarbert Keep, and I could get him help in our world. But the night of Hogmanay, which would have been the ideal time to act…Kragorn saved himself.”
“He took me and my father while you just stood there and did naught.”
He inclined his head deeply, then met Lillian’s eyes.
“Aye, which is why I’ve come to apologize. I should have fought at yer side—Bloodfire and Battleborn. My stomach had knotted in disgust at the sight of what he’d done to ye, but when I realized ye were making yer own escape, I held myself back.”
“Ye were waiting to see if I would be successful?” I asked mildly. “Were yer men with ye?”
“Ten of them.” The other male held my gaze, and I read honest regret on his face. “Tarbert was housing them with his men.”
“And ye had nae idea what would happen to them were ye to attack me.”
“Still—” Lillian began, and I leaned forward to brush a kiss across her temple, silencing her.
“Love, a chief’s duty is to those who have put their trust in him. I would do naught to endanger my warriors, even if it cost me my honor.”
Stormseeker’s lips curled ruefully. “I would hope it didnae cost me the entirety of my honor, but I still came to ask yer forgiveness.”
I pretended to consider as I studied him.
Of course I would forgive him for not helping me that night. It sounded as if he’d intended to trick Tarbert in order to get me free, had I not done it myself. If he had, I wouldn’t have been able to take Lillian, so I couldn’t be disappointed.
Besides, my clan couldn’t afford to become enemies of the Battleborn. I would accept his apology, and…
“What was the second thing you came to offer?” my fierce little Mate sniffed from her place on my lap where she frowned at our guest.
“Our allegiance,” the Stormseeker announced bluntly. “’Tis a powerful incentive in the west, chief’s Mate. Together, Battleborn and Bloodfire can face Bladesedge and push them back.”
I will confess, that had been exactly what I’d been hoping he’d say. So when Lillian turned to me with her brows raised, excitement in her eyes, I nodded in agreement. We didn’t need to speak, not when her approval was so obvious.
I leaned forward, my hand across the table, and when the other male gripped my forearm, I squeezed his.
“I accept yer apology, and offer ye Bloodfire’s allegiance. Welcome, brother.”