The Silent Highlander by Donna Fletcher
Chapter 34
Odran rested his hand on his wife’s stomach that had rounded quite a bit in the last month. “At least you have received no troublesome word from either of your sisters.”
“That’s the problem,” Elysia argued. “I have received no word at all, not even a message from Bram letting me know how Bliss is doing.”
“You may not have received word from him, but at least you have not received any bad word from him,” Odran said, trying to keep her from worrying.
Elysia snuggled closer to her husband in bed. “We could go visit.”
“No!” Odran said firmly. “Here I can keep you safe, whereas on a journey anything can happen. I think Bliss would agree with me. I already received word from Rannick that he will make sure Bliss is here to deliver our bairn. And by then, perhaps Annis will have returned. For now, we enjoy the unusual peace that has settled over the clan. Everyone is amazed by it and hopeful it remains.”
“Things have gone well lately,” Elysia agreed.
“Aye. Da does well and is content to leave me with the leadership of the clan.”
Elysia laughed softly. “That’s because your mum is her old self, from what everyone says, and the two are spending endless time together.”
“I think they’re making up for the time they lost and I’m glad to see them so happy once again. I’m also glad Berdina is serving well as our new healer and that Rory and her are happy together. He drinks little if none nowadays. And he teaches Dugan to be a fine warrior. He was a brave lad that night with Cadell, playing him for a fool and making him believe he could be bought for a coin all so he could protect you. I am grateful to him and proud of him.”
“I’m glad you told him that. He walks with much pride now and relief that he and his mum finally have a good home,” Elysia said, laying her head on her husband’s chest and loving the feel of his strong arm wrap around her. “Finch and Lendra have much healing to do yet, though I am relieved that Lendra talks no more of Bram. I think seeing Crissa’s obsession with Finch made her realize her own obsession with Bram.”
“The two spend much time together commiserating,” Odran said. “Maybe they will find in each other what they didn’t find in others.”
Elysia smiled up at him. “Aren’t you pleased, husband, that I warned you to get Willa a new blackthorn stick?”
Odran shook his head. “What you didn’t warn me about was all the other people who would complain to me that I got her the stick. She brandishes it around like a weapon.”
Elysia laughed. “Still, I think you prefer their complaints than what she would have suffered on you if she had no blackthorn stick. Besides, she keeps waving the stick over my stomach every time she sees me confident it will keep evil away from our bairn.”
Odran rubbed his wife’s stomach. “I hope her words and the magic of the blackthorn stick proves true.”
Voices outside the bedroom door drew their attention.
“It’s my task to inform Lord Odran,” Stiles said.
“And I will be there when you do,” Lendra insisted.
Elysia sat up, the blanket falling to her waist and revealing her breasts that had grown fuller in the last month.
Odran got out of bed and grabbed the soft wool robe his wife had stitched for herself and helped her slip it on.
The knock came then and Odran ordered, “One moment.” after seeing his wife was covered, he fetched his plaid and wrapped it around his waist, then returned to sit beside his wife in the bed before calling out, “Enter.”
Stiles walked in, Lendra close on his heels and a worried look in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Elysia asked.
Stiles looked to Odran and he nodded, giving him permission to deliver whatever news he had for them.
“Word has been received, my lord.”
Elysia didn’t like that Stiles avoided looking at her and that Lendra didn’t take her eyes off Elysia. She reached out to take hold of her husband’s hand and his fingers closed firmly around hers.
Stiles hurried to deliver the rest. “Lord Brogan and Annis have been captured by mercenaries.”
Elysia gasped and her husband’s arm went around her and she saw tears pool in Lendra’s eyes.
“Is this news to be trusted?” Odran asked.
“Aye, my lord, a completely trustworthy source,” Stiles confirmed.
“Have Finch ready to leave in the morning to take a message to Rannick,” Odran ordered.
“Aye, my lord,” Stiles said and looked to Lendra. “Come. We take our leave.”
“Annis is strong and courageous, Lady Elysia. She can survive anything,” Lendra said, trying to keep her tears from falling. “The mercenaries will learn soon enough their mistake and release her.”
“I pray your words prove true, Lendra,” Elysia said, fighting her own tears.
“If you need me, my lady, I am here for you,” Lendra said and followed Stiles out the door.
Elysia turned to her husband as soon as the door closed. “You send a message letting Bliss know what happened to Annis?”
“Nay, I send a message to Rannick. He spent time with a troop of mercenaries and if anyone can help Annis and Brogan, he can. Though Brogan is a skilled warrior and I have no doubt he will keep Annis safe.”
Memories flooded Elysia and, surprisingly, she suddenly found herself chuckling.
“I know what you think, wife, for I thought the same,” Odran said with a chuckle of his own.
Elysia smiled. “Lendra is right. The mercenaries will rue the day they captured Annis.”
Odran and Elysia fell back on the bed laughing, then turned to face each other.
“Something has changed. I don’t know what, but it almost feels as if the curse has lost some of its power and there is now hope for a brighter future. Maybe Annis found a way to end the curse and has freed us all,” Odran said and kissed his wife gently. “Regardless of what happens, wife, my love for you grows stronger by the day.”
Elysia smiled. “I always knew you had a big heart and I’m glad it belongs to me.”
“Always, wife, always,” Odran said and sealed his vow with a kiss.
THE END
Find out what happens to Annis & Brogan in
The Condemned Highlander
Book 2 Highland Intrigue Trilogy
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