“I’ve accepted all that happened, have no issue since my capture brought me to you.” With one hand firm on the hilt of his side belted sword, he strode into the great hall with its vaulted ceiling and high wooden beamed rafters. Large tapestries of the countryside covered the walls, and a dozen or more trestle tables had been pushed to one side with a good fifty sleeping pallets laid down before the roaring fire. Warriors had already bedded down for the night, men wearing both the MacKenzie plaid as he did, and the MacRae tartan. “Why are there so many warriors from clan MacRae here?”
“One of the MacRae chief’s sons now possesses a large parcel of land to the south of us and has forged an alliance with Coll and Duncan. The younger MacRae has wed a lass who holds a touch of fae blood and wishes only to ensure her protection and that of their son. His eldest is only four and holds the ‘power of thought.’ He can levitate, move objects and people, and all with only a thought from his mind alone.” Kyla sent a wave of warmth and love down their link, wrapped him fully in it. “Muirin aids the young lad in his training and Coll and Duncan have moved swiftly to ensure she can without issue. Certainly should Colin ever get his hands on the lad, I shudder to think what would become of him.”
“At the village, we have two who hold the same skill. They could aid the lad in his training as well if required.” He’d make the offer to whomever he must another time. For now, he followed Hamish around the perimeter of the hall and into a side antechamber holding a large table and chairs.
Hamish crossed to the other side of the room and knocked on a partially opened door. “’Tis Hamish.”
“Come in.”
That voice Ronan would never mistake, not when it belonged to his most beloved parent. Grinning, he jogged past Hamish and rushed inside. Behind a chunky oak desk in the chief’s solar, Father sat, his blond hair holding a streak of silver on one side. “Father.”
“Ronan?” With his sword sheathed at his side, Father shoved to his feet in gray pants and a thick fur vest. Face awash with astonishment, he swept around the desk. “I realize ’tis been a month since I last saw you, but you’ve changed a great deal in that time.” Father grasped his arms. “What is with those lips of yours? Did a bee sting you?”
“Several bees, and so much has happened since our joint capture.” He hauled Father into his arms and held him close, such relief at seeing him flowing through him. “Are you well?”
“Very, and how on earth are you here with Hamish?” Shaking his head, Father stared at him with such bewilderment. Not surprising. The same emotion still consumed him with all he’d learnt this day.
“I needed to sneak back into Carron Castle and claim my chosen one, and preferably without alerting the guards as to whom I was. Kyla holds fae blood and the mind-walker skill, is Grace and Isaiah’s lost daughter, Christina.”
“Kyla has accepted you and your bond?”
“She will, as soon as I clear up a matter of who she is currently betrothed to.”
“What betrothal do you speak of?”
“Duncan has no’ told you?”
“I havenae seen Duncan since he rode in.”
“I heard visitors have arrived.” With a great plaid belted at his waist and looped over one shoulder, a claymore glinting at his side, Duncan strode in and cast his gaze from Hamish to Father then him. “Coll?” A deep frown. “What are you doing back?”
“This isnae Coll.” Father clapped Ronan on the shoulder. “Duncan, meet Ronan, my son.”
“Hell, your resemblance to my brother is so strong, yet you look naught as you did the last time we met.” Duncan stepped closer. “Your hair is dark, your beard gone and that mouth...”
“Aye, my mouth is fuller.” He rubbed his plump lips. “I had need to disguise my appearance to begin with in order to get into Carron, had no idea though that in doing so I’d end up looking exactly like Coll, my cousin.”
“You’re aware Coll and I are your cousins?”
“Hamish explained the details surrounding your birth, ‘saw’ that he could speak to me of it, and glad I am that he did.” No matter Duncan had captured him and Father, separated them afterward and had him contained within Carron’s cells while he’d brought Father here, he’d still done so in order to give Muirin the chance to meet his parent and accept their bond. That he couldn’t fault Duncan for. “I only wish I’d known of your fae blood sooner. It would have made all the difference.”
“Coll and I take great care with whom we tell.” Duncan glanced at Hamish. “What else might you have seen?”