“Colin MacKenzie will take advantage of anyone he possibly can.” That she’d learnt well over the years during their warring.
“Aye, and at the time my father was betrothed to the Chief of MacLennan’s daughter and upon their marriage was due to receive a large dowry of land, along with the all-important allied relationship he coveted.” He spread one palm over her hip and drew gentle circles with his thumb, the pressure so sweet and sublime. “So my father devised a way in order for him to have both Beth and Cait. First, he wooed Beth, spoke handfast vows with her then once she’d conceived, he had her locked away and none permitted entry to care for her, other than a single maid. He intended, once Beth had given birth, to wait out the remainder of the year and a day then wed Cait, only during Beth’s captivity she had a vision of death-warning that involved herself and the two sons she carried.”
“That is the one thing all those with the death-warning skill fear. Seeing their own death, or that of their loved ones, and being unable to halt what is to come.” She pressed her hands to his shoulders, the warmth of his skin soothing her.
“Aye, and after seeing her imminent death, she pleaded with my father to allow Grace, her dear friend from her village, permission to visit her. Grace held the same death-warning skill as Beth and she had hoped that Grace would be able to watch over her, to aid her however she could during her labor and ensure she and her sons lived, only when that time came, she bled so terribly. There was naught Grace could do.”
“I’m so sorry.” A tear sprang forth and trickled down her cheek.
“I wish my mother had never passed, but afore she did, she asked Grace to watch over her newborn babes and ensure they lived. Grace gave my mother her word she would.” He touched his forehead to hers, his voice lowering to a husky whisper. “Following our birth, Coll and I were so sickly, what with being born almost two months too soon, although because of Grace and her dedication to our care, we lived.”
“’Tis terrible you lost your mother, although had you perished along with her, I’d be without a mate this day. I’m so grateful she asked Grace to watch over you.” Everything within her cried out at the thought of possibly losing him, and before she’d ever met him. Under the covers, she wriggled closer still, rubbed her body against his and sought the comfort she needed. “What happened next?”
“Within days of Beth’s death, my father sent for the MacLennan lass and he and Cait spoke vows, her dowry and lands quickly added to his so they might strengthen his own holdings. He then halted Grace’s ability to speak of all he’d done. Should Grace have told another the truth about our parentage, then he promised he’d send his warriors to her village and slay as many as he could. He had no desire to lose the lands he’d gained by incurring the MacLennan’s wrath and his intentions rang true, a vision assailing Grace should she ever speak the truth to her own kinsmen. So many innocent lives would have been lost.”
“Your father is a cruel, hard-hearted man.” All were well aware of the Chief of MacKenzie’s ruthlessness. “I’d rather never meet him again.”
“I’ll never permit such a meeting either. My father has deceived even me of late and I no longer trust him, not’ that I ever truly have.” Brows furrowed, he breathed deep. “When Coll and I were young, Grace returned to her village and Cait continued to care for us, just as wonderfully as any mother could.”
“Cait claimed both you and Coll as hers?”
“Aye, although she had little choice. She too fell victim to my father’s control. Thankfully though, she did all she could to raise us with all the love our true mother would have.” He pressed a kiss to her nose, his warm breath fluttering across her cheeks. “Cait passed the winter Coll and I turned seven, after suffering from an illness which made her breath so ragged she could barely take in any air. I sat at her bedside as she gave up the fight for her life.”
“I’m sorry you lost her too.”
“She was greatly loved by all within our clan.” He cleared his throat. “A year later, Grace returned to us once more after receiving a vision of death-warning regarding Coll and I. When she came to our father’s stronghold, she warned us of what she’d seen and that was when we learnt the full truth about our birth, that Cait had no’ been our true mother at all. That day we also learnt we’d soon come into our fae battle skill.”
“So that’s why you hold such strength.” She’d witnessed his great ability to battle from Dunscaith’s ramparts. “You fought against both the MacDonald and Gavin and held your position well.”
“Coll and I both hold the same skill, although afore one and all, our father has always declared our added strength came from holding his strong MacKenzie blood alone.”
“Now I understand why you’ve never harmed a Matheson.”