Highlander the Dark Dragon Read Free Page B

only bathed the night before, the rose-scented soap still lingering in her hair and on her skin.
    Patience had insisted that she and Emma always keep a small dirk in their boots since you never know when one might be needed and so she tucked hers in her boot. The last thing she did was slip a blue ribbon through the ring that was forever with her and tie it around her neck, then tuck it beneath her clothes to lie against her chest. The ring meant everything to her. It had been given to her by the man she loved and would always love. It had given her strength through the years when she thought she had had none left. And at the moment, she could use as much strength as she could get.
    She gathered up a few of her garments and items to tie securely in a plaid, knowing her sisters would see to the rest for her and without giving her bedchamber a second glance, she hurriedly left the room, closing the door behind her and on the safe and loving life she had always known.
    ~~~
    The Great Hall had filled with Macinnes and MacClennan warriors. Rogan and Hunter wore their swords at their sides, their hands not far from the hilts. Patience had tucked two, unsheathed dirks, behind her leather girdle that held her sword to the right of her waist. She was prepared to draw a weapon quickly if necessary and that frightened Heather. She wanted no one dying here today because of her.
    Tears still lingered in Emma’s eyes, though she too had a dirk at her waist, though only one and it was sheathed. Her father was the only one who wore no weapons.
    With a tempered smile, her father stretched his hand out to Heather.
    A servant took the bundle with her few possessions from her with a nod and Heather noticed tears pooling in her eyes. Giving a glance about as she approached her father, she noticed most of the servants appeared ready to shed tears for her and her heart swelled with how much they cared for her.
    It made it that more difficult to leave her loving home and yet made it somewhat easier, knowing her sacrifice would save the lives of those who loved her. She held her chin high and kept her shoulders back and walked with false bravado when truly she was more frightened than she had ever been.
    She was certain her wobbling legs would betray her and give way or that the tremor she felt inside would suddenly break free and she would tremble all over with fear for everyone to see.
    Her father reached out when she drew near him and slipped a sturdy arm around her waist to rest her against him. She was never so grateful for his support and never prayed so hard for a miracle that would allow her to remain there beside him forever.
    The two large doors to the Great Hall opened and two Macinnes warriors entered and stood to the sides of each door. Other Macinnes warriors followed suit until twenty warriors formed two lines, ten on each side. Ghost warriors entered after that, not one wearing a weapon, and ten joined the two lines of Macinnes warriors, five at the end of each line.
    The room turned completely silent and breathes were held in anticipation of the Dark Dragon’s entrance.
    Darkness suddenly filled the doorway, spreading as the black draped figure stepped through.
    The Dark Dragon had arrived.

Chapter Three
    Heather felt her legs give way and if it was not for her father’s firm hold around her waist, she would have collapsed as she watched the Dark Dragon—her husband—walk toward her.
    He was draped in black, from the black metal helmet that concealed all but his mouth, a portion of his jaw and his eyes, eyes that seemed as dark as his garments, all the way down to his black leather boots. He walked with such powerful strides that his black cloak bellowed out behind him or perhaps it was the pointed, stiff leather spikes that ran along his shoulders and down the upper arms of his leather tunic that kept the cloak a flight.
    He seemed to grow in size the closer he got and Heather’s fear grew with each step he took. It was no