The Betrayal Read Free Page B

waif striding alongside Kylia, holding a string of fish.
    They called out, “Good day to you.”
    “Good day.” He paused. “I thank you all for your gift of healing. I am forever in your debt.”
    The older woman smiled. “We were pleased to be of service. I am Wilona, of the clan Drummond.” She turned to a woman seated at a loom. “This is my daughter, Nola, and our friend, Bessie. This is Jeremy, and my granddaughters Gwenellen and Kylia, whom you’ve already met.”
    He tried not to stare at the raven-haired beauty, whose damp gown clung to every line and curve of her slender body. She seemed completely unaware of how she looked as she picked up a sharp knife and began preparing the fish for the fire.
    “I am Grant, laird of the clan MacCallum.”
    “A laird?” Wilona gave him an assessing look. “We are honored by your visit. But a man doesn’t pit his courage against a dragon without good reason. What does the laird of the clan MacCallum desire from the Mystical Kingdom?”
    He thought of the bitter betrayal that had brought him to such a desperate journey. His tone hardened. “I come seeking the name of my enemy, who walks in the guise of friend.”
    “What makes you think we can help you?”
    “You have already proved that you can heal my body. I must heal my clan by learning a name.”
    “So that you can seek vengeance?”
    He heard the note of censure in the old woman’s voice. “So that I can keep my people safe from future betrayals.”
    Wilona studied him before turning back to the kettle. “There is time to speak of this later. For now, since you’ve regained your strength, Kylia and Gwenellen are eager to show you our kingdom.”
    Grant knew that he was being dismissed, yet he took no offense. These women needed time to allay their fears of him, just as he needed time to adjust to his situation. “I’m eager to see it, for I’ve heard of this place since I was a wee bairn.”
    He followed slowly behind the two young women who danced ahead, leading their guest across a meadow abloom with heather. Jeremy, no taller than a lad, trailed far behind.
    When they were gone, Wilona turned and saw her daughter watching their departure with a look of intense concentration. “You’re worried, my daughter.”
    “Not so much worried, but…concerned.”
    “You fear the stranger has brought danger to our door?”
    “Nay. At least not physical danger. But he is most pleasant to look upon. I’ve seen the way Kylia watches him.”
    “She’s unaccustomed to having a man to look at.”
    “Aye. Or having a man look at her. I see him watching her, as well.”
    “What is it you fear, daughter? That you’ll lose her to him?”
    Nola was quick to shake her head. “If it were to be a love match, I would be greatly pleased. But ever since Allegra left our kingdom, I’ve seen a look in Kylia’s eyes. She yearns for someone of her own. Someone to touch her heart in that same way Merrick has touched Allegra’s heart. ‘’
    “And you fear that Kylia is in love with the notion of love.”
    Nola nodded. “Perhaps we were wrong to shelter the lasses from the outside world. They’re so innocent.”
    “But not helpless. We’ve raised them to be strong and bright and independent. Now we must trust that we gave them all they need to survive. In our world or the other.”
    Nola sighed. “I suppose it has always been a mother’s lot in life to trust that she did all that was necessary to help her children survive and thrive.”
    Wilona drew an arm around her shoulders. “Come. Leave your loom for now, Nola. And your worries, as well. With Bessie’s help, let’s prepare a meal fit for a lord.”
     
     
    Grant followed the two young women across a meadow abloom with wildflowers, the likes of which he’d never seen before. Acre upon acre of foxglove taller than his head, in the most vivid shades of red and orange and deep purple. The air was perfumed with heather and soft pink roses and exotic flowers