Page 35 of The Best of Madeline Grant

“‘Tis not defiance but consideration that guides her. I recall a young lass who wished to stop my pursuit of two monsters because she didn’t want anyone hurt on account of her.” He trailed his finger down the line of her jaw and over her chin. “Do you not recall something similar?”

She latched on to his hand. “Aye, I remember. Do you think she is so headstrong about Davina because the lass has been abused as I was?”

Tears misted his wife’s eyes, and he set his finger under her chin to lift her gaze to his. “Do not ever think that you have done aught but raise a beautiful soul who is generous of heart.”

“I’m sorry, Alex, if she’s gone on this venture because of me or my past.”

The tears in her eyes grew as big as his thumb, and he brushed them away as fast as they fell. “Know this. I do not fault Kyla for going after a cruel bastard, nor do I fault Finlay for assisting her when she became headstrong. They were both raised with the honor of our ancestors and I am proud of them. Mayhap this will be good for all in the end.”

She rested her head on his shoulder and sobbed. “I miss her, Alex. Go get her…and get Davina, too. Find Finlay and bring him home. The poor lad just lost his mother.”

“Our clan is strong and has many allies. We will bring Kyla and Finlay home. If Davina wishes to come here, we will welcome her with open arms.” How he needed to believe his own words and make good on his promise to his wife.

Chapter 16

Maddie and the Midnights.

The stable lads brought out Quade’s horse, then Alex’s, the offspring of his dear Midnight. Maddie moved over to the tall stallion and offered him an apple. Alex couldn’t help but smile as he listened to his wee wife whisper soft words to Black Lightning, appropriately named by Kyla. Maddie had always promised his horse sweet treats upon his safe return. While others thought it foolish, Alex did not question her methods. Mayhap there was something to it.

“We’ll be ready, Alex.” Jennie gave him a long hug, and Brenna did the same before she helped Quade mount. His sisters would stay behind with his wife. “Just remember, Kyla’s as strong as her parents.”

Everyone moved away except for Maddie, who returned to his side and took his hand. “I have three requests, Alex.”

“Go ahead.” His thumb caressed her cheek, his way of telling her how beautiful she remained after all these years. “I’ll honor what I can.”

Her blue eyes stared into his and she whispered, “Bring our daughter back. Be careful.”

She stared at the ground. He knew it to be her way of controlling her tears. He lifted her chin with his finger, this woman whom he cherished beyond belief, who had given him five of the most beautiful children in the world. He would do whatever she asked. “And the third thing, wife?” He bent down and kissed her.

When he ended the kiss, her blue eyes blazed.

“Kill those bastards.”

Chapter 18

Kyla returns with a new friend, Gillie. Brodie brings the two of them home while Alex and the others go on to finish the battle.

When they arrived on Cameron land, it was near dark, but Kyla knew she would not be able to sleep.

“Uncle Brodie, I hope Mama is still up.”

He gave her a sideways glance. “Lass, I doubt your mother will get a wink of sleep until your sire, your brothers, and you are all at home. She has Elizabeth and Maeve with her, but this is the first time she’s been without so many of you.”

Uncle Brodie took his horse directly to the steps of the Cameron great hall. Nicol had left his horse at the stable, and he and Gillie and a stableboy followed them on foot to the keep. The stableboy would take the horse back once they dismounted.

“Where are we, my lord?” Gillie peered up at the towers around the Cameron wall with such an obvious sense of wonder, Kyla herself felt as if she were seeing it for the first time. “And what was the big building we passed? It looked like a kirk.”

“That was Lochluin Abbey, and this is Aedan Cameron’s land,” Nicol said. “He married Kyla’s Aunt Jennie. Get the door for me and see who’s in the hall. Hopefully, we’ll find Kyla’s mother. She’s been riddled with worry ever since Kyla was taken captive.”

Nicol helped Kyla down from the horse while Gillie scurried up the steps. Her uncle dismounted and supported her other side. She set her foot down carefully to test it, but the pain was excruciating. “I cannot walk on it, Uncle Brodie.”

Then her mother appeared in the doorway, hand-in-hand with wee Maeve, and everything else fell away. “Kyla?” Maddie said on a gasp. “Is it truly you?” Then she let go of Maeve’s hand to rush to her side. “Oh, Kyla. Thank the Lord above you are here.”

Maddie hugged her, and Kyla could feel the fine tremors in her mother’s shoulders and the wetness of her cheeks.

“Forgive me, Mama.”

Since it was dark, Kyla guessed her mother hadn’t noticed her condition. Uncle Brodie stood behind her so she wouldn’t fall, and she clung to her mother’s shoulders as much to keep herself from falling as for comfort.