Page 46 of Claimed by a Highlander
“All the same, you’ll fight your uncle for the chieftainship?”
“Hector is attacking our neighboring clans and turning our allies against us,” Rory said. “That is a dangerous path that will anger the crown and weaken our clan against our greatest enemy, the MacDonalds. I cannot let that happen.”
Hector did not sound so very different from her brother Archie, who fought a bloody battle in the streets of Edinburgh to gain power and instead caused the downfall of his family and clan.
When they returned to the cottage, Malcolm and his wife were waiting outside for them.
“Ye must set aside your grief, son,” Malcolm said. “The clan needs ye, and we need ye now.”
“I will do my duty.” Rory gripped Malcolm’s shoulder. “I swear to you on the blood of my father and brother that I will defeat Hector and take my place as the MacKenzie.”
“I know ye will succeed,” Malcolm said. “You’ll need as many clansmen at Castle Leod to support ye as we can muster. I’ll send my sons and grandsons to spread the word among those we can trust.”
“When the time is right, we’ll need them to light the fires to call the clan to the gathering at Castle Leod,” Rory said. “Meet me at Killin at…”
Sybil wanted to listen to the rest of their plan, but Malcolm’s wife took her arm and pulled her inside the cottage.
“Many will say that you’re a poor choice for Rory’s wife, being a Lowlander,” Grizel said.
Sybil already knew that too well. If the woman was going to lecture her, she wished she’d be quick.
“But I disagree,” Grizel said. “Hector consorts with demons. To fight him, Rory could use a lass at his side who has the protection of the faeries.”
“The faeries?” Sybil raised her eyebrows. When Grizel pointed at Sybil’s throat, her hand went to the pendant her mother had given her.
“That stone holds powerful magic,” Grizel said. “Never take it off.”
Sybil ran her thumb over the smooth, polished surface. Malcolm’s wife made her nervous.
“Your heart is burdened with lies,” Grizel said, which made Sybil almost jump out of her skin. “But I believe ye mean to help our Rory.”
“I do want to help him.” Sybil could barely get out the words.
“Aye,” the old woman said, nodding to herself. “When ye look at him, the air around ye turns a shimmering blue.”
Sybil stifled the urge to make the sign of the cross for fear of insulting the older woman. Before she could ask what the blue glow meant, Grizel thrust a cloth bag that smelled of fish into her hands.
“For your supper,” the older woman said. “Now, don’t keep your man waiting.”
“Thank you and God bless,” Sybil said.
Rory was already mounted when she went outside, and he pulled her up behind him.
“We’ll meet at Killin,” Rory said.
“Until then, keep your sword sharp,ceann-cinnidh,”chieftain, Malcolm called out and raised his fist as they rode off.
CHAPTER 17
Sybil’s heart ached for Rory. Sensing he did not wish to speak, she simply rested her head against his back and held him close as they rode in silence.
When it grew too dark to ride, they made camp in the shelter of a large boulder near the winding river that ran through the valley.Sybil’s frozen feet prickled as the heat from their small fire seeped through her boots while they ate the supper of smoked kippers and oatcakes that Malcolm’s wife had packed for them.
Sybil drew her cloak up to her chin against the wind and watched the night clouds blowing across the moon. Rory put his arm around her and wrapped the extra blanket around them both.
The misery in his hollow eyes made her stomach hurt. Was it only this morning that he had been so happy and proud at the prospect of showing her Eilean Donan?
“I’m sorry we’re living rough again tonight,” he said.
