Page 83 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
“For a moment, Lord Kolson,” Nella growled, and she gave his fingers a tight squeeze in hidden signal of solidarity before releasing him.Aye, soon, Nella, we shall be together.
He turned, took his first step, then halted. Wrong. This was completely wrong. All those years ago, he had stepped awayfrom her. The circumstance had forced an irrevocable point that had shaped their destiny.
He spun on his heel. “Come with me, Nella.”
Holger choked on his words. “You cannot be serious, Scotsman.”
“Completely,” he said solemnly, then re-took her hand. “Each time I have let circumstances cast us asunder, fate turns dire. In the gravest way. From the burgh all those years ago to the raging river. At one another’s side we must remain henceforth. What say you, Nella?”
Her hand cupped his jaw, and her words sparkled in a tone by the smile on her face. “Lead the way, my knight.”
In spite of the tense air, he found himself fighting a grin. Holger ripped his sword from his scabbard. “No.” He stepped before them. “You will not take her in there to her demise if this turns sour.”
Callum set Nella behind him, shielding her from the sudden foe. “Lord Kolson,” he warned, “in honor of the fact we are about to sign a treaty between our two kingdoms in but a short while I will ask this once. Step aside.”
“I shall step my foot straight up your—”
“Rider’s approach from the south,” Nella broke in on the impending battle.
Holger lowered his sword. “Riders, not rider?”
“Aye.” She tilted her skull more. “Perhaps five; nae, eight.” Her hand was held tight in his. “Callum, you cannot go into that stable.”
Holger turned to face the stables, sword still drawn. “How did Sir Sean manage bringing a full royal guard?” the Northman wondered out loud, then glared at him. “A most impressive show regarding wisely choosing the loyalty of your men-at-arms for your king, Sir Callum.”
“Sshh,” Nella ordered the taunter while she focused her instinct more. A moment held silent before he heard the pound by hooves. Aye, almost a full guard. Hell, how had he judged his men so poorly?
Nella met his gaze. “’Tis Sir Sean, he is ordering them to linger the trees south of where we stand and await his signal.” She turned toward Holger to finish, “To seize the traitor who shall arrive carrying the bottle of poisoned wine.” Holger’s mouth plopped open as she looked back at Callum. “Your brother is here. He instructed Alec to remain hidden in the stable witnessing the exchange.” She glared at Holger. “My knight did not choose poorly.”
“Nella, shall we go greet them?”
Her smile returned. “Absolutely.”
***
Would Holger’s frown damper her step? Nope! Reaching the stables’ outer door, she paused when Callum gave a tug on her hand, halting her. “Sir Sean?” her knight called out toward the barn, not chancing an arrow possibly being aimed at the open doorway.
“Sir Callum?” Sir Sean, a voice she hadn’t heard since the argument at Sgàrlaid Castle the night she had fled, echoed. Her fingers held Callum’s firmer.
“Brother?” Alec. How his voice’s sound signature had changed from a youthful squeak into a grown Scotsman.
Callum looked at her but hollered at those inside, “Weapons un-nocked?”
“Aye.”
“Aye.”
A lone lantern hanging on a post provided a glimmer in light after they crossed the threshold into the hay-fumed stable, two stories in height. Complete with furry occupants; horsesand mice and cats moved in the shadows. One large silhouette flew from a stall, arms wide.
“Brother, you are alive!” Alec clapped Callum in a big hug. The earnest grin from a lad was still present even if his voice had lowered into manhood.
Sir Sean spotted her, and his eyes doubled. “Lady Fawnella.”
Inclining her brow, she greeted, “You look well, Sir Sean.”
The knight clamped his gaping mouth as Callum turned toward him. “Pleased to see you, Captain.”
Callum looked at the one they had thought an adversary. “Seems we have a great deal to speak upon, Sir Sean.”
