Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 103370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
The sudden clang of the bell had everyone jumping, except Raven’s crew. The five men stepped forward and circled behind her.
Someone came yelling through the village. “The Beast! The Beast rides on the village with a large troop of warriors.”
Parlan couldn’t hide his fear when he looked to Royden. “The clan isn’t strong enough to defend against him.”
“He’s not here to attack, Da. He wouldn’t dare do that to Oria, his sister,” Royden said, looking to his wife.
“Royden’s right, Da,” Raven said.
“How would you know that?” Arran asked, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.
“Because I know why he’s here,” Raven said.
Royden’s gut stirred wondering how his sister would know such a thing and why she hadn’t looked surprised when he mentioned Oria was the Beast’s sister, and he asked, “Why is he here?”
“For me,” she whispered, not intending for anyone to hear her.
“Did you say something, Raven?” Arran asked.
“Aye, I did.” She lifted her chin with courage as she had done so many times when she’d been young and was about to admit to something her father wouldn’t like. “The Beast is here to collect me… I’m his wife.”
Chapter 2
“NO! NO! NO!” Royden’s words echoed his brother’s.
Raven let her two brothers protest and argue that there was no way she was the wife of the man who had brought such pain and suffering to the Clan MacKinnon.
“You’ll not be wife to our enemy,” Royden yelled, shaking his leather-clad stump at her.
“Royden’s right. I’ll gut him before I let him lay a hand on you,” Arran argued.
Raven remained silent through their tirade as did her crew. They kept their vigil around her without uttering a word.
Tears pooled in Oria’s eyes and Purity had turned pale and, strangely enough, Raven felt the two women—her friends—understood.
“Enough!” Her da’s strong command silenced his sons and he went to his daughter. “You paid a high price.”
Her da realized what she had done. “I listened outside the solar door that day when you and my brothers made a promise to see us all safe. I made that promise along with you, though you never heard it, and I, like you, honor my word.” She tilted her chin not in defiance but with pride.
“You didn’t,” Arran said, shaking his head as he realized what she meant.
Royden shut his eyes tight for a brief moment, it dawning on him as well.
“You secured mine and Royden’s freedom from the mercenaries by agreeing to wed Wolf,” Arran said and waited for her to confirm what was painfully obvious.
“It was a small price to pay,” Raven said.
“No, it wasn’t,” Royden said. “You may have freed us, but you’ve condemned yourself to a life with a beast of a man.”
“We can’t let you do that,” Arran said and saw that Royden agreed with a nod.
“It’s already done and do you really want to leave your wives and return to the mercenaries never to know your bairns? Because that is what will happen if you attempt to defy what has been agreed upon,” Raven said, looking from Royden to Arran.
Oria took hold of Royden’s arm, letting him know she wouldn’t let him go, and Purity was quick to do the same to Arran.
“Your wives have no intentions of letting either of you go. They are the wise ones,” Raven said. “Besides, it is done, the marriage documents confirmed.”
“But not the consummation,” Arran argued.
Raven squared her shoulders. “This is done, Arran. There is no changing it and I would advise you to keep Purity and your unborn bairn in mind before you do something foolish.”
“It wouldn’t be any more foolish than what you’ve done,” Arran accused.
Raven forced a smile. “Is that the thanks I get for freeing you to return home?”
“It’s no excuse I give,” Purity said, speaking up before her husband could and keeping hold of his arm. “But he’s angry that you saved him and Royden when it should have been them who saved you.”
“I don’t need you to speak for me, wife,” Arran snapped.
“Then admit it yourself, since it’s the truth,” Purity scolded.
“You as well,” Oria urged, tugging at her husband’s arm.
Arran and Royden exchanged scowls.
“There is nothing that can be done to change this?” her da asked.
Raven shook her head. “No, Da. If I don’t keep this agreement, Royden and Arran will be returned to the mercenaries to live out their lives.” Gasps were heard from Oria and Purity and Raven wasn’t surprised to see them tighten their hold on their husbands.
“And how is that any different from you being condemned to spend your life with the Beast, if you live that long. What’s to keep him from doing away with you?” Arran asked, rumbling anger sounding along with his words.
“You think I’m foolish enough to agree to such a union without taking precautions? I have more sense than that,” Raven said and shook her head. “This is done. There is no changing it and at least I will be close, living at Learmonth.”