Loki (23 page)

Francis Prestwick smiled. “This pleases me. My thanks for the invitation, but my place is here for now. Mayhap you would be inclined to visit again next summer when the winds blow warm again.”

“Aye, I would like that. You are welcome to visit the Grants at any time.”

“And please promise to send me a message if you ever need aught.”

Kenzie and Bella returned with an apple for Loki. “Father, would you like one? Do you mind if I give Loki an apple to take along on our trip?”

“Nay, take as many as you like, lad.” He stared at his son for a long moment, as if memorizing his features.

Loki reached over and pulled the man into his embrace. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Father Prestwick. Take care.”

***

It was a long trip through the Highlands, but Loki found himself grateful for the extra time to think. Kenzie chattered with excitement most of the way, though there were a couple of frigid windy days that had forced them to huddle in a cave together at night just to survive.

When they drew close to the Grant land, Kenzie’s face lit up. “Are we there yet? Are those the Grant towers I see up ahead?”

Loki nodded. “Aye, they are. If you look closely, you can see the men in the Grant lists off to the side of the curtain wall.”

Kenzie’s fingers jerked into the air to point so many times, Bella reached over and stopped him. “Lad, you’ll knock us both off the horse if you continue to be this excited by aught you see,” she teased.

“My apologies. I’ll try not to swing my arm.” He clasped both arms around his waist, squeezing tight.

“If you squeeze any harder, you’ll knock yourself off the horse and take her with you,” Loki said, trying and failing to hide his smile. “Just relax, lad. I know ‘tis hard.” He recalled riding to Grant land with Celestina on a cold winter day much like today. Celestina had been wrapped tight in furs and Loki had thrown the restrictive coverings off his body as soon as the Grant lists came into his view, practically tossing her off the horse as well.

It was a good memory, but some of his memories from the past were as fresh as a deep cut from the sharpest sword. He hoped to rectify that today.

As soon as they arrived, the stable lads greeted them and helped them with the horses. Kenzie babbled at the lads, who looked at him with naught but confusion. “Someday, I’ll be working with you out here. I’m good with horses, I am. I’ve had to calm some of the wildest before, so I’ll be a big help. And I can also…”

“Kenzie, my parents await us inside. You can chat with the lads on the morrow.”

“I’m coming. I could eat something, too. Do you think they will feed us? I could eat a lamb pie and a whole loaf of bread, maybe some oat cakes, some pottage. I wonder if Cook knows how to bake apples here. What do you think?”

Bella swung his hand into hers and tugged him along behind her. “I think we need to get inside where it’s warm. Come!”

Everyone in the great hall greeted them warmly, but Loki noticed his parents were nowhere to be seen. “Kenzie, sit down and eat. I need to take Bella to see my parents.”

“If you insist, I will.” He scampered over to the table, hopping randomly as he traveled.

“Bella, do you mind?” He placed his hand at the small of her back. “I’d like to speak to my mother. If you’d like to eat first, you may. I’ll be right back.”

“Nay, I’d like to go with you.” One glance at her beautiful face told Loki she knew what he was about, and she wished to support him.

The two made their way to the tower rooms, a comfortable silence between them, though Loki’s mind was anything but silent. He wasn’t quite sure how, but he was finally going to say what he needed to say.

His parents sat by the hearth in their tower rooms. Catriona and Alison reached him first, and it heartened him to see that the wee lassie seemed to have made a full recovery. Once he’d hugged both of them and clapped Braden on the back, he said, “We brought a young lad with us, do you mind going to the great hall and making him feel comfortable while I chat with Mama and Papa?”

His brother clasped his shoulder and answered, “Sure, Loki, we’ll go. I’d like to meet this Kenzie everyone has been telling me about.”

Brodie made his way over to Bella, and Loki could see his mother’s gaze on him, her happiness and unconditional love washing over him like the softest of furs. He stood by the door like a statue.

He didn’t know how. Hellfire, he had been so certain he would finally be able to tell her how he felt. He’d rehearsed it over and over in his mind on their trek.

Bella, Celestina, and Brodie chatted as he leaned against the door, attempting to organize his thoughts, failing miserably as comment after comment brewed in his mind only to be tossed aside as insufficient.

How did one do it?

How did one person thank another for taking him from squalor? For renewing his hope and faith? At the age of seven or eight summers, he had feared he would be forever cold, forever hungry, forever lonely….nay…forever alone. Instead, Brodie and Celestina Grant had made him forever loved, forever grateful, and forever happy and full of life.

“Loki?” It was his mother’s voice, the sweet cadence that was a comfort to his soul. “Are you all right?”

“Mama, I just wanted…I would like…” The words just wouldn’t come.

His sire wrapped his arm around his mother’s waist. “Son?”

He tried again, forcing the words beyond the lump in his throat, “I met my true sire. He’s a Blackfriar, a nice man. I’ll tell you about him sometime. But I just wanted to tell you…”

He saw the quick twinge of disappointment in their eyes before they masked it. Och, how he hated to cause them pain. Then he knew. No more. It was in his power to comfort his mother, and he would do it.

Bella stood off to the corner, his beautiful Bella, and as if she could read the words in his heart, she gave him a slight nod of encouragement.

“I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate all you’ve done for me, loving me the way you have—” he paused for long enough to see the delight emerge in his mother’s eyes, “—and that you will always be my true parents. You took me in when I needed it most, and you’ve been wonderful every day since then, and I will be forever grateful…forever.”

His mother ambled toward him, her steps shaky and graceless, which was completely out of character for her. She’d always waited for him to come to her. “Oh, Loki. You know we love you, and I’d be overjoyed to hear about your true sire.” She reached up to wrap her arms around him at the same time that his father grasped his shoulder.

His mouth opened, and the words he uttered were weak, but audible nonetheless. “I love you both.”

“Loki, did something happen we are not aware of?” Brodie asked.

“Nay, I just…it took me a long time to believe I deserved to come here, but now I do. And I understand what was in your hearts when you took me in.”

“Do you?” His mother cupped his cheeks to bring his gaze down to hers. “Do you understand what it was like for me to be locked in a chamber for most of my life, with no friends or family who loved me?”

His head ached terribly from the truth of her words. “Aye, I do.”

“That is correct, you do. And you and your father helped to put an end to that for me. So you are more than deserving of the good will that has come your way since then. Please do not ever forget that. You found a way into our hearts quickly. But you seem to understand that a bit better now.”

Loki’s knees threatened to buckle, but the booming sound of his father’s voice forced them back to a locked position. “Let’s get something to eat and let Kenzie know we have not deserted him. Celestina, wait until you meet this new lad.”

Finally, the strings that had been choking his soul loosened, freeing him from all the things that had been niggling at him for quite some time.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Bella and Loki stood by the front door of the keep, greeting all the guests as they arrived. Alex and Maddie had decided they would have a celebration of their marriage, whether her father chose to join them or not. Bella wore a deep green gown—a perfect contrast to her red hair—along with a gold chain around her hips and a deep neckline that immediately drew Loki’s attention. Once he got done staring, he scowled a bit at his mother. It was obvious enough to make Bella giggle.

Celestina simply smiled her gracious smile and found a piece of lace to cover up Bella’s cleavage. “I do not know why you husbands are so jealous of your wives showing off their curves. I think it would make you proud to have such a beautiful wife.”

Loki clearly could not think of an answer to that, so Brodie tried. “Because it makes it too difficult for us to keep our hands off our wives around others.”

Celestina lowered her lashes at her husband. “You’re so diplomatic, Brodie, but ‘tis a fine answer. We shall accept it.”

Word had spread through the clan about Loki’s fighting skills, the trickery they had used to implant Torrian in the enemy’s keep, and Kenzie’s part in the rescue and discovery of the jewels. Indeed, the tales had grown to such unbelievable proportions that Loki had started to make light of what they’d done. Still, he had admitted to Bella that he was proud of the way they had been received. The same lads who used to taunt him were now congratulating him on his sword fight.

Bella had gone to see her father once, a sennight ago, but he had turned her away. Her hands trembled. A slender part of her heart still hoped he would come celebrate with them.

Kenzie was working in the stables yet, and he had become quite the popular one. She knew Loki saw much of himself in the lad. They’d all been staying with his parents—Bella and Loki in Loki’s old chamber and Kenzie with Braden, but they hoped to have their own cottage soon.

Robbie and Caralyn came in with Gracie, Ashlyn, Roddy, and Padraig. Gracie had turned into quite a beauty, and now that she was ten and nine, half of the Grant guards were begging for her hand, but she was in no hurry to marry just yet.

Gracie came up to Loki and said, “I’ve heard you question whether or not you deserve to be here. How could you, dear Loki? You saved my life when I was no more than a wee lassie.”

Her mother, Caralyn, stood behind her. “Aye, we would have all been lost without you.”

His Uncle Robbie grasped his shoulder. “You are a Grant, Loki, and never think otherwise. We’re all proud of you.”

Bella leaned into her husband, happy to see him receiving the recognition he so deserved. Then the door opened and closed. There were a few muffled gasps of surprise, followed by silence that rippled through the crowd. Bella turned her head and stared straight into her sire’s eyes.

“Papa. I’m so glad you’re here!” Morna stood behind him, alone.

Bella rushed over to hug them, and to her surprise, they both returned the hugs. Her father was moving along just fine with his cane.

“Father, you are doing better?”

“Aye, daughter, I am. It seems I need to apologize to your husband for all the wrong I’ve done both of you. Even when you acted foolishly, he did aught he could to bring you back, and I’ve been told many times how hard he fought for you. Loki Grant, I hope you’ll forgive an auld man. I’m proud to say you are married to my daughter. And many thanks for taking care of me when I broke my leg.”

“Oh, Da.” Bella’s eyes misted and she hugged her sire again. It was what she had wanted to hear from him for such a long while. “Thank you for that. You know we love you.”

Loki replied. “You are welcome. Your daughter is a bit willful and stubborn,” he said, pausing to wink at her, “but I’m hoping she’s learned not to traipse off whenever she feels like it.”

“Nay, I’m staying home. I’ll never go off alone again.” She gave Loki a squeeze. “Morna? Why are you here?”

“I didn’t get along with my betrothed. He broke the engagement and I was glad for it. So I’m home for now.” Her pursed lips told Bella she didn’t wish to discuss the matter, so she did not ask further questions.

“I’m glad you’re home. You’ll find another. Come, we’ll find you seats.” Soon after she got her family settled, Maddie called for the servants to begin serving the food.

Loki and Bella sat at the dais between Alex and Brodie. The meal was heavenly, and Bella ate way too much. Kenzie ate more than anyone, and they knew because he told them everything he ate.

After they had all stuffed themselves, Alex stood at the dais, his usual movement when he was about to make a speech. The large crowd settled quickly.

“As most of you are aware, our clan was once again challenged by an evil force that attempted to hurt one of our own and steal some of our wealth. We were able to easily put an end to this threat. I thank all the warriors for traveling with me, as well as their wives for supporting them in this venture.

“Fortunately, the battle was short. Loki, Bella, and Kenzie, come forward please.”

Kenzie’s eyes bulged, but he came forward as requested, his wee legs trembling, bending his neck as far back as he could to gaze up at Alex Grant. Bella reached down to squeeze his hand in a show of support.

“I cannot tell you how proud I am of my nephew, Loki Grant,” Alex continued, “who demonstrated the value of his years of hard work and training in front of all of us. He fought hard and achieved a quick victory in a pivotal sword fight. I also wish to commend Kenzie, who helped us from start to finish, and was the person who retrieved King Alexander’s jewels.”

Shouts and cheers erupted from the clan, and Kenzie beamed from all the attention.

Alex raised his hands to quiet everyone. “Kenzie, we are pleased to have you at Clan Grant, and there are two people here who are interested in adopting you if you agree. Loki and Bella would like you to be their son if you are agreeable.”

Kenzie’s delight and surprise told them all how he felt. He burst into tears and looked from Bella to Loki, then back again. He ran to Bella and hugged her tight, then rushed over to Loki to do the same. He stared at both of them with a tear-stained face and asked, “I do not have to live alone? I have parents and a Mama and a Papa again?”

Bella knelt in front of him, Loki right beside her, and the sight of the lad’s crumpled face nearly broke her heart. She couldn’t imagine what Loki must be thinking and wondered how close this was to his life. “Aye, ‘tis true, Kenzie, if you wish to stay with us.”

“Aye, I prayed every day, just like Father Brian and Father Francis told me. I asked for a new mama and papa, and now you are here.” He hugged them again. “Many thanks. I love you both.”

Bella’s tears slid down her cheeks, but she wiped them away when Alex motioned for them to stand.

“This really is not finished yet, though I’m pleased to see that Kenzie Grant will officially be your son. We have taken over a small castle not far from here, and my brothers and I have decided that we wish to ask Loki to take over as chieftain of the keep.”

Gasps of surprise and cheers and whistles greeted Alex’s announcement. Bella’s heart swelled with pride as she turned to look at Loki. He met her gaze with a question in his eyes. “What do you think?”

Bella nodded with tears in her eyes. “Aye. I’ll go anywhere you wish to go, Loki. Forever.”

***

Torrian ran through the meadow, three guards following behind him as protection. He had an animal bone in his pocket as he often did.

“Come on, I know you grow old, Gertie, but you should still be able to travel out here to visit your sire.” He patted the side of his leg and the dog moved closer, her tail wagging.

Gertie, the Scottish Deerhound at his side, was growing old, just as Growley had slowed down after a while. Torrian and Lily had chosen a special place for the big dog to be buried, and they had used a carved cross to mark his grave.

Torrian glanced over his shoulder and laughed. He reached down to pet one of the deerhound pups chasing him, but the runt of the litter was having a hard time keeping up in the high grass of the meadow. In fact, the very moment he turned around to look, the wee pup tripped and fell face first into the grass. Chuckling, Torrian leaned over and picked her up, holding her face directly in front of his. “Greta, it cannot be that difficult. You have to grow big and strong like your grandsire. You know all the stories about Grandpapa Growley and how he taught me how to walk. Now you must learn to walk on your own.”

The pup licked his cheek in response. Torrian checked on the other two pups, Ghillie and Grizzly, who had stopped to wrestle each other in the grass.

“Come along, lads, we must go visit your grandsire.” They ran along to the edge of the forest, moving closer to Growley’s gravesite. He waved to the guards to tell them they need not continue to follow him.

As soon as they found the gravesite, Gertie moved over to lie down, settling her face on the ground with a groan, as if to tell Growley how much she missed him. He set Greta down and the three pups scampered across the already trampled grass as they played together. Torrian spent a long moment looking at the grave marker. He had a soft spot in his heart for the animal that had not only taught him to walk after his sickness, but had done a great deal to help him believe in himself. He’d vowed he would never be without a deerhound at his side as a tribute to his childhood best friend.

Just as he was about to set the dog bone down, he glanced up and caught a lass standing between the trees not far from him. At first glance, he thought it was his aunt, Gwyneth, because she was dressed in lad’s clothing, a tunic and leggings with a bow strapped to her back, but she was much younger than his aunt. She watched him without moving. He took a few steps toward her because he was totally entranced by her. Her beauty was almost unnerving.

“Greetings. Do you need assistance? Do you live nearby?”

Rather than answer, she continued to assess him warily, looking as if she were about to bolt. Her hair was a beautiful shade of yellow with highlights of every color interwoven in it like sunlight through tree branches. When he got a little closer to her, he gasped in shock.

There was a longing in her gaze he’d not seen before, but it was something else that had caught him off-guard. She had one blue eye and one green—just like Loki.

And then she was gone.