The mare snorted, kicked.
Gwendolyn ducked beneath the slash of hooves, terrified as the horse again squealed in distress. “Fetch the healer. Delivering a foal canna be much different from a babe.”
“Aye, my lady.” MacDuff bolted from the stable and ran toward the keep.
On a tormented scream, the mare fought to struggle to her feet, collapsed. Froth slid downher ebony coat.
Tears burned Gwendolyn’s eyes at Kellan’s each snort, her every whinny of distress.
The horse again kicked out, slashed, missingher by a hand.
An ache built in her chest as she reached over to try torelax the mare.
Behind her, the gate scraped open. “Get away from her,” a deep voice boomed.
Stunned at the harsh command, Gwendolyn glanced up.
An enormous man with raven black hair towered a pace away. Green eyes riveted on her with unyielding authority. “Move!”
She slammed her brows together. “I willna—”
With a muttered curse, the stranger hauled her up and pushed her aside. “Aiden, Rónán, help me get the mare on her feet!”
Shaking with outrage, Gwendolyn elbowed her way past the two burly knights and glared up at the beast.“How dare you—”
“We are trying to save her life,” he growled as he shifted his body against the horse’s rump. “If you want to be useful, stand by her head and try to calm her while I deliver the foal.”
She smothered her angry retort as the warrior and his men worked in unison to shove the horse to her feet, then moved to stroke her neck.
“Dinna let the mare move while I turn the foal.” The fierce knight moved to her rear, worked without hesitation.
Impressed, Gwendolyn watched him. Whoever he was, he knew what he was about.
“I have the foal’s foot,” the stranger calleda moment later.
Kellan screamed a strangled nicker, then shifted.
The stranger’s mouth tightened. “Keep the mare still!”
Hooves scraped across the bed of straw. On a strangled whinny, Kellan started to step back.
“God’s sword, hold her!” thewarrior roared.
Muscles flexed as his men complied.
Distant footsteps slappedupon the dirt.
Gwendolyn glanced out the entry to see the healer and MacDuff running across the bailey.
“’Tis done,” the stranger called out.“Release her.”
She turned as he lay the newborn on the hay.
His men stepped away.
On a soft snort, the mare turned and nuzzled her foal. Coal black, like his mother, and the proud lines of his sire, on spindly legs, the colt shoved to his feet. The mare nickered at her son, nudgedhim to suckle.
Tears burned her eyes at the miracle before her, how within but moments she’d witnessed the beginning of life. Gwendolyn swallowed hard. “He shall be called Faolán,” she whispered as MacDuff halted beside her.
