CHAPTER 1
Heather woke with a start, her heart beating wildly and her body chilled. It took her a moment to realize that she was home in the safety of her bedchamber and tucked comfortably in her bed. It had been two days since her return home and she had yet to feel completely safe and protected. She had woken the last two mornings, thinking she was still hiding in the woods from the ghost warriors while trying to make her way home. Her biggest fear had been that she would come face-to-face with her abductor—the Dark Dragon.
She shivered at the mere thought of his name and pulled the soft wool blanket up to her neck. Why the infamous warrior had had her abducted was still a question that haunted Heather and perhaps continued to be the cause of her unease. If he abducted her once, would he not try again?
Heather shook her head. Lying abed would not solve her problems or ease her worries. However, her chores would provide a good reprieve from both. She hurried out of bed and slipped on her pale-yellow linen shift, followed by her drab green tunic, and snatched up her brown leather boots near the fireplace to pull on and strap quickly. She ran her fingers through her soft blond hair, letting the natural waves fall where they may until she collected her four bone combs off the chest bythe bed and with deft hands secured her long strands atop her head, though a few stubborn ones broke free and fell along the back of her neck.
After snatching her cloak off the peg by the door, she sighed as she rested her hand on the latch. She was home and she was safe, nothing would change that. She had her family to protect her. She could return to her daily life and everything would be fine.
Heather opened the door and as she stepped out of the room a little voice whispered in her head, “nothing is the same nor ever will be again.”
Another shiver ran through her and she hurried down the stairs and into the Great Hall. It was so early that the servants were yet about. It did not matter to her, for she was not hungry. What she wanted most was to walk through the village while it stirred awake and feel its peacefulness like she had done endless times before. Maybe then she would finally feel that all was well.
She draped her cloak over her shoulders and stepped outside. The sky was just beginning to glow with the first light of dawn and Heather was thrilled that she had not missed the sunrise. She hurried along to reach her favorite spot on a small rise and watched as the sun rose like a fiery magic ball from the depths of the earth.
Heather’s smile grew as the sun inched its way up, spreading its glorious light across the land. She recalled all the mornings she had stood here watching the sunrise and how happy she had beenthen, and she wished she could feel that same happiness now.
Patience, Emma, and she had finally been reunited, and she was so very pleased that her sisters were both wed to two men they loved and who loved them. And even more exciting news was that she was to be an aunt. Emma was with child and when the time came Heather would be right there to deliver the babe and see her sister safe. She was also thrilled that her da was feeling much better and looked far better than he had in months. And though there was a chance of war with Patience’s husband’s family, the Clan McLaud, they would face the threat together as they had done before when a clan war loomed on the horizon.
With lightness in her heart, which she had not felt since being abducted, Heather turned to walk down the small rise, eager to start the day and eager to begin life anew. She stopped when something caught at the corner of her eye, and she turned to look out on the rise just beyond the village.
Her heart slammed in her chest and fear froze her in place.
There, spread across the rise, atop their horses were the Dark Dragon’s infamous ghost warriors, their faces painted white, and in the lead draped in black and astride a black horse was the notorious Dark Dragon.
Heather shuddered at the sight. With the ghost warriors’ faces painted white, it meant they were ready for battle. She had to warn her family.This was no time to hesitate. She turned and, yanking the hem of her shift up, ran down the rise like the devil himself chased after her. The sudden toll of the bell, warning the village of approaching danger, tore through the quiet morning. Her heart pounded harder and her feet ran faster and she wondered—how did one outrun the devil?
Heather reached the keep’s steps just as her sister Patience came barreling down them, sword in hand.
Her eyes turned wide as she reached out and grabbed Heather’s arm. “Get in the keep and stay there.”
Heather was well aware of her sister’s extraordinary skill as a warrior but even she was no match for the Dark Dragon, and it worried Heather that Patience would attempt to protect her against the notorious warrior. And what of her clan? They would fight to protect her as well and how many lives would be lost? The troubling thoughts sent her stomach roiling, but she would not let her sister know her worries. She kept her concerns mostly to herself ever since the day her mother died. She had been barely eight when she was thrust into the role of being a mother to her two younger sisters. She had stood by her mother’s grave, an arm around Patience, hugging her tightly as an endless stream of tears ran down her small rosy cheeks. In her other arm she held Emma, the young child crying, though not understanding why. And her ashen-faced father stood staring in disbelief as earth wasshoveled onto to his beloved wife. She had made a silent promise to her mum then and there that she would stay strong and would take care of them all. And she had and always would.
“Come inside, Patience, we must speak to Father,” Heather said and slipped her hand in her sister’s.
“I will not let him take you,” Patience said with such conviction that Heather feared blood would flow this day.
Emma came rushing down the steps, her husband Rogan trailing behind her and Hunter, Patience’s husband, flew past them to his wife’s side.
Emma paled when she caught sight of the Dark Dragon and his men on the rise. “Oh my God, he has come for Heather.”
“Over my dead body will the Dark Dragon take her from us,” Patience said, gripping her sword tighter.
Hunter shook his head and slipped his arm around his wife’s waist, ready to stop her from doing anything foolish.
Heather released her sister’s hand and left her to her husband. Since her return home, she had seen how good Hunter was for Patience. They made a perfect pair. He was a handsome one and her sister beautiful. He also possessed a charming tongue and a good heart, and Heather was amazed to see how much he loved Patience and moreimportantly that he had the patience to deal with her sister’s impatience.
“They sit waiting rather than attacking,” Rogan said, placing a protective arm around his wife.
“Waiting for what?” Emma asked anxiously.
“That is what we need to find out,” Rogan said. “We need to speak with your father.”
“First, I will see that our warriors are at their posts and that the village is prepared for battle,” Patience said.
“Or to greet a guest,” Hunter chimed in.
“The Dark Dragon is no guest of ours,” Patience said and looked to her sisters. “Tell Da to wait until I return to discuss this matter. I will not be long.” With that she hurried off.
