She laughed again. “I am a loving wife who does not wish to leave her husband’s side.”
Rhys stepped in front of her and lifted her out of the chair and up into his arms. “And by my side is where I always want you to be.”
“There is something I wish you to do for me,” Heather said.
“Anything,” Rhys said.
Heather went and retrieved the ring she had saved from the fire and handed it to him.
“I looked for this, regretting I had thrown it in the flames.”
“It sealed our love once and I wish it to seal our love again,” she said. “It is a symbol of our everlasting love.”
Rhys took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. “I was surprised, though pleased to see that you still had it.”
“I wore it the whole time you were gone, only taking it off when I thought I would wed and still I kept it close. I wore it on a ribbon around my neck. Now, it will forever remain on my finger.”
Rhys kissed her gently as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. They would not only seal their love again this night, but they would make memories to live long in their hearts.
* * *
Sunrise broughtwith it a flurry of activity. The animals were the first to be led away, since it would take a bit more time to get them to Macinnes land. Wagons were piled with furnishings and food supplies and laughing children thought it a delight to ride upon them.
Emma joined Heather to see if anyone needed tending before it was time to leave. And afterwards it was her sisters’ turn to leave. They hugged andtalked of how tonight they would celebrate at home, a family once more if only for a brief time.
The people went next, walking alongside their carts, talking and laughing and not at all upset that they were leaving, but then Rhys had said they would be going home soon and who would not want to go home?
Nessa smiled as she waved to Heather, looking happier than she had expected, but then Nessa was leaving unhappy memories behind.
Heather walked into the keep to take one last look. It was so silent and empty. Anything that had remotely made it a home had been removed. It was now an empty shell. She hurried outside, memories causing tears to run down her cheeks.
The small village was empty, not a sound was heard.
“It is time to leave,” Rhys said, coming up behind her.
Heather turned and melted into his arms, letting her tears fall, knowing that she was leaving much behind, though taking so much more with her.
Rhys lifted her onto his horse and mounted behind her. He reached down and took something from one of the warriors that had been standing there.
“A gift for you,” Rhys said.
Before Heather could tell him that she needed no more gifts from him, he dropped the black pup with the white paw in her lap. The little fellow scrambled up her chest to lick her tears away.
“He saved you and since he protected you once he will always do so. Name him what you will, he is yours.”
Heather smiled and hugged the little pup close and, content with where he was, he curled up against her and went to sleep.
Rhys directed his stallion away from the village and once a short distance away, he turned his horse and raised his hand.
Soon cottage after cottage went up in flames and when flames poured from the keep’s windows, tears rolled down Heather’s cheeks.
“It was necessary,” Rhys said, feeling her weep. “If I had not done it, when Haidar found it empty he would have. And it was not his to burn.”
Rhys turned his stallion. “Now it is time to prevent a war.”
CHAPTER 32
Heather had been at Macinnes keep for two days now and it was funny how it no longer felt like home to her. She had never thought the day would come when she would feel that way. But she had been wrong. While she still cared for the people here and loved her family, it was different now that she had Rhys. And more recently Finn, the name she had given the little pup who was entertaining himself by scampering through the garden, taking bites of different plants.
