“A woman’s tears usually turn men pliable, men that have hearts. It would be good to put the Dark Dragon to the test. At least then, we would have some idea of how he might treat our sister.”
“And if it fails?” Emma asked.
“Then we make another plan.”
After forming a hasty plan, Patience returned to Heather. She was still lying on the bed, her arm draped over her eyes, and Patience did not want to disturb her. A bit of rest would do her good. Patience sat in the chair by the fire where she had often found her sister through the years, working on her embroidery. Her heart turned heavy to think she would never see her sitting there again and as she glanced around the room she could not imagine it stripped of all of Heather’s belongings, the room empty, and her sister gone from her life. The upsetting thought sent a shudder through her.
The door suddenly burst open, sending Patience flying out her chair and Heather popping up off the bed.
A breathless Emma stood, fighting to balance a wooden tray with a pitcher, tankard, and slices of bread and cheese on it. Her cheeks were flushed and she took a moment to catch her breath as Patience hurried to take the tray from her and place it on the small table near the hearth.
With a deep breath, the words rushed from Emma’s lips. “The Dark Dragon sends word for you to be in the Great Hall to receive him. Father says to hurry, for the Dark Dragon is impatient to take his leave with his new wife.”
“He does not want to take time to meet my family or rest and feed his men?” Heather asked. “And will he not give me time to pack my belongings?”
“The Dark Dragon has informed Da that he will leave some of his men behind to collect whatever you instruct your servants to pack and be delivered to you. He also instructed that you are to bring whatever you need until then.”
Heather stared at her sister in disbelief. “He intends to just whisk me away?”
Tears clouded Emma’s eyes. “It would seem so.”
Heather stood there not knowing what to do or perhaps knowing and not wanting to do what she must. She had woken this morning relieved to find herself in her own bed after the ordeal of her abduction, escape, and dangerous journey to return home. And now the man she had managed to avoid was here to take her away and to make matters worse, he had all the right to do so since he was now her husband.
It was the terrified expression on her sisters’ faces that finally got Heather moving. The longer she delayed this, the more she allowed her fear to show, the more difficult it would be for them, and seeing them suffer would hurt her terribly.
She had two garments reserved for special occasions, one a red winter wool and the other a soft blue, linen shift with a pale-yellow tunic draped over it, which she hurried to change into. She left her blonde hair pinned up, making certain the combs were secure. She had only bathed the night before, the rose-scented soap still lingering in her hair and on her skin.
Patience had insisted that she and Emma always keep a small dirk in their boots since you never know when one might be needed and so she tucked hers in her boot. The last thing she did was slip a blue ribbon through the ring that was forever with her and tie it around her neck, then tuck it beneath her clothes to lie against her chest. The ring meant everything to her. It had been given to her by the man she loved and would always love. It had given her strength through the years when she thought she had had none left. And at the moment, she could use as much strength as she could get.
She gathered up a few of her garments and items to tie securely in a plaid, knowing her sisters would see to the rest for her and without giving her bedchamber a second glance, she hurriedly left the room, closing the door behind her and on the safe and loving life she had always known.
* * *
The Great Hallhad filled with Macinnes and MacClennan warriors. Rogan and Hunter wore their swords at their sides, their hands not far from the hilts. Patience had tucked two, unsheathed dirks, behind her leather girdle that held her sword to the right of her waist. She was prepared to draw a weapon quickly if necessary and that frightened Heather. She wanted no one dying here today because of her.
Tears still lingered in Emma’s eyes, though she too had a dirk at her waist, though only one and it was sheathed. Her father was the only one who wore no weapons.
With a tempered smile, her father stretched his hand out to Heather.
A servant took the bundle with her few possessions from her with a nod and Heather noticed tears pooling in her eyes. Glancing about as she approached her father, she noticed most of the servants appeared ready to shed tears for her and her heart swelled with how much they cared for her.
It made it that more difficult to leave her loving home and yet made it somewhat easier, knowing her sacrifice would save the lives of those who loved her. She held her chin high and kept her shoulders back and walked with false bravado when truly she was more frightened than she had ever been.
She was certain her wobbling legs would betray her and give way or that the tremor she felt inside would suddenly break free and she would tremble all over with fear for everyone to see.
Her father reached out when she drew near him and slipped a sturdy arm around her waist to rest her against him. She was never so grateful for his support and never prayed so hard for a miracle that would allow her to remain there beside him forever.
The two large doors to the Great Hall opened and two Macinnes warriors entered and stood to the sides of each door. Other Macinnes warriors followed suit until twenty warriors formed two lines, ten on each side. Ghost warriors entered after that, not one wearing a weapon, and ten joined the two lines of Macinnes warriors, five at the end of each line.
The room turned completely silent and breaths were held in anticipation of the Dark Dragon’s entrance.
Darkness suddenly filled the doorway, spreading as the black draped figure stepped through.
The Dark Dragon had arrived.
CHAPTER 3
Heather felt her legs give way and if it was not for her father’s firm hold around her waist, she would have collapsed as she watched the Dark Dragon—her husband—walk toward her.
