But the newcomers slashed and thrust their weapons at Wilona's men. "What?" she breathed. The fighting escalated into a full-on battle.
"Oh my gosh! Who are these men?" she asked Gavin.
"My clan," he said with pride.
"Wow!" How had they known?
"Alpin, let's finish this now." Gavin motioned to his cousin, standing behind the table near Wilona. Alpin's wild eyes scanned the room, his mouth agape.
Wilona dragged him toward a narrow window and opened it. Dani could barely hear the words the witch chanted over the shouts and clanging swords.
"Horse and hattock! You shall go into a mouse, and I shall go into a raven. With sorrow and sych and meickle care…. "
Two puffs of smoke billowed up. A black raven swooped down, plucked the mouse up by the tail, and flew out the window.
Unable to believe her eyes, she yelled, "They're getting away."
"I nay longer have wings, love," Gavin said, amusement shining in his eyes.
"And I'm glad." Dani turned to discover the battle had ended. Wilona's guards lay on the floor, either injured or dead.
"This is your clan?" Dani asked. "How did they know we needed help?"
"Ewan and Finch must have rounded them up," Gavin guessed.
The noise diminished, and a robust man with salt and pepper hair stepped into the hall as if he owned it. He looked incredibly familiar, but at the same time, like a stranger.
"Who is that?" she asked.
"'Tis Da." Gavin appeared awestruck for a moment.
"What?" Her mouth hung open. "That's your father? He looks several decades younger." Dani blinked hard, thinking her vision had gone awry. He no longer resembled a frail, white-haired ancient.
Surprising her, Gavin picked her up and held her aloft like an oversized rag doll. "The curse is truly over, lass!"
"Yes!" The joy on Gavin's face filled her eyes with tears. For the first time, she understood what it meant to cry with happiness. He gave her a quick kiss and set her to her feet.
"Gavin!" his father called from the other side of the hall. "Bring your bride and come."
He led her among his clansmen who'd subdued Wilona's men.
"Da." Gavin approached the older man, both their faces beaming with happiness, and pulled him into a bear hug.
Their deep laughs of pure joy touched Dani's heart, making her misty-eyed again.
How could this be the same gaunt, drawn man who'd looked over a hundred only yesterday? Now a robust man in his fifties with broad shoulders and muscular arms, he'd regained his physical and mental health.
Gavin went on to shake the hands of the men surrounding them. He called each of his clansmen by name, expressed his gratitude, and introduced Dani.
"Dani lass," Lunn said. "You've saved our lives and our clan. For that, I thank you and owe you a grand debt of gratitude." He kissed both her cheeks, his gray whiskers prickling her skin.
"I'm so happy I could help." She had never done anything this important, that meant so much to so many, by her mere presence. Actually, because she'd fallen in love with Gavin, but that had been easy.
"And I thank you for reading to me. I enjoyed the history lesson." Lunn smiled.
She knew he was teasing her. "We'll have to find more interesting books."
"Come. We shall go home," Gavin said.
