Chapter 13
"Watch out!" Dani placed her hand against Gavin's head to shield him from the approaching owl. He ducked, but the owl's talon cut across her hand. "Ouch!"
Still carrying her, Gavin ran up the steps and into the great hall. "Are you hurt?"
"The owl scratched me!" She couldn't believe it… after she had defended the blasted bird.
"Saints. Let me see." Gavin placed her onto her feet, examined her hand, then stuck his head out the door. "Father John! Ewan! Come quick." Gavin turned to her. "Does it pain you greatly?"
"No, but it feels like a deep cat scratch." And it looked like one too. Blood oozed from the thin line.
Once Father John and Ewan joined them, Gavin held out her hand to show them the bloody scratch. "That evil owl did this. Ewan, close all the windows and shutters to keep that witch out. Block off all the broken windows."
Ewan's eyes flew wide. "Aye, m'laird!" He scurried away.
"Father John, could you pour holy water on this wound and say a blessing for her good health?"
"Are you sure that will help?" Dani asked, wondering about bacteria in the water.
"Aye, we should." The priest pulled out a vial, uncorked it and, dribbled holy water on her wound while murmuring Latin phrases. After a moment, the burning sensation disappeared.
"Wow. It feels better. Thanks."
"Good." Gavin's expression eased. "We will have to keep a watch on it."
"May you both have a blessed and happy marriage." The priest smiled.
"We thank you, Father John."
"Indeed. I think I will rest now." He gave a respectful nod and strode back to his room.
"You should not have thrown a rock at the owl," Dani said low. "It wanted revenge."
Gavin scoffed. "It seeks revenge, but nay because of the stone."
"Why then? What else have you done to it?"
"That owl is Wilona MacRae," he stated.
"What? That's ridiculous!"
"I tell you true, lass. She's a shapeshifting witch. Did you see its green eyes?"
"Whatever," she said, dismissing his lunacy. His mind was stuck in medieval times, and she knew she couldn't change his beliefs.
Hewie, carrying two large wooden buckets, descended the steps. "Your bath is ready, m'laird." He bowed, then rushed toward the kitchen steps.
"Thank you, Hewie!" Dani called after him. Poor kid had worked hard lugging many gallons of water up those steps. Man, did she miss indoor plumbing.
"Oh. That's why he couldn't attend the wedding."
"He's a lad. He cares naught for weddings." Gavin lifted Dani, giving her a thrill, and carried her up the spiral stone stairwell.
Smiling, she placed an arm around his broad shoulder and neck. "I can walk."
"I ken it, but 'tis our wedding night. What kind of husband would I be to make my bride walk over the threshold of our bedchamber?" He shouldered open the door to his candlelit bedroom and placed her on her feet near the bed. In front of the hearth fire, the wooden tub of steaming bathwater called to her like a modern-day hot tub.
"When the clan returns, we shall have a feast in your honor in the great hall." The happiness and hope in his eyes almost broke her heart. Clearly, he loved his clan and wanted them reunited. He believed she held the key to achieving his dreams. But what if she didn't? What if he deluded himself?
