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"Can I go play?" she askedher mother, who placed her on the ground but did not let go of her hand.
"No, Edna. Ye'll be staying with us tonight." Ednaturned to look at her father with puzzled eye — he smiled as he looked down at her innocent expression.
"Listen to your mama. She just wants the best for ye," her father agreed, and Edna's shoulders slumped in defeat. She couldn't let this minor annoyance crush her spirits or make her feel bad. It was still a night of celebrations, and she planned to take advantage of it in whatever way she could. She stood between her mother and father, watching the people at the festival mingling.Everyone was dressed in clan colors and looked as radiant as ever. Beltane was a time of great joy and fertility celebration. Edna noticed her mother twitch beside her and wondered how shecould be anxious in such a vibrant place. Shetook her mother's hand in hers and smiled up at her, hoping to calm her down. She had no idea what was bothering her at this time, but she wished for all of herproblems to go away.
"It's time to start the fire," a young man shouted from afar, and everyone around them roared. They had all been anticipating this moment;the sky turning a bright, fieryorange. Edna took a deep breath and smiled broadly, as this was her favorite part of the evening.
“Are you ready, Edna?” her father questioned, extending his hand towards her.
"Yes, papa," Edna assured him, already overjoyed. She put her hand in his as he picked her up and placed her on his shoulders. She squealed with delight whenshe realized she was taller than everyone else.
"I pray that this summer will be more joyful and prosperous than the last," her father exclaimed, turning to face everyone, his voice echoing through the mountains. Everyone raised their hands in the air and wished those around them prosperity and happiness.
The cheering grew louder around them, and Edna joined in as the night sky alightedfrom the ever-rising flames. That moment was everything shehad ever desired. Her parents, clan, and the world around herfilled with joyful sounds. Nothing could have tainted the purity of those few minutes, she reasoned.
“Duncan.” A loud voice from behind them called out her father's name. She looked at the man in front of her father, his gaze fixed on his face. A hush fell over the crowd as everyone waited in anticipation. Edna had no idea what was going on, but she knew something was wrong.
Her father assisted her in sliding down from his shoulders, and her mother quickly arrived to stand beside her. She took Edna's hand in her own and yanked her away from her father, but the girlrefused to move.
Before anyone could say anything or move, the strange man lunged at her father, who was unable to block the attack due to its suddenness. The crowd let out a loud gasp as it took a few seconds for everyone to realize what was going on. Edna's eyes widened as the man charged ahead at breakneck speed, a dagger drawn in his right hand.
He was able to close the gap in a matter of seconds. He stabbed her father in the chest with the golden dagger in his hands. Edna's entire body went limp as she watched her father painfully move both of his hands to his chest. Blood began to ooze from the wound, turning both of his hands bright red. Darkness gradually obscured her vision, and the lastthing she heard was a loud, startling scream before collapsing to the ground, surrendered to herunconscious. Those few moments had brought her life to a standstill — they had submerged it into an unfathomable abyss — and she was unable to open her eyes again.
CHAPTERONE
10 years later
Every man, woman, and child in the McKenzie clan was looking forward to Ronin's arrival. Happiness had long vanished from the people's faces, but now they had a reason to celebrate and rejoice. Mara, the clan's lady, widow of the laird, and the mother of the boy who was finally returning home to take his father's place. No one wanted to offend her or get in her way. She was a force to be reckoned with, a woman whose blood was so cold that the clan was convinced she lacked any heart at all.
They were aware that she had not always been this way. She, too, was once a young, lively girl who knew the pleasures of life. Her husband's death had forced her to transform into this feared woman. She had no choice but to adapt to the circumstances — a position that rendered her unapproachable. But even she appeared cheerful today; all because of her son.
"Is there anything else yewant me to do?" Lachlan asked as he stood beside her,inspecting the decorations.
"Do yethink he'll like all this, Lachlan?" she asked,her voice uncertain. Lachlan was aware that Mara had no idea what to expect. Her son had been sent to France for studies eight years before. They had no idea who he had become, and they were both a little scared to find out. Though Lachlan was confident that Ronin would remain the young boy he remembered, the young boy who had played with him when they were kids.
“He will. Have faith in me,” Lachlan assured her and by doing so, trying to assure himself as well.
Lachlan was relieved to see the way things were to unfold;Mara had been carrying far too much responsibility for far too long, and it was time to share the load. Ronin was finally returning home to help ease her burden and take the position that had been waiting for him; to become the new laird of the clan.
"I believe in an hour or so, he will be here," Lachlan said, watching the woman's eagerness spread across her face.
"That's what I'm hoping for," Mara said absently before returning to the palace. Lachlan stepped forward and mounted his horse, watching her walk away. He, too, was ecstatic to see his childhood best friend. It had been eight years since the boys had parted ways, and Lachlan knew he would meet a young manwho had spent far too much time in the civilized lands of France. As Lachlan waited outside the castle walls for Ronin, all he could think about was whether his friendwas prepared to shoulder the responsibility that awaited him.
He sat atop his horse and stood along the path that would bring his friend home. A few minutes later, the sound of horse hooves reached his ears, just as he had predicted. It was immediately followed by the sight of his best friend riding towards him at full gallop atop a beautiful chestnut horse. His blonde hair reached just above his shoulders and blew in the breeze, trailing silkily behind him. Lachlan noticed Ronin's blue eyes shone brightly, giving him the appearance of being both young and energetic. Handsome too.
Lachlan grinned. The two men stood in front of each other, serious expressions on their faces. Each of them evaluated the changes that had transpiredin the lasteight years. How much he'd grown; a young boy no longer. Every lass in Scotland would lose their minds over him.
"Ronin McKenzie is finally home," Lachlan said, a smile on his face. Ronin returned the smile as he dismounted his horse. The two friends united in an embrace.
"Why do I feel like theseeight years have been buta few days?" Ronin questioned after they finally separated.
"Because yer love for this land has reduced the time ye've spent apart to an infinitesimal fraction. Yewill always be a Scotsman, Ronin,no matter where yelive," Lachlan replied.
“You are right. Let’s go home; I can’t wait to see mama,” Ronin said, getting on top of his horse once again as Lachlan followed after him.
“She is waiting for ye anxiously.”
The two men rode dangerously fast across the narrow valleys and steep pathways, just as they had done as young boys. They were chastised back then for attempting to appear heroic, but today, people just stared as they rode by. Ronin knew his clan's members were relieved to see him return, and he was just as happy to be home. He'd been away from where he belonged for far too long, and returning home filled him with joy. France had been lovely, and his education had been beneficial, but there was no place like the one where your heart resides.
