AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I cannot.” Caelan pressed a kiss to the center of her forehead and walked away.
Moments later, he leaned against a post, waiting to catch sight of Brock to tell him he was returning to camp. He bit a chunk out of an apple he’d purchased, chewing thoughtfully.
Where he stood, it would be hard for his family to spot him as he was out of sight but could see the goings on clearly.
When someone tugged at his tunic, he turned prepared to hand a street urchin coin only to lose his breath at his family.
“Caelan,” his mother’s voice shook. She took a tentative step forward and he closed the distance hugging her tightly. It was hard to swallow past the huge lump that formed in his throat.
It took all his courage, and yet he could not lift his gaze to his father. Shame filled him and he wished with all his heart that he could change himself. More than anything to be the man a father could be proud of.
“Son,” his father’s voice was gruff. “I hear ye are a great archer.”
It was then he finally met his father’s gaze and to his astonishment saw pride.
“I would not say great,” he said, his voice cracking.
“Please come to the house for a visit,” his mother said wiping tears with the edge of her sleeve. “I have missed ye so. Yer brother would be happy to see ye.”
His brother, just a year older was the gruff type, who would rather spend his time tending to the livestock than being around people.
Caelan looked to his father for confirmation, that he was indeed welcome. “I keep quite busy with guard duties...”
“I am sure the laird gives ye time to see family,” Galena protested. “If not, I will write him and ask in yer behalf.”
“Ye will come and visit,” his father said, with meaning, then closed the distance between them and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Ye are my son and will always have a place at the table.”
Like his older brother, his father was not one for demonstrating emotion. That he’d touched him in public was shocking not just to him, but to his mother and sister who gawked.
“It is settled then,” his mother said and looked him up and down. “I will purchase fabric, ye are in dire need of new clothes.”
Just then he spotted Brock walking toward him. “I best go. I will visit in a pair of days. I will have no duty then.”
His father nodded. “Good.”
The ride back to the camp was so very different. Caelan’s heart was light, and he talked non-stop, telling Brock how it was the first time seeing his family in years and how they’d invited him to come to visit.
“Why have ye not gone to visit. They do not live far?” Brock asked.
Caelan sighed. “Father and I had a disagreement.”
“About?”
Despite Brock being his closest friend, Caelan would never divulge the truth about himself. The fewer people knew the better. “Something stupid I did. I was young and without thought.”
His friend studied him for a moment. “Ye should have gone back sooner and spoken to yer father. By his expression, he has missed ye.”
“Aye, mayhap.”
They continued for a while longer, the camp coming into view.
“I must say something,” Brock said slowing his steed. “I know ye prefer men to women. I want ye to know it does not change our friendship.”
Caelan squeezed his eyes shut. “How do ye know?”
Was it so obvious about him that people could tell. What if more guards figured it out? He could be killed in battle by his own side.
“Lachland confronted me, told me to watch over ye and keep ye safe in battle. Most men would never do that unless there was a reason.” Brock chuckled. “I believe he is jealous of me. I assured him ye and I are only friends and I prefer a lass’ legs around my waist.”
