AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He spoke too soon.
Reeve entered the kitchen. “We need you in the great hall; one of our warriors has returned with urgent news.”
Bliss looked from Trey to Reeve. “The king’s soldiers have crossed the Pict border.”
Chapter 33
The MacAlpin family was gathered in the great hall. Reeve joined his wife near the hearth, slipping his arm around her waist, Mercy and Duncan sat snug against each other at the table, Charlotte stood in front of Bryce, his arm draped protectively across her chest and his hand snug at her waist. Carmag, Mara, and Idris stood off to the side, speaking in whispers, and Roan and five of his men stood in a circle talking. When they caught sight of Bliss, they rushed to her.
“What do we do?” Roan asked.
“At the moment, nothing,” she said to the surprise of all.
“Do you know whom the soldiers search for?” Roan asked.
“Aye, I do, and I believe others here know as well,” Bliss said, turning and looking from one to the other until finally...
“Oh hell,” Mara said, stepping forward. “I suppose it’s time for the truth to be made known.”
Dolca stepped forward as well. “Aye, it’s been a long time coming.”
Mercy smiled at her and hugged her husband’s arm, which tightened protectively around her.
“You know who the king searches for among the Picts?” Roan asked.
Mara nodded. “King Kenneth searches for the woman who will be queen.”
Silence hung heavy in the air, no one uttering a word.
Mara continued. “You are all aware that to be a true king of Scotland, you must be born of a Pict mother. The king then must marry a Pict if he wishes his heir to have a claim to the throne. It is the reason King Kenneth has no true claim on the title. He was not born of a Pict mother. His wife conveniently died shortly after he took the throne; he intended to wed Tara for her substantial dowry, then kill her, and, finally, after having learned that the future queen was with the Picts, I’m sure the king’s plan is to find her and wed her himself.”
Tara spoke up. “That means that Reeve is not the future king since I am no Pict.”
“Is that relief I hear?” Reeve asked as he hugged her.
“Yes,” she said, cuddling closer to him. “You’re a handful now. I could not imagine how you would be if you were king.”
Everyone laughed, the brothers’ teasing remarks agreeing with her.
Charlotte was quick to point out. “That would omit Bryce and me since I am no Pict, and Mara is no Pict so that eliminates Trey, leaving Duncan to be the true king.”
Dolca stepped forward. “I am the king’s grandmother, and Mercy is his half sister.”
There were several audible gasps from the women.
Charlotte took several steps away from Bryce. “It’s you. You’re the true king?” She shook her head. “I’m not a Pict. You knew this all along. You knew you could never wed me.”
Bryce squared his shoulders and stepped forward, his head high, his muscles taut. “I am the rightful king, and you will be my queen.”
Charlotte shook her head. “No, I will not. My da told me how important the true king was to Scotland. The good he would do, and how his queen would help him and bear him many children, one of whom would be king.” She shook her head again. “I will not see you sacrifice that for me. It is not right.”
“You will be my queen,” he repeated, and stepped toward her, but she scooted back away from him. Odin made his way to her side, taking a protective stance next to her.
“Your queen waits for you amongst the Picts,” Charlotte said. “And why don’t you seem surprised to know you have a sister?”
Mara answered. “Bryce has known for some time that Mercy is his sister, and so have his brothers.”
Bryce looked to Mercy. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you and sorry that Duncan was forced to keep it from you, but it was a matter of protection for us both.”
