AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“True enough. Bryce and his brothers did not sit idly by when they received news of the troops’ converging on the area. I was not made aware of what they did, but it was known that something was being done.”
“I think they planned for every possibility and that a surprise awaits King Kenneth.” Bliss turned, suddenly grabbing Charlotte’s arm and forcing her to crouch down. “Someone comes.”
Leora was forced to sit at one of the tables in the great hall, two warriors standing on either side of her to make certain she didn’t go anywhere until the true king was ready to release her.
“Shouldn’t the women have returned by now?” Bryce asked, though he turned to Carmag before getting an answer. “Da, has all been seen to?”
“All is ready,” his da assured him.
Trey took a moment to listen for his wife, and his hand snapped out to grab his brother’s arm. “Soldiers have them.”
The two men ran, their brothers right behind them. It didn’t take them long to find the spot where the women must have scuffled with the soldiers.
“That’s my Charlotte,” Bryce said with pride. “She’d never let herself be captured without a fight.”
Trey couldn’t say the same of Bliss. Her mind was her weapon, and he wondered how she had used it. He wished she wasn’t silent in his thoughts, for he could only assume that she had her hands full dealing with her situation.
’Tis the way it was meant to be.
Trey almost smiled. He had never thought that fate could have a voice, but he sensed that was who had spoken to him ... Fate. And he decided to trust her.
“It is time for the true king to meet King Kenneth on the battlefield,” Bryce said.
The brothers said nothing. They all knew that this day would come, when they would have to stand by and let the true king fight. It had been predicted:when he meets death on his own, that is when he claims the throne.
Was King Kenneth’s death what Bliss had felt or would there be more blood shed than the false king’s?
“We could exchange Leora for your women,” Reeve said, “though I doubt the king cares enough about her for such an exchange.”
“Then Leora will learn the folly of her ways,” Duncan said.
Bryce looked to each of his brothers. “Come and let us make ready. The day we have planned and worked so hard for is here ... the true king steps forward and demands his rightful throne.”
Chapter 35
Bliss and Charlotte stood beside King Kenneth’s horse and watched as the four MacAlpin brothers rode together toward the middle of the meadow, while behind them stood five rows of mighty Highlander warriors. To the sides of the meadows, three rows of Highlander warriors congregated. They all raised their shields and weapons cheering on the four brothers.
Charlotte grinned, then winced, the bruise at the corner of her mouth paining her.
“Bryce is not going to be happy when he sees that you have been injured,” Bliss said softly.
“He knows I’ve taken worse and survived.” Her grin grew. “Besides, we are the MacAlpin women, and we cannot cower in fear; we must be strong and able to stand at our husbands’ sides, ready to fight if necessary or ready to cheer them on in battle. That is who we are; who we are meant to be.” Charlotte chuckled. “And wait until Trey gets at look at your eye. I bet it looks worse than my bruised mouth.”
Bliss had to laugh herself. She had never physically fought with anyone in her life. She had always used her wit to escape any kind of threat or injury, and it had always worked well for her.
That hadn’t happened this time. She had realized too late that soldiers were nearly upon them, and there was no time to run. Charlotte didn’t waste a minute, attacking the two soldiers, and, without thought, Bliss had jumped in to help her. The pint-sized woman was a fierce fighter, and they would have known victory thanks to her if two more soldiers hadn’t joined in the melee.
At that moment it hit Bliss—she might be a Pict, but she was also a MacAlpin woman, strong, proud, and fierce, defending her husband and his people in their way. Fate had wisely sent her a love that allowed her to step out of who she was and become so much more.
Her heart swelled with joy, and she knew that this day would end well for the MacAlpin clan.
Bliss jumped as, despite the pain it caused her, Charlotte joined the warriors’ cheering and hooting loudly for the four brothers.
Bliss was about to do the same when the king’s hand swung down at Charlotte. Bliss didn’t hesitate. She pushed Charlotte out of the way and focused all her strength to her hand as she grabbed the king’s wrist and squeezed.
Her vision blurred for a second; and then she smiled. “Death stalks you this day; choose your actions wisely.”
He yanked his wrist out of her hand, and that was when they both realized that silence surrounded them.
