“Aye. You have your lass already. I was just waiting for us to have more room in the croft.”
“I will start work on the morrow.” Coinneach was glad his da and brother were all right with him moving out of the croft, but he still needed to tell his mother.
“Life is so uncertain,”Elspeth said to Aisling as she helped her make bread.
“Aye.” Aisling and Elspeth had heard everything Coinneach and Magnus had said on top of the roof.
His mother had only smiled. “To best the champion is something to behold.”
“Aye. I’ve never seen anything like it, and what was so great was that he had Coinneach sit beside him in a place of honor at one of the tables.” She hoped he wouldn’t help her serve more of the meal, as he had before.
Elspeth glanced at her. “He will be well-liked among the other pack members, I’m sure. You and Coinneach need to mate, to be there for each other as humans and wolves.”
“I agree.”
“You dinna want to waste time?—”
“Courting?” Aisling smiled at her.
Elspeth’s cheeks reddened as she appeared flustered. “There is so much more to being mated wolves.” She blushed anew.
“Aye. We look forward to it and we dinna intend to wait long.”
“We will have a simple ceremony in the meadow?” Elspeth asked.
“Aye. We would be honored.”
“Now that Coinneach will be working at the castle, he’ll see more of you.”
“I hope we willna be in trouble for it when we try to spend some time with each other.”
“Some will understand young love.” Elspeth took hold of Aisling’s hands. “He is brave, kind, and caring. He will stand up for those who are downtrodden. But he…he sometimes believes someone is good of heart, when they are no’. He willna believe he needs to be looked after, but he does. That’s why you will be good for him. Even when a Viking tries to shoot him with an arrow.”
Aisling’s mouth gaped. His mother had known about it?
“We couldna reach Coinneach in time to save him. We knew when you did, you had a bond that was meant to be. We kept your secret because you wanted it kept.”
Aisling smiled. “He’s a hero. I heard him howl to the castle guards and the other crofters about the trouble.”
“Aye, he is a hero.”
The men all came into the croft, and Aisling said, “I need to return to the castle.”
“I’ll escort you. Mother, I’ll be…”
“Working as a castle guard. We heard you talking on the roof. I’m proud of you and know you’ll do your duty wherever they put you.” Elspeth hugged him. “We love you, son.”
He hugged her back. “I’m returning.”
“I’ll have all your stuff packed before you get back.” Tamhas laughed.
Smiling, Coinneach slapped him on the back. “I hate packing. I appreciate it.”
He grasped Aisling's hand and led her out of the croft. Together, they made their way through the meadow toward the castle. As the moonlight shone over the heather, she hoped they would arrive before the gates were shut.
“I will see you in the morn. I’ll probably have to break my fast there.”
“You willna help me serve the meal.”
