“Lia?”
“Aye.”
“Then he’ll come for Shealee. You won’t go, will you? You can’t. Please say you won’t go, Broc.”
He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, one at a time. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’re meeting in the chieftains’ solar in a few moments. I wished to chat with you first, let you know what I could.”
“Promise me you’ll stay away, Broc. Please? I couldn’t bear to lose you after losing my sister and my parents.”
“I can only promise I won’t go alone. I honestly don’t know what will be decided. It could be a full-blown battle. That’s how Clan Grant handles those who try to destroy us. And that’s Glenna’s goal. She ultimately wants to destroy both clans.”
Merryn’s heart nearly broke in two. She was just developing feelings for this man, and he could die soon.
Broc’s father came outside. “Broc. We’re meeting and we need you. Sorry, Merryn.”
Broc nodded and stood, pulling Merryn to her feet while his sire returned to the keep. “I’ll look for you at the evening meal.”
She nodded. What else could she do?
Chapter Fifteen
Broc
Broc squared his shoulders, wondering what was about to happen. Was he to be sent back to Clan Grant, never to return? Would they send him off to fight Kelvan alone?
Finlay MacNicol clasped his son’s shoulder and said, “You did a fine job getting Logan back here. That wasn’t an easy task. But I recognize that expression on your face. It is not your fault.”
“Da, if I’d been standing on the other side of him or if I’d been behind him, I mayhap could have stopped it. I had no idea she would attack. There’d been no threats, no weapons drawn. We’d seen no guards but the few on the wall. Naught.”
“I believe you. It’s exactly why Glenn was such an evil bastard. It’s in their blood to be underhanded, to kill for no reason. Do not take this on your shoulders. Please.”
“I’ll do my best,” he answered, knowing that it was nearly impossible. They made their way into the keep, passing Avelina as she hurried down the stairs, heading toward the healing chamber. Would she ever speak to him again once she learned the truth?
His sire opened the door to the solar, so Broc took a deep breath and crossed the threshold into the den of inquisition. He nodded to Maitland who stood at the front beside Dyna. Also in attendance were his mother seated next to Uncle Connor, Alasdair, and Alaric. Maitland pointed to a chair near the front, and Broc took it.
Maitland said, “Tell us exactly what happened. Alaric told us what he knew, but he didn’t go inside with you.”
Broc took a deep breath and repeated everything he remembered about the situation, glossing over one part. But Maitland caught him and held up his hand to stop him.
Maitland said, “Who do they want? You said that if they didn’t get the three they wanted, they’d steal the bairns. Who exactly do they want? And which bairns?”
Poor Maitland paled, probably for fear that his son would be stolen again.
“I’ll tell you exactly what they said. Glenna wants Kyla, Logan, and me. We didn’t let on that I was Kyla’s son. Kelvan wants the faery and the lad with the sword, though I’ll add that I don’t think he’s aware that we have his daughter.”
Maitland clarified, “So there was no mention of Grant or any of Dyna’s bairns? No seers, no wee bairns? Naught like that?”
“Nay. They said if they turned us over, they would not kidnap any more bairns.”
“And how long do you have to do that before they attack?”
“A sennight.”
His father spoke up immediately. “Neither one of you are going. Don’t even think on it.”
His mother said, “Finlay, Broc and I could go. I know it’s not ideal, but I do not wish to hear of any more bairns taken. That’s simple cruelty. If Broc and I go along in a sennight, it would give you the time to gather forces to attack on the mainland. Do you not agree? That would give plenty of time to ready your warriors.”
Uncle Connor said, “I agree with gathering forces, but nay, sister. You are not going. That clan has tortured you enough. I’ll not allow it.”
