Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

As they entered Gleann Cloiche, there was a crowd gathered and waiting. Leona, who had somehow managed to stay mostly awake from the journey, nearly leaped from the horse when she saw the two familiar faces of Maisie and Isobel. With Caelan's help, she slipped down from the saddle and rushed to them.

"Ye wee fool," Maisie said with a curse, throwing her arms around the smaller woman. Leona sniffled and embraced her back, squeezing as if she might never be pried loose. Finally, Maisie pulled back and glared down at her. "Ye had us scared half to death! Daenae ever do somethin' so–"

"Forgive me," Leona pleaded, her eyes widened and begged.

Maisie's face contorted before she groaned. "Ye ken that there is nothin' to forgive. We are just so happy that ye are safe. Or," she glanced down at Leona's arm, the dried blood stained at her clothes and the makeshift bandage. "What happened?"

"She saved me," Caelan said from behind.

Leona turned, the sound of his voice making her heart leap. She smiled and raised a brow, realizing that she had, in fact, saved him. It was not something she planned to let him forget. Caelan must have sensed her mischievous thoughts because he held up a hand. "Daenae start, lass."

Isobel stepped forward, her reservation seemed to be crumbling and wavering with each breath. There was a softness in her eyes as her gaze shifted from Leona's face to her wound. "Let us go clean ye up," she said slowly, her mind already working out what she would need. "And besides, ye both must be exhausted."

It was true. Leona could feel the heaviness of sleep clawing at her. She had somehow managed to close her eyes briefly on the return trip, but sleeping on horseback was hardly comfortable. She nodded before looking over her shoulder to Caelan once more. "Will ye find me later?"

"There will never be a time when I willnae find ye."

"Oh, brother. I dinnae ken ye were such a romantic!" Maisie chirped, grinning as she put her arm over Leona's shoulder. Her eyes gleamed as they settled on Caelan before she waved him away to dismiss him.

Rolling his eyes, he turned on his heel towards his own tent. Jamie, who had been watching in a tired silence, bowed to them briefly before following after the Laird.

The three women made their way back to the shared tent. Leona felt as if she was dreaming. Her soul felt light as a feather. Maisie and Isobel exchanged knowing glances, their understanding of Leona's ordeal was evident, but she knew she would soon have to tell them all the truth of it.

"He is dead," Leona said as she sat at the table. She winced as Isobel ran a cloth of warm water over her arm; the sting of whatever she had boiled with it eased within a moment. It smelled of mint and something else she could not quite name, but the relief from the pain was almost instant.

Isobel frowned. "It will scar."

Leona had figured as much. It could not be helped.

Her mind drifted slightly, and she looked at Maisie. "What of the maid?"

"Oh, she is well gone," Maisie nodded. The pleased-with-herself look on her face told Leona that she had handled the issue personally. "I sent her away with a promise of what would happen if she showed herself again."

There was no hiding her relief. "Thank ye, Maisie."

"'Twas me pleasure," she said as she poured Leona another cup of warmed, sweet wine. It had been meant for the feast on the night of her wedding, but Maisie had convinced the cooks that Leona needed it more now than ever.

Leona was grateful, not just for the taste but for the way it was beckoning sleep.

The flap of the tent opened, and Leona's mother entered. Her eyes scanned the faces one by one until falling on her daughter. "Leave us," she said as she stepped inside. There was something behind her voice, the tone that held an authority that she did not often use. Leona inwardly found herself begging her friends to remain but watched, almost feeling betrayed, as they rushed outside.

Whatever lecture she was about to hear, she did not wish to.

Bracing herself, she took a long sip of her wine. "Mother, I–"

Without a word, her mother rushed to her and threw her arms around her. Leona sat there, frozen in surprise and shock, before slowly pulling back. She raised her brows, questioning.

"Are ye all right?"

Leona nodded. "I am so very tired. I daenae ken if I can keep me eyes open for much longer, truthfully."

Her mother understood. "Rest, sweet girl. Ye have been through so much. We will discuss the weddin' in the morning… that is if ye still plan to be wed to Caelan."

"Aye," Leona said. "I do."

Before leaving, her mother called for a servant to bring something for Leona to eat. Soon, the tent was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meat.

She ate eagerly, savoring each bite as if the simple act of nourishing herself would mend the wounds and tiredness in her bones. When her hunger was sated, exhaustion washed over her like a tidal wave, and Leona collapsed onto her bed.

Hours passed like fleeting dreams, and when she woke, Maisie was standing at her bedside. Gently, she pawed at her shoulder. "Leona," she whispered. "Caelan is waiting for ye outside. Do ye wish for me to send him away?"

Leona smiled. "Nay, I'll get m'self up."

Under the glittering canopy of stars, Caelan and Leona walked together. Their footsteps were soft against the earth, and they moved as if they were one. The night became more still and serene the further they went from Gleann Cloiche.

As they strolled, Caelan turned to Leona, his voice a soft whisper. The air was cool enough that he could see the steam rising from his words. "Is this what ye truly want? I ken I have asked it, and I fear I will ask ye again. But I need to ken it."

Leona halted and reached out, her fingers curling around his arm. She could feel the muscles, rigid and firm. Her eyes bore into his, holding them and refusing to look away. Even in the dim light, with the shadows enveloping them, she could make out the cool, piercing gaze. "There is nothin' I want more, Caelan. But…"

"But?"

"I want bairns, and I daenae ken if I can go without."

He smiled, tilting his head. "Leona."

"Caelan, I daenae want to pretend that I daenae want that. I willnae lie to ye."

"Never in me life have I even entertained the idea," he said.

Her heart felt as if it might rip apart, but she understood.

"Until now."

The tears that had been threatening to fall were blinked back. "What?"

"With ye, I want it all."

She shook her head. "I daenae understand."

"Leona," his voice turned to silk as he reached out, taking her face between his hands. Caelan leaned in, kissing her forehead. His lips lingered, and she could feel him smiling. "I want to wed ye. Someday, I want to see yer stomach swell with me bairns. With ye, I want it all."

She stepped back, eyes gleaming. "Are ye certain?"

"Oh, aye," he winked, unable to hide his grin. "I cannae wait."