Chapter 6

Shock continued to keep Sky frozen where she sat. This truly was a nightmare she was living. How was it that she was the wife of the most feared Gallowglass warrior when Slayer had told her that her da had arranged a marriage between her and Slayer's brother, Warrand? Had Slayer's father manipulated her da into the marriage or had her da agreed to the change once Warrand died?

She shook her head. What did it matter how it came about? She wanted nothing to do with such a union. Foremost, she was fearful of Slayer and rightfully so. His commanding nature and superior strength often left her feeling vulnerable and that was not something she would want in a marriage… to be afraid of one's own husband. If that weren't enough, she would be part of a new clan. No one would accept her and without her sisters she would be more alone and vulnerable than she had ever been.

Feeling helpless and fearful, tears threatened her eyes. She did not know what to do or if there was anything she could do.

Proof.

She should seek proof that what Slayer told her was the truth. But why would he lie? There was no benefit for him in a union with her, just as there would have been no benefit if she had wed Warrand. So, why did Slayer's father arrange a marriage for her with Warrand in the first place? The question poked at her, thinking it was something she needed to know.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself!

Sky jumped and looked around the cottage expecting to see her sister Leora standing there, her voice had been so strong in her mind. Leora was right. It would do her no good to dwell on the problem. One thing was certain though, until the issue could be settled, she and Slayer would not be sharing a bed.

* * *

Slayer hadno intentions of being gone long, and there was no reason for him to be concerned about Sky's safety while he was gone, though he found he was. He had not told her that the cottage sat in the middle of the Gallowglass compound. The Gallowglass came from all over to practice here in the woods and in the fields. Several longhouses housed endless warriors. Smithies and arrow and bow makers were in abundance and a well-guarded structure held prisoners who could prove useful if kept alive. No one dared to come near it and those who had foolishly tried never reached the perimeter, the first line of sentinels never failing to stop them. To reach the cottage, four perimeters would need to be breached and the Gallowglass would never allow that to happen.

The sun had lost its dominance to the clouds and Slayer wouldn't be surprised to see it rain. He kept a quick pace through the woods knowing exactly where the warrior with the news waited. It was the spot where messages were left for him when he stayed at the cottage so he would not be disturbed unless it was an emergency. He temporarily changed those orders being here with Sky. Any news was to be delivered immediately.

He grew anxious to speak to the warrior waiting there when he spotted it was John. He had sent John and Angus to various areas in the Highlands that were ripe with gossip and tales to see if they could learn anything about his father and brother's deaths. Tales often liked to be told when drink was involved. Some were truthful, others nothing more than boastful encounters, while some were born from a seed of truth.

John would not disturb him unless he had important news, and he was eager to hear it, calling out to him as he approached, "What have you found out, John?"

"A boastful tale that may hold some truth," John said.

"Tell me."

"Angus and I were at a market enjoying some ale while talking with the locals in hopes of hearing something relevant. Someone mentioned the Gallowglass and during the conversation someone talked about a man bragging how he supplied the poison that killed your father. I made mention of him being a fool for saying such a thing and the one fellow said that the man was a known liar and no one in those parts believes anything he says. He was right. The man lied. We found him and he was more than willing to talk and with little persuasion. He says he overheard a conversation and decided to turn it into a tale since storytellers never have to buy their own ale."

"Do you trust he tells you the truth since he is a known lair?" Slayer asked.

"Aye, he was too fearful not to since we invited him to join us in our travels to confirm what he told us," John said. "He heard two men talking, mentioning Lord Bannaty by name and that he would be dead soon enough and that no one would ever suspect that he had been poisoned. The person would dispense the poison a little at a time until it finally killed him."

"Which would mean it was someone who frequented the keep or someone already there." Slayer grew anxious to get his hands on the two men. "Tell me that this liar knew these men and you found them."

"He was familiar with one of them and he was not hard to find—" John hesitated briefly. "He was dead when we found him."

"And the other?"

Again, John hesitated. "We cannot find him. He seems to have vanished."

"Or was never there to begin with."

"Angus and I thought the same, so we brought Rory, the liar, home with us figuring he might be more prone to the whole truth while a guest of the Gallowglass."

"I will question him myself tomorrow," Slayer said.

"Aye, my lord. Angus and I will make sure he is ready for you," John said.

Slayer made his way back to the cottage, the overhead clouds growing darker. It would not be long before it rained. It had rained the day he learned of his brother Warrand's death. He and his men were just returning home from helping a nobleman protect his land from a neighboring clan who claimed it belonged to their clan. What should have been nothing more than a skirmish had turned into a bloody battle with heavy losses on both sides, though he had lost no men. Then came the news of his brother's death and he wished he had a battle to ride into, needing to release the overpowering rage that consumed him for failing to protect Warrand as he was meant to do.

He would not fail his brother again. He would find out who was responsible and make them suffer brutally before killing them.

Shaking his head too clear away his burdensome thoughts, he approached the cottage. It was time to talk to Sky about their marriage, though there was little to say. They were wed and nothing would change that.

He opened the door and stepped into an empty cottage.

* * *

Sky satby the stream wishing the sun hadn't vanished, though she was glad her squirrel friend had returned and brought a friend with him, though they were busy nipping at the ground for what insects they could find.

The cottage had lost some of its charm after learning she was wed and would be sharing it with her husband. Her disappointment had brought her to the stream, not to think but simply to be. Her sisters could never understand her need for solitude, how she could spend hours alone in the woods and not mind. It was something she had always done, even when young. She had longed to make friends at one time but not anymore. She had all the friends she needed in the forest. She could truly live her days out here and be content.

The squirrels suddenly sat straight up, their eyes alert and their heads held still as they listened. They heard a foreign noise and with a quick look at her, they took off.

Slayer's presence filled the forest before he was even seen. It frightened the animals, caused the birds to take flight and the wind to whisper in warning. She shivered, worried at what the future might hold with such a powerful man.

Sky did not move, she stayed as she was, listening, just as the squirrels had done and finally heard his footfalls. They were strong and quick, and she could almost feel the anger in them.

He came to a stop beside her, and she kept her eyes on his boots, a bit fearful to glance up at him and see anger in his eyes.

"Give me your hand. We will return to the cottage," he said, and held his hand out for her to take hold of it.

She did not argue even though she would have preferred to stay where she was. A conversation with him was inevitable and so was the outcome. He would inform her that they were wed and there was nothing she could do to change that. She was to accept it and be a dutiful wife, something she did not want to hear.

She reached out and took his hand and it closed firmly around hers and, with an easy tug, he pulled her up onto her feet. He kept hold of her hand, to her surprise, as they walked back to the cottage in silence. She wondered if it was on purpose, a warning sign that he had no intention of letting her go. Raindrops began to fall, and he tucked her snug against him as though he could protect her against the rain and hurried their steps to the door.

Once inside, he slipped her cloak off her and hung it on a peg, then he went to the fire pit and added more wood, the fire having dwindled.

The raindrops had left his sleeveless arms wet, rainwater glistening on them, defining their strength. He had pushed his long, blond hair out of his way to rest over one shoulder and his face was, as usual, stoic, leaving her to wonder about his thoughts.

He stood and with a nod to one of the benches at the table, ordered, "Sit."

She sat as he demanded, though more so because she feared she would not be able to remain standing, her legs trembled so badly.

Wondering if she should ask when the answer seemed obvious, but needing to know for sure, she asked, "Will you command me with your every word?"

"Will it be necessary?"

"You're giving me a choice?" she asked leerily.

He remained standing and she wished he would sit, his imposing size alone making her anxious.

"You have a choice, Sky."

"I did not have a choice to become your wife," she argued.

"Nor did I have a choice to become your husband."

"So, this marriage was forced on us both?" she asked, not having given thought that he might be just as displeased with their marriage.

"Duty was forced on us," he said as though it explained it all.

"Please, could you sit," she said, pointing to the bench opposite her at the table, feeling far too vulnerable with the way the breath and width of him consumed the room. "And explain how it is that I became your wife when it was your brother I was to wed."

Slayer was prepared for tears and demands like many women when things did not go their way. But Sky spoke softly with him even though her hands trembled slightly, and fear lit her eyes, turning the two different colors bolder.

He sat. "Warrand died before the marriage arrangement could be completed, my father was already showing signs of illness and, fearing for the future of the clan, he put my name on the marriage document."

"So, my da knew nothing about the change in the marriage agreement?"

"Aye. He knew nothing. His sole purpose in seeing you wed was to make certain you were protected and kept safe. The heart of the marriage document remained the same. You would have what your father so desperately wanted for you with me as your husband. My father made sure I understood the reason for the marriage and that I would honor the agreement. I will protect you, see you kept safe, allow no harm to befall you, of that you have no worries. Since I honor the agreement, I see no reason why your father would object to it."

She could not argue with what obviously made sense, but still… "I would like to speak with my da about this before the marriage is sealed."

"That is not possible. I do not have to remind you that it is presently not safe for you to travel to Clan Murdock, and your father is ill and cannot travel here."

Fear raced through Sky, turning her skin to gooseflesh. "My da is ill? What happened? What troubles him?"

"It is my understanding that your sister Elsie is taking good care of him and there is presently no need for concern. I would advise you to allow him time to rest and grow strong before you deliver any unsettling news."

She feared for her da's well-being but knew Elsie would take good care of him. It also gave her a good reason to wait to seal their vows. "Then until I can confirm that my father does not object to our union, we will wait to consummate our vows."

"Nay, we will not. The marriage document is valid as is the marriage itself. It matters not that it is my brother or me who you wed as long as you are provided with what your father demanded… that you are kept protected and safe. You have seen for yourself that the agreement is being honored. We are husband and wife. Do your wifely duties, bear me bairns, and you will be treated well."

Sky did not know what to say and from what he said, she truly had no say in the matter. The marriage contract had been met as stated and was valid. And if her da had wed her to keep her safe then he would not object to the marriage.

"Think wisely on this, Sky. Wed to me, you would never have to worry about how people treat you again. No one would dare treat you poorly being my wife or dare think of harming you. You will be safe and on that I pledge my word to you."

Could he be right? Could this be a wise choice for her? He was a powerful and respected noble, and a Gallowglass warrior feared and awed by most. No one would dare do her harm and chance his wrath.

"Elsie is wed, and you should know that your father secured a marriage for Leora as well. Both will have their own families. Do you not want a family of your own?" he asked his own question, giving him pause to think about it himself. He had not given much thought to having a family but now that he ruled the clan, it was his responsibility to produce heirs and secure the clan's future. And the thought of having bairns with Sky surprisingly appealed to him.

News that Leora was wed as well did not shock her. If her da had secured marriages for her and Elsie, it would make sense he would do the same for Leora. Sky never expected to have children since she never expected to wed. She had looked forward to her sisters making her an aunt so she could not only indulge the little ones but satisfy her own need for bairns she would never have. Marriage to Slayer would give her a chance to have her own home and bairns. It could be a viable choice, a sensible one, but did she have the courage to make it so?

He could see she was giving it thought as was he. The marriage was secured. There was no changing that and he would see it sealed with the consummation of their vows. Neither of them had a choice. Fate had settled it for them. Besides, something inside him urged him not to lose her, to keep her close, to talk with her and enjoy her gentle voice and her kind nature.

"I suppose our marriage could prove sensible," she said while still considering it.

"Yet something gives you pause. I can see it in your scrunched brow." He reached across the table and gently stroked her brow to chase away the deep lines.

An ease settled over her as though his touch held the magic to dispel her worries. Or was it simply that he noticed and tempted to vanquish them? But then he was a warrior, a conqueror who vanquished his enemies, so how difficult would it be for him to dispel her worries when he was the one truly in command?

"There is something I need to know, and I need you to be honest with me about it," she said.

"Concerning our marriage?"

"Aye."

"There is nothing I hide from you about the marriage agreement," he assured her.

"Except that you have not told me why your father chose me to wed Warrand, then you, when I bring no benefit to the union."

Slayer never expected her to ask that, but he had said he hid nothing from her about their union. So, honor dictated he speak the truth. "You asked for the truth, and I will tell you it. My father was a man who put Clan Ravinsher before anything else. He claimed that wives were more a hindrance than a benefit. He told me that he wanted to find a wife for Warrand who would not consume him with desire or one he could not possibly lose his heart to. He assumed Warrand would have no interest in a woman with two different colored eyes, nor would he find any passion with her."

Sky stared at him, his words sinking in deep, squeezing at her heart. "So, your father believed me undesirable, unlovable, and all Warrand would need to do is tolerate me when it came time to get me with child."

"To him it was a marriage of convenience like most marriages, nothing more," he said, to make it sound less hurtful, but it did nothing to stop the hurt gathering in her eyes. While he kept his feelings stoic, necessary for a Gallowglass commander, he could not stop the anger that sparked in him for causing her pain. He never expected to hear her say what she said next.

"If he expected that of Warrand, then he must have expected the same from you. So, tell me, Slayer, will you only tolerate me?"

Sky had learned for herself that a lack of a quick response demonstrated shock and the inability to answer. She watched as Slayer sat there silently, staring at her. It was all the response she needed. She got up and ran out of the cottage into the rain.