Page 81 of Cherished By A Highlander

“You should go rest, Dru,” Shade said, seeing her rest her arm gently against her side.

“My thoughts as well,” Dru said and eased herself off the bench and shuffled slowly out the door.

Quint’s arms barely got around his wife’s waist when someone rapped at the door. He scowled. “I cannot wait until we are home in your cottage, alone.”

“Our cottage. Our home,” Shade said, “and I feel the same.”

Our home.It was something he never thought he would have again after losing Amara. But he’d been given a second chance with Shade, and he was eager to start their life together in their home.

“Enter,” Quint called out, hoping to keep it brief with whoever was there. As soon as Brother Peter entered, he knew the visit would not be brief.

“I found who I was looking for… Shade,” Brother Peter said with a chuckle. “I asked about seeing Chieftain Ryland so I can pray over him. I was told by all I asked that I needed to get permission to see him from you.”

“Aye, he is in my care, and no one sees him unless I allow it since he needs rest to recover from his many wounds. I am afraid I cannot grant your request, but your prayers are appreciated no matter where they are offered.”

“I bow to your expertise, Shade, and I will pray for Chieftain Ryland and pray I will be able to visit him soon,” Brother Peter said.

“A moment of your time, Brother Peter,” Quint said. “I have a few questions for you.”

“Of course, my son, I am pleased to be of any help you may need.”

“I must be off,” Shade said. “I have recovering warriors to tend to.”

Brother Peter smiled pleasantly. “You are a true angel, my dear. Everyone I meet remarks on how you have not only helped the injured but how you have saved lives that most thought beyond help.”

“I do what I can,” Shade said and turned to kiss her husband’s cheek, though more so to whisper, “I miss you already.”

“I will find you,” he said, returning the whisper as his hand drifted down along her arm to take her hand and give it a gentle squeeze.

Shade smiled and a faint pink stained her cheeks.

Quint slipped his arm around her waist to walk her to the door and before she stepped out of the room, he leaned in close to her and whispered, “Later I am going to make your entire body blush.”

Shade gasped softly, her blush deepening. “The cleric will hear.”

“We commit no sin, we are wed, and he knows that for sure since he wed us. Now go but remember that later I intend to make you blush all over.” He shut the door, the image of her now red cheeks burned in his memory and bringing a smile to his face. A smile that vanished as soon as he turned and faced the cleric.

“I was right. You two are in love,” Brother Peter said pleased.

“Very much so,” Quint confirmed. “Now tell me what one of Asher’s men wanted with you.”

“I don’t know the man you call Asher, though I heard that he works closely with Lord Torrance. The man, who you believe to be Asher’s man, confronted me on my way here?—”

“You meant to come to Clan MacLeish?”

“Aye,” Brother Peter said, bobbing his head. “I could not forsake my duty after seeing so many wounded fleeing from the direction I was headed. So, I knew I was needed here more than at Clan Glencairn. The other cleric I was with, the one who recognized you as The Monk went on ahead to Glencairn. I turned around to come here, stopping often to pray and give aid to the wounded along the way.”

“That is most kind of you. Now tell me about the man who confronted you.”

“He appeared suddenly and demanded to know what I was doing in the area and my response seemed to displease him until he finally accused me of spying for Lord Torrance.”

“And are you spying for Lord Torrance?” Quint asked.

“Good, Lord, absolutely not,” Brother Peter said affronted. “I am a man of God. I do not spy. I offer hope to the needy and absolution to the wicked. You would do well to consider that. Confess that you killed the monks at Coggshall Abbey, and I will absolve you of the sin.”

“Vicious, senseless murders like those cannot be absolved by mere words, it takes revenge to bring those souls peace,” Quint said.

“And what about your soul, my son?”

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