Page 99 of The Winter Laird

Bri nodded. Keela was right—it was something to do while they waited. She was pretty tired of waiting, though. She couldn’t believe she’d freed Nioclas from the dungeon just that morning.

His stamina was incredible. If the positions were reversed, she would’ve had at least a small nap by now. But, as she was learning, a laird’s duties never truly ended.

Nor a laird’s wife’s, she thought, looking over the table of vegetables she’d chopped. “I think it’s time to start the soup,” she said, digging in the woodpile. “It looks like we’re out of kindling, though.”

“I just stocked it this morning,” Keela said, pointing with her knife to the small buttery in the corner. “Check in there.”

“I’ll check,” Nioclas said as he entered the kitchen. “I don’t want you lifting anything.”

“I’m not made of glass,” Bri called to him as he rummaged in the buttery. “Don’t get all overprotective of the little things, Nioclas.”

He emerged with an armful of kindling and added it to the small fire in the hearth. He brushed his hands off, then turned to Brianagh. “Walk with me.”

She followed him outside and to the gardens behind the kitchen. It would be lovely to plant something there in the spring, she thought as she glanced around. Fresh herbs, some tomatoes if they could get them, perhaps even a flowering plant of some kind to add a bit of color. She smiled in anticipation.

Nioclas led her to the same alcove where they’d discussed their marriage, and the memory brought another smile to her face. So much had changed since then, and she wouldn’t trade it for the world.

“I’d like to stand,” she said when Nioclas motioned for her to sit. “I’m feeling restless.”

Nioclas didn’t say anything for a long minute. “O’Malley did everything he could to keep you safe.”

“I understand that,” she replied, curious.

“He brought you to a place where you had family to care for you and medicines to bring a man back from the dead.”

“Were you digging around in my satchel again?” she asked with a grin.

Nioclas gave a half-smile. “My duty, as your laird, but also as your husband, is to provide you with that same kind of safety.”

Her chest tightened as a feeling of dread enveloped her. “Wh-what?”

“We’ve decided it’s for the best of the clan,” he added heavily.

“What’s best for the clan?”

“As you have the ability to return to a safer time, I give you the order to return to your home, and you are to leave posthaste. A full guard stands ready to accompany you back to the east.”

Her heart pounded in her chest. “No. No no no, Nioclas, I don’t want to—”

“This is an order from your laird!” Nioclas barked. He immediately softened his tone. “We cannot find him. He will never stop hunting you, Bri. He’ll hunt our children. It’s not safe here. You must go back.” He bowed his head, determination evident in his countenance. His hand rested lightly on his sword, the sapphire shining dully in the thick mist. He looked older…older than even two hours before when he’d left her in the kitchens with Keela and his strict instructions. She could feel the tension radiating from him.

“We’ve done what was needed to ensure the clan lives on, but you must return with your cousins.” He was stoic. Serious. “Clan first, Lady MacWilliam.”

“No,” she replied firmly. “I won’t go. You can’t make me. I love you!”

His expression shuttered, and Nioclas shook his head. “You deserve to be loved in return, Brianagh. You can find that in another time…and perhaps with another man.”

The breath left her body in a whoosh, and she stared at him in shock, her heart shattering. “You don’t mean that,” she whispered.

He nodded once.

And suddenly, Brianagh saw her dream:

…his head was bowed, his determination evident from his countenance. His hand rested lightly on his enormous sword, which held but a single sapphire in its hilt. He’d shown it proudly to Brianagh the day his clan leaders had presented it to him. He looked older than he’d ever appeared to her before, and she could feel the tension radiating from him. He was stoic. Serious.

The last time she had dreamed of him, he had loved her sweetly. He was relaxed, happy, as in love with her as she him. She watched as he nodded once, and it was done.

He grasped her hand and placed…

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