Page 75 of Highland Warrior

Epilogue

1049 Healer’s Cottage, Henderson Land

Iain was aimlessly running and shouting, “The bairn is coming! The bairn is coming! Dinnae fash, you need to remain calm, stay calm.”

“Wheesht, Iain. Will you stop moving about?” Yesenda hissed. She was on the bed, trying to focus on her breathing as another contraction hit.

“Tyra is coming, but she gave me these herbs to prepare. It should help soothe you till our babe arrives. I need to mix it in hot water.” Iain held up the small pouch, then ran about the cottage, panicking. He grabbed the water jug and poured water into a cup, then yelled, “This bloody water is cold! How do I make hot water?”

Yesenda just rolled her eyes.

“Move,” Torstein said. He nudged Iain out of the way, poured water into a pot, then set it over the fire.

Iain paused, realizing for the first time that Torstein was in the cottage. “What are you bloody doing in here with my wife?”

“I carried her inside because you almost passed out,” Torstein replied.

“Hey, dinnae look at my wife down there.” Iain glared at Torstein.

“I am not looking down there. I am trying to help, not ravish her.”

“I dinnae care. Close your eyes.” Iain placed his hands over Torstein’s eyes.

“I cannot see anything, you idiot.” Torstein slapped Iain’s hands away.

“That’s the point. I ken what you Norsemen are about, trying to steal our women from us.”

“You really have no sense, do you? If I can steal your woman while she is birthing your bairn, then that says more about your wooing skills.”

“My woman would not be about to push out my bairn if I didna have great wooing skills,” Iain growled.

“Your woman will not be your woman much longer if you keep arguing while I bring your stubborn son into the world.” Yesenda bit her lip when she felt a sharp pain.

Iain paled and said, “My daughter is not stubborn. She is just strong willed like hermàthair.”

“Iain, I think the babe is coming soon,” Yesenda rasped.

“Leave now, Tor, only I get to see my woman’s parts, not you.”

Torstein glared at Iain. “Do you honestly think I want to be here? There are many women I can tup who are far less trouble than this one. No offence, Yesenda.”

“Tis all right. Now can someone please help me deliver this bairn? because I feel like my insides are being torn apart.”

At those words, Iain stopped breathing, and fainted near the fireplace.

Yesenda just shook her head. Moments later, the door opened, and Tyra arrived.

“Oh, thank the lord, Tyra, please get these two out of here,” Yesenda pleaded.

“I am so sorry I got here as fast as I could. But where is Iain? I gave him a brew for you to drink.”

“He’s over there,” Torstein said, gesturing towards the fireplace.

Tyra just shook her head and said, “Men. Bloody useless. They easily get a bairn inside a woman then faint at the sight of one coming out.”

“The water is hot, so I’ll take my leave,” Torstein said as he hauled Iain up and sat him on a chair.

***