The Ghost, Greyson, Maeve [funny books to read TXT] 📗

No matter how much she hated Magnus de Gray, she could never lie to Keigan. She forced a smile and blinked away the threat of tears. “Aye, my dear one. When yer Mama held ye and kissed ye farewell before she went to Heaven, she said just that.”

After a solemn nod, little Keigan squared his shoulders and faced Magnus. “I shall grant ye a wee bit of my time.”

Magnus bowed his head. “Thank ye, Keigan.”

“In my presence only,” Brenna interjected. She would adhere to her sister’s dying wish, but that didn’t mean she would toss all caution to the wind. His tale of just receiving the letter and the why of it was too neat and tidy to be trusted.

Magnus stood and motioned for the young man behind him to step forward. “This is Evander Cameron. His father is cousin to the chieftain of Clan MacCoinnich.”

Evander bobbed his head at Brenna. “Mistress.” He grinned down at Keigan. “I’m glad we found ye, lad.”

Keigan didn’t respond, just stared up at him with a look that said he wasn’t sure if he trusted Evander or not.

“Get the horses, Evander. Perhaps, the Lady Brenna could tell us where ye might water them.” Magnus shifted in place, his unease apparent.

“Dinna call me that.” The title struck her sour. The fool thing had brought her nothing but pain. “Ye may call me Brenna.” She paused and held up a finger. “Unless folk are here from the village, and then I am the Lady of the Wood, understand?”

“The Lady of the Wood?” Magnus repeated, both brows arching higher.

“Aye. I found it useful to instill a bit of superstitious fear into the locals when they found my way with herbs and healing a thing of wonder.” She pointed toward the side of the hut. “Round that way. A few paces beyond the felled tree. A good-sized burn twists into a shallow pool that should do well enough for yer horses.”

“I can show him,” Keigan volunteered. “Horses like me.” The boy watched her. In fact, they all watched her to see if she would grant him permission to accompany Evander.

Magnus moved to stand beside the pot soaking the reeds. “I shall wait right here until they return, aye?”

She didn’t appreciate how easily he read her distrust. “Ye may go,” she told Keigan, her heart clutching when he took off like an arrow shot.

“I didna come here to steal him from ye,” Magnus said quietly. “I came here to set things right, but only if he allows it.”

“Things will never be right,” she said, pouring every ounce of hatred into her tone. Now that Keigan was out of earshot, she could speak her mind. “Because of ye, she’s dead. And Keigan is just as banished from Nithdane land as I am. Land that wouldha rightfully belonged to him one day.”

He looked at her with an expression she didn’t understand. “Ye never heard whilst ye lived in Inbhir Ùige? How long have ye been out here in these woods?”

“Heard what? And we’ve been here a little over a year. What has that to do with anything?” What game of deceit did this fool attempt now? Even though instinct bade her keep them ready, she put away her throwing stones and dagger.

Keigan and Evander reappeared, leading a pair of horses that struck fear into her heart. The beasts were huge. “Keigan! Step away. Those animals will surely crush ye.”

Keigan frowned. “Please, Auntie, no. They willna hurt me. Look—they like me.” He tugged on the reins of the dark, shaggy-footed warhorse, and the animal followed, docile as a lamb.

“The horses willna hurt him,” Magnus agreed. “They’re accustomed to bairns. Tor Ruadh has many.”

At war with the urge to grab the child up and protect him, she gave a curt nod and waved him on. “Fine, then. I guess I’ll allow it. But mind the hooves, aye? They’re big as yer head.” She sidled a glare at Magnus. “If he gets hurt doing this, I will kill ye. Slowly.”

Keigan beamed like the sun and continued leading the horses to the spring.

Remembering the interrupted conversation, she motioned at the surrounding wood. “Why did ye ask how long we had been here? What did I not hear while in Inbhir Ùige?”

He stared at her entirely too long before answering. “Nithdane is no more. Neither keep nor clan.”

“Ye lie.” His words pushed her back a step, but his eyes reflected nothing but the truth.

“Red Caunich destroyed the keep and murdered most in the clan. I was told he did so to clear the land of those who had shamed him.” His expression hardened as his chin lifted. “Yer sister had hoped to gain release from the betrothal when he found her no longer a virgin. Even prepared herself to spend the rest of her life in a nunnery as punishment. But if she hadna been banished, he wouldha killed her. Both her and the unborn child. So said the townsfolk of Inbhir Theòrsa.”

She huffed out a bitter snort. “So, my father actually saved the lives of the daughters he never had a use for. I’d wager he’s spinning in Hell about that.”

“Why did he banish ye with her?”

“Because I dared to defend her when no one else would.” Brenna moved to the edge of the clearing and stared off into the woods in the direction the boys had gone with those monstrous beasts. She relaxed as the sounds of splashing and Keigan’s endless chatter reached her. The day’s revelations had threatened to knock her to her knees. They had revisited the past as much as she could stand. “If ye hurt him by coming here, I willna rest until I have killed ye.” She turned and fixed Magnus with a look he would do well to heed. “Dinna underestimate me just because I am a woman.”

“I have no intention of hurting him.” A mournful note shadowed the rich, deep voice of the man she had despised for what felt like forever.