Loki (18 page)

A man opened the door, so Loki said, “Good eve to you. I’m looking for Flora.” The man pointed to the third cottage over. After thanking him, Loki headed over to knock on the correct door, but it flew open with a bang as soon as he reached it.

A slight woman stood in front of him, and her hand flew to her chest as she gaped at him. Her voice came out as the lowest of whispers. “Loki? Loki Grant?”

“Aye,” he replied. “Are you Flora?”

“Och, saints above, aye.” A pair of sturdy arms appeared behind her, pulling her back into the hut.

“Come, Flora, sit down before you pass out and hurt yourself. Lad, come on inside. Please.”

Loki ducked under the doorway and moved inside the hut, uncertain of what his next move should be. Their hut was clean, but they had little more than what was necessary. Flora had gray hair held back in a plait and kind, blue eyes. She couldn’t stop smiling at Loki, a wistful look in her sharp gaze.

“Here, lad, sit at the table with your aunt,” the man said. “If she acts as if she’s seen a ghost, ‘tis because she has. She was told by your sire that you died alongside your mother.” His uncle was just a wee bit taller than his aunt, mostly bald with a long gray beard.

“When we heard Blackett claimed to have found his son and you were now Loki Grant, I had to see you for myself. Thank you for coming.”

Loki perched on the stool across from where his aunt had seated herself. Tears formed in her lashes, threatening to spill onto her cheeks. “The Lord above has blessed us this day, Gordon. I thought I’d never see my sister again, yet a part of her sits in front of us.”

“Aye, ‘tis true, Flora. Loki, we were told you ran away after your mother died. Your father said he found your body dead in the forest and buried your body with your baby sister. Flora, here, prepared your mother’s body for a proper burial, and it devastated her not to be able to place her two dead children with her. It would seem Edward was full of lies, though I’m not surprised to learn that.”

Gordon took a seat on the stool next to his wife. Flora, meanwhile, continued to stare at Loki. “Forgive me for staring,” she finally said, “but you look so much like your mother that it warms my heart, and I wish to never forget you.”

“Do you mind if I ask what my mother looked like?” he asked, excited to finally have the chance to learn more about her.

“Oh, not at all. Your mother was my younger sister, and she was a beauty. Her hair was a bit lighter than yours, more golden. She was a thin woman when she was young, but her hips widened after giving birth. I swear on God’s land that she had the biggest heart of any woman I knew, and there was naught that she loved more than you, her only son.”

Loki settled upon hearing that the woman in his dream matched the one his aunt was describing to him, making it much easier for him to believe his mother’s comforting message. His aunt and uncle seemed good natured, and as genuine as any two people he’d ever met.

“What did you think of my sire?” he asked.

Flora scowled and turned her fierce expression toward her husband. Gordon chuckled. “Your aunt has difficulty speaking ill of any Scot, so I’ll say it for her. We never liked Edward Blackett. He was as crooked as a winding stream—the type of lad who would sell the shoes from his own mother for a cheap coin. We never had much use for him. In fact, ‘twas a sad day for both of us when they married, but circumstances forced their hand.”

His aunt continued for him. “Your mother, Ciara, made the best of a poor situation. She was a good-natured lass who would do aught she could to help anyone. Your father was a cruel man.”

Gordon cleared his throat. “Here now, Flora, ‘tis best for the lad to make up his own mind about his sire.”

Loki said, “I have already made up my own mind about the Earl of Cliffnock, and I do not acknowledge him as my sire. The earl chained me to the wall of his dungeon the day after he met me in the hopes of garnering coin in exchange for my freedom.”

Flora’s hand came up to her mouth in shock. “My poor sister! It hurts to think of what he must have done to her. Mayhap ‘twas a blessing for her to move on. Oh dear.” She shook her head repeatedly as she worked over this new information. Then she lifted her gaze back to Loki and a sad smile lit up her features. “But now I am blessed with a nephew. I am truly grateful you have come to visit us. You must have questions for me. Go ahead and ask whatever you wish.”

She sat back and Gordon tugged her hand into his large paw. That act of genuine affection tugged at Loki, making him miss his wee wife.

Many questions popped into his mind, so he started with the one he needed to know most. “Was I pleasing to my mother? She did not hate me like my sire does?”

“Nay, lad. You were the light in your mother’s eyes, she loved you so. She named you Lucas. I’m not sure when your name changed to Loki, but I knew you had to be her boy when I heard you were the lost son of Blackett. Och, the tales she used to tell me about you. To hear her tell it, you were more cunning than your own father. You were a quick-thinking lad, and one who would always help another in need. I saw the good in you every time we visited. Do not doubt your mother’s love for you. She adored you.” She choked on that last sentence, so overwrought with emotion she brought out a linen square to dot at the corner of each eye.

He liked the sound of that, he was the light in his mother’s eyes. That brought up another question. “Do I get my eye color from my mother? My sire told me so. ‘Tis unusual, as I’m sure you know.”

Her eyes widened as she stared at him, as if she had not noticed that he had one eye blue and the other green. She glanced at her husband, and he gave her a slight nod of encouragement.

She stuttered at first, but then said, “Your mother’s eyes were blue.” She hesitated before she continued, kneading her hands in her lap. “Both of them.”

Loki pondered this information before he questioned her again. “My sire’s eyes are brown. How could that be?”

Flora paused again, glancing at her husband once again before she answered. His aunt mumbled a type of prayer, or so he thought, then gave the sign of the cross on her chest before she spoke.

“Edward Blackett is not your true sire, but I know not who your true sire is. Your mother would not tell me.”

Chapter Nineteen

Loki rode back to the Grant keep, his mind more muddled than ever. He still did not know who had sired him. In view of where his family had lived, he doubted anyone noble had ever visited his mother, so he conjectured that his true sire was not one of great wealth. He only hoped the man had more heart than the earl did. It gave him a wee bit of peace to think that the cruel Edward Blackett had not been the only man in his mother’s life.

He did have some good news to take to Bella—at least in his view. His mother had been much like the sweet woman from his dreams. The knowledge that his mother had possessed a kind and loving heart helped center him. Perhaps more important, he now knew that his mother had adored him. That short statement had meant everything to him. He would cling to it for a long time.

He arrived at the Grant stables just about the time his gut started churning. The stable lad grabbed the reins of his horse and took off toward the building without speaking. An eerie sense of quiet greeted him that he did not like.

Something had happened—he could feel it in his bones. He strode toward the great hall, his pace increasing as he traveled, for he did not like the looks he received in the bailey. What in hellfire had happened in his short absence?

As soon as he stepped into the great hall, his sire, Robbie, and Alex all turned to greet him. Celestina sat by the hearth with Maddie and Caralyn. None of them spoke, yet they all stared at him as if they awaited news. Somehow, he knew they weren’t after information about his aunt.

And then it hit him. “Where’s Bella?”

“We were hoping she was with you,” Brodie replied.

“What? Bella did not go with me, why would she be with me?”

Alex motioned for Loki to come closer. “Sit down, lad. It won’t do you any good to run right back out the door. Bella disappeared not long after you left. She was seen here shortly after you rode to see your aunt, questioning the messenger who brought news of your aunt, but no one has seen her since. She was not noticed leaving either.”

Loki let out a short bellow. “Bellaaaa….” Hellfire, but he should have known. She had sneaked away to find him before, and now she’d done it again.

He fell onto the bench in distress and looked up at his family. “Bella was angry that I was leaving without her, but I could not return to Perthshire with her. My sire—” he stopped himself, almost smiling at the realization that the earl was nothing to him, “—nay, the earl threatened to hurt any lass I cared for, so I didn’t wish to risk her safety. The message could have been a hoax.”

Celestina whispered, “Was it a hoax, Loki?”

He shook his head, “Nay, I met my mother’s sister, who is a sweet, wonderful woman. I suspect my mother was the same way. My aunt told me that Edward Blackett was not my true sire—my mother confided the truth to her, and besides, my mother’s eyes were both blue. I count it as a blessing, but I doubt I’m of noble blood.”

Brodie strode over and hugged his son. “It never mattered to us, but I think you know that, son.”

Celestina hugged him and said, “I knew we would discover your mother was as soft-hearted as you are. She must have been a wonderful woman.”

“My aunt confirmed that my mother died when my sister was born. She was told by Blackett that I died after running away and was buried with my dead sister. She and her husband Gordon buried my mother.”

“I’m so sorry, Loki,” Celestina said. She reached for his hand and squeezed it.

“So you did not see any sign of Bella along the way?” Robbie asked.

“Nay, but there are more ways than one to get from here to Perthshire. Daft lass! I’ll leave right away and go find her.”

Brodie held his hand up, “Give me an hour to arrange for a group of guards to go along with us. ‘Twill be much better to have a group to check out the different paths. Get yourself some food and ale, pack up more provisions, and we’ll leave right away.”

Loki hated to admit it, but his father was right. Planning could make the difference between finding Bella and losing her forever.

***

Bella twirled in a circle, trying to make her mind up which way to go, but she had a strong suspicion that she’d been through this area before.

She moved away from her horse and perched on a nearby rock for some rest. She picked up a pile of rubble so she could fling a few stones to help settle her temper and her fear. After several days, she was finally willing to admit the truth to herself. She was lost, and she had no idea where to go. The very rock she sat upon was familiar, so her latest attempt to find her way by following the rising and falling of the sun had failed.

Fortunately, she hadn’t run into many fellow travelers along the way. The one traveling minstrel she’d come across had thought her a lad. But as she stood up to stretch, a group of horses suddenly came into view. Tearing off in the other direction, she found a clump of trees to hide behind, hoping they would pass on by without bothering her, but two of the horses headed directly at her. She screamed and ran as fast as she could, only to find herself scooped up and thrown across the back of one of the horses.

“Got her!” a male voice yelled.

“Good. We’ll get her back to Blackett by nightfall.”

“She’s a wee thing. We could stop and play with her for a bit.”

“Nay, you won’t unless you want the earl to slice off your ballocks. He said we were not to hurt her.”

Bella’s heart pounded out of control. The name told her she hadn’t been kidnapped by just anyone—Loki’s father, the Earl of Cliffnock, had her in his clutches. How could she be so daft? Poor Loki. One of his worst fears had come true and it was all her fault. What in hellfire would they do to her? Though she was relieved to hear they weren’t planning to stop and rape her, it didn’t calm her one bit. The earl had chained his own son to a wall. What would he do to her?

By the time they arrived at a castle several hours later, Bella’s entire body was bruised from bouncing across the horse. As soon as the man riding behind her dismounted, he grabbed her and yanked her off the horse, causing her to fall to her knees. “Get up, you lousy wench.”

“Hector, leave her be. Just take her to Blackett so you can do his bidding.”

Bella stumbled to standing as the two men discussed her as if she weren’t there.

“Hamish, did anyone ever tell you that you are a bore?”

“Close your mouth and bring her along.”

Bella did her best to kick out of Hector’s grip, but he was much too strong for her. Her best efforts were a mere irritation for him.

When she kicked him in the shin the second time, Hector raised his hand to strike her, but his companion yelled, “Do not do it unless you wish to spend a fortnight cleaning garderobe trenches.” Hector glowered at Hamish, but he lowered his hand nonetheless.

The rest of the trip into the keep was uneventful. Once they were inside, Bella was tossed onto a bench at one of the trestle tables while Hamish left to find Blackett.

A little while later, a man with a perpetual sneer on his face came down the stairs, his face lit with excitement. “So you’re my son’s wife. How happy I am to see you. We’ll bring your husband to his knees, and then we’ll have all the coin in the Highlands. You’ll see.” Turning to face Hamish, he said, “Take her upstairs and lock her in the chamber room at the end of the hall. Have the maids bring water and pottage, and she can just sit there and wait for her husband to come after her. If they’re recently wed, he’ll be here in less than a sennight. I’ll send my messengers out now.” His face lit up with glee. “Finally, I’ll get my just rewards.” He pointed his finger at Bella. “I warned your husband of what would happen if he married, but he’s not as bright as he believes himself to be. ‘Tis only fair that I get my due.”

Hamish dragged Bella upstairs, only stopping when they reached the door at the end of the passageway. He opened it with a key and tossed her inside. After barking orders to one of the maids, he came back inside with a basin of water, which he set on the side table. “Make it last,” he said. “Who knows when I’ll remember to come in here again?” And with that, he disappeared.

Bella paced the room until a kitchen maid came in carrying her food. She had a trencher of pottage and a small hunk of cheese. The maid kept her eyes down and left as quickly as she had entered. The very next moment Bella tumbled onto the bed, curled into a ball, and sobbed her eyes out. Loki would be so angry with her foolishness that he would probably leave her here to suffer. That thought only made her wail louder.

***

Loki paced the great hall, spewing curses to all who dared stand near him. The memory of how cold Bella’s slight body had been in Ayr tormented him. What if she was dead? What if they never found her?

Brodie clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Son, I’m sure she’s with Blackett. The tracks told us there were two horses, and her horse was found wandering nearby. The earl would not waste the opportunity to kidnap her.”

“I know that’s probably true. I just wish there was more we could do. After what he did to me, I cannot fathom what he would do to a lass the size of Bella. How will she be able to hold up?”

“He will not hurt your wife. They need her unhurt and able to speak. Ransoming her is his only chance for the fortune he desires. He’ll take good care of her.”

Alex had agreed. “Do not worry overmuch. I highly doubt she’ll be mistreated.”

He hoped they were right, because he’d kill the rat bastard for touching his wife.

They huddled over the dais during the meal for quite a while, planning for their departure the next day. Loki was shocked to discover the number of guards Alex planned to send with him. He’d thought to beg for ten guards, but Alex planned to send five score.

Loki stared at his uncle. “One hundred guards? I appreciate all you’re trying to do, my laird, but do you think we need that many?”

“Loki, if the earl has managed to find Bella, he will use her to get to you—and to me. Men like that do not change their ultimate goal, only their strategy. The only things that could stop him are success or death.”

“My apologies for bringing this situation into our clan.”

“You did not bring it upon us, the Earl of Cliffnock did. He probably also intends to go after the Cameron and Ramsay coffers. Five score guards will put an end to all of this. I cannot afford to allow that kind of evil to grow in the Highlands. We must stop him now.”

Loki mulled over Alex’s response, but he knew the Grant way was to always be over prepared. It was probably why they so rarely lost.

“Tell us again where his castle is located, Loki,” Brodie said.

“He’s northeast of Ayr and Glasgow. Not far from Drummond land or the Ramsays. I’d like permission to ride ahead of the group to see what I can find. If I come up empty, I will continue on to Ayr. Bella found her way there before, perhaps she will do so again.”

“There’s quite a bit of proof that Blackett already has her,” Alex said. “I understand your need to make sure she is not lost and injured, but I’m confident that she is with Blackett.” Alex leaned back in his chair, his hands folded in front of him, a common thinking position for him. “If you feel the need to ride ahead, then take ten guards with you and go. If his castle is not far from Ramsays, then we’ll meet you there and plan accordingly. Let’s hope Logan has been rustling up information. Mayhap he’s received a message instead of us. ‘Tis another reason for us to spend a night or two there, plus I can get provisions for our men before we move out.”

Alex glanced at Brodie and then Robbie. “Robbie, you’ll stay back and protect the clan, aye?”

“‘Twill be my honor.”

Brodie stood from his seat. “Loki, I’ll travel with you. We’ll head out within the hour. Alex, we’ll meet you as soon as we can.”

Loki headed out the door, but paused when he saw his sire was headed to the tower rooms. He changed course and joined him. Once inside, they found Celestina pacing the room while the lassies sat playing with their dolls. Celestina whirled around to face them when they entered. “You must leave soon?”

Brodie strode to his wife and wrapped his arms around her. “Aye, sweet one. We must end this as quickly as possible. I know ‘twill be difficult for you, but ‘tis best for Bella if we go now.” He kissed her forehead, then picked up each of his daughters and kissed their cheeks. “Be good for your mama and help her. Tell Braden he’s to help Uncle Robbie.”

“Aye, Papa.” A chorus of voices greeted him. “Bye, Loki.”

Loki fussed with his sisters while his father gave his mother another kiss, then turned to head out the door. He raised his hand to his mother and said, “Bye, Mama.” His first thought was to rush away after his wife, but he stopped and strode over to his mother to give her a warm hug. “We’ll find her, I promise.”

Celestina said, “Please find her soon, Loki. She’s such a wee thing and I do love her. She’s young and foolish yet, but she loves you.”

Unfortunately, Loki recalled just how small Bella had seemed when Kenzie had brought them to her. “We will, Mama.” He left the room with one thought on his mind, and he couldn’t figure out why he hadn’t thought of it before.

Kenzie. Kenzie had found Bella before, and Kenzie was also in Ayr. He recalled exactly what it was like to be alone in Ayr. He had always made it his business to make sure he knew every bit of gossip in town.