Once Upon a Highland Christmas(15)

“I’d love to.” She would. Since the raid on her beloved home and, especially, the loss of her dear uncle and aunt, she knew that hell wasn’t just a place that existed in the afterlife. Through being at Duncreag, she’d also learned that goodness, when it’s true and real, can never be destroyed. And from her memories of Christmases at home, at her uncle’s hearthside where the entire village gathered to celebrate, she was aware that wonders did happen at this most blessed time of year. She’d seen the power of holiday joy.

Perhaps a journey with Grim would gift them both with the miracle of love?

There was just one thing that worried her.

Before she could voice it, Grim spoke against her hair, his voice low. “We’ll travel as a betrothed pair. I’ll no’ have anyone wagging tongues o’er you.”

Brenna slipped from his arms to look up at him. “But we aren’t betrothed.”

“True enough.” He lifted his head, once again the solemn-faced man of war she knew him as. “They willnae know that, though. And I promise,” he said, regarding her with his intense gray eyes, “I’ll no’ give you cause to regret journeying with me.”

“I believe you.” She did, regrettably.

His answer wasn’t the one she’d expected.

Indeed, she’d hoped for something else entirely.

“Then you’ll go with me? You agree we should bring Yuletide cheer to Duncreag, seeing as Archie refuses to admit how much he’d enjoy the festivities?” He was looking at her, waiting for an answer.

“I will, yes.” She would. “And I agree completely about Archie. For sure, we must help him. I’ll do anything I can to bring joy back into his life.”

“Then we shall be away on the morrow.” Grim nodded and offered her his arm, indicating they should leave the room of stars and return belowstairs.

Breena was ready to go.

There weren’t many hours left of the night and she’d need every one of them. And not just to gather what she’d take along on their journey.

She had much thinking to do.

This adventure was the best Yuletide gift she’d ever received, and she meant to enjoy every blessed moment. It also might be her only chance to make her most fervent wish come true: to win Grim’s heart.





Chapter Four


“Riding off in darkest winter, you say?” Archie MacNab huffed and railed, the narrow-eyed glare he aimed at Grim sharp as a hawk’s. His breath clouded the cold morning air and his cheeks shone red from the icy wind whistling across Duncreag’s small inner courtyard. “ ’Tis a fool’s notion if e’er I heard one.”

Grim let him rant, knowing his ill temper would disappear when he and Breena returned in a few days, bringing good cheer. And as many friends as they could rally to join them. Even some foes, if all went to plan.

“A bit of chill air and frost is no’ a bad thing, my lord.” Grim kept his hand firmly on Breena’s shoulder. She stood beside him, most resolutely. Even so, he didn’t want to risk Archie’s bellow persuading her to change her mind about their journey.

Her heart, he was sure, could be too soft at times.

“Indeed, such weather strengthens and invigorates.” Grim tightened his fingers on Breena’s shoulders, silently warning her not to disagree.

The morn was bitingly cold, the wind knifing. He could feel Breena shivering inside her woolen mantle and silently vowed to wrap his own wolfskin cloak about her as soon as they’d made their way down Duncreag’s steep and winding cliff path. Until then, the wolfskin was too heavy for her to wear and would only hamper her.

“You’ve run mad, you have!” Archie spluttered, angrily brushing snow off his sleeve. “Such weather is good for naught but staying abed, the covers o’er your head.”

“I do love winter, sir.” Breena glanced across the courtyard to where swirl after swirl of fast-falling snow hid the high mountain peaks looming just beyond Duncreag’s curtain wall. “I especially enjoy how the frost glitters everywhere, making the world look magical.”

“You willnae think so when your teeth start clattering, lassie.” Archie stamped over to Grim and glared in his face. “I cannae believe you’re doing this. I must still be in my bed a-dreaming. Who takes off across hill and glen with snow blowing every which way and the sun no’ yet up?

“That’s what I’d be hearing.” Archie’s shaggy brows snapped together, his eyes afire with indignation. “Ne’er have I heard such foolery!”

His outburst echoed off the castle walls, the strength of his voice proving he was using all his lung power. Frowning darkly, he spun away from Grim and Breena to strut back and forth before the hall steps, likewise showing that his supposedly auld and weary legs served him well, when he desired. He also didn’t appear to mind the frigid wind or the heavy snow that was falling faster by the moment.