True to the Highlander(91)

Why hadn’t he told her? How oft did he put things off? ’Twas a flaw in his character. One he’d work to improve. “What has upset you so, Alethia?”

“If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you.”

“You are the truth-sayer, mo anam. I am but a simple man and an oxy moron at that.”

His wife’s eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. She snorted at his words. Malcolm fetched a scrap of linen for her to wipe her tears, placing it into her hand before going to the table to pour her a cup of tea. “Alethia, if you dinna tell me what vexes you, how am I to make it right?”

“You married me.”

“Aye?” He handed her the tea and took a seat beside her.

“You don’t love me.”

“Who told you this?”

“Liam. He said, you better than anyone should know you have no choice when your heart is given…”

“Aye. My heart is given.” He nodded solemnly.

She burst into tears. “Why would you marry me when you love someone else?”

“I would no’ do such a thing.”

“You’ve never said you love me. So, it must be…” She blinked at him and looked genuinely confused.

He put his arm around her shoulders. “Drink your tea, lass.”

She took a sip, opened her mouth to say something, and then shut it again.

“Do you no’ ken the meaning of mo anam?”

“No.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I assumed it meant ‘my burden to bear’…or…or…my responsibility.”

“Nay. It means my soul, or the very air I breathe.”

“Oh.” She glanced at him.

“And mo cridhe means my heart.”

“It does?”

“Alethia, with your powers to discern a man’s intent, have you no’ listened to what my heart and soul tell you every day?”

“I’ve tried,” she wailed. “What I get is a tangle. I have no idea what it means.”

“Aye, well, what I feel for you is no’ a simple thing. It goes deep, and it is tangled—with worry and desire. And there’s the instinct to protect, possessiveness, and you do aggravate me at times, woman.” Her eyes grew wide at his words.

“My heart beats only for you, Alethia. You are the very center of my world.” He took her hand, twining their fingers together. “Now and forever.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “’Tis you I love, lass. And Liam spoke the truth. I had no choice in the matter. I lost my heart the very day I found you by the side of the road.”

“Oh.”

She started to cry. Again. He took the tea from her and set it on the table by their bed. “Do you no’ have something to tell me as well?”

“I…love you too,” she sobbed, throwing her arms around his neck.

Malcolm lay back on the bed, bringing her with him, and tried to hide his smile. Tucking her body next to his, he rubbed her back until she yawned into his chest. “Is there anything else you wish to tell me?” He held his breath.

“Yes, Malcolm. I’m…”

He waited. “Aye?”

“I’m so very tired,” she whispered.

“Humph. To bed with you, woman.” He helped her out of her gown and tucked her in, stretching out beside her.

“Oh, Malcolm. I feel…another vision…coming.” She turned to burrow closer into his side. “This is becoming a real pain in the ass.”

And with that, she slipped from him, appearing as if asleep. Malcolm lay beside her and thought about her visions. Could it be the bairn causing them? She’d said once before she’d never had visions. Why now? Mayhap they came to her only when those she loved were in peril. If so, she was certainly a treasure to the well-being of his clan.

Poor lass. Extra precautions would have to be taken to see she took care of herself. Wrapping his arms tighter around her, he nuzzled the crown of her head and dreamed about his son, calculating when the lad would be born.

“It’s a girl,” Alethia murmured.

He drew back and looked at her in surprise. She gave no indication she was aware she’d spoken. He didn’t doubt her words for a second. Och, well. There’d be plenty of time for sons. His thoughts drifted to the lass they’d have next fall. He smiled and played with a strand of his wife’s silky hair while imagining his wee daughter with chestnut hair and eyes like the ocean.




“Malcolm, I’m just saying I know more about the Comyn keep than you do.” Alethia rushed to keep up with his pace as he strode down the hall toward his father’s solar. “I need to be there while you and your men plan. There are things you have not thought of. I can draw a diagram.”