Page 30 of Wolf Heir
He shared a flask of honeyed mead with her as they walked through the heather.
“Aye. I didna mean to embarrass you or get you in trouble.”
“We served up the food so fast that I had to serve the head table after that.”
He smiled. “I wondered why you were doing that and no’ serving us further.”
“Aye. And Gormelia was fit to be tied because she normally serves the champion’s table.”
“Who do you normally serve?”
“The women’s table, which is fine with me.”
They waved at the guards as they approached the gate. The guards inclined their heads toward them, a change from their previous behavior.
“It seems you now have some status among the guards for besting Aodhan.”
“I probably wouldna be able to do it again.”
7
Coinneach held Aisling’s hand as they made their way through the inner bailey to the castle. “I will see you in the morning to break our fast.”
“I canna wait to visit with you more often while you’re working at the castle. What are you going to do about Morag?” Aisling sounded fearful that he would try to reveal the truth about what she had done.
“Naught. If she causes you and your mother trouble, I’ll expose her for what she truly stands for.”
“You will be her biggest target if she learns who you are. You have to be careful.”
“I will be.” But he worried more about Aisling and her mother and was glad he would be closer to them to help keep them safe.
When they reached the castle doors, tall and imposing, made of dark, weathered wood, they hugged and shared a kiss, their lips meeting in a soft and tender dance. The taste of each other's breath mingled with the sweetness of honeyed mead. Coinneach kissed her with an intensity that made his heart and hers race. She kissed him back with the same passion.
He ran his hands through her hair, flowing softly in the breeze, loving the feel of the soft, silky strands. Their bodies pressed against each other in a comforting warmth. He suspected that the guards posted on the wall walk were watching them, the most interesting thing that had happened while they were on duty this evening.
Drustan intervened, smiled at Aisling, and shook his head. “See you in the morning, Coinneach.”
“Aye, see you then.”
Following a final kiss goodbye with Aisling, Coinneach waved and made his way back to the croft. Nearly all his belongings were already packed in bags beside his pallet. As promised, Tamhas had taken care of packing Coinneach's items and was smiling at him from his own bed.
Coinneach laughed. “I knew you were serious.”
“Aye. I will miss you though.” Tamhas sounded sincere about it.
“I will miss you too, brother.”
“You willna be a stranger,” his mother said.
“Nay, you know me. I will be back.”
“You will find what you are looking for,” his da said, and then they retired to bed.
Coinneach pondered how he wanted to deal with Morag. Alternatively, his focus was on starting a new job, mastering as many combat skills as possible, and defending their clan from foes, provided Morag didn't harm Blair and Aisling.
That was the crux of the matter.
Being accepted as the chief's son wasn't a priority for him, as he doubted Blair's word would hold much weight after so long. He felt no particular connection to the chief, viewing him merely as a just and confident leader, not a father figure. To him, Magnus was his true father, the one who had imparted all his knowledge and taken care of him from the time he was born.
