Page 82 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“But I already told you this, Magni.” Thane had never thought a lad could be so entertaining, and their little conversations brought a smile to his face daily.
“But one more time. Please?”
“I asked him how many bairns he’d sold—”
“And he said five and ten, and then you said—” Magni waited, staring up at him.
“I was going to knock one tooth out for each one he sold. And then I started—”
“And you hollered for everyone to hear that this is for Magni and Lia! And you knocked out five teeth for us!”
“Nay, only three,” Thane corrected as they made their way into the stable.
“But I think you said five once …”
“Nay, three.”
And Magni slapped his legs again and broke into gales of laughter. “Three teeth. You knocked out three teeth because they were so mean to us.”
Thane’s father stood next to their new stallion, a gift from the Grants, brushing the animal down. “You’re telling the O story again, son?”
“Aye. His favorite tale. Is that not so, Magni?”
“I wish I’d seen it,” he said. Then he stepped away so he could swing his fist in a wide arc. “I think you looked like this, Thane. And this would be for my sister Lia, and this one is for Tora and Sandor.” He swung his fists, bouncing around the stable. “And this is for Magni. Is this the way you did it?”
His father said, “I fixed that hole in the wall.”
“My thanks. That’s why I came out.”
“No need. Thought I’d brush Midnight Specter down for you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen as fine a horse as this one. He’ll be quite a stud for you.”
Thane grabbed an apple and moved over to his newest pet, feeding him the treat and running his hands down his withers and over to his nose. The animal finished its delicacy, then nickered at him. “Don’t worry, Midnight. I’ve got a lady almost ready for you. Be patient.” Then he chuckled when the beast tossed its mane. “He’s a fine one. Da, I don’t know why I got so lucky. Tamsin, Alana, finding you and Mama, the Grants and MacVeys and Rankins.”
His father stopped and stared at his son. “Because you deserve a good life now. After all you’ve done and accomplished, you deserve the blessings you’ve gotten.”
He clasped his father’s shoulder and said, “So do you and Mama, Da.”
***
Maitland pulled Maeve in tight, his favorite thing to do after their sweet lovemaking. “Seems nice being alone, does it not, love?” Her head nestled on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her.
Maeve laughed. “I know she wasn’t paying us any mind, but she was often in the same chamber with us. It wasn’t until we got Grant in the other chamber that I could convince her to leave us alone.”
He rubbed circles on her arm.
Maeve said, “Maitland, can I confess something strange?”
“Go ahead.”
“I can’t decide if I’m glad she’s not here to watch over him, or if I fear more for him that she’s gone. She truly was his protector.”
“That she was. I’m confident that if Grant was ever in danger again, Lia would be here for him. I think it’s a good thing. I think it means that he is no longer in danger. I’m trying my best to convince myself, and I think I’ve finally done it.”
Maeve said, “I have to admit that having her with us after we were captured did offer me comfort. I believed that she would protect him.”
“I would say so. Thane confirmed that Odart’s one palm was burned, the skin raw. I don’t know how she did what she did, but I’m grateful.”
“And I’m most grateful that Grant didn’t seem bothered by it at all.”
