Page 61 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
Hildi led the three over to Ionaland, taking vegetables with them so the sisters wouldn’t question their visit. Sheona had two daggers with her but didn’t carry a spear like Hildi and Brynja each had. She’d left her axes back at the nunnery because they were so heavy.
Brynja had said, “I don’t trust that those men won’t be hiding somewhere. Never go anywhere without a dagger close to your hand.”
Sheona nodded, beginning to believe she could use one after practicing with her new friends.
“The wind is coming up,” Hildi said. “And look at those clouds. The storm will be here right after the sun drops, I believe. It’s getting closer.”
Magni saw them first, running over to greet them. “I knew you were coming,” he announced proudly, his chest puffed out.
“How could you possibly know?” Hildi asked.
Magni grinned and pointed to the wee lass trailing a distance behind him. “Lia told me. She always knows. She’s my sister.”
Sheona glanced over at Brynja for confirmation because she’d never heard that they were brother and sister, especially since Lia was supposed to be an angel. Brynja shook her head, indicating not to ask anything, her wide eyes telling Sheona to keep her questions inside. Brynja whispered, “Later, I’ll explain.”
Hildi covered quickly by asking Magni, “What else did Lia say? And where has she been?”
“She had to leave for a bit, but I don’t know where she went. She said she’ll never leave me, so I knew she’d be back. And she returned a wee bit ago. Look. Here she is!” He rushed over andhugged the tiny lass with the prettiest golden hair. “You can ask her how she knew.”
“Greetings to you, Lia. We missed you on our last visit. May we deliver our vegetables and then chat with you?” Brynja asked.
“Of course, and I do believe we have some bread for you. Follow me, and we’ll find your bread after you leave the cabbage and other goods.”
Once they completed their task, Hildi led the small group out to a bench near the shore. Lia glanced up and said, “A storm is coming, but it is much needed.” Her gaze fell back and landed directly on Sheona. “Greetings to you, my dear. Ask me all your questions. I hear you have many.”
Puzzled, Sheona glanced over at Hildi, who nodded. “Go ahead.”
“It is lovely to meet you, but my first question is about you. Are you truly an angel? I’ve never met one before.”
A wee lad came toward them giggling, and Lia said, “Magni, why don’t you play with Tenney? He’s missing his dearest brother.”
Magni took off toward the boy and swung him in circles, then began a game of tag.
Lia folded her hands in her lap after straightening her skirts and said, “To your first genuine question, I’m not really Magni’s sister, but it makes for a good explanation of our relationship. I am what’s called a guiding angel. I can guide people in certain directions, but I can’t force anyone to do anything. I was sent here to protect the many bairns who were being stolen away, and I think we were successful in ending that evil threat against our sweet isles. But there is always danger lurking where you least expect it.” She smiled, and if not for her size, the lass gave off the aura of a woman of many decades. Lia lifted her head to the breeze and smiled. “The air is sweet this eve, is it not?”
“Are you able to answer my other questions?” Sheona asked.
“I will do my best.” Then she nodded to the three. “Ask me. I’m here for you.”
Brynja cleared her throat. “The two men I saw approaching the isle last night. Did you see them?”
“I did.”
“Who were they? And who are they after?”
Lia shook her head slowly with atskof her jaw. “They are men with evil souls. They search for someone to satisfy their pleasures.”
“Someone they know?” Sheona asked.
“Aye.” Lia got up and approached Sheona. She reached for her hands and cocooned them inside her own small hands, which nearly made Sheona giggle until she looked into Lia’s eyes.
What she saw there gripped her and didn’t let go. A fierceness and an essence flowed from her soul, even through her hands, warming Sheona’s in the cold. “Sheona, I was on a mission, but I was called back for you. Someone is here to speak with you. She wishes to send you a message through me.”
Sheona jerked her hands away from Lia. “Who? Who could send me a message? No one I know is here.”
“Her name is Ailis, though you called her something different.” Lia hesitated and tried to take Sheona’s hand again.
“Nay,” Sheona ground out, taking two steps back, fighting the tears threatening to spill over.
