Entrusted to a Highlander (Highland Promise Trilogy #2) - Donna Fletcher Page 0,92
smile.
The women talked for a while until there was only Purity and Wren left.
“There’s something you wish to tell me?” Purity asked.
“You have gotten to know me well through the years, my friend.”
“And you helped me to grow—strong,” Purity said with gratitude.
“You were always strong. You simply needed to realize it.” Wren turned silent for a moment. “You need your strength now more than ever.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Evil stirs here. It lurks and waits and will strike again.”
Purity’s stomach roiled. “Is there anything you can tell me that will help me defeat it.”
“I wish I could, but it hides well.”
“Within the village or outside it?’ Purity asked anxiously.
Wren looked out over the people gathered, enjoying the celebration. “It’s not clear. I cannot see. I can tell you that the evil festers greatly. It is bitter with disappointment.”
Purity thought of Brynjar and the bitter disappoint and anger she had seen on his face when he learned he wouldn’t get what he believed had been agreed upon.
“This evil wants revenge?” Purity asked.
“This evil wants what he feels belongs to him. The two deaths are only the beginning. He will dispose of whoever stands in his way,” Wren warned.
“How did one of Wolf’s warriors and Orvin stand in his way?” Purity asked confused.
“Find the answer to that and you’ll find the evil one.”
Purity wished she could keep her mind on the celebration, on this special day, but Wren’s words remained with her long after the woman and Parlan took their leave along with Oria and Royden.
The hour had grown late, the bonfire had died down and would not last long, and the villagers began to drift off to their homes, not only overstuffed with food and drink but with enjoyment that had long been absent from their lives.
The murders had been pushed aside and replaced with the promise of a good tomorrow with Arran and Purity’s wedding. The Clan Macara had a future with the couple and with those who had laid claim to the surrounding clans having participated in the celebration, it showed that peace was at hand.
“I believe we are long overdue to take our leave from the festivities, wife,” Arran said, his arms going around her and drawing her back against him.
“It is the second time we exchanged vows, husband, and I for one enjoyed spending time with friends and making new ones.”
He pressed his cheek to hers. “I agree and surprisingly I believe your father felt the same since he was more cordial than usual, talking, laughing, and drinking with everyone.”
“His worries are at an end. He has what he wants. What he originally wanted—you to wed me. His clan’s future is not only secured, but he sees power and influence with us wed.”
“The Clan MacKinnon is not as powerful as it once was.”
“You’re wrong,” Purity chided. “It is even more powerful since your clan did not fall to the enemy. You all survived and returned home to reclaim what was yours and prevented the complete defeat of this area. You stopped the enemy from claiming victory. Now he is forced to live among you in peace. The Clan MacKinnon was the victor in this battle and that will not be forgotten.”
“I like the way you make me sound like a champion,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
“You are a champion—you’re my champion.”
Arran swung her up into his arms. “Your champion is about to claim his bride.”
Purity’s chuckle came to an abrupt halt when her husband turned with a flourish to see Abbott Thomas standing there.
“Forgive me for disturbing you, but I can’t seem to find your father, Purity. I wanted to say my good-byes since I will be taking my leave at sunrise and I don’t believe he’ll have risen by then since he has thoroughly enjoyed the celebration.”
Purity realized then that she hadn’t seen her father in a while as well. “He may have already retired, Abbott Thomas.”
“Then please give him my regards and tell him I truly enjoyed my time here, and I bid you both good-night and wish you a happy and fruitful life together.”
“You want to check his bedchamber, don’t you?” Arran asked as he entered the keep with his wife still in his arms.
“Would you mind?” she asked. “I just want to make sure.”
“I want you completely relaxed and not worried about anything when we finally slip into bed together. So if seeing that your father is safely tucked in bed will alleviate your worry, then that is what