to her at a long-ago autumn festival. It was one of his favorite memories of Grant Castle. Everything about Claray warmed his heart. Her laughter, her light-hearted ways, and her bright beauty—as distinctive as a ray of sunshine on a gray, misty day. He only wished he had the pluck to tell her so.
But he was afraid to go after Connor Grant’s daughter. He’d stood in front of the great man that night, Claray next to him, eager to ask for permission to pursue her hand, but his tongue had turned to stone.
Over the years, he’d try to convince himself to pursue her, but he’d never had enough gumption. Then the worst had happened. A new guard had joined the Grant warriors, and he’d gone right after the laird’s only eligible daughter.
Thorn had only seen them together once, but it had felt like an icicle had fallen from the tallest tree branch and landed in the middle of his chest. Nari had told him he had no one to blame but himself. Then her betrothed, a man named Cordell, had snapped his neck falling off his horse.
Nari had told him he should give her time to grieve and then act. That he’d be a fool not to pursue her. It was his deepest desire to make Claray his wife, but doubts and fears held him back. He didn’t feel worthy of her. He was just an orphan, a warrior without any title or claim, and she was the daughter of a laird. Still, anytime anyone from Loki’s castle came to Clan Grant, Thorn found an excuse to join them.
“What decorations have you chosen for this year?” Thorn asked, hoping Claray would be the one to answer.
Sela spoke first. “We’ll be searching out as many evergreen boughs as we can find to put near the door and on the tables.”
Claray’s face lit up. “I love to make baskets filled with pine boughs and pinecones. I’ll make one for each table and tie red ribbons on the handles. The pine makes the keep smell so fresh.”
Sela added, “And don’t forget all the flowers you’ve been hanging to dry.”
“Aye, my red ones are looking extra beautiful, though I have some white and pink flowers that are pretty, too. The decorations brighten up the hall. Don’t you agree, Thorn?”
The look she gave him, eyes bright and wide, lips slightly parted, rattled him. But he recovered enough to nod. “Absolutely. No one else I know of celebrates Yule for as long as you do here. Why is that?”
Claray bounced in her seat before she answered, “Because Mama is part Norse, and they celebrate Yule for three sennights. But ’twas Grandmama who started decorating and sharing gifts at Yuletide. ’Tis my favorite part.”
Nari said, “The feasts are mine, especially on the eve of Yule. There’s nothing so enjoyable as seeing everyone in one place.”
“I agree,” Thorn said. “While I love Castle Curanta, it wouldn’t be Yule if we didn’t come to Grant Castle to celebrate. Claray, you play the lute beautifully.”
“I’m learning a new song. I cannot wait to share it with all of you.” The comment was addressed to all of them, but her gaze landed on Thorn, and for the first time he wondered if she shared his feelings.
She’d never looked at him like that before, let alone twice in one night. Maybe she’d had enough time to mourn her loss. Mayhap he would approach her this eve, after the decorating and the fine meal. She wasn’t getting any younger, and neither was he.
If she were interested in him, would her father accept it? Perhaps it was time to take a chance.
The great Alex Grant had died after an irreproachable life. No regrets had weighed him down at the end, which had led Thorn to ask himself if he would feel the same if he were to die on the morrow. He wouldn’t. His greatest regret would be that he had not pursued Claray.
Perhaps it was time to finally live as he wished.
Chapter Two
That eve, they feasted on lamb stew and peas, with baked apples for dessert. Someone had given Claray’s cousin, Chrissa, cinnamon and ginger as a wedding gift, both spices difficult to find, and she had shared her bounty with all of them.
Claray loved cinnamon on apples. She ate it on everything, even bread. Sneaking a bite of her baked apple before she finished dinner, she closed her eyes and smiled at the sweet combination of sugar and cinnamon.
When she opened her