“I suppose you’re right,” his da agreed. “The people will be pleased with it as well. Fine. Send him on his way tomorrow morning with two of your men.”
“I will go tell him,” Elysia said, but Odran didn’t release her.
“I’ll have a moment with my wife,” Odran said and didn’t wait for his da’s response. He stepped outside the door with her, closing it behind them. “I will see that my men bring back word about your sister and if you feel at all uncomfortable with what you hear, I will take you to see Bliss. Tell Bram of his reprieve, and give what message you want him to deliver to your sister, then return to the keep, it grows late.”
She thought to say something to him, her relief that he would take her to see Bliss overwhelming her heart and keeping her tongue from finding the right words, so she nodded and turned away.
Odran watched her go, upset she hadn’t responded to him, though more upset they had not exchanged at least a brief kiss. Had she suddenly regretted marrying him? He would speak to her tonight when they were alone in their bedchamber and see it settled. So why did his heart fear that it might be too late for that?
“I am in your debt forever, my lady,” Bram said after hearing his life would be spared.
“You will watch over Bliss.” It wasn’t a question. She had given him what he needed and he was to do the same in return.
Bram’s hand went to rest on his chest. “Aye, with my life. You have my word.”
The word of a warrior was a promise that could be counted on and Elysia was relieved to know that her sister would have a warrior to protect her.
“Tell Bliss that I love her and my heart aches not seeing her. Tell her I do well in my marriage, but make no mention of Odran. She believes me wed to Saber.”
“What if word has reached her and she knows you are Lord Odran’s wife?”
“If words have reached her, then tell her Lord Odran is a good man and treats me well and that I love him. Don’t tell her that Annis has gone off in search of the witch in the hills. She will worry and, no doubt, she has much that already concerns her.”
“As you say, my lady,” Bram said, “though I wouldn’t’ be surprised if Bliss had heard of Annis’s quest. Word spread through Clan Loudon fast enough and from there who knows where it went. But I will say nothing, unless asked of course.”
“Aye, you’re right and the truth is best to speak if Bliss should ask. And please send word about Bliss as soon as you can. I expected to hear form her by now and it worries me that I’ve heard nothing from her,” she urged, anxious to know about her sister.
“Worry not, my lady, I will see it all done and get word to you posthaste. Bliss will not be alone any longer,” Bram said. “You saved my life and I serve you above all else.”
“Serve my sister, that’s all I ask of you,” Elysia said, grateful for this chance to keep her sister safe. “One other thing, Bram. Have you seen Lendra? She said you refused to see her and I haven’t been able to find her all day.
Bram shook his head. “I saw no point in seeing her and making it more difficult on her. I know she cares for me and I wish I could say I feel the same, but I don’t. Lendra is a good woman and she kindly tended me when I needed it. But I have no special feelings for her other than friendship as I do with most women I’ve bedded. Please tell her I wish her well and thank her for all she has done for me.”
Elysia at first thought Bram heartless for not telling Lendra himself, but thinking on it, perhaps it was for the best. Seeing Bram one last time would only bring Lendra more heartache.
She left the hut, hoping Lendra had heard the news about Bram since tongues were spreading it fast. But tongues were whispering other things as well and the few words she caught chilled her.
Curse.
Returned with him.
Evil.
More deaths to come.
More suffering.
Must die.
Must end.
They believed the curse had returned full force with Odran’s return. Many feared there would be more deaths, more suffering, more pain brought down upon the clan. The brief period of peace had been a cruel trick the curse had played on them, allowing them to think things were different. But from what she could gather most believed the suffering would never end until the last MacBridan was no more.
Her hand went to her stomach under her cloak, worried for the bairn, worried what may happen when all found out that the Clan MacBridan would live on and along with it, the curse.