Elise could scarcely believe the difference in Cam during the last two days since he’d discovered his mother’s casket. There was still an indefinable trace of something bleak in his soul, but for the most part the darkness that had surrounded him and eaten into the fabric of his being had finally faded away.

Several times, she had hovered on the brink of telling him how dearly she loved him. But each time a foolish sense of not wanting to spoil what they had between them held her back. Suppose he didn’t feel the same way? Her heart would break a little if he did not return her love.

This way she could pretend, and it wasn’t hard. He only had to smile at her and her day filled with sunshine.

There was another reason she held back too. The glimmering suspicion that Bride had answered her prayers. It was too soon to tell for sure. Her moon time was not yet upon her, but in her heart, she knew.

She had conceived Cam’s babe.

And just as she knew that Bride had a plan when it came to Droston, she also knew her goddess would show Elise the right time to share her news. She wouldn’t be at all surprised if the catalyst to it all was when Cam held her in his arms and said I love you.

She was still daydreaming of that happy moment when Cam marched into the chamber he had allocated for her and her ladies personal use. He didn’t smile when he saw her. He had his old familiar scowl on his face, the scowl she hadn’t seen for weeks.

“What is it?” She took his arm and peered up into his dark eyes.

“MacAlpin has returned to Dal Riada and we have been summoned to Dunadd.”

Dunadd, the royal stronghold of Dal Riada. The place where Droston, her father and all the other hostages were held.

Excitement burned through her at the knowledge Bride had so swiftly answered her. This was the sign she had been waiting for.

“Will my cousin Aila be there?”

He stiffened, and shock flared briefly in his eyes. “How did you know—” He broke off and exhaled a long breath. She knew he was thinking of Bride. He hadn’t spoken of her goddess, and on the surface, nothing had changed. But she knew without him having to say, that her beliefs no longer troubled him in the way they once had.

“I don’t know,” she assured him. “But I have always believed I would see Aila before she gave birth. And time is now running short for I know she wishes to be back in Ce before her babe is due.”

Cam looked vaguely uncomfortable by her revelation. “Aye, that’s the reason MacAlpin gives for wishing us to make the journey. Connor and your cousin will be in Dunadd in a week for five days before they leave for the kingdom of Ce. It appears we don’t have a choice in this.” Once again a thunderous glare settled over his face.

“But I long to see Aila again, Cam.” She couldn’t contain her delight any longer and went onto her toes to kiss the scowl from his lips. “And finally I’m certain I will get the chance to speak to your elusive MacAlpin.”

There was no mistaking the tension that radiated from Cam’s rigid muscles. “Why are you so intent on speaking with him? He won’t release your father, Elise. Not until he’s certain all of Pictland acknowledges him as the rightful king of Fortriu.”

One thing hadn’t changed. Cam was still as tactless as ever.

Not that she wanted him to change. His forthrightness enchanted her, even when it irritated her.

“I know that.” She couldn’t help the acid note in her voice because did Cam truly think her so clueless of politics? “I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of requesting something he would never entertain. I wish to broach the possibility of paying a ransom for the freedom of my dear Droston.”

Cam’s glower darkened further. It was obvious the thought of her requesting anything from MacAlpin sat very badly with him. But there was nothing she could do about that. MacAlpin was the only one who possessed the power to free Droston. Therefore MacAlpin was the one she needed to see. However much the prospect disgusted her.

***

Dunadd was situated on top of a mighty hill on the west coast of Pictland. Its location was admirable, but nothing when compared to Fortriu. Elise took a deep breath as they rode toward the hill fort and tried to calm her thoughts. Becoming agitated over the upstart MacAlpin’s betrayal would do her no good at all. Especially when she needed to mask her true feelings toward him and flatter him so he might grant her request.

The chamber they were allocated was small but adequate. As her ladies fluttered around whispering about the primitive conditions and wild location, she watched Cam. Arms folded, grim expression on his face, he glared through the narrow window.

She went to him and slid her arm through his. “It’s only for five days,” she reminded him. “Then we can return home.” It was strange how at home she felt at Dunmar. While she had fallen in love with the hill fort soon after crossing its threshold, she’d known it had been hard for Cam to be there. But since opening up Isla’s chamber and the discovery of his mother’s possessions, she’d sensed a change in Cam’s feelings. He no longer flung furtive glances into dark corners when he thought she wasn’t looking. The evil of his father had been exposed and the poison was leaking away.

When they returned to Dunmar she intended to have his father’s old chamber stripped bare. She would have everything from that chamber burned. It was the only way to cleanse and purify. Only then would the last lingering shadow that she sensed still lurked within Cam’s soul be vanquished.

Cam wound his arm around her and gave her a hard hug. “Aye.” He released her and stepped back. “I’m going to find Connor. I’ll get someone to take you to Princess Aila.”

***

Aila’s chamber was somewhat grander than the one Elise and Cam had been given. Her cousin, blooming with good health, took Elise’s hands and hastily pulled her from the small antechamber into her bedchamber and shut the door on all their ladies.

“How wonderful it is to see you again.” Aila smiled but tears shimmered in her eyes.

Elise laughed and kissed her cousin’s cheek. “You are fairly glowing, my love,” she said. “Don’t spoil it by weeping because you’re so happy to see me.”

“I am happy to see you.” Despite the tears that Aila appeared unable to help trickling down her cheeks, she peered at Elise in clear anxiety. “But what of you? You seem well and happy but…” Her voice trailed away and she frowned and bit her lip.

Elise led Aila to the bed and they sat, still holding hands. “I’m very well and very happy.”

“And wed to Cameron MacNeil.” There was no disguising the concern in Aila’s voice. “We heard this news only very recently. I insisted we had to stop here on our way to Ce, under the pretext that I had to see you. I knew MacAlpin would make sure you were here for me. He cannot do enough to ensure my wellbeing while I am with child.”

“Aila, I know this is all very strange, especially when you know how I avoided Cam back in the spring. But he is truly the bravest and most honorable man I have ever met. I’m proud to be his wife.”

Aila opened her mouth, hesitated and then pressed her lips together. She appeared stunned by Elise’s confession, and fiddled with the edges of her shawl. Finally she took a deep breath. “You love him.” It wasn’t a question. Elise didn’t bother to answer, since she was sure the besotted smile on her face told her cousin everything she needed to know. “I’m so delighted for you, Elise.” Aila sniffed and another tear escaped. She brushed it away and smiled. “I know your first marriage was difficult. Bride works in mysterious ways, to be sure, but my heart is light once again to know you’re with a man you truly care for.”

Bride did work in the most mysterious of ways and for a moment, a ripple of unease marred her happiness.

For years, she had begged her goddess for Ferelei’s ship to be lost at sea, or for him to be delayed indefinitely on his countless journeys. But a missing husband was not a dead husband. If no body was ever found, Elise would never have been free to wed another.

Until she met Cam, she had never wanted to wed another.

Bride had heard Elise’s prayers and, when the time was right, had taken Ferelei in a way that irrefutably gave Elise her freedom.

But what price would Bride demand in return? During the last few weeks, Elise had pushed the thought to the back of her mind, not wishing to dwell on the intricate manipulations of the gods.

A tempting thought surfaced. Perhaps Bride’s price was nothing more than Elise having helped Cam to face the shadowed truths of his past?

After all, his mother had been a true believer of the old ways. Surely that was what Bride had wanted in return?

She clung onto that notion and returned her attention to Aila. “You have no need to concern yourself with my wellbeing, Aila.” And then something occurred to her and she frowned. “What did you mean when you said you insisted you stop here under the pretext of seeing me? Why is this a pretext?” It made no sense. She must have misunderstood Aila.

Her cousin blinked and for an odd moment Elise got the impression Aila was concealing something of shattering importance. But then Aila squeezed her fingers and she pushed the feeling aside.

“No pretext. Merely a figure of speech. Now, do you feel up for a stroll? I confess being inside the oppressive walls of Dunadd is not something I enjoy.”

“Of course.” Elise stood and then could contain herself no longer. “Aila, I must share my secret with you. I believe I am with child.”

For a heartbeat Aila looked stricken, but before Elise could comprehend why her cousin should be devastated at such wonderful news Aila hugged her, and the uneasy suspicion that she was hiding something vanished.

***

The confrontation with Connor MacKenzie was not going well. After a terse greeting Connor suggested they go for a ride, and while climbing back in the saddle after the journey to Dunadd was the last thing Cam felt like doing, it wasn’t a request.

Finally, after a strangely circular gallop across the surrounding countryside where they ended up within a stone’s throw of where they started, Connor pulled to a halt.

“You wed Princess Elise.” It was not said by way of congratulations.

“Aye.” Cam narrowed his eyes and glowered across their mighty hill toward the western ocean. He could guess where this conversation was leading.

“After her husband, Ferelei mac Uurguist, conveniently died in a drunken fall.”

Cam tensed, waiting for the familiar black rage to consume him at the mention of that cursed Pict’s name. But only a strangely muted sense of regret at Isla’s stolen life washed through him.

Isla. His beloved sister. Who had never blamed him for not being there when she had needed him the most.

“Fuck, Cam.” Connor glowered at him as though something in his expression had touched a nerve, before glaring toward the distant Firth. “If not for this alliance I would be the first one behind you in your thirst for vengeance. The bastard deserved it. I don’t presume to pretend to know how you feel. I only know we need to preserve this alliance at all costs.”

Cam had sworn to Ross that he would never divulge the truth of what had happened. He would keep Ross’ part out of it. But Connor was his superior officer. And it belatedly occurred to him that through their wives, they were now related.

Connor deserved to know the truth.

“It was self-defense.”

Connor rounded on him. “Self-defense?” It was obvious he doubted it.

“Aye. I won’t deny it. I confronted him, Connor. I would have severed his damn head from his shriveled body and taken the consequences. I owed that to my sister. I gave her my word long before I swore fealty to you.”

Connor looked murderous. “Call yourself a fucking warrior? I could still have your head for this insubordination.”

“I didn’t touch him. I turned my back and he attacked. Fucking bastard slipped and cracked his skull open.” Even now that injustice burned but not with the same ferocity as it had before.

He took a deep breath. He would never be able to think or speak of mac Uurguist with a clear mind but it was a relief to no longer feel the ravenous talons of vengeance rip through his every thought.

Connor’s knuckles were white as he gripped his reins. “And then you took his widow as compensation.”

Cam bared his teeth. “Beware how you speak of my wife, MacKenzie.”

Connor’s eyes narrowed a fraction. It was clear he hadn’t expected such a reaction. “She is also the cousin of my wife.”

It was none of Connor’s business why he had taken Elise as his bride. But he didn’t want the other man thinking he’d taken her as some form of continuing retribution. “I wed her because she’s the only woman I want in my life. God knows why she said yes. She could have chosen anyone. You can assure your lady wife I’ll do everything in my power to make her cousin happy.”

Connor grunted. It was clear he was enjoying this conversation as little as Cam. Why then did he continue? Was it because he had promised Princess Aila?

The thought darkly amused him. He was only being civil in response to Connor’s interrogation because of Elise and her connection to Princess Aila.

It appeared they were both in thrall to their royal wives.

“You should know there are rumors about, Cam.” Connor slung him a sideways glance. The anger had gone. “Rumors that MacAlpin was behind the wedding, to add another Pictish princess to his bow. Aila was,” he swallowed and took a deep breath. “She was distraught when she heard. It doesn’t look good. You must admit to that. But if you and Princess Elise are happy that’s all that matters to us.”

It had been a long time since Cam had been happy. The concept was foreign to him. Yet with Elise he had found a peace and contentment he’d never imagined could exist for him. Happy? Aye, he was happier than he could ever recall being.

Was Elise happy? He believed so. She was like a beam of sunlight that illuminated Dunmar. She didn’t complain and her ready laugh warmed his heart.

But did she love him? Sometimes in the dead of night, he would gaze down at her, this golden bride of his, and wish he could see inside her heart. She had married him, but did she secretly wish she had married her dear Droston?

“We are happy.” It was a growl because the thought of Droston reminded him of why Elise was so determined to speak with MacAlpin. It had nothing to do with her wanting to negotiate her father’s release. She wanted Droston freed. What then? Did she think to take him as her lover?

He’d kill the fucking bastard before he allowed the Pict to lay hands on his wife.

“MacNeil.” Connor’s voice was sharp. Clearly Cam had missed whatever Connor had been saying to him. “I asked you if Princess Elise is aware of the rumors. She knows of your connection with mac Uurguist?”

Shit, the rumors. How could Elise believe anything but the worst if she heard the truth? This was why he hadn’t wanted to come to Dunadd. Why he wanted to keep her ensconced at Dunmar where nobody would ever tell her anything to disturb her peace of mind.

His peace of mind.

Aye, and did he really believe he could keep Elise secluded from the rest of the world forever? It was a good dream, but a dream nonetheless.

He simply didn’t want this dream to shatter.

Connor cursed, disgust evident in his voice. “You have to tell her, man. She can’t find out from anyone else. Tell her the truth and all will be well.”