Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series) (31 page)

“You mean, my queen?”

“Yeah, that too.” She smiled. “He’s also your big brother, and I’m pretty sure he can be a pain in the butt, right? Mine sure as heck can. I’m sure Kade gave you a myriad of well-intentioned instructions on everything you’re
not
supposed to say or do, just in case you might upset me, but I’m a big girl and you and I have a relationship outside of your brother that’s quite frankly none of his business.”

Fiona let out a quiet gasp and then giggled.

Sam smiled. “Tell me.”

“I’m not a Gunnach.”

“Oh, Fi. Of course you are.”

“Not technically. I’m the result of my mother’s infidelity.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “My father
hated
me. I never understood why. Now I do. I always thought it was because I was a girl. But it’s because I wasn’t legitimate. I thought my life was…I don’t know…set, I guess.”

“It’s hard to change tack when you think your life’s going one way but it’s really going another. It doesn’t always mean the change is a bad thing. And if you look at the situation for what it is, nothing’s really changing. Your family’s still your family and Angus is still your mate.”

Fiona stood and paced the floor. “But I’m not the woman he thought he was getting.”

Sam frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You wouldn’t understand, Sam. You’re American.”

“Try me,” she ground out, her irritation with Fiona’s condescension rising.

You’re supposed to be resting,
Kade reprimanded.

I’m fine, honey. Go back to your meeting.

“Kade is king and my brothers are nobility. I always believed I was as well, but with my mother’s confession, I’m now not only half-human, I’m also a nobody. Angus was to bind Lady Fiona Gunnach, but now he’s stuck with the bastard daughter of Einar Jónsson.”

Sam pushed herself to a more upright position and stifled a snort. “Fiona, Angus loves you, and you’re still Lady Fiona Gunnach. Nothing has changed.”

Samantha, love, you need to sleep.

I will when I’m tired, Kade. I’m fine. Just go back to your meeting.

“
I’ve
changed. Everything my mother told me is a lie. How can I trust that everything else isn’t as well?” Fiona’s cell phone pealed and she made her way to her phone. “Just a second, Sam.” Fiona answered the call. “Hi. Fyrirgefðu. (I’m sorry).” She sighed. “Yes. Yes. I’ll tell her. Okay. ’Bye.” She hung up and dropped her phone on the chair. “You’re supposed to rest.”

Sam rolled her eyes. “He’s not the boss of me.”

Fiona chuckled. “Well, he’s the boss of me, so I should probably quit whining.”

Sam smiled. “We can talk whenever you need to. But keep in mind that unless I have this all wrong, we only have one mate and we mate for life, right?”

Fiona nodded.

“Well, then it wouldn’t matter if you were Fiona, the Queen of England, or Fiona the janitor, Angus would still be your mate, right?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Yes, but—”

Sam held up her hand. “No buts. He loves you. Don’t start putting words in his mouth about what he might be thinking or feeling. I’m pretty sure you’d be wrong.”

Sam’s door flew open, causing her to jump.

CHAPTER TWENTY

KADE FILLED THE doorway and Sam rolled her eyes at the dramatics.

“Leave us,” Kade snapped at his sister.

Fiona kissed Sam’s cheek. “Sorry.”

“Think about what I said, okay?”

Fiona nodded and then headed toward the door.

“I’ll talk to you later,” Kade threatened.

“Já, herra minn,” Fiona said, and left the room.

Kade closed and locked the door before making his way to the bed. He slipped off his shoes, stretched out beside Sam, and pulled her into his arms. “You’re supposed to be asleep.”

“And you’re supposed to be in a meeting,” she said, and snuggled against him.

“We’re finished.”

“Really finished, or you called it to a close early because I wasn’t doing what you wanted me to do?”

Kade lifted her chin and gave her a quick kiss. “Finished is finished.”

“Hmm-mm. Fiona said you were meeting with your brothers and the Council. What does that mean? Who’s on the Council?”

He kissed the top of her head. “Nothing you need to worry about, love. Right now, I need you to worry about resting.”

“Is that code for I’m on a need-to-know basis and I don’t need to know?”

Kade chuckled. “No, it’s code for you need to sleep.”

Sam tried to stifle a yawn, but she failed. “Okay, maybe I’m a little tired.”

“I know, love.”

His cell phone rang and he stared at the screen. “It’s yer mum, love.”

“Why’s she calling you?”

“Mrs. Moore?” he said without answering Sam’s question. “I’m sorry about that. Sam’s had a bit of tummy bug, so I turned off her phone so she could rest. She’s right here, would you like to speak to her?”

He handed Sam the phone.

“Hi, Mom.”

“I have been worried sick! What’s going on with you?” she asked.

“I think it might have been something I ate. Not sure.”

“Oh, honey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just really tired. Sorry about my phone.” Sam scowled at her mate. “I’m sure Kade was just trying to help, but I’ll turn it on right now so you can get me if you need to.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay…I began to imagine all sorts of horrible things.”

Sam grimaced. “Sorry.”

“How did everything go?”

“Y’all held the secret very well,” Sam said. “I was sufficiently surprised.”

“Did you say yes?”

Sam giggled. “Absolutely.”

“Good. I won’t keep you. Get some rest.”

“I will, Mom. Love you.” She hung up and settled herself back in Kade’s embrace. “No more phone tampering.”

He set his phone back on the side table. “No promises.”

“Brat.” She closed her eyes and kissed his chest. “Don’t be hard on your sister, okay? Her world’s been turned upside down.”

He sighed. “I know.”

“Promise me you’ll give her heaps of grace.”

“Heaps?” he asked. “Do I have to promise
heaps
?”

Sam giggled, her eyes growing heavier by the second. “Heaps,” she mumbled.

* * *

The room was dark the next time Sam opened her eyes. She felt for Kade, but he wasn’t in their bed. She rubbed her eyes and yawned.

This is becoming a habit, honey. Where are you?

“I’m here, love,” he said from the chair by the fireplace. He rose to his feet and made his way to the bed.

She sat up and sighed. “I don’t like waking without you.”

He sat on the edge of the mattress. “I’m sorry. How do you feel?”

“Better. I’m a little groggy and my muscles feel like I’ve run a marathon, but otherwise I’m good.” She dropped her head onto his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Aye.”

She frowned up at him. “Why don’t I believe you?”

He smiled. “Are you hungry?”

“A little. But first, I’d really love a shower.” She slid her legs off the bed and pushed herself up, grasping Kade’s arm when she felt unsteady.

“Careful,” he said as he wrapped an arm around her waist. “Let’s start with food.”

“Seriously?”

He smiled. “Fruit and cheese are perfect in the middle of the night.”

Sam grimaced. “I heard cheese gives you nightmares.”

“So will your mate if you refuse to eat.”

Sam giggled. “Fine.”

She ate as much as her stomach could take at three in the morning and then insisted on a shower. She rose to her feet but still felt dizzy.

“I’ve got you.” Kade took the brunt of her weight as he guided her into the bathroom and set her on the toilet lid. “I think a bath might be safer.”

Sam smiled. “Maybe you’re right.”

He filled the tub and then helped her with her nightgown before lifting her into the cool water.

Sam sighed. “This is heaven. Thank you.”

He knelt beside her. “Would you like me to wash your hair?”

Sam reached out and stroked his cheek. “Nothing sounds better, but first, I’d like you to tell me why you’re worried.”

He grimaced. “I need to learn how to control my emotions.”

“No you don’t. Baby, tell me what’s going on.”

“I don’t want to add stress to your recovery.”

Sam snorted. “It’s far more stressful knowing you’re dealing with something heavy and not talking to me about it. I’m here to take part of the burden away, or did you miss that part in mate training?”

He sighed.

“Now, tell me who’s on the Council and what it is to begin with. Then you can fill me in on the rest.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Kade,” she admonished. “You’re either going to tell me or I’m going to “listen” to you. I think you’ll feel better if you tell me.”

“You’re a wee stubborn wench, aren’t you?”

She cocked her head. “Aye.”

He chuckled. “Well done.”

“Thank you. Now tell me.” She handed him the shampoo. “You can wash while you talk.”

He chuckled and squeezed the soap into his palm. “The Council is made up of elders of the Cauld Ane within not only our clan, but a few others in Scotland. Con, Brodie, and I are on it, along with Max and Niall MacMillan, who you’ll meet soon, I’m sure. Also, Angus and his father, Stuart, and ten others from five of the larger clans in the country. Individually, we deal with our personal clan business, however, when it comes to Cauld Ane issues, the Council comes together and I make the ultimate decisions.”

“So, you’ve had a Cauld Ane issue, then?”

“A few.”

“Like?”

“The Fraser family for one, my mother for another.”

Sam frowned. “Your mom’s a Cauld Ane issue? How does that work?”

“She kept vital information from her laird and king, committed adultery that produced an illegitimate child, and lied to our people, among other minor infractions; however, the list goes on.”

Sam sat up, the water sloshing around her. “How is that anyone’s business outside of her family?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Then un-complicate it.”

“Rinse,” he directed, and she slid under the water quickly.

“All rinsed…keep talkin’,” she ordered as she wiped water from her face, but quickly pressed on her stomach. “After you get me some more cheese, please. Wow, I’m starving.”

He left her briefly and returned with the food platter. “This is why you need to eat every two hours.”

He set a cracker in her mouth and she hummed in appreciation as she chewed. “This is so good. Everything feels…I don’t know…so intense. Like this is the best cheese I’ve
ever
had in my life and this water is the most amazing temperature, ever.” She lifted her hand, the soapy water sliding down her arm. “And my skin. It’s flawless. The scar I got from Home Ec is gone and my nails actually look healthy.” She looked at Kade. “Do I look different?”

He shook his head. “You’re as beautiful as you were. Just in stereo.”

She giggled and opened her mouth for another treat. She swallowed and sat up in the tub. “Thank you. Now, tell me about your mom.”

He stood and leaned against the counter. “My mother was joined to the Laird of Gunnach, which is a job within itself. But not only was my father laird of our clan, he was also king of the Cauld Ane, and that meant she had obligations to fulfill, including giving birth to an heir and being the perfect spouse.”

“Why do I have visions of Henry the VIII and his propensity to kill women who didn’t do what he wanted them to do?”

Kade sighed. “You’ve hit the nail on the head, love. My father may not have killed my mother for her indiscretion when he found out about it, but he more than likely tried to drive her mad. According to the elders of the Council, there were rumors that his true mate was murdered by one of his rivals, and I suppose it’s possible that he might have gone a bit mad as well.”

“But no one thought that would be good information for you to have?”

“Hence my dilemma.” He crossed his arms. “So many people were attempting to either shelter us or deceive us; I’m having a difficult time sorting out who had good intentions and who didn’t. On top of trying to work out why my mother did what she did.”

“I guess her actions are somewhat understandable, right?”

“I don’t know.” He frowned again. “Her adultery alone is a beheading offense—”

“What?” Sam gasped. “You can’t be serious!
Beheading
?”

He raised his hands. “Don’t worry, I have no intention of beheading my mother, but had she been discovered by the Council while my father was alive, she would have been. Now it’s up to me to decide what to do, and it’s a thin line between showing mercy and showing weakness.”