Surrender by Sophia Johnson

is
it?"
    "Not likely. Why would you think so?"
    Piss and shite! Was the man going to demand
proof?
    "The rest of the curse came full circle, did
it not? I heard ye spewed in one bucket till it was green slime
while yer arse thundered as it filled another. The stable lads
thought better to bury the bucket than to cleanse it."
    Graemme knew his face was no longer white but
red as poppies in the field.
    "'Twas naught but eating too heartily."
    Chief Broccin cuffed him on the shoulder as
admiration gleamed in his eyes. "Ye are a worthy son-by-law! Not a
single bone of fear in yer body. 'Tis likely ye have broken the
curse. I will have grandsons aplenty if ye keep a bairn in her
belly as oft as Ranald plants his seed in Catalin."
    "Ranald has children?"
    "Aye. One strapping boy followed by twins, a
boy and a girl, the very next year."
    When Chief Broccin beamed with pride, he lost
his sinister appearance.
    "Um. I canna promise twins. I will strive to
have Elyne swelling afore we reach Clibrick. 'Tis the one thing
that might make her obedient."
    "Huh! Good luck on that."
    "I would dispense with the common betrothal
vows, if ye dinna object."
    "Ye dinna have the same custom in the
Highlands?"
    "We do. Yet I require something more binding
from yer daughter."
    He took in a slow, deep breath and stopped
himself from rubbing his stomach when a pain struck. He wished this
whole mess was speedily over afore he needed to run from the room.
He rocked forward on his toes when the chief slapped his back and
threw a heavy arm across his shoulders.
    "Whatever ye need to get the girl bound to ye
and wed. If ye dinna, yer prick may not have shriveled off," he
paused then turned his head to fix his steely gaze on Graemme, "but
yer danglin' stones are still in danger."
    "She will wed me. I'll see to it. But the
marriage ceremony will have to wait."
    He told Elyne's father, afore he could wed,
he had a pressing duty to perform for his family. In one more day,
he would have to leave but would return in two months time. He
talked quickly, not wanting anyone else to overhear.

    The sun's rays glinted on the gems embedded
in the cross above the small altar. Flashes of colorful lights
danced on the walls, giving the room a festive air. Until Elyne saw
the face of the man waiting across the crowded room. 'Twould be
more fitting if lightning danced across the sky and thunder rocked
the walls of the keep.
    Her intended stood beside her Father, talking
earnestly to him. Where Graemme's face had been a sun-warmed bronze
at dawn, now its paleness accented the dark shadows of his beard
beneath. The skin on his cheekbones had pulled taut and his jaw
looked as if God had chiseled him from slate. His wide, sensual
lips were thin and pressed tight. Was he still in pain?
    This morn he had worn a white shirt and
tasseled boots with his kilt. Now, his attire looked like a man
dressed for war. He had on a black tunic belted around with a
sturdy leather belt holding a heavy warrior's sword. His fingers
caressing the sword's hilt showed he itched to pull it free from
its scabbard.
    The closer she came she realized the chest of
the tunic was gray. Embroidered in striking threads across the
gray, a black wolf leaped from a brown boulder. Recognizing the
wolf from her dreams, her knees near buckled. Why would her father
not believe her?
    She saw Graemme's burnt almond eyes and read
the fury flashing there.
    The devil of her nights had come to life.
    Elyne's hand tightened on Sir Brian's
arm.
    "Aye, Lady. You did yourself no favor when
you angered a Morgan of Clibrick. You have caused our motto of
'With a strong hand' to become 'With a hand of steel.'"
    o0o
    Graemme studied Elyne as she came into the
chapel. Watched as her eyes turned from defiant to regretful. Then
to something akin to fear when she studied the standard across his
tunic and met his eyes. She should have thought of not angering him
afore she dosed his food.
    Strangely, her father didn't take exception
to his