Page 40 of The Best of Brenna Grant

The fae had given her special powers along with the sword. Avelina had fought against evil and won, and the fae queen had told her to hide the sword, that she would return when it was needed again. That was it. The fae queen had said there would be peace for a time, but eventually they would need to fight evil in Scotland again.

Was the time nigh?

“I wonder. Has it been fifty years?” He said it loud enough to be heard, though he hadn’t meant to because anyone who heard him was bound to think him daft.

Then he shook his head, chastising himself for seeing things that weren’t there. Besides, it couldn’t have been more than forty years.

“What is it?” his companion asked.

“Naught,” Alex replied. “Musings of an old man, one who wishes to believe his wife comes to him in his dreams and his grandchildren have special talents.”

“Like an orphan dreams of being adopted someday?”

Alex glanced at him and grinned. “Something like that.”

The two men watched the wild gusting of the wind, the sheeting rain drenching the landscape, the thunder coming so quickly it was impossible to anticipate the claps.

Alex whispered to himself, “Never seen another like it until now.”

The other man stared at him.

“And I don’t like it.”

Chapter Twenty

Alex plans to give himself to King Edward in return for the promise to leave his family alone. He cannot do it without his confidante.

Alexander Grant was tired. Tired of searching over half the Highlands for the person he sought. It wouldn’t be long before someone from his clan found him and he’d be forced to go back to Grant land.

But he couldn’t.

He was done watching his clan be tortured by the English.

The last plan he’d made had failed—the Scottish sheriffs hadn’t been stationed near King Robert like he’d thought. His confidant had done as promised, but he couldn’t keep asking for help.

It was time to complete this mission.

He awakened early that morn and stood on his favorite vantage point, looking down at the snow-topped Highland mountains he so loved. He only knew one person who liked this view more than he did.

His companion joined him. “’Tis a view I’ve always loved, but you know that. We’ve seen much happen in the Highlands over the years, and I still treasure every single trip I’ve made across this point.”

Alex clasped the man’s shoulder. “Aye, we’ve seen much. I’d hoped to see Scotland back in control of the Scots before I leave this land. I hope King Robert will be successful. This move I’m about to make should seal that for all of our countrymen.”

The other man pointed. “Look below. The ones you’re searching for are there, I believe.”

Alex squinted, cursing his loss of vision. “I cannot see that far any longer. I must depend on your eyes.”

“Trust me that the man you are looking for is ahead of us. ’Tis time for us to move.”

Alexander Grant smiled and squared his shoulders. “Lead on. We’ll end this.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Loki finds Dyna, explaining his plan with Alex. How many readers guessed Alex’s co-conspirator’s identity?

Loki Grant grinned, leading her back off the main path and shouting over his shoulder, “Kenzie, get her horse.” He rode to a hidden clearing that had been concealed behind a thick line of trees. A quick glance told her Derric was following directly behind them. “I’m sorry for surprising you, but you would have ruined our plan.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked, jumping down from his horse as he soon as they slowed down. “We have to go after Grandsire.” When he finally dismounted and stood in front of her, she shoved at him.