Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set by Kathryn Loch Read Free Book Online Page A

and taken him to Scotland in the dead of night. Like a thief, he had stolen Branan away with only John knowing the truth. Duguald then saw to Branan’s training.
    After that, Branan had learned never to call one place home for long. Hidden among outlying clan families, Branan had been shuffled around like an unwanted orphan—which he had been. Every time Duguald feared Strickland’s spies might learn of his whereabouts, he appeared and took Branan to another home. Although Duguald visited often to train him in swordplay and battle tactics, every time he rode into view, Branan couldn’t help but wonder if this was the time he would be moved again.
    When Branan earned his spurs in a tourney at sixteen, Duguald brought him to the clan seat at Dun-ArdRigh as laird. When he entered the courtyard, the clan members had gaped at him . . . 
     
    “...Duguald,” one man said, plucking at his uncle’s sleeve, his eyes wide. “Raulf stands in the flesh.”
    “Aye,” Duguald said with a smile. “He be Raulf through and through, appearing more like his father than a son has a right tae.”
    “Does my appearance offend ye?” Branan asked Duguald.
    “Nay, laddie. It does my heart true tae see so much of yer da in ye.”
    After that, Branan had discovered the keep where his father grew up to be a wonderful home. One he did not wish to leave. That was until Gavin’s arrival once again turned his world upside down...
     

Chapter Four
    The Pact
     
    C atriona curled under the blankets, shaking, absolutely exhausted, but unable to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, vivid images of that horrifying night pushed forward. She relived the terror and agony of watching her home burn with her parents trapped inside. Tears burned in her eyes and she forced herself to focus on Branan.
    Finally, after years of waiting, of wondering, of agonizing over his mysterious departure, he had returned. She couldn’t deny her joy at seeing him again, but the pain of him leaving remained close to her heart. Why hadn’t he said good-bye? Why had he not sent a note? The uncertainty of not knowing if he was alive or dead remained a thorn embedded permanently in her soul.
    Now she was pledged to another, and that knowledge nearly shattered her heart. Why had her father done this? Did he have no idea how she felt about Branan, how for the two years Branan had stayed with them, she had been certain her father would betroth her to him? Of course, when Branan disappeared, her father probably thought he would never return, so he’d had no choice but to secure her future in another way.
    But during those two years, Catriona had idolized the gangly but handsome youth—although she was careful never to give Branan a clue. He had a wickedly mischievous nature but rarely gave it free rein. His silent brooding overshadowed it most of the time.
    Yet she understood why. He’d been a young man who had no idea of his past except for heartbreak. What he thought was truth had been a lie. Branan needed to find himself.
    Catriona had not helped matters much with her childish jests. She smiled as she thought of his words earlier. One chilly morning, she had caught young Branan swimming and hid his clothes. By the time he begged them from her, his lips were indeed turning blue. Then when he accompanied her father and Gavin on a short journey she had left a gift of a dead rat in his pack. How long had it taken him to find it? Mayhap it had grown quite ripe. Those were only two of the many pranks with which she had tormented him.
    Seeing him today, how much he had grown and matured, had given her a sense that he had found a part of himself—to a certain extent. She wondered what the past ten years had brought to him in life. What were his joys and passions? What did he like or even hate? Was his favorite food still the honey cakes like her mother made for him? Did he still dislike sweetmeats because of the time he ate too many and became terribly sick?
    Did he have a