Our stories continue in the
finale of the series … UNDENIABLE HEART
Brodin Grant is sent to serve
the imminent King Robert after he’s embroiled in a downtrodden affair, one he
wishes he’d never favored. Now mistrusting of women, he’s must aid the bonny
lass who searches for the King’s Guard.
Dallis Buchanan never envisaged
her sojourn to England would bring her and her deaf grandmother such turmoil.
In the hands of one of England’s most daunting warlords, she is sent to bring
the renowned King’s Guard to their knees or to his dungeon. For her compliance,
she’ll gain the freedom of her grandmother and safe passage back to her clan.
But there’s one wee problem with this mission, and that is the undeniable
feelings she has for the blue-eyed Highland guardsman.
As Scotland’s wars intensify
to win their freedom, Brodin loses his heart to the winsome beauty. Battles
ensue, bringing about Brodin’s alliance with the Buchanans. Unfortunately, it
also brings him the misfortune of having to accept Dallis as his own. Their
undeniable hearts cannot withstand the love that has joined them forevermore. Will
they resist the inevitable?
Prologue excerpt Undeniable Heart (Legend of the King's Guard series book 4) copyright @ 2019 Kara Griffin
Village of Drumnadrochit,
Scotland
August 1303
In one fell swoop, Brodin Grant released the
tartan around his waist. Once disrobed, he dove into the pristine waters of the
loch. He swam out a good distance and dunked his head. Beneath the tranquil
water, he floated, allowing himself to revel in the quiet and serenity of the
abyss. The water soothed his aching muscles and gave a respite to his restless
soul.
At the behest of his uncle, Brodin took command
of their clan’s soldiers. Though he was younger than most he trained, he gained
the respect of his men-at-arms, older brothers, and
uncles. They were still trying to gain the freedom of their chieftain, Randall,
his father, who was taken prisoner in the
lord’s year 1296, along with many other clans’ leaders. Scotland’s loyalty
changed after the battle at Dunbar, given King Edward’s wrath at their
rejection of supporting his armies in France. The division caused upheaval
between clans and nobles alike.
With the ongoing turmoil between Scotland and
England, Brodin suspected fighting would become intense and prolonged. Not only
was he talented with the skill of his sword,
but he also had the benefit of being the son of the laird. Their followers
deemed him more valuable than his two elder brothers who were more political
than at their skill of taking to arms. Most Highlanders preferred to fight with
their sword arms instead of wasting time in political discussion.
Brodin came up and drew a breath before sinking
again in refreshing waters. Thoughts of Alexia came and he grinned, sputtering
the water as he surfaced. Being the third son, his father was least concerned
with the woman he took for wife. His eye
no longer wandered and he reasoned Alexia would make him a good wife. She was
as fair to behold and as dark as he. For her hair flowed with black lustrous strands
as black as the devils. He wondered if his
children would have his light blue eyes or their mother’s dark brown.
Regardless, their children would be strikingly handsome and resilient.
It was time to settle down and bear heirs, especially
if he were to go to war. If his life ended, his legacy would live on in his
children. With his new position within the clan, he needed to put the reveries
of youth behind him and focus on his future.
Brodin dove again, exercising his arms and legs
as he progressed through the water. He stood and walked farther out, the water
reaching above his chest. The murky bottom soft beneath his feet squishy, and
he scooped handfuls of water to wet his neck and hair. The day grew hot with
summer breezes at their warmest. He’d called an early end to the day’s sparring
and decided to cool off before he sought his love’s father. Gaining her
father’s permission didn’t concern him for he had enough wealth to secure the
bride price. When the night was over, he’d win the heart of his beloved and his
future settled with her acceptance of his proposal.
An arrow flew past his head, whizzing with
speed until it hit the water. Brodin hastily sunk to his shoulders, providing
his head as the only target. Another arrow came and another. He realized there
was only one archer as the arrows came too slow to be more than one person
taking aim. At least his foe had terrible
aim for he missed him three times.
The next arrow came, but he couldn’t move fast
enough to avert it and the sleek tip pierced the flesh of his shoulder. Brodin
sunk deeper in the water and grimaced and pulled it free. His blood seeped
and tainted the water.
It hurt like a son-of-a … but thankfully the
point only grazed his shoulder. Someone was trying to kill him. Unfortunately,
the foliage prevented him from spotting the assailant.
The safety of the bank and trees weren’t too far away. With a deep breath, he
filled himself with air and swam along the shoreline until he was enough
distance away from his foe. He hoped his attacker deemed he’d been struck true
and no more arrows would come.
When he came up, he reached the low-lying
branches of a tree, the only one close enough to give him cover. After taking a
few deep breaths, he jumped out of the water and skulked toward where the
arrows originated. He’d assessed the area and knew where the knave sat. Brodin
made good ground and neared the spot where he’d suspected his adversary lay in
wait. Standing inland, he surveyed the trees and land around him. His eyes
adjusted to the dimness of the woods and he roved his view through the mass of
tree branches above until he glimpsed a light colored tunic.
Nearer to his enemy, Brodin picked up a good-sized
rock wishing it were his sword. But he’d left his garments and weapons upon the
bank. He held the heavy stone firmly in hand, advancing closer to his foe.
The man held an arrow positioned in his bow,
aimed at the water, waiting for him to resurface. He stood upon a branch, high
in a tree a short distance from the bank. With his gaze fixed, he didn’t hear
Brodin approach.
Brodin took aim, swung and released the rock.
It swished the air and the force knocked the man off the branch. His foe fell
and landed on his back with his eyes closed.
He hastened to where he’d left his garments and
quickly donned them. Once he’d collected his possessions, Brodin sheathed his
sword and pulled a six-inch blade from its holder. His dagger gripped tight, he
returned to the man and moved him with his foot. The man groaned.
“Come now, I didn’t cause ye a grave injury. Roust and defend yourself.”
Brodin moved him again with his foot, but the man moaned and raised his hands
to his head. He opened his eyes and drew a startled breath.
“Who are you? And why were you trying to kill
me?” Brodin kept his dagger at the ready, but before he’d do in his foe, he
wanted answers. He didn’t recognize the man and couldn’t fathom why he’d want
him dead.
“I didn’t … I wasn’t trying to kill you.”
“The hell ye weren’t.” Brodin grabbed the man’s
tunic and yanked him to his feet. He held his blade true, aimed at the man’s chest.
“I’ll only be asking ye one more time … Why were you trying to kill me?”
The man stuttered in answer, “I, I, w-was waged
to do so.”
“Who wants me dead?” Brodin gripped him,
causing him to sway on his feet. “Who paid you to kill me? I want a name. Speak
it now or I’ll end you.”
The foe’s eyes widened when he shoved him back
and the man sprawled on the ground. Brodin quickly stashed his dagger in the
loop of his belt and yanked his sword free. He aimed the thick blade at the coxcomb’s
heart, pushing it against his tunic. With his sword doing the asking, he was
certain to get answers.
“I will find out regardless of your
cooperation. Best bespeak your patron’s name.” He pressed the sword further,
pinching the fabric of his tunic at his chest.
The man’s panic came in gasps. “Ye promise not
to kill me?”
In times like these, it was best to speak
falsely. “Aye, you’ll live.” … for a
breath or two after I learn my enemy’s name.
“Your mistress, Mistress Sweeten, Alexia
Sweeten. She offered me six coins and a night of pleasure … I’m to collect both
when I return to her, once I’ve dispatched … Please … I—”
Before the man could draw another breath,
Brodin thrust his sword. His enemy would not be able to go forth and tell what
happened this day nor could he complete his task and gain the coin or pleasure he
sought.
Brodin wiped the blood from his sword on the
man’s garments and sheathed it in its scabbard. His life was worth a wee bit
more than six coins or her damned pleasure. Alexia.
She would pay a man to kill him? He could think of no reason she would want him
dead. They’d been lovers for many months and she’d never given indication she
was displeased with their arrangement. How had he ever considered her worthy
enough to marry or to bear his children? Was he blinded by her beauty? She
wasn’t who he thought her to be.
The walk to the village took little time with
his hastened steps. He’d find her and she would answer for her betrayal.
Outside her cottage, he heard her derisive laughter. The vixen thought he was
dead. Was she jovial at that or was there another reason she was filled with merriment?
His blood boiled with rage.
Brodin kicked the door open and stood in the
center of the threshold. There was the woman he’d thought to love–in the arms
of another. Words weren’t needed, for he wouldn’t bring himself to humility or to
ask why she abhorred him enough to have him killed. His dejection and
humiliation needed to be cast aside for now. He removed his sword and held it,
knowing his heart had turned to stone. Any love he’d had for her died like the
wilting heather when cold swathed the land.
His mistress gasped at his sudden appearance.
“Brodin, what …”
He ran at her, and she and her lover vacated
the bed. The man ran screaming from the cottage, retreating to safety. Alexia
fled across the chamber. Brodin’s ire rose and anger provoked him, so much so
his nose drew in a harsh breath.
He advanced, walking with slow deliberate steps
toward her.
“Will ye not give me a moment to explain?” her
voice a breathy whisper.
“There is no need for explanations, love. Is
there not? You wanted me dead, och I’m more resilient than ye deemed.”
Across the chamber, as far from him as she
could be, she cowered as he drew closer.
“You wanted me gone? Now I shall rid myself of
you.” He whacked the wooden bedframe, splintering pieces of the wood.
She cried out. “Please, I shouldn’t have sent—”
“I don’t want to hear your excuse or apology,
lass. I want you to breathe your last.”
“Can you not forgive me? Let me explain?” She
wrapped the bed cover around her and ran farther into the cottage. “I had to …
send Thomas, for my father found out about us and he swore to have ye arrested.
He was to question you and threatened to send me away … to a cloister.”
“It matters not. I would’ve handled your
father, lass. There was no cause to send an assassin after me. You wanted me
dead and for that—” Brodin kept his advance slow. He reasoned all the ways he
should kill her. The closer he got though,
the more the reasons thwarted him. He’d lived his life with honor and would
never kill a woman regardless of her transgression. As he contemplated whether
he should go through with the act, she slunk next to the wall and wept.
Voices came but Brodin wouldn’t move. He’d been
wronged. His heart and head taunted him to take retribution. Yet he stilled his
hand and held back.
Someone grabbed him from behind and held his
arms. His sword dropped and clanked the stone of the floor. Ten men entered the
small cottage, taking up the space of the floor betwixt him and his former love.
Alexia’s father stood behind him. “What say ye,
Brodin, what goes here?”
“Thank God ye came. He tried to kill me, Da. I
know not why. He’s maddened.” Alexia ran to her father and wept. Her false
tears would fill a bucket. “He is ireful that I wouldn’t do unspeakable acts
with him. I’m gladdened you came when you did, Da.”
Her father comforted her and glared at him. “You
would harm my daughter?”
Brodin never knew Alexia to be sensational, but
she’d enabled tears to flow. Her sobs reaped looks of despair amongst the men
inside the cottage. He wanted to applaud her performance, for the woman was
talented at her deceit.
“I tried to kill her?” He was astounded and
aghast at her accusation.
Sheriff Norval Sweeten glared his affront at
his daughter. “I should’ve sent ye to the cloister, aye the nunnery is the only
place I can keep you from your sinful deeds. You shall leave at the soonest.” He
handed Alexia off to his comrade. “See to my lass. I will deal with the Grant.”
“You will pay for this Brodin. I swear I will
find a way to repay you. Aye, you’ll look over your shoulder for the rest of
your days. Please, Da, listen … I don’t wish to go to the nunnery. I won’t
cause further strife—”
“We will discuss the matter later. I cannot
look upon you for you have sinned your last.” The sheriff turned his back to
her and scowled at him.
Alexia was taken away shrieking her objections,
and Brodin gave her a look of disdain as she was forced from the cottage. The
woman was intent to kill him. It wasn’t his fault her father thought her
sinful. The lass had consorted with him and who knows who else. Brodin scoffed
at his foolishness. He stood before the sheriff unable to voice the words to
protest his innocence.
The stout man fingered his graying beard. “As
the sheriff of this village, I must make sentence
for your crime, lad.”
“I committed no crime. She sent someone to kill
me. You heard her threaten me. I returned to question her and we were
discussing the whys.” He pulled free from the man who held him.
“Be that as ye say, you cannot go around intimidating
young lassies with your sword. I shall send ye off to attend the Bruce. Aye,
you shall go and not return for at least five years. During that time ye shall
forget Alexia and the happenings of this day. I cannot have ye spreading vile
remarks of my daughter and have my position imperiled. Nay, you must go.”
Brodin scowled, for it would take longer than
five years for him to forget or forgive the treachery of her doings.
“I shall let your clan ken of your sentence. It
is because of your father’s good standing that I don’t give ye a harsher
punishment. My men will escort ye to the Bruce’s holding this day.” Sheriff
Sweeten nodded to his men. “Aye, for we cannot have ye making threats on young
lasses, especially when you compromised them in the first place. I ken about your liaison with my daughter, with
others’. You shall not soil our daughters again.”
“I soiled no one. I was going to ask for her
hand …”
“Await me outside,” he said to his men. He
approached Brodin and spoke low, “We both grasp my daughter is a dishonorable
woman. I ken you’re not at fault here,
but I cannot have the villagers thinking me merciful. I must uphold my
authority at all costs, even at the price of your freedom for only a short few
years. I aid ye more than you know and sending
you away will ensure none will speak of this matter …” He shoved him toward the
doorway.
When Brodin retreated outside, two guards took
him into custody and dragged from the cottage. He wanted to dispute the claims,
but the sheriff waved him off and strolled away. Brodin swore upon all that was
holy, Alexia Sweeten would regret this day and her decision to end his life.
Don't miss Undeniable Heart (Legend of the King's Guard series book 4)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MP9PPLS
Undeniable Heart is the fourth book in Legend of the king's Guard. A good historical set in the time of Robert the Bruce.Kara Griffin's writing draws you in like you are right there with the characters. I enjoyed it so much that I have gone on to read the first three in the series as well. A must for anyone who likes Scottish historical.
