She wouldn’t be afraid. God was giving her back a family. The bigger the better it would be.
She stayed behind when Galeren stepped into the solar. She needed a moment more to prepare. His parents were inside, and not only them, but his uncles and aunts, his cousins.
She felt ill, but strangely…calm.
They were happy to see him. She could hear his mother ask him what had happened, as if some kind of motherly instinct came alive in her and she knew things no one else knew. A few more words with his mother and then a man’s voice.
Galeren was there, appearing through the doorway to take her hand and pull her in.
She stepped into a large room decorated with tapestries depicting three stags, and running deer, gardens, all embroidered in warm, rich tones. The fiery hearth was built against the north wall. Polished wooden chairs were set by windows or by the fire. Some were positioned together, while others were alone with a small table of books nearby.
There were men and women sitting and standing, with children running around them.
Every eye fell to her but all their faces blurred as Galeren urged her forward. She would not faint. She would not faint. She heard someone’s shocked whisper. “They are holdin’ hands!” And another’s saying, “Aye. A captain and novice!”
Galeren held up his hand to quiet them. “She needs to stay here fer a wee bit. Fer protection.”
“Who would hurt a nun?” a dangerous Highlander said in a low, bear-like voice.
An old priest stepped around one of them and offered her a consoling smile. He was bald, with weathered skin, large, clear, sable eyes and a kind smile. Father Timothy.
“She is not a nun yet,” Galeren was quick to point out—and not for the first time. “I intend to offer her a different life.” He smiled and shrugged. “We shall see what she chooses.” Everyone cheered and it made her want to be a part of this family, cheering for love.
“In the meantime,” Galeren went on. “She has an enemy and he might show up here. She needs our protection.”
Three older men stood out from the crowd and nodded. His uncles, no doubt. She knew immediately which one was Galeren’s father.
More cheering went up.
“Are ye a woman of God?” the priest asked her quietly.
“Aye, Father. I spend time with Him every day.”
“We will protect the woman of God to the death!” a deadly Highlander called out.
“At the threat of war?” Galeren put to them. They were his kin. He needed their help.
“At the threat of death!” the men shouted.
After another toast, she was introduced to everyone. For the most part, she remembered them.
She was offered a chair by the hearth and given a small cup of wine.
Galeren had left her alone for a moment when his uncle pulled him away for a word, which was likely about her.
She caught sight of Galeren’s mother. One could truly not miss her in the large room. Her long locks were plaited down her back, but torchlight found a way to dance over the top of her pale blonde head like a halo in a painting Silene had seen. She drew the eye like a moth to a flame. Her radiance was made even more glorious by her thoughtful smile when she set her cornflower blue eyes on Silene.
She was coming over!
She was petite, like a veil that a strong wind could sweep away. All the women here were beautiful. How could Galeren think her pretty?
“Greetings,” his mother said brightly. “Do I call ye Sister or Silene?”
“Silene.” Galeren called her Silene. She felt a slight smile tilt her lips. She couldn’t help it, she loved when he spoke her name, but it was destroyed by her next thought. What must this woman think of her? Braya Hetherington MacPherson had fought battles over borders while Silene couldn’t even resist a man.
“Silene,” his mother repeated with a warming smile. “My son appears quite enamored with you.”
Silene nodded. Her eyes moved to find him as if they had a will of their own. He stood with some of the most handsome men she’d ever seen, but Galeren stood out with his mother’s face and his father’s piercing green eyes. There seemed to be more of a smolder in Galeren’s gaze, though, hewaslooking at her.