Fendrel stood next to Logan. “Our Logan has grown tall and shows great promise, as did his brothers. This spring he will join the Grand Master for his training.” Fendrel motioned to Maximillian who nodded his acceptance.
“Your brothers were a challenge and have prepared me well for you,” Maximillian called out, setting everyone chuckling.
“Thank you, Grand Master. I promise not to disappoint you—in any way. Father has saved you the best for last,” Logan said with a teasing charm that made the Grand Master laugh. Logan hugged his father and kissed his mother, then left the dais.
“A father trains and educates his children hoping he lives long enough to glory in their accomplishments. Today I am a proud and happy man. My two oldest boys—one by birth and the other by design—are here and prepared for their future. My holdings are not vast but they are dear to me as they were handed down to me by my father and to him by his father. So this day I pass on to Arik and Bran their portions.”
One by one my childhood friends were gone—Logan with the Grand Master, Arik with Rebeka, and Leticia with Radulf. I felt less than a second or even third son and more like a boat adrift, cast out, alone.
I had been waiting for this day, planning for it, conniving for it, and now I didn’t want to know the outcome. I searched the crowd for someone to hold on to in the coming storm. Cay stood in front of the others. I sensed her willing me her strength and realized she was my anchor.
“Fayne Manor and all its lands I give to Arik to manage and grow. May they ever prosper and may he hold them secure for the family from this day forth as I did for him and my father did for me.” Arik hugged Fendrel and kissed Dimia. Fendrel turned to me.
Disappointment tore at my insides but at the final moment before Fendrel spoke I already knew the outcome. But knowing it did not make the hearing any less painful. I had no idea what was left for me.
“Bran, I have kept faith with you and your family. I have managed your family’s lands and holdings, waiting for the day they would be yours. Your clan’s history is filled with magick and mystery—as that is the very essence of Orkney. Your father, Lytton, was the clan leader. Now it’s time for you to take your rightful place. So, my son, I don’t give you a portion. I give you your birthright.”
Stunned by his declaration, I stood there. I’d believed my family only a small part of the clan. He’d never told me my father was the clan chief and that I would be their leader.
He hugged me and I glimpsed his bittersweet sadness. “This is a double-edged sword, son. I am proud to see you in your rightful place even though that takes you away from your mother and me. And for that we’re not happy.”
There were a great many moments of quiet. Finally, I was able to speak. “You will have to come every spring to make certain I do things right.”
He hugged me again. “We’ll leave together in the spring. The months will give us time to put things in place.” He held me at arm’s length. “Your parents would be proud.”
My mother held me close and kissed me but I remained dazed. Someone grabbed me, led me from the dais, and gave me a goblet of wine. When I finally came back to my senses, I found myself in the estate room with Cay and Arik. I searched their faces and saw no pity. They were concerned.
“I have a lot of questions.” I took a large gulp of wine. I needed to think of something to stall Arik from what I was certain he’d ask. “Cay. How do you know Radulf and Leticia?”
“For the last three years that Fendrel has come to Orkney he brought Leticia and Radulf. At the end of their stay I’d come here with them to spend the winter. We’ve become good friends.” She emptied the decanter into my goblet. “I’ll get more wine.” A mild panic started me shaking as I watched her leave.
Arik sat next to me, his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped. “When did you come up with this idea that you needed to marry Leticia to be one of the family? You are one of the family.” He stared at me. “You’ll always be my brother. No matter what happens. You. Are. My. Brother. Do you understand?”
For the first time I did understand. I saw the man who had always been at my back, whether filching cakes from Jeannie, fighting the sword master on the practice field, or making a fool of myself in front of Radulf.
Cay hurried back to us. “Dimia is asking for you, Arik.”
Arik got up to leave. “I’ll stay with him a little longer,” she told him. Arik squeezed my shoulder and left.
“When I saw you with Lord Radulf and how well you knew each other I thought perhaps you only toyed with me.” I lowered my face and examined the pattern on the carpet.
“Look at me,” she demanded. I couldn’t meet her stare. “Look at me,” she said softly.
Slowly I raised my head. “I want no other man.” A small smile made her eyes twinkle. She took my face in her hands. “It has always been you. No one else. Do you hear?”
I turned away and finally found the strength I needed to put into words what had been bothering me all along. “I seem to lose those who are closest to me—my parents, my brothers, my sister, even the one place I’ve come to know as home.”
She kissed my lips. “I will always be with you, forever.”
Laughing, I pulled the
