Free Just Wait For Me (Highland Gardens Book 3) by Dawn Marie Hamilton

joy filled her heart. She had forgotten the promise to
the gold-spinner. But the man came to collect the child without delay,
demanding payment. The queen couldn’t bear to give up her child so offered the
man riches beyond the imagination. The wretched man scoffed, having no desire
nor need for wealth. He wanted the boy for his own.”
    Duff snorted, and Stephen laughed.
    “After much debate, the man finally agreed to forsake his
claim to the child if, and only if, the queen guessed his real name before the
full moon three nights hence. For two days the queen’s attempts failed. At dusk
on the last day, she secretly followed the man into the forest to a grassy
hill—”
    “’Twas probably a faerie knoll,” Duff said.
    “Where he danced in a circle.” Jillian ignored the boy’s
remark. “Then he chanted a name three times before vanishing from sight.
Moments before the full moon, he came to the queen at the castle, ready to
collect the child. The queen shouted the name she’d overheard in the forest— Rumpelstiltskin .”
    “Then what happened?” Keita asked in a breathy voice.
    “The man was so angry his face flamed red, he spun in a
circle and disappeared, never to be heard from again.”
    “Are you sure the tale is not about Munn?” Duff asked. “’Tis
just like something he would do.”
    Stephen ruffled the lad’s hair. “Enough. ’Tis time everyone
is abed.”
    He joined them on the large pallet. After a short time, he
was the only one awake. Jillian cradled Keita in her arms, and he had an arm
around the sleeping Duff.
    He felt content for the first time in he couldn’t remember
how long. If only he hadn’t agreed to the handfasting, he’d be begging Jillian
to be his forever love.
    I need to find a way to end things with Calyn . He
prayed she wasn’t with child.

CHAP TER NINE
     
    Munn stood on the mound in the Fir-wood, hands fisted on
hips, staring at the spot Caitrina had vacated. Infuriating sithiche! He
stomped a foot. Caitrina was too proud to accept his help. He should forget
this whole affair and find a nice spot for a nap.
    Munn slumped. His vow to the Dark Prince sat heavy on his
shoulders. What was he to do?
    He paced and thought and paced some more. How was he to aid
Caitrina when she didn’t want his help? He should forget the faerie princess
and concentrate his efforts on assisting Stephen and the lass from the future.
By so doing, Caitirina would win the challenge, and he’d fulfill his vow to the
prince.
    But where could he secure the mounts Stephen requested? Munn
scratched his head. Where? Ah! Archibald would provide horses. The chief would
want to help Stephen.
    Munn spun in a circle. As he faded, he heard the sniggers of
the lost bairns . He should stop and investigate what sort of mischief
they stirred this day. Instead, he traveled through the nether to the stables
at Castle Lachlan landing with a grumph on the muck-covered floor of
Archibald’s favorite warhorse’s stall. He rolled to a sitting position and
sniffed the shoulder of his leine . The reek of dung burned his nostrils. Crap!
    Archibald laughed, but it was a hollow sound. “Ach, wee man.
’Tis good to see you.”
    His features sobered and he extended a hand, helping Munn to
his feet. Munn stared into the chief’s gray eyes. Eyes that glistened with
grief.
    Munn fretted. He hated for the chief to be distressed.
    “We heard the word from Branxton.” Archibald shook his head,
slammed a fist against a thigh. “Such a waste. The loss of so many fine
warriors. Most of our lads are dead. God keep them.” He made the Sign of the
Cross. “I will feel their death in my heart for the rest of my living days.”
    Archibald sucked in an audible breath. What could Munn say
to lessen the chief’s sorrow?
    “Duncan is devastated by the loss of Jamie,” the chief
continued, a hitch in his voice. “And Stephen…”
    Munn bounced on his feet unable to contain his delight in
the news he would share. He would make