Free Land of Ice and Snow [Cairngorm Dragons 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Clair de Lune

hadn’t thought about it. What about you and Eilidh? That would be ideal for me.”
    “Have you explained what she is facing? The customs are all so very different I hardly think theirs will be the same as ours.”
    “No, they aren’t, but then their marriage ceremony is very different, too, and I survived that. She will be fine. I have to tell you she is pregnant with twins.”
    “Is she? Well that’s wise, brother. You are large, and she is small. It will be much better for her to have two smaller babies the first time. I am assuming that’s why you did it? How did she feel? Ness had endless trouble when he tried to manipulate our sister.”
    “Yes I heard, but I haven’t tried to stop her getting pregnant. She is older than the usual years for starting her family, and although she didn’t actually tell me, I read enough in her thoughts to know that she was worried she wouldn’t be able to give me children. I thought to remove that doubt from her mind.”
    “Well you seem to have taken care of all that. You go and see Ness tomorrow and take Sigourney. She can visit the babies and meet Muireall while you take care of Hamish and his problem. I just hope that what we suspect is true and it can all be solved to our satisfaction. If it isn’t, you are in for a long and arduous search.”

Chapter Nine
     
    The next morning accordingly, Lachlann, Hamish, and Sigourney set off for Ness’s lands. The old saying “least said soonest mended” had made Lachlann decide to say nothing at all about what they suspected. They landed outside Darroch Keep. Lachlann saw that Sigourney was impressed by the building. It was different from the sort of houses she was used to. Mellow, old stone walls towered over her and glowed in the sun. The Keep was a solid, square building with conical towers at each corner, with windows in their walls. Huge oak doors, studded with large black nails, were opened wide onto the main hall. The steward MacKay came out to greet them, doffing his bonnet with the pheasant’s feather and bowing to them.
    “My lord of Ness is within. Please come this way.”
    Lachlann made the introductions and then asked if Alanna could be summoned to take Sigourney to see the babies. Ness was agreeable, and soon the three men were seated in Ness’s bookroom with a large goblet of uisge beatha each.
    “Slainte,” Ness said.
    “Slainte Mhath,” Hamish replied.
    “What brings you to my lands today?” Ness asked.
    “Hamish lost his mate one hundred years ago,” Lachlann explained.
    “Impossible. If he had lost his mate, he’d be dead.”
    “I did tell you that was the dragon law,” Lachlann said.
    “Yes, you did. After all these reiterations, I do believe you. Now all that remains is to find her. I suspect that is going to be a task beyond all of us.”
    “Not necessarily so,” Lachlann said. “I have an idea, and Braemuir agrees with me.”
    He saw he had all Hamish and Ness’s attention.
    “Who do we know who is older than any of us, wise in the ways of men, and skilled in the use of herbs?” Lachlann asked.
    “Mairi,” Ness replied.
    “Yes, even the name fits,” Lachlann said. “Please send for her, Ness, and let’s see if we are right or not. Hamish, please sit over there in that chair where you cannot be seen until we find out.”
    Mairi was sent for, and the tension mounted as they waited for her to arrive. The door to the bookroom had been left open, and Lachlann heard her footsteps as she descended the stairs. She was slow now with advancing age, and his hands balled into fists with the waiting before she entered the room.
    “Lord Lachlann. How very nice to see you. I hope your quest was successful?”
    “Yes, indeed it was. I have a mate now from the land of the ice and snow.”
    “That beautiful creature who is at present with my lady, Muireall? You are fortunate indeed.”
    “As I am only too well aware. I have come to ask you a personal question, and believe me, your answer is