“You need to tell her right away, before she gets wind of the rumors herself,” his da said with concern.
“I was hoping to learn something about this rumor, some hope of sorts, before laying such a hefty burden on her.”
“I wouldn’t take the chance, son,” Parlan advised. “If she hears it herself and discovers you knew and didn’t tell her, it will prove even more of a burden for her.”
Royden thought about what Oria had told him, how she trusted him and her da. If it proved that her da hadn’t been the trustworthy man she had believed him to be that left only him who she trusted with such a deep conviction. Besides, if this was reversed and he was the one who needed to be told, he’d expect her to come to him right away.
“I understand that instinct and love have you trying to protect Oria from the pain of this news, but she’d suffer far greater pain if you waited to tell her. Also, ask yourself what you would expect from Oria if she heard it was me who stood accused.”
“My thoughts as well, Da,” he said, hoping he’d be as wise a father to his children as his da was to him and his siblings.
Parlan rubbed at his chin. “I don’t even know where to tell you to start in tracking down the origin of this claim. Or who to trust will tell you the truth. This is a conundrum of massive proportions, especially since William isn’t here to defend himself.”
“People want answers to what happened that day. Why we were attacked? Who attacked us?” Royden said.
“In hopes that somehow those answers will prevent another attack,” Parlan said. “The wild Highlands can’t be tamed or explained. It is a land that has been robbed and raped by many. By those born of its soil and foreigners as well. But the Highlands will be the only winner in an endless battle. It dominates man while remaining wild and free. Warriors, battles, clans will come and go, but the Highlands are here forever.”
“I felt the pull of the Highlands when I was taken off its shore to fight in a foreign land. The pull to return home was an ache like no other. It was worse than losing my hand. It was like losing my soul.”
“It’s been said that if you’re born of Highland blood you’ll find no peace anywhere but the Highlands. You fought to come home. Arran fought to come home and I have no doubt that Raven fights to come home.” His da stood. “I’ll see that Oria knows you wish to see her here in your solar.”
Royden nodded, his da knowing him well enough that he’d waste no time in doing what needed to be done.
Royden got up from the table and went to the fireplace, a fire keeping at bay the chill that always seemed to penetrate the stone walls. He stood gazing at the flames. How did he tell his wife that her da, who she loved dearly, could possibly be responsible for the attack that destroyed not only many lives, but their lives as well?
“Da said you wanted to see me,” Oria said, bursting into the room with a smile.
She caught him off guard for a moment hearing her say da and thinking she meant her da. He was caught off guard even more seeing how her cheeks glowed red and more strands of her blonde hair fell loose than were contained in her braid and her smile beamed with delight.
It was a smile he was about to destroy and it ripped at his heart.
“Something’s wrong. What is it?” she asked, hurrying over to him.
He used to be able to keep things from her for her own good, or so he thought. It was what a husband did to protect his wife, or so he thought. For a moment, he wished he could do so again, or so he thought.
Instead, he did what she would want him to do. “Sit, Oria, we need to talk.”
Oria’s stomach churned. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. She could hear it in his voice, see the concern in the way his dark eyes looked at her—with sorrow.
“Tell me, Royden,” she said, her hand going to rest at her stomach.
He wished he could spare her this hurt that was bound to grow, but at the moment all he could do was make her aware of the wagging tongues. “Rumors are going around that your da is the one who betrayed everyone.”
Oria stared at him, taking a moment to comprehend his remark. Had she heard him correctly? She shook her head. “My da betray his family and friends? She kept shaking her head. “Impossible.” Her shock quickly turned to anger. “You can’t believe this nonsense.”
“No, but it seems that some do or this rumor wouldn’t have taken root.”