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their stomach
would spew forth vile green liquids, their arse would flow like a
waterfall and their cock shrivel and rot if they didna leave at
first light."
    Graemme nodded gravely. "'Tis a curse I
wouldna care to chance!" He had his suspicion of who played the old
crone at Raptor Castle.
    "Enough blather. We canna have the wedding
until Father Martin returns from Hunter Castle. Still, I would have
yer betrothal vows said on the morrow after we break our fast."
    "Then we must decide what an alliance between
our families will provide. I can see no obvious gain for either of
us." Graemme settled back on his chair and accepted a fresh goblet
of wine from Domnall.
    "Keepin' yer stones hangin' in their rightful
place isna gainful?" Broccin raised his brows.
    "Ye are tellin' me that was not a threat to
force the lass in line?"
    "Huh! Ask Domnall."
    Graemme looked at Raptor's commander who
pressed his lips together and simply nodded. By Satan's fetid
breath! This chief was as savage as the Morgan and Gunn clans
combined. He shook his head, whether in admiration or disgust, he
wasn't sure.
    "Other than keepin' yer body parts together,
ye will gain powerful alliances here on the border country. In yer
travels, ye have heard of The Black Raptor, have ye not?"
    "Aye. Near halfway from the Highlands, people
tell of the fear this man brings. When in a rage, he causes fires
to light, and strange winds and such occur. Some even say 'tis not
man at all but a feathered raptor the size of one."
    "Nay. 'Tis a man right enough."
    "Truth to tell, was he once a pious monk? I
canna believe any man used to wearing the cross could do the deeds
said of him."
    "'Twas no tall tale. Ask him some day."
Broccin barked a short laugh.
    "Ask?"
    Broccin looked at him, a sly grin on his
face.
    "Aye. He will serve as witness to yer weddin'
vows." Broccin belched and patted his stomach. A pleased smile
spread across his face, and to Graemme's surprise, he winked.
    "The day ye wed, ye gain the devil as yer
brother-by-law."

Chapter 4
    "I always feared one day Father would turn on
me. He seeks to discard me as he would offal in the moat." Elyne
was so affrighted she could not stop the shivers coursing through
her body. Trying hard not to spew her last meal, she swallowed the
bitter fluids that surged to her throat.
    "Discard? Nay, child. How can you think of
marriage to a comely man in such a way?" Lady Joneta hugged Elyne's
shoulders as they entered her bedchamber.
    Ada stood waiting, a nervous smile on her
lips. "I thought ye might need the comfort of yer furry
friend."
    Sharp yips and barks greeted Elyne as a
scraggly dog launched himself at her and pawed her leg to demand
attention. Its ears were unlike each other. One gray ear stood
rigidly at attention while the other drooped like a small cabbage
leaf left to brown in the sun for a sennight. Elyne nodded glumly
at Ada then reached down to scratch the bumpy, gray head.
    "They are savages in the north. 'Tis said
they still wear animal furs and are so warlike women canna go into
the villages for fear of being kidnapped." Elyne's hands began to
tremble.
    "I would think animal furs are warmer than
woolen kilts," Ada suggested, "but why are ye speakin' about going
north?" When Elyne's shoulders drooped even more, she had her
answer. "Ye are to wed that braw nekid man, then?"
    "Father said we are to repeat betrothal vows
on the morrow." She gulped and blinked at her aunt. "If this
Graemme is still here."
    Ada nodded, understanding passing between
them. "Well, now, ye need a good night's rest and things will look
much better afore the next night comes."
    Ada bustled over and opened the clothing
trunk on the far wall. She near tumbled in when the dog gamboled
over and nipped at her heels.
    Elyne picked him up and hugged his squirmy
body to her chest.
    "I can see your thoughts, Elyne." Lady Joneta
shook her head and rolled her eyes. "This man will not be easily
fooled by your playing the ghost of an old crone. More