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brother had grown thick in the
chest and had grown an inch or two taller than he.
    “It is I, brother.” Diarmuid pulled away to
search his face, his brows suddenly furrowing into a frown.
    Liam refused to acknowledge the look of
concern shadowing his brother’s gaze. He knew he’d changed since
his time with Glamis. His skin was paler, his eyes brighter as if
he was fevered, but in truth he felt stronger. He was
stronger . “What brings you here?”
    “Your last letter spoke of your return to
Lochmere.”
    He ran a hand through his hair and nodded. He
hadn’t forgotten, but he had prayed his family might have given up
hope of his return. He hadn’t expected them to send a search party.
“I found a place here.” His gaze shifted to Jarvis who stood behind
the bar. “A tankard for my brother, please.”
    “Coming right up, Sir Liam.”
    “You have settled here?” Diarmuid chuckled.
“There is nothing here, but farmers. There is no castle befitting a
man who is destined to one day be Lord of Lochmere.”
    “I like where I am. It is peaceful.”
    Diarmuid’s brows furrowed. “You are one of
the Knights Templar. You are a Cantwell, a warrior. It is in your
blood to take up arms.”
    Liam opened his mouth ready with a retort,
but Jarvis arrived with two tankards of ale. Liam nodded his thanks
and waited for the man to return to his duties. Liam’s gaze
returned to his brother’s once more. “I did my service. I am tired
of warring. I wish to be left in peace.” He would love to confide
in his brother the true reason, but he couldn’t chance it. Not many
would understand. Most would choose to condemn Glamis for what she
was.
    Diarmuid studied him over the rim of his
tankard. “Father is ill. Mother does not believe he will survive
another winter. You are the eldest. You must return.”
    He pursed his lips. He wanted to see his
mother and father, but he feared if he left he would not be able to
return for some time, if ever, and he could not bring Glamis with
him. She would not be safe. “Let’s not speak of dire needs. Let’s
celebrate our reunion instead.”
    It only took a little more encouragement
before his brother finally relented. Liam didn’t indulge as much as
his brother had, but it was on purpose. He wanted his brother to be
fast asleep when he made his visit to the forest. He couldn’t risk
his brother following him there.
    Once the night wore on and his brother began
to slur his words, he helped him upstairs to his room. He tossed
him on the bed. The ropes groaned in protest as the dead weight
plopped down hard.
    Diarmuid chuckled. “I believe I’m right
bladdered, brother.”
    “Aye, that you are.” He removed his shoes and
covered his brother with one of the fur coverings.
    His brother grabbed his arm before he could
leave. “On my travels here, I was warned to turn away. They say
this village is haunted by a fiend.”
    “Nonsense,” he claimed. “I’ve lived here
months and have seen no fiend.”
    His brother’s gaze held his. “They say the
fiend drinks blood and cannot come out in the day. They say she has
found herself a knight to keep her warm.”
    “Well, good for her.” Liam chuckled, but fear
clutched his gut. “I do hope it is the drink talking, dear brother.
There is no such thing as a blood sucking fiend.”
    His brother licked his lips as if he wanted
to say more, but finally his lips curved into a slow smile. “You
are right. I have had too much to drink and my tongue is fanciful
this night.”
    Liam patted his brother’s shoulder. “Sleep it
off. You will feel better at first light.” He was almost out the
door when his brother stopped him, his voice sobering with his
question.
    “You will break fast with me, so we may
discuss father, will you not?”
    He turned to meet his brother’s gaze. “Of
course. I’ll tell Jarvis to fix us a hearty meal.”

Chapter Ten
     
    Liam should have known better, but his
thoughts of joining Glamis for a few hours clouded