Trapped Under his Highland Spell: A Scottish Medieval Historical Romance (Tales Of Highland Might Book 4)

by Ava McArthur

  Moira reached a point where she could see them clearly, and recognized some of them from when she and Isobel had ventured into the town. She remembered how Isobel had been so surprised that the place was clean. Moira hadn’t thought much of it because she had been preoccupied with other thoughts, but now things were beginning to make sense. There were five men who were hauling things out of the carriage and dumping them in the loch. They seemed to be making a game of it. As Moira drew closer, she gagged at the smell. The men were throwing all their waste and rotten food into the loch. No wonder people were getting sick from the water they were drinking! Just the thought of having water tainted by these things was enough to make Moira gag. She thought about returning to the castle immediately, but she wanted to fix this herself. She had willed herself into a frenzy, thinking that she was going to have to encounter a Kelpie, and all that throbbing, thrumming energy had to go somewhere. It erupted in burning anger as she strode towards the men, thrusting an accusing finger towards them.

  “Ye lot! What dae ye think ye are daeing! Ye cannae dump yer waste in the loch. Ye are mad! People are becoming sick because of ye,” she shouted. The men were suddenly silenced as they realized that someone had caught them. They muttered to each other, and when Moira emerged from the mist, they laughed and relaxed, evidently not finding her intimidating. She walked to the edge of the loch so she could see the kinds of things they were throwing in. A few items lingered on the surface of the water, and one man held a sack that he was dumping out. There were peelings from vegetables and apples, dead flowers, old boots, dead animals…the list went on. The water here had a slimy, slick coating to it, as though it held death within its grasp. It made Moira gag, and her face was twisted in fury.

  “I cannae believe that all this trouble is because of ye! What are ye thinking?” she shrieked. Her voice was shrill and it carried over the loch. The man nearest her scowled. His features were swarthy, and he didn’t look impressed at all.

  “Look, lass, I dinnae know where ye came from or why ye are here. If ye want a swim, the loch is big enough for all of us. Just gae on round tae the other side. This here is our part. We’re nae harming anyone, sae mind yer own business and let us get on with ours.” He turned away from her and picked out a dead rat, tossing it into the water. The rat landed with a plop, and Moira shuddered.

  “A swim?!” she said incredulously. “I am nae here for a swim.” Then, she drew herself up to her full height and puffed out her chest. “I am Lady Calbraith, and I demand ye tell me what ye are daeing here.”

  At the mention of her title, the men’s demeanor shifted. They glanced at each other uneasily and suddenly realized that they were in more trouble than they realized.

  “We’re just throwing away our waste. Ye know, people were complaining that our town was tae dirty and we didnae want tae live like that any longer. Sae we thought we’d toss it in the lake, ye know, it’s big enough tae swallow anything, even a man’s secrets. We didnae realize we were daeing anything wrong.”

  “Well, ye are,” Moira said bluntly. She pointed at each man in turn as she spoke. “Because of ye, people are getting sick. We drink from this water. Did ye never think that putting all this waste in here was gaeing tae be a bad idea? Would ye want tae drink water from this lake?” The silence was deafening. “Aye, I didnae think sae. I hae a good mind tae get ye tae dive in there and pick out everything ye hae thrown in. People are dying because of ye,” she said in a harsh voice, almost not believing the source of the sickness hadn’t been some malevolent force of some spirits or some nasty scheme by men, but that it was simply the product of fools.

  “We didnae know,” the man nearest her said. Moira shook her head and pursed her lips, wondering what she was going to do with them. She thought she should at least be grateful that it was not a Kelpie. But before she could speak again, another man came up to her. His speech was slurred and he moved wildly, like a baby animal who was not in control of its full movement. He stank of alcohol as well, and Moira quickly realized one of their other habits of coming out here.

  “What dae we care about ye rich people who live up there? Ye never care about us anyway. We live in squalor while ye hae all we want. I dinnae care what ye drink. Ye are making a mistake. Anyway, ale is much tastier than water,” he said with a belch, and then a mocking laugh. His was the only one, though. Moira backed away, not liking how aggressive this man was. “Ye think ye can just come down here and shout at us like we’re wee children? We deserve some respect, lass. If this loch is that important tae ye, then perhaps ye should gae for a swim yerself. If ye want all this out then ye can fish it out!” he cackled with laughter and then thrust out his arms, pushing Moira, perhaps with more strength than he intended. Moira was already off balance, and she couldn’t do anything to steady herself as she tumbled backward. There was a look of horror on her face as she saw the dirty, grimy water, and thought about all the things that had been thrown in there.

  She closed her eyes and descended into the water.

  19

  Moira kept her eyes and mouth shut as she felt the water take her. She flailed, trying to return to the surface, but the water was heavier than she suspected, and the bottom was deeper. She kicked out with her feet in an attempt to find the bottom and rise back to the surface, but there was nothing below her. The dress she wore was heavy and didn’t help in her effort to rise back up. She knew how to swim, and she knew how disorienting the water could be, so she had to open her eyes.

  The water was murky, but she saw things floating in it, as though they were suspended there. Empty-eyed cats and lifeless rats floated towards her, and she kicked away. A stream of bubbles cascaded from the corner of her mouth as she tried to fight her way away from them, but they seemed to be everywhere. She flailed her arms in a panic, and her lungs burned as she tried to make her way back to break the surface of the water. She screamed instinctively as something brushed her arm, and then two strong hands gripped her and helped her emerge, bringing her gasping to the surface. Drenched and slimy, Moira wiped her eyes and looked up, expecting to see that one of the men had taken pity on her and saved her, but it was actually Niall.

  Moira was relieved to see him—amazed to see him, in fact. She briefly forgot that she was covered in slime and waste and smiled, grateful that he had come to rescue her when she was in need. She searched his eyes for any sign of compassion, but she was afraid that she would not be able to believe what she saw. She had already deluded herself before, and she wasn’t ready to dare hope again. Niall held out his hand and helped her up. Moira hesitated for a moment before she took it, telling herself that what had transpired between them didn’t matter right now; what mattered was that he had turned up when she needed him.

  Niall turned to the men and shook his head. The men cowered. The one who had pushed Moira in had made his way to the back of the crowd, standing beside a horse in the hope that it could shield him from whatever Niall was going to say. Niall looked impressive with his sword hanging from his waist and his stern visage. He looked every inch a laird, and Moira couldn’t prevent a flicker of desire from entering her heart.

  “How dare ye hurt my wife! This is Lady Calbraith, and I amnae gaeing tae stand for anyone wounding her. I saw what ye did, and I cannae let it stand. I will figure out a way tae deal with ye later. What ye hae done here is thoughtless.” He beckoned for his guards with a snap of his fingers. They emerged from the forest like phantoms and took the grumbling men into custody, leading them away. As they did so, Niall turned to Moira.

  “Are ye well?” he asked.

  Moira looked down at her soaked body. “About as well as I could be given the circumstances. What are ye daeing here?”

  “I was worried about ye when I heard that ye haed gone looking for the Kelpie. After what ye said last night, I thought I haed better hae a word with Grizel, and she told me that you were going to face the creature. Ye were mad tae come out here alone, Moira,” he said, his words an equal part of frustr
ation and concern.

  Moira smiled sheepishly. “Well, I didnae think ye would come with me if I told ye I was gaeing tae hunt a Kelpie.”

  Niall pursed his lips and rested one hand on his hip. “Aye, a funny-looking Kelpie indeed. I told ye that there was no such thing as spirits.”

  “And it was naething tae dae with Marcas either,” Moira said pointedly. Tension rose around them and she felt an uncomfortable sensation wrapping around her heart. The initial joy of seeing Niall coming to rescue her had faded, and was now replaced by the familiar sensations of uncertainty. What was she supposed to think when she looked into his eyes? Had anything truly changed?

  Niall took a few moments to respond. He seemed to have much on his mind, but he looked pensive and weary. He stroked his chin and looked at her directly in the eyes.

  “I’m sorry for doubting ye, Moira. Thank ye for getting tae the bottom of this. I am in yer debt,” he said. Moira could barely believe her ears. An apology from Niall! And it was sincere as well. She smiled and arched an eyebrow.

  “Can I get ye tae say that again, but this time in front of everyone else?” she teased.

  Niall smiled. “It’s just for ye,” he said. The smile fell from his face, and he looked concerned. “I was worried that I would never see ye again once ye ran off tae danger.” Then, he kissed her. It was a tender kiss, all but too brief. Niall leaned back and tilted his head, smacking his lips taegether. “We hae a lot tae talk about, but I think we should get ye back home sae that ye can hae a bath. That water…that is nae good water.” He wiped his lips and they laughed.

  Niall led Moira to a horse and they rode back home, leaving the misty loch behind.

  20

  The stale smell that lingered over Moira was dispersed with a warm bath. The air was sweet and scented, and her skin felt soft. The water sloshed all around her, and she enjoyed being immersed in a bath far more than she had been submerged in a loch. She still laughed at how convinced she had been that a Kelpie was responsible, and thought in the future it might be better if she didn’t let herself get carried away. She never would have imagined that silly men would have been responsible for it all, though.

  Once she was thoroughly clean, she dried herself and then ventured back to her chamber—her actual chamber this time. Niall was waiting for her.

  Despite his heroic appearance at the loch, things hadn’t been repaired between them. There had been many unkind things said, and Moira wasn’t sure what was going to happen in the future. Her stomach fluttered with nerves as she entered. Niall rose and welcomed her before showing her to the bed. It was late in the evening now, with the dusky moon covering the land.

  “Ye seem a world better,” Niall said.

  “I feel it,” Moira replied.

  “I spoke with the men we captured, and we hae found a better way for them tae dispose of their waste and keep their town clean. Everyone seems happy with the arrangement. The man who pushed ye sobered up quickly and offered his most sincere apologies. I told him that he can make it up tae ye by bringing ye the juiciest cut of meat ye hae ever tasted, and he seems tae be content with that,” Niall explained.

  “I’m glad, and thank ye for nae punishing them tae much. I dinnae think they understood what they were daeing. They thought they were keeping their home clean.”

  “Aye, there’s no sense in punishing a fool when ye can teach him tae dae better.”

  “And what of Jamie and the others?” Moira asked.

  Niall smiled broadly. “Now that the healers know the cause of the sickness, they hae been able tae fashion a concoction tae alleviate the symptoms. By tomorrow morning we will know if there is any improvement in their health, but as the healers said, it’s quite sure that they will be back on their feet before tae long.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Moira said, genuinely happy, yet still there was a hesitancy in her voice, as there was in Niall’s manner.

  “There haes been another sickness in this castle, though, and I hae been the one affected. Moira, after our argument, I did a lot of thinking and I realized how callous I was acting. I was scared for all that I haed built, and the last thing I wanted was tae turn intae my father. I just…all my life, he told me that we could never trust anyone and that peace was a weakness. I was afraid that he was right. It was difficult tae get the lesson out of my mind, and when I thought Jamie had been poisoned, I… Well, it doesnae matter what I thought. I was wrong. I should nae hae doubted ye, or yer brother. Ye hae both acted with pure intentions. It is I who haes been the villain. I should never hae questioned yer character like that. Ye were right in everything ye said, and I’m sorry.”

  Moira listened to what he had to say and was thrilled that he had the awareness to share his feelings like this. But there had been a lot that had passed between them, and there was still much that needed to be discussed.

  “I understand, and I thank ye for yer apology, but ye hurt me a great deal. What ye said…it’s all well and good saying that ye we were wrong in this instance, but what if something else happens? Are ye gaeing tae doubt me again? Is this gaeing tae happen every time? I cannae live with a man who doesnae trust me. If I am tae be yer wife, then ye are gaeing tae hae tae trust me with all ye hae, otherwise what’s the point? I hae never lied tae ye, Niall. I hae only tried tae be a good wife for ye, but I want tae know that ye are gaeing tae let me be that wife.”

  “I will,” he said quickly. He rushed to the bed and sat beside her, taking her hands in his. He looked into her eyes and she lost herself in his. Emotion swelled in her heart.

  “Moira, I know I hae been a fool and that I hae been the only one who haes put this alliance in jeopardy. When this all began, I wanted tae ensure that peace would last, but recently, the alliance hasnae been sae important. When we argued, I wasnae afraid that there would be war, I was afraid that I would lose ye. I didnae expect tae fall in love sae deeply, and I can only apologize from the bottom of my heart and tell ye that if ye let me, I will spend the rest of my life making it up tae ye. But I understand that I hae hurt yer honor, and I wilnae hold it against ye if ye decide ye want tae leave.” He bowed his head, and Moira looked at him strangely.

  “Are ye mad, Niall? I dinnae want tae leave!” she cried.

  “Ye dinnae?”

  “Of course nae! I just wanted tae make sure ye understand that ye cannae take me for granted or treat me like the enemy. I just wanted tae see the true emotion inside, tae know that ye truly care about me,” she said, and she had. It had been in his eyes when he had fished her out of the lake. It had been in his voice when he had warned the men against hurting her. It was in him now, bursting out of him, and she could not deny it at all.

  Niall smiled. “I would never. It reminds me of a story that Grizel told me when I was younger. I never truly understood it until now.”

  “Ye will hae tae tell me that story,” she said, all the while their lips were growing closer to each other. Niall’s hands squeezed hers and then slipped around her waist, resting perfectly on her slender frame. She murmured with delight as she reached around his neck, and suddenly the words disappeared, replaced by a soft moan as their lips pressed against each other. Their eyes closed, and Moira was suddenly dancing in a world of dreams. Tingles spiked and pleasure thrummed through her body.

  Moira fell back onto the bed and Niall followed, for the two of them were entwined as tightly as vines that had grown together for hundreds of years. Moira felt the comfortable weight of him pressed against her. She could feel his hard arousal aching, and something twitched inside. Her eyelids fluttered, and she reached the point where she didn’t know if this was reality or fantasy.

  Niall’s eager hands slipped inside her robe and pushed the fabric aside, releasing and exposing her supple flesh. Moira enjoyed the sharp moans as he explored the canvas of her body. His kisses were fire. Her soul was ablaze. Her pale skin trickled with sweat and it felt as though she was in the bath again, surrounded by a steamy mist. She drew her legs up as Nia
ll’s head drifted down, leaving a trail of kisses along her collarbone before he took her breast in his mouth. While he did this, his finger reached down and brushed against her inner thigh. There was a stream of fire before a blossoming haze as his fingers caressed her most intimate area. Her hand clutched the pillow tightly as ribbons of pleasure unfurled within her. How was it possible that Niall could know her this intimately? Every twitch of his hand conjured some new sensation. He was so deep within her that he might well have been a part of her, and perhaps that was the key to the mystery. Perhaps he knew her so well because he was a part of her. Perhaps he was even a spirit himself.

  These errant thoughts were then shattered by a sharp burst of pleasure. Moira touched Niall’s head, which rested against her thigh. His hot breath drifted over her as his fingers explored her wetness. Then, he shifted position and suddenly a whole new world of desire was being poured over her. She crackled with pleasure as Niall hooked her legs around his arms and then began to make love to her with his mouth. His tongue was ardent, and if this is what happened after every argument, then perhaps the hostility wasn’t so bad after all. She suddenly realized why so many people would be eager for war, if what followed was as sweet as this.

  A long, guttural moan burst through her lips as Niall worked his tongue. Moira wasn’t entirely sure what he had done, but it had blown her mind and made her shudder all the way down to her toes. Niall’s arms were strong and pinned her to the bed. His biceps swelled, and she loved knowing that she was being held by his lust. She was completely at the mercy of the man she loved, and she, in turn, loved the sensation. His tongue was wide and wet in its desire to explore her. It sank into her, tasting her, and the fact that he would pleasure her this intimately made her feel as though she was lighter than air. At the same time, though, she was aware of the weight of her flesh, of the physical space she occupied in the world. It seemed like some strange alchemy for him to be able to elicit these feelings inside her, to touch her soul as well as her body, to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual realms. And yet he was able to. She was the conduit through which all this beauty flowed, and she wondered if there would be an end, or if it was just a constant stream pouring through her—a torrent of radiant light that would never cease.