The Talisman (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 2)

by Gafford, Deborah

  But he had been gentle in his teaching of the ways between a man and a woman. Ailis felt her skin heat at the memory of the things he had done and the passion he had awakened in her.

  Sweet Mary, how glorious she had felt! 'Twas as if she stood on the edge of a Highland cliff with a fierce wind blowing at her back constantly tugging and pushing to lift her free of the ground and fling her out into the sky. Her body, buffeted by his passionate touch and burning kisses, had teetered at the brink. When he had… had kissed her there, she feared she might burst into flame, so hot did he make her. Then, when he had taken her into his mouth and suckled her, his fervor had sent her plummeting over the edge, spiraling into the sky like a brilliant star in the heavens.

  The magnificent pleasure he had given her had continued as he'd entered her. Aye, there had been a moment of pain, but 'twas soon forgotten as she felt him move within her. The touch of his hot, muscular body rubbing against hers and his firm manhood filling her as it slid in and out between her legs, had been more wondrous than she had ever imagined in her wildest dreams.

  Her body had ached, tingled, burned for his. And just when she thought she could nay experience any more passion, he had taken her higher, driving her over the cliff yet again with one last mighty thrust inside her. His name had been torn from her lips and she had felt true joy.

  If only she had never heard his angry words of rejection.

  A slow tear slid down Ailis' cheek. She turned her face into her pillow and let the sadness take her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Though the daylight was fading, Logan continued to ride, eager to be home and enjoying the celebration with his family and friends. He had stayed longer with the herds than he meant to, but when one of the cow's labors had gone ill, he had stayed to help pull the calf from its struggling mother.

  Logan smiled at the memory of the newborn calf wobbling and stumbling about as it took its first steps. The sight of it nursing from its mother had touched him deeply. One day he hoped to see his own child nursing so in the arms of a loving wife.

  An owl hooted nearby, pulling him from his thoughts. Och, he would find no such lass here in the forest. He had best make haste if he hoped to be home before the feast began on the morrow. Snapping his reins against his horse's side, he galloped ahead.

  By the time he neared a more familiar area, 'twas late night. He had been riding for hours and he was tired. The way was tricky in the dark, so he sat firmly in the saddle and took a tighter grip on the reins. He did not relish the thought of falling from his mount.

  After several minutes, he gave in to the urge to rest so he stopped and looked about. A bitter memory stirred as he recognized the wooded glen. 'Twas near there that Fearghus had been killed. By the saints, he had no wish to spend time there. Shaking his head to rid himself of grim thoughts, he rode on until he spotted another place to rest. Hearing the neigh of a horse, he headed toward the sound.

  Just ahead, a dark grove of trees was lit by a small campfire. Logan rode his horse toward it and was surprised to find Domhnull Murdoch sitting by the fire with two jugs at his feet. 'Twas evident he had had been drinking heavily. He raised a jug with a sotted grin when Logan dismounted.

  "So, wha's the wee br…brother o' Gavin MacPherson doin', visitin' me here?" Domhnull's words slurred. "Did he send ye? Or mayhap his l…lap dog, Calum, sent ye to t…tell me I am nay far enough away?"

  "I did not come looking for you, Domhnull. I have been working the herds and am on my way back to Kirkholm."

  "Ha. 'Tis a g…good one, Logan. Since w…when did ye become a bloody herder?"

  Murdoch raised his jug to his lips. When he turned it up to his mouth and nothing came out, he cursed and threw it to the ground. Then he grabbed the other jug, took a long drink, and wiped his mouth on the back of his arm. Belching, he leaned back against a tree and set the jug in his lap.

  Logan walked over and sat near the campfire, warming his hands. "Bloody hell, Domhnull, you have made a damn mess of your life. You had best quit swilling that ale and come to your senses."

  "Who are ye to be t…tellin' me aught?" Domhnull spat on the ground and then drank another swig.

  "I have been your friend for more years than I can remember, but I will not stand by you now. Because of our past friendship, I am telling you to leave off your drinking and fighting before you find yourself at the end of a hangman's noose or my brother's blade!"

  "Yer damn brother. Ha. He doesna s…scare me. What story did he tell ye t…to turn ye against me?"

  Logan glared at Domhnull. "He told me what happened in Craigmuir."

  "Did he tell ye he left the alehouse af…after he'd finished ruttin' wi' the new whore? I found her an' decided t…to have her. Then yer brother c…came back, an' wasna willin' to wait his turn f…for the whore, so we fought. I c…could have easily bested him 'cept 'twas yer brother. I kenned no whore was worth his life, so…so I yielded. An' what did the bloody ingrate do? He ordered me off the m…mountain for the rest o' my days!"

  Murdoch took another drink from his jug. "Damn his cock! I have been a friend to ye an' yer f…family all o' my life an' he b…banishes me from my home o'er a filthy whore! 'Tis nay right!"

  "That is not the way I heard it."

  Murdoch set the jug down with a thunk, and clumsily reached toward his sword. "Are ye namin' me a liar?"

  "God's blood. You're drunk. I'll not fight a bloody drunkard." Logan glared at him as Domhnull took another drink then plopped the jug on the ground and slouched back against the tree. The firelight lit up his sweaty face, drawing attention to his pock marked skin.

  Domhnull had told Logan once that he'd had two older brothers, who had died along with his father when the pox went through their distant village. When he showed signs of the pox as well, his mother had taken him and left the area, living deep in the forest by a mountain stream.

  His mother had nursed him with herbs and stayed by him night and day. Finally, the worst had passed, leaving him alive, but weak and scarred. As he grew older, he had recovered fully. When he was eleven, his mother had died and Domhnull had walked to the village near Kirkholm and settled there.

  Logan looked away from him in disgust. Domhnull's rough appearance was but a sign of the man's true nature. Why had he not seen it before? Logan tossed a twig into the fire and stood up. "For past friendship, I will leave you. But know this, I stand with my family. You are no longer welcome on MacPherson lands."

  "Ah, the hell wi' ye. Leave me be to take a piss." Domhnull staggered to his feet and headed into the trees to relieve himself. Suddenly, he cried out. "Sweet Mother o' God!" His shocked voice drifted back through the trees and Logan quickly followed.

  In front of them lay the charred remains of a burned out wagon with two skulls and a few bones still visible. A half a dozen broken ale jugs lay strewn about the ground.

  "Domhnull, I remember this place. My God, that must be the ale merchant's wagon and him and his daughter!" Logan hurriedly crossed himself. "God Almighty, Domhnull! You ride to the village and tell the priest. I'll fetch Gavin. He will want to know of this."

  Domhnull nodded. "Aye, Logan. Yer brother w…will surely want to ken." Suddenly he glanced toward the trees to their left. "What was that?"

  Quickly stumbling into the surrounding trees, he motioned for Logan to approach quietly. He pointed ahead of him and whispered. "I trow I heard a noise through there."

  Logan nodded silently, placed his hand over the hilt of his sword and started forward.

  Pain exploded through him as Murdoch plunged a knife in his back.

  With a gasp of agony, Logan turned to face him then fell to his knees. He stared in shock as his strength quickly drained away.

  Murdoch smirked down at the look of surprise on his face.

  Logan felt himself falling as his body crumpled to the ground. He fought to remain conscious, but the pain was too intense. The air was growing darker. 'Twas hard to breathe. Murdoch's voice came as if from a long d
istance away.

  "'Twas nay smart o' ye to cast me from yer land and then turn yer back to me." Domhnull reached down and removed Logan's sword from its sheath. "I will take this since ye will have nay more use o' it."

  Pain like the fires of hell savaged Logan as the man he'd called friend dragged him over the rocks and tree limbs of the forest floor toward the burned out wagon. A groan tore from his lungs as Murdoch dumped him a few yards from the charred pile. Logan stared at the shadowy figure above him.

  "Why?"

  Domhnull jerked his head toward the blackened remains. "Ye remember the ale merchant's daughter we saw that first day wi' Fearghus? After ye two fell asleep that night, I decided to come back an' have some sport wi' her. I took yer extra plaid to warm me as I rode and I waited in the woods till the old fool fell asleep by the fire then climbed in the wagon."

  Domhnull licked his lips and grinned as if he enjoyed the memory. "She squeaked like a frightened mouse when I crawled on top o' her so I covered her mouth wi' my hand. I told her if she was good I'd give her a coin or two but if she screamed…"

  His voice dwindled and he shrugged. "Then I dragged her night shift off. When she started to cry out, I kept my hand on her mouth an' rubbed myself on her until she lay quiet. 'Twas a shame nay to see how those grand tits o' hers would fit a mon so I shoved my cock between 'em till I tired o' it. Then I told the whore what I wanted fer my hard earned coin. The wench only whimpered a little when I spread her legs."

  Murdoch's words came a little faster. "I took her then, an' rode her hard. O'er an' o'er. Aye, I taught her what 'twas like to be with a real mon. But then, when I stood to leave, she screamed. I hit her but she wouldna stop screamin'. Her da came chargin' in so I killed him. After that, I decided to teach the whore a lesson. I took her again, rougher the next time an' didna stop even when she begged me to."

  Domhnull glanced toward the burned out shell and spit on the ground. "When I finished wi' her, I saw the dead old fool lying there an' kenned the whore would see me dead if she could. So, I killed her too. 'Twas easy. Her neck snapped like a twig. Then I climbed out an' set the wagon ablaze an' rode back to our camp wi' ye an' Fearghus nay the wiser."

  Logan's voice whispered past his weak lips. "You will die for this, you bastard."

  Domhnull grinned and shook his head. "Nay, 'tis where ye are wrong. When they find ye, 'twill look as if ye were wounded an' died after what ye did here. 'Twill be naught found to lay this at my door."

  He bent over and picked up one of the unbroken ale jugs.

  His voice grew fainter as he walked away. "Dinna worry, I will leave yer horse nearby where it can be found wi' the old mon's jug in yer pack. Empty o' course."

  Soon, Logan heard naught but the silence of the surrounding woods. Minutes dragged by in deathly quiet as his lifeblood spilled out beneath him. God, he had been such a fool. He was going to die and nothing would save him.

  Silently, he prayed for his soul and for the safety of his family. With his last strength, he reached out and drew an M in the dirt before his wrist fell to the ground.

  Grim death allowed him no more.

  Chapter Seventeen

  It seemed Ailis had barely closed her eyes in sleep when the sounds of early morn woke her. For the last three days, she and Megan had worked from dawn till dark to ready the hall for the feast. And whenever Calum had asked to spend time with Megan, Ailis had urged her to go, assuring her she'd finish whatever task they were doing. Ailis had been glad of the work. It had kept her from Gavin's sight and left her tired enough that she'd been able to sleep.

  Though thick morning mist still wreathed the castle in a veil of gray, it did naught to lessen the activity and mirth already abounding throughout the keep. By the time the sun warmed the land and burned away the mist, everyone in the castle was busily finishing the final preparations.

  After Ailis carried the silver goblets to the hall at mid day, she joined Megan in her chamber. Megan looked up and smiled as she finished the last decorative stitches on the gown she would wear.

  "Oh, Ailis. I'm so happy! I've dreamed of this day all of my life. …Well, the last few years anyway," she said with a nervous smile. "Do you think Calum will be pleased with my dress for the feast? I know 'tis foolish, but I want everything to be perfect."

  "Meggie, you have naught to worry about. Everything is ready for the feast and all are eager to celebrate your betrothal as well. 'Twill be just as you hoped."

  Megan nodded, seeming relieved. "I'll change gowns and then join you in the great hall." She took something from around her neck and held it out toward Ailis. "As my twin, Logan should have given this to Calum for me this morn as a token of my love, but since my brother has not yet returned, would you take it to Calum for me?"

  She smiled with pride. "'Tis a talisman. Each one of us was given one on our twelfth natal day. Logan was so proud of his he wore it outside his shirt and said he would ne'er hide it beneath his clothing."

  Megan tipped her head to the side as if in thought. "I have not seen him wear it that way of late. Perhaps he has changed his mind now that he is grown. Logan's and mine are identical since we are twins."

  Ailis felt the floor shift. The air in the room suddenly became stifling. It caught in her throat. Perhaps Logan no longer had his talisman to wear. God in heaven, if he was the one, how could she take his life knowing the pain it would cause Gavin and Megan?

  She forced her feet forward and took the charm. Clasping it tightly in her fist she sent a hurried prayer heavenward.

  Sweet Mary, please do not let them be the same!

  Her hands shook as she opened her fingers and gazed at the elaborate detail of the shining silver talisman hanging from a bright new ribbon.

  Thank God.

  The talisman was unique, nothing like the simple one she wore about her neck. Ailis let out a ragged breath in a grateful sigh of relief.

  Megan smoothed her fingers over the gown in her hands, obviously preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming feast and her betrothal dinner. At Ailis' sigh, she looked back at her. "Ailis, are you unwell? You look pale."

  "Nay… I'm fine. 'Tis a beautiful talisman. I will be pleased to deliver it. You'd best hurry though. Everyone is anxious to begin the celebration." She hugged Megan, then left to deliver the love token.

  Ailis saw Nelli walking with several other people toward the great hall and called out to her. "Nelli, have you seen Calum of late?"

  Nelli turned and waited for Ailis to catch up to her. "Aye, he's in the hall talkin' to Gavin or was but a few moments past. If ye wish to speak to him, ye'd best hurry. Everyone will be goin' to the chapel soon."

  "Aye, thank you." The hall was filled nearly to overflowing with the MacPherson clan as well as villagers and allies from other friendly clans. Ailis froze in the doorway. Sweet heaven, she'd been so busy the last few days, she'd forgotten other clans would be there as well. Would she find the person she sought and finally end this hell she'd been living?

  'Twas not hell to lay in Gavin's arms or to call his clan your own, her heart chided. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, but it didn't help. Coming to love Gavin and the people there was heaven, not hell. Reaching up to the neck of her gown, Ailis felt the talisman hidden beneath the fabric. Aye, 'twas heaven, but heaven was not meant for you.

  It took a few moments for Ailis to spot Calum where he stood beside the dais talking to Gavin. She worked her way through the crowd and approached them.

  Calum looked a bit pale. She wondered if the pallor of his skin was due more to the late hour of the men's drinking the night before or nervousness over the upcoming betrothal. Probably a little of both.

  A clansman walked up and spoke to Gavin as she neared the spot where he and Calum stood. Gavin nodded and followed the man out of the hall.

  Thankful she did not have to face him, she hurried over to Calum and delivered Megan's talisman. Ailis' eyes misted over when she saw the love in his eyes as he humbly nodded and placed it ar
ound his neck, making sure it lay on top of the tartan sash he wore across his chest.

  "Thank ye, lass. I remember the day Meggie's da gave it to her. I will cherish it always, as I do her."

  Sadness overtook Ailis and she forced back the tears that threatened to fall. 'Twas foolish, but she could nay help yearning to hear such words from Gavin. To know that he truly loved her, not sought her just for passion's sake. Her tears threatened to spill once more so she merely nodded and quickly left the hall.

  The entire keep was quickly filling with people who had been invited to share in the feast. Everywhere she looked there were groups of people talking and laughing. Their smiles drove the pain deeper into her heart.

  She was happy for Megan and Calum, but it did not lessen her misery. Seeing people anxiously thronging toward the hall, ready to begin the celebration only made her want to leave, to get as far away as she could, where she would not have to face Gavin knowing he truly didn't love her as she did him.

  Hurrying to the garden, she found a secluded corner away from the crowd and sat on a stone bench to calm her thoughts. Soon, everyone would gather in the chapel to hear the formal betrothal, and then for the rest of the day, they would celebrate in high fashion in the great hall.

  The clan's annual feast of thanksgiving had promised to be a grand celebration, but now that it also served as a betrothal dinner for the laird's sister, 'twould be a joyous occasion indeed. One that would be talked about for years to come. Ailis forced back her tears. Aye, they'd be speaking of it for years to come, but she'd not be there to hear it.

  Seeing people heading toward the chapel, Ailis knew her moment of peace had ended. For Megan's sake, she must attend and wish her well. Slowly, she rose from the bench and forced her steps in the direction of the chapel. Perhaps she could stand amongst the crowd and not have to face Gavin. To be near him at such a time would only grieve her more.