“‘Tis just a scratch.”
“‘Tis more often the scratches that end up killing a man.” Before he had a chance to respond, she stepped close, touching both his shoulder and wrist. Her eyes turned a brilliant bright blue and warmth poured through him.
“Nay!” He said when he realized what she was doing. But it was too late. His arm was healed and the injured man at their feet openly gawked. Not hesitating, Alan leaned over and hit him upside the head. The clansman passed out.
“Do you realize what you have just done?” He asked, fear for her in his tone.
“I had no choice…” she trailed off, confused and upset.
“Aye, you did. Wait until we were not standing in front of an enemy. That a mystic exists is very useful information.”
“Will he not be killed after questioning?” She asked, unsure. “Not that I would wish such.”
“Well, wish it because he will. But do you not sense the magic in the man? ‘Tis not strong but ‘tis there. If he is close to another with magic, they will know what he saw here today.”
“It all happened so fast,” she murmured. “I am sorry.”
He wanted to get angry at her but it was impossible when faced with her defeated expression. So he pulled her into his arms and pressed her head against his chest. “We will be on the move this eve. If someone did get his message, they willnae be able to follow us far into the highlands. I know the territory far better than a lowlander.”
Her body trembled against his. She didn’t have to physically fight to feel adrenaline or even shock. The battle had been fast and furious but more importantly, it had been spontaneous and unexpected. It was one thing to know what was coming and prepare, another thing altogether to have it jump out at you.
“I didnae even help you fight,” she said.
“I didnae need your help.” He pulled back slightly and looked down at her. “When I do, you will be there. Of that I dinnae doubt.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, her eyes drifting over his face then lower. As if she only now realized that he held her without his clothing, she pulled away. Yet this time even though a becoming stain colored her cheekbones, her evaluation of him was bolder. Admiration and a healthy dose of desire shone in her eyes.
It was a well-known thing that battle lust found a good outlet in sex. Alan had experienced it before and could attest to the increased near violent passion involved. With Caitriona, he could only imagine its intensity. But now was not the time. The enemy needed to be brought back to camp and she required nourishment of another sort.
Already clothed in the dry dress he’d brought, she watched as he pulled on another tunic and wrapped his tartan. Once the man was flung over his shoulder, they headed back. The sleepy sun dipped beneath the mountains quickly, running its last rays in long sweeping arcs over the water. Game was roasting over a small fire when they approached.
Stephen crouched over the man when Alan dropped him to the ground. His brows furrowed as he fingered the plaid. “I am unfamiliar with these colors.” He glanced up at Alan. “You?”
Troubled, he shook his head. “Then they were smart enough to disguise.”
“Which means they have been tracking us.” Arianna walked over and nudged the man with her foot. He groaned so she nudged harder, purposefully doing so at his injured knee. When he yelped in pain she barked, “Up with you then.”
Stephen grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into a sitting position. Groggy, he peered up at not Arianna but Alan with weariness. His words were slurred. “You will get nothing from me with this brute about.”
Stephen moved away when Alan took his place. Unlike the Broun, the Stewart’s rage was a seething beast visible in the black depths of his hooded gaze. “You will tell us everything you know.” He ground his foot down on the man’s knee, ignoring his keen of pain. “Or I start cutting you apart. I will be slow and methodical. There will be much pain before death. Have you ever felt the dull edge of a blade against your ballocks? I hear it takes a few more strokes to make the cut down the middle. Messy.”
The lads face whitened. He’d never been more tempted to use magic. But he couldn’t take the risk of sharing more information with an unseen predator. Alan continued to grind the knee and casually pulled free his dagger, left bloodied especially for this occasion. “But why be so merciful. Best to cut it off then work on other things.” He made to put the blade where promised.
Horrified, the stranger yelled, “Nay!” through his whimpers of pain. “I will tell you. Please.” His eyes were glazing and his voice more slurred. “Highlands…”
An incoming whistling sound registered. Barely. Only long enough for him to turn his head. That, thank the gods, allowed the arrow to hit its mark which was square in the enemy’s forehead.
Bloody hell! Alan turned fast and scanned the horizon as he pushed Caitriona behind a nearby boulder for protection. The Brouns scattered, many running in the direction from which the arrow had come. Cursing, he left her there and started to follow. But he knew they wouldn’t find who they sought. Whoever had released that arrow had done it from an impressive distance and would have their escape well planned.
Regrettably, he wasn’t wrong.
A great deal of searching later, they were down five enemy clansmen with only the word ‘highland’ as any sort of clue. Could there be any more ominous a word muttered before their particular journey? Upset, he finally sat with the others around the fire.
Arianna and Stephen wore pensive expressions as they speculated on who the strangers might have been. What made matters worse was that they were set to leave this eve and they couldn’t openly discuss their thoughts.
William Broun, however, with his clever way with words, was very good at speaking vaguely while cutting to the heart of what weighed on all their minds. “It can be assumed that the men were highlanders. That said, ‘tis good we are not traveling too much further north. For in that direction, no doubt, we would find more answers and most certainly more danger.”
“But how far north I wonder,” Arianna said. “It could be the danger is but around the corner.”
“Nay,” Alan said. “Their tartan’s wool was thicker than ours. They are used to colder temperatures. Trouble does not rest between here and the MacLomains.”
“Good eye,” Stephen said as if he had not guessed the same. “Then they will no longer be a problem for the Brouns. At least not on this leg of the journey.”
“I agree,” Arianna said. “We should all rest early. I am eager to get to the MacLomains.”
Alan had to give her credit, she sounded convincing. But he saw a certain sense of nostalgia in her blue eyes. Leaving her clan behind would be hard. He did not envy her that.
After they ate, Arianna stood. “Caitriona, come lay beside me this eve. I desire Alan stand watch with Stephen. ‘Tis clear in his eyes that rage still simmers. Sleep will not come easy.”
Caitriona nodded, her compassionate gaze settling on him. “Stay safe, luv. I could not bear you leaving me.”
Her words stirred him. They were genuine. If not for an explicit need to stay focused he would have pulled her onto his lap and kissed her soundly. Instead, he kissed the back of her hand softly and said, “I will never leave you, lass.”
A certain sadness settled in her voice. “‘Tis my greatest hope.”
Alan watched her vanish into the night then took up post with Stephen. The moon was bright and the air crisp. Not the best of nights for stealth. When alone with the Broun he said, “We will head due north from here. As the falcon flies, there is no more direct route to Sinclair land.”
Stephen nodded, his eyes watchful. “If I didnae say it before, thank you, Laird Stewart.”
Nay, he hadn’t said it before. But Alan had formed a good opinion about the man so it didn’t need saying. “While I might not fully ken your actions I dinnae judge. On my clan’s honor, I swear I will see you all to safety. But let it be said now, in exchange you will protect C
aitriona if anything happens to me.”
“You need not ask. I would die defending her.” Stephen turned contemplative. “‘Tis good you found love with the lass. She will need more protecting than most.”
Love? Aye, love indeed. “I worry we may have yet another enemy to contend with and this one concerns me more than any other.”
A deep frown marred Stephen’s face. “‘Tis a strange thing that they went undetected. Between magic and our scouts we should have sensed them.”
“Did you use your magic then?” He asked, astonished. It would have been a risky move considering the signal it would have emitted to others possessing magic.
“Aye, ‘tis a gift of mine to hide, my friend. My magic is undetectable.”
His alarm grew. “Yet I sensed it.”
“Because I allowed it at the time. I believe you meant to kill me otherwise.”
Alan reflected on those first few moments he’d met the Broun. “The thought had occurred to me,” he said reluctantly. “Rare, your ability. And useful.”
“Verra,” Stephen conceded. “It has allowed me to travel through time and clans with far more ease than most.”
This bit of information was very good news. The gods had given the four of them some interesting and unique gifts. “Have you the ability to speak within the mind?”
Stephen nodded. “But not Arianna. Nor does she possess magic. But she can fight better than most men.”
“I dinnae doubt that.” Alan shook his head. “Your lass has a great deal of spirit.”
The Broun grinned. “‘Tis half her charm.”
Alan looked up through the trees. “The light is unfortunate. The moon is waxing. ‘Twill make the eves more visible for our enemies.”
“And for us,” Stephen reminded. “William willnae wait long to bring them. The earlier we start out the better.”
While he wasn’t eager to face such a daunting journey, Alan could concede that his need to bring Caitriona into the highlands, his part of Scotland, was powerful. It felt all of a sudden, as if there was an undefined pull. Could the god Fionn Mac Cumhail have something to do with this undefinable urge?
“It almost seems too easy,” Alan commented. “William is an unexpected boon.”
Stephen shrugged. “He has been in love with Arianna for years. The best sort of love it seems to let her go like this.”
Alan guessed most Broun men were. Arianna had a way about her. “And our horses?”
“William already saw to them. They will be out a ways but ready.”
“How did he manage that?”
“How does William manage anything?” Stephen snorted. “He probably told them the horses should be there to keep watch over the clan. When it comes to convincing others of what he wants, he is a master at turning absolute madness into undisputable logic.”
Alan chuckled. “Even better for us then.”
They grew silent for a time, each lost in their own thoughts. As foretold, it wasn’t long before William, Caitriona and Arianna emerged through the darkness. It seemed every time he saw her now a charged bolt of both desire and a sense of rightness blew through him. There was nothing slow and easy about this attraction. It was complicated and arousing...exciting.
She slipped her hand into his as if they’d been doing so their whole life. No words were exchanged as they walked away from the Broun clan. All were quiet, their steps light. Eventually, they made it to the horses.
William took Arianna’s hands and spoke very softly. “I will miss you, my friend. Come back to us someday.”
“Aye, ‘tis my intention always.”
They embraced briefly before William turned to Stephen. “I will tell Iain that you outwitted the lot of us and ran off with her. Is there not some truth to that?” They shook hands, hand to elbow, their deep friendship evident. “He will send MacLomains after you but I suspect it will be halfhearted.”
Stephen nodded and patted him on the back before swinging up onto his horse. “This will not be the last time we meet, old friend. Take care of yourself.” Unveiled emotion could be heard in his voice. “And thank you for all your help.”
William said nothing more as he faded into the night.
They were silent as Stephen led them through the Scottish woodland. It would be a lengthy night followed by an equally long day as they put distance between here and there. He’d long since planned a route and hoped the weather worked to their advantage. So it was when the night had passed and the sun broke over the trees, that the climate was favorable and they remained free of pursuit.
Alan then took the lead. “We will travel until the sun sits above the tree line in the west. There is a safe place where the burns meet that we can find shelter. More hunters are out at dusk. We will have our food by then and be tucked away.”
Again, silence settled over the group as the sun slowly crept across the sky. When at last it settled atop the pines in the west, he steered them past a heavy cluster of bushes to a small hidden path. As he remembered, the path twisted and turned until it appeared to end abruptly at the back edge of a huge, jagged rock mound. But Alan knew better. Cut into the side of the rock was a path that blended seamlessly with its environment. It was just wide enough for a horse to pass through and led to a circular area that in a way resembled a small courtyard. The beauty of it though was the tree coverage.
“‘Twill be a tight fit with the horses but never have I seen a better spot to hide,” Stephen said.
“Nay, we willnae be sleeping with the beasties.” Alan dismounted and helped Caitriona down. Fatigued, she leaned against him for several moments. Not long though. She was a fit lass with admirable endurance.
“Follow me.” Alan removed everything they would need from their horses and led them down another small path that one didn’t see unless they truly searched. The way grew narrower until they had to sidle between two rock walls. At the end was a low ledge. With a careful jump and twisting motion he was able to sit on it then stand. One at a time, he helped the others up.
“What sort of place is this?” Arianna asked.
“A place from my childhood,” he replied and led them down another narrow path between rock walls. When the walls widened and at last fell away, it was just as he remembered. He fully expected the lasses awe when they entered. What he did not expect was Stephen’s response as he looked up and up.
“Bloody hell, look at that! You have found another Defiance!”
Chapter Six
Caitriona was positively captivated as she stared up in wonder. The Defiances definitely varied in their appearances. From the small broken stone on the MacLomain’s land to the impressive key window over the sea in northern Scotland, they were each and every one, very different but special in their own way.
“Does it come from the top or the bottom?” Arianna asked.
Hands on his hips, Alan looked at the twisting tall rock structure in the middle of the cave. “Both. Water created it, lass.” He frowned and looked at Stephen. “What do you mean ‘tis a Defiance? You mean this is like what we time traveled through from the MacLeod’s land?”
Stephen smiled wide. “Aye! And she is a beauty.”
“How is it that my friends and I, including Iain MacLomain, wizards all, knew nothing of this? Never once were we told of a time-traveling gateway called a Defiance nor did we sense it had such great power.”
The Broun walked over and touched it, his response forlorn. “Because the power of the Defiances dwindles. Created by Adlin MacLomain hundreds upon hundreds of years ago, they like everything else magic, only live long enough to serve their purpose. While Adlin has grown more powerful, they have grown less so. He no longer needs them for traveling through time so they go to sleep, never to awaken.”
Caitriona remembered Adlin saying such words not all that long ago. In a way, it seemed as though an old man said goodbye to a friend…if magic could be so classified.
“Does it work?” Alan asked hopefully.
Stephe
n closed his eyes and continued to feel the rock. “There is a verra faint stirring but so weak.” He opened his eyes and sighed. “‘Tis hard to say but my guess is mayhap for one person but unlikely for more. And even then, I could not guess how one travels through it.”
Alan eyed it dubiously. “Any way would be better than the bloody one we traveled through.” He set down their belongings. “Then, it seems, we will go forth as planned.”
Caitriona eyed the rest of the cave. It was entirely different than the ones she’d experienced when traveling with Iosbail MacLomain and Alexander Sinclair. Though more boxy on the sides, the ceiling was cathedral high. Holes must’ve formed because long, thin jets of sunlight streamed down, cutting through what had to be the mist from an unseen waterfall. Yet filtered such as it was through time and age, the roar of the waterfall was but a whisper.
“The water never seems to touch the ground,” Alan said, his warm arms wrapping around her from the back. “But only dusts the cave walls.”
Caitriona leaned her head back against his chest, well aware of his increased heartbeat, the switch in his breathing. She couldn’t help but love the effect she had on him. Genuine. Intense. Exhilarating.
He murmured into her neck. “‘Tis a fine place to loose one’s maidenhead.”
She smiled and murmured back. “‘Tis too damp a place to lose one’s maidenhead.”
His low chuckle was deep, vibrating through her body. “I am not sure you realize just how damp you will get, lassie.”
At odds with the cool temperature, hot fire burned a path from her cheeks right down to her nether region. He set her afire too quickly. Visions of his nude form filled her mind. Alan Stewart might be built for war but he’d also been built for a woman’s pleasure. From his wide chest down to his surprisingly large…
“Tsk, tsk,” he whispered. “I didnae realize you had seen so many.”
Caitriona almost laughed but caught herself. It wasn’t often he read her thoughts. “A healer’s daughter sees much.”
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