The enemy had been defeated save the two who had just made it to the ford. Robert was struggling and Nicole was being just as defiant with the man who held her now as she had been with Niall.
Something strange was happening between the two trees that had nothing to do with Grant’s magic. And it was not in their favor. The air seemed to be compressing, blurring everything beyond it. Almost like a hot summer mirage but a hundred times more intense.
“Athdara, get back,” Logan said into the horse’s mind when she got far too close.
She did not respond.
“What’s Athdara doing?” Cassie said, voice trembling.
“It seems she’s trying to help,” he murmured, rubbing Cassie's arms in an attempt to soothe her.
The horse was in the thick of the turbulent magic as she tried to spook the enemy’s horses to run in the opposite direction. However, it didn’t seem to be working. Then several things started to happen at once. Just as the enemy’s magic grew more intense, Nicole managed to fling herself from the horse. Athdara tried to protect her but the other horse reared up and she had no choice but to back away.
Cassie started talking, eyes glazed. “I hear you, Robert. It’s okay. We’re going to save you.”
Logan didn’t like her telepathically communicating with the bairn with so much foreign magic around him but had no way of severing the bond.
“The woman you hear is Nicole,” Cassie explained. “She’s a friend.”
The magic surrounding Robert and Nicole had ripped them from sight.
“You got the sack off your head? That’s really good,” Cassie said to Robert. “What do you see?”
She went silent as she listened to his response.
Grant seemed to be losing the battle against whoever was taking them as heavy wind not of Darach’s making started to whip harshly. The oaks swayed, their branches vanishing then reappearing as they bent in and out of the maelstrom between them.
Then, as quickly as it began, it ended and Cassie slumped.
Logan swept her into his arms and narrowed his eyes on the oak ford. It was as it had been before, trees swaying gently in the breeze. Head hung, Athdara stood alone. Everyone else and their horses had vanished.
Grant’s words entered Logan’s mind. “Is Cassie all right?”
Cassie’s eyes remained glazed over. “‘Tis too soon to tell.”
Grant nodded then cursed as they headed for the ford. Whatever magic had been here was completely gone. Vanished. Still, the Hamilton halted everyone before they got there and double checked. When satisfied that it was safe, he waved them over. Crouching in front of Athdara, Grant placed his hand against her forehead.
Logan was surprised when Cassie stirred, eyes a little less unfocused as she murmured, “I can hear you, Athdara.”
“As far as I can tell, Athdara sleeps.” Grant’s eyes went to Cassie then Logan. “I cannae hear her. Can ye?”
“Nay.” Logan shook his head. “It seems only my lass can.”
Almost as if she was responding to his words, Cassie blinked a few times. Her eyes cleared then she peered around almost frantically until her gaze locked on the horse. “Something’s wrong with Athdara.”
“Aye.” Logan carefully set her down and made sure she was steady before letting her go. She crouched next to Grant. “She’s stuck sleeping.” Cassie stroked her muzzle. “She doesn’t want us to worry about her. And she’s fairly certain Nicole made it back to the twenty-first century.”
“Well, at least that part of my magic worked,” Grant grumbled. “Did she say anything else?”
“Just to keep an eye on my lad.”
Logan frowned. Odd thing for the horse to say.
Grant stood and pulled Cassie up. “We will stay here for the night in hopes that she awakens soon.”
Cassie nodded, concern in her eyes as they lingered on Athdara before she looked around with alarm. “So Robert’s not here.” She shook her head, more and more worried. “I was hoping somehow he would be.”
Logan took her hand. “You spoke with him. He’d managed to get the sack off his head. What did he say?”
Her eyes met his. “That he was at another oak inside a cave.”
Brae made an indiscernible sound and Grant’s eyes shot to her. “What know ye, lass? What is this evil of the gods that ye spoke of before? Because I only know of one oak that grows inside a cave.”
The mother oak.
Brae leaned back against a tree, eyes sadder than before as they flickered over him and his cousins before landing on Grant. “I know the evil is somehow harnessed from the gods because ‘tis Cullen at the heart of it. ‘Tis my brother.”
“Nay.” Grant shook his head. “That cannae be. He would never…” His words trailed off at the defeated look in Brae’s eyes. “I dinnae ken. He was such a good lad.”
“We dinnae know what happened,” Brae murmured. “All we know is that he tapped into a power that even Ma and Da cannae harness. Whatever was in it changed him.”
“Yet ye knew he was coming here,” Grant said. “How?”
“And what does he want with the rings,” Rònan added. “Because I know they’re part of this.”
“Like me, he’s connected to the rings via my parent’s role in their creation. We dinnae ken why he wants them save mayhap because of the power they possess.” Her eyes stayed with Grant. “Cullen has become verra powerful. The magic he’s tapped into has made him a visionary amongst other things. That’s how he knew about Robert the Bruce and what he would do for this country. He became fascinated at first by the King’s timeline, but something turned fascination to obsession. He started having episodes, trances almost, where he would speak of the Bruce when he was a wee bairn. How he’d been given an opportunity to see Scotland’s future changed.”
Logan frowned heavily, eyes on Grant. “Is this from the same source in which ye learned of the wee Bruce?”
The Hamilton shook his head. “There is no way to know. ‘Tis doubtful.”
“Did ye learn of Robert from the gods then, Da?” Darach said.
“Nay.” Grant’s eyes swept over them before landing on Brae. “Only one man knew what was to come and as far as I know I am the only one he told.”
“Adlin MacLomain,” Brae murmured.
“Aye,” Grant said. “But then ‘tis likely his information came from the Celtic gods.” His eyes narrowed on Brae. “Why did ye not share all of this with us sooner?”
“Because I had hoped my parents were wrong when they sent me.” Intense pain shimmered in her eyes. “Cullen is my twin brother. My best friend. Ye cannae begin to ken how I feel right now.” Her hand went to her chest. “‘Tis torture hating and loving someone so much. To feel so betrayed.” Her eyes met Logan's. “I cannae tell ye how sorry I am for his actions…and for not telling ye sooner.”
“Och, lass, ye were but following yer heart. Me and mine dinnae hold that against ye.”
Her eyes went to his cousins and as he knew they would, all gave her reassuring nods. Yet, like him, he knew they were hurting. Though they had not seen him as much as they would have liked over the years, Cullen had been family to them all. It was baffling to think of him as the enemy.
“‘Tis a sad thing for ye and yer parents.” Grant sighed. “Hopefully we will see this through to a good outcome and have our Cullen returned to us from wherever his muddled mind has gone.”
Logan looked at Cassie. “Did you actually see where Robert was?”
“Not this time.” She shook her head. “All he said was that a big oak grew inside the cave from outside and that there was a man there.” Cassie shivered. “He was upset that they didn’t have the lass with sight with them. It was the same thing the guy said back there…” Her brows lowered and her eyes widened as she looked back the way they had come. “Oh no, Machara. She was hurt!”
When she started walking that way he stopped her. “Machara is well enough. I can sense her. She knows how to take care of herself.”
“You
’re sure?” Cassie said, heart in her eyes. "Because she saved my life.”
Logan nodded. “I’m sure. You will see her soon enough.”
“What exactly was said back there about a lass with sight?” Grant asked Cassie.
“Just that they were supposed to grab her.” She bit her bottom lip as her eyes met Logan’s. “They were talking about me, weren’t they?”
“It seems likely,” he murmured, upset but unwilling to show her as much. “But they willnae get you as long as I draw breath.”
Her body trembled as he wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.
“As I said before, we will make camp here this eve. There is nothing left of the enemy in these parts,” Grant said. “If my magic worked enough to get Nicole back to the twenty-first century then ‘tis likely the other bit o’ magic worked as well. ‘Twas a binding spell that they will have to muddle through before they can leave wherever they ended up. That will give us some time to get to the oak.”
“Though a silly lass, are ye sure Nicole is safely in the twenty-first century?" Niall asked. “Because I’m honor bound to see the crazy little thing safe.” He rubbed his lower back, grumbling, “Never have I felt a pinch like that. Bloody nails like daggers.”
“‘Twas a pinch that brought ye down then?” Rònan said, mirth in his eyes.
“Did ye see how bloody—”
“That’s enough,” Cassie cut in. Pulling away from Logan, she crossed her arms over her chest. “While I’m thankful you tried to save Nicole, Niall, you better not say another damn word against her. For your information, she was probably loaded because she was stressed about me going missing and I’m sure Bradon made sure she calmed down with whisky. And you might as well know now that there’s a good chance she didn’t hear anything you said to her.” Cassie’s voice grew softer. “Because she occasionally has trouble with her hearing.”
This caught Grant’s attention, but he made no comment.
Niall frowned. “Her hearing?”
“Yes.” Cassie’s eyes went to Logan before she sighed and looked at his cousins. “There’s a reason I connected with Nicole, Erin, and Jaqueline.” She took a deep breath as she rallied her courage. “Like me, they’re all facing something life-changing. Where I’m going blind, Nicole might be going deaf. Erin and Jaqueline are also dealing with potential disabilities.”
Quickly masked surprise flickered across their faces and silence fell as his cousins digested the information. Rònan, of all people, was the first to speak, reminding him why he loved these men so much. “Well, know this, lass. We will help ye every step of the way. Ye willnae go through yer battles alone.”
“I’ve heard it said that when one sense goes the others grow much stronger,” Darach volunteered. “Some say ‘tis a powerful experience.”
“Most dinnae know it about me but I’ve a way with words,” Niall added. “I can describe things around ye in great detail when the time comes.”
“A way with words?” Rònan winked at Cassie as he spoke to Niall. “Ye’ve barely a way with a sword without a lass’s pinch bringing ye to yer knees.”
Cassie’s eyes grew moist and she offered a wobbly smile. “Thanks, guys. You’re sweet.” She shook her head. “Sorry I didn’t tell you about this stuff sooner. Honestly, I wasn’t totally convinced about my friends being meant for,” she gestured at them, “any of you, but now that Nicole’s been here it seems it might be true. And while perhaps it’s not my information to give I’d rather you have your facts up front before they travel back in time.”
“Aye, ‘twill be helpful,” Niall agreed. “We will be gentler with them.”
Cassie shook her head. “Oh, I wouldn’t go that far. My friends are pretty independent and don’t like being coddled. Hell, Nicole alone has dumped three guys in the past year for getting too mushy about her affliction.
Niall’s brows perked. “Dumped?”
“Makes sense.” Rònan chuckled. “She dumped ye with a good pinch, aye?”
“Not literally dumped.” Cassie snorted. “Just stopped their involvement.”
“She was bonnie enough to be sure, but ‘twas probably best the lads got away from her,” Niall muttered. “The lass is too wild by half.”
Rònan grinned. “Aye, I’d like nothing better than to ride—”
Logan shook his head sharply and stopped the offensive words about to come from the MacLeod’s mouth. “Nay, cousin.”
“Och.” Rònan snickered. “I was going to say that I’d take the bonnie lass for a ride on my horse.” He shot Niall a crooked grin. “As many times as I could.”
Niall shrugged, but Logan didn’t miss the flicker of uneasiness in his eyes when he murmured, “She’s all yours.”
The remainder of the MacLomain and Stewart warriors were starting to arrive. Though leaving Cassie’s side was the last thing he wanted to do, Logan had to attend to Lairdly duties. Cupping her cheek, he connected eyes with her. “I have to see to my men. Stay with either Grant or my cousins, okay? Dinnae wander off.”
She nodded. “Sure, no worries.”
Though tempted to ask Cassie how her vision was doing, he decided against it. He would have to feel her out as time passed. What was and was not acceptable when it came to her condition. He understood her need to not feel like a burden but at the same time he wanted her to open up to him and accept his assistance. It would be a delicate balance between her not feeling coddled and him being able to care for her the way he hoped to. Needed to.
So even as he mingled with his warriors, she was never far from his thoughts.
Thankfully, they had lost very few lives in the battle. His men had fought well and he could not be prouder. He made a point of speaking with every warrior, thanking them and offering words of encouragement. All the while, he kept his eyes open for Machara. Eventually, he came across her caring for a wounded man who had seemingly dozed off.
Though it was clear she tried to hide it, her hands shook slightly as she wiped a wet cloth across his forehead. Logan crouched beside her and frowned at the stain of blood blossoming beneath the makeshift tourniquet on her shoulder.
“Let him rest, lass.” Logan took her elbow. “Come with me so that I can see to that wound.”
When she scowled at him, he said. “That’s an order.”
Though she muttered under her breath the whole time, he managed to get her to sit on a rock. Logan scowled just as fiercely as he removed the tourniquet. “Ye didnae care for yerself properly, cousin.” He waved at a nearby warrior then nodded at the stream that ran down to the larger river. “Bring me both a wet and dry cloth and a skin of whisky.”
“‘Tis fine,” Machara bit off. “A minor wound if that.”
Logan shook his head. “Ye’d get yer arm cut off and call it a scratch.” After he received what he had asked for he was thorough about cleaning out the wound. Machara—stalwart warrior—barely flinched even when he poured whisky over it.
“I want to thank ye for protecting Cassie so well,” he murmured as he wrapped a fresh cloth over her wound. “None could have protected her better.”
“Aye, ‘tis true enough,” she mumbled, eyes avoiding his. “I assume she fares well then.”
Logan nodded. Machara did not realize how appreciative he really was. How fearful he had been for Cassie’s life during the battle. His cousin was his hero though she would never believe it if he told her. So instead he filled her in on everything that had happened. Every last detail. Because she was amongst his closest circle of warriors, the very best the MacLomain clan had to offer.
“So yer lass is going blind.” Machara sighed, troubled. “‘Tis a hard thing that.” Her eyes at last met his and she shocked the hell out of him. “Well, if any can help a lass through such ‘tis ye.”
Logan knew if he thanked her for the compliment it would likely frustrate her and she would find a scathing comment to mask it with. So he simply said, “Aye, ye’ve the right o’ it,” before he stood and handed the rem
ainder of the whisky to her. “Drink lass. ‘Tis well deserved.”
Machara grunted her agreement before he left. While he would have preferred to stay with her and mayhap talk for a bit, she wouldn’t want it. At one time, they’d been friends, as close as he and his other cousins, but becoming Laird had ended that. He could only hope that someday she would forgive him.
The men who had lost their lives were buried and prayers murmured before everyone set up camp in the woods edging the field. Though he knew all would prefer to sleep beneath the open sky, it was always best to remain in a well-protected area. Especially considering the new threat they faced.
Not surprisingly, Cassie had stayed with Darach. They were sitting on the shore of the river when he joined them with a few skins of whisky. The sun had nearly set and deep crimson swaths swept over the water, rippling away as clouds started to roll overhead.
“Now I know you’re safe enough, I’ll leave you two be.” Darach squeezed Cassie’s hand, gaze affectionate and a smidge sad. “‘Twas a good talk, lass. ‘Twill be an equally good friendship betwixt us, aye?”
She smiled. “Definitely.”
After he left, Logan handed her a skin. As always, he could not tear his eyes from her face. She had tied her hair back with a swath of plaid, but a few wisps blew around her neck, brushing her delicate collarbone. Her eyes shimmered a darker green, caught in the shadows of dusk.
Though he knew it was none of his business, he could not help but murmur, “That sounded serious.”
Cassie took a sip and eyed him. “Actually, it sort of was.”
Logan arched a brow. “Aye?”
She nodded. “Yup. I figured it was time to tell him that I wasn’t interested in more than friendship with him.”
He had never heard more satisfying words. “‘Tis good that.” His hand slid into hers. “Because I didnae want to have to battle him over you.”
“I wouldn’t have let it get that far.” She shook her head. “It was just strange is all.”
“Why?”
Cassie shrugged. “I dunno. I guess I’m not used to dealing with one guy interested in me let alone two.”
“I dinnae ken.” He cocked his head, accent thickening of its own accord. “Yer the loveliest lass I’ve ever laid eyes on. ‘Tis no surprise that Darach feels the same.”
Quest of a Scottish Warrior Page 21
