“I have never been prouder of ye than I was today, lads,” Moray said, his voice loud and clear as his eyes went from man to man. “Ye were clever, and patient then fought with the heart of true Scotsmen.”
Men roared with triumph, most still covered in blood as whores came alongside, ready to help them transition from battle lust to another type of lust entirely.
Moray unsheathed his sword and eyed it with fondness. “This has cut down many a Sassenach and traitor alike, but I’m afraid ‘twill no longer do so at my hand.” He held the hilt out to William. “Might ye carry on my blade’s legacy and see more Sassenach blood stain its steel.”
A heavy sadness settled over the men as they realized what was happening. As they realized their commander’s battle wound was far worse than he let on.
“Aye, my friend, ‘twould be my honor.” Wallace lowered his head as he took the blade. “Might I wield it as well as ye did.”
“Och, I dinnae doubt ye will.” Moray clasped his shoulder and met his eyes. “It has been a true honor fighting alongside ye and yer men, Wallace. Might ye and yers always fight for Scotland’s freedom as ferociously as ye did today.”
Another roar went up far and wide as not only Moray’s men responded but William’s.
“Ye’ve followed me for a long time, and I’m grateful, but I’ve two more things to ask of ye, lads,” Moray called out to his men, his voice still strong, though he kept a firm hand on Wallace’s shoulder, likely for support.
When his men nodded, many replying ‘anything,’ Moray continued. “After this night, I willnae be yer commander anymore.” He shook his head. “I willnae be amongst the living.” Again, he looked from man to man, speaking more directly to some than others. “Promise me ye’ll spread rumor that I still live for as long as possible so that we dinnae appear weakened.” His eyes went to William before sweeping over the crowd again. “And swear yer allegiance to William Wallace here and now. Fight for him as ye fought for me.”
There was no hesitation but a roar of approval.
These men had been devoted to Moray and would fight just as hard for Wallace.
As it turned out, they would also keep Moray alive for some time after this battle with rumor alone.
After the cheers died down, Moray grinned at William. “Now that we’ve settled all that, I believe ye promised me the perfect ending to a bloody good victory, Wallace.”
“Aye.” Wallace met his grin as Cressingham was dragged forward and shoved to his knees. “That I did.”
Chapter Nineteen
MILLY SIGHED AS SHE stood on one of Stirling Castle’s battlements and stared down on the River Forth. The sun was setting, its rays as red as the blood-stained ground. “So everything went as it should.”
It had been unbelievable walking through the castle. To step foot in it during this day and age. Heck, she had walked its halls hundreds of years before Mary, Queen of Scots would. It was a humbling and powerful feeling. All of this was.
“Aye, lass,” Adlin murmured as he stood behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. “History, as it should be, is on the road to recovery.”
“History as it should be,” she murmured and turned in his arms. “It’s hard to imagine after what I saw today that things could go wrong.” She pressed her lips together. “Though I know they will...there’s a lot ahead for this country.” Her eyes fell to his chest so she would not by chance see any dreaded truth. “And for my friends, it seems.”
“Milly.” He tilted her chin until their eyes met again. “You have to know at this point that whether fated to be together or not my kin will protect your friends with their life. They willnae let anything happen to them nor will I.”
“Assuming you’re there,” she reminded. “Assuming we’re both there.”
“Either way,” he said. “I truly believe they will be well protected. More than that, based on what I saw of Lindsay, I believe they can handle whatever’s thrown their way.”
Milly flinched. “Maybe Christina but Jessie...I just don’t know.” She shook her head. “She’s so fragile. And on her own page.”
“Does at least half if not all my kin strike you as being on their own page as well?” He offered a lopsided grin. “Do I not?”
She couldn’t help a small smile. “You are one of a kind, Adlin.”
“Aye.” He kept grinning, clearly trying to cheer her up. “Would you like to return to the future and check on your friends?”
“Do you think Lindsay is there?”
Adlin shook his head. “Not with any certainty.”
“What about creating one of your Highland Defiances and taking a peek?”
“’Twould be unwise,” came Grant’s soft voice before he appeared on the battlement alongside Jim. “The less magic right now, the better.”
When Adlin perked a brow at him, Grant said, “’Tis best that Jim returns to the future to check on the other lasses and mayhap prepare them for what’s to come.” His eyes went between Milly and Adlin. “Though ‘tis clear other rings are at work, you’d best be prepared to attend future battles. To assist if need be.”
“Of course,” Milly replied, not frightened in the least by the prospect. “Where and when?”
“The Action at Earnside Skirmish and the Action at Hepprew,” Grant replied. “Both in our Lord’s year, thirteen hundred and four. Seven years from now.”
“Will William be at both?” Milly asked.
“Aye.” Grant nodded. “Wallace at both and Robert the Bruce at Hepprew.”
“Robert the Bruce,” Milly whispered. “Now there’s someone I look forward to meeting.”
“As if you didnae enjoy meeting Wallace,” Adlin commented, grinning.
“And Moray,” she agreed, saddened as she thought of his fate. He might have a hard personality, but he was an admirable man. His death would be a great loss for Scotland.
“He’ll die in Aðísla’s arms with an eye to the sun setting over his homeland,” Adlin said softly. “He’ll die with a mighty victory under his belt and great hope for his country.”
“I know,” she whispered, blinking away unexpected tears before she looked at Jim. “So you’re heading home? What about...” She gestured at Blair as she headed their way. “You know.”
“I intend to go with him,” Blair answered, her eyes narrowed on Grant. “He should not face time travel alone. ‘Tis unpredictable.”
“Is it now?” Jim looked at her with amusement. “I think I can handle whatever the twenty-first century throws at me.”
“Ye barely managed what I threw at ye.” She gave him a don’t-you-remember look before her eyes went between Adlin and Grant. “I’ll see the lad kept safe, aye?”
“I managed what you threw at me just fine which wasn’t much, sweetheart, for all the teasing you did.” Jim snorted and shook his head. “So don’t sweat protecting me. I know how to defend myself.”
Milly smirked at both the banter and the ludicrous declaration. Jim didn’t know shit about protecting himself against magic or medieval time travelers that could pull a blade on him. Which, as she gave it more thought, made her nervous.
“I agree with Blair,” Milly said. “Sending Jim back to the future undefended doesn’t sound like a good idea at all.”
Jim perked his brows at Milly in surprise as Blair nodded and said, “There ye have it. I should go.”
“Who will protect MacLomain Castle then if Adlin’s off on another adventure?” Graham asked as he joined them. “Me?”
“Aye,” Blair said, pleased with the idea. “Ye’ve enough practice considering all the riffraff country folk yer always seeing to. Many say ye’d make a good laird if ye saw fit to set out on yer own and start yer own clan.”
Milly eyed Graham, surprised by the revelation.
“Ye cannae just start yer own clan,” Graham muttered under his breath. “It doesnae work that way.”
“Be that as it may,” Blair started before Grant smoothly intercepted.
“Aye,” Bryce agreed as he joined them. “I could use some time at home before I go in search of Lindsay, who may verra well be my mate.”
Milly looked at Jim. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
“Do you even need to ask?” He gave her a solid hug and a wink. “I mean how can I go wrong with a woman like Blair along?”
Milly glanced at Blair, shook her head and grinned. “Good luck and thank you.”
“Aye, lass.” Blair embraced her then met her eyes. “I’ll see ye soon enough, friend. Until then, love well. Ye cannae hope for any better than Adlin MacLomain.”
“Don’t I know it.” Milly smiled and met Adlin’s eyes moments before he pulled her close, and everything started swirling around them. The pressure dropped then readjusted quickly as the wind died and they once again stood in MacLomain Castle. This time they were not in the dungeons but on a wall walk overlooking a peaceful loch.
“Lass, ‘twas truly a pleasure meeting you,” Grant murmured as he embraced her. “Thank you for all your help. I will see you again soon.”
Milly nodded and smiled, thankful for all the comfort he offered her during the battle. “I look forward to it, Grant.”
Graham didn’t bother with words but embraced her, kissed her on the cheek then whispered in her ear, “Love Adlin and love him well. No one deserves it more. But then you already know that, aye?”
Surprised that he had finally said ‘you’ instead of ‘ye’ she started to respond, but he was already gone.
“Milly, it would have been a privilege to claim you as my mate had Fate allowed it.” Bryce held her hand and stared so intently at her she swore she saw a flash of golden catlike eyes. “Laird MacLomain is a verra lucky man.”
She smiled, charmed despite his intensity. “Thank you, Bryce...Laird MacLeod.”
Then, like Graham, he was gone, and she and Adlin were alone.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge was again fifteen years in their past.
Milly tried to stay strong as she stared out at the horizon. As she felt how lost in time William Wallace and Andrew Moray really were now.
“They will always be here,” Adlin said softly as he pulled her close, his blue eyes even lighter than usual as they searched hers. “They will always be part of this land and part of our hearts, lass.”
“I know,” she whispered. And she did. Now more than ever and she suspected even more before this was all said and done. She had been given a glimpse inside history. She had met its heroes and seen its battles, both known and unknown.
More than that, she had been part of it.
Would continue to be part of it.
“Soon,” Adlin murmured before he scooped her up, a sparkle in his eyes. “But first we’re going to spend some time in my chamber...quite a lot of time.”
“And then what?” she whispered as she wrapped her arm around his neck and smiled.
“Need ye ask?” Adlin smiled as well. “I’m going to make ye Lady of the Castle then get busy making some wee bairns to fill it up with.”
Children had been the last thing on her mind before traveling back in time and meeting Adlin, but now it seemed like the most natural concept in the world. Life would change, she would adapt, but she knew with a man like Adlin she could do anything she wanted here...once they conquered evil and saved Scotland’s history that is.
But that was for another day.
Right now, as Adlin lay her down in bed and eyed her with adoration, she lived in the moment and pulled him down after her. Strife was ahead and the future unpredictable, but it was more promising now that they were together.
They had found power and strength in love.
A chance to have what they were denied before.
So as the sun dipped below the horizon on a day that would never be forgotten, Adlin and Milly finally started over.
One life was behind them, and another had just begun.
The End
Taken by a Highland Laird
Book Two
By
Sky Purington
Introduction
HAVING ALREADY BEEN whisked back in time by a magical Claddagh ring, Lindsay has been navigating medieval Scotland by relying on her skills as an actress. More so, by utilizing a powerful magical gift she has long kept secret. One that helped her not only survive an English encampment on the brink of battle but also to manipulate its very commanders.
Soon after, she was rescued by a band of Highland wizards determined to save Scotland’s history. Now she’s on the opposite side of the River Forth facing the Englishmen who so recently held her captive. Knowing full well she can help in ways no one else can, she has offered to put her life on the line to aid the Scots. And so the story goes...
Prologue
11 September 1297
Stirling, Scotland
Hours Before the Battle of Stirling Bridge
WILLIAM WALLACE SAT back, crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a look she would never forget. An opportunistic expression mixed with surprise and confusion. “So you will be my spy?”
“I will,” Lindsay confirmed. “While Adlin and his friends seem nice enough, it’s safe to say I know them about as well as I know you.”
“And the more friends, the better, aye?” Wallace gave her a look. “Some would say a good friend would give me insight into the upcoming battle.”
“A good friend would do the opposite.” Lindsay issued a knowing grin. “But I’ll be sure to tell you everything that happens between now and the next time we meet.”
“Which should be hours from now,” he said.
More likely years but he didn’t need to know that.
“As far as I can tell, Adlin has been very forthright with you,” she remarked. “So I’m curious why you would ask this of me to begin with.”
A puzzled expression flickered across his face then vanished before he shrugged. She had seen that look countless times before. The face of a man being unknowingly compelled. It was a gift of hers to get men to do things they otherwise would not. Right now, that was making sure she and William formed an alliance. Spying seemed as plausible a reason as any.
“There are always things to be heard,” William murmured. “Even from those such as Adlin.” His eyes leveled with hers. “Especially about future battles and where they might be, aye?”
She nodded but offered no further comment as they resumed eating breakfast. Because she was so important to today’s battle, William had requested that she remain in his tent the night before. Though unorthodox, she agreed. As it was, she had spent the night in far more threatening tents lately.
“I should go check on Milly,” she finally announced as she dabbed a cloth daintily on either side of her mouth and stood. “Before things get, well, you know...too busy.”
“’Tis a brave thing yer doing luring the Sassenach, lass.” William escorted her to the entrance. “Stay safe, Lindsay.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine with one of Adlin’s cousin’s protecting me.” She just hoped it wouldn't be the one she figured it would be. Since she was mysteriously whisked back in time from the twenty-first century, taken by the English then rescued by the Scots, Bryce, Graham and Conall had been vigilant protectors.
“Aye, especially the one.” William grinned. “Ye know he’s been eying this tent all eve wondering about us. I might not be able to see him, but I can feel him.”
Oh, she knew.
And Laird Hamilton would soon find out exactly what she thought about that.
Unfortunately, by the time she had her say it was already too late.
Chapter One
“YOU COULD SLOW DOWN some,” she muttered under her breath as none other than Laird Conall Hamilton yanked her through the woods toward Stirling Bridge less than an hour later.
“Not if they are to believe y
ou are my prisoner,” he stated blandly, his hold on her wrist an unbreakable vice grip. Like a chain already trying to lock her down.
Naturally, ever the hero, he had volunteered to bait the English alongside her. At least six foot five with broad shoulders and endless muscles she was no match for him physically. But mentally? Time would tell. Lindsay sighed as she stumbled along and put up a believable struggle. The truth was, Conall was as smart as he was strong and that, amongst other things, was getting on her nerves.
Sure, being flung back in time to days before one of the most famous battles in Scottish history was daunting, but she had handled it. She had worked her magic on Hugh Cressingham then on John de Warenne, the Earl of Surrey. She had been what they needed her to be. But then that’s what she did for a living.
She acted, and she did so very well.
Again and again, over and over, no matter where she was.
“The bloody Sassenach are watching you, lass,” Conall muttered. “They want you back.”
“That’s what we’re counting on,” she reminded, nearly tripping on a root.
Fog drifted in thick waves through the damp, pine-scented forest, obscuring far more than she would like. It hid things from her. Kept something from her. Up until this point, she had been strong but something about that, not being able to see beyond the fog, sent shivers through her. A chill and dread that, of all things, had her clutching the ring in her pocket for comfort.
Guidance.
Protection.
But why would she feel that way?
Even as she shook her head against the idea, she slid the Claddagh ring on. Unfortunately, it didn’t affect her fear in the least. If anything, it made her feel more vulnerable. Or was it really the ring? She frowned as her eyes went to Conall.
The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4) Page 27
