Sworn to a Highland Laird

by Sky Purington

“Yes,” the other man replied. “And all will perish as you single-handedly change history.”

  That’s when he looked at Lundie, and she saw just enough of his sinister face. More than that, she saw the unnatural glow of his eyes. This was dark magic.

  He was a wizard.

  “Milly, can ye hear me, lass?” came a feminine whisper through the forest. “If ye can, just close your eyes, leave wherever ye are and follow the sound of my voice.”

  She frowned and looked around. Blair? But it almost sounded like it was coming from the trees. Maybe even the ground. Like a faraway echo.

  “Just do as I ask, ye ken?” Blair whispered, her tone dire. “And do it now.”

  Trusting the Scotswoman completely, she closed her eyes and followed the sound of Blair’s voice. Like a whisper on the wind, it led her out until everything went black, and she jolted awake. This time she was sitting on the ground perched against a tree with Blair and Aðísla crouched in front of her.

  “Ah, there ye are,” Blair murmured as Aðísla pulled her thumb away from Milly’s forehead. “How are ye feeling, lass?”

  “Confused.” Her mouth was so dry she welcomed the skin of cold water Blair held to her lips. After she had taken several swallows, she glanced around. “Where are we? What happened?”

  “We’re doing exactly what Adlin did not want,” Aðísla informed. “But you were in one of your trances and babbling all sorts of alarming things, so we knew it was best to head his way.”

  “Is she back to herself then?” came Graham’s soft voice before he appeared through the darkness and crouched in front of her as well.

  “Aye.” Blair urged Milly to remain sitting when she tried to stand. “Nay, lass, not yet. Give yerself a few moments to acclimate.”

  Milly nodded and eyed Blair. “How did you do that anyway? How did you pull me out of what I assume was a dream?”

  “That was no dream,” Aðísla said, troubled. “But magic.”

  “And that’s obviously a bad thing,” Milly said.

  “Aye,” Conall replied as he emerged out of the darkness and leaned against the same tree. As usual, his posture was stiff and his eyes trained anywhere but on her. “You were under the influence of both good and black magic. ‘Twas unnerving.”

  “Was it the ring again?” She glanced at it. “Did it make me sick?”

  “Not quite,” Blair said. “But we think it did somehow control ye...or mayhap the other way around.”

  “So how did you save me?”

  Because how else should she phrase it?

  “Aðísla used her ability to access yer third eye which showed us where ye were,” Blair explained. “Because of my ma’s semi-blindness, I inherited an unusual ability to see via magic, so I trailed Aðísla’s channel into yer second sight. Then, like my da, my element is of the earth, so I can speak through anything born of it. Even the trees.”

  Come again?

  “I see,” Milly whispered, more than a little alarmed.

  “Och, yer overwhelming her,” Graham muttered. He handed her another skin and a comforting smile. “Here, lassie. A wee dram to take the edge off from listening to these two, aye?”

  “Thanks.” She managed a weak smile before she took a hearty gulp of whisky and held out her hand to Graham. “Mind helping me up?”

  “Aye, lass,” he said and made sure she was steady afterward. “How do ye feel? Are ye well?”

  She found it interesting that he was the only one out of the men who did not make a point of saying ‘you’ versus ‘ye.’ Not that it really mattered. It just made her curious because she sensed there was something behind it.

  “I’m okay,” she said as she gained her bearings. “Thank you, Graham.”

  “Adlin will not be pleased she’s so close to the enemy,” Conall said. “’Twould probably be best if you headed back now that you know all is well enough.”

  “We know no such thing.” Aðísla frowned. “What we do know is that Milly told us to seek out Adlin when she was in her trance. That Lindsay and Bryce were in dire trouble and we all needed to get here as soon as possible. Something would be happening soon.”

  “I said all that?” Milly shook her head. “But that has nothing to do with what I was dreaming about.” She shared what she saw and heard between Lundie and the hooded wizard. “What if you bringing me here was some sort of trap?” A shiver raced up her spine. “What if I’ve somehow put everyone in danger?”

  “Then we will face it without fear,” Conall said, surprising her when he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “If nothing else is certain, ‘tis that magic is always about and you cannae blame yourself if it takes hold of you.” His eyes met hers. “And what is also certain is that your gem now glows the color of Adlin’s eyes when I look at it, and that is telling. That is right, Milly. It would not lead you astray.”

  Milly glanced at the ring but still saw brown. Her eyes went to Graham. “What about you? What color is my gem now?”

  “’Tis blue, lass,” he replied softly. “It has been blue since Blair and Aðísla arrived with ye.”

  Milly’s chest tightened at their words. The ring was finally doing what Adlin swore it would. That in itself was calming, almost empowering. Because that meant they were pushing past whatever darkness had attached itself to the gem...right?

  “So we’re close to Stirling Bridge?” she murmured, finally starting to see things clearly. “And we’re all here.” Her eyes widened as it occurred to her who wasn’t. “All of us except Jim.”

  “Jim is just fine,” Aðísla assured. “He is sound asleep in Blair’s tent and under Moray’s protection if for some reason we do not return this eve.”

  Milly frowned. Andrew Moray? “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because I’ve bedded him,” Aðísla said. “That is all it took.”

  Why did it almost sound like Aðísla bedded him with the foresight she might need to call on a favor?

  “Och, nay, ye’ve got it all wrong, Milly.” Blair grinned. “As a rule, lasses dinnae bed the lad so easily if we need a favor. Aðísla is, like me, just verra good at what she does. Even a man the likes of Moray doesnae come back from that so easily and will always want more.”

  Milly chuckled as she looked between them. Based on their ‘that’s just the way it is’ expressions, she didn’t doubt them. Go woman power. Way to be confident.

  “Enough with tales of your prowess,” Conall said. “We all need to keep a vigilant eye to the encampment lest—”

  “Wait, what was that?” Milly interrupted and pointed into the distance. “I just saw a flicker of light in that direction.”

  Everyone looked and waited, but all remained dark.

  “I’m going to move closer and get a better look,” Conall said as he slowly unsheathed his blade. “Graham, stay with the lasses.”

  Graham pulled his weapon free as well and nodded as Blair muttered, “My arse. As if us lasses intend to stay behind. I’m coming too, Conall.”

  They had only taken a few steps when Milly swore she saw her ring flicker blue. Yet when she looked again, it was brown.

  “Look.” Aðísla pointed at the ground. “Do you see it?”

  Everyone nodded as what appeared to be the gem’s blue light flickered across the forest floor and headed for the river.

  “I think we’re supposed to follow,” Milly murmured before she started after it.

  Graham and Aðísla took up position on either side of her as Conall led and Blair fell in behind. They trusted her judgement and were protecting her. A few minutes later, they stood near the river’s edge as the light died out in the water.

  “What does this mean?” Graham started to say until Conall must have caught a glimpse of something, shook his head sharply and put a finger to his mouth. Seconds later, everyone saw it. Movement. Just south on the opposite side of the river.

  “Bloody hell, ‘tis Bryce,” Conall whispered as he yanked off his boots and was in the water in no time. Graham
followed swiftly as the women, swords at the ready, took up position in front and back of Milly.

  Milly put a hand over her mouth when she finally spied Adlin wading across the river with Bryce flung over his shoulders. As far as she could tell, he refused Conall and Graham’s help but urged them to assist another. Soon enough she realized who when she saw a dark figure carrying someone with platinum blond hair.

  “Oh, God,” she whispered and tried to rush forward, but the women blocked her path.

  “Dinnae be foolish, Milly.” Blair’s eyes met hers. “The men will get her here safely.”

  A few minutes later, Adlin came ashore, the look on his face ferocious as his eyes met Aðísla’s. “Where are the horses?”

  “This way,” she said as she started back through the woods.

  Milly’s heart was in her throat at the state of Bryce. What the hell had they done to him? How could anyone be so cruel? Blair stayed by her side as the rest came ashore. It seemed Grant had been carrying Lindsay but then handed her to Conall.

  “Oh, Linds.” Tears came to her eyes as she tried to see if her friend was okay. “What happened to you?”

  Lindsey whispered something incoherent as her head lolled against Conall’s chest. Alarmed, she looked at Grant and tried not to imagine the worst. “What’s wrong with her? What did they do?”

  “Your friend will be just fine, lass,” he assured. “She is a fighter.” He gestured that they follow him. “Come, we must head back to the encampment.”

  Milly started to follow but stopped short as a strange feeling washed over her. “No.” She shook her head. “That’s the wrong direction.”

  Grant turned and cocked his head at her, not in question but as though he sensed something as well. “What do you mean, lass?”

  “I’m not sure,” she murmured as flashes of her dream came back. Lundie and the wizard co-conspiring. “I think we need to be south of here by tomorrow night.”

  His eyes went from her ring to her face and lingered before he whispered, “Ah, how clever of them.” He nodded. “South it is then. Thank you, Milly.”

  Nothing more was said as Bryce was laid on his own horse due to his size and the others paired up on the remaining horses. Milly rode with Adlin and Conall kept a still slumbering Lindsay with him. While Milly had numerous questions, she knew they would have to wait. They were heading into especially dangerous territory, and the enemy could be about. More than that, she sensed Adlin was trying to rein in deeply repressed rage. Trying to find reason within fury.

  A few hours went by before they came to what appeared to be a small abandoned castle cushioned well by trees. By that time, Lindsay seemed a little more lucid. Her first concern was for Bryce as Conall set her on a chair in the main hall and Graham lit a small fire.

  “He will be fine,” Grant assured as he and Adlin joined them after settling Bryce down somewhere upstairs. “Now that he’s allowing it, his dragon blood will have him healed by morn.”

  Lindsay did not seem all that shocked by the information as her eyes drifted to Milly. “Hello, darling,” she whispered, her eyes still somewhat glazed. “I was hoping I might see you along the way.”

  “Oh, Linds.” She pulled her into a tight embrace. “I’m so damned sorry about this. All of it. Everything you must have gone through.”

  “Never mind that,” Lindsay murmured, sounding a bit dopey. “Just make sure Bryce is okay. He’s a fierce one.”

  “So I’ve heard.” She pulled back and kept eying Lindsay over, sickened by what she must have suffered.

  “No,” Lindsay whispered and shook her head. Her eyes might not be all that clear, but they were focused on Milly. “Nobody raped me, sweetheart. Nobody outside of the weak one lay a God damned finger on me.” Her eyes narrowed with a strength and determination Milly had never seen before. “I was too smart to let that happen.”

  When Milly felt Lindsay’s strength almost physically blow through her, she whispered, “You were, weren’t you?”

  “Aye.” Grant sat down beside Lindsay and brought a skin to her lips. “Drink, lass. ‘Twill help counteract the herbs so you can rest easier.”

  “Herbs?” Milly frowned. “What herbs?”

  “You’re a sly one Grant Hamilton,” Lindsay mumbled as she sipped then winked at him. “But with looks like yours, you’ll get what you want every time.”

  “My wife would agree.” He winked right back. “She will like you, lassie.”

  “I’m sure.” She might be drowsy and vulnerable, but Lindsay was still Lindsay when she whispered, “She’ll never believe my heart’s been taken by another after seeing you, will she?”

  Well, what did she mean by that? Because Milly knew very well Lindsay kept men at arm’s length back home. She claimed she didn’t want the social media scandal, but they all knew better. Something had happened to Lindsay along the way, and she truly wanted nothing to do with men. Not when she had her career. Another fib covering some great secret they all accepted they might never know.

  “’Tis time to rest now, lass.” Grant gave Conall a look before his attention returned to Lindsay. “We will speak of hearts taken another day, aye?”

  There was no missing the tightness around Conall’s mouth and the hardness in his eyes as he scooped up Lindsay. “You’ll stay with Blair and Aðísla this eve. They will keep you safe.”

  Lindsay didn’t respond but rested her cheek against his chest. For a split second, Milly was shocked by what she saw on her friend’s face. What she knew for certain Jim had seen before he traveled back in time. A different Lindsay. Someone new. A woman more vulnerable but at the same time at peace.

  “He willnae stray far from her,” Grant said so softly she barely caught it.

  When Milly looked at him, Grant added to his statement, his voice now a normal octave. “Nobody will, lass. Not the lasses or Graham and definitely not Conall. Lindsay is safe now.”

  Milly nodded because she believed him. “What happened, Grant?” Her eyes went to Adlin, grateful to lay eyes on him. To know he was safe. “I dreamt...I have news I think.”

  Adlin nodded. “I know.” His eyes went to her ring. “When I saw it flicker through the darkness, I knew. I saw what you saw.”

  “How,” she started but stopped and shook her head. If she had figured out nothing else about Adlin and all of this, it was that things just happened. Magic happened. “You’re going to intercept Lundie and his men, aren’t you? Because they’re going to defy the Earl’s orders and cross the River Forth somewhere near here and if that happens, the battle at Stirling Bridge won’t happen. Wallace and Moray will be taken unaware.”

  “Aye,” Adlin said. “’Tis now our job to make sure history remains intact and Lundie’s and this warlock’s wayward mission is ended before it begins.”

  “Warlock?” she whispered.

  “Aye,” Grant said. “A wizard who’s strength lies in dark magic.”

  Oh, hell.

  “But there are only a handful of you,” she murmured. “There are going to be far more of them.”

  “Aye, but in this battle, we can more readily use magic.” The corner of Adlin’s mouth shot up. “And that will be verra beneficial.”

  “Here’s hoping,” she murmured, looking between them before her gaze settled on Grant. “I need to know what happened to Lindsay. How did you end up with her?” She shook her head. “How did all three of you end up there?”

  “’Twas just a matter of ending up in the same place when we were first thrust back in time,” Grant said. “Bryce and I were taken then Lindsay soon after.”

  “What sent us back in time, to begin with?” She frowned. “Because I was under the impression it might have been you. That you knew what was going on with my ring.”

  “I did, but I didnae have much warning.” Grant sighed. “Since I am more connected to the magic used to make your ring than Adlin, I knew something was interfering with it verra soon after you traveled back in time from New Hampshire. I had hoped
to figure out what that was before we were shifted back to this era.”

  “What could have possibly interfered with our magic, Grant?” Adlin frowned. “We were verra careful.”

  “Aye,” Grant agreed. “But mayhap we were also verra presumptuous.” His eyes met Adlin’s. “You were verra young, and I was too confident when we recreated something that was originally born one way or another of the Celtic gods.” A sad but wise look entered Grant’s eyes. “I believe I underestimated several factors when we made Milly’s ring. First, that you were but a wee bairn reborn trying to find his way and not the powerful mentor you used to be.”

  “And secondly?” Adlin prompted when Grant trailed off.

  “Secondly,” Grant said softly. “I failed to take into consideration that you and Mildred were never connected by a ring, as it was. That your love was different than those tied together by the previous Claddagh’s.”

  “What does that mean?” Milly said, thrown a little by the look on Grant’s face. “Because I hear nothing’s stronger in your neck of the woods than these Claddagh rings.” She narrowed her eyes. “In fact, Blair told me one of these brought you and your wife together.”

  “Aye and I’m blessed to still have my wee Sheila with me,” Grant murmured as though saying a prayer. “As to the love you and Adlin share, ‘tis timeless and different. It wasnae fated or pre-ordained like those of the Claddagh but a unity that belonged to itself.” His eyes went between them. “Twin souls that found one another against all the odds and without the help of any magic or gods. Not that we know of anyway.”

  “As romantic as that sounds,” she said. “Why would that cause what sounds like a weakness or vulnerability to darkness when you created my ring?”

  “’Tis simple,” Adlin murmured, clearly having caught on. “’Tis always unwise to manipulate the supernatural if you dinnae ken exactly what you’re dealing with. It would open you to unanticipated possibilities.”

  “Hell.” Milly laughed nervously. “You almost make it sound like one of those Ouija boards.”

  “Aye, ‘tis much like that,” Adlin said. “In our ignorance, it seems we might have overstepped our bounds and allowed something in that doesnae belong. Something dark.” His eyes went to Grant’s. “Now we need figure out what that is and how to stop it.”