How To Steal A Highlander

by Olivia Norem

  Clootie quieted to a low growl and bared his teeth but kept a keen eye trained on Simeon. Simeon glanced up at the ceiling and rubbed the back of his neck, as if to relieve some strain there. Not only did his dog’s misplaced loyalties chafe his pride, but his sister had a woeful lack of timing. The last thing he needed to suffer through right now was a chatty discourse between two females. His mind was on other things, like taking Katherine to bed and reacquainting himself with every luscious inch of her glorious body. But propriety dictated at least an introduction, if nothing more than to allay Katherine’s jealousy. Simeon expelled a long sigh of frustration.

  “Lass. Meet Sofia. Me sister. Sofia. This is Katherine. Me wife.” He all but snarled the title.

  “You’re sister?” Kat gaped at the woman. Of course. The same dark looks, the shape of the eyes. She could see the resemblance now. Sofia shot her a tremulous smile.

  “Your sister?” Kat stole a look up at Simeon.

  “Yer brother had the same reaction. Almost.” He arched a brow.

  “I’ll just leave these here.” Sofia cleared her throat and placed the bundle of clothes on a nearby chest. “I look forward tae speaking with ye, Katherine.”

  “Oh, so do I.” Kat’s shoulders sank in relief. “Thank you, Sofia. That’s really kind. I wasn’t sure when I’d find some clean clothes around here.”

  “I’ll see aboot bringing ye some combs for yer hair as well, and send up a maid tae assist ye with—"

  “Begone now.” Simeon barked over his shoulder. Both women shot him a defensive glare at the interruption. Kat dared to bend a little farther past his massive frame and tilted her head with a grin.

  “Honey, looks like you could use a little girl time too with all the testosterone in this place.”

  Sofia’s brow creased momentarily in confusion before she masked her reaction. Her new sister-in-law had a curious way with words.

  “’Twill be me pleasure tae ken ye, sister.” Sofia laughed.

  “Oot!” Simeon ordered. “And take that devil Clootie with ye.”

  “He’s yer dog, brother. I’ll nae gae near him,” Sofia snipped and quickly shut the door as Kat chuckled and wiggled her fingers in farewell. “She’s spunky. I like her. Not exactly the ideal way to meet your family… but… are you always so rude? And you should be nicer to my dog.”

  “Yer dog? I ne’r kent tae see ye again and yer stand here prattling on aboot clothes and dogs?”

  “I wasn’t talking about—"

  “Och, lass ye do. Ye talk too much,” Simeon cut her off abruptly as he swept her up into his arms. Kat yelped in surprise. Clootie inched forward at the sound, growling and snarling protectively.

  “I don’t think my sweet Angel appreciates you handling me like this,” Kat laughed.

  Simeon grunted. “I dinnae give a damn whot he thinks.” His lips found hers as he strode purposely toward the bed. His kiss was so consuming that neither of them heard the muffled commotion in the hall.

  “Not until I see her with my own eyes.” The male voice hollered. Clootie issued three sharp yelps. The heavy portal banged open and Clootie erupted into another ear-piercing frenzy.

  “Bloody fooking hell!” Simeon spun hastily to block his naked wife from whomever dared brook their privacy. By the saints, he was going to fetch his sword and clear this entire castle.

  “Ian!” Kat shrieked.

  “Sàmhach, ye damn dog,” Simeon commanded. Clootie quieted but bared dripping fangs and stalked toward Ian.

  “Geez, Kat. I can’t unsee that.” Ian grimaced to the side as he shielded his eyes with his forearm. Ian blanched as Clootie sank to his haunches, poised to spring into attack. His barking resumed and threatened to shake the very beams in the ceiling. “Good God. What the hell is that thing?”

  “That’s my dog,” Kat and Simeon said at the same time. They traded puzzled glances.

  “Sàmhach, Clootie,” Simeon ordered. The dog barked louder.

  “I… I just wanted to see if you were okay?” Ian half-shouted nervously.

  “Damn you, I’m fine. And no thanks to you,” Kat seethed over Clootie’s deafening sounds. “Relax my Angel.” Kat shushed the dog with her hand. Clootie quieted to low, huffing growls as Simeon looked at her skeptically.

  “Yer arrival is untimely and unwelcome, Ian Goldman,” Simeon gritted between clenched teeth. He eased Kat to her feet, unwound the plaid from his shoulder, and shielded Kat to her knees.

  “Sorry, Simeon. Look, Kitty Kat, I—" Ian pleaded, walking toward them. He flinched back as Clootie issued a warning bark.

  “Don’t you ‘Kitty Kat’ me,” Kat interjected with exasperated hands on her hips. “You drugged me and left me! Of all the stupid, idiotic, thoughtless, irresponsible, senseless, stupid, hairbrained, reckless—"

  “Lass.” Simeon cut her off, his grin tinged with mirth.

  “What?”

  “Ye said stupid twice, lass. Now perhaps this discussion can wait?” It wasn’t really a question, and his eyes bore into hers with molten understanding. Ian cleared his throat as Simeon’s fingertip grazed the soft skin of her cheek.

  “Look. Give us an hour, okay?” She laid a hand over Simeon’s heart, unable to tear her eyes from his. Simeon closed his hand over hers and lifted it gently, placing a kiss on her open palm. “Better make it two,” Kat sighed.

  Ian rolled his eyes as he stepped back, keeping a watch on the giant, growling dog.

  “Come away, Ian Goldman. We’ll find somethin’ tae entertain ye.” Sofia’s soft lilt beckoned from the doorway. Simeon’s head snapped around as he glared at the pair.

  “Stay away from me sister,” Simeon threatened.

  Ian waggled his brows and flashed a wicked smile as he grabbed the door handle. Just before he pulled it shut, he couldn’t resist a parting taunt. “Why should I, Simeon? You didn’t stay away from mine.”

  The door closed hard as both Simeon and Clootie charged the portal. The massive deerhound stood on his hind legs, his paws clawed the wood as he snarled and barked. Kat’s mouth dropped at the sight. The dog standing upright was practically as tall as the Laird.

  Faint male laughter trailed beyond the door and Kat and Simeon exchanged a startled glance. Simeon’s lips tilted upward, and his eyes gleamed with a mischievous light. Kat’s brow winged up as Simeon snapped his fingers, calling the dog to heel.

  “Only two hours, lass?”

  “To start.” Kat teased.

  He bent to stroke Clootie’s head. “Ye got his scent, laddie. Gabh air! Attack!” Simeon ripped open the door. To Kat’s horror, Clootie bounded past him, and Simeon kicked the door closed with one foot. Never breaking eye contact with her, Simeon leaned an ear against the wood and began to chuckle.

  “Simeon, no!” Kat’s hand flew to her throat as a male shout of terror that could only be Ian’s was followed by a crescendo of screams rising from the hall below. Kat took a tremulous step toward the door as Simeon’s hand raised to stop her. The sounds of pandemonium grew louder.

  “Is he going to be all right?” Kat worried.

  Simeon’s gaze roamed over her skin in sensual perusal as he slowly peeled the plaid from her body, his eyes dancing with humor. “Dinnae fash yersel, lass. I’ve seen Clootie tear through an entire wolf pack and emerge with nary a scratch.”

  Chapter 23

  “The way I see it, we are going to need a distraction. We approach using standard inverted wedge formation. I’ll take the upper-right flank. Simeon, you’ll take point, and Ian can take left flank. I’m thinking a simple smoke bomb or light explosion should do it.” Kat scrawled a series of ‘x’s’ and lines on the rough parchment with a fresh-cut quill. What she wouldn’t give for a regular ink pen. Or a dry erase board.

  Ian, Sofia, and Simeon studied the markings skeptically. Their heads had been bent together, strategizing over the makeshift map laid on the table in Simeon’s solar. Ian had managed to sketch a rudimentary outline based on what he remembered from his researc
h. The group had poured over ideas, testing and debating theories over the drawing tonight, as they had night after night since Kat’s untimely arrival. No matter what they discussed or postulated, one hard fact remained. They faced too many unknowns. They had no idea the true scope of the witch’s terrain, or where the source of her power, the stone, was located. Without the data necessary to determine an appropriate attack, everything they planned or discussed was simple speculation.

  Ever the strategist, Ian bristled uncomfortably. Unless they had definitive information to work with, everything they discussed was pure conjecture. What he wouldn’t give for a set of blueprints, even antiquated ones. But Kat’s instincts, and she’d argued this point ad nauseum, said the one place a witch with a mammoth ego would keep her diamond would be in plain sight, so logically, it shouldn’t be difficult to find.

  Ian had his doubts.

  Simeon swallowed his temper.

  “I agree with ye, sister,” Sofia piped up. “And ‘twould be a simple thing, really, tae make a vessel tae smoke or explode.” Kat bestowed her with a triumphant smile while Simeon clenched and unclenched his fists in frustration. His own sister was encouraging the lass.

  “After that, it’s a simple bait and switch. I’ll switch out the stone and get out of there while you guys keep her busy. That witch will be none the wiser. Besides, you said the farther away she is from the stone, the weaker her powers become. Right, Ian?”

  Her brother, he noted, nodded tightly in agreement. Simeon bit his lip and remained silent. He’d allowed his feisty, wee lass to plan and strategize night after night to keep the peace between them. He was tired of their recurring argument, he demanding she stay out of harm’s way, and she insisting she accompany them. He’d argued, threatened, cajoled, and even reduced himself to bribing her, yet his Katherine remained unwavering in her decision. He didn’t have the heart to restrain her since she’d suffered that already, and he couldn’t lock her away in the east tower or the hideous dungeon. Besides, Katherine had already proven there was no lock that could contain her.

  But tonight was the eve of his departure. What vexed him was not the unknown obstacles in Isobel’s lair, or smoky bombs, or exploding distractions. On the morrow, Simeon was prepared to die. While the soldier in him was experienced with the familiar tightening of apprehension the night before a battle; the man, who loved this woman beyond all else, the man, was terrified.

  Kat glimpsed the hardened tic of his jaw working overtime.

  “Then you guys can, uh… do what you need to do.” Kat shuddered. “There is no other way.”

  “Aye, lass there is.” Simeon swept up the parchment and tossed it into the hearth. “Yer nae gaun.”

  “The hell I’m not.”

  “Lass,” Simeon sighed. “We’ve talked and talked, and I’ll no’ talk more. Ian and I ride out at first light with fifty o’ me men at arms.”

  “You can’t do that, Simeon. It’s suicide. You need me—”

  “I’ve spoken, lass. Ye stay.” Simeon quit the room, leaving three pairs of shocked eyes to stare at the door.

  He’s spoken?

  “He’s just worried for ye, Katherine.” Sofia laid a tentative hand on her arm.

  “And you? You agree with him?” Kat squared off at her brother.

  “Look, Kat. There’s no one better at stealth than you. And while I’d like to have you there, I agree with the old boy. We don’t know what we’re stepping into or what we’re facing. He won’t be able to do what he needs to do if he’s worried about keeping an eye on you.”

  “I don’t believe this.”

  “Kat this isn’t breeching some state of the art system, or bypassing some guards, or repelling down the sides of some building. This is ancient and curses; and frankly, these are things we’ve never faced before.”

  “Oh, and you’re better suited for this than I am?”

  “I didn’t say that. But I have a better chance than you. And… well, I promised Simeon.”

  “Promised him what?” Kat continued to prod at her brother’s hesitation. “What, Ian? What did you promise him?”

  “That if it looks like we won’t win, I’d leave him to face the witch alone and return you home.”

  Hot tears sprung to Kat’s eyes before she could control the flood. She slowly sank into a chair, the full weight of the danger of this venture finally settled on her with an icy weight of dread. Ian looked gravely at Sofia, whose face softened in compassion. Kat’s heart was breaking, but she refused to accept defeat before they even attempted this mission.

  Ian scrubbed a frustrated hand over his jaw. “Don’t make this harder on him, Kat. If you love him like I think you do, don’t make this night any more difficult than it already is. Come here. At least wish me luck, huh, Kitty Kat?”

  Kat wiped her eyes furiously and hugged her brother.

  “When did you get all medieval-y on me?” She choked out.

  “Technically Kat, this is the Renaissance.” His body shook in silent laughter.

  “Go to hell, Ian.” Kat squeezed him tighter. Ian flicked the tip of her nose. “I’ll see you on the other side of this, Kat. We both will.”

  “You’re so damned sure of that?”

  “Of course.” Ian flashed them a cocky smile and issued a light chuckle. “If the sword fits…”

  When the door closed behind him, Sofia rushed to her side.

  “Hear me well, sister. These braw men may hae their ideas o’ how tae win this fight, but I’ve listened tae all their plans now, right alongside ye. The only way tae defeat Isobel is no’ with swords and great shows o’ force. She must be outsmarted. Katherine, listen tae me.” Sofia grasped her forearms and gave her a small shake to underscore the seriousness of her plea. “Are ye for certs ye can do this? Remove the stone without the witch becoming wise tae yer deed?”

  “Yes.” Kat sniffed, nodding her head furiously. “It seems I’ve trained my whole life for this moment.”

  “Then listen close to me plan. And whatever ye do, dinnae drink the wine.”

  ###

  “Simeon.” Kat’s voice broke the stillness of the chamber. He had been staring out the window lost in solemn thought. When he faced her, the worry and fatigue that etched the dark planes of his face softened at the gentleness of her tone.

  She closed the door quietly. Kat’s heart was pounding so hard that her hands were shaking. She placed the jug of wine on a table before she dropped it and stared at Simeon. Any words she intended to convey suddenly turned to dust in her mouth. The weight of the air dragged between them, clouded with longing and uncertainty. These precious moments before dawn broke the horizon of the mountains beyond could very well be their last. In a scant handful of hours, one of them, or more likely both of them, would be dead.

  Kat didn’t want to spend those hours arguing their stubborn differences. No matter what she’d planned to do for him in the next few hours, right now she wanted to make certain he didn’t doubt the depth of her feelings. She didn’t want to leave anything left unsaid. Just in case she didn’t survive…

  Simeon began to lift his arms as if to enfold her in his embrace, but he stopped, hesitant, as if he was wary of her rejection.

  “Katherine.” His voice was low, like a whisper of a candle flame.

  His uncertainty lanced her to fresh tears. She could not bear witness to this proud warrior reduced to such diffidence. These final moments weren’t to be wasted with pride or argument. Tonight was the last time she’d be able to tell Simeon how deeply she loved him, and her magnificent Highlander deserved no less than all of her.

  Kat ran to him as Simeon rushed to her. Intent on throwing herself to her knees and crushing his thighs within the circle of her arms, she was, for the first time in her life, vulnerable. And vulnerable did not matter. There was no holding back; there were no barriers to guard the innermost secrets of her soul. The bearer of such knowledge had the power to destroy her so thoroughly she’d never recover. He was trust and love
and sentiments of the deepest recesses of her heart, so pure, surely one could not draw breath without the other.

  And that raw, exposed piece of herself was the one that reinforced everything she was about to do for him was justified. Intent to beg him over and over to never, ever stop loving her, she only hoped with every fiber of her soul that in a day, a week, or a few years even, he would forgive her.

  Simeon also fell to his knees. His arms crushed around her in an instant as he guided her sobbing face into the crook of his neck.

  The anguish wracked her body, and Kat heaved and gasped for air through her tears, as Simeon whispered and pressed light kisses over the top of her hair.

  “I love ye beyond me life, lass,” Simeon croaked, cradling her face between his palms. His watery gaze was choked with emotion as his eyes probed the depths of hers. This was Simeon. Laid bare. Exposed. And equally vulnerable. His soul cracked open, bleeding out everything he was. Pride and male. Protector and lover. Laird and husband. And through the cloak of vulnerability, now obliterated between them, Kat did truly understand the depth of his love. He was. Everything.

  “Simeon, oh, Simeon,” she whimpered as her lips sought his in a panic. He met her with an equal fervor, swallowing her soft cries.

  “Mo ghaol, mo chridhe, Katherine, me lass…” His brogue rasped in tingling strains along the spine of her soul.

  Before Kat was cognizant of any other molecule in the universe, her fingers clawed at his plaid, ripping it away and bearing one shoulder. Her lips trailed the bare expanse of his skin as Simeon ripped away the bodice of her gown.

  The rest of their clothes were stripped away in frantic eagerness. Kat couldn’t protest as Simeon’s hand pushed her roughly to the floor. No sooner had her skin skimmed the smooth, cool stones beneath her back, than she felt the hard demand of Simeon driving into her with one raging thrust.

  Kat arched from the floor as his name gushed from her lips in a scream. Her fingers locked in his hair as she tightened her thighs around his hips. She clutched and pulled, demanding that every possible inch of his skin touch hers.