“Iona! It’s been too long! I’m so glad to see you, but what are you doing here in the storm? Please, come in and get out of the wet.”
Iona stepped forward and ran her hands through her hair. Drops of water dripped onto the floor. The house looked bigger on the inside than it did outside. There was a small lounge area, a little kitchen, and then bedrooms towards the back. A thick rug was spread out in the middle of the floor, and a fire crackled loudly, with the smoke rising through the chimney.
“I came tae pay ye a visit,” Iona said. “This is Laird Broden MacCrae.”
Broden nodded. “Thank ye for giving us shelter from the storm. I’m sorry about the state of us. The skies opened and we had nae chance tae escape,” Broden said.
“Oh you don’t need to worry about that. I know what you MacCraes do for all of us. You’re welcome here any time. I’m not sure I’ll be able to find anything big enough for you, but I’ll try,” she said, and disappeared into one of the rooms, after giving Iona a sly look. Iona blushed.
Sandi returned carrying a pile of clothes. She handed them to Iona, and then passed a huge tunic to Broden. The two of them went away to get changed and dried themselves, and then returned to find that Sandi had made them some broth and tea. Warmth soon returned to them and they were glad to be in shelter. The rain came crashing down onto the building, and the noise echoed dully against the roof as the rain sloshed down beside the house, trailing over the cliff to add to the sea.
“So, you say there are bandits?” Sandi asked.
“Aye, they’ve been raiding different places for a long time now, and they’re using the Crow Forest tae get around. Have ye seen anything yeself?”
“I can’t say that I have,” Sandi said, sipping some tea. “But I don’t think bandits would want to come out here. I’m just an old woman and I don’t have anything to offer except my hospitality.”
“Tae some men, that’s everything,” Broden said, smiling. He could be very charming when he wanted to be. Iona had a warm glow in her stomach, and it wasn’t caused by the broth. “Ye should be careful though. If ye see anything come tae my castle or tell Iona here, and she’ll pass on the message tae me.”
“I shall do. Iona, I didn’t realize you had such important friends.”
“Aye, well, Broden has kindly offered tae stay at the estate. Da had an accident while out hunting,” Iona said. She felt Broden’s inscrutable gaze burn upon her and she wasn’t sure why. Sandi expressed her sympathy and then asked about the rest of the family. Iona told her all about them, rolling her eyes when she talked about Malie and Brice.
“I have been meaning to visit more, but out here I do end up losing track of time. The days just slip by.”
“If ye dinnae mind me asking, why dae ye live here and nae return tae ye native land?” Broden asked.
“Oh, I always knew I would leave that place, even as a young girl. I’ve thought of home as a place where journeys begin. The world is full of adventure and it would be a waste never to experience it for yourself.” She smiled. “I know, you’re probably wondering what kind of adventure I’m having in this small building tucked away from everyone, and you might be right, but I’m happy here with my herbs and my commune with nature. I did intend to watch over Freya in case her judgment was misguided and her marriage wouldn’t work out, but thankfully she found a good family for herself, so now I watch over nature. I’m sure that at some point in the future I shall return home again, but for now my place is here,” she explained.
Iona thought it was entirely wonderful that Sandi could have the courage to leave her home and embark on a new life for herself where she didn’t know anyone. There were no expectations on her, no judgments, and no rivalries with her sister.
“I imagine it must be freeing tae live without anyone demanding anything of ye,” Broden said.
“We all have our place in this world, as do you, Laird. After all, if you weren’t around then who would come to warn people like me of impending danger?” Sandi said.
The rain didn’t show any sign of relenting. It thundered around them and Iona felt as though they were cut off from the entire world. It was so heavy in fact that she was afraid the entire sea would rise and flood the land. Neither Broden nor Sandi seemed concerned with any such thing though. They sipped their tea and drank their broth. Sandi extended her hospitality to the night, or until the storm ended. Iona didn’t like being away from home for so long, as her father would likely worry about her, but Freya knew that she had gone to visit Sandi and it was logical to assume that Iona would stay there while the storm lasted. There was no chance of them turning back in the storm anyway, especially not at night. Staying with Sandi was the only option, and both Iona and Broden were grateful for her offer.
Sandi adjusted her rooms to make them suitable for accommodation. Iona was going to sleep with her, and Broden was going to sleep on the workbench in the space Sandi used to mix her potions and make her ointments, which she sold to local people in need of healing. The room had a lingering aura that was bitter, but if Broden noticed it he was polite enough not to say anything.
The hours passed and eventually Sandi declared that it was time for bed. Iona and Broden stayed up for a while longer, sharing secret jokes and talking softly. In this cozy, humble place with the rain falling down around them it was easy to forget about the rest of the world. It was easy to lose herself in the feeling of attraction that swam around her mind. She blushed almost constantly, and felt an ethereal pull towards him. She had no doubt that magic existed in the world, and love was the most powerful type of magic there was.
The fire crackled beside them, offering them more warmth. The lateness of the night played on her mind and she was lulled into a dazed state. Everything seemed so dreamy and she didn’t want it to end. After she yawned for the fifth time in a matter of minutes, however, Broden suggested that it was time for sleep. Iona didn’t have the energy to protest.
Broden held out his hands to help her up. She took them and was lifted into the air so fiercely that she almost crashed into him. Pressing her arms against his broad chest to steady herself, she saw the flames of the fire dancing in his eyes. The beating of her heart was rapid and passionate. Broden’s hands fell around her waist, resting there as if it was where they belonged, where they had always belonged. Her lips parted. All day she had felt the urge to know what it was like to be kissed by him, and then suddenly his arms wrapped around her back, enveloping her completely, and then his lips were upon her in a firm yet tender kiss. Hot breath washed over her and she was engulfed in his desire. His arms felt strong as he lifted her to her tiptoes. Tingles danced all down her spine and a muffled moan escaped her lips. One of his mighty hands rested against the small of her back, while the other rose up and cradled the back of her head, his thick fingers running through her soft hair. Iona’s arms reached around his broad shoulders and the trunk of his neck. She pressed her body against his. Hers was so soft, while his was hard and rigid, packed with muscle. His kiss was intoxicating, and it felt as though she had lost her mind.
They finally broke away to catch their breath. Broden smiled, and Iona did as well. His taste scorched her lips and she was hungry for more. Her young heart beat fiercely, wondering what came next. Something had been unlocked in her and so many powerful sensations came rushing out in one glorious burst of vivid fire, but just as she went to pluck another kiss from his beautiful lips her jaws widened in a yawn, and she turned away.
Broden chuckled. “Time for bed lass,” he said, stroking her cheek. His palm was warm and she nestled into it, closing her eyes, wishing that she could curl up against his body like a cat in front of a fire. When he finally took his arms away from her she felt as though she had plummeted down an icy abyss. As if to make her sensations real he walked over and snuffed out the fire, turning the flames to ash. They were plunged into darkness. The day was over and she would have to wait for anything more. The kiss would have to be enough to sustain her.
/> 6
Iona felt strange through the night, sharing a bed with her aunt, when all she wanted was to be close to Broden. It was almost impossible not to feel frustrated when he was just a room away. Only a thin wall separated them, and it seemed wrong that they should be apart after such passion bloomed between them. She found it difficult to sleep as well because all kinds of feelings were raging through her young body. It was as though she had been made aware of another part of life, one that she had only been allowed brief glimpses of before. It was more vibrant and vivid than anything she could imagine, and she wanted more.
Iona tried to maintain control and reminded herself of what Freya had said, but she couldn’t imagine ever feeling this way about anyone else. She didn’t just like Broden because of the way he looked, but by the way he acted. He was kind and generous, polite, he was interested in her as a person, and seemed to take great delight in learning about the way she differed from everyone else in the Highlands. He was also strong, but this quality was highlighted by moments of vulnerability where he showed his struggle with living up to his ancestors and, in particular, his father.
The feeling she had while being with him was like nothing else in the world, so she tossed and turned as the kiss they had shared nourished her impassioned spirit and kindled the fire in her heart.
Eventually she did fall asleep, and it was a restful slumber, although she was awakened before dawn by the shouts of people. She and Sandi both stirred, and when she left the room she found that Broden had already dressed himself in the clothes that had been drying by the fire, and had his sword holstered around his waist. The morning sun was rising, cresting over the horizon, making the sky bleed a deep orange.
“Someone has burned a stable and stolen more animals. I’m sure it’s the bandits. I have tae gae before they have a chance tae get away. Stay here Iona, I’ll return for ye,” he said. Iona didn’t have a chance to say anything. She watched him ride away with a stranger, who had come to see if Sandi was okay and unharmed by bandits. She wanted to go with him, she wanted to tell him to stay because it was too dangerous. She wanted to do anything other than remain silent and stand idly by.
Iona ran to the doorway and looked out to the rain-soaked ground. The morning dew glistened as the sun rose, and the people who had come in search of aid from the nearby village all led Broden back. He looked so mighty on his horse and her heart was inflamed with passion once again, but her mind was filled with worry. As powerful as he was, he was just one man, and if there were a party of bandits he might not be able to fight them all off. She was proud of him for running so readily to the aid of people he didn’t know, and he certainly held true to the ideals of his ancestors, but all she wanted was for him to remain safe.
It was an agonizing wait. Sandi told her to have some calming tea, but Iona could do nothing but pace and chew on her knuckles. She stood by the door and glanced out every few moments, hoping that she would see Broden coming back. She thought about disobeying his order and going out to find him, but she had no idea where to even begin and didn’t want to risk getting lost, or falling prey to bandits. Before now the threat of bandits had always been something abstract and distant, something that only happened to other people. Now, though, she was beginning to get a better sense of the threat and that the world was not as safe as she once thought.
Sandi was pottering about, tidying her home and working on some potions in her mixing chamber while Iona fretted. Sandi didn’t see movement from the forest but Iona did. At first her heart leaped with hope as she thought it was Broden returning, but then it became clear that it wasn’t Broden at all. In fact, it was the last person she expected to see: Brice.
Iona ran out of the door to meet Brice as he emerged from the woods. He stopped and scowled at her. His clothes had been burned and the smell of ash lingered over him. His face was covered in dark stains. The man had said that the barn was on fire. Realization struck her...
“Where were you Brice?” Iona gasped.
“Why are you here?” There was fear in his voice. “How—”
“I came to visit Sandi,” said Iona. She had started shaking. “Why are your clothes burned?” There was only one explanation and she knew it. But she did not want to believe it. She did not know what she was expecting to hear but hoped there was some explanation. She wanted her brother to tell her something that would make sense.
“Don’t lie to me Brice. Please.” Tears came to her eyes.
Fear turned to anger and Brice strode forward and gripped her tightly by the arms, almost lifting her off her feet. He spoke through gritted teeth, and spittle flew from his mouth.
“Don’t say anything to anyone Iona. This is not what you think. I was there by accident, and now I have to get back home. I need a horse, so I’m taking yours. ”
Iona said nothing. It felt as if she was not looking at her brother anymore. He relaxed his grip on her and his tone became a little calmer.
“Mine was killed by the fire, that is why I am here. I was hoping to find a horse, and Sandi—”
“Take the horse,” Iona said.
Brice became himself again. “It is not as it seems, Iona. The bonds of family run deep, deeper than anything else. Find me when you get home and I will tell you everything, I promise. But speak to no one of this. Do you understand? No one.”
He clasped her hand, squeezing it tightly for a moment, before rushing past her and jumping on her horse, riding away.
Brice disappeared into the distance and Iona stood there for a few moments before she found the strength to stagger back into Sandi’s home. Her aunt was still in her mixing room, having not witnessed anything. Iona was the only person in the world who knew the truth, but what was she supposed to do with it? She knew that Brice had been acting strangely for a while, but she couldn’t believe that he was a bandit!
Or could she?
He had never treated her with kindness, and yet she had always loved him as a brother. He was right when he said that family bonds ran deeper than anything else. Perhaps he deserved the benefit of the doubt and he was really there by accident. He at least deserved her patience until he could give her a proper explanation, and then she could decide what to do. That seemed to her to be the best thing to do as she didn’t want to accuse her brother of anything without knowing the facts first, especially because Broden seemed determined to punish the bandits severely.
She sank onto a chair and held her head in her hands. How she wished she had stayed ignorant to this potential plight! She wanted to deny the very prospect of Brice being a bandit, but it was the only thing that made sense. She didn’t know how he was going to explain it away. Ciaran would be so disappointed, and she didn’t know how Brice was ever going to justify his actions. So many innocent people had been harmed by the bandits. It was an awful, awful thing, and this was one thing she knew she could not share with anyone. Not with Broden, and not even with her mother. It was a secret she had to keep to herself while using her best judgment.
Iona wasn’t sure how long it was until Broden returned. He had a dark look on his face, and his clothes were stained with dark smudges from ash.
“I didnae get them. They were gone by the time I got there.” He scowled. “They ran intae the forest again, but what happened tae ye horse? It’s gone. And I saw tracks leading from the forest.”
Broden’s eyes focused on her. “Did one of them come by here? Did ye see anything?”
Freya had told her that in order to fall in love with someone she had to be open and honest, and to trust them with everything. But she couldn’t trust Broden with this. If she did, it would mean betraying her family, and she wasn’t prepared to do that, even if lying to Broden was one of the hardest things she had ever had to do.
“I didnae Broden. It was sae scary. I heard someone outside, but it didnae sound like ye. I was tae scared tae look myself. I stayed with Aunt Sandi and hoped that they wouldnae come in, but it seems like they only wanted the horse.”
“I see,” Broden said. His entire body glowered with anger and for a moment she thought for sure that he would suspect she was lying to him, but he didn’t. There was a different tension in the air between them though and she couldn’t help but feel as though something had changed. The mood of the previous night when they had enjoyed their sensual kiss had shifted into something else, something that was impure because of her lie. She had betrayed the sanctity of their connection, and she wasn’t sure if it would ever be repaired.
But there was one more thing she had to know in order to reassure herself that she had done the right thing.
“Broden, what will ye dae when ye catch the bandits?” she asked, trying not to give herself away.
“Punish them for their crimes. I’ll lock them away, or kill them if I have tae. I’ll make it a swift death.”
Iona nodded and as soon as she turned away her expression turned to one of fear.
She was certain that if she had told Broden that she had seen Brice, Broden would have wasted no time in punishing him. He would probably not have taken the time to listen to Brice and see if he was indeed there by accident. If it was any other man she would have turned him in, but she couldn’t do that to her brother.
Brice got away from the fire. But his secret was about to burn her instead…
7
Broden was frustrated that he had missed a chance to get the bandits on more than one occasion. They were slippery characters and he wondered how long it would be before he got his hands on them. It wouldn’t do his reputation any good if he kept missing them like this, and especially to let one of them slip under his own nose. He didn’t even have a good idea of what they looked like, so while he understood why Sandi and Iona had stayed out of harm’s way, it would have been helpful had they offered a description of the man. Broden had fought one of them, but it had been dark, so the features of the man’s face were obscured and difficult for him to remember. Perhaps if he saw the man again he might be able to recognize him, but he couldn’t recall the face from memory.
Duty And Passion In The Highlands: A Scottish Medieval Historical Highlander Collection Page 18
