Avery turned to give him a sharp look, but still he said nothing. She turned back to Cadha, giving her hands a comforting squeeze.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“I was afeared. I overheard my nurses saying that witches were evil, of the devil.”
Avery glanced behind her to see that Bhaltair’s stoic mask had slipped at that, his expression tightening. Avery had to fight back her own anger. Since Bhaltair and some others of this time knew of—and accepted—the stiuireadh, thanks to the Pact, it was easy to forget what most people in this time thought of witches.
“What else are you able to do with your magic?” Avery asked, deciding to switch tactics.
Cadha hesitated, and Avery understood why. She was still frightened, and Bhaltair’s stony silence wasn’t helping.
Avery stood, turning to face the fireplace whose embers were now dying. She lifted her hand, murmuring the words of an Incendiary spell, and flames roared to life.
She turned back to Cadha, whose eyes were wide with both amazement and awe.
“Can you do that?” Avery prodded.
“No. I—I’ve tried, when the fire would go out in my chamber and I was cold, before the chambermaids could come and start it back up again. If I’m cold, I can make the chamber feel warmer sometimes.”
Watching Avery perform a spell seemed to help Cadha open up, and she continued in a rush, confessing what else she could do. Will a budding flower to sprout its petals, eliminate pesky weeds growing in a garden, warm chilly bathwater, coax sap from birch trees.
Avery listened intently, realizing that while Cadha had some control over the elements of nature, which most witches had from birth, she still wasn’t in full control of her powers yet, nor had they fully come to life. She suspected this was from lack of training—and genetics.
Magical abilities were genetic; it was rare for two human parents to have a witch for a child. One of Cadha’s parents must have had an ancestor who was a stiuireadh, most likely her mother, as Bhaltair would likely know of a stiuireadh among his ancestors.
Avery and her sister had been born of two witches, so their powers manifested when they were children. It would take more time for Cadha to gain full control of her powers, something that a skilled stiuireadh could help her with.
When Cadha stopped speaking, she looked down at her hands, but not before again glancing at her uncle. Avery turned and glared at Bhaltair. Didn’t he see how his silence was affecting Cadha? But he avoided her gaze and remained silent.
“I know you’re scared, but there is nothing wrong with you. I will help you as much as I can while I’m here. Keep this quiet until your uncle and I discuss more,” Avery said, reaching out to give Cadha’s hand another reassuring squeeze. “You should get some food. Fenella is downstairs in the kitchens. I’ll come find you later.”
Cadha gave her a small smile. Her gaze shifted to Bhaltair, who still said nothing. Her face fell, and she finally got up from the chair and left the chamber.
“Bhaltair, what was that?” Avery demanded when they were alone. “Don’t you see how scared she is? She needs comfort from her uncle.”
Bhaltair’s stoic mask slipped once more, and a look of guilt flickered across his face.
“I just cannae believe this,” he said, raking his hand through his hair. “I—I need time for this tae settle in. I thought ye could sense another witch’s presence. Why didnae ye sense what she was when ye first met her?”
“I can usually only sense another witch when I’m casting a Locator spell seeking one out. Cadha’s never been so close to me before when I’ve issued one. Had Cadha not stumbled upon me while I was casting that spell, I may have never known. And her abilities haven’t fully manifested themselves yet; it would have been difficult to detect without a Locator spell.”
“I donnae ken how ’tis possible,” Bhaltair said after a brief pause. “There arenae witches in my family.”
“Then it’s likely that Cadha’s mother had a stiuireadh ancestor, one she didn’t know about. Magical ability is passed along through family lines—a bit like hair or eye color. Or it can lie dormant. It’s stronger if both parents are witches. This is likely why Cadha’s magic isn’t that strong yet, but it will be. Especially once she’s trained how to use it. You need to talk to her, comfort her. She needs to know you still love her.”
Bhaltair straightened, glaring down at her.
“Of course I love my niece. This changes nothing.”
“Well, you need to talk to her. This is why she kept what she can do a secret—even from her parents—because of how you reacted.”
Another flicker of guilt passed across his handsome features as he gave her a nod.
“I will.”
“And,” she continued, her heart picking up its pace, “Cadha being a stiuireadh is the missing piece.”
“What do ye mean?”
“I haven’t been able to figure out why the aingidh has been so focused on Cadha.”
“I told ye, she’s the heiress to lands that—"
“I know that. But think about it. Cormag has taken over your castle and gained the loyalty of your cousin, telling everyone you’re a traitor. With enough support, they could have just taken those disputed lands.”
Bhaltair paused, seeming to consider her words. He stilled, his face going paler as he seemed to understand.
“I think Cormag and Odhran are just pawns for the aingidh, a distraction to give you something else to focus on. I think her power is the true reason the aingidh is after Cadha,” Avery said. “In the future, her power must do him harm somehow. In my vision, I saw Glaisne as a boy. There was destruction—fires, starvation. And I saw a brunette woman, who I’m now certain is Cadha.”
Bhaltair frowned.
“Are ye saying my niece has something tae do with this destruction?”
“I don’t know. It’s unclear. But even if she does, it’s not intentional,” Avery said quickly, recalling the woman’s—the adult Cadha’s—kindness in her vision. “She extended her hand to him, told him he was one of the stiuireadh. But he refused and vowed to get revenge. What if—what if it’s Glaisne who went to Cormag and convinced him to go after Cadha for the lands when what he truly wants is to kill her—to prevent his lands from being destroyed in the future? The aingidh my sister fought was also trying to prevent a future tragedy.”
“He’ll never lay a hand on her,” Bhaltair vowed. “I’m going tae go find Cadha. Ye’re right—I should have said something, should have reassured her.” He paused, shaking his head. “Since Odhran turned traitor, I’ve accepted that ’tis up tae me tae raise the lass. Raising a lass was difficult enough, but tae ken she’s a stiuireadh . . .”
“She’s still your niece,” Avery said. “Just with extra abilities. And once you find a trusted witch to train her once I’m gone, she’ll be fine. I’ll do what I can while I’m here, but it may take years for her abilities to fully develop. She can watch me train. I can even teach her some basic Defensive spells if her magic allows.”
Pain tightened her gut as she mentioned her future departure, and Bhaltair’s jaw clenched, but he gave her a jerky nod.
Ask me to stay. Even if it’s just to stay longer to help with Cadha, she silently pleaded. She recalled how he’d made love to her the night before, coaxing her body to pleasurable climax after pleasurable climax, the heated desire in his eyes, the feel of his lips on her skin.
An ache crept between her thighs as he stepped forward, touching her cheek. Her breath hitched at his touch; it took all she had not to lean into him.
“I’m glad ye’re here, Avery,” he murmured.
His gray gaze raked over her face, and he looked like he intended to say something more before he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her alone and aching in his chamber.
Chapter 19
Bhaltair’s mind reeled as he headed to the kitchens, searching for his niece.
Cadha—a stiuireadh? He’d long accepted the e
xistence of magic, but when it was in his own family, it was difficult to comprehend.
He searched through every memory he had of Cadha since birth, trying to recall anything out of the ordinary about her, but nothing sprang to mind. He realized, with a surge of guilt, how isolated Cadha must have felt, how terribly alone. Only a select few knew of the stiuireadh—all adults, mostly men. Cadha wouldn’t have known that magic was as natural as the sun and accepted by most lairds and chiefs of the isles due to the Pact. No, she would have thought what most people thought—that witches were evil. That she was evil.
His guilt still weighed heavily on him when he found Cadha with Fenella in the kitchens. She turned to face him, tense and wary, as opposed to the usual joy that infused her expression at the sight of him. Hurt pierced him at this, but he deserved it for his silence.
“Come, niece,” he said, offering her a smile. “’Tis a lovely day. Let’s enjoy a walk.”
“Go on, lass,” Fenella said, noting Cadha’s hesitance. “Me and the cook can handle things here.”
Cadha slowly approached him, taking his extended hand. They left the manor in silence, not speaking until they reached a large clearing in the nearby forest. There, he knelt before her, reaching out to place his hands on her shoulders as he met her eyes. Cadha’s lip trembled, and she burst into tears.
“I’m sorry I didnae tell ye, Uncle,” she said. “But I was afeared, and I didnae ken what—”
“Hush, lass,” he murmured. “’Tis I who should apologize tae ye. Ye have nothing tae feel sorry for. I was just surprised. Ye’re my niece, my blood, and I love ye. Nothing will ever change that.”
Stark relief filled her face, making him feel even more guilt. Had she truly thought he would no longer love her because she was a stiuireadh?
“But ye need tae keep this tae yerself. There are many who will covet what ye can do. Hamish, Daileas, and his wife will ken, but I’ll nae tell anyone else.”
“Is it unnatural, what I am?” she whispered. “Am I evil?”
He reached out to cup her chin, making her look at him.
“What ye can do is as natural as the breeze, the streams, the glens that surround us. Avery is a stiuireadh, and she is one of the kindest people I ken. She has come here tae help ye, something she didnae have tae do. I donnae ken much of magic, but while she is here, she has promised tae train ye. And then I will find another stiuireadh tae continue yer training. But never think ye are evil, no matter what ye hear from people who donnae understand magic.”
She gave him a wavering smile but still looked sad.
“I wish Avery could stay,” she said.
“Avery’s place isnae here. Just enjoy her presence while she’s here,” he said, ignoring the stab of pain in his heart at the thought of Avery’s departure. “Now why donnae ye tell me more about these abilities of yers?”
* * *
By the time they’d finished their walk, Avery waited at the edge of the forest for them.
She was smiling at Cadha, and though the smile wasn’t meant for him, it filled him with warmth. He recalled how she’d spoken to Cadha after the revelation that she was a witch while he’d stood in shocked silence. He’d admired her kindness, her calm, her compassion.
She’d make a good mother tae Cadha. The thought stunned him, but he realized how true it was. He’d not seen anyone—not her nurses, not Odhran’s wife—treat her with the same affection or care that Avery had. And Cadha’s nightmares had ceased.
For a moment, he allowed himself to fantasize about Avery raising Cadha alongside him. Telling her stories before bed, taking walks with her, training her in magic, helping her adjust to womanhood.
But it was a fantasy he didn’t allow himself to indulge in for too long. Hadn’t Avery made clear her intentions of remaining in this time only to defeat the aingidh? Hadn’t she been reluctant to remain in this time in the first place?
And though he ached for Avery, cared for and desired her more than any lass he’d ever known, wasn’t it his duty to create stability for the clan he now led, the clan now in chaos because of his cousin’s lies? He would have to marry someone suitable to do that.
“I’ll leave ye,” he said gruffly, pushing aside the disappointing thoughts as he released Cadha’s hand.
Avery looked up at him, and as their gazes locked, he couldn’t help but recall the glorious feel of her body against his—how right it felt to be inside her. A faint flush spread across her face, and pleasure coursed through him. Was she also recalling their night together?
She averted her gaze, and he watched as Avery led Cadha back toward the clearing until they disappeared from view.
As he turned and headed back to the manor, determination swelled. Now that he knew of Cadha’s true nature, and the aingidh’s actual intentions, he was even more determined to protect her.
Daileas, Hamish, Alpin, and several of his men were gathered in the parlor when he returned, and he apologized for his absence.
“How many men do we have willing tae fight for Clan MacAidh?” he asked.
“Nearly fifty,” said Daileas.
“That should be enough tae take back Dunadh Castle, but we need tae take care of Cormag’s men as well. We need tae launch an attack that’s twofold. One tae take back our castle, and an attack on Cormag’s stronghold. It will take them by surprise; they’ll think we’re focused only on getting Dunadh back. But for such an attack tae work, we’ll need even more men. I want tae talk tae some of my former men who turned against me and believed Odhran’s lies. If I can talk tae them myself, I believe I can convince them of the truth.”
There was a surprised silence at his announcement, and he braced himself for protests. It was a risky plan, and he knew it.
“I donnae think that is wise,” Hamish said. “If ye try tae talk tae Odhran’s men before we attack, what if they betray ye and reveal what ye plan tae do?”
“I’ll nae reveal my plans. I suspect many pledged loyalty tae him out of fear, nae wanting tae be thrown intae the dungeons and executed.”
“I can talk tae some men from Clan Caithan,” said Alpin after a brief pause. “I ken the chief willnae want tae get involved, he wishes tae stay neutral in such conflicts. But I donnae believe he’ll interfere if some nobles wish tae fight. Many in Clan Caithan hate Clan Roideach for conflicts past.”
“And I can help.”
Bhaltair whirled, surprised to find Avery hovering by the doorway. He thought she’d still be training Cadha.
“Cadha needed a break,” she said, answering his silent question as she entered the room farther. “Which of your former men do you need to speak to the most?”
“Seamus Faidan. He is—was—one of my brother’s most loyal nobles.”
“What if I used a Cloaking spell to get you into his home so you can talk to him? If talking to him doesn’t work, I can get you safely out of there.”
Hamish and Daileas looked appeased by this, as did most of his men, but Bhaltair’s chest tightened with anxiety.
“What if the aingidh is near and senses yer presence? What if the—"
“Then I can handle it,” Avery said firmly. “Are you forgetting the reason I’m here?”
Though she spoke truth, her words stung. It was another reminder that Avery was here for a specific task, only to vanish from his life forever.
“Very well,” he muttered. “We can leave for Seamus’ manor on the morrow.”
Avery lingered as Bhaltair concluded the meeting, and the men filed out of the room.
Once he and Avery were left alone, he turned to face her.
“On the morrow, if ye sense the aingidh near, ye’ll leave,” he said firmly.
“No. You need to trust me,” Avery snapped. “Just because we’re lovers doesn’t mean you get to dictate what I do.”
Frustration—and admiration—rose in his belly. He ignored the admiration, taking a step forward until he was only a hairsbreadth away from her.
“I told ye I will k
eep ye safe.”
“And I’m here to keep Cadha safe. I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
“I ken ye are,” he barked. “But I’ll never forget the sight of ye lying on the ground, Avery! It still haunts me. I’ll do anything tae protect ye from harm.”
At his words, Avery’s expression softened.
“Bhaltair . . . ”
“Ye donnae understand, lass. I’ve nae had anyone tae care for until Cadha and ye. My brother had his own family; I was always on my own. And I was content with that—I thought I was, until Cadha came intae my care. Until a stubborn golden-haired witch was brought tae me,” he said, his voice dropping to a growl. “While ye’re here, ye’re mine, and I protect what’s mine.”
Chapter 20
Avery’s eyes widened at his declaration. He waited, tense, expecting defiance. Instead, she wound her arms around his neck, her blue eyes flashing fire.
“Then it goes both ways, you stubborn Scot,” she said, a smile tugging at those lovely lips of hers. “You’re mine to protect as well.”
Tension ebbed from his shoulders, and he returned her smile. He liked her declaration; it was true. He’d been hers from the moment he first laid eyes on her.
“Aye,” he whispered. “I’m yers.”
He leaned down to place a kiss on her lips—it was briefer than he’d like, but he didn’t want to risk someone interrupting them. There was still much to do; he needed to meet with Hamish and Daileas alone; they could help him prepare exactly what he'd say to Seamus the next day. And there was more to discuss with the planning of the twofold attack to get back his castle and launch an offensive against Cormag and Clan Roideach.
So he released her with great reluctance, but not before whispering, “Tonight, Avery. I want ye waiting in my guest chamber, and I want ye tae be wearing nothing.”
He left before she could respond, and Avery in his bed was all he could think of for the rest of the day, while he met with his men, while he spent time with his niece. Even when he pulled Daileas, Hamish, and Fenella aside to tell them that Cadha was a stiuireadh.
Bhaltair's Pledge: Highlander Fate, Lairds of the Isles Book Two Page 11