Highland Stone

by Sloan McBride

  Kara bit her bottom lip. Leelah couldn't be more than nineteen and here she was to be married. Kara found it difficult to imagine being married so young. "And you never come here to hide from Ramsey?" Kara mused.

  "Nay," Leelah answered, her smile widening. "Ramsey sneaks away with me." Her cheeks pinkened, and both women laughed.

  Kara lay back on the sweet grass, her ankle in the cool water, setting aside her worries for a short time. The blissful calm was disrupted by the startled screeching of birds taking flight. A thunder of horses barreled past. There were screams and the sound of clanging swords. Kara jumped up, the pain in her ankle forgotten. Peeking through a small hole in the hedge, she saw women hiding underneath a couple of wagons. There were several contentious-looking men with gleaming swords drawn, on horseback attacking them. The guards on foot fought valiantly, managing to take down a few of the offenders.

  Kara's heart was in her throat as she watched the scene play out like a movie. So enthralled in the ongoing battle, she didn't notice a tall, raven-haired woman step through the bush. Leelah turned toward the stranger with dirk drawn, ready to strike. The other woman screamed.

  "Ilysse," Leelah snorted and released her. "I could have sliced ye open." She replaced the dirk in the sheath hanging at her waist.

  Kara hadn't realized that Leelah carried a weapon. This revelation brought more anxiety for Kara because it emphasized how far out of her element she was.

  "I dinna know what to do," the young woman said. "We be on our way to Dunvegan, and stopped to water the horses. Those men came out of nowhere.

  Ilysse and Leelah moved closer to Kara and watched the raging battle. A tall hulk of a man from the caravan went down with a huge gash in his shoulder.

  "Lachlann," the other woman screamed and ran into the fray.

  "Wait," Kara yelled and bolted after her.

  The woman dropped to her knees next to the fallen man. She ripped a piece of cloth from her clothing and pressed it against his shoulder, all the while arguing with him because he ordered her to hide.

  An ugly soldier on a massive beast headed straight for them. Kara picked up a large branch and waved it at the horse. The horse reared and its unsuspecting rider flew off the back of the animal. The rider jumped up from the ground, and surged toward her with a raised sword. She gripped tight to the stick, ready to bash the guy's head, as a brigade of riders appeared on the hill. Alaxandar led the way.

  The invaders turned tail and ran.

  The MacLeod men rode past and continued the chase. Leelah seemed to be everywhere at once, helping the others reload the wagons to make room for the wounded. Luckily, no one died. Kara rode in the wagon back to Dunvegan.

  "Thank you," the young woman said. "I be Ilysse MacKenzie."

  "Kara Malone." She looked at the man whose shoulder had been sliced. "How is he?"

  Ilysse smiled. "He has survived worse.

  Kara wasn't sure if she considered that a relief. What would be worse?

  "Cuilén will be glad to see ye," Leelah offered.

  "Cuilén MacLeod?" Kara stuttered.

  "Aye," Ilysse sighed. "Me father has negotiated with Cuilén and the chief. We are to be marrit."

  "Negotiated?" Kara said. "You're not cattle." Both women looked at her. "Sorry, did I say that out loud?" Kara fiddled with the hem of her skirt. She had no right to criticize. Don't get involved Kara. You have your own worries.

  Upon their arrival, people appeared immediately to unload the wagon and tend the wounded. Katherine hugged Ilysse and ushered her in. Cuilén stood at the doorway gazing at the young woman but didn't approach. The look on his face showed his displeasure. Katherine checked over the injuries and began administering her salves and ordering hot water and clean rags. They were in greater need of Katherine's attention and Kara just wanted to scurry off to the room upstairs.

  "I see ye managed to evade death again."

  Kara's blood chilled. "Yes," she said, facing Jamie MacLeod. "Much to your disappointment."

  The smile he had looked more like a leer. She hobbled past him toward the stairs and her chamber. Luckily, he hadn't followed. She closed her eyes and flopped on the bed. I've lost my mind.

  The people here still acted apprehensive around her, keeping a wide distance when they walked by. With the suspicions Jamie MacLeod spouted, and the murmured talk about her appearance, she'd decided to keep the stone with her at all times. If it truly provided protection and magical powers, she definitely wanted it close. Kara reached into her bra and pulled out the smooth piece. Part of her wanted to hurl it out the window, but the sensible part knew she had to see this through if she wanted to get home. Assuming she could get home.

  Kara crawled up the bed to rest her head on the pillow and cried. The tears came hard. Everything caught up with her in a mad rush. If she couldn't gain the trust of these people, her life was in serious danger.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  A loud knock stirred Kara from her nap. The crying jag had zapped her energy and she'd fallen asleep. Her visitor pounded again. "Coming," she said scrambling up.

  Heaving open the door, which felt ten times heavier today, she found Alaxandar waiting, his sexy mouth in a tight line. Exotic blue eyes studied her face. It took all her concentration to suck air into her lungs and push it out again.

  He touched her, stroked her hair, caressed her cheek. "Are ye hurt?" He traced the track of tears down her face.

  "It's nothing." Kara moved into the room away from his touch. "I'll be fine."

  "What were ye thinking to attack an armed Scotsman with a stick?"

  His tone baited her temper. She frowned. "I thought to help keep those people from being murdered."

  "With a stick?"

  She limped toward Alaxandar. "Yeah, a stick. It's all I had."

  He grabbed her arms and shook her. "He would have sliced ye in half had we not gotten word and come to stop them."

  "Maybe, but we'll never know since you got there in time. Let me go."

  He released her. She raised her chin, daring him to say something. When he didn't, she stalked away. She went to the wash basin to wet a rag and clean her face. Her nerves were on edge. In the makeshift mirror, she noticed her eyes were swollen and red.

  "It be time for the meal. Are ye hungry?"

  "I guess I am, a little." Kara ran her fingers through her tousled hair.

  He approached quietly then adjusted her blouse on her shoulders. Running his hand down her back, his fingertips traced the outline of her undergarment.

  She stilled. "What are you doing?"

  His gaze met hers in the small looking glass. "I have never seen a thing such as this. What is it?"

  The warmth of his touch seeped through the thin shirt. His smoldering eyes held her captive. Without thinking she said, "It's a bra. Women of my time wear them every day."

  "Your time?" He stepped back, removing his hands, almost as though he was afraid to touch her.

  Her eyes widened. Although she hadn't seen or heard Alaxandar partake in the conversations about how she came to be here, and her sudden appearance, that didn't mean he hadn't. If he didn't believe her to be a witch before, he would now. She'd opened her mouth without thinking and put her foot in it. "I'm starving. Did you say dinner was ready?" Kara headed straight out the door without glancing back.

  Alaxandar strolled after her. "Ye may have changed the subject, Kara, but I dunna give up easily."

  "I don't know what you mean."

  "Ye will," he promised and scooped her into his arms to jog down the stairs.

  He set Kara in the empty chair next to his then seated himself. While he loaded her plate, Kara took in the table arrangements at tonight's meal. Everyone dined in the great hall. Ilysse sat between Cuilén and her father, quietly watching Cuilén's every movement. Kara smiled. Poor girl, she's infatuated. Kara wondered what it took to catch the eye of a MacLeod or did Ilysse need worry about such things? Perhaps all was arranged when Ilysse was but a wee babe.
r />   The plate Alaxandar set before her overflowed with food.

  "Ye said ye were…" Alaxandar paused with a whimsical look, "starving."

  She glared at him. He toyed with her and she knew it, but she'd let information slip out earlier and would have to pay the price for the cover up. She needed to be careful in the future.

  While taking dainty bites of her massive dinner, Kara listened to the men talk of clan matters and the attack on the caravan. Finally, her attentions settled on Alaxandar. He was tall, muscular and sculpted to perfection. Blessed with a handsome diamond-shaped face, as were all the MacLeod sons, Alaxandar had intense yet compelling eyes that could disarm a woman's defenses. He'd disarmed hers and that was dangerous.

  Her gaze drifted across a sea of faces and landed on Jamie MacLeod. His green eyes always left her cold, his leering made her nervous. She averted her eyes and slouched back in her seat. If women don't go far from the castle, how could she return the stone? It's not like her ancestors would stroll up to the front gate.

  Empty platters and cups lay haplessly on the tables with all their contents eaten except for Kara's, which was still more than half full. Alaxandar lifted pieces of food off her plate and ate them. She found that intimate in a way. In the distance, the quiet melody of a lute drifted across the hall over the burping and occasional laughter.

  "'Tis good to eat hearty," Patrick said. "Ye never know when war will be upon us."

  "Aye." Archibald nodded his agreement while rubbing his swollen belly, a belch escaping his lips.

  Two other men Kara didn't know started arguing. One stood tipping his chair over. The other leaned forward with his hands braced on the table.

  "Ye kin take 'em, Hagar," someone yelled.

  The two opponents headed for the doors. The rest followed laughing and shoving each other. Kara looked to Drummond or Alaxandar believing one would stop them, but neither intervened.

  "I wager Hagar will take Niall in the best o' three," Iain said with a grin.

  Testosterone. She couldn't believe how little men had changed through the centuries.

  A clansman marched up to Alaxandar and pulled him aside. Kara hung back, more interested in hearing their conversation than seeing two men beat the crap out of each other.

  "I have word on the raid," Macaskill said. "A small boy hunting rabbits saw those who killed our clansmen."

  "Bring the boy to me," the chief ordered. "I wish to hear the story for myself."

  "Aye, MacLeod. It shall be done."

  Drummond MacLeod turned to Alaxandar. "I shall hear the story and try to name the bastards."

  Alaxandar nodded. "Aye. Mayhap we should post more to guard the walls."

  "Murdo!"

  "Aye, MacLeod?" Murdo broke from the last of those leaving the hall.

  "Double the guards. If there be a body who doesna belong, bring him to me."

  "It shall be done, MacLeod."

  Not knowing the enemy made Alaxandar uneasy. Movement caught his eye. He turned to see Kara lingering close by. Speaking of someone who didn't belong, their newest guest was definitely out of place, and… beautiful.

  Alaxandar shook his head.

  She must be fae or a witch bedazzling his mind. He'd never been so captured by just the sight of a female. A constant yearning to kiss her, please her, warred within him. Even her hair captured his attention by the way it shined. Her eyes lured him in, and those lips…. A spy or not, she posed a threat—to him.

  Something bothered Kara. She hadn't protested him carrying her to the hall. What had she meant by women of her time? That would be another mystery he'd look into. He'd keep a close eye on Kara Malone. The mysteries were piling up.

  At that moment, she looked up and caught him staring at her. Immediately, she spun and walked toward the doors. It didn't take much to catch up because she limped from the injury. He stopped her at the foot of the stairwell. "Waiting for me?"

  "Yes, I—I mean, no, I was not." She glared at him.

  Her flowery scent tickled his nose. For a moment their eyes met and he reveled in the smoldering gaze. He loved that glint in her eyes when she got angry. It flared with fiery heat, scorching his soul. Images of her naked beneath him turned up the burn. It irritated him how easily she managed to do it.

  He'd dreamed about her all night.

  It wasn't the first time.

  She'd haunted his dreams for years.

  The day he'd first seen Kara, he'd been shocked and disbelieving. The beautiful angel began filling his dreams the summer of his sixteenth year. She rolled naked in a lavender patch, hid in the woods, or swam bare in the loch. Even then his body responded. Each dream ended the same—waking in a sweat with an erection to rival the gods.

  He'd left Kara in the chamber that day and left the castle certain his death was imminent because his dream had come to life. Rumors were circulating about her appearance. He'd heard them. At present, she seemed to pose no threat. Best to sit back and see how things play out. See if she'd show the true meaning of why she was here.

  Alaxandar grabbed Kara around the waist and pulled her body tight against his. "Who be ye, Kara Malone?"

  She pushed against his chest. "I told you who I am."

  "I be a first-born MacLeod."

  "I'm happy for you," Kara said dryly.

  Alaxandar did his best to ignore her creamy cheeks turned crimson and flushed. He'd been so involved in war and protecting the clan over the last several years, he'd not taken much notice of women other than to ease his urges. While in her presence, it was all he could do not to strip off her clothes and sink deep into her soft body, slaking his lust. For many years, he'd done just that over and over in his dreams. He wanted to know if she tasted the way she did in his dreams. She needed to understand that he was in control.

  His groin ached.

  His lips met hers in a searing tease. His tongue caressed her lips until they parted then he entered the sweet cavern mingling her breath with his. Kara's resistance lessened and she leaned into him. He grabbed her hair with one hand, tilting her head to more fully explore her mouth. She tasted sweet and tangy like the fruit she had eaten. Taking her face in his hands, he nipped the corners of her mouth before pulling back.

  Kara slowly opened her eyes. Her hair lay across her shoulder where he'd released it. She stared at him. "Why did you do that?"

  It felt as though he'd been kicked in the head by a horse. Confusion muddled his senses. He'd couldn't speak. His hands fisted at his sides.

  He had no answers so he stormed off, leaving Kara standing alone.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Lying down with a rag over her eyes to try to get rid of a pounding headache, Kara fidgeted with the fur blanket. Her brain wouldn't stop analyzing what she knew about Scotland's history. Unfortunately, her knowledge was limited to skewed stories told by her grandparents.

  Glynnis had spun eerie tales about bloodthirsty clans and the barbaric men who raped and killed. Spooky yarns to scare the young ones, but the most compelling of all had been a magical fairytale about a talisman that transported a person through time, dropping her into another place to live out the rest of her days. Kara had been amazed at the life-like details. Now she knew the truth of it. They were memories of a woman who'd lived them. Any other time she'd have trouble wrapping her head around it, but here she was living it too.

  Her stress levels were escalating along with her fear. She needed a way to get out and see more of the grounds, of the land. Try to find a way to figure out the next step. Swinging her feet over the side of the bed, she shifted her ankle from side to side. It felt okay so she stood, testing its strength. There was minimal pain.

  She needed some air. Since she hadn't been able to see much of the keep or the grounds this afternoon, she decided to take a stroll. She carefully opened the door. To her surprise, the sentry wasn't at his post. Taking advantage of her good fortune, Kara hurried down the stairs and into the bailey.

  A dim light beamed through the small w
indow in the stables, so Kara headed in that direction. Peeking inside she saw Cuilén grooming one of the horses. The gentleness of his strokes lulled her. He hummed a haunting melody which floated through the stalls. The notes hypnotized while caressing her skin in soft strokes like those he used on the animals.

  Magical.

  "You love them don't you?"

  "Aye," he said without pausing.

  "I notice you spend a lot of time with the horses." Kara went inside.

  "They be simple and easy to deal with."

  With raised brow Kara said, "And people aren't?"

  Cuilén chuckled but didn't look at her. "People are not easy, 'tis true."

  "What about Ilysse?" Kara asked. She ran her right hand down the nose of a beautiful chestnut-colored mare.

  Cuilén didn't respond right away and Kara feared she'd overstepped her bounds. He stood and settled his forearms on the mare's hindquarters.

  "Ilysse will be me wife," he stated simply. "What more be there to say?"

  "I guess nothing, if she's already promised to you." Kara moved closer to Cuilén.

  "'Twas me choice," he responded, and faced her with the devilish grin she'd come to know as a MacLeod trait.

  "Choice?" From what she knew of these times, women were bartered like livestock.

  "Aye, she's been coming to Dunvegan since she was a young lass." He winked at her. "She be full grown now and I be wanting her with a ferocious need."

  "Oh, Lord," Kara huffed. "Men."

  He laughed and went to the next stall where he began brushing down a stallion. Here she'd thought he'd been the one who seemed different than the others, but he turned out to be a typical male. Who knew?

  "If I asked you to do something for me, would you do it?"

  "A lady should be careful what she be asking a man."

  His tone seemed teasing without malice or underlying threat, but it made her skin tingle. "I would like to go riding tomorrow if I could." She bit her lower lip. "Would you arrange that for me?"

  His hands stilled. "Ye wish to ride outside o' the gates?"

  "Yes. I would like to see more of the MacLeod lands, beyond the little village I visited this afternoon with Leelah.