Highland Stone

by Sloan McBride

  Banished. "Alaxandar, you can't send him away. This is his home, his people. I'm the intruder here."

  He released the grip.

  She staggered back.

  "Dunna defend the bastard. He threatened ye and that I canna stand."

  Kara sighed. "Please don't. Don't send him away."

  Rage flooded his features. "Ye have feelings for him?"

  Shocked, she said, "No, of course not."

  "Dunna go near him again," he said before he stormed out.

  Damn him. Her heart sank because this would be an obstacle she surely could not overcome. "Oh, Alaxandar."

  Alaxandar couldn't contain the fury. His fists clenched.

  She made no sense.

  He swore if he found them together again, he'd break Jamie's neck and tan Kara's backside.

  Iain and Carrick were in the great hall drinking ale before the fire and laughing. Their discussion stopped abruptly when Iain saw Alaxandar approach. Carrick turned toward him.

  "Women." Iain smiled.

  "Shut your hole, Iain. I be not in the mood."

  His younger brother raised his cup in silent salute. Alaxandar grabbed a tankard and filled it to the brim. He noted Carrick's cup was full to the top as well. Carrick frowned staring into the dark liquid.

  "What be the matter, MacKay?" Alaxandar asked, before guzzling down half the contents in his cup.

  "Your sister be the matter."

  This made Alaxandar feel better. If he had to be miserable because of a woman, it was nice to know there were others just as miserable as he.

  "Beware what ye say about me sister, MacKay. She be a MacLeod through and through and that be a powerful thing."

  "Bah," was all Carrick said. He downed his drink.

  Iain, the slug, sat there with a goofy grin plastered on his face and his eyes watching him and Carrick wallow in their spirits. Figuring he could use a dose of his own, Alaxandar said, "So tell me, Iain, what relationship do ye have with that Sutherland gel?"

  Iain's smile faded and his eyes narrowed. "That be none o' your business."

  "Ah, so there 'tis something going on with the lass. Have ye taken her to bed?"

  Iain jumped up and his chair flew backwards. He threw the ale down and stalked toward Alaxandar. "Dunna speak o' her that way."

  Alaxandar grinned and nodded toward Carrick. "Me thinks Iain has some female problems o' his own."

  Carrick laughed. "Looks that way to me."

  Iain snarled at them both then turned to pick up his chair and pour more ale.

  Alaxandar's brow hiked. "How many lasses will be heartbroken?"

  Iain smiled. "I be making no vows anytime soon. Me pole willna be satisfied till it has plowed many."

  Alaxandar and Carrick agreed heartily with that statement. Plowing seemed like a good idea. Alaxandar bid farewell and went back to the chambers he and Kara shared.

  She lay on the edge of the bed as if she meant to stay as far away from him as possible. He wouldn't be having it that way. Kara would share his bed and his life whether she wanted it or not. She was his and she should get used to it.

  He bolted the door and dropped his clothes where he stood. Quietly, he climbed into the bed and scooted toward her. Admiring the line of her back and how it met at the crest of her buttock he ran his finger down her spine.

  She stiffened.

  He nipped her shoulder and ran a hand along her hip but she didn't face him. With ease, he rolled her over, and lay atop her supine, curvaceous body.

  The kiss started slow and he made sure to do a thorough job of it.

  ****

  There was nothing gentle about the kiss. The intensity of it stripped her bare.

  He cupped her face in his hands and his tongue did sinful things to her mouth, all the while fueling the internal burn in her body.

  Alaxandar's erection pushed against her stomach.

  On fire now, Kara grasped the hard length, wrapping tight fingers around the thickness. She stroked, brushing the crown and eliciting a growl from the fierce warrior.

  He grabbed under one knee and raised it, then the other, positioning himself between her thighs. With one hand, he guided the head of his penis to her opening and pushed inside, pulled out, and plunged deep.

  Her entire body clenched around him as convulsive waves of pleasure surged. She closed her eyes and rode the sensations wrenching her muscles. His thrusts increased as he sought release.

  Coming down from the orgasm as he roared and his hips jerked caused her to come again.

  Alaxandar lay at her side, caressing her stomach.

  She curled into him. This was the best sex she'd ever had. Okay, so she hadn't had many lovers but still, the sexual bouts with Alaxandar were erotic . He touched her on a deeper level, one she hadn't ever experienced. Love was strange. It eludes a person, makes them think it will never happen, and then suddenly there it is.

  Kara wanted to slap Alaxandar so hard sometimes, and hug and kiss him the rest of the time. He had a way of rubbing her raw then making her hot, which was infuriating. She hated not being in control and it was a constant battle with Alaxandar. She hated her circumstances even more, but these same circumstances had brought her to the love of her life.

  Tears filled Kara's eyes and hard emotion worked its way up her throat. She refused to let the tears fall.

  This warrior, this devil cuddled. His heat radiated like a furnace warming her damp skin. "Sleep," he said.

  Alaxandar woke her in the night. Strong hands gripped her ass, tilting her to accept long, deep strokes. Several times, Kara hung on the precipice of climax only to have him recede. When her body was ready to combust and fall headlong into ecstasy, Alaxandar increased the pace and depth of the thrusts.

  * * * *

  Sunlight breached the small opening in the stone. The aches in Kara's body made her smile. Sitting up with knees curled to chest, she thought of all the places she'd been in Strathnaver since she'd arrived. Had she touched the MacKay talisman any time after she'd been kidnapped? If not, it could have fallen out of her skirt on the rough ride. If that were the case, she'd never find it. Too much distance would have to be covered.

  It seemed hopeless.

  Refusing to give up because she couldn't, Kara rose and dressed. Before going down to the hall for breakfast, she sneaked into the tower room where she and Eleyne had been held. The room was completely dark except for one stream of light through the window. She ran back down the stairs and grabbed a torch from the wall. In the room, she got on her hands and knees and felt around, looking for anything shiny. Her fingers brushed a number of creepy crawly things which she'd decided not to think too hard on.

  She didn't know how much time passed. It wasn't a big room and she pretty much covered its entirety.

  She found nothing.

  Sighing, Kara wondered if Alastair or Duncan may have found it. She struck that thought. Those two weren't the type to get excited about a pretty rock.

  Brushing the dirt off her legs and skirt, she headed to the hall. At the top of the stairwell, she saw Jamie and one of the other men speaking in quiet tones. When she approached, the other man nodded in her direction and left.

  "Have ye found what ye be looking for?" Jamie asked.

  "No, but I will."

  "I have seen naught."

  "There weren't many places I've been in this castle and I've searched them all. Maybe it fell out on the way here the night we were taken."

  He frowned. "Ye willna find it."

  "I know." She sighed. "I'm not giving up yet." She heard voices growing louder. "I better get down there, and, Jamie?"

  "Aye?"

  "Alaxandar has warned me away from you."

  He scowled at that.

  "Be careful. If he sees you and I talking, he will likely kill you."

  "Aye, he wouldna like it."

  She lifted her skirt and ran as fast as she dared down the steps. At the bottom of the stairway she saw Iain and Carrick. They wer
e discussing something about wagons and loading supplies.

  "Hello." She smiled at them. "What's all this about?"

  "We be getting the wagons ready for the trip to Dunvegan."

  "Dunvegan?"

  "Aye," Carrick replied. "We be making the trip on the morrow."

  "Tomorrow?" She frowned.

  Iain nodded. "Alaxandar and Cuilén have gone to ready the horses and the wagons. The ceremony willna be far off and we be needing to get back."

  The men walked away and Kara put her hand on the wall, hoping to hold her body erect even though her knees threatened to give out. "Tomorrow," she whispered.

  Since she had run out of options, Kara decided to see if she could help Eleyne. Venturing off in the direction of the kitchen to find her friend, she heard more voices in the great hall. She started to enter then noticed the two figures standing close together, Carrick and Eleyne.

  "What mean ye disaster may strike?" Eleyne said.

  "'Tis true, I fear this willna turn out well." Carrick turned from her.

  Eleyne rested her hand on his shoulder. "We willna accept this."

  "Ye speak of choices, Eleyne. Without the stone, the clan suffers hardships. Rhianna doomed us all when she left, though I blame her not. The blame lays with Conar MacKay's ruthless soul."

  With both hands, Eleyne shoved Carrick's back so he fell forward on the hearth.

  "By St. Ninian's tomb, are ye trying to burn me?" He jumped up and swatted at the embers smoking on his shirt.

  Turning angry eyes on him she said, "Be ye chief of the MacKay clan?"

  "Ye know I be chief." He scowled.

  "Then quit this doomsday blathering."

  A devilish grin curled his lips. "Ye know, I think this union will be right proper, for the two o' us deserve each other."

  Eleyne put balled hands on her hips and that ever stubborn chin lifted a notch. "Our battles be not done, MacKay."

  He moved in closer. "I look forward to the battles, Eleyne, but much more do I look to what comes after."

  Kara turned away from the scene with a smile. Definitely a good union there. Now to figure out her problem. The only way to make everything right was to find the stone and return it to Carrick thereby assuaging her grandmother's restless spirit and saving her clan from a future of mishaps which would surely be blamed on Glynnis.

  Stacks of barrels and crates took up a portion of the yard along with flags of wine and chickens. Two goats were tethered to one of the posts. People were drifting in and out of the buildings carrying bundles that they added to the pile of goods, or took into the keep. Around the corner, men deep in laughter caught Kara's attention so she headed that way. The sound was inviting. There'd been an absence of happiness since she'd been here. Rounding the side of the building, she ran into something hard and immovable before falling back on her ass.

  Shaking her head she looked up to see she'd found Alaxandar at last. "Great, another bruise on my backside."

  The men laughed at her.

  "Help me up you big brute." Kara held her hands out to him.

  "Me pardons, milady." He reached down, taking her hands and hauling her to stand.

  Kara rubbed her butt where she knew the bruise would be forming and glanced sideways at him.

  Alaxandar bent down so his lips were close to her ear. "I be happy to have a look at your injury this eve."

  Her face grew hot with the rising blush. "I'm sure you would, MacLeod, but I can manage just the same."

  "As you wish." He bowed and the men followed him to the stables.

  She'd forgotten what she'd come here for. Alaxandar made her forget a lot of things. She wandered to the bake house where she hoped to get something to eat. It was going to be a long day.

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  The day was spent loading wagons and making preparations for the return to Dunvegan, but the night was filled making love.

  "Alaxandar?" Kara said as she slid her hand down his torso to his belly button.

  "Aye?"

  "How long will it take us to get to Dunvegan?"

  "Two days at least, if we dunna have to stop overly much."

  "Two days."

  "Aye."

  "Will we be taking the same road that Eleyne and I were brought here on?"

  He opened his eyes. "We will. Why so many questions? Are ye not glad to be going back?"

  She moved away slightly. "Yes and no."

  He frowned. "Why?"

  Kara sat up. "Because there they think I'm a witch." She glowered at him. "You yourself have said as much."

  He too sat up. "In jest, Kara. Not for true."

  "Nevertheless," she huffed. "Your clansmen are wary of me and it gives me the heebie-jeebies."

  He scowled. "What be heebie-jeebies?"

  How best to describe that? "It's like a million ants crawling all over your skin." The look on his face told her she still hadn't made him understand. "Never mind. Let's just say they make me nervous."

  Grabbing her arm and coaxing her down to lay next to him, he said, "Dunna fuss. Nothing will happen to ye. I willna allow it."

  "You're not always around," she mumbled.

  "Go to sleep, Kara."

  She closed her eyes and pretended she could sleep, but a small burst of excitement erupted. If they were to travel the same road, at least she could look for the stone.

  She sighed. Who was she kidding?

  It would be a long shot to see something that size while passing by in a wagon. Still, a long shot was better than none at all.

  ****

  Kara busied herself helping the women load the last of the supplies on the wagons and tied everything down for the trip. Her side twinged occasionally.

  Many would travel to Dunvegan for the ceremony, leaving only a handful behind to tend the needs of Strathnaver. A hum of anticipation came from the MacKays. It had been a long road for them under Conar MacKay's rule. His greed overshadowed the welfare of the people and showed in the weary faces of those who traveled to Dunvegan. Eleyne had told her the MacKay women were anxious to have men and babes again. Sorrow and anguish filled too many days at the MacKay stronghold.

  Iain and Carrick spoke to those clansmen who would stay behind while Alaxandar made sure the horses were teamed, hitched, and ready to go. Jamie appeared every now and again, but kept his distance from both her and Alaxandar. She knew she would have to talk to the MacLeod chief. She didn't want Jamie exiled from the clan. How would that affect the future of the MacLeods? She couldn't let it happen.

  The journey was long and slow with so many. Alaxandar rode ahead to scout a place for them to stay the night. Kara scanned every inch of ground while traveling. By the time they stopped, stars danced in the dark sky. The wagons formed a circle in the meadow where they camped. Four separate fires were started and the women prepared food while the men made camp and tended the horses.

  Several men disappeared into the forest, guards most likely. Mist-covered moors brought flashbacks of old horror films and nights spent huddling under the covers, jumping at the slightest noise. Moonlight shone on the fog casting an eerie glow and creatures of the night began their music.

  "So why did ye go to England for schooling? By all that's holy, Carrick, you walked into the enemy camp." Iain said.

  "Aye, 'twas Conar's idea. He wanted me schooled in the ways of the English to help in the next military altercation with the Sassenach King."

  "How did you manage to get in, being Scottish?" Kara asked.

  "Me máthair's clan helped me. They had contacts in England."

  Alaxandar said, "I be hearing the Black Prince 'tis itching for a piece o' France."

  "Aye, willna be long afore England pushes forth against our allies."

  "Willna be long afore the King decides to come here again." Iain shook his head then took a long drink of ale.

  The group was silent until Eleyne threw a rock at Iain's head.

  "Bloody hell, Eleyne," Iain raged and lunged toward her. He grabbe
d her arm, tugging her toward him, making as though he would turn her over his knee.

  "Careful there, bráthair. 'Tis me future wife ye be manhandling." Carrick smiled.

  "She not be your wife yet, MacKay, but she be me sister, giving me the right."

  Carrick held for a moment. "I concede your point. Go ahead."

  "Carrick!" Eleyne yelled then broke into a bout of giggles as Iain proceeded to tickle her.

  "Has she always been a hard-headed, stubborn lass?" Carrick asked Alaxandar.

  "Aye." He leaned back against a log. "One time she put a snake in Iain's bed."

  Kara gasped and Carrick threw his head back and laughed.

  Eleyne sat up and shoved Iain over. "That be only after he cut the strap on me saddle. It came off and me with it."

  They all laughed.

  "'Twas not funny. Me arse hurt for a week."

  "Eleyne," Alaxandar scowled.

  Her innocent eyes turned to her older brother. "It did."

  "Come here, little flower, and let me comfort ye." Carrick's wicked smile said otherwise.

  Eleyne snorted, but her eyes held promise. "I be no fool, MacKay."

  Kara couldn't silence the overwhelming need inside to learn something, anything about her grandmother. "What about your sister, Carrick?"

  His mood turned solemn. "Bright as the sun and hard-headed. She thought nothing of standing toe-to-toe with Conar MacKay, even though he backhanded her for it."

  "She was a strong woman," Kara said.

  "Aye and foolish." He sighed. "I wish I had been here when the chief tried to sell her to Ross. Mayhap I could have saved her."

  "Or not," Kara replied. She smiled. "Something tells me she did okay for herself."

  "I hope so."

  Kara leaned against Alaxandar's side, finding it hard to keep her eyes open. Sleep had been a stranger of late. When she wasn't making love to Alaxandar, she'd been searching for the stone or helping prepare to leave.

  If she did get back to her time, how would she explain her disappearance off a perfectly good airplane without a parachute? Dealing with the authorities would be the least of her worries. For the first time in a long time, she didn't know what to do next.