Highland Persuasion (The MacLomain Series- Early Years)

by Sky Purington

  Alexander smiled. “Because ‘tis just unleashed. A dormant magic born when first needed. Not even she knew she had it.”

  “Blessed be.” Iosbail made a symbol in the air and released a deep sigh.

  “God bless,” Alexander whispered.

  They continued to stare in awe as the light lasted for several long minutes. When it eventually faded away, Caitriona and Shamus were sound asleep. Though scarred, his wound was healed. Many times she’d seen the art of healing but never did it mean so much. She wiped away an errant tear. The afternoon had chilled even more so she grabbed the fur cloaks and wrapped them around the two.

  “’Tis snow on the air. We’ve got to move them away from the waterfall.”

  Alexander removed the blade from the fire and walked off. While she supposed he sought shelter she knew he was as emotionally charged as she. Iosbail warmed her hands by the flame and kept a keen eye on the other two. Though without magic, Iosbail had sensed something about the girl all along. Could it be that was the reason Innis held her in such esteem? Perhaps that was somewhat his reason. But she guessed there was more and it had to with the Stewarts and MacLomains.

  This journey was proving to be more and more of an intrigue.

  First the Sinclair’s ability now this.

  Iosbail frowned and glanced over her shoulder. Alexander was nowhere to be seen. He’d hurt her like no other. To see her parents after five hundred years only to learn they were an illusion was heartbreaking. They’d appeared just as she remembered. They’d sounded just as they had before. Her chest tightened. No, she refused to keep dwelling on this. Chiomara and Erc were long dead. Ma and Da were gone.

  All along she should have seen the wrong of it. She’d fled Eire without telling them. Why now would they come back to save her? They wouldn’t of course. Still, it would have been so nice if they had. Was it so far-fetched to feel that way? Perhaps. She hadn’t led the most exemplary life.

  “I’ve found a spot.”

  Iosbail hadn’t heard Alexander approach. Though still hurt by his deceit she felt not the anger she had before. Aye, he’d done a terrible thing but even she saw where they were now because of it. All were safe and Shamus was healing. The Sinclair had done what he thought best to save his own.

  Even if it had been at her expense.

  “We should try to wash up the best we can. Have you any more cloths in those satchels?” she asked.

  Alexander watched Shamus and Caitriona, gaze distant, haunted almost. “Only what we received from the Masons.”

  “That’ll do.” She walked to the waterfall and stared, caught in deep thought.

  It could have been a second later or maybe an hour before Alexander stood next to her. She reached out and let the icy water spray her hand. “A fraction longer and Shamus would not have had the ability to do this with one of his hands.”

  “But he would have with the other.”

  She rubbed the fluid between her fingers. “We came so close to doing it. We should have known better.”

  “We were doing what we thought best. No harm was done.”

  Iosbail shook her head. “There’s been nothing but harm done from the start.” She looked at him. “You and me, enemies, acted impetuously and foolishly all along and caused harm to all around us. Dinnae you see?”

  “Nay.” Alexander shook his head and splashed water over his face. “A lad discovered life was worth living for.”

  “I doubt Shamus just discovered such. It seemed he knew it all along.”

  “But this gave him the opportunity to test his own beliefs.”

  “Too much a trial for any one man even if it proved good.”

  “No trial is too much if a man discovers the best of himself.”

  Iosbail rubbed water over her neck and arms. “And what of those of us on this journey who discovered less of themselves?”

  Alexander’s eyes cut to hers. “Did you then because I didnae. I learned of an enemy with a good heart. I’ve said it before and this will be the last time, I’m sorry for my deceit. I only meant to save us, not hurt you.”

  Though it was the very conclusion she’d come to earlier she remained impassive. “Did it not occur to you to create Adlin from thin air instead of my long lost parents? Innis would have cowered before him just as surely.”

  Alexander threw his head beneath the spray then whipped it back. Silver eyes once more locked with hers. “I’ve only the ability to manifest what one thinks of the most, what’s at the very heart of a person.” He raked his hair from his face. “Know this; your Ma and Da consume your mind far more than your brother.”

  That she found surprising. Adlin had been her world for so long she thought no other capable of surpassing. For a mere mortal to tell her otherwise seemed strange. Despite herself, Iosbail released a small smile. Her brother didn’t own her after all. Why had she ever thought he had?

  “We’re going to have to carry them somehow.”

  “Aye,” she said absently and continued to run water over her skin. “My parents were just as I remembered. Perfect.” Iosbail glanced at him. “You have an amazing talent… or curse. I’m still not sure which.”

  Alexander’s expression darkened. “I’ll not manifest them again. They were not real, Iosbail. You must ken that.”

  Startled, she looked more closely at him. Though she expected to see a cocky, arrogant wizard she simply saw a man with his heart in his eyes. Could it be that Alexander Sinclair wasn’t fond of his gift? If so, she well understood.

  “Of course,” she murmured. “We need to get Shamus and Caitriona to warmth.”

  “Change first.”

  Iosbail took the brown robe in which she’d arrived, turned and set to dressing, glancing over her shoulder occasionally. When she turned, Alexander was already dressed. It was a hard thing to realize that what they’d shared under the Oak was dead. Not for a second had he looked her way. Had she wanted him to? Nay! The Sinclair and she were allies of the essential sort now. They’d see this through to make sure all survived, that was all.

  “I’ll move him first, then her. Stay with Caitriona lest she awake confused.”

  Iosbail nodded as he lifted Shamus and left. The Norman lass remained asleep against the rock. Little time passed before Alexander returned and lifted her as well. Blade and satchel in hand, Iosbail followed. For the first time in her life she felt comfortable not being in charge. It could be because she was still trying to piece together all she’d learned since arriving in the Hebrides or it might have to do with the fact she was confident in Alexander.

  As she trailed after him a snowflake or two drifted down. The moon was blurry and fading fast. She inhaled deeply and smelled the air. A storm brewed. Not good. Winds from the north and moisture from the south would soon explode over them.

  “We’ll need food,” she said.

  “Once they’re settled we’ll go out.”

  Iosbail ground her jaw. The idea of hunting alongside Alexander irritated her but she supposed she’d cope.

  Even though it looked as if they were traveling toward the far side of a sheer mountain wall, Alexander turned left into a hidden alleyway. It led to a small rounded cave just large enough to house eight people at most. In the center a fire already burned. The Sinclair laid Caitriona down next to Shamus and once more covered them with furs.

  “You made use of your time exploring,” she commented.

  “There wasn’t much to explore. This,” he nodded at the room, “seems almost too good to be true, aye?”

  Iosbail gave him no answer but nodded to the blade leaning against the wall and held her own more securely. “You left my knife in the enemy so now I go hunt with a sword. I suggest you do the same.”

  But even as she left the cave Iosbail thought of his words. What was this safe harbor they’d been given? He’d said it was of her parents but then he’d proven that false. So what was it exactly? Because without a doubt they were safe here.

  “Game and small roden
t is all we’ll catch.”

  “With a sword,” Iosbail reminded as Alexander came alongside.

  “Aye.”

  She dared not grin but looked at him with eyes narrowed. “Have you ever taken down a bird with a sword?”

  He arched a brow. “Have you ever done such with a rodent?”

  “Nay.” She tilted her chin, haughty. “But I could.”

  As if he made to contemplate, Alexander considered the sky then the ground before his eyes swung her way. “I’ll bet you one scrumptious fowl upon our return home that I can catch three birds to your one rodent.”

  Iosbail offered a crooked grin. “We hunt with swords and you bet such?”

  Alexander notched his chin. “I do.”

  “The challenge ends when the sun hits the horizon.”

  With that she bounded off. As she moved Iosbail knew the odds of catching a mouse with a sword slim. Nay, it would take patience and cunning. But to catch a bird with a sword was even more challenging.

  Nobody could catch a bird with a sword.

  Iosbail kept low. Truth told she had no intention of catching rodents with her blade. The Sinclair was insane. Sword aside she crept forward with a rock. Many mice could be caught this way.

  “You cheat.”

  She turned at the whisper. Alexander stood behind her, sword in hand. “Take your blade and catch a rodent, lass.”

  Iosbail did her best not to grin. “Same to you. Take a beastie down at this hour with a blade.”

  “I always intended such.” He nodded and vanished.

  There was no way he’d do it.

  She grabbed her blade and stayed alert. It seemed she’d be catching a rodent with a sword after all. Well, nothing said she couldn’t. Sword low, she continued forward. The wind blew up. Snow fell heavier. When she saw one scuttle Iosbail didn’t think twice but grabbed a rock and threw.

  The beastie fell!

  She’d give it a prick last second so it appeared nicked by her blade. Meanwhile, she tucked it against the rock and continued on her journey, all the while peeking over her shoulder to see if a sword was flying through the air. After all, wouldn’t one have to if the Sinclair killed a bird the way he meant to?

  Eye to task she kept on her way. Within an hour five mice lay dead and the sun sank low. It wasn’t what she hoped for but it was something. At sunset she arrived back to Shamus and Caitriona. They still slept. Alexander came in, wide grin. “I’ve five birds. What’s your tally then?”

  She held up her game. “Five.”

  Eyes narrowed he said, “’Twas a good fight then.”

  “Did you use your blade?”

  “Did you?”

  Snow started to fall heavier beyond their small alcove. She grinned. “I’d say we’re both even.”

  Alexander eyed her rodents dubiously. “If you say so.”

  Iosbail nodded. “We’ve meat enough then.”

  He nodded and set to task. While it’d been fun searching for food now it seemed they were back to formalities. After adding to the fire he set to de-feathering what would obviously be their main course. There wasn’t much to be done with the rodents save roast them.

  As they kept to task Iosbail eyed Alexander. While she much preferred him with nothing but a plaid low on his waist he possessed a certain appeal in the simple brown robes. In a strange way, she felt the attire fit what seemed to be a surprisingly noble yet humble disposition. He would indeed make a good king.

  While they worked silently to prepare the food, it occurred to her that she was comfortable being with him. Iosbail couldn’t remember the last time she was truly at ease with a man.

  Men always wanted something.

  Always.

  But it seemed right now this man wanted nothing from her… expected nothing from her.

  “She will need assistance with her new gift,” he said softly.

  Perhaps she’d thought such too soon. “’Tis a thing any one of us can assist her with.”

  His eyes, now a deep brooding gray met hers over the fire. “She will need it from a lass.”

  “I’m not from this time.” Iosbail frowned. When Alexander didn’t argue but kept to the task she felt guilt over her declaration so said, “But I will make sure she finds the right person to help her.”

  Again he surprised her when he gave no debate. Iosbail scowled. Once she’d accomplished her goal for coming to this time she’d leave. The idea of taking a lass new to her magic along seemed preposterous. No, absolutely not. It couldn’t be done.

  Her thoughts once more drifted to the name Alan Stewart and how Caitriona had dreamed of him. Who was he and what was his role in all of this?

  “You think heavy thoughts.”

  If only he knew. Iosbail surprised herself when she said, “Innis valued Caitriona. She was as much a pawn in his game as I.”

  Alexander arched his brow slightly but kept working. “Then you should keep a close eye on her because ‘tis your path she follows.”

  So the Sinclair saw things clearly. However, any level headed lad could come to that conclusion. “’Tis all how you look at it. She could as much be meant to follow along with Shamus.”

  “Nay.” Alexander set to roasting the birds but his eyes met hers. “From the beginning she was yours, a lady maid given you by the king. If any two paths were laid side by side, ‘twas you and hers.”

  ‘Twas a matter of opinion. She’d purposefully aligned her path with Alexander to defeat his clan. Her eyes drifted to the fire. Could it be somehow that Caitriona’s path had been aligned in a similar fashion toward her mistress? Even as she contemplated it the very idea seemed absurd.

  The Sinclair’s and Broun’s had a rivalry.

  She, ninety years in the future, had no such misgivings with a girl who had just come into her powers.

  “I’ve not the battle in me toward you that I had before, lass.”

  Startled by his soft declaration, she met Alexander’s gaze. Iosbail felt a pleasant burn begin beneath her cheeks but ignored it. “Never mistake our current camaraderie, Sinclair. Our is a friendship that cannae exist.”

  “I speak not of friendship.”

  “Then speak of nothing else,” she said, grim. “’Tis easier to remain as we were.”

  “Where did you come here from, Iosbail? From what time?”

  “It makes no matter.”

  “It will in the end.”

  “Nay.” Iosbail looked him dead in the eye remembering the death of her friend and the revenge she sought. “Nothing will matter in the end.”

  But it seemed the Sinclair was interested not in her vehemence but his own goals because he came and crouched in front of her, intense eyes searching. “A long time ago a lass seduced a king.” Though his jaw clenched and his eyes fired with feeling, Alexander continued. “I’ll never forget how she appeared.”

  His eyes though distant seemed to cover her body with a look of such lust that her tongue dried and her nipples tightened. Still he spoke, his fingers touching a piece of her hair. “Locks so thick and silky a man’s hands could get lost in it forever. A body so lithe and made for a man’s eyes that he’d be hard pressed to ever desire another.” He touched her cheek. “Skin so soft it glowed in the candlelight. Beautiful,” he murmured.

  He gently clasped her chin, eyes flaring a light, whiplash silver, his deep voice impassioned. “Through seduction, she convinced him to forfeit the Broun lands rightfully ours.”

  Her heart pounded and her throat closed.

  Such a long time ago.

  It took all her five hundred years of experience to keep a steady voice when she said, “No man ever had the right to give away my clan’s land simply because he’d declared himself king.”

  “And no Broun woman ever had the right to seduce a married man to serve her own purposes.”

  “You speak as though the king was the only man ever seduced by a woman.” She narrowed her eyes. “Are you not a bastard, Sinclair?”

  Fury ravage
d his features but he smoothed them in a heartbeat, as if he’d had to do it a thousand times before. “I have wanted revenge for so verra long that it’s become part of who I am. What of you, Iosbail? You come to me with purpose. Is it that you hope to seduce me as is the way of the Brouns before?”

  So he did not yet suspect she was the very same who had manipulated the king. She leaned forward, voice soft. “Have I not already seduced you?”

  Iosbail gasped when he in a split second sat with his back against the rock and pulled her onto his lap. Though she wouldn’t exactly label his expression angered it certainly wasn’t amiable. When she tried to move away he held her in place. “Nay, I’d say the seducing was mutual. And I’d say that you’ve secrets worth sharing here and now.”

  Iosbail ignored the press of his erection against her backside and locked eyes. “There’s no secret here that you’ll ever know of Sinclair.”

  She yelped when he pulled one of her knees across his midsection. This landed her in a straddling position. Furious by both his action and presumption she pushed away. But his arms locked around her back, pinning her between his body and bent knees.

  Just as angry he said, “Tell me where you came from and why you’re here, lass.”

  A woman of the world she knew when to switch tactics. “I’m from Lothian and I’m here because I’m determined to have the Sinclairs and Brouns find peace within a marriage.”

  “Never,” he said softly. “’Tis what I was willing to give into minutes ago but ‘twas never what you wanted. You’ve a mind for complete destruction, lass. I can see it in your bonnie blue eyes.”

  For just a moment she wanted to tell him where her heart lay, the pure hurt, but she knew better. What good would it do? He was a Sinclair. “Then let me go then.”

  Alexander didn’t release her arms but used his eyes to ensnare hers when he leaned closer. “Nay. I’ve a mind to have you again. ‘Tis been a verra trying day.”

  The way he said it with a come-hither look in his turbulent eyes had her aroused and interested. However, it had always been her way to control every situation with a man and she intended the same now. “Nay, lad. ‘Twould only confuse things.”