Highland Dragon

by Kimberly Killion

  “I’ll not argue with ye, nor will I fight ye like a damned brigand.” He moved to circle her like prey. Arms bent slightly in front of him and poised to attack. She grabbed his wrist with both hands and twisted it until he twirled away from her. He nearly fell to one knee.

  She’d fought with Kendrick on several occasions. She only bested him once, granted he was soused, but that one time gave her hope she could fend for herself.

  “Damn the saints, woman! Ye are a hoyden. And how did ye get so strong?”

  She didn’t answer his question, but prepared herself for further battle.

  Her attempts were in vain.

  He caught both her hands, knocked her feet out from under her, and then lowered her to the ground. The fresh dew slicked the backs of her calves as he captured her wrists above her head. “I’ll not brawl with my betrothed on the day we are to wed. Ye will cease this behavior and cool your wicked temper. A bride should be happy on her wedding day.”

  “Happy?” Akira reared back to slam her head into his like she had at Tigh Diabhail, but he was wise to her tactics. The way he restrained her, prevented her from hurting herself. Damn the man. He even imprisoned her gently.

  “Can ye not see that I can provide ye with a better life? From the moment ye enter the gates o’ Cànwyck Castle, ye will be treated with reverence.”

  “Ye want me to ride up on your beast and greet my new clan with a smile? Weel I will not. Nor will I leave my family behind to starve to death while ye seize their lands. Ye are a fool if ye think I’ll happily speak my vows knowing ye intend to coerce another member of my family to die battling against your sovereign king.”

  “What? Is this what ye think?” His brows stitched together. “Allow me leave to explain.”

  Akira squirmed beneath him. The skin around her wrists wrinkled when she tried to pull free of his grasp. “Ye may own me, m’laird, but ye cannae control my emotions,” she hissed, her tongue her only weapon.

  “Nay, but I can prove ye have emotions—emotions ye are denying even now.” He released his grip, clutched the back of her head, and then ravaged her mouth with a soul-searching kiss. Their tongues entwined, and their teeth clicked by the sheer power of it.

  Her mind screamed at her to refuse him, but her mouth acted on its own behalf. She wanted to despise him even as the pulse in her neck paced itself to the rhythm of his kiss. Fast and fervent at first then slower, until he pulled away, leaving her gasping for air.

  Calin could ravish her here and now and no one would think less of him, but his hands never dropped below her chin. He pressed his roughened cheek into the crook of her neck. “This is not about the Lordship of the Isles. I have wanted this alliance my entire life, as my father did before me. I can give ye anything ye ask. Anything your heart desires. I can protect ye for the rest of your life, and someday, mayhap ye will respect me.”

  She eased him off her and pulled herself into a sitting position. She hugged her knees and stared at her bare toes. “I dinnae want your wealth or your protection. I want my family safe. I want the truth.”

  Settling in beside her, he took her small hand in his. He held it in silence for a long time, stroking the heel of her palm with his thumb. Finally, his thoughts formed into words. “When ye brought the flock of sheep into your village, why did your kinsmen protect ye from their laird?”

  She thought his question odd, but she answered him without pause. “Because of loyalty. Ye may not believe it, but we are a loyal clan.”

  “Ye are loyal to each other, not to your chieftain. Laird Kinnon is supposed to offer protection to his people. Instead, he is what they need protection from.”

  “This is about our chieftain?” she asked, trying to understand his words.

  “Laird Kinnon must be denounced for his crimes, and his son must be banished before he holds the power of chieftain. Havenae your people suffered enough?”

  Akira knew he spoke the truth about Laird Kinnon, but Kendrick had protected her family from The Beast’s treachery. She’d never heard her brother speak about an alliance. However, he’d been collaborating with scores of Kinnon warriors. Maggie’s husband, Logan, had been at the cot-house more frequently, as well, with the Donalds’ warriors in tow. Had Kendrick been preparing for this alliance all along? Is that why he married Maggie to a Donald? Did he want to unite the clans of the Isles?

  She wished he had confided in her and expressed his desires for their clan’s well-being. Then she would know whether or not to trust Calin.

  “Laird Kinnon is a lying, thieving murderer, and God knows what kind of influence he has had on Darach. How will ye protect your clan from his spawn? How will ye protect the twins or Isobel if Kendrick is away at battle? Or worse, dies at battle, fighting to protect the borders Laird Kinnon dinnae defend.”

  “And this is why ye, a MacLeod, want the alliance? To protect the Kinnons from their evil laird?” She was far from stupid. She didn’t believe for a moment that Calin MacLeod wanted to protect the people of her clan, but she intended to hear him out.

  “There are many reasons, but this is one. The alliance will protect both our clans along with the Isles. The English are pressing their way up the Lowlands. We would be fools to believe they’ll not send soldiers up the coast and into the Isles. It is imperative that we unite to protect our borders from an invasion. I can promise ye, I’ll not evict your kinfolk, but nothing will stop the bluidy English from seizing property for their king. Laird Kinnon cannae be trusted. I believe the man would sell his kin for a silver coin before agreeing to fight alongside the MacLeod warriors.

  “We have agreed to unite with the Donalds and fight for Scotland’s freedom. Our King James already grows verra weary of the battles betwixt our clans. He has a greater purpose for our country, and we may all suffer if he is not placated.”

  “Then ye have the king’s approval?”

  “I’ll seek my liege lord’s approval after we’re wed.”

  “King James will see this alliance as an uprising against the crown. He will see our union as an attempt to regain possession of the Earldom of Ross and reclaim the title of Lord of the Isles. Is that what ye seek?”

  “Nay!” He shouted the word with such vehemence she almost believed him. “I have nay desire to abolish Clan Kinnon for such a cause, nor do the Donalds. I have pledged allegiance to my king and to Scotland. I would fight to the death to protect this country and my kin, as would Kendrick. Clan Kinnon will not suffer from our union, but thrive beneath the leadership of a new laird. One who will protect his borders as Laird Kinnon has not.”

  Akira pondered his words, struggling to suppress her personal emotions with what was truly best for her kin. The English were the vilest of God’s creatures. She’d oftentimes wondered if the scores of English soldiers weren’t part of Satan’s army. Their men of war raped and pillaged the Scottish villages without remorse. If he spoke the truth, an alliance could protect them.

  “And who will be the chieftain, if not Laird Kinnon’s son?” When Calin didn’t answer, she tilted his chin, forcing him to look at her. His rich brown eyes hid so much anger. She’d been so consumed protecting her pride, she hadn’t considered how much responsibility weighed on his shoulders. She stroked his bristled cheek. “Who, Calin? Who will protect my clan?”

  “Kendrick.”

  Her eyes widened with this announcement. “Though I agree Kendrick would make an honorable laird, he is the son of a peasant. ’Tis blessed blood of the chieftain that holds the line of the Kinnon laird, not honor. Some clans are not like this, but our elders wouldnae ordain a mon as chieftain unless he is blood of a blessed marriage.”

  “There is much ye dinnae know, but believe me when I tell ye Kendrick will be the Kinnon’s chieftain. And because ye are his sister, our marriage will bind our clans together.”

  “’Tis not possible. Ye cannae just break centuries of law because he’s honorable. He must be of blessed blood. If ye want me to trust ye, then ye must trust me as weel. T
ell me how ye intend to bestow the power chieftainship unto the son of a peasant.”

  Calin released her hand and stared vacantly at the traveling waters of the brook. “Laird Kinnon abuses his power as chieftain. He buys his warriors’ loyalty with the villages’ taxes and treats his kinswomen like dogs. How many bastards do ye think the man has running amuck in Dalkirth?”

  “I dinnae know. He has never laid claim to any of them.” She concentrated on his question. A long pause filled the air with silence. While awaiting further explanation, realization set in. Her jaw dropped. “Are ye implying Kendrick is one of Laird Kinnon’s bastards? ’Tis nay true. Mam was never unfaithful to Papa!”

  Slowly, he turned to her, his expression guarded. “Vanora was never unfaithful. Laird Kinnon raped her two months before she wed Murrdock Neish.”

  Akira felt sick. Her hand covered her mouth. The muscles in her throat contracted. “The Beast raped Mam?”

  Calin nodded. “Kendrick is Laird Kinnon’s son. Murrdock never knew, and Vanora never intended to tell Kendrick either. Ten years ago, Laird Kinnon suspected Murrdock of treason and sent for Neala to draw him out. Your sister was fourteen—the same age as Vanora when The Beast planted his seed inside her.”

  Akira struggled to comprehend his words while choking on hatred. “Had Papa returned from fighting with the royalists, he would have killed him.”

  “Murrdock dinnae die in Ross as ye were told. He died in Brycen Castle trying to protect Neala from Laird Kinnon.”

  How could she have not known this? Hands shaking, pulse pounding, she forced the question from her throat. “Did Papa get to Neala in time?”

  Calin closed his eyes and shook his head.

  Her heart clenched. Her abdomen convulsed. A painful sorrow escaped from her in a flood of tears over her cheeks. She didn’t want to believe Neala had been raped by The Beast or that Papa didn’t die in honor. Anger replaced her sorrow. “Ye lie. Kendrick would have killed him.”

  Calin’s strong hand circled around her clenched fist. Gently, he swiped the tears from her cheeks and bore his amber stare into her eyes. “He tried. When Kendrick gathered warriors to kill The Beast, Vanora told him he was Laird Kinnon’s son and could one day hold the power of chieftainship. She charged him with a greater purpose—to free Clan Kinnon from The Beast. She dinnae want Kendrick to suffer the same fate as Murrdock. She begged him to be patient and wait for aid from my clan and the Donalds.”

  Damn him and his evil blood! Rage and an undeniable taste for revenge consumed her. She wanted The Beast’s head for his crimes against her kin. She always knew he was evil. “Why in all o’ Scots has he not been denounced before now? Clan Kinnon’s warriors cannae be more than three hundred. The MacLeods alone triple that number. Why have ye not revolted before now?”“Your laird holds favor with the king of Scotland. Laird Kinnon dinnae join forces with the royalists, which not only gained him the king’s protection, but the Lowlanders, as weel.”

  “I’d have killed The Beast myself had I known what he’d done to my kin,” she stated with conviction. Calin brought her hand to his chest, pulling her closer. “Kendrick couldnae deny your mother, nor his duty to protect ye and your sisters. When your brother is chieftain, Laird Kinnon will get his punishment. Kendrick has promised this to your kinsmen for more than a decade. ’Tis why he married Maggie to Logan Donald. He is the third-born son of the chieftain o’ Clan Donald. The Donalds are already Kendrick’s allies and await our union to unite the Isles.”

  Akira steadied her breathing and unclenched her fist, but held tight to his hand, thankful for his strength. She studied the puzzle Calin presented. Kendrick had been building a rebellion within the Kinnon clan to revolt against Laird Kinnon’s garrison. Her brother married Maggie to Logan to align the Kinnons with the Donalds. But Neala was first born and married to a Kinnon crofter. Had Neala been betrothed to Logan before The Beast ruined her?

  Akira hated the laws of the land. Hated the way men of status formed allies through pure marriages. She tried to hate Kendrick for selling her sisters to form such alliances, but she understood that he had been part of a greater plan to protect, not only her sisters and Mam, but the Isles. If Kendrick and Calin intended to make her part of their machinations to unite the Isles, then Calin had to know how Kendrick intended to assume power of chieftainship.

  “Ye will tell me how Kendrick is to become laird,” she demanded in a tone more forceful than she intended. “I am not ignorant to the law. The council will not honor my brother as laird over the Kinnon’s named heir. Kendrick is illegitimate. He wasnae born to a blessed marriage as Darach is.”

  Calin studied the landscape. The black birds had resumed their feast in the lush green grasses, and the sun had already begun to burn through the mist. Akira knew he searched for words. She also sensed there was so much he wanted to tell her, but couldn’t or was afraid to. She held his hand, pleading with him silently to trust her. Calin’s chin fell to his chest, and a muscle pulsed in his jaw. “If Laird Kinnon’s heir decrees Kendrick as chieftain, then your council will agree.”

  Akira gave a quick hoot. That was their brilliant plan to oust The Beast? They were muddleheaded fools—both her brother and Calin. “If ye think Darach will agree to this, ye are mad, Calin MacLeod.”

  The lines of his face broke into mischief. “I am mad. Mad about ye.” He crawled overtop her, lying her back against the velvet grasses, and then laced his fingers in hers beside her head.

  He leaned into her face. The heat of his mouth warmed her lips and quickened her pulse. “I’ve already told ye more than I should have, but I need ye to trust me. Marry me today to protect your clan. To protect Scotland, and soon I’ll tell ye everything. I vow it.”

  Kendrick must have known their union would protect so many people. Not only would Calin be a hero, so would her brother. The people of Dalkirth could be free of The Beast and could live respectable, happy lives under Kendrick’s reign. This vision filled her with peace. Her acceptance of this union would prevent The Beast from ever hurting anyone again. She felt empowered. “I’ll marry ye.”

  His smile came quickly and the arrogant bluster returned to his eyes. He was gloating, so she teased him. “To protect my family and my clan, but I’ll not submit to ye.”

  Calin’s eyes brightened with mischief at this challenge. A broad, luscious grin sprang over his face as he started in with his antics. The bodice of her shift dipped low from her earlier struggles, revealing far more flesh than she knew was proper. He bent over her and nuzzled his nose over her chest. His eyelashes swept over her skin, tickling, tingling. He placed whisper-soft kisses across her upper breasts making it difficult for her to be quarrelsome.

  She closed her eyes and tightened her clasp on his fingers. She didn’t know why, but his kiss and his touch made her ache. He would be her husband by day’s end, and she didn’t have to deny the way he made her feel, even if she didn’t ignite the same desire in him.

  Her betraying body arched, craving his attention.

  “Ye keep squirming like that and your rosy nipples will be exposed.”

  Excitement pebbled the nipples he spoke of so freely. “And what would ye do if that happened?”

  He nipped her bottom lip, but withdrew before engaging the kiss. “I would be forced to taste each one verra slowly.”

  Akira inhaled a deep breath of cool mist, wanting to know what that would feel like. Raising both brows, she wiggled beneath him.

  Calin groaned. “I am a weak mon. Ye must not tease me. Now please quit trying to seduce me, and allow me to take ye properly as my wife after we’re wed.”

  She fought the undeniable hunger pooling low in her stomach. Refusing to give in to her stubbornness, she challenged him.

  “I’ll not smile when we are wed, nor will I give myself to ye willingly.”

  “Och, my wee fire-breathing dragon, ye will do both.” Calin’s arrogant grin broadened just before he released her.

  Chapter Eleven

/>   The morning sun warmed the top of Akira’s head on their journey across MacLeod soil. They stopped at three tenant farms along the way, where Calin accepted wedding gifts from his kinfolk as if they offered the king’s gold. He appeared humbled by these peasants, and his earnest thanks touched her heart. One of the matrons presented him with a lace kerchief to catch his bride’s tears. Another gave a spotted feather from the tail of a capercaillie for luck, and the third gifted Akira with a hollow egg. The elderly rawboned woman supplied instructions to crush the egg after the wedding night. Akira giggled nervously when the woman told her the egg represented the status of her womb.

  Calin guided Sirius at a canter around Loch Ceardach, all the while answering her questions about his clan, his council, and the alliance. She was elated when he asked for her opinion on educating the young boys of the clan. No one had ever treated her with such regard.

  Soon, a strong scent of sea mingled with the wind. A falcon screeched overhead, a leather strap hanging from its leg—

  circling, inviting them home. Home. The thought alone terrified her. The haunting melody of pipers echoed in the distance. At the peak of the knoll, Cànwyck Castle came into view. Her eyes widened at the sight before her. A fortress of stone basalt blocks loomed atop a steep coastal cliff and overlooked the open sea. Double towers, erected on both the east and west corners of the keep, tied a great curtain wall of stone around the bailey of cottages within the stronghold. Clan MacLeod tripled the size of Clan Kinnon, mayhap more. And they would, no doubt, be expecting a woman of dignified grace. One who possessed qualities much nobler than those of a peasant. Akira had lived her entire life in a two-room cot-house with an earthen floor, tending to a herd of sheep and the needs of her sisters. This was madness. How could she possibly play the role of Lady of Clan MacLeod?