“Oh,” she whispered again, her head tilting to give him more access. God, she tasted warm and sweet and so bloody soft. He gently peppered kisses along her jaw, desperate to reach her lips but equally eager to sample everything along the way. Sharp arousal speared him when her breath hitched and she squeezed her thighs together. Hell, he had known the lass less than a week and he’d already imagined a hundred different ways he wanted to make love to her.
At last, his lips hovered over hers, savoring the heat of her breath, the ravenous anticipation before he finally…
“Och, m’laird, ye should have gotten to that sooner,” Machara quipped as she came around the corner.
Cassie pulled back sharply and Logan scowled as he redirected his attention to his intrusive cousin. “What is it?”
“Ye said ye wanted to know when Laird MacLauchlin’s man arrived, aye?”
“Aye.” Logan stood and pulled Cassie up. “Is he here th—”
“Aye, I’m here ye bloody arse,” Clyde MacLauchlin grumbled as he joined Machara. He scowled at the MacLomain men surrounding him with weapons. “Och, if ye mean to use the blades then ye should have done it before I got to yer laird.” He held out his arms. “Besides, I’ve no weapons on me.”
Logan sighed and told his men to stand down. “Many thanks but off with ye. I’ll deal with the MacLauchlin.”
“But m’laird,” one warrior started. “He meant to kill ye!”
“I said I’ll deal with him.” Logan fingered the dagger at his waist. “See, I’ve the means to defend myself. Now off with ye.”
His soldiers hesitated a few more moments before they reluctantly left. When Machara lingered, Logan said, “Ye too, lass.”
“I dinnae think ‘tis wise to leave ye.” Her eyes narrowed on Clyde. Though Machara might have little use for Logan, he had to give her credit. She would always protect the Laird of the MacLomains despite what she thought of him.
“I’m fine, cousin.” He nodded at her. “Now go, please.”
Machara’s eyes narrowed even further on Clyde. “If ye hurt m’laird I’ll cut off yer ballocks and shove ‘em up yer—”
“Now, Machara,” Logan interrupted firmly.
She shook her head, sneered at the MacLauchlin, then left.
Clyde eyed Logan for a long moment before he plunked down on a rock, braced his fists on his knees and shook his head. “Yer a bloody good lad, Logan MacLomain.” He nodded at the satchel. “Might ye have an extra skin of whisky in there for an old friend?”
Logan crossed his arms over his chest. “That depends on yer intentions.”
“My intentions are to thank ye for protecting Aline’s integrity.” He ground his jaw as if angry before his brows shot up in resignation. “I know she married the Stewart and I know of their bairn.” For the first time ever, he saw the man’s eyes glisten as his voice grew rough. “And I know the wee one was murdered.”
Cassie sat as Logan tossed a skin to Clyde. “I cannae tell ye how sorry I am.”
Clyde gave a brief nod then downed half the skin in one long gulp. “‘There is no help for the bairn now so 'tis best to set aside grief, aye?” Before Logan could respond, the Laird continued. “I owe ye a great debt for saying what ye did back there. ‘Twas noble indeed."
Logan was about to respond, but Cassie spoke to Clyde first. “Like Logan I'm so sorry for your loss." Compassion met her eyes followed by curiosity. "But if you knew he was lying why’d you attack him?”
“What else should I have done? Shake his hand and pat him on the back?" Clyde cocked a brow at her and gestured at Logan. “The lad broke his vow. ‘Twould have looked weak to handle his betrayal any other way.”
Cassie shook her head and rolled her eyes. “You people are crazy.”
"Aye." A wide grin split his face. “On occasion."
Logan sat next to Cassie and eyed Clyde. “How long have ye known of Aline and Baird then?”
The MacLauchlin sighed. “Longer than I would’ve liked.” His eyes held Logan’s. “I know I should’ve told ye of it sooner, but I needed my people to keep believing the marriage was on the horizon. That we would be strengthened more so with the power of the MacLomains behind us.”
Despite the years taken from him when he could have been enjoying a loving wife, Logan understood. He might have done the same for his own clan. “Does Aline know that ye know?”
“Nay. Foolish lass. She thought me too old to recognize the lusty looks she and Baird exchanged when they were around one another.” Clyde blinked away renewed moisture and downed the remainder of his skin. “She steered clear of the castle in her later months of pregnancy, but like her Ma, she carried small and hid it well beneath her dresses. After that, the bairn was kept in the village raised by another but I knew she visited the wee one often. As did I without anyone knowing.”
Logan felt for the Laird. He really did. “Why not stop what ye saw developing betwixt Aline and Baird to begin with?”
Clyde almost appeared sheepish. “I meant to many times but…” He hesitated a long moment before continuing. “Did ye know my wife, God bless her soul, was intended for another lad?”
Everything became crystal clear. He empathized with his daughter’s secret love affair. “So yer a bloody romantic after all, MacLauchlin.”
“Aye, so it seems.” Clyde peered at Cassie’s skin of whisky. “Have ye a few drops left to share, lass?”
Cassie handed it over. “Sure, have at it.”
“Many thanks.” He took another long swig then belched. “‘Twas never my intention to hurt ye, Logan, but ‘twas just too heartbreaking to put an end to my Aline’s happiness.”
Logan repressed a sigh. At least Aline had found love over the long years leading up to their betrothal. His eyes slid to Cassie. Now that he’d met her he could only be grateful that everything worked out as it had. He wanted her so fiercely it would have been brutal had he been with another lass with her here.
“It seems, however, that my romantic nature paid off for both ye and my daughter though, aye?” Clyde’s wise eyes flickered between Logan and Cassie. “Because I dinnae think ‘twas so much a lie when ye said ye loved this lass.”
Cassie’s eyes rounded. “No way, buddy. Logan was definitely lying when he said that.”
Logan wasn’t so sure about that. Not at all. But right now, things needed to stay focused on why Clyde had come. “I take it ye’ve sought me out so soon not because your clan thinks ye capable of apologizing but because ye’ve a need to take back your castle.”
Clyde took another swig and tapped his temple. “Yer always thinking, my lad. ‘Tis what makes ye such a good Chieftain.” He nodded. “Aye, I’m here because I think ‘tis best to approach my castle under darkness. Sooner rather than later.”
Logan rested his elbows on bent knees and considered Clyde’s suggestion. As it did so often, the weather was shifting and another storm would be here within hours. Truth told it would be the perfect time to attempt to take the castle. “Have ye any idea how many of the enemy hold it under siege?”
“Maybe half yer current numbers but stealthy bastards.” Clyde shook his head. “I didnae have the force to fight them. ‘Tis half the reason a renewed affiliation with yer clan was so important.”
“Ye should have said something,” Logan muttered. “I would have sent ye extra warriors. You’re not only the Da of the lass I was meant to marry but my friend.”
“Aye, lad.” Clyde shook his head. “‘But my bloody pride got in the way.”
Logan was about to reply when Cassie made an odd sound. She was holding her forehead, eyes squeezed shut. Concerned, he crouched in front of her and took her hand. “What is it, lass?”
When she removed her hand and opened her eyes, they seemed distant, unseeing. “I hear you, but I still can’t see you.” He moved back when she yanked her hand from his and held it out in another direction. “Is your name Robert?”
He realized she was having another vision and shook his head sh
arply when Clyde came alongside and started to speak.
“I can’t hear you. Speak louder,” she said, voice rising.
Logan scanned the forest, worried. Though tempted to silence her words to those who might be lurking close by, his magic might interfere with whatever she was experiencing.
“I heard you that time,” she exclaimed, happy. “My name’s Cassie and we’re coming to get you. Do you know where you are?”
Considering how frightened she likely was, Logan was impressed with how gentle she kept her voice while asking exactly what they needed to know.
She dropped her arm and appeared to be listening. “So you hear running water? Like maybe a river or waterfall?”
Cassie paused then nodded. “All right. I’ll let my friends know. They’re great warriors and will save you really soon.” Her brows drew together with concern. “Do what I’m doing and it will help keep you warm.” She pulled her arms into her sleeves until they were wrapped over her chest beneath her dress. Nodding, she watched something only she could see. “There you go. That’s it.”
Then her eyes narrowed as if Robert was getting harder to see.
“Oh no, no, Robert, can you still see me?” She pulled her arms free and reached out again before her eyes drifted shut and she started to slump.
Logan scooped her up and sat on a rock. He went from curiosity while watching her speak with Robert to downright fear. Cupping her chin firmly, he said, “Cassie, are you well? Come on, lass, look at me.”
She mumbled something then slowly cracked open her eyes and whispered, "Logan?"
“I’m here. I’ve got you,” he said. “Can you see me?”
Her eyes again seemed distant and unseeing but unlike when having her vision he didn’t sense any magic fluctuating around her. “Cassie?”
After several blinks, her gaze seemed to gradually clear but her words were weak. “Yeah, I see you.”
Yet he got the sense she did not see him as clearly as she should. “Good.” He stroked her cheek. Relief unlocked the tension in his shoulders as he brought a skin of whisky to her mouth. “Take a sip. ‘Twill calm you.”
Cassie did as asked then blinked a few more times before her eyes finally focused on his face. “I saw the boy again. It’s definitely Robert.”
“Aye, lass, I know.”
“Ye gave us a good scare.” Clyde eyed her with interest. “So ye’ve the gift of sight, aye?” His puzzled gaze went to Logan as he crossed his arms over his barrel chest. “It seems I’m not the only one keeping secrets.”
Logan ignored him and remained focused on Cassie. “Where did Robert tell you he was? You said you heard running water.”
Cassie nodded and tried to get off his lap, but Logan shook his head and kept her snuggly in place. “Nay. Not until you’ve regained your strength.”
“And then there’s that strange bite to yer accent every so often,” Clyde muttered. “Not to mention the lass’s accent in general.”
Logan frowned at Clyde and again shook his head before meeting Cassie’s eyes, his voice gentle. “Tell me everything Robert said.”
She nodded and took another small sip of whisky. “Robert’s not where he was the first time we spoke. They’ve been moving. He is, however, in another cave, this one colder than the last. It’s very damp and he thinks the running water is a river because he heard the horse’s hooves splashing through it before they stopped.”
“Why couldn’t he see the water?”
Cassie’s sad eyes stayed with his. “Because they’re keeping a sack over his head while they travel.” Her eyes grew damp. “Who does that to a child?”
“Monsters,” he muttered. “So he’s not at the MacLauchlin castle then.”
“Who’s this Robert lad that’s not at my castle?” Clyde's eyes narrowed. “And ye’d best give me an answer, MacLomain.”
Logan’s eyes met his. “Since he’s not at yer castle ‘tis not yer concern, m’laird.”
Clyde’s eyes widened and his brows slammed together. “If ye dinnae tell me then…”
“Then what?” Logan said as Clyde sputtered out, realizing there was nothing he could threaten Logan with. “Ye’ll order me and my warriors away before we help ye try to take back yer castle?”
“Well, I'll be. Ye've a mean streak in ye after all,” the MacLauchlin huffed and resumed draining his whisky.
Logan had just returned his attention to Cassie when a MacLauchlin warrior with Niall’s blade to his back appeared.
“This one just joined us.” Niall’s eyes went from Clyde to Logan. “It seems our MacLauchlin Laird sent a few men ahead to scope out the castle.”
That did not surprise Logan in the least. His gaze went to the drenched warrior. “And?”
Not responding to Logan, the man looked at Clyde.
Clyde nodded in Logan’s direction. “Answer him. The MacLomain’s our bloody ally.”
“Aye.” The warrior met Logan’s eyes. “They’ve verra few men stationed on the battlements what with the rain and it seems they dinnae know ye’ve come because the vast lot of them are drunk.”
Logan didn’t trust that report. It seemed far too easy. He turned his attention Clyde's way. “How good is this man at scouting? Could he have been fooled by a ruse?”
Clyde leaned close to the warrior. “Let me smell yer breath, lad.” The man complied. The Chieftain sniffed and shook his head. “‘Tis no smell of whisky. As long as this one isnae in his cups, he’s one of the best I have. So nay, ‘tis doubtful ‘tis a ruse.”
Logan nodded, trusting Clyde’s assessment. The MacLauchlin might have lied about Aline’s betrothal but when it came to putting his friend’s life at risk, he would give nothing less than the truth. He looked at Cassie. “How are you feeling? A bit better?”
“Much,” she assured, renewed strength in her eyes.
“Okay.” Logan stood and though it was the last thing he wanted to do, he carefully set her down. Hands still on her waist, he said, “Are you still well? Do you feel like you’re going to fall?”
Cassie shook her head. “I’m good.” Heat fluctuated between them and her breath hitched as their eyes held. Her voice sounded flustered. “Seriously.”
Logan nodded and stepped away before he put this whole ‘save the MacLauchlin castle thing’ on hold, took her somewhere private and at last slaked his lust. He looked at Niall. “Remove your blade from the MacLauchlin and let’s get our warriors rallied. ‘Tis time to take back a castle.”
When they joined the others, he looked at Machara. “Cassie will ride with you. I want five warriors with you at all times.”
Though Machara’s eyes flashed with defiance because she preferred being at the heart of battle, she nodded and urged Cassie to follow. He would much rather keep his lass with him, but he needed to lead his men.
His eyes met Cassie’s. “‘Twill be all right, lass. Machara will keep you safe.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about,” she murmured, gaze lingering on him before she turned away. Startled, Logan realized she was referring to his safety. A surge of satisfaction blew through him as he prepared to leave. Hopefully, this would be a quick siege and they could resume where they'd left off before Clyde arrived.
Rain fell in heavy sheets, slicing through the thick canopy of trees as they traveled through the forest. The journey was short, perhaps half an hour before the MacLauchlin castle came into view. Save for a few torch-lit windows, it was shrouded in darkness. Not a large castle by any means, he had more than enough warriors to conquer it.
Clyde’s horse came alongside, the Chieftain’s eyes on his domain. “I’ll see every last man beheaded.”
Logan nodded his agreement. That was a damn good idea.
Clyde’s son, Deargh, joined them, clearly ready to do whatever was asked of him. Though worried about the Chieftain’s people, Logan was glad Clyde had no immediate family in there. Aline was safe and his wife, God bless her soul, had passed on.
“I’m going in fir
st to scout with the others,” Logan said.
Clyde cocked a brow at him. “Ye always did like to get in on the battling first.”
Logan gave no response but swung down from his horse and waved Niall and a few other MacLomain warriors after him. The beauty of this castle was the vast amount of trees surrounding three-quarters of it. No moat, no drawbridge, just a portcullis then a heavy gate. But none of that mattered because they were not going in the front.
He kept beneath the tree cover, signaling the others to fan out before he stopped at the last tree and squinted up. His superior vision allowed him to see better than most. When he saw nothing, he searched with magic. One man leaned against the backside of the wall walk above, head bent as he dozed.
Within minutes, Logan had managed a fairly thorough sweep of the castle via magic. Niall’s voice entered his mind. “I count only forty of the enemy, cousin. As was reported, most are drunk.”
The drunken men weren’t faking it either which led Logan to believe this castle siege was a means to delay them as the real prize, Robert, was moved further away. No matter, the MacLauchlin needed his castle back and pursuing the future king on such a night would be unwise.
“I’ll take care of the trees,” Logan said. “Tell half the men to follow. The other half to remain hidden just beyond the front gate.”
It may seem like an easy siege, but he preferred to err on the side of caution when it came to not only the safety of his men but the innocent people inside. Making a ruckus at the front would stir up a drunken slaughter. It was best to keep things quiet for as long as possible.
Logan put a hand against the closest tree and murmured, “Terram clamavi ad te. Adiuvamus causa et crescere arboribus illis. Mother Earth, I call to thee. Help our cause and grow these trees.”
A rush spread through him as his body warmed and fingertips tingled. He watched as the trees’ branches slowly grew out and up until they reached the battlements. Making sure his bow, arrows and sword were attached securely to his back, he began climbing. Before long, he dropped over the wall and crouched, eyeing his surroundings. The man he had sensed lounging made no movement. Silent, Logan crossed to him and sliced a dagger across his throat before he ever woke.
Quest of a Scottish Warrior Page 15