My Hunted Highlander

by Badger, Nancy Lee

  Dear Lord, he lied to us. To me.

  Blair closed her mouth, forcing back tears. He was a Highland warrior, the son of a man who liked to kill indiscriminately. Even she had heard of the older Sinclair’s deviant behavior. He really was the son of that evil man? Did his blood run as cold and as black as his father’s? He already proved he’d lied to all of them. And…if Keegan’s story, that his sire was Angus Sinclair, rang true…

  “I have heard tales of Laird Angus Sinclair,” Bill said, “and some say he burns, rapes, and pillages with a band of mercenaries, leaving nothing in their wake. I also heard he has a new pet.”

  “What pet?” Raven asked. He chuckled, as if Bill had shared a joke.

  “Aye, Capt’n. Folks say he has a dragon under his command, conjured by a witch. I suppose we could ask Lana…”

  Raven laughed louder. “A dragon? Yer daft. Angus Sinclair is an old man. Why would he dabble in witchery?”

  “Angus? ‘Tis the name of the man my mother said sired me,” whispered Keegan.

  Too loud to go unnoticed, she feared.

  “What? Yer both sons of that villain?” Raven ground his teeth, and pointed a gully knife at Keegan, and then at Niall. He turned to Bill. “Set several men to guard them while ye and I head to the cottage. If she be a witch, she shall share any knowledge of conjured dragons. I need time to think.”

  “Aye, Capt’n.”

  Raven glared at Blair. “As for ye, my pretty former captain, Stay here and behave.”

  When Raven and Bill disappeared into the forest, Blair sighed with relief, even though Thomas was left in charge. He didn’t look happy. She’d humiliated him in the stable, by knocking the weapons from his hands.

  “Thomas, don’t be angry. I had to save him from Raven’s rage.”

  Thomas glared at her, then shoved Niall’s shoulder. Spouting Gaelic curses, Thomas sat down on a rock beside the stream, and busied himself with sharpening the blade of the dagger Balfour…Niall, had dropped, with a rock from the stream bed.

  Now that Raven had fled into the forest, Keegan had calmed down. Blair curled his small frame into her side, while Niall stared into the woods.

  “I fear for Lana. I hope she is no’ home.”

  “Lana? You know her?”

  “Aye. A distant cousin to me clan, and I have spent many nights…” His cheeks reddened.

  Blair feared he had spent those nights in Lana’s bed. Jealousy flared, and nearly made her say words she didn’t mean. Even if Raven believed Niall’s claim, and he was a valuable pawn, Raven would have him beaten, flayed, and tormented, until they decided how to demand a ransom. Their immediate concern was escape.

  Thomas glanced her way, every few seconds. A thought arose, and Blair tugged at the already low bodice of her gown. Thomas always hinted he had feelings for her. Raven’s pursuit had turned him away, but raw desire flared in his mud-brown eyes.

  If I can get him away from Niall and Keegan, maybe…

  The other crew had sought out softer resting places along the creek, and had settled in for the long wait. Blair whispered to Keegan to go sit on a rock, beside one of the sleeping men, then nodded toward the man’s boot. When Keegan spied the small boot knife, his eyes widened. When he moved away, she sashayed over to stand beside Thomas.

  “I feel like taking a walk,” she whispered.

  “A walk?” Thomas jumped to his feet.

  “Yes. Will you accompany me?” She batted her eyelids, and leaned forward, just enough to give him a view of her cleavage.

  “I will, lass.”

  She smiled, and ignored the growl from the vicinity of the man now known as Niall. Was the dirty rotten liar jealous?

  Too bad.

  Heading through the thick vegetation, with Blair leading the way, the scent of dead leaves crushed beneath their feet was somewhat soothing. She stopped beside a tall oak tree, and leaned against its trunk. Thomas grabbed her shoulders, pushing her flat against the tree, and his mouth slammed against her lips. When his tongue snaked inside, she did her best not to bite him, or vomit. His hands clutched her breasts, his dirty nails digging into the fabric. When she squirmed against the onslaught, the bark clawed at her dress.

  Praying she could keep Thomas interested, to give Keegan enough time to release Niall, she arched her body. When the softness of her belly cradled his rock-hard erection, she shivered with revulsion. He read her response as something different, as he groaned, tugging her bodice lower. When he released a breast, the nipple hardened in the chilly air. His hungry mouth covered the bud, nipping and lapping. She locked her arms at her sides, trying her best not to push him away.

  “My Captain, I can feel ye shivering with need, and ‘tis inside ye, I soon shall be. To control ye, to make ye scream, ‘tis what I have waited for, ever since Carlton MacIan dragged ye to our village.” He pulled back long enough to turn her, so she faced the tree. With her cheek resting against the scratchy bark, he lifted her gown above her waist.

  When he noticed her naked ass, he whimpered. He ran his fingers over her butt cheeks, then kicked her legs apart. She prayed Niall would hurry.

  “What a lovely sight.”

  She felt him fumble with his breeches, and she hoped the knotted rope was too hard to untangle with one hand. When the heat of his bulbous erection slid between her butt cheeks, and he ground his body against her, she cried out.

  “Get off of me!”

  Thomas stilled, then grabbed her braid. “Yer saying nay? Now? Too bad, woman. I canno’ hear ye.”

  “Can ye hear this?” a nearby male’s throaty growl echoed through the leaves, followed by the whisper of steel, as a blade slashed the air. Thomas silently toppled to the ground at her feet, leaving her cold, yet relieved.

  Blair pulled her skirt down, and turned to face Niall. He pulled her against his chest, and looked down. One bare nipple peeked up at him, and she quickly covered it with her hand. “Please don’t touch. He had his filthy mouth on me.” Blair tugged her bodice up.

  He nodded at her whispered words, as Keegan slid to a halt beside them. “I grabbed the knife, cut him loose, then waited to see if any of the men would awaken. None did. Mama! Is Thomas dead?”

  The lifeless man’s eyes stared up at them “Yes, son.”

  “He was hurting yer mother, lad.”

  “Shh, both of you. We must get out of here. Any ideas?” Blair gazed up at Niall and read the ideas he had in mind in his darkened eyes. Dropping her gaze to his breeches, the evidence of his arousal made her swallow. She shook her head, and turned to the body.

  Niall grasped the knife protruding from Thomas’s side, then wiped the blade on the dead man’s shirt.

  “This isn’t what I’d planned. I just wanted us to escape.” She turned toward her son. “Are you okay?’

  Keegan glanced at the body, then clasped her hand. “Aye. Can we go?”

  “Aye. Follow me.” Niall disappeared, and they ran to catch up.

  They headed deeper into the forest, the opposite direction of the shore. She wasn’t familiar with inland Scotland, but the sun was lower, to the west. The wind picked up, making the trees sway, and snowflakes trickled down. She hadn’t realized that it had started to snow.

  “Wait here.” Niall suddenly sped past them, heading back toward the stream where they had filled their water skins.

  “What is he doing?” Minutes passed. Worry wrinkled Keegan’s brow, which probably matched her own expression. He sneezed, and she pressed her palm against his forehead. “What I wouldn’t give for some aspirin.”

  When Niall suddenly appeared, dragging both sacks, she smiled. “Our gold! And, cloaks!”

  “Be quiet, lass. Put on what ye need, and follow me.” Hefting the heavier sack, he ran into the trees.

  Blair paused long enough to clothe her son in a warm cloak. “Better?”

  “Aye, captain…I mean, mother. “Tis difficult to change, aye?”

  “I agree,” she said, thinking of Balfour, who wasn’t
Balfour any longer. He had lied to her. How could she trust him to get them to safety? If there was a price on her head for her piracy, would he hand her over for the reward?

  Would he turn her over to his father? What about Keegan? If the lad’s mother spoke the truth, he was the result of Angus Sinclair’s rape. Living with the shame, and her bastard child, his mother had died about three months before Keegan had sneaked on board The Black Thistle.

  The snow grew heavier, though the trees kept most of it off their heads. Keegan didn’t let go of her hand, as they followed what she assumed was Niall’s trail.

  “We should no’ leave a trail, mother. Raven might follow.”

  Niall was waiting for them at a bend of another creek. “We will walk through the shallows and leave no trail. Give me the lad. He be dead on his feet.”

  Keegan climbed onto his shoulder, and they walked through the chilly water. Blair folded the cloak’s cowl over her head, and gathered up her hem with one hand. Lifting the sack to her shoulder, she followed.

  They walked for what seemed like hours, until the surface of the creek froze. The fragile layer of ice made walking dangerous, especially when tree branches dipped along the banks. Climbing up the bank, she nearly slipped and fell. Niall’s hand grasped her wrist, pulling her to safety. A high whistling sound grew above them, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

  “What is that noise?”

  “Nothing good,” Niall whispered.

  A screech tangled with the wind, and they glanced at the sky. A winged creature, larger than a horse, and belching smoke, flew above the trees, and raced toward the sea.

  “Was that…a dragon?” Keegan asked.

  Niall glanced at the boy, then at her. He nodded.

  Blair shivered. “It wasn’t after us.”

  “It flies toward the sea. I feel ye should worry for yer ship and crew.”

  Blair shook her head. “They turned on me. They can go to Hell.”

  ***

  Jenny Morgan’s life had improved, but after her night of lovemaking with Gavin Sinclair, several days had passed. Gavin kept too busy with the business of Castle Ruadh to share more nights with her. Crisp air blew off the North Sea, and seeped inside the castle. Her bedchamber in the stone fortress smelled fresh. In the great room’s unlit fireplace, the light fragrance of ash mingled with the leather and wool the resident warriors wore, with dignity. The muted colors of their plaids were more realistic than the flashy kilts, found at the modern-day Highland games. They were sexy, and she knew what Gavin hid beneath his.

  She glanced around the castle’s great room, as a servant girl filled the Laird’s cup from a large pitcher. The server reminded her of Cinnie, a young woman who had attacked several people, and had possibly poisoned the powerful witch, Dorcas Swann. Gavin thought she might be working for his evil father, Angus.

  “What about Cinnie, the woman in your dungeon?” Jenny asked.

  “She escaped!” Laird Marcus slammed the mug onto the oak table, spilling half its contents. A servant rushed to his side, and mopped up the foamy liquid. The ale’s bitter aroma wafted over them.

  “Uh, oh.” Jenny whispered. A horrible thought arose. “What about Dorcas? If Cinnie was the one who poisoned her, and she’s free, we need to warn Dorcas.”

  “Rae Wilson has returned to help Dorcas at her tent,” Marcus said.

  “Great.” Jenny figured that the Highland games, where they’d last seen Dorcas and her magical herbs, were still going on in the future, or would be. It was hard to wrap her head around time travel. The important thing was that if Rae planned to pursue a relationship with Wynda Sinkler, a woman he had met in the future, he could also help Dorcas.

  “Lairds.” Jaden-Tog stood three-feet high, and reminded her of a garden gnome. The sorrow in the Scottish brownie’s eyes was hard to miss.

  “My daughter, Cinnie, is under the control of the renegade, Angus Sinclair. Allow me to fight the man, and perhaps she can be saved.”

  The men held a whispered discussion. When they finished, and Marcus addressed Jaden-Tog, Jenny’s gut clenched.

  “Aye, ye shall assist us. However, if I decide ye have aided the evil bastard, yer life is forfeit,” Marcus said.

  The Scottish brownie nodded.

  Voices rose from the direction of the entrance hall, and Lady Fia flew across the stone floor. “Marcus! Pirates! Dragons!”

  “Calm yerself, wife.” Marcus said, rushing to his pregnant wife’s side.

  Fia inhaled several breaths, and clasped her husband’s hands. “I was walking the cliffs with my maid, when we saw the most amazing, horrible thing. A pirate ship neared our shore, which in itself, is cause for alarm, but when a dragon flew above our heads, and attacked it with a ball of flame, my maid fainted dead away!”

  Jenny jumped to her feet, grabbing Gavin’s forearm. He’d planned to seek out pirates, in case the rumor about Niall proved true. The news of a dragon’s attack made her heart skip a beat. The magical beast could kill Niall, before they could track him down.

  “Release me! Niall could be…” Gavin attempted to loosen Jenny’s grip.

  Jenny held on tight, to stop him from unsheathing his sword, and racing out the door, before he heard all Fia’s news.

  “Please, wait. Hear her out,” she whispered in Gavin’s ear. He relaxed, and wrapped an arm around her waist.

  Lady Fia inhaled a deep breath, and pointed at Gavin. “There be more. The dragon had a rider. ‘Twas none other than yer sire, Angus Sinclair!”

  Gavin froze.

  “Did the ship sink?” Jenny asked, knowing Gavin could not speak.

  “Nay, but its sails were put to flame.”

  If Niall was on that ship, and the ship and crew had not perished, then Niall might still be alive.

  Too many ‘ifs’.

  Jenny led a distraught Gavin back to his chair on the dais, where he collapsed, pulling her into his lap. Surprised, she looped her arms around his neck, and cuddled. He held her to his chest, while the others settled into their own seats. Wrapped in his muscular arms, she reveled in his heat. Lady Fia had covered her mouth, obviously shocked at Gavin’s improper treatment of an unwed young lady.

  Times they are a’changing, Jenny thought. “It’s okay, Fia. He’s asked me to marry him.”

  All eyes settled on them, but no one said a word. Gavin gazed up at her. “I worry for Niall, but ye kept me from rushing headlong toward another cliff.”

  Jenny laughed, then leaned into him, cupped his bristly chin, and kissed him. He smelled like sunshine that had finally risen from the darkest night. He tasted sweet, like fresh apple cider. His lips were warm, pressing softly against hers. She broke the kiss when a forgotten memory rose. “Makes up for the time I made you fall from a cliff.”

  A smile reached Gavin’s eyes, and the love she witnessed struck her to her core. She smiled back at him.

  “Love, ye never answered me. Will ye lighten my heart every day? Will ye keep the darkness away through bad times? Will ye be my wife?”

  “Aye,” Jenny said, then laughed so hard, she hiccupped. “I mean, yes, whether you end up as laird, or a sheep herder, I’ll marry you.”

  Gavin kissed her, and the room erupted with joyous well wishes.

  “Now,” Jenny said, as she slipped from his lap and addressed her husband-to-be, “Let’s go find your brother.”

  CHAPTER 20

  As Blair cursed the men who had turned on her, Niall chuckled. “Tell me how ye really feel, Blair.” He smiled at her, glad in his soul that she had put her ship, and mutinous crew, behind her. Her crew could be dying, attacked by what had looked like a dragon, but her concern was for her child.

  With danger in the east, they headed westward, skirting the village where Lana dwelled. They were finally heading south, toward Castle Ruadh, the safest place he could think of to venture. Since the stone fortress sat beside the sea, their circular route would take longer than if they headed along the cliffs, but Lana�
�s cottage was too close to that trail.

  They stopped at another stream for fresh water, and Blair dug into the sack. He had already found the gold coins, and would need to trade them for bannock and cheese. With their food long gone, Keegan had grown pale and listless. She had asked him to carry the lad. His hot forehead was worrisome. When the lad’s eyes suddenly rolled back in his head, Niall jerked to a stop in the middle of the path.

  “Why did you stop…Holy Moses! What’s wrong with Keegan?”

  “He is feverish.”

  Blair touched her son’s forehead. “Oh, no, he’s burning up!”

  “Can ye carry this sack?” Niall settled the sack over her free shoulder without waiting for an answer. Cradling the lad in his arms, they continued their trek, but with added haste. Niall feared Keegan would worsen before they reached Castle Ruadh. His mother wept softly behind them, yet never faltered. Keegan’s hair and eyes matched his own, and he believed the child was one of his sire’s bastards. What did that mean about Blair?

  He had a second brother, probably more. Had he not spent his own seed, far and wide? Several lasses had joined him on the makeshift bed, in the cave he discovered many years ago. He had filled Lana Sinclair’s bed as well, but the young witch claimed to know how to prevent conception. Since many men visited her, as a way for her to earn the herbs and foodstuffs she required for her craft, he did not worry about her making a claim against him. She had her witchery to protect her. If Raven Snoddy, or Angus Sinclair, tried to abuse Lana, neither would come out the winner.

  As Niall rounded a bend of the creek, he stopped short. A small tent, more of a wedge of canvas strung between several trees, covered an old woman, sitting beside a tiny campfire. Why had he not smelled the smoke? It filled his lungs, soothing him as if…

  “Witch, doono’ try yer spells on me. We doono’ mean ye harm.”