Highland Games Through Time

by Nancy Lee Badger

  “I don’t want you to use your magic on me again, so keep still.”

  He had not raised his voice, but the message was clear; perfectly clear, until he lowered his mouth to hers. Skye’s first reaction was to protest yet he had pinned her with no way free.

  Her animal’s warm hide steadied her back, and the pungent scent of dead leaves, moss covered tree trunks, and Jake, filled her nose.

  With their hands clasped together, tingles rose up her arms, along her neck, and ended where their lips met. For a man who worked hard with hot iron, his lips were soft and moist. When the tip of his tongue forced its way into her mouth, she yielded to the pleasure. A soft murmuring surprised her.

  ‘Tis me? That she enjoyed kissing a man, again, surprised her even more. Until this day, she had forgotten the closeness kissing provided. With their clasped hands resting against their most intimate parts, they shared a sensuous moment in time. The solidarity calmed her fears and gave her hope for a future.

  She shoved aside her murderous mission, as well as the memory of Lethan, and concentrated on savoring Jake. He tasted like a ripe apple. Had he bitten into the one he had fed to Dara?

  Yum. Had her hands been free to wander, she would press her open palms against his heart to see if his beat as fast as hers. Their shared heat made her bold, and she kissed him back. When he growled with satisfaction, and their tongues danced inside her mouth, pleasure shot to her core.

  Heat spiraled through her veins, from their lips to between her legs. She squirmed, as if her clothes had grown uncomfortable. Jake changed his stance, as if his trews were too tight.

  This whole scenario was too strange. Confusion rose, and she stilled. Jake had voiced misgivings about helping her, yet he kissed her?

  The distrust washed over her like cold rain. When a stiff breeze blew against Skye’s cheek, Dara whinnied.

  Jake pulled back. “What’s wrong?”

  “We must not—”

  “Right. Ladies of your time don’t dally with strange men in the woods.” His bitter laugh sent fury straight to her toes.

  “Thank ye for ruining the moment. Unhand me, if ye please.”

  “What if I’d rather keep you under my control?”

  Dara shied sideways, and he released her hands. Skye turned and patted the animal’s neck. “We must return.”

  “What made me think…? Fine.” He helped settle her in the saddle, then mounted Tavish.

  Skye tightened her hold on the reins, and gazed at gray skies filled with roiling clouds, darker ones roaming near. Tree branches rattled, and dry leaves dropped to the ground.

  “Jake, something is amiss.”

  “You’re right. We shouldn’t be alone in the woods. I certainly shouldn’t have touched you. What was I thinking?”

  She hastily dismissed his sudden anger. How could he think she referred to their kiss? After they had shared something so perfect? “Nay, I refer to our surroundings.”

  “What do you mean? This is beautiful,” he answered, his arms spread wide.

  The falls and the mist-shrouded pool were captivating to a normal woman, but Skye’s attention was on the heavens. When a rumble of thunder echoed through the trees, Dara reared. Skye held on, barely.

  “I doona’ like this. Those clouds rumble with an ominous threat.”

  “They are kind of odd. Okay, let’s turn back.” Jake said, heading back the way they came just as Bryce, riding Balfour, broke through the forest.

  The big man stopped beside her and Dara. A smile quirked her lips at his mussed and carefree appearance. Twigs and leaves were stuck in his hair. Had he witnessed Jake’s hands on her? Was jealousy prompting his rush to her side?

  She opened her mouth to explain that they planned to return to the barn, but he grasped her around the waist. She settled uneasily atop Bryce’s lap in time for him to kick the animal’s sides.

  “Bryce! What are ye doing?”

  “Yeah, Bull, what the—”

  A loud crack shot through the air, stilling Jake’s heated response to his friend’s actions. Above them, the top branches of a huge pine tree hurtled toward the ground. Toward her!

  “Watch out!” Jake yelled.

  “Git!” Bryce’s horse bolted down the trail, with Skye still seated in his lap. Dara followed at Balfour’s side, but Skye could not see around Bryce, to know if Jake and Tavish followed.

  Ahead and to the right, a bolt of lightning seared along a tree trunk, clawing its way to the ground. Seconds later, the large oak split with a terrifying hiss. It showered them with shattered bark and burning leaves.

  Skye wanted to scream, but Bryce shoved her head to his shoulder. Old Balfour bounded down the trail, leaving the smoking tree, and Jake, in their dust. Out of danger for the moment, Skye raised her head, but clung to Bryce’s neck.

  “Bryce, keep going.” She gave him a quick smile. Sensing something evil had attacked them, she feared the sorcerer was behind the assault. Was he near? Could he be ahead of them, waiting? Had he captured Jake by the falls? By not taking the time to discuss the latest events with Jake, she had placed him, his friend, and his beasts in danger.

  A wall of flame erupted, turning the stand of trees ahead of them into torches. Balfour reared. She and Bryce tumbled from the saddle to the ground.

  Balfour plunged into the trees to the left of the trail. His passengers rolled over and over. Skye slammed into something solid and unyielding.

  She inhaled a breath on the third try, and opened her eyes. She had crashed into Bryce’s rock-hard chest. It appeared that a tree stopped their tumble with a jarring thud, and he rested against the base, looking dazed. His arms opened, spilling her onto a blanket of fallen pine needles and oak leaves.

  Jake rode past them, pulled Tavish to a stop, and jumped from his saddle. He turned his back on the flames, concern for her well-being evident in his blazing eyes. Jake’s familiarity with fire must shield him from the fear that filled her.

  Aye, the man breathes fire.

  Rising to her knees, she turned to Bryce. His closed eyes and lack of movement since their fall was a concern.

  “I think yer friend is hurt.” She struggled to back away so Jake could get close to him.

  Jake shook his friend’s shoulder. “Hey, buddy. You okay?”

  Bryce’s eye flicked open and he struggled to take a breath. “Winded,” he whispered.

  “Praise the Mother,” she said, pushing to her feet. The flames threatened their present location, but she did not want to take the time, or the chance, to move Jake’s friend. She clamped a hand on her moonstone pendant, and raised an arm. Inhaling a deep breath, she choked on the smoke, then chanted an ancient spell that Dorcas had shared with her.

  Nature and sky hear my plea.

  Douse the flames, make them flee.

  Do it fast, so mote it be.

  Rain burst from the closest gray cloud and showered the flames without drenching Skye, Jake, and Bull. The thunder rumbled once, then was silent. Sunshine poked through the pine and oak tree canopy and warmed her face.

  “What the—”

  Bryce cursed again under his breath as he struggled to his knees. Once on all fours, he breathed in a lungful of air without coughing. The smoke had dissipated.

  “The horses?” he whispered, getting to his feet with Jake’s help. Jake patted him on the back, then ran after the horses.

  “Got ‘em,” he said and returned to her side with Dara and Tavish. “Balfour must be back at the barn by now. Are you okay?”

  He was no longer speaking to Bryce. His attention had latched on her, and his words took her by surprise.

  “Are ye worried about my well-being?”

  He nodded, then leaned close to her ear. “Bull heard your spell, and saw you put out the flames. What do I tell him?”

  He was so close, that the heat of his breath singed her ear. She thought about his secret, and stepped away.

  “Doona’ be silly. ‘Twas the rain that did the deed.”
>
  Jake glared at her. “What about you falling from the sky? What about your claim that a dragon attacked you? The man is brilliant. He’ll have questions.”

  “Do ye trust him?”

  “Yes. Bull and I have become close friends.”

  “Then I will tell him what I told ye. I need yer help. We must return to my people so I might kill the sorcerer.”

  “You? Kill that crazy man Dorcas and Ross warned me about? Isn’t that the guy who kidnapped Haven, and you?”

  “Aye. Yer friend must assist us. His strength will be welcome.”

  “His strength? What kind of trouble are you in?” Jake asked.

  Skye chose not to answer him. Not until they were safe from the current danger. Nature had not caused the flaming trees. Something powerful, magical, and dark as death headed their way.

  Skye joined Bull next to her horse. “Since Balfour has run away, I will share Dara with ye. This time, as we ride together, doona’ fall off. Can ye ride, Bull…I mean Bryce?”

  Bull glared at her, then smiled. He staggered toward her and her mount.

  “Call me Bull. I like how it sounds from your lips.” He winked, and mounted Dara.

  Skye raised her hand and he pulled her up. While she settled behind him, Jake stormed off. She watched the fluid movements of his arms, shoulders, and thighs as he quickly mounted Tavish.

  Let him sulk.

  “Can we return to the barn another way?” The trail had filled with smoking limbs and burning leaves.

  “This way,” Jake said. He spun his mount around and headed back toward the falls, “but it will take longer.”

  Skye looked toward the heavens. If she had no knowledge that it was still morning, she would swear night was closing in on them. The sky shifted from light gray to near black. She would bet her life that evil hurtled toward them.

  “We must hurry. ‘Tis no’ safe, here.” No sooner had the words left her lips, then the path ahead disappeared inside a thick, bubbling fog.

  “What the…is fog supposed to do that?” Bull asked.

  It fizzled, as if the ground had opened and spewed Hell’s putrid innards. She urged Dara forward with a kick while something cold and wet stung her cheek. Gazing upward, sparkling snowflakes fell like lacey spider webs, and mixed with the fog near the ground. The chill stole her breath, and the snow dampened her sweater. She huddled closer to Bull’s warm body. Filled with trepidation, she wrapped her arms tightly around Bull’s waist.

  “Ride faster,” she yelled into his left ear.

  “Snow? Now? What the—”

  “Yeah, this is nuts.” Jake obviously had the same concern, and slowed. “I’m turned around.”

  If he could not find the trail back, they were in trouble. Did he realize magic was behind it?

  “Is this sudden change in the weather normal, or spellbound?” Jake asked. Jake had no such apprehension toward keeping her secret safe. “Skye? Did you do this?”

  “What kind of question is that?” Bull interrupted.

  “Skye? Answer me,” Jake demanded. He drew back to ride beside Bull, yet ignored his friend’s question.

  Skye closed her eyes and released one hand from around Bull’s chest. Dipping inside her leather vest, she rubbed the amulet hanging on a delicate silver chain.

  “Nay, ‘tis more of the evil one’s doing.” She could feel the sorcerer’s presence. Pain lanced her stomach the same way it had when he had kidnapped her from the garden.

  The snow swirled around them, and stuck to her eyelashes. It whipped her hair into an ice-coated mess. She shivered, wishing she had her heavy wool cloak again.

  “Where did this blizzard come from?” Bull yelled through the wind, choking as snow and ice filled his mouth.

  Skye held tight to both Bull’s back and her powerful amulet, and dipped her head to keep the sharp ice pellets out of her eyes. The sudden storm and thickening fog had obliterated any sign of the trail, leaving the ground awash in mud.

  When Tavish bumped against Dara, Jake reined in his nervous animal. Alongside them, he lifted her chin and glared. “Answer me, witch.”

  “What did you call her?”

  “ ‘Tis not my fault,” she yelled, ignoring Bull, as Jake did.

  His darkened expression bore into her, and his aggressive hold on her chin suggested he did not believe her words. As the sticky, unnatural snow piled up, Jake’s black hair turned white, and reminded her of the sorcerer. Shivering, she knew in her gut that the sorcerer was behind their plight.

  “Can you get us out of this mess?” he yelled back.

  “What the heck are you two talking about?” Bull yelled through the blinding snow.

  “We have to get out of here, and Skye is our only hope.”

  “We’re trapped in a blizzard. The weather report I heard on the radio was for clear skies. And you believe this little girl can save us?

  “Bull, leave it—”

  “No. What do you know that I don’t?”

  “Bull, trust me,” Skye said, squeezing him tightly around his middle. He looked over his shoulder at her face, and sensed the tension drain from his shoulders.

  “Damned if I do, damned if I don’t. Do your best, love.”

  Jake glared at Skye, then turned to his friend. Bull’s mouth was open, his eyes wide, and his relationship with Skye was getting too personal. Something strange had tangled the three of them in the weirdest storm he’d ever experienced. Skye owed him an explanation. Jake ran fingers through his hair, and snow scattered. Tavish twitched beneath him.

  His hands froze as the fog and snowflakes fell. Even his lips were numb. Skye had to be freezing, even though she had pulled the borrowed red sweater tight around her shoulders, and leaned against Bull.

  Hell’s fire! She’s clinging to him like a second skin.

  A hot wave of envy slammed into the pit of his stomach. Why had she chosen to ride with Bull instead of him? Had his kisses pushed her toward his friend?

  Why the Hell did I kiss her, anyway?

  Bull slapped him on the shoulder, pulling his attention back to their present predicament. His friend had demanded an answer, but what could he tell him?

  “What is with this little lady? She recites a poem, and it rains? We try to get back to the barn, and it snows? This is far from normal.”

  He nodded, but didn’t answer. How could he? Their present condition was tentative at best. He’d lost the trail, and Skye knew it. Her eyes were easy to read. She knew what had happened wasn’t natural.

  “Skye, we’ll freeze out here. Isn’t there any place you can send us?”

  “Aye, but—”

  Bull grabbed Jake’s shoulder and shook him, turning in the saddle. Skye nearly tumbled, but tangled her fingers in Bull’s shirt.

  Bull glared at a shivering Skye, then back at Jake. “Are you two crazy?”

  “Calm down—”

  “You said you’re from Scotland,” he said to Skye, “so, how the heck do you know where to head?”

  Skye clasped Bull’s chin, and pulled his face to hers. Jake could only watch, envious. The wind whistled around them, and the snow swirled thicker.

  “Trust me!” she said.

  Bull nodded.

  Jake nudged his mount until they were so close, his thigh rubbed against Skye’s knee. A sudden gust of stinking wind threatened to sweep all three from their saddles, but he clung to Skye.

  Skye clung to Bull.

  He leaned closer, and Skye’s hand shot out, steadying them both. After he clasped it, Bull reached out and joined his hand with their hands.

  “If you can do something, do it now!” Bull yelled.

  Like a death grip, Jake squeezed Skye’s hand. Her voice was barely audible as the maelstrom’s swirling wind surged, but he heard her start to chant. Skye’s lips moved and she closed her eyes.

  Large ice pellets pinged off his back.

  Nature and sky hear my plea.

  Move us quick, help us flee.

  Do
it fast, so mote it be.

  Understanding came in short bursts, their meaning clear. The temperature dipped to an unseasonable low, stealing Jake’s breath. Dizziness swept over him. His knees hugged Tavish’s sides while his other hand held the reins and his companion’s hands in a death grip.

  The strange mist stunk of smoke and cinders, and closed around the shivering trio. Before he could raise a warning, his throat closed, the horses screamed, and the lights went out.

  “Skye,” he tried to yell, but the words died in his throat.

  CHAPTER 16

  Strange images filled Jake’s head, as a heaviness settled on his chest. His hand was suddenly empty. Where were Skye and Bull? His horse was beneath him; he could feel Tavish’s terror in his rippling muscles. Jake grabbed his horse’s mane to stay in the saddle.

  A sense of weightlessness suddenly turned his stomach, as if he was falling through the air. Realization socked him a heartbeat later; his horse was no longer beneath him, and his friends were gone. Had the sorcerer won?

  Tumbling alone through stinking blackness, his thoughts locked on Skye. Was she nearby? Had the sorcerer plucked her from her grasp before sending Bull and him to their deaths? Or, was their current predicaments part of Skye’s magic touch?

  Skye woke on her stomach, her face cushioned on a pillow of wildflowers. Breathing in a long, deep breath, their soothing fragrance filled her lungs. She could not help stretching like a big lazy barn cat, and nearly purred amid the scent of heather and sweet grass. The soft bed was slightly lumpy, more so than Jake’s.

  Her eyes popped open, then quickly shut against the brilliant sun. The beams pleasantly caressed her chilled cheeks and achy limbs, so why was her hair damp and tangled around her shoulders? An image of Jake’s bedchamber warmed her on the inside, but a light breeze tickled the snowflakes that stuck to her nose.

  Snowflakes?

  She jumped to her feet, and staggered. The wide expanse of a midnight-blue loch spread before her, but screeches caught her attention heavenward. Birds flew in spirals overhead, with no snow clouds in sight. When she lowered her gaze to the loch, something rippled beneath the surface. Startled, a cascade of ice pellets rained down from her head, onto the wildflowers.