Highland Games Through Time

by Nancy Lee Badger

  Skye kicked her ice-encrusted boots against a rock, and smoothed her hands down her leather vest and trews. Glancing around, she searched for her companions and her borrowed sweater. She clasped her arms over her chest for warmth, then slid a hand beneath her vest.

  Still with me.

  Her moonstone pendant no longer throbbed. During the fog and snow, it had heated as danger approached. Had the danger passed? She had cried out her spell until everything went black. Now, it rested silently and cold against her flesh. She struggled to remember how she got here. How they got here.

  “Where are they?”

  As if in answer to her call, Jake’s head broke through the surface. He thrashed and coughed. The curses that followed gave her comfort until a large, dark shape rose behind him. An open maw filled with pointed teeth descended. Skye watched in horror, and raced to the shoreline. She shouted words as she threw out her hands.

  Power of wind, strength of the sea,

  Send the Highlander back to me.

  Hear my words, so mote it be!

  The wind roared, and the gust forced a wave to crash against the shore. Jake, caught atop the huge crest, was flung toward her and out of the creature’s reach. With a bone-jarring thud, Jake landed at her feet.

  “Jake! Can ye hear me?”

  “Yes,” he coughed, “You…called me…Highlander, again.” He glared at her, then sucked in air.

  “No’ now!”

  “Give me a minute…to catch my breath.”

  “I canna’ let ye lay here. The creature might follow ye on land.”

  He jumped to his feet, grabbed her hand, and ran for the hillock. Once on the other side, and nestled in the tall grass, he inched his head up and peeked at the loch in time to see the strange beast sink beneath the surface. “What on God’s green earth was that?”

  “A dragon. I am surprised ye dinna’ recognize it.”

  After he coughed up a mouthful of water, he glared at her. “Since I have never seen a dragon…wait a minute. Dragons live in water?”

  His shock concerning the creature was real, yet she suspected he knew the truth. Takes one firebreather to recognize another.

  “Aye, some. The wingless ones. A freshwater loch is a pleasant enough home, I suppose.”

  “A loch? Are you saying Loch Ness has a dragon?” He stripped off his soaked shirt. His boots were gone, most likely lost in the loch, but Skye’s attention snapped back to the drops that dripped down his naked chest. When he saw where her gaze rested, he laughed.

  A groan brought her to her feet.

  “Get down!” Jake pulled her wrist, and she sunk into the grass behind the hillock, and several boulders.

  “I heard something. A groan.” She looked around. “Someone is hurt.”

  “Where’s Bull? Hell’s fire, I forgot about him. Which way?”

  She pointed, and turned to crawl in that direction.

  “No,” he said as he grabbed her around the waist.

  Heat washed over her like a comfortable blanket. His fingers combed through her hair, and dislodged more ice crystals. When they trailed down her neck, and over her bodice, she gasped. When he ran a hand over her arms and legs, her heart battered against her ribs.

  “Jake?” she whispered, concern for the dragon, and his friend, bringing her back to reality.

  “You feel so good. How could I have brushed you aside all those years ago?” He kissed the tip of her right breast where the nipple pressed against her damp vest. His wet hair was cold and dripping from his swim, but she tangled her fingers in it and pulled him closer.

  He chuckled, but kept his mouth pressed tight to the leather. “I want you naked.”

  “Now?” was all she thought to say. When his hand swept to the swath of naked flesh just above her leather leggings, she gulped.

  Jake’s head came up, and their eyes met. Flames danced in those blue eyes, and he kept that penetrating gaze on her while his hand slipped beneath her leggings. His long, fingers brushed the curls between her legs.

  His nostrils flared. “You smell delectable.”

  “Do ye plan to devour me?” His inner beast was powerful, and a thread of fear wove itself around her heart.

  His gaze locked on her face, hotter than before. “I would love nothing more than to make you scream for me, but this isn’t the time or place.”

  While she absorbed his words, trying to understand if she was truly safe, his fingers dove deeper, and slipped inside her sex. Wanting to watch his face was impossible. She flung back her head, writhing on the ground like a cat who discovered an errant sunbeam. Pleasure swelled beneath his fingers, and flames scorched her flesh. Higher and higher, twisting and reaching, for what she could not fathom, until she broke apart.

  A high-pitched keening brought her to her senses, until she realized the sound was coming from her mouth. “Praise the Mother.”

  “I have been called worse, but I want more.” Jake began to unlace her leather leggings, but she scurried out of reach. Another groan, louder, made them both turn.

  “ ‘Tis not the time for frolic. We must find yer friend.” She got to her hands and knees.

  He pulled her back. When he squeezed near her right hip, she yelped.

  “Sorry. We aren’t finished,” he whispered, “but, you stay put.” He kissed her. His hot mouth captured hers, catching her by surprise. With her body still thrumming from the pleasure he had given her, she could barely think.

  He wrapped his arms around her, and licked between her lips, as if pleading for her to open and take him inside. When she did not, he peppered her forehead, neck, and collarbone with soft, wet kisses.

  Her body quaked with desire despite the pain and precarious situation. His touch slid over her, yet she squirmed to get closer. He rolled to his back, and pulled her length atop him. She was as close as she could be—clothed. The hard ridge of his manhood nudged her belly, and a sigh met his kisses.

  “Oh, my.”

  Jake smiled against her temple. When a pain-wracked voice echoed from the other side of the hillock, he rolled out from under her.

  “Jake? Where are you?”

  Bull’s voice brought her to her senses. When Jake set her away, and straightened his clothing, he was breathing hard. Knowing she had caused his arousal made her smile. She rolled to her uninjured side, and waited while he shuffled through the tall grass to find his friend. Drunk with warmth, she missed his mouth, and fingers.

  Hidden behind a rock, she could do nothing but wait to see if Bull had survived in one piece. She had recognized the loch. They had landed far from Loch Ness, the one Jake had mentioned, but Castle Ruadh was close. Not close enough to reach by nightfall unless…

  A soft whinny drew her attention toward the loch.

  Two of Jake’s mounts had indeed traveled through the storm with them. They galloped through the shallows, and then paused to drink. Unfortunately, their need to quench their thirst placed them in proximity to the creature that had almost eaten Jake.

  “Praise the Mother, protect them!”

  After her spell had saved Jake, the surface of the loch had quieted. Now a large section bubbled as if it boiled. Foam-tipped waves curled as they raced ahead of the glistening green scales of the water dragon. The creature’s head rose from the waves, again. This time, its attention was on the animals.

  As waves splashed against the shore, a terrible cry frightened the animals, but they were frozen in place. The dragon’s talons broke the surface as it strained to paddle closer to Jake’s beasts. Skye was thankful it was a wingless creature. Though fast beneath the water, it could not fly and grab its prey from overhead. It might prove clumsy on land, but if it dragged its prey beneath the surface, Dara and Tavish were doomed.

  Her unease grew, as the creature raced toward shore. Before reaching their mounts, Skye grasped her amulet, then threw her other hand up.

  She waited until the dragon’s head and opened maw surfaced. A burst of flame shot out from the palm of her open
hand with all the power she could muster.

  An unearthly scream stung her ears, and gooseflesh erupted over her skin. The odor of burning flesh filled her nostrils. Scales smoked on the side of the dragon’s head, and it turned away.

  Tavish and Dara still had not moved. They stood in the shallows, too shocked or unaware of the danger that passed. As the tip of the dragon’s tail disappeared below the surface in a great wave of churning foam, Skye collapsed in the grass.

  Several deep breaths relieved the tension that had swept through her body. Drinking in the crisp air, her palms dug into the long spiky grass. Rested, she sat up and walked closer to the loch.

  Not too close, she warned herself.

  She settled on a large rock. Damp sand and crushed shells surrounded the base of her stony perch. Tall grasses, turning brown under an autumn sun, told her they had returned to the past around the same time she had left.

  Or, so she hoped.

  A wave of dizziness bent her at the knees. The danger had passed, yet the fear turned her stomach.

  “I could use a good, long nap,” she said, not expecting an answer. A soft breath teased her left ear. When a wet tongue licked her cheek, thoughts turned to Jake, but the mare was the culprit.

  Dara nuzzled her, calming Skye’s jittery stomach. She grabbed the dangling reins, pulled herself to her feet, and stroked the animal’s velvety muzzle.

  “I am verra’ happy yer still alive. Where be yer furry companion?”

  “I’m right here, love.” Bull walked up to her, then engulfed Skye in his huge arms.

  “Praise the Mother, yer alive!”

  “Amen to that,” Bull said, glancing down at the shredded remnants of his clothes. He tore the tattered shirt over his head.

  “Praise and preserve us,” she whispered at the sight of all this naked flesh. “What happened to yer clothing?”

  “I hit a tree, tangled in a patch of sharp thistles, then slid along some rocks.”

  Her chest swelled with happiness, as if she had received the finest gift. “I am thankful yer leggings seem to have protected yer…legs.” She bent and ran her hands over his muddy flesh and saw no evidence of blood loss.

  Bull grabbed her hands, cupped them in his fists, and kissed her knuckles.

  “Listen, sweetheart,” Bull said, pulling her into his embrace.

  The shock quieted her, but before she could protest, he kissed the tip of her nose.

  “Why did ye—”

  “If you keep touching me, I won’t be responsible for—”

  “Get your meat hooks off her.” The seriousness in Jake’s growl was reason enough to push away from Bull. When he released her from his grip, she tried to turn too quickly.

  She tripped over Jake’s bare foot, coming down hard on his toes.

  “Ouch!”

  “My apologies, Highlander.”

  He stopped hopping, still cursing beneath his breath. The intensity in his glare made Skye stumble back into Dara. When the startled animal retreated, her feet slipped out from under her. As she fell, he wrapped his arms around her and gathered her into his chest. The press of different arms, and a hard, naked chest, made it hard to breathe.

  Struggling in his embrace, she was not surprised he did not let go. She deserved whatever Jake decided to do with her.

  “You used your cursed magic on me, again. Now, I see you kissing my so-called friend.”

  “Did I not save ye from a beastie wanting to make a meal of ye? And yer friend was thanking me.”

  “Thanking you? Then why were you running your hands all over him?”

  Jake’s voice thundered, his roar intensifying as he tightened his grip, but Skye did not flinch. He was less angry about her use of magic, than about her touching Bull.

  Interesting.

  “What are you implying? I kissed her as thanks for saving my life,” Bull said.

  Jake glared at his friend. Bull gawked, muttered under his breath, and kicked a rock into the loch.

  Bubbles stirred beneath the surface, too close for comfort.

  Jake pulled her in the direction of a grazing Tavish. “Get Dara, Bull, and hide her saddle behind those rocks.” Jake said without looking at his friend.

  “You’re nuts!”

  “Please. Do as he says,” Skye whispered to Bull. Jake obviously knew they were no longer in a world where modern saddles existed.

  Skye sensed Bull’s glare boring into her back. Jake’s public embrace was a surprise. He had seen Bull flirt with her before the storm had thrown them into danger. What she had not realized was how Jake’s touch affected her. His hair was wet, and his chest damp, from his inadvertent swim in the loch. His leggings fit him like a second skin, and did little to hide his well-formed thighs.

  He definitely smells better than Dara.

  She laughed.

  He stopped. With an arm around her waist, and his beast’s reins in his control, he looked down at her with eyes aflame.

  Nay. ‘Tis my imagination, or lack of sleep.

  He pulled her, and his mount behind a stand of Rowan trees. Weariness and his wonderful scent made her bury her face in his chest. Jake’s mumbled curses subsided until she heard nothing.

  Silence is golden.

  She breathed him in, nestled closer, and smiled into his chest. Damp skin, and the cool air in the shade beneath the trees, soothed her.

  “I can feel you smiling. What’s so funny?”

  “I be enjoying the moment.”

  “You were enjoying Bull,” Jake said, a grunt vibrating in his chest.

  “Jake, ye treated yer friend rudely.” She looked up, gave him her most flirtatious smile, and hoped it would help diffuse the situation. Time was fleeting, and she needed both men to help her in her quest to find the evil sorcerer. He might attack her family again.

  Killing him would solve everything. She planned to accomplish that nasty task alone, without putting the men in danger.

  “We must get to my family.”

  Jake stepped back, glanced toward the loch where Bull still stood, then looked at their surroundings. His mouth dropped open, and he released her.

  “I remember this valley. We are close to the castle of your friend.”

  “Aye. Castle Ruadh, the Keith tower.”

  “When I asked you to get us out of the storm, I had no idea you’d send us back to the same castle where—”

  Bull grabbed Jake’s shoulder. “You’ve been here before? Then maybe you’ll tell me where the heck we are?” He planted his fists on his hips, and a scowl distorted his handsome features.

  Her gaze settled on his nakedness until she bit her lower lip, and looked up at Jake. Would he answer his friend’s question?

  Jake would not meet Bull’s gaze.

  “Sorry you got caught up in this mess.”

  “What mess? Oh, you mean this?” Bull said, spreading his arms wide. “Have you noticed the sheep-filled meadow, and these trees? I’ve never seen the like, anywhere in New England.”

  Skye glanced at the common Rowan and Juniper trees. Bull had noticed they were smaller than the huge pine trees growing near the grounds of the Highland games.

  Even the grass below their feet was dotted with wild strawberries and spear thistle.

  “Where are the pine needles that cover the trails near your apartment? Where is the waterfall?”

  “Bull, it’s a little hard to explain.”

  “Start with something easy. Where are we?”

  Jake shook water from his loose hair. His leather tieback must have disappeared during the storm, or in the loch. Glaring at Skye, as if anything she said would help, she laid her hand on his arm. A stiff breeze rolled across the meadow, and swept damp hair from his face.

  “We are far from New England, are we not?” Bull glared at him, as the silence lengthened.

  Jake stared at the horizon, and sniffed. Was he inhaling a whiff of the North Sea? They would reach it in no time. First, though, Jake had to explain all that had occur
red to his friend. Bull waited, nearby. Neither man spoke, so Skye broke the silence.

  “We should head toward Castle Ruadh,” she said. Jake had refused or was unsure how to answer Bull’s question. “One wingless dragon in a loch does not mean there are not other winged beasties in the area.”

  Bull glared at her, then at the bubbling water. A dark shape slithered close to the shore. To discuss their current circumstances was imperative. To do it as they headed toward safety, made more sense.

  “Mount up,” Jake said.

  “Will somebody tell me what’s going on?”

  Skye smiled at Bull, then bit her bottom lip. Bull was stuck in the middle of her mess, with his black hair dampened by the snow. His eyes, a penetrating blue, gazed widely at her. She could use his help, but how could she explain what had happened?

  She rubbed Dara’s neck. Bull had dropped the reins, and the animal padded away. Content to munch on grass, she seemed none the worse for wear for their travel through time.

  Skye had spoken the spell as soon as Bull’s hand clutched hers and Jake’s. The snowstorm and stinking mist were as unnatural as her feelings for the blacksmith.

  Now is not the time to worry about Jake.

  Evil had attacked them in the guise of a storm. Deep in her gut she knew the sorcerer was behind it. In the meantime, Bull deserved the truth.

  “I have placed yer life in danger.”

  A loud bark of laughter made her step back. He pointed toward the gaping maw of the surfacing dragon. “You think?”

  “Believe it, Bull,” Jake said, breaking into the conversation, “because we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

  His friend’s cryptic words sent a wave of fear down his spine, as if the water creature’s claw had grazed him. What he saw looked like a mythical dragon without wings.

  Bull glanced at his surroundings. The snow and ice of the unnatural blizzard were gone. A stiff breeze brought with it the tang of the sea. The distant sound of crashing waves only proved he’d lost his mind. “Am I dead?”

  Jake smiled. “Unfortunately, no.”