by Patty Taylor
Duncan found himself falling vulnerable under the circumstances. This was too close a call. Their actions proved he must act fast. As soon as Darby and Colin get back, she needs to leave and get as far away from me as possible.
Her alluring green eyes darkened in pain. Her hands shaking, she stared at him like she’d just lost her best friend. “So, what do you suggest we do next, and where do we go from here?”
“Listen, lass.” He cleared his throat and placed his fingers under her chin. His eyes locked with hers. “I dinna know what to say. Tomorrow, I’m sure things will look better. Here, now. It’s time to finish fixin’ that rabbit. Some fresh meat will do us both some good.”
I dinna think ‘tis the right time to tell her I’ll be leavin’ her behind with Colin as soon as he and Darby return with supplies. Relief flooded his senses seeing her calmed down and tryin’ her best to accept her circumstances. He couldna imagined how he’d react if things were reversed. At double-arm’s length, they strolled back toward the fire in awkward silence. Duncan could use some time to himself to get his thoughts together. “Would ye want to go and freshen up a wee bit more? I expect ye might want some time alone?”
Keara nodded, her gaze centered on the ground. “Yes, that’s a good idea. Thanks.”
She reminded him of Colin, the way she shuffled her feet, brooding, with her head down. He waited until she was out of sight and slammed a fist in the other hand. He picked up a tin of hot coffee, tasted it, and spit in the fire. Flames sizzled as he picked up his knife and resumed skinning the hare for dinner. On second thought, maybe I shouldna have let her alone right now after the way she was actin’. Bloody hell. This is all I need right now.
His frustration was soon forgotten as their eyes met and he caught sight of her infectious grin.
Her hips swayed above long, slender legs. She wore Colin’s breeches, which stopped just below her knees, exposing bare enticing calves. His gaze lingered on the cleavage between her swollen breasts. Like a floating wispy cloud, her graceful body glided across the rich green grass toward him. She knelt and lowered herself to the ground, sitting next to him, and laid the linen cloth he gave her earlier to bathe with close to the fire to dry. She bent her knees. His skin rippled as he watched her fingers slide smoothly across the material. How he envied the small piece of linen that glided across her silky skin just minutes earlier. He raised his eyes to find her watching him.
“I’m sorry for that sudden outburst, but given the circumstances, I’m not sure of the best way to act after finding out you’ve just been hurled back in time.” She hugged her knees to her chest.
“Ye dinna owe me anything. I’m just glad to see ye smile again. Ye made it back just in time. The meat is ready to eat.” Completely surprised by her composure, he turned his attention to the fire and removed the cooked hare from the heat. He drew his dagger from the leather sheaf wrapped around his boots and carved a piece of the rabbit’s breast and handed it to her. “Be careful not to burn yer lips. ‘Tis hot. If ye dinna mind me askin’, did ye use some of yer magick to settle yerself?”
She daintily picked the piece of meat between her fingers and dangled it in front her and then puckered her lips. The short puffs of air from her mouth sent shivers running up and down his spine. Her mouth twitched with a secretive smile and her eyes sparkled with amusement. She bit off a small piece of meat and watched him cut a leg for himself.
“No magick. I just remembered something Beth told me the last time I saw her. She would have given anything to have this opportunity and be in my shoes. If she were here right now, she’d probably be scolding me to take advantage of the situation. I’m afraid you’d have to meet my sister to understand.”
“Maybe one day I’ll be able to meet her. Right now, I’m glad ye’re feelin’ better.”
From the look on her face, he figured she was up to something. ‘Twas a long time since he’d seen a similar expression, but he hadna forgotten when a woman was schemin’ thoughts in her pretty head.
She licked her fingers and smiled at him. “I meant to ask earlier about your friend Darby. I heard him speaking to you last night before I passed out.”
The leg bone dropped to the ground. “Ye must be mistaken, lass. I didna’ see me friend Darby ‘til first light this morn.”
Afraid his eyes would betray him, he swiveled back to the fire and cut another sliver of the moist breast meat. “I mentioned him earlier, ‘tis probably what’s gotten ye confused.”
“That’s funny. I could have sworn I heard your voice answer him. Only it was . . .”
He watched her eyes widen with concern. Her voice faded in stilled doubt.
“I honestly don’t know what I should do next.” She reached down and picked up a blade of grass and slid it between her fingers. Her gaze focused on some sheep grazing nearby before she gazed back at him. “I guess I should ask where you were heading before you found me. Do you live close by?”
“Nay, my home is quite far from here. I must travel through the rocky terrains of Black Cuillin, home of the Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle. ‘Tis somethin’ important I be needin’ to attend to.” He offered her another piece of meat and reconsidered telling her his intentions.
“Thank you.” She cradled the meat in one hand and pulled a juicy morsel to her lips. She studied him, waiting for him to continue.
“As soon as Colin returns with fresh supplies and appropriate clothes befittin’ a lady, I’ll make sure ye both get back safely to the village. I canna have ye walkin’ into town dressed the way ye are now. I’m afraid the villagers wouldna’ understand and look unkindly toward ye.” She lifted her perfectly formed eyebrows, then tilted her head and frowned. “Aye, ‘tis for the best for the pair of ye. Ye’ll both be safe and can wait there ‘til my return.”
“What about you? You mean you’re not going with us?” Her tone had become cool, her lips parted in surprise.
“I canna have ye and the lad traipsin’ ‘cross rocky mountain terrains and risk somethin’ happenin’ to either one of ye. Ye verra well be much happier sleepin’ in a cozy bed at night with a nice burnin’ peat fire to help keep ye warm.”
She jumped up, her legs stretched apart, and placed her hands on her hips. He recognized her independent spirit bubbling to the surface, a part of her he was starting to become quite familiar with. Her eyes boldly locked with his.
“No, thank you! I remember reading what happened at the Salem Witch Trials to hundreds of innocent people that got accused of witchcraft by a bunch of superstitious people. And I understand it happened a lot here, too. I’m not going to any village where people might get the wrong idea and torture me with all sorts of barbaric gizmos and end up burning me at the stake. I’m sorry, but that isn’t an option. I’m staying with you for the time being, until I find out why I’m here,” she said, defiance in her tone.
He sighed in frustration. “Even if ye both could make the trek across the rough terrain, ‘tis still too difficult a journey from the Fairy Pools to Dunscaith Castle for the likes of a wee lass such as yerself. ‘Tis best that Colin stay with ye. Besides, ye can keep each other company. I promise I’ll come back for ye both.”
He winked at her, attempting to make her smile. To his dismay, her cheeks grew red and her eyes glared back at his. “I’m not staying behind. And neither is Colin. Do you really think the owner of that wicked voice will leave either one of us alone now?”
He rose to his feet. The muscles in his arms bulged as he crossed them in front of his chest. “I’m afraid, woman, ye dinna have a say in the matter.”
“Excuse me, but did you just call me woman? Humph! Since when did you become my boss?” In defiance, she lifted her chin, now set in a stubborn line, and met his eyes.
Samson rubbed against their legs and sat down between them. The purring ball of fluff turned his head from one to the oth
er.
“Ye’re an infuriatin’ woman. Do all women from where ye’re from act like ye?”
“Yes. I guess for the most part you could say that.” A faint hint of amusement crossed her face. Her lips parted as her face broke into a smile. “And please, stop calling me woman. My name’s Keara, remember?”
He stared at her inviting mouth and resisted the strong temptation to grab her into his arms and devour her sweet-tasting lips with his own.
Fingers grasped his arm and her soft voice brought him back to his senses.
“So how soon do we leave?” she asked.
As he seriously pondered his reply, he spied Colin’s bow and arrows lying beside the lad’s belongings. An idea popped into his head. He rubbed his chin a minute in deep thought. This might be the perfect time to discover if the golden amulet he found on Keara actually belonged to her or someone else. “Verra well. What say we wager a small gamble?”
“A bet? Just what kind of stakes did you have in mind?” She frowned and cocked an eyebrow.
“If ye can prove to me ye can take care of yerself so I dinna ‘ave to worry, then I’ll agree to let ye come along. If not, then ye must agree to head back with Colin and stay with him and me sister outside Dunvegan Castle ‘til my return. Agreed?”
Her lips puckered, she raised both eyebrows and stared at him. It was hard not to grin as he watched her ponder over his offer. After a brief hesitation, she finally answered him. “Okay, it’s a deal under two conditions. First, I won’t kill anything. And secondly, as long as you don’t ask me to dive off the cliff for a swim in the ocean, then I agree.”
“Aye, lass. A deal then, it is.” He strolled over to the bundle and grabbed Colin’s bow and arrows. He swiveled, picked up a few stones, and laid them in front of his feet before standing to face her. “If you can stand here and shoot one of these arrows from this bow over top of that big bolder layin’ across from the thick hedge, then ye can stay. To be fair, ye dinna have to hit a target, just make sure ye get the arrow to fly directly over top of the stone. I’ll give ye three tries.”
She fell silent, a look of determination spread over her face. She walked over and took the bow and a single arrow from his hand before placing her feet firmly on the ground next to the stones. Raising the bow and aiming it toward the targeted boulder, the arrow wobbled side to side as her fingers tried to steady it. His heart immediately took pity on her feeble attempt.
“Nay, lass. Ye’re gonna hurt yerself. Let me show ye how to hold the bow and where to put the arrow. This first try willna count.” He wrapped his arms around her warm body. Her steady heartbeat thundered in his ears. She leaned her head to the side and pushed her body in the concave of his chest. He fought the urge to kiss her smooth, exposed neck. To help focus on the matter at hand, he bit his tongue and helped her draw the taut bowstring and told her when to release her fingers from the arrow. He stepped back and took in a deep breath.
“Thanks, I think I can do this.” She took another arrow from him and smiled.
He watched her place the arrow on the bow like he showed her and aim toward her target. She opened her mouth and took in a couple deep breaths, pulled back the arrow as far as she could, closed her eyes, and released. He watched the arrow soar free as a bird, the shaft whizzing through the air. He couldna believe his verra own eyes. The tip of the arrow glided over the very center of the boulder.
Keara squealed in delight. “By the Goddess, I can’t believe I did it!”
Like a delighted child, she jumped up and down and twirled her body around. “Do you mind if I try it again?”
Grinning to himself, he handed her another arrow. ‘Twas only beginner’s luck. ‘Twas no way she could do it again. He watched her mount the arrow, draw back the bowstring and fire another arrow perfectly over top of the boulder. She succeeded three times in a row. Shaking his head, he wandered over to his saddle bag and removed the small leather pouch. She was standing behind him when he stood and faced her. Her face lit with a smile, her eyes sparkling up at him.
He reached down and grabbed her hand. “Aye, here, lass. I’m right proud of ye. Ye’ve won fair and square. Here. ‘Twas inside yer hand when I found ye. I’ve been keeping it safe until ye asked for it, but I think it’s time I return it to its rightful owner. Now I’m sure. But I warn ye to guard it well and keep it out of sight. I know Gabrielle is lookin’ for this, and I’m afraid she’ll stop at nothin’ now ‘til she finds it.”
Chapter 13
She’d won all right. By sheer luck. Not from skill, by any means. Duncan was a proud man and not the sort to go back on his word. If she’d lost, she realized she and Colin would have been sent packing.
Keara flushed but remained silent. Her gaze followed Duncan strolling back to the fire with Samson sauntering alongside. She untied the leather pouch and reached inside to retrieve the hidden article. A golden medallion sparkled in her hand. She gasped and stared at the amulet cradled in her palm. This medallion must hold the key to open the doorway to get her and Samson back home. Excited, she went to call Duncan but clenched her lips.
Keara tucked it safely back inside the pouch and placed it inside her pocket, next to the pearl. She rubbed her temples, confused as to why she was so concerned of what Duncan thought.
This was her ticket home. And probably her chance to get back to Beth and civilization and far away from here.
She needed some time alone to think and to take a better look at the charm. If she could only decipher a few of these weird symbols it might help lead to clues in solving the mystery to the puzzle.
There had to be another reason besides helping Colin for why she was sent here in the first place, and she had to find out what that something was. She suspected it had to do with Duncan by the unique bond they shared.
“Duncan, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She glanced over her shoulder and spied both him and Samson standing by the stallion, munching on carrots.
“Verra well. But dinna wander too far.” He nodded and smiled.
“I won’t be long, I promise.”
Just beyond a patch of emerald moss, a carpet of exquisite countryside stretched for miles in front of her. She strolled down a rolling hill lined with flowering forget-me-nots and periwinkles and stopped at the edge of a steep embankment. An assortment of yarrow, ragwort and wild thyme were mixed between towering foxgloves. A patchwork of shaded heathers bordered the colorful assortment of wildflowers. She sighed and took a few minutes to take everything in.
The feathery tip of one of the arrows caught her eye. It was nestled within a green patch mixed with ferns and ivy. Quite sure Colin would be pleased to keep his arrow collection, she wanted to fetch it for him. Scanning for the best route, she decided she’d better walk down the hill a bit further instead of taking the risk of stumbling down the embankment.
Some gravel must have worked its way inside her sandals. The annoying fragments rubbed against her heels and the sides of her feet like a rough piece of sandpaper. She bent over to take off her shoes. A strong force pushed against her backside. Like a rolling barrel, her body tumbled down the rough bank.
A sharp object jabbed the middle of her back. She winced in pain. Her body turned into a human pincushion. She’d fallen into a patch of stinging nettles. Now she knew how a porcupine must feel. Like grabbing a handful of stems from a rosebush filled with thorns, the barbed needles pierced her skin and stung like beestings. With slow movements, she made sure nothing was broken before she tried to stand. She rubbed her arms, only triggering more agony as the stinging hairs nestled deeper.
“Dinna rub yer skin! Ye’re only makin’ it worse,” Duncan shouted. His feet skid down the slippery slope.
“Too late.” Her voice quavered, and her eyes watered. Swelling blisters on her skin ignited a pandemonium of fire. Her body trembled, and her teeth chattered.
She tried to swallow. Her tongue was swollen and mouth was getting dry.
Duncan clenched green clumps of plants and yanked them out of the ground before bolting to her side. “I need to get ye to water, and fast.”
His tone was filled with alarm, his face clouded with concern. He scooped her in his arms and sprinted to the stream. The loose plants rustled beneath her.
“The pain willna go away ‘til I get those nasty needles out. ‘Tis only one way I know to help. Do ye understand, lass?” He laid her on the cold ground, his hand resting on her forehead, and he smiled.
She could only nod. The tip of her swollen tongue stuck through her lips as she opened her mouth. Hot tears filled her eyes.
“Woman, ye’re burnin’ up with fever.” He grabbed a few rocks from the stream and examined them until he seemed satisfied. “Ye’re not gonna like this, but it’s got to be done. Ye need to lie still, and dinna move.”
She bit her lower lip and tasted blood.
Duncan glided the sharp edge of the slate stone down the front of her arms. Her skin prickled as he raked the barbed slivers out of her skin. “Yer clothes are embedded with nettles. It willna be pleasant, lass, but they’ve got to come off. Are ye ready?”
Her eyes blinked. Duncan’s face became cloudy, his voice muffled. She tried to understand his words as a blanket of cold air enveloped her skin.
Her mind filled with fuzzy clouds as Duncan’s voice echoed from the distance. “Keara. Stay with me, lass.”