Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years)

by Purington, Sky

  Unlikely.

  Mildred contemplated what Adlin had told her when they’d arrived at the holding earlier. Apparently it was imperative that history flow a certain way. In order for that to happen she needed to agree to this betrothal and see it through until Adlin came up with a way to stop it. Iosbail had done her part. Adlin his.

  Now it was her turn.

  Under any other circumstance she’d be petrified and want nothing to do with it. But the thought of letting down Adlin didn’t sit well. She’d convinced him to allow her to stay and so here she was, doing what was right for all parties affected. Not only that, the thought of leaving Adlin was absolutely heartbreaking.

  That was the real reason she agreed.

  She didn’t want to leave him.

  But she supposed any fool could see that. Even the non-fools like Iosbail.

  When her eyes searched out Adlin’s, his were already on her. Had he been following her thoughts again? This time, she hoped not. He might not have liked it so much.

  “I’d say he’s just fine with the darker haired lasses,” Bruce cut into her thoughts.

  Mildred looked down and shrugged. “I’d say he’s just curious about your attraction to me.”

  Bruce laughed, his barrel chest creating a rumbling sound throughout the hall. Everyone grew silent. As if he’d planned it, the MacLeod laird stood and his booming voice overwhelming. “No need to wait any longer. I’ll marry Mildred now!” He turned. “Have you a holy man, brother?”

  Iosbail’s husband seemed wary at first then hardened his expression. “Aye.”

  Stomach flipped inside out, Mildred tried to catch her breath. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. Adlin had assured her the MacLeod laird would want the wedding at his castle despite what he’d said previously. Bruce was a man who liked things done in his immediate realm. When she looked at the MacLomain laird she realized that he was equally surprised by Bruce’s declaration.

  “No.” Adlin stood.

  A declaration from one chieftain against another meant battle.

  The MacLeod and MacLomain clansmen drew their weapons, the sound of steel sliding a shrieking deathly sound.

  Music ceased.

  Women and children seemed to fade into the shadows.

  Iosbail groaned.

  As if he expected his new brother-in-law to do exactly as he had, Bruce rocked back on his heels and crossed two heavily muscled arms over his chest. “No?”

  “No,” Adlin repeated.

  The two lairds never took their eyes off one another.

  “She’s mine, MacLomain,” Bruce said. “It’s been agreed.”

  “Things have changed. I want her now,” Adlin replied evenly.

  Mumbled sounds of disbelief rumbled through the crowd.

  “Ye’ve always wanted her.” He glanced at Mildred. “Who wouldnae?” He fingered her hair. “Such a bonnie lass.”

  Uncomfortable and fairly mortified to be so close to Bruce considering the repressed rage evident, Mildred tried not to keep steady.

  Adlin’s eyes narrowed. He fingered the dagger at his waist. “Take your hands off her, MacLeod.”

  Bruce kept twirling a lock of her hair around his finger, his crude eyes on Adlin. “What exactly will you do if I dinnae? Not only do I have more weapons in this hall, but I’ve the magi in me as well… or have you forgotten?”

  “I’ve a bargain to make,” Adlin returned.

  The room grew quiet.

  Bruce chuckled. “You mean the great MacLomain chieftain is willing to make a bargain over a mere lass? As far as I know, you’ve never bargained a day in your life. It’s your way or no way.”

  This earned him a small grunt from Iosbail.

  “Unending support of the MacLomain clan to the MacLeod clan for all future generations.”

  Iosbail muttered.

  Bruce cocked his head, a flicker of interest in his eyes. “That’s a mighty presumptuous offer. How can you guarantee such a thing?”

  “A pact. Signed here and now. Sealed with the magi.”

  “I want more,” Bruce grunted.

  “Nay.”

  “Then there’s no—”

  “And all of our newly acquired land southeast of the peninsula, hundreds of acres.”

  A snorting sound clearly came from Iosbail at this.

  Bruce raised his brows and looked at Mildred. “He must really be forgiving your lack of fair hair, lass.”

  Mildred kept her expression blank and gave no response.

  It was a wicked thing to be sitting in a medieval hall full of Highlanders with their weapons drawn, to feel the palpable tension reverberating between such strong, war hungry soldiers.

  Set aside the fact two lairds were bargaining for her future.

  After a long drawn out silence, Bruce said, “Give me one more thing and she’s yours.”

  Iosbail clicked her fingernails on the table, her eyes full of warning as they watched Adlin.

  Adlin’s eyes met Mildred’s and she got the distinct feeling that he truly dreaded his next words. As if they would have a mighty impact on their lives. “I will give one of your descendants a woman who descends from the Broun clan in the distant future. I will give you the promise of a marriage between the MacLomains and Brouns as you are denied one this day. It will be yet another way to ensure that our clans remain closely tied.”

  Iosbail gasped.

  Bruce stood up a little straighter.

  Mildred narrowed her eyes, fear forgotten. What exactly did he mean by that?

  As if Bruce understood exactly, his eyes wandered over Mildred then shot to Adlin. “One of hers to one of mine?”

  This wasn’t sounding good at all and she shook her head.

  “Do we have a deal?” Adlin ground out.

  “I think we do.” Bruce nodded slowly then gestured at his brother.

  Weapons were sheathed.

  The next thing she knew, a young man walked forward with a scroll. Mildred watched in amazement as Adlin approached their table. The blank scroll was unrolled on the table. When Adlin and Bruce touched it, a long line of script appeared. After the words, two x’s burned bright then fizzled down to two signatures… Adlin’s and Bruce’s.

  The lad rolled up the paper and walked away.

  Adlin’s eyes locked on hers. “Come sit with me now, lass.”

  Though she knew something not-quite-right had just happened feelings of relief and joy overtook. Mildred nodded and walked around the table. When Adlin’s warm, steady hand took hers she felt for a moment she’d be fine even if he’d just sold her soul.

  It was easy enough to ignore Bruce once she sat with Adlin amongst his clansmen. The feeling of protection was comfortably overwhelming. “I’m so sorry,” Adlin whispered. “I was unwilling to lose you.”

  “I’m very glad you were unwilling to lose me,” she whispered back.

  He squeezed her hand, his face not nearly as relaxed as it should be. “Do you ken the bargain I struck, Mildred?”

  Still too relieved to be safely near him, her lips wobbled. “Is it really so important right now?”

  “Aye, ‘Tis.”

  “Music!” Bruce roared.

  When Mildred looked at the MacLeod chieftain it was to find him glaring at Adlin. Not surprised, she ignored the shiver of warning that shot through her body. This was normal. Any man would feel the way the MacLeod chieftain did right now. Especially Bruce, a highland laird jilted by another highland laird.

  Better yet, a man jilted by his enemy.

  Mildred focused on breathing and not panicking. The truth was she’d come between a predator and his prey. She had, however unintentionally, come between two men who had no use for one another and desire for the same woman.

  Assuming Bruce ever really desired her, which she doubted.

  In her estimation, she was a means to an end.

  At least in one chieftain’s eyes.

  “I like that you overthink, lass,” Adlin murmured. “After a
ll, this time you’re absolutely right. One laird cannae stop thinking about you, not for a second.”

  “I’d hope so,” she whispered and closed her eyes. While Adlin had publicly claimed her as his own, it certainly didn’t mean he wanted her. What existed between these warriors had nothing to do with love but survival of their clans… of their people.

  No matter who came between them.

  “I told you, Mildred,” he whispered. “I am in love with you.”

  She opened her eyes.

  They locked with his.

  Adlin said softly, “Come with me.”

  Mildred knew they shouldn’t leave the hall, Bruce was watching closely. Yet the idea of leaving what felt a cage seemed a wonderful idea.

  “Okay,” she said automatically.

  When they left the keep it was to travel to yet another place she would’ve never imagined existed. Heavy fur cloaks firmly wrapped around them, Adlin carried a torch. Cold wind whipped and snow fell. Instead of walking all the way onto the beach, he cut into an opening off the path; this put them in a small cave overlooking the water.

  Adlin put the torch in a bracket attached to the cave wall and they sat on a crudely built bench. The view was spectacularly unusual. They looked upon a wide arch of cave overlooking the ocean. Heavy tornadoes of snow swooped into their cove but never quite touched them.

  “Tell me what you ken about the bargain I made with Bruce.”

  “Clan ties, land and my family.”

  Even as she said it, Mildred’s brows furrowed.

  “Aye,” Adlin said softly. “Your family.”

  He watched her closely, waiting.

  “My clan, I mean,” she said, suddenly unsure.

  “Nay, Mildred, not your clan but your family, your descendant to be exact.”

  She blinked several times. “Like my daughter or granddaughter or further along? Assuming I have one.”

  “Aye, precisely.” Adlin took both her hands. “When you have one.”

  Quite frankly, the idea seemed a little far-fetched. “Who says I’ll even have children?”

  “What if you do,” Adlin said, his tone sad and serious. “How could you ever forgive me?”

  “I’m only twenty.” She laughed nervously.

  “Dinnae you want the wee ones?”

  It was one thing to come to grips with the fact she’d fallen in love with a five hundred year old wizard, clansmen from medieval Scotland, another whole thing to consider children. “Yes, eventually, I suppose.”

  What was he asking?

  Adlin searched her eyes. “Still so young.”

  “No.” Mildred shook her head and realized why she felt so calm. “Adlin, don’t you see, you can talk yourself out of anything. I know you can work around this.” She nodded. “If and when I have a daughter or granddaughter or great-granddaughter I know you’ll find a way to protect her. You will…”

  Mildred couldn’t help but wonder, was he referring to his own daughter, great-granddaughter? He had to be! They would stay together, start a family. With a smile she squeezed his hands in reassurance. “I have faith in you, Adlin. You will take care of this.”

  Expression tortured, his eyes searched hers. “What if I dinnae? What if I fail?”

  Mildred cupped his cheek. “You won’t. I promise.”

  He turned his lips into her palm. “Aye. I won’t fail if you say so.”

  “I say so,” she murmured, ready when his lips closed over hers.

  When he pulled her onto his lap, Adlin opened his cloak and folded her beneath. Bits of icy flakes touched their cheeks as the tide came in and lapped against the rocks. But none of it was felt or heard.

  All that existed was the feel of his lips, the swoop of his tongue.

  Mildred was no fool though. As the adrenaline from being in such a tense situation dissipated she truly realized what Adlin had promised Bruce. Should she be furious? Probably. But even if—worst case scenario—her children were not his, he’d acted in her best interest. And Mildred knew without a shred of doubt that Adlin would, in any time, act in her best interest for her and her descendants.

  He would protect, save, and die for.

  He was powerful.

  Above all, he was truly good.

  Crushed against his strong body, all logical thought soon fled and Mildred lost herself. If this moment could last forever, she’d be fine with that. His large hands roamed her body. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Mildred reveled in pure feeling.

  When his lips pulled away and his head tipped back, she thought nothing of it but kissed his cheeks, forehead, ears. When his hands fell from her body, alarm ripped through her body. She froze and pulled back slowly.

  Adlin’s face rolled to the side, deep in what appeared slumber.

  “Adlin?” she whispered, uncertain.

  “Unlikely he’ll answer, lass. After all, he’s good and dead.”

  Mildred felt her heart stop when she turned eyes on Bruce and ten heavily armed Highland warriors.

  Chapter Twelve

  Hooded cloak obscuring half his face, Bruce grinned.

  “You Didnae think any man could defeat yer wizard, aye?” The MacLeod laird spit on the ground and walked over, his heavy brown boots crunching on the rock. When he peered down, she swore his eyes glowed black. “You were never more wrong.”

  Mildred tried to protect Adlin’s body but Bruce grabbed her wrist and yanked her away. With a loose nod at his men he pulled her aside while they grabbed Adlin and tossed him into the turbulent water below. Though she tried to scream her sounds were muffled by the MacLeod’s meaty hand.

  When she tried to arch away, Bruce lifted and flung her over his shoulder. “The best thing about this is that the agreement is bound by magi. Everything he agreed to cannae be undone.”

  Though she tried to scream nothing came out.

  Bruce chuckled. “Binding spell, lass. Dinnae bother.”

  It was hard not to stare in horror at Adlin’s body as the waves washed it out then slammed it back on the unrelenting cave rock. Pain shot through her chest and tears fell down her cheeks. This couldn’t be happening. There was no way something like this had happened so easily to Adlin? Wasn’t he immortal?

  Or had she always assumed such.

  Maybe magic alone had kept him so young.

  When Bruce turned the corner and the cave was left behind, she started to flail.

  “No,” Bruce grunted.

  All went dark.

  The next thing she knew dim light lit the pre-dawn sky and a MacLeod clansman crouched in front of her. With a creepy, half grin he nodded and yelled over his shoulder. “She’s awake. Just like he said she would be.”

  “No,” she croaked and tried to blink the tiredness from her eyes. “Save him.”

  The man cocked his head. “Save who?”

  “Adlin,” she whispered. When she closed her eyes she could still see his lifeless body slamming against the rock wall.

  “Adlin?” He frowned confused, before he understood. “Ah, you mean the other laird.”

  With a hearty burst of laughter, he stood and called out. “She’s wondering about the MacLomain.”

  Before she knew it three MacLeod’s stood over her. A different man looked down and said, “Three days out, lassie.” He spread his arms in the air and grinned. “They’ve been burning the burial torches over the whole of Scotland to mourn the passing of the great MacLomain chieftain.” With a wink he said, “Guess yer no bride of his now, aye?”

  Extreme heat then nausea rolled through her but Mildred tempered it and stared right back. “Then I’m afraid very bad things are ahead for you.”

  One man arched a brow. Another shrugged. The third said, “I think the worst is behind.” His lusty eyes traveled over her. “But is it for you?”

  Instead of feeding into the fear she eyed her surroundings. “Where is Bruce?”

  “Laird Bruce, to you,” one shot.

  Mildred nodded, “Sorry, yes, laird Bru
ce.”

  “Not here,” a clansman nearby offered.

  “Nay,” the clansman who’d been there when she awoke agreed. “But he’s waiting for ye.”

  “Where?” She frowned, pretending to look confused.

  In reality, Mildred had a very good idea where she was.

  But did they?

  Even if the situation felt surreal, she’d never felt more alive. With a nod, she got to her feet. Unsteady, she stumbled a few steps. The men chuckled. After she looked left then right, she asked, “Which way?”

  “To the MacLeod keep, lass, where you’ll spend your days being second best.”

  Again they chuckled.

  Mildred nodded and fell into to rank. A few led, a few were behind. That didn’t matter. What did matter was that they walked along a craggy cliff with the ocean on their right. If they were heading for Bruce’s castle the ocean would be on their left.

  How did these men not realize they were traveling north and not south?

  A small smile buried deep down inside, Mildred knew. She’d known the minute she’d looked around. They were walking along the very cliff she’d dreamt about for so long…which meant that Adlin was coming.

  He wasn’t dead at all.

  Not yet anyways.

  As they trudged along she thought about the conversation they’d had just a few days past. How he’d wondered how well she truly understood the outcome of her dream. Elation started to blossom inside her as the winds gusted over the cliff wall. How well had she truly understood her dream?

  Not well at all apparently.

  With a deep cleansing breath, she looked at the ocean as she walked. Would her dream become reality? Yet even as she contemplated it her thoughts became all too familiar.

  “Let’s go. No time!”

  Mildred ignored the sharp bark from the man leading them and kept a keen eye to the ocean.

  “Now!” He roared.

  A hand shoved her lower back. Instead of stumbling, she leapt forward with her head held high. They’d not for a second see her appear weak. Chuckles rose behind her. So be it. She’d walked this path a million times. She’d do so again.

  “Cocky lass, aye?”

  “Seems it.”

  “Laird’ll give her a good run over and that’ll be the last of that.”