by Donna Grant
“I can help,” Marcail told him when she tried to jerk her arm free and couldn’t.
“Hayden,” Quinn threatened behind him.
Hayden looked from one to the other. “I promised Isla I wouldn’t allow Marcail near her. Isla is afraid Marcail might try to help her, and she willna have you or the babe hurt.”
Marcail sighed, and then gave a small nod. “All right. I’ll stay back, but if they need me, don’t try to stop me again.”
Hayden returned his attention the bed. Isla was curled onto her side with her back to him, her lips pressed into a tight line and her face even paler than before.
Sonya was bent over her, talking quietly. Every so often Hayden would see Isla’s lips move in answer.
He was a Warrior. Immortal. With powers from an ancient god that could not be rivaled. But he couldn’t help Isla. He hated the feeling, the frustration of being able to do nothing.
Hayden allowed his claws to lengthen and fisted his hands. His claws sank into his skin and he felt the blood run between his fingers. But it did nothing to help the turmoil inside him.
“Sonya will help her,” Fallon said. “Give her time.”
Hayden glanced at the eldest MacLeod. “And if she cannot? What if no one can help Isla?”
“Then we will figure something out.”
“You think this is Deirdre, don’t you?”
Fallon’s jaw clenched before he gave a small jerk of his head. “It’s a possibility.”
Hayden didn’t want to hear it, even if he knew it could be the truth. He couldn’t lose Isla. He wouldn’t lose her.
“You will not kill her,” Hayden heard himself say. “If it is to be done, I will do it.”
Fallon raised a dark brow in question. “I gave her my word.”
“So did I just last night. I will do it.” It would kill him, but he would be the one to give her the freedom she yearned for.
“Are you sure you’ll be able to?” Fallon asked.
It would be the hardest thing Hayden had ever done, but he owed Isla at least that. “Aye.”
“So be it.”
Fallon walked away, but Hayden wasn’t left alone for long. Broc crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze on the bed just as Hayden’s was.
“Your blood is dripping on the floor,” Broc said as if he were speaking of the weather. “I’m sure Isla willna approve.”
Hayden unclenched his fists. “How is it we can do anything but stop the pain of others?”
“I have no answer for you. I’m just thankful we have a Druid with strong healing magic. Without Sonya we’d have already lost Malcolm, Larena, Quinn, and Marcail.”
Hayden looked down at his palms that were already healed. “I’ve taken so many lives without a second thought.”
“They were Warriors and wyrran of Deirdre’s, Hayden. That doesn’t count.”
“Doesn’t it?” he asked. “I’ve spilled so much blood. And the droughs I killed? Who am I to ask that someone be spared?”
Broc inhaled a deep breath. “What right does anyone have, yet everyone asks. If Isla can be helped, she’s at the right place.”
Hayden prayed he was right. His stomach churned each time he thought about having to take Isla’s head. How many droughs had he killed? He’d lost count, it was so many.
“Have you finally admitted to yourself that you care for Isla?” Broc asked.
Hayden glanced over to find Broc’s dark brown gaze on him. “Has it been that obvious?”
“To everyone.”
“Aye, I’ve admitted it to myself. And now, to you.”
“Does Isla know?”
Hayden shook his head. “Things have a way of getting out of control when I’m around her. She spins me about so that I cannot get my bearings.”
“Ah,” was all Broc said understanding laced through that one sound.
“I never wanted this.”
“Those who seek it rarely find it. It’s those who doona want it that it comes to them easily.”
Hayden thought on Broc’s words long after the Warrior had departed the tower.
* * *
Isla just wanted to be left alone. Now that she was out of the sun she could try and turn her mind to other things to help with the pain.
“Tell me where it hurts?” Sonya coaxed.
Isla would rather ignore her, but Sonya was persistent. She wouldn’t leave until she had attempted to help Isla. “It began in my temples and now has gone down into my neck.”
Sonya’s cool fingers lifted Isla’s braid and softly rubbed the back of her neck. “Does your head ache often?”
“Nay.”
“But it does happen?”
Isla didn’t want anyone to guess that Deirdre was the cause of it. Isla wasn’t even sure herself, which is why she wanted to be left alone to think about it. “Occasionally.”
“I’m going to try and heal you now,” Sonya said.
Isla kept her eyes squeezed shut. Even without the sunlight, the candles that blazed to allow the others to see caused her head to throb more.
Every time someone so much as bumped the bed she had to bite back a moan of pain. She didn’t want anyone, especially Hayden, to see just how badly she hurt.
Sonya’s magic began to flow over Isla, the feel of it beautiful and sweet. It was strong and pure. Isla felt as if tree limbs were softly brushing over her, soothing her. It was an illusion of Sonya’s magic that only other Druids would be able to detect, but it was lovely and did help to calm her.
It was just a moment later that Isla felt more magic. This time it was earthy and like a root that coiled around her giving healing energy. Cara, Isla realized.
Together the Druids did their best to take away the ache in Isla’s head, but they could only manage to diminish it somewhat. It was enough that Isla was able to open her eyes, though.
“Save your magic,” she told Sonya and Cara. “I just need to rest.”
Isla heard Hayden bark Marcail’s name. A moment later Marcail knelt beside the bed, her head even with Isla’s. “Nay,” Isla said. “Don’t.”
“Shh,” Marcail whispered. “I won’t take away the pain, though I would if you would allow me.”
“It might harm your child.”
Marcail smiled, a smile full of love and wisdom. “I feel my child’s magic already. I don’t think it would hurt the babe.”
“Nay,” she said again.
“As I thought you would say. If you won’t let me take the pain, there is something you could try. Your have more magic than any of us here, so if anyone can do this, you can.”
Isla felt a cool cloth on her forehead. “What is it?”
“When I do take someone’s emotions, I have to let my magic surround me. If I don’t, the emotions could very well kill me.”
“I knew it,” Isla heard Quinn grind out from somewhere in the tower.
Marcail didn’t break eye contact with Isla. “Call your magic and let it fill you, let it protect you.”
“And you think this will make the pain stop?”
“It helps to lessen my illness when I take emotions.”
It was worth a try at least. “Can you have everyone leave?”
“Of course.” Marcail rose to her feet. “Isla needs to be alone.”
Cara wiped Isla’s face once more. “I’ll be back in a wee bit to check on you.”
Isla smiled and let her eyes shut.
“I’m not leaving,” Hayden said tightly.
Elation swept through Isla. His presence comforted her as nothing else could. She caught Cara’s hand before she could leave. “He can stay.”
Cara’s smile was slow as it spread across her face. “Fallon. Quinn. Leave Hayden. Isla has asked that he be allowed to stay.”
Cara’s fingers squeezed Isla’s for a moment before she walked away. It wasn’t long before the door closed. Isla had her back to the door so she didn’t know where Hayden was, and she feared turning over would cause more pain.
�
��None of it helped, did it?”
His voice was warm, deep, and soft as it drifted to her. “A little.”
She wanted to feel his arms around her again, to have his strength surround her. It had felt so good to be carried by him. Hayden had sheltered her from the sun and protected her as much as he could. He might say he didn’t care, but she knew he did. Deep down, he did.
And that was the problem. He did care. For a drough. Though he wanted to despise her, to shun her, she had heard the worry in his voice, felt the tenderness in his hands.
If she died right then, it all would have been enough. She had known the warmth of a skilled lover, the gentleness of a fierce Warrior. And it had all been for her alone.
Isla’s heart swelled with the knowledge.
THIRTY-THREE
Isla wanted Hayden beside her. She wanted to feel his touch, his warmth. As if he had heard her silent plea, he loomed beside the bed staring down her.
“What can I do?” he asked.
“Hold me.”
His brow puckered. “I doona want to hurt you.”
“Your touch soothes, Hayden. I need you.”
She didn’t have to tell him twice. He kicked off his boots before he gently removed her shoes. He walked around the bed and crawled in behind her.
Isla sighed contentedly when he molded his body to hers. His warm breath fanned her neck, and he laid his arm next to hers as it draped her stomach.
“Is it Deirdre?” he asked.
“I’m not sure.” And she didn’t lie. “Before, when Deirdre would take over, the pain was blinding, but it never lasted long.”
His fingers intertwined with hers. “So this is different. A result of Deirdre’s loss of magic?”
“She didn’t lose all her magic. You need to remember that. But, aye, it could be.”
“Your shield? Would that hinder her?”
“If her magic was weak it could distort it.”
He sighed and tightened his arm around her. “I want to help.”
“You are. More than you know.” She thought of Grania, of how her niece had died, and she found she wanted to tell Hayden. “I’ve something to tell you.”
“What?”
“You know the little girl Fallon found in Cairn Toul?”
She felt his head nod. “Aye. That was Grania.”
“It was. While Deirdre was occupied fighting you, I went to Grania. I had already seen Lavena and knew nothing could help her, but I thought I could take Grania away.”
His hand smoothed the hair away from the side of her face. “What happened?”
“She fought me. She had a dagger and tried to use it. She called Deirdre her mother.”
“Deirdre corrupted her,” Hayden murmured.
“Aye. I knew it then, but I couldn’t give up. I tried to take the dagger away from her, but we slipped. Somehow, she fell on the weapon. She was dead by the time I realized what had happened.”
His fingers with hers and gave her a slight squeeze. “It was an accident.”
“I still killed her.”
“And she’s better off where she is. Deirdre no longer has control of her.”
Isla knew he was right. She was glad he had listened to her. “I want to try what Marcail suggested. Sonya and Cara were able to lessen the pain.”
“But it still hurts,” he finished for her. “I can see it in your eyes and the way you hold your body. I would see it gone, Isla. Just tell me what you need.”
He’d given her more than she could have ever thought to want, and now he was offering her even more. “Don’t leave me until I’m finished.”
“I willna leave. As long as you need or want me, I’ll be here for you.”
The way he said it, with such conviction, Isla had no choice but to believe him. Finally he was giving her the words she needed, now, when it was most likely too late. “Thank you.”
He kissed her neck. “Come. Let loose your magic so you can rid yourself of this pain.”
Isla settled more comfortably against him and let out a deep breath. She found herself more relaxed with Hayden next to her, and that gave her the courage she needed to turn to her magic.
She then focused on her magic, channeling all that she was, all that she yearned for toward building her magic. It was difficult to push past the throbbing of her head. At times she lost her grip on her magic, but she continued to concentrate.
Once she had a firm grasp on her magic, she easily centered it and brought it around her. She could feel the pulse of her magic and hear the call of the ancient Druids, the ones who first settled Scotland so many centuries ago.
The pounding of her head grew more intense the further Isla called to her magic. She refused to give up, though. She thought of her mother, how she had smiled and told Isla her magic could do anything.
Isla hadn’t believed her, had never believed. But now, she was determined to make it so.
Dimly, Isla could hear what sounded like drums beating a steady, seductive beat. It calmed her breathing, slowed her heart … and fed her magic.
Her magic engulfed her like a warm blanket. It held her, but she didn’t feel trapped. It eased her, comforted her. It was like a cloud she floated upon with nothing anchoring her to the ground.
It was then Isla realized the pain had receded to a muted ache. She became aware of how Hayden’s fingers caressed her arm and the feel of his arousal pressed against her back. She heard his shallow breaths and felt the heat of his skin.
“Your magic does this to me,” he whispered. “It pulls me, lures me to you. I want more of it, and more of you. It makes me wild, makes me want to claim you fiercely and repeatedly.”
She didn’t know what to say. She had never heard of magic affecting anyone like it did Hayden. Knowing she affected him so sent a thrill of anticipation and desire racing along her skin.
Isla carefully turned in his arms until she faced him. His black eyes were drowsy with desire, but they watched her closely while cocooned in his arms.
“Did it work?” he asked. “Your eyes are brighter, and your skin almost glows.”
“The ache isn’t gone, but it is lessened enough that I can tolerate the hurt.”
He ran the back of his fingers across her jaw as his brow furrowed. “I doona ever want to see you in such agony again.”
As much as she didn’t want to talk about it, Isla knew she had to prepare Hayden. “There is a very good chance it was Deirdre. If it was, it means it’s only a matter of time before she takes control.”
“You can fight her.”
He said it with such authority that for a moment Isla almost believed him. But she knew the truth, and he needed to know it as well. “I’ve tried in the past.”
“You were alone then. Here you have friends who will help you, Druids who can add their magic to yours. You have me. I don’t want to kill you, Isla.”
She briefly closed her eyes and prayed it wouldn’t come to that. “You took care of me today when I needed someone. I want to thank you.”
Without giving him time to reply, Isla reached under his kilt and took his hard shaft in her hands. His length and thickness always took her breath away. Every time he entered her she was stretched and filled to aching awareness, and she could never get enough of him.
Isla pushed Hayden to his back and leaned forward to take him in her mouth. She wrapped her lips around his tip and slowly eased her mouth around his thickness. His moan, low and tortured, caused her to smile.
When she could get no more of him in her mouth, she wrapped her hands at the base of him and began to move her head up and down his rod. She loved the taste of him, salty and all male.
His hands fisted in the sheets as his hips rose to meet her each time her head came down. Isla glanced at him to find his neck stiff with tension, his lips parted as his harsh breathing filled the tower.
“Isla,” he moaned. “You’re killing me.”
Just what she wanted to hear. She was about to settle more comfortab
ly when his hands closed around her arms and jerked her up and over him.
“Nay,” he said and nipped at her lips. “I want to be inside you when I come. I want to feel your walls clenching around me, milking me of my seed.”
He pulled her head down for a kiss, a slow kiss filled with passion and promise. Yearning and need. Excitement and hope.
Hayden bunched her skirts in his hands. He wanted to rip the gown from her body so he could feast his gaze upon her luscious curves and silken skin. Instead he broke the kiss long enough to pull her gown and chemise from her to toss it to the floor.
He leaned up on his elbows after Isla had unfastened the pin of his kilt. Together they got his shirt and tartan removed and piled next to her clothes.
Hayden reached for her, but before he could, she once more had her mouth on his cock. He groaned in ecstasy, surrendered to the pleasure.
He grabbed Isla’s legs and turned her so that she was lying on his chest, her legs on either side of his head. Her sex was bared for him in all its glistening beauty.
While her hot mouth continued to pleasure him, Hayden buried a finger deep inside her as his tongue swirled around her clitoris. Isla’s moan, deep and long, only served to push his desire higher, only fueled the deep raging need he had for her.
Every time he touched Isla, every time the desire took him, the connection between them strengthened, intensified. He had been a fool to not see it sooner, but his eyes were opened now. And he was going to prove to Isla he could be the man she needed.
He could feel her body tightening, her moans coming quicker. Hayden had much more planned for them. He didn’t want her peaking too soon.
Hayden shifted them so he was on top, and then turned so he could kiss her. He gave in when Isla pushed on his chest and she rolled him onto his back.
The sensual, loving smile she gave him as she bent to lick his stomach made Hayden’s heart skip a beat. Up his chest she kissed and licked until he thought he would burst from need.
Hayden, at the point of no return, situated Isla so that she straddled him. He grabbed her by the waist and tilted her forward so that her breasts were even with his mouth. He flicked out his tongue and let it move back and forth over the tiny nub until it strained toward him, glistening and pebble hard.