Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (24 page)

The closer he came the easier it was to breath. But she sensed he was still stuck in his ways and didn’t let Mildred down. Instead of taking her in his arms, he crouched in front of her. “I want you to be happy.”

He wanted a lot of things and had the power to get them accomplished. Adlin expected a lot of things from her at this moment so she hit him with what he least expected. “You’re an eagle.”

Lips twitched, brows furrowed, but he remained confident. “I can be.”

“An admirable creature,” she remarked as she stood on shaky legs and looked over his shoulder at Iosbail. “Is sending me home right now admirable?”

Adlin stood as well. “Sending you home will avoid heartache.”

Not sure why she said it, despite not wanting to leave him, Mildred said, “Are you in the habit of letting people down?”

“I let nobody down.” He took her hand and led her toward the Defiance.

“Nobody but yourself.”
Mildred couldn’t fight his pull. “And me.”

When Adlin turned back, she hid her shock. Gone was the kilt. He now wore long white robes. With a wide swipe of his arms the world vanished. They stood alone in a world devoid of anything. His arm came around her waist and pulled her close. He smelled the same, spice and musk and Adlin… but everything about him was far more intense.

His mouth came next to her ear. “This is who I
really
am, Mildred. I am over five-hundred years old and more powerful than you can imagine.” He breathed deeply. “Do you think for even an instant that I dinnae know what’s best for everyone?”

Without fear, she put her cheek against his and whispered, “Do not think with your heart but with your mind. You owe me that. You had an agreement with Iosbail, right?”

Adlin held on tight, his body hard and unforgiving against hers.

“Please Adlin. Stay true to your word, whatever that is.”

He held her in that strange white light for what seemed several long minutes before he pulled back, expression tortured. “You deserve better than this.”

Mildred nodded. “So do you and Iosbail and all who will be affected by the decision you’re about to make.”

Adlin’s brows lowered. He hadn’t expected her to say that. She hadn’t expected to say it. But if they’d all come this far, there had to be a bigger picture.

It seemed the strange new world he’d brought them to
waited
with baited breath. At long last, he nodded and light faded. In a blink, he once again wore the MacLomain plaid and they stood before the Defiance.

“This,” he said so softly she barely heard, “is why I’ll always love you.”

Despite all odds, he’d listened. Why so quickly and easily, she’d never know.

When they turned Iosbail stood with her legs spread, eyes wild and finger pointing at Adlin. “
This
is why a Highland lad should
never
think with his cock! Bloody bunch of bastards, every single time,” she muttered.

With a sharp spin she hopped to the base of the Defiance.
“Time to go.
Bruce is already here.”

Chapter Eleven

Mildred looked at the Defiance and waited.

Not nearly the size of the one they’d been at earlier, this window seemed much more the judge. Arms crossed over her chest, hands nervously clenching her arms, she stood in front of the fire. How could one magical window have so changed her life? Heavy frown, she began to pace. Yet, had the Defiance changed her life? No. Adlin had. Everything about him had transformed the way she looked at life.

When Iosbail entered, Mildred stopped.

After Adlin’s sister placed a dress on the bed, she turned and eyed Mildred as warily as Mildred did her. Iosbail cut to the chase. “I dinnae blame you, lass.”

“You shouldn’t. I saved your hide back there,” Mildred returned. Yes, Iosbail had lived a very long time and was her ancestor but that didn’t mean she should be less than honest.

Iosbail looked at the floor for a moment then her eyes locked on Mildred’s so hard it felt like the holding ceased to exist. “I will say this to you, Mildred, because
as a lass
, you deserve to hear it.” Iosbail stepped closer and the air thickened. “Never, not for a second, should you ever put who you think you are in the hands of a man.
You
define
you
. Not them.”

Mildred was about to agree but Iosbail turned and left the room.

No ‘thank you for keeping Adlin on track’ was to be offered. Who knows, maybe it irked her ancient ancestor that her brother had listened to a mere mortal over her. She supposed it would remain a mystery.

One fact remained. Iosbail was a hard, difficult woman.

For all she’d thought she and Iosbail had come far, they’d actually only traveled five seconds in two days. Not so far at all. Adlin’s sister was obviously bitter and even better at being evasive than her brother.

But Mildred knew why she was here.

Determined, she crawled into the crimson velvet dress and combed out her unruly hair. She pinched some of the colored juice provided onto her lips until they were a full, inviting red. When at last she left Adlin’s chamber with a servant it was with her shoulders back and head held high.

As promised.

The keep was alive as she descended. An unseasonable cold front had moved in and light snow fell beyond the sturdy stone walls. A pipe trilled and echoed up, an eerie sound as it met the small flakes blowing in on the wind. She looked down to see the white, icy orbs shift and dance toward their death below.

But it was no death for her.

More determined than ever, Mildred made her way to the bottom. The feeling of lightheartedness and joy from the previous night was gone.
In its place, structure, determination…
Bruce.

Iosbail took her arm at the bottom of the stairs and walked with her to a long table set before the fire. Laird Bruce
waited,
his gaze lusty and appreciative. When she sat next to him she scanned the crowd. Adlin sat at one of the long trestle tables. Instead of avoiding her gaze as he had before their gazes locked and held.

“I intend to have you for the night,” Bruce said.

Expression blank, she smiled. “I will be in the keep but you will not have me until we’re properly married. Surely you understand.”

She started to lift a goblet to her lips but he grabbed her arm. “I ken you traveled here for a chance at the MacLomain laird,” he growled, his cunning eyes slipped to hers. “How did that go, lass?”

“Not well,” she replied automatically. “I believe I spoke of his tastes.”

Bruce lifted his chin slightly and eyed her hair. “Not fair enough.”

She shook her head.

Though he released her arm and drank deeply, Mildred sensed that he didn’t believe her. When he turned his attention to the man beside her she looked to Adlin only to find him looking the other way. Her eyes turned to Iosbail. In true fashion, she was the ever devoted wife to the man she’d just married. Would she spin around the fire tonight enticing every man?

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.”