Highland Persuasion (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (18 page)

Alexander threw his head beneath the spray then whipped it back. Silver eyes once more locked with hers. “I’ve only the ability to manifest what one thinks of the most, what’s at the very heart of a person.” He raked his hair from his face. “Know this; your Ma and Da consume your mind far more than your brother.”

That
she found surprising. Adlin had been her world for so long she thought no other capable of surpassing. For a mere mortal to tell
her
otherwise seemed strange. Despite herself, Iosbail released a small smile. Her brother didn’t own her after all. Why had she ever thought he had?

“We’re going to have to carry them somehow.”

“Aye,” she said absently and continued to run water over her skin. “My parents were just as I remembered. Perfect.” Iosbail glanced at him. “You have an amazing talent… or curse. I’m still not sure which.”

Alexander’s expression darkened. “I’ll not manifest them again. They were not real, Iosbail. You must ken that.”

Startled, she looked more closely at him. Though she expected to see a cocky, arrogant wizard she simply saw a man with his heart in his eyes. Could it be that Alexander Sinclair wasn’t fond of his gift? If so, she well understood.

“Of course,” she murmured. “We need to get Shamus and Caitriona to warmth.”

“Change first.”

Iosbail took the brown robe in which she’d arrived, turned and set to dressing, glancing over her shoulder occasionally. When she turned, Alexander was already dressed. It was a hard thing to realize that what they’d shared under the Oak was dead. Not for a second had he looked her way. Had she wanted him to? Nay! The Sinclair and she were allies of the essential sort now. They’d see this through to make sure all survived, that was all.

“I’ll move him first, then her. Stay with Caitriona lest she awake confused.”

Iosbail nodded as he lifted Shamus and left. The Norman lass remained asleep against the rock. Little time passed before Alexander returned and lifted her as well. Blade and satchel in hand, Iosbail followed. For the first time in her life she felt comfortable not being in charge. It could be because she was still trying to piece together all she’d learned since arriving in the Hebrides or it might have to do with the fact she was confident in Alexander.

As she trailed after him a snowflake or two drifted down. The moon was blurry and fading fast. She inhaled deeply and smelled the air. A storm brewed. Not good. Winds from the north and moisture from the south would soon explode over them.

“We’ll need food,” she said.

“Once they’re settled we’ll go out.”

Iosbail ground her jaw. The idea of hunting alongside Alexander irritated her but she supposed she’d cope. 

Even though it looked as if they were traveling toward the far side of a sheer mountain wall, Alexander turned left into a hidden alleyway. It led to a small rounded cave just large enough to house eight people at most. In the center a fire already burned. The Sinclair laid Caitriona down next to Shamus and once more covered them with furs.

“You made use of your time exploring,” she commented.

“There wasn’t much to explore. This,” he nodded at the room, “seems almost too good to be true, aye?”

Iosbail gave him no answer but nodded to the blade leaning against the wall and held her own more securely. “You left my knife in the enemy so now I go hunt with a sword. I suggest you do the same.”

But even as she left the cave Iosbail thought of his words. What was this safe harbor they’d been given? He’d said it was of her parents but then he’d proven that false. So what was it exactly?
Because without a doubt they were safe here.

“Game and small rodent is all we’ll catch.”

“With a sword,” Iosbail reminded as Alexander came alongside.

“Aye.”

She dared not grin but looked at him with eyes narrowed. “Have you ever taken down a bird with a sword?”

He arched a brow. “Have you ever done such with a rodent?”

“Nay.”
She tilted her chin, haughty. “But I could.”

As if he made to contemplate, Alexander considered the sky then the ground before his eyes swung her way. “I’ll bet you one scrumptious fowl upon our return home that I can catch three birds to your one rodent.”

Iosbail offered a crooked grin. “We hunt with swords and you bet such?”

Alexander notched his chin. “I do.”

“The challenge ends when the sun hits the horizon.”

With that she bounded off. As she moved Iosbail knew the odds of catching a mouse with a sword slim. Nay, it would take patience and cunning. But to catch a bird with a sword was even more challenging.

Nobody could catch a bird with a sword.

Iosbail kept low. Truth told she had no intention of catching rodents with her blade. The Sinclair was insane. Sword aside she crept forward with a rock. Many mice could be caught this way.

“You cheat.”

She turned at the whisper. Alexander stood behind her, sword in hand. “Take your blade and catch a rodent, lass.”

Iosbail did her best not to grin.
“Same to you.
Take a beastie down at this hour with a blade.”

“I always intended such.” He nodded and vanished.

There was no way he’d do it.

She grabbed her blade and stayed alert. It seemed she’d be catching a rodent with a sword after all. Well, nothing said she couldn’t. Sword low, she continued forward. The wind blew up. Snow fell heavier. When she saw one scuttle Iosbail didn’t think twice but grabbed a rock and threw.

The beastie fell!

She’d give it a prick last second so it appeared nicked by her blade. Meanwhile, she tucked it against the rock and continued on her journey, all the while peeking over her shoulder to see if a sword was flying through the air. After all, wouldn’t one have to if the Sinclair killed a bird the way he meant to?

Eye to task she kept on her way. Within an hour five mice lay dead and the sun sank low. It wasn’t what she hoped for but it was something. At sunset she arrived back to Shamus and Caitriona. They still slept. Alexander came in, wide grin. “I’ve five birds. What’s your tally then?”

She held up her game. “Five.”

Eyes narrowed he said, “’Twas a good fight then.”

“Did you use your blade?”

“Did you?”

Snow started to fall heavier beyond their small alcove. She grinned. “I’d say we’re both even.”

Alexander eyed her rodents dubiously.
“If you say so.”

Iosbail nodded. “We’ve meat enough then.”

He nodded and set to task. While it’d been fun searching for food now it seemed they were back to formalities. After adding to the fire he set to de-feathering what would obviously be their main course. There wasn’t much to be done with the rodents save roast them.

As they kept to task Iosbail eyed Alexander. While she much preferred him with nothing but a plaid low on his waist he possessed a certain appeal in the simple brown robes. In a strange way, she felt the attire fit what seemed to be a surprisingly noble yet humble disposition. He would indeed make a good king.

While they worked silently to prepare the food, it occurred to her that she was comfortable being with him. Iosbail couldn’t remember the last time she was truly at ease with a man.

Men always wanted something.

Always.

But it seemed right now this man wanted nothing from her… expected nothing from her.

“She will need assistance with her new gift,” he said softly.

Perhaps she’d thought such too soon. “’Tis a thing any one of us can assist her with.”

His eyes, now a deep brooding gray met hers over the fire. “She will need it
from a lass
.”

“I’m not from this time.” Iosbail frowned. When Alexander didn’t argue but kept to the task she felt guilt over her declaration so said, “But I will make sure she finds the right person to help her.”

Again he surprised her when he gave no debate. Iosbail scowled. Once she’d accomplished her goal for coming to this time she’d leave. The idea of taking a lass new to her magic along seemed preposterous. No, absolutely not. It couldn’t be done.

Her thoughts once more drifted to the name Alan Stewart and how Caitriona had dreamed of him. Who was he and what was his role in all of this?

“You think heavy thoughts.”

If only he knew. Iosbail surprised herself when she said, “Innis valued Caitriona. She was as much a pawn in his game as I.”

Alexander arched his brow slightly but kept working. “Then you should keep a close eye on her because ‘tis your path she follows.”

So the Sinclair saw things clearly. However, any level headed lad could come to that conclusion.
“’Tis all how you look at it.
She could as much
be
meant to follow along with Shamus.”

“Nay.”
Alexander set to roasting the birds but his eyes met hers. “From the beginning she was yours, a lady maid given you by the king.
If any two paths were laid side by side, ‘twas you and hers.”

‘Twas a matter of opinion.
She’d purposefully aligned her path with Alexander to defeat his clan. Her eyes drifted to the fire. Could it be somehow that Caitriona’s path had been aligned in a similar fashion toward her mistress? Even as she contemplated it the very idea seemed absurd.

The Sinclair’s and Broun’s had a rivalry.

She, ninety years in the future, had no such misgivings with a girl who had just come into her powers.

“I’ve not the battle in me toward you that I had before, lass.”

Startled by his soft declaration, she met Alexander’s gaze. Iosbail felt a pleasant burn begin beneath her cheeks but ignored it. “Never mistake our current camaraderie, Sinclair. Our is a friendship that
cannae
exist.”

“I speak not of friendship.”

“Then speak of nothing else,” she said, grim.
“’Tis easier to remain as we were.”

“Where did you come here from, Iosbail?
From what time?”

“It makes no matter.”

“It will in the end.”

“Nay.”
Iosbail looked him dead in the eye remembering the death of her friend and the revenge she sought. “Nothing will matter in the end.”

But it seemed the Sinclair was interested not in her vehemence but his own goals because he came and crouched in front of her, intense eyes searching. “A long time ago a lass seduced a king.” Though his jaw clenched and his eyes fired with feeling, Alexander continued. “I’ll never forget how she appeared.”

His eyes though distant seemed to cover her body with a look of such lust that her tongue dried and her nipples tightened. Still he spoke, his fingers touching a piece of her hair. “Locks so thick and silky a man’s hands could get lost in it forever. A body so lithe and made for a man’s eyes that he’d be hard pressed to ever desire another.” He touched her cheek. “Skin so soft it glowed in the candlelight. Beautiful,” he murmured.

He gently clasped her chin, eyes flaring a light, whiplash silver, his deep voice impassioned. “Through seduction, she convinced him to forfeit the Broun lands rightfully ours.”