Highlander's Caress: Medieval Romance (The Fae Book 2) (5 page)

“
You intend to speak more in-depth about Beth?
” Father had asked her.

“
I must in this case.
”

“
Damn it.
” Father had fisted his hands then muttered, “
Fine.
Say what you will. None within this solar will utter a word after you’ve left. My sons shall do as I command them.
”

“
Thank you.
” Mistress Grace glanced between him and his brother. “
I hold the fae skill of death-warning and can receive visions. Of those who live but are soon to die, I can warn them aforehand and ensure they are given the chance to live. Earlier this eve, I had a vision of both of you.
”

“
I remember you,
” Coll had piped up. “
You cared for us when we were little.
”

An image of this woman flickered through Duncan’s mind, one of her tending to their scraped knees as wee lads and reciting bedtime stories before tucking them into their beds and slipping outside their door to her own chamber next to theirs.

“
I remember you too.
” Memories from his earlier years continued to surge forth. Mistress Grace had been so loving and kind, a nurse with a tender hand, a most worthy guardian as well. “
I’m Duncan. What have you seen, Mistress Grace?
”

“
More than I wish, I’m afraid.
” She cleared her throat. “
In order to ensure your survival you must both listen to me well. From this day forth, neither of you must ever raise a hand in battle against a Matheson, not because you willnae be strong warriors, but because in harming a Matheson you will also be harming yourselves. Soon, you will both understand what I speak of, for there will be things you’ll be able to do that no other MacKenzie warrior can. The fae battle skill will come upon you and when it does your strength will be immense.
”

“
We’re MacKenzies, no’ Mathesons. How can we hold a fae skill?
” Coll had glanced at Father, and so had Duncan. “
Mother was a MacLennan and no’ of fae blood.
”

“
What’s going on, Father?
” Such confusion had swarmed Duncan.

“
I never wished to speak of this, no’ since you both took your mother’s death so hard.
”

“
Cait MacLennan has passed?
” Shock had coursed across Mistress Grace’s face as she’d risen to her feet

“
Aye, she took a terrible illness last winter. She’s been gone for nigh on a year now.
” Father shoved off his desk and paced the solar then halted before him and Coll. “
Since I no longer have any choice but to speak of this, I shall. Cait wasnae your true mother
.
Afore your birth, I handfasted with a fae lass named Beth, although she passed away while birthing you both. Mistress Grace was here at the time of your true mother’s passing and she took care of you until ’twas time for her to return to her own people at the village. The knowledge of your fae blood isnae something I speak of, ever, and neither of you are permitted to speak of it either, or your coming skill.
” The war braids plaited at each side of Father’s head had swayed as he’d lowered to his haunches. “
You are my sons, hold my blood, and your additional strength will be attributed to that fact alone. Do you both understand? I certainly cannae lose the alliance I’ve formed with the MacLennan, or the land I’ve come by
.”

“
Aye, Father,
” both he and Coll had murmured, shock still coursing through them both. All he’d ever known had been a lie. His mother had been of fae blood, and now he and Coll would soon hold the fae battle skill. Along with the wave of shock came a flare of awe. Aye, he’d soon hold a skill, as those from clan Matheson did. Incredible.

“
There is more,
” Mistress Grace continued, the plea in her eyes clear to see as she’d eyed Father. “
You must ensure Coll and Duncan are taught the arts of warfare well. One day, far in the future, they will meet a fae sorceress by the name of Muirin and her brother, a seer named Hamish. I saw them both in my vision. They are the ones who’ll ensure your sons fulfil their destiny.
”

“
What destiny?
”

“
All I can say is, ’tis time for the fae to live.
”

To this day, twenty years on, Grace’s decree still rumbled through his mind, for he and Coll had met Muirin and Hamish only a few years after they’d left Father’s keep and taken control of their own strongholds on Loch Carron. Over the past few years, Muirin and Hamish had been instrumental in aiding him and Coll in strengthening their battle skill, and now they intended to fulfil the rest of their destiny. ’Twas time for the fae to live, which included him and Coll. Never would he allow Gavin MacDonald to take from them what they’d worked so hard to gain.

With a deep breath, he strode back along the grassy verge of the pebbly shoreline. A few of his men and the villagers continued to dampen the ashes with pails of water and he halted next to James and Hamish as they stood conversing.

Hamish eyed his forehead. “I see you didnae duck in time.”

“And you could have elaborated more about why I had to.” He shook his head. That argument could keep for another time. “Thankfully I found Ella, although Gavin unfortunately escaped us. He and his men abandoned their horses across the other side of Raasay and set sail. I didnae see them out on the water, although they cannae have sailed far. Ella has asked if she might join us during our hunt and I’ve agreed since I’d rather keep a closer eye on her.” He grasped James’s shoulder. “I’ll send supplies and men to aid in the rebuild once I return to Ardan House, but for now we must be away.”

“Your aid in the rebuild would be greatly appreciated.” James nodded.

“’Twill be done. Be assured of that.” To Hamish, he said, “Rope Ella’s skiff to our galley.”

“Will do.” Stepping backward as he left, his second grinned with a mischievous smile. “She’s a feisty lass that one. Our coming travels will surely be most interesting with her on board.”

“More than interesting.” Of that he didn’t doubt. Teeth gritted, he walked toward his men and once they’d gathered around him, he cleared his throat. “Ella Matheson will be sailing with us. The lass is of fae blood and still recovering from an illness which took her voice. She wishes to find her brother who sails with Gavin and will remain under my protection until I say otherwise.”

“If her brother sails with Gavin, does that no’ make her our enemy as well?” Ivor, his claymore glinting at his side, cast his narrowed gaze toward the inn as Ella appeared on the front step. “My laird, the compeller may have ended the battle at Dunscaith which we fought, but with her ability she could still so easily send us all to our death.”

“Hamish has
seen
that she seeks only to find and aid her brother in halting Gavin in his misdeeds. She desires only to seek peace, no’ war.” The need to defend Ella and ensure his men understood her true nature rose strongly within him. “Am I understood?”

“Aye, my laird.” A firm nod from Ivor and the remainder of his men around him. All followed his orders, for if they didn’t they’d instead earn his wrath.

“Take a dip and wash up. We leave immediately, the moment everyone is once again on board.”

His men dispersed and Ella stepped in beside him, a buttery-yellow leather vest now donned overtop of her tan tunic, her black leather breeches still clinging snugly to her shapely legs. Knee-high leather boots encased her calves and with her Matheson tartan tossed over one shoulder and her traveling sack over the other, she appeared a vision, one that made him catch his breath.

“I’ve informed my men that you’re joining us.”

“They may no’ appreciate having a Matheson on board, but I’d never harm them. I’d like to make that clear to them.”

“I already have.” He held out his hand for her bag and she passed it to him. He lobbed it to Ivor who’d bounded on board and the man stowed it under the rear bench seat.

She stepped into the surf and he scooped her up before the incoming waves splashed her. “Put me down.”

“Nay, there’s no need for you to get wet.” With her clasped close to his chest, he walked through the knee-deep water and swung her over the side onto his vessel.

Hands on her hips, she glared at him and he couldn’t help but chuckle as he boosted himself in. “Cease laughing at me, Duncan.”

“You agreed to following my orders, and you appear ready to complain about them already.”

“I agreed under duress.”

“I dinnae recall any duress, my grumpy one.”

“And cease calling me your grumpy one. That is the second time you’ve done so.”

“When was the first?”

“At William’s tavern when you attempted to dance with me.”

“Aye, well I dinnae quite have the best recollection of that night since you compelled me to forget some of it and then altered the rest.”

“I only compelled you to think of me as naught more than an annoyance. There is naught else you should truly have forgotten.” She jabbed him in the chest. “Cease toying with me.”

“I like toying with you. You make a worthy opponent.” He steered her down the center aisle, settled her on the rear bench seat beside him and shouted to his men as they boarded, “All to oars. I intend on finding Gavin MacDonald this night and ensuring he pays for his attacks against us. We shall seek our retribution.”

A hearty roar sounded from his men and they nabbed their oars, dunked them into the water while he gripped the rudder and guided them out of the bay.

“You are impossible,” Ella whispered. Arms crossed, she glared at him then stared out over the night-shrouded seas. “I truly wish I could have said that loud enough for it to have been more effective.”

“I understand that I frustrate you.” To Hamish, he called out, “Raise the sail”

His man nabbed the ropes and unfurled the sail. The wind slapped into it and sent them cruising through the inky waters of the sound, the moon hazy as it slid behind a thick layer of stormy cloud.

“You more than frustrate me.” Shivering, she tugged her tartan from over her shoulder and wrapped it around her. “’Tis getting colder.”

“I have a fur if you have need of it?”

“T-this is f-fine.” Her teeth chattered, her lips going suddenly blue.

“You should have said you were cold.” He couldn’t stand to see her so chilled. From underneath the bench, he foraged within his supplies and pulled out his fur. With the thick brown pelt in hand, he enveloped her in its warmth and tucked it in nice and tight under her chin. “Is that better?”

“Aye, but I wish I could say nay then see what you’d do next.”

“I’d offer you my body to warm you with.” Grinning, he lifted his fur higher at the back of her neck so it blocked the wind from behind.

“Do you flirt with all the lasses like this?”

“Nay, only you.”

“Then it appears I’m the lucky one.” Frowning, she wriggled closer to him on the bench. “Tell me more about Coll. I’m aware he’s your twin and the eldest.”

“What do you wish to know?”

“I may know of him, but I’ve never met him. Can one tell the two of you apart?”

“We’re the same height and build, evenly matched in strength, although there are enough differences to tell us apart.”

“Like?”

“Coll’s eyes are the same shade as yours, brown flecked with gold, whereas mine are a plain shade of blue.”

“Your eyes are a stunning shade of blue.” She snuck one hand out from within the fur, touched her palm to his cheek and looked deeper into his eyes. “They’re a warm blue, as vibrant in color as a clear summer’s sky. They’re also the same shade as my brother’s and my mama’s eyes. I’ve always wished mine were such a pretty color.”

“My eyes arenae pretty.” He’d never live it down if any of his men heard that comment. ’Twas just as well her voice couldn’t travel any farther than the two of them.

“They’re most definitely pretty, but in a very rugged sort of way.” She giggled. “You are just like Ethan. Whenever I call his blue eyes pretty, he acts as if I’ve just struck him.”

“I’m a warrior.”

“So I noticed.” She stroked her fingers back and forth along his cheek, a mischievous tilt lifting her lips. “Aye, you’re a very pretty warrior indeed.”

“You are the worst tease, and I clearly shouldnae have offered you my aid.”

“You didnae offer. I asked to join you.” She buried her nose in his neck, her next whispered words sending his pulse racing, “What secrets are you hiding from me, Duncan MacKenzie?”

“None.” He should insert some space between them, only he couldn’t move. Having her this close made his heart thump harder and every protective instinct within him roar to the forefront.

“Aye, you are, and I wish I could compel the truth from you, but that will have to wait until my voice is fully restored, unless of course you wish to share the truth with me on your own.” She kissed his neck and he barely remained seated. All he wanted to do was topple her into the planked boards underfoot and demand she kiss him proper.