Mark of the Highlander (The MacLomain Series: Next Generation, Book 1) (25 page)

“Aye,” Ilisa cried and pulled McKayla closer. “And I’ve my new sister to thank for it!”

Not just anyone gained Ilisa’s favor. It was a gift indeed. And all in the clan knew it. McKayla eyed Ilisa, amazed.
Sister
?

“That’s right,” Ilisa said more sternly, her hand squeezing McKayla’s. “I’ve been needing one.” She looked at McKayla. “How about you, are you needing a sister?”

Um, no. But…okay. Maybe. What was all of this about?

When she looked for Colin he was gone.

Sheila and Leslie stared back, eyes the widest she’d ever seen them.

“Well, are ye then?”

McKayla blinked. Silence reigned. Everyone was waiting for her to answer. Much like the sacrifice with her hair, Ilisa was now offering her something she would not be able to attain on her own. She only wished she knew what it was. One thing she knew for sure was having Ilisa in her corner was a good thing. It never hurt to have someone like her on your side.

Ilisa squeezed her hand again and though McKayla saw the craziness in her eyes, there existed something else altogether. Determination, persuasion, assurance. Lulled, wanting to please, needing to, she nodded.

“Verra good,” Ilisa whispered.

Raising their hands in the air, she yelled, “It seems she’ll have me then!”

The crowd roared. Torches flickered. And, though it must’ve been her imagination, a tiny bolt of electricity passed between their joined hands.

Before Ilisa could further her unexpected display of kinship, Malcolm grasped Mckayla’s hand and pulled her down. He said nothing, only led her through the over-joyed clan folk, many of whom patted her on the shoulder and smiled, murmuring words of pleasure. After he deposited her with Leslie and Sheila, Malcolm vanished into the crowd as quickly as he’d come.

“What the heck just happened?” Sheila said.

“Damned if I know,” she said softly.

“I’ll research this when I get home,” Leslie said, her eyes still on Ilisa as the Scotswoman hopped down from the wall into the waiting arms of several suitors. “It’s got to be a custom we missed.”

“What did Colin say about it?” McKayla asked.

“Nothing,” Sheila said. “He watched until he knew you were safe then took off.”

McKayla looked around. “And where’s Bradon?”

“Gone too,” Leslie said. “He went with Colin.”

“Should we go after them?” Sheila asked.

“And say what?” Leslie said sardonically. “Why did you leave our side for even a second?” She rolled her eyes. “Please.”

Yet McKayla knew and her cousins clearly suspected that something wasn’t right about any of this. Fleeing the scene however was not an option. The crowd soon turned their attention toward the girls. And they were far too interested. Men had been flocking around her cousins all night. Now, with their laird and his brother gone, the fresh-faced foreigners seemed far more accessible. Even Seth had vanished, no doubt off exploring the castle.

“I never thought I’d say this but I wish Colin had stayed with us,” Leslie said.

“Ya think?” Sheila said, smiling but shaking her head when yet another Scotsman tried to take her hand and pull her into a dance.

McKayla suddenly found herself in a very unusual situation. One wrong move and the rapport Ilisa helped her build with the clan could be gone. Wiped out. She was the laird’s wife. And so she walked a fine line. She had no desire to be rude. But she wanted to haul her cousins away from the celebration. Was she not in a position to do exactly as she wished? Right now she needed a savior.

As if reading her thoughts, Ilisa appeared. With a quick peck on either cheek she pulled back and said, “Me thinks my kin might need you below, aye?”

“Maybe there is a god after all,” Leslie mumbled when McKayla nodded and Ilisa led them off the wall walk.

Ilisa leaned close so that only McKayla could hear. “I needed to create a distraction.” She nodded. “But ‘tis good we’re bonded now. ‘Tis verra good indeed.”

A distraction? Whatever for?

But it appeared she wouldn’t be finding out. Her new sister waved and cried out in pleasure as she was swung away in another highland jig. Not sure where she should be going, McKayla headed for the great hall. Thankfully, Bradon appeared when they reached the second landing and urged them to follow. “Come be where ‘tis quieter.”

They traveled down the hall and up another set of stairs to a smaller landing that while well lit, appeared far more hidden than the others. The castle jutted up sharply on one side and left only a swath of churning loch below.

A semi-round, stone table wrapped out from the side. With plenty to eat and drink, this corner of the castle was set aside for immediate family. A piper played a soft song as Arianna and Iain danced. Malcolm and Loch Nessa sat in a corner, heads bent close. Ferchar stood with William, sharing a cup of ale. Colin greeted them when they arrived, pulling her close. “Sorry to have left you like that. ‘Twas a moment for Ilisa alone.”

Arianna broke off her dance and joined them. Though she took McKayla’s hands her warm gaze covered all three girls. “Welcome, lasses. I do so hope you’ve enjoyed your eve so far.”

Sheila nodded, captivated by the older woman and her gracious nature.

Leslie worked at a smile and nodded.

“I know you met everyone earlier but let me again introduce you to those you’ve seen the least.” She turned to the older men. “My husband, Iain and of course, William.” Her eyes flickered over Sheila with interest. “Malcolm’s father.”

As if she sensed rather than saw the brief look Arianna had given, Sheila’s eyes shot from her hostess to William. “Hello. Nice to see you again.”

“And you as well, lassie.” McKayla noticed the speculative way the former chieftain looked at her cousin. What did he see when he looked at Sheila? It was impossible not to wonder. Because anything he saw in her surely had to be better than what he saw in his current daughter-in-law.

Sitting on one of the walls with a hundred foot drop to the ocean below, Bradon grinned. “More family is always welcome, indeed.”

Leslie’s gaze flickered to the water then to him but she said nothing.

Colin guided McKayla to the table, content to let his family care for her cousins. As if sharing a small secret over a country picnic he said, “There is movement to the north and by sea. They will soon be here.”

Distressed, she started to speak but he put a finger to her lips. “Nay, dinnae alarm your family. Everything thus far has gone according to plan.” Almost too calm his eyes locked with hers. “When you leave here, take your cousins and head to our chambers. Open the trunk at the foot of our bed. In it you will find what you need to get home.”

Petrified, she shook her head. She didn’t want to go home. Not yet. Not now. How could he expect her to just walk away?  After all they’d shared. Was it that easy for him? Because it sure as heck wasn’t for her.

“My love,” he said and cradled her face in his hands. “We will distract and destroy Keir Hamilton while you and the others return to the future.” His hands clenched tighter. “Trust me in this. If you dinnae listen it will be at the cost of not only your kin but mine.”

“Why does everything have to be a secret?” she asked through clenched teeth, refusing to tear up. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I trust you, McKayla, I trust no other more.”

He tried to pull her in closer but she jerked away. “Then why can’t you tell me what the hell’s going on?”

“Because the less you know the better,” he tried to reason with her.

“And what about Seth?” she argued.

“Seth will join you eventually. Until then,” he pleaded, “Please do what I ask of you.”

He again tried to pull her closer but she wriggled out of his grip. “Don’t think for one minute that a little embrace is going to make this all right.”

“Aye, I know.” Colin dropped his hands to his side. “I cannae stand the friction between us. You have my heart. You must know that McKayla. But I have a duty. Not only to you, but to my clan. They depend on me. And as it stands you are a threat to their security. So what would you have me do? Ignore the fact that there is a solution. A way to ensure your safety as well as theirs? As much as I want to, I cannae do that. ‘Twould be selfish for my needs to come before those of my clan. I took an oath. A pledge to stay and fight. And that is what I must do. If anything happened to you I would never forgive myself.”

He sighed and pleaded with his eyes before he continued. “I wish you could understand that. I will keep you safe at all costs … even if that means sending you home. This was not a decision that I came to lightly.” His voice trailed off as he studied every inch of her face. “Do you not think this is killing me?”

McKayla frowned. “I know you love me. And I do understand. I know you have a duty to your clan. I get that. I do. That’s not the problem. You’re not up front with me. You hide things, deceive me, and then tell me it’s for my own good. But it’s not. That’s not how marriages work.”

She stood up a little straighter. Whining wasn’t her style so she kept her voice level. “You don’t have the right to determine my future without talking to me about it first. I know we’re not in the twenty-first century right now and women tend to have little say in your world, but this is me, Kay, the woman you love. All I want is for us to talk about it. For you to give me a choice.”

“Lass, there is no other choice.”

“See that’s exactly what I mean. You’re deciding for me. And you expect me to obey you without even knowing why.”

“All right,” he said, his hands once more cupping her cheeks. “I cannae tell you much but I can offer you some truth. But first I need you to do something for me.”

“What?” Mckayla whispered.

“Tell me more about Iosbail from your book.”

“Please,” she pleaded. “Don’t try to change the subject.”

“That’s not what I’m doing. I promise. Tell me about your character.”

“I don’t know what difference it will make but fine.” McKayla sighed. “Iosbail’s voice always told the heroine to follow her heart. To rely on her instincts, no matter the consequences.” It was impossible not to narrow her eyes. “Did you know a woman by the name of Iosbail MacLomain actually existed?”

He kissed her then leaned his forehead against hers. “I’ve always known of Iosbail, lass. I wouldnae be here without her. Nor would you. She was Adlin MacLomain’s sister. My guess is that she was one of your muses.”

Daunting thought! Yet it wasn’t all that surprising considering everything else she’d learned thus far. “But what does Iosbail have to do with what’s happening now?”

“I think if anything should go wrong this eve you should draw on Iosbail’s voice, her advice. Think how you imagine she would have. You cannae go wrong if you do.”

“You make it sound as if she’s truly about,” McKayla whispered.

“Do you think Seth is wrong for believing in ghosts?” His eyes glinted with mystery. “I wouldnae put it past Iosbail to whisper in your ear on occasion.” 

She was about to respond but he spoke instead. “We will talk more about this later. And there
will
be a
later
, McKayla. But for now, you must focus on staying strong.” He brought her hand to his chest. “Remember, I’m but a heartbeat away.”

McKayla closed her eyes. “Then why do I have the terrible feeling that I’m getting ready to lose you?”

His lips brushed over hers. “You willnae ever lose me, lass. Not there or here.
Never.
”

She didn’t believe him in the least. And it scared her to death. But Colin was determined to remain vague. She’d not get more out of him.

“Think of your cousins,” he implored.

Their safety was the only thing that kept her from screaming. If they weren’t all part of this she’d throw his words to the incoming storm and be done with it. She’d never leave.

But it wasn’t all about her.

“I hate all of this,” she murmured, eyes still closed.

Gentle, brief, his lips pressed against her closed lids. Then those same lips covered hers, slow and easy, forgiving. She stifled a whimper and kissed him back. Fierce, wholesome, she kissed him. When she pulled away his gaze was emotional though quickly tempered.

“Go now,” he urged.

As if acting out a part she was never meant to play, McKayla put her hand on her stomach and smoothed her skirts. “I’m not feeling all that well,” she said, swaying as she looked at her cousins. “Would you mind helping me back to my chamber?”

Both shot her an odd look and rushed to her side. She felt clammy. Warm. Dizzy. Nauseous. Though he didn’t really tell her what was about to happen, she wouldn’t go against Colin’s wishes. As much as she hated to admit it, he had her best interests at heart. 

Leslie held McKayla’s elbow and steered her toward the door. Once they reached the threshold, McKayla looked back one last time.

Colin nodded and offered her a small, encouraging smile.

She had to trust him.

Still, as she walked down the long hall she had the sinking feeling that this was wrong. All wrong. That she should have remained impassive, stubborn. That her destiny somehow wasn’t what Colin believed it to be. But it was too late now. The plan was in motion.  And when a loud roar rumbled all around the castle, proof that trouble came, McKayla knew…