Plight of the Highlander (The MacLomain Series: Next Generation Book 5) Read online

  Unfamiliar warmth continued to spread through her as she watched Colin and Valan battle then Leslie and Iosbail start to circle one another. Not related at all with what she viewed but entirely due to the whiskey, Torra couldn’t say her blood heating this way was terribly bad. The beast within her didn’t stir. In fact, it almost seemed to be resting. But then the men appeared to be holding their own and Colin had not been injured so there was little to stress over.

  What would it be if Valan slipped by Colin’s guard? What would it be if Valan won?

  Yet even as her distressed heartbeat increased, Sheila’s eyes slid to hers. “See, everyone’s doing okay. The guys are just bullying each other.” She pointed with a grin on her face. “And look at Les. She’s just a mess.”

  Leslie truly was not doing well. Or might it be said, she wasn’t painting the picture of doing well. She and Iosbail were fighting with daggers. The only weapon Torra figured the futuristic lass knew how to battle with. And it seemed she was failing miserably even if she was still on her feet.

  Iosbail had a wide smile on her face as she walked around a bedraggled Leslie. Without a care in the world, the Broun flipped her dagger over and over in one hand. An example, Torra imagined, done to show Leslie just how good she was with only a single hand. But it was clear that if nothing else, Leslie possessed perseverance.

  She wouldn’t go down without a good fight.

  Torra’s speculations were soon proven correct when Iosbail came at Leslie fast, flicking her blade back and forth. Leslie crouched and lurched away, spinning back quick to keep an eye on whom she battled as she held her blade high. Iosbail chuckled, eyes curious as she tracked her foe.

  In the meantime, Colin and Valan’s battling was becoming far more fervent. Torra knew they spoke telepathically and whatever they said was fueling their blades. For every slash Valan made, Colin struck back with two. Though they breathed heavily, it didn’t affect their energy in the least.

  The crowd sensed something and quieted.

  Leslie, it appeared, was gaining rhythm in her battle against Iosbail less so because she actually fought the woman but because she moved often. Torra sipped from her mug as she watched. Leslie was up to something. Had to be. Because from her viewpoint, the thrusts between the women were traveling. Iosbail obviously had the upper hand and would have already defeated her competition if she wasn’t on the run so much.

  “What is Leslie doing?” Sheila said.

  Torra watched the fighting, curious, until it occurred to her. Stunned, she said, “She’s trying to work with him.”

  Sheila’s eyes narrowed. “Who?”

  Torra shook her head, a small grin forming. “Her former enemy.”

  No sooner had Torra said it did Leslie move her battle with Iosbail closer to the sparring men.

  “Jesus, seriously, what is she doing?” Sheila murmured.

  Torra again sipped from her mug and kept grinning.

  Clang. Clang.

  The men’s swords were pounding, relentless. Sweat poured off both. Were they aware how close the women came? But of course they had to be. They both possessed magic and were seasoned warriors. But what good did that do two men out for blood? Torra knew.

  Little if nothing.

  Though Torra watched everything closely, she wasn’t sure how they meant to pull it off. But it didn’t matter because they did. Sheila along with the crowd gasped as a quick series of events unfolded.

  Leslie darted away from Iosbail and flung her dagger hard at Valan. In response, he darted to avoid. That was all Colin needed to catch the Hamilton unaware. In an enviable move, he simultaneously caught the dagger seconds before it hit Valan and drove the Hamilton back against the wall, blade to his neck.

  At the same time, Leslie seized the scant few seconds she had when Iosbail’s eyes flickered to the men and brought her other dagger flush against the Broun’s neck.

  All froze.

  The crowd became deadly silent.

  Winded, gripping her blade firmly, Leslie narrowed her eyes on Iosbail. “You are so incredibly friggin’ awesome.” Then her eyes went to Valan still held tight by Colin’s blade. “And you can go straight to hell for thinking you could have Torra because of a swordfight. What a bunch of barbaric bullshit. No man has a woman like that.” Her eyes narrowed further if possible. “In fact, no man has a woman period if she doesn’t want to be had.”

  If it wasn’t for the meager sound of spitting torches the whole of Scotland might have gone silent. But it seemed Leslie wasn’t fazed in the least by such silence when her eyes turned to Iosbail, voice firm. “Declare Colin the victor.”

  Iosbail watched her through narrowed eyes. “I dinnae take orders.”

  Leslie pressed the blade tighter against her neck. “Now you do.”

  Long moments passed.

  Nobody said a word as Iosbail stared down Leslie and vice versa.

  Torra knew, Leslie knew, all knew, Iosbail could kill her in an instant with magic. But that wasn’t what this was about. And such became blatantly clear when a wide smile soon split Iosbail’s face and she managed a small nod despite the blade still to her neck.

  With a voice loud enough for all closest to hear she said, “Torra MacLomain is Colin MacLeods’. He is the victor.”

  Leslie eyed Iosbail for another long moment before she nodded and pulled her blade away. But apparently Colin wasn’t about to do the same. He pressed his blade against Valan’s neck so tightly that blood started to trickle. Grant, not helping matters in the least, had sauntered up alongside.

  “God, they’re going to kill him aren’t they?” Sheila said.

  There could be little doubt that Grant had shared much about Valan with not only Sheila but Leslie and Malcolm as well.

  Torra was about to respond when Grant brought a dagger to Valan’s side. Aimed as it was, its thrust would be fatal. Colin clenched his jaw and peered into Valan’s eyes. Meanwhile, Grant pressed his dagger tighter against the Hamilton’s skin, leaned in close and whispered something.

  Torra stemmed out her magic and listened.

  Few words were said.

  “Once more your life is saved. ‘Twill not happen again.”

  Valan, emotionless, looked from Grant to Colin and Torra knew. He didn’t necessarily care if they killed him. Her throat tightened as another startling revelation occurred to her. Valan likely allowed her brother to kill him back in that cave.

  The Hamilton wanted to die.

  Iosbail gave the men their vehemence for several more moments before her voice rose up once more. “Time for others to fight!”

  A tentative round of applause ensued. Almost as if the clan wasn’t sure if they should cheer their matriarch’s defeat at the hands of a stranger. But then Iosbail was never really defeated. If Leslie slipped one by her, it had somehow served a purpose.

  In a show of unexpected comradery to Leslie, Iosbail grabbed her hand and raised their arms, crying out, “To battles well fought! Now let us have some more fighting or if ye’ve tired of that then off to the bonfire for lusting aye?”

  The crowd roared to life.

  All cheered. Some drifted off toward the fire, but most stayed to watch more fighting. Grant and Malcolm had started battling with a few Broun warriors.

  “They’re gonna totally slaughter those guys,” Leslie remarked.

  “No doubt about it,” Sheila agreed.

  Colin was heading Torra’s way.

  “Something tells me he’s set on the lusting Iosbail promised the victor,” Leslie said, a little smirk on her face when she glanced at Torra.

  Sheila removed her arm from around her shoulders moments before Colin scooped Torra up into his arms and started toward the drawbridge. Her eyes widened as she wrapped one arm around his neck while keeping a precarious hold on her mug. “This isnae necessary.”

  “Aye, but ‘tis.” His eyes were merrier than she’d seen them in a very long time. “After all, I lay claim to my prize.”

 
The pipes had already fired up and the crowd was rowdy. Still without a tunic, Torra was overly aware of his hot, slick skin against her body. How incredibly small she felt in his arms. There was something about Colin MacLeod that made her feel so thoroughly protected. Even when she’d been in dragon form flying over the Hamilton castle and they’d battled against each other, she’d felt his inherent need to protect her.

  And though she’d normally avoid the question, the whiskey was loosening her tongue. “What was it like for you to fight me when I was the dragon?”

  “Truly terrible.” But then a small smile came to his face. “But also exhilarating.”

  Torra hadn’t expected that. “I cannae say I found anything exhilarating about it.”

  “Nay?” Colin eyed her. “I think then that you are not being entirely truthful with yourself.”

  “Do you?” When in dragon form her conscience was altered. While she had an awareness of herself, it was vague. Almost as if she was in a dream state. She didn’t think like she did when in human form. Not at all. Yet she always seemed to recognize those she cared for. Or at least she hoped as much.

  “Aye, I think you are less than honest with yourself,” Colin said. “If you and I are ever at our happiest ‘tis when we embrace the whole of who we are…what we are.”

  “Why does it almost sound as if you think you know me better than I know myself,” she murmured.

  “Because we are both creatures of fire,” he said softly. “It can be no other way.”

  Torra had been so busy watching his face that she hadn’t realized he took her not to the bonfire but around the castle. Now he traveled down a cottage lined path that led through the forest to the shoreline.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I wish to swim,” he provided. “You dinnae need me kissing you until I’ve washed off the battling.”

  Torra wasn’t so sure about that. She rather liked the animalistic scent coming from his taxed skin. Not foul in the least, he smelled of heated male and dark, sinful promises. And what was this about kissing? Before she could question him further, he set her down on the shore and started to remove his boots. A moonless night allowed for little light, but neither needed such with their superior vision. Random small fires lit the forest and endless stars twinkled over the North Sea.

  “I truly dinnae mind your body such as it is,” Torra began then stopped when he pulled off his plaid and tossed it aside.

  “That’s good to hear, lass.” Colin grinned. “‘Twould be unfortunate otherwise.”

  Torra had seen nude men before when watching the romping against the stables but this…Colin…was vastly different. Larger. More. Of everything. Her eyes were everywhere at once as her knees gave way and she thumped down. Good thing there was a tree stump to break her fall.

  Maybe Leslie was onto something.

  Because for the life of her Torra couldn’t utter a word. She could only focus on what had lain beneath the plaid. Though she might be amongst the most powerful of her clan with the blood of a mythological creature running through her veins, she suddenly felt very young and naïve.

  The pure masculinity of his form both overwhelmed and astounded her. While she had fantasized about what he might look like, it did nothing to prepare her for the actual revealing moment. It was by far better than she imagined. And what impressed her all that much more was how remarkably comfortable he was in his own skin. But then what man wouldn’t be if they possessed such a body. Colin eyed her for a long moment, clearly pleased with her reaction, before heading toward the sea.

  This gave her another view entirely.

  Torra slowly brought the mug to her lips and took a deep gulp. She couldn’t help but think it would be well worth unleashing the dragon if it meant touching what she now looked upon. Her blood was already raging through her veins. She flexed her fingers and longed to touch the hard contours of his backside.

  Lust continued to rocket through her even as he vanished beneath the waves. But this certainly wasn’t the first time she’d felt such when looking at him. Nay, her need for Colin MacLeod had been unrelenting from the moment she first touched him at the Highland Defiance.

  A small smile came to her lips as her thoughts rolled back in time…

  “Care to dance, lass?”

  His deep voice burned a path into places she didn’t know existed. Torra was so wrapped up in thoughts of the handsome MacLeod she’d just met outside the Highland Defiance that it took a moment to realize he now held out his hand to her.

  Dance? With him? Aye. Then his hand slipped into hers and pure fire sizzled over her skin. It almost seemed he felt it too because his heated gaze shot to hers. He’d no sooner swung her into the crowd before he pulled her close, a charming smile on his face.

  His lips came close to her ear, words low. “What is yer name?”

  “Torra,” she whispered then cleared her throat and tried again. This time her voice worked. “Torra.”

  “Torra,” he murmured as if he savored it on his tongue. “‘Tis a truly bonnie name.”

  “And yours?” she managed, eyes sliding shut when his lips stayed close to her ear, his warm breath fanning the delicate flesh just beneath.

  “Colin,” he said.

  Colin. How ironic in that her oldest brother shared the same name. But she related it with strength and protection so found it suited him. When she gave no response he pulled back slightly and Torra’s breath caught. His eyes were the color of silver gleaming in the sun and she swore she saw a flicker of actual fire in them.

  In that extraordinary moment, she for the first time felt not fear but a softening toward the dragon within. His eyes registered shock then something else as he touched her cheek tenderly. His voice was deeper, more emotional, when he murmured, “Nathair sgiathach.”

  Torra tensed.

  He spoke of the dragon.

  “How?” she started, voice strangled as she shook her head and pulled away. “How do you know that?”

  Nobody knew what she was other than Iosbail, Adlin and the kings. How did this stranger know simply by looking into her eyes? When she tried to flee, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back against him. His muscled arm wrapped around her lower back.

  “Shh.” He cupped the back of her neck, trapping her. She had no choice but to look into his eyes. “Dinnae fear me, lass. I willnae hurt ye.” His eyes searched hers, his voice quiet lest others hear. “I’m a wizard. My element is fire. There can be no other reason why I see so clearly what sleeps within you.”

  Torra shook her head slightly. Impossible. Her uncle Ferchar was a wizard who controlled fire and he did not see the dragon within. “Nay,” she murmured, upset. “‘Tis impossible. There must be more.”

  “Must there be?”

  But they both knew there was more...so very much more.

  “‘Tis strange, the sound of drums,” Colin said.

  Torra blinked. Ripped from the past, she was startled to see that Colin had already returned from his swim and now rewrapped his plaid.

  Surprised, she realized drums were playing in the distance, the rhythmic percussion a potently sensual sound when mixed with the pipes. The tribal beat almost seemed to match the heavy thud of her heart. Leave it to Iosbail to introduce something so in-tune and appropriate to their circumstances. Then again, few reveled in the paganism of their past more than Adlin’s sister so it somehow suited.

  Colin crouched and braced his hands on either side of her, concerned eyes searching hers. “So now you’ve had a taste of whiskey. How are you?”

  Torra suddenly found it amusing that they kept their brogues lighter so that those from the twenty-first century could better understand them. It had quickly become habit for her but liked that Colin did it as well. It said much about his devotion to her.

  “The whiskey is good.” She smiled. “So far it has not overly affected me. At least I dinnae think as much.”

  Yet again, the dark night suddenly seemed more vibrant with him ne
ar. It almost felt as though the log beneath her vanished and she drifted, hovered almost. The soft air warmed, lightening her limbs.

  “‘Tis good to hear,” he said softly.

  Torra had barely a second to guess at his intentions before he pushed up her skirts so that he could spread her thighs and kneel between her legs. And though she made to push him back, even she recognized that she put little effort into it. So when he wrapped his arm around her lower back and came flush against her, she had no one to blame but herself.

  “Now you have faced one fear might you face another.” Like Iosbail’s earlier, his words were really less a question and more of an order. He cupped the side of her neck, eyes more intense than she’d ever seen them, words whisper soft. “‘Tis time for your first real kiss, lass.”

  Chapter Five

  Colin saw the fear flash in her eyes, but there was no turning back.

  He applauded Iosbail for urging Torra to drink the whiskey. Because whether or not his lass realized it, all her fears must be conquered if they had any chance at defeating Keir Hamilton. Not only that but she deserved to break free from all that repressed her, whiskey and its possible side effects apparently being amongst such.

  When Torra, frightened, started to shake her head, he stilled her with a gentle stroke of his finger on the back of her neck. “‘Tis just me, lass. If for some reason you cannae contain the dragon remember well that I have met her as I have met you and am not afraid.”

  “You fought the dragon, Colin.” Her eyes glazed with moisture as fear grew. “And trust me, I didnae throw half what I am capable of at you.”

  “Because you knew ‘twas me. Somewhere inside, you knew,” he reminded, impassioned. “And that your kin were in that castle with me.” He stroked her cheek. “Now we both know that I saw you as a dragon once before that and you didnae hurt me. Torra, whether in this form or in the bonnie beast that lies within, you dinnae hurt those you love. You must ken that or all that you hope to achieve will be for naught.”