Plight of the Highlander (The MacLomain Series: Next Generation Book 5) Page 8

  A comfortable silence stretched before Grant at last said, “What are we to do about Valan?”

  “I cannae go against Torra’s wishes,” Colin replied, then hesitated. “Yet.”

  Grant cast him a sidelong look. “But you will if I need you too then?”

  Though they’d hated each other when they first met, their friendship and respect for one another had since grown tremendously. While once Colin would have battled Grant, now he trusted his judgment explicably, especially when it came to Torra. “If it means keeping her safe, aye.”

  Nothing more was said about it as Grant turned back toward the cottage and muttered, “I cannae be gone long from Sheila. ‘Tis a thing this is.”

  “Love.” This time Colin clapped him on the shoulder, truly empathetic. “Just imagine going four winters with it kept from you.”

  Grant shook his head as they walked, his brogue slipping into familiar territory. “I dinnae know how ye did it. Ye’ve the strength of a hundred lads ye do.”

  “Nay.” Colin winked. “‘Tis but the might o’ one MacLeod.”

  They’d nearly arrived at the cottage when Sheila ran out. Wide eyes terrified, she looked at Grant and cried the most damning words Colin could ever hear.

  “Keir Hamilton has Torra!”

  Chapter Six

  Torra thrashed wildly against Keir Hamilton. Or at least she thought she did. White mist clouded her vision as she shook her head. Back arched, arms flailing, she fought against him but could never quite touch.

  “Torra,” a voice broke through. “Torra! ‘Tis me.”

  “I know who you are,” she seethed.

  “Nay, ye dinnae.” Something was tucked into her hand. “Take this and remember.”

  Torra gripped what had been put into her hand. Supple, bending, it was familiar. She squeezed her eyes tightly…so familiar.

  “Your brother Colin gave this to you as a sample of what might truly keep your kin warm during the winter.”

  Flashes started to flicker through her mind.

  Memories.

  She was nearly four winter’s old and her brother Colin was with her. As if it was yesterday, she was running across her chamber into his arms.

  “There, Col!” She laughed, never so happy. Colin chuckled and scooped her up. He might have only been ten winters old, but he was every bit the strapping warrior in her eyes. With a quick kiss on the bridge of her nose, he sat her on the windowsill.

  “And what are you up to today my wee bonnie lass?” he asked.

  Quite pleased with herself and sure he would be too she’d said, “Building castle all mine.”

  “Oh, aye?” With another chuckle he asked, “And how many rooms will it have?”

  Torra held up one finger and smiled. Why would they need more?

  “Just one then?”

  She nodded, confident.

  “But where will everybody sleep?”

  “Just me.” Then she thought about it. He might want his own chamber. “And room for you.”

  “Well, what about Ma, Da, and Bradon?”

  What about them? They’d be fine if she and Colin kept the castle for their own. Grinning, she gave a most logical response. After all, they need not be out in the cold. “Stables.”

  Colin laughed, shook his head and kissed her cheek. “Well, I’m glad I get to sleep inside your castle.”

  Her little arms came around his neck and she held on tight before pulling back to tell him more about the small stone castle she was building down by the loch. Though it was only half as tall as her, she’d never been prouder. So he listened closely as she described it. When finished, she waited anxiously for his thoughts. After all, someday he would be chieftain of this mighty castle so it was important that he approved.

  He considered carefully, obviously understanding how serious this was. At last he shared his thoughts. “It sounds like ‘twill be a strong castle indeed, lassie. I will tell ye what though,” he said softly, eyes compassionate. “If yer determined to have Ma, Da and Bradon sleep in the stables might we not offer them some warmth?”

  Torra figured they knew how to keep warm but would not let her brother down so nodded.

  “Good then.” Colin reached around and pulled something from his plaid. Torra stared wide-eyed as he handed her a rather large and heavy black scrap of material he’d rolled up. “What do you think of this to keep them warm?”

  Torra’s mouth fell open and she nodded. “Aye, good Col!”

  “‘Tis.” He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Remember my wee lassie, if yer set to put another out in the cold be set to find a way to keep them warm, aye?”

  Torra nodded slowly and stared at what was in her hands. Colin had given her a token. When he left, she admired the swath of material for a long while then rolled it very carefully and tucked it away. Years went by yet always she treasured it. Eventually, she realized it was but a scrap of leather but that mattered little. It was given to her by her brother and would always symbolize warmth, safety, and protection.

  Only now it was being used for something very different.

  As she grasped the material, the air warped around her and panic slowly subsided.

  Memories receded.

  Grant crouched in front of her, eyes both furious and concerned as he held her shoulders. Because of what her cousin had just given her, Keir’s pull over Torra vanished and she was once more in the cottage by the sea.

  Colin MacLeod sat on one side of her, Sheila the other.

  “I knew this would be too risky,” Grant ground out.

  Torra breathed deeply and shook her head. “‘Twas the only way.”

  “What was the only way?” Colin frowned as he looked from Grant to Torra.

  “This.” She held up the scrap of black leather. “Is ripped from what supposedly wraps the other half of my soul in the pentacle around Keir’s neck.” She then explained her brother’s part in it, however unknowing. “Little did I know that because of my dragon blood, forming such an attachment to a sentimental object turns it into a talisman of sorts. And a talisman, as it turns out, that should have never ended up in the hands of evil.”

  “How did Keir Hamilton get it?” Sheila said.

  Colin’s expression was thunderous. “From me.” A muscle ticked in his neck as he stared at Torra. “Four winters ago. I carried it with me everywhere. ‘Twas a way to keep Torra close when she was not.”

  “You cannae fault yourself,” Torra said. “‘Twas a gift from me. There was no way either of us could have known Keir would force you to his side or what his intentions would be with a piece of leather.”

  “God, he’s a slimy, unpredictable bastard,” Sheila muttered. Confused, she looked from Torra to Grant. “Why do you have the other half now?”

  “Because the kings told me that I must have it. So Grant went to the MacLomain castle and retrieved it,” Torra said. “‘Twill be important in the days to come.”

  “What kings?” Sheila said.

  Grant squeezed his lass’s hand and offered a kind smile. “I will tell you of them later, aye? For now,” his attention returned to Torra, “I need to better ken what just happened to you, lass.”

  “‘Twas just as we knew it might be,” Torra assured, not wanting any of them to worry about her. “Though Keir doesnae know I have created a fold in time a part of his black magic probes and seeks. ‘Tis my hope that when I refold time and return, he will be none-the-wiser.”

  “Oh Lord,” Sheila said. “This all sounds more and more dangerous for you.”

  Torra mustered a small smile and shook her head. “Worry naught. I will be fine. All of us have had to face danger so that we might ultimately defeat Keir.”

  “I dunno.” Sheila shook her head. “It seems like you’ve been dished an unfair amount, Torra.”

  Colin gently took the leather from her and Torra didn’t miss the flash of nostalgia in his eyes. Even though it wasn’t the half he had carried, it was clear he’d come to affiliate su
ch with her. His dark, brooding gray eyes met hers. “So the two pieces call to one another. What is your intention for this one?”

  “I will tell you,” she promised and took it back. “Eventually.”

  The less Colin knew and the less he actually touched it, the better. Nothing said his essence coming into contact with it might not cause more problems.

  Grant, meanwhile, remained troubled. “I dinnae like this pull between the pieces of talisman. ‘Tis far too unpredictable.” His eyes met hers. “You should dress and seek out Iosbail. You need to convince her to help.”

  Torra nodded. He was right. Only the gods knew how much time they truly had. “Aye.”

  Grant cupped her cheek, determination replacing fear as he looked at her. “Dress then join us at the castle, aye?”

  “Aye,” she murmured.

  Her cousin stood and pulled Sheila after him. Colin, just as troubled as Grant, wore a scowl as his eyes remained on her face. “You keep secrets.”

  Torra sighed and stood. When his hand shot out and grasped her wrist, she turned reluctant eyes his way. While he most certainly had a compassionate side when it came to her, the warrior beneath was never far off. Even before he was ill-recruited by Keir, he’d always possessed the countenance of a leader. Unfortunately, that made having Colin lead his armies even more beneficial for the Hamilton.

  Colin reeled her in until she stood between his legs. He braced his hands on her hips, eyes penetrating as he again said, “You keep secrets…even from me.”

  “Especially from you,” she whispered, voice again failing when thickened with emotion. “‘Tis safer that way.”

  While Torra knew he was as affected by their closeness as she, Colin’s face remained impassive and he clasped her hips a fraction tighter. “There is nothing safe about me not knowing what you intend. To keep me without knowledge only makes it more difficult for me to protect you.”

  Torra gently touched his cheek, thoughts once more on the eve before as she murmured, “There will be times that you cannae protect me, that I must fight battles on my own.” Unable to stop herself, she ran the pad of her thumb softly over his lower lip. “‘Tis all part of the fear that you help me face, aye?”

  Colin closed his eyes briefly before they narrowed on her once more and he shook his head sharply. “I cannae force words from your lips but know this, ‘twill be unforgivable if harm befalls you and I couldnae help because you shut me out.”

  Torra offered a small nod. What else could she do? Pain and frustration were clear enough in his eyes. That, in effect, caused her grief as she thought about what he had done for her the previous night. What he had done to her. Not only his kiss but his very touch had kindled a wide swath of sensations that swept her away in a rising tide of soul-deep need. She never imagined a simple kiss could feel so good.

  Now sampled, she knew she would want more. Far more. But it wasn’t just his lips she craved. Now she knew there was an indescribable pleasure to be found in his arms. A warm, heavy throb began between her legs and Torra instinctually pulled away. But Colin did not let her get too far. His eyes flared and whipped down her body then back to her flushed face.

  When he stood, she put a hand up and shook her head. On a heavy swallow, she said, “Nay, ‘tis too soon. I need time to gain confidence.”

  Her words sounded like an excuse even to her own ears. For all she thought she’d come far the eve before, mayhap she was wrong. Torra watched Colin internally fight his assertive nature. She knew full well he was tempted to pull her into his arms. Instead, he inhaled deeply and raked a hand through his hair.

  “Confidence will only be gained through repetition. ‘Tis what I tell all my warriors,” he muttered under his breath and stalked into the adjoining chamber.

  “I am not one of your warriors,” she reminded, following, trying not to get aggravated.

  “Aye, but you are.” Colin’s regard swung her way as he poured two mugs of mead. “You are mine and you are a warrior.” He handed her a mug, eyes the hardest she’d ever seen them when looking at her. “If you willnae share your secrets then I will focus ever harder on those aspects of this war in which I can help.”

  She knew precisely what aspects those were. Torra set aside the mug and crossed her arms over her chest. “So you think to train me by seducing me?”

  “Aye, lass.” His lip quirked, but his eyes remained mirthless. “Your greatest strength lies in the relationship you have with the dragon. To become the best warrior you can you must have full control over your other half.”

  It didn’t matter how much sense he made, his words irked her. But despite her rising temper, Torra was surprised to realize that not only his words but the stern way he looked at her ignited…desire? This time his lips didn’t quirk but curled up ever so slowly, well aware of both her mental and physical reaction.

  “A lover’s spat already? ‘Tis an ill thing that.”

  Colin had a dagger in hand so fast the eye barely caught it.

  Valan leaned against the threshold, crossed his arms over his wide chest and simply cocked a brow at the MacLeod.

  “Get the bloody hell out of here,” Colin ground out, heading for the doorway.

  Torra muttered to herself and made quick work of intercepting moments before Colin reached him. Valan, meanwhile, didn’t budge an inch. Hand on the MacLeod’s chest; she shook her head, eye on his dagger. “Nay, dinnae do it.”

  Though it was about the last thing she wanted to do, Torra knew that there was more to this whole adventure through time than learning to better control the dragon. Voice as firm as she could manage when standing far too closely between them, she kept eyes locked with Colin and nodded at the table. “Sit.”

  Then she looked over her shoulder. “You too, Valan.”

  Both started to say nay, but she shook her head and made sure they saw dragon fire flash in her eyes. “Now.”

  While it was perfectly clear neither was intimidated by her in the least, both reluctantly sat across the table from one another. Shaped like a square, she sat on a third side, one that allowed her to see the doorway. Never before had she been so entirely uncomfortable. But only she was qualified to handle the vengeance between them. If all was to work out as hoped these two Scotsmen desperately needed to work not against but with each other.

  They were almost frightening in their silent, seething dislike of one another. She could sense rather than see how pent up they were. Colin remained loose-limbed, hand still clenching his dagger as it rested on the table. Valan, eyes narrowed on his nemesis, was just as loose-limbed and though he didn’t grip a weapon it didn’t matter in the least. He would kill fast and furious if provoked.

  Torra took a deep breath before she spoke. “We will never see Keir defeated if you both dinnae set aside your differences.” Her eyes went to Valan. “Colin is not at fault for my betrayal. He knew naught who I was when we met and well you know it.”

  Valan’s eyes never left Colin’s. “Nay, but he did soon enough. ‘Twould have been then that he should have let you be.”

  Torra had not been looking forward to this moment but too long had she come between their friendship. “He tried,” she said softly. “But I wouldnae have it.”

  Valan’s eyes shot to hers, but he said nothing.

  It was impossible not to feel bittersweet pain as memories resurfaced and she remembered the past…

  “There ye are, lass.”

  Torra had barely caught sight of him when Colin MacLeod swung her around. Laughing, she batted him away but not before a lingering moment when their gazes tangled and breathing became a struggle. Pale silver flecks ignited in his eyes as the sun crested through the trees and hit his face.

  It had been her fourth visit back in time since she first met him at the Highland Defiance and he was in rare form. But she imagined that they both were. Their friendship had fast blossomed along with something else altogether. And with that something else grew a niggling of guilt. She’d not seen Valan aga
in since Colin had traveled back. While she had not entirely understood her feelings toward the Hamilton before, now she did. And they couldn’t compare to what she felt toward Colin.

  Yet her guilt only ran so deep. Because though he claimed to love her, Valan had a secret of his own. A secret he had only just shared before she met Colin MacLeod.

  Colin pulled her after him, a wide smile on his face. “Have ye ever had a swing into the water then, lass?”

  “A swing into the water?” Torra laughed as she ran to keep up with him. “I cannae say I have.”

  The day was warm and a light wind blew through the trees as they stopped at a riverbank. A fairly sharp decline led down to a narrow shore.

  Colin pointed. “See there.”

  Torra put a hand to her forehead to block the sun and peered up. A rope was tied to the top of an exceptionally tall tree that slanted out over the water. She looked at him with a frown. “I dinnae ken.”

  Colin grinned and pulled off his boots. Though she suspected he wanted to remove his tunic and plaid he did not. While Torra knew she should appreciate the courtesy, she was surprisingly disappointed. But her interest soon became ensnared by his actions as he climbed the tree.

  “What are ye doing?” she yelled.

  He climbed to the top of the tree, grabbed the rope then climbed down a bit. With a grin that she could only describe as fun-loving, he yelled, “‘Twill be obvious soon enough.”

  Wide-eyed, Torra put her hand over her mouth when Colin jumped from the tree. He released a loud whooping sound as the rope swung him far out. Then he let go and splashed down into the river. When he broke free from the water laughing, she laughed as well.

  The MacLeod had lost his mind!

  Colin nodded at her. “Now ye.”

  “Me?” She shook her head, still laughing. “Nay.”

  “Oh, aye.” He nodded at the rope. “Go on then, lass. Dinnae be a coward.”

  Coward? Her? Never! But she still shook her head.