Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (6 page)

“Nay, I dinnae want her getting used to—”

“Fine, then I will,” his sister said with a wide smile.

Mildred balked at the instant weight on her body. She pushed the blanket aside to find that she wore a garment. In a state of panic she tried to scurry from the bed only to fall flat to the floor. Before anyone said a word she came to her feet and stared down. Though the dress was simple and of ancient design, it fit.

“Iosbail!”
Adlin said.

“What!”

“Too much, too fast.”

“Well, I dinnae think so.”

“Stop!”
Mildred gained her bearings and looked from brother to sister. “I need simple straight answers. Why
am
I here and
what
are you two?
Because you’re more than simple people.”

Iosbail nodded with approval. “Aye, you were right to dream of this one.”

Adlin shook his head and started to talk but Mildred interrupted him. “You dreamt of me too?”

“Of course he did,” Iosbail said. “Look at you. Is it any surprise?”

Adlin’s expression grew guarded, stony. His well-sculptured lips thinned and his direct blue eyes met hers. “I will answer your questions.”

He paused, obviously trying to gather his thoughts before he continued. “You are here because you were supposed to fulfill the fate of someone deceased. Now I’m not so sure. Iosbail and I are not quite human. We are wizards.”

Mildred felt her legs grow weak but decided to ignore the sensation. Instead, she braced her hand on the wall by the hearth. The idea of magic and… wizards wasn’t so far-fetched. What made her brace herself was the first part.

Fulfill the fate of someone deceased?

Her mother had taught her one thing above all else. When given information that seemed outside her comprehension, don’t let it overwhelm, don’t let it rule. Shame on her, she’d already let that happen several times since she’d arrived. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, gathered her thoughts then opened them, directly on Iosbail. “Whose fate was I supposed to fulfill? Why am I no longer?”

“Mhuire.
Her name was, Mhuire,” Iosbail said, her eyes steady on Mildred’s. “The MacLeod’s
dinnae know
she died, nor do her kinsmen. You were to go in her place.” She shrugged. “Now I’m not so sure.”

“Nay, she’s not meant to at all,” Adlin said.

Mildred gripped the wall tighter. “This is a lot to comprehend.
Why me?”
She shook her head.
“And why not me?”

“Because ‘tis destiny,” Iosbail said easily.
“Because you arrived when you did.”

Wind howled and the animal skin flapped uneasily against her arm. Mildred started to chew her nail. None of this was right. She’d been tossed back in time. No doubt about it. Now, on top of that, she was being told what she was meant to do and then not to do.

“Well that’s an unfortunate habit she has,” Iosbail said to Adlin.

Adlin nodded. “I told her as much.”

Mildred frowned and lowered her hand. With a deep breath she gathered her thoughts. This wasn’t that much different than what she’d dealt with when it came to Irene, Jonathan and her mother. After all, she owned this situation. She controlled this situation.

Eyes calm she looked at Adlin. “Why am I no longer to go in Mhuire’s place?”

Adlin’s eyes seemed to soften, his strong stance relaxed.
“Because the timing isn’t right.
As I said, you traveled back in time too soon.”

“I’m sorry?” Mildred asked. “I traveled back in time over a thousand years and the timing isn’t right?”

“Nay,” Iosbail said. “You traveled back too early… to a period too late.”

Aghast, she swung her attention to Iosbail. “Approximately eight hundred and ninety-two years to be exact. You mean to say that wasn’t far enough?”

“Precisely,” Adlin said.

He appeared almost relieved at her quick revelation until she turned troubled eyes his way. “So if I’m not on time, or too early, I mean too late, are you still to lead me to my betrothed?”

“Aye and Nay,” he said, a slight shrug to his shoulders.

“Aye and
Nay
,” Mildred repeated, looking between them. “Would somebody please give me a straight answer?”

“Oh, straight answers are always overrated.” Iosbail stretched, almost as if she were growing tired with the conversation.

“Overrated,” Mildred mouthed silently, eyes round and furious with them both.

“What she means to say is that there really is no understandable straight answer to any of this, lassie,” Adlin said.

“Never is,” Iosbail agreed.

These two were impossible. Beyond furious, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Then why am I here now. Who fouled up?”

Iosbail chuckled. Adlin attempted to take her hand but she pulled it away. So Adlin said, “Sometimes the Fates rearrange things. It’s hard to say why but they always have their reasons.”

Mildred felt weak but didn’t let them know. Slowly, carefully, head high, she made her way to the bed and sat. “I don’t belong here.
Obviously.
If the Fates didn’t mean to bring me here now, I’d really like to go home.”

Even as she said it a new reality swamped her. Even if Iosbail and Adlin implied as much, if the Fates didn’t mean to bring her here now, when did they mean to bring her here?

Adlin’s eyes though curious, were also compassionate. When Mildred met them she saw not a man intent on making her believe but a man full of regret. With the steadiest voice she could muster she asked, “What’s next for me. I shouldn’t have to guess. You both know what I want. You both know that I’m petrified right now.”

They sat, one on her left, the other on the right. Adlin said, “Know that no matter what, we don’t want any of this for you.”

Mildred ignored the shiver that raked her body and focused on the slight feeling left in her fingers. She focused on the cool breeze whisking through the room and the way the sun slid past the rawhide to light slices of the furs on the floor. Adlin’s strong hand slid over hers and offered warmth. His thigh fell against hers, offering security.

Still.

“What’s become of me there,” she whispered.
“In my own time.”

“Your story hasn’t changed,” Adlin said. “As of this moment, your story is still the same.”

Mildred welcomed his touch but looked at the hearth rather than at Iosbail and Adlin. “How is that possible?”

Adlin squeezed her hand slightly. “Because you were raised the way you were.”

She should flail, scream out, and rebel. These two had all the answers and she was in the dark. Everything about this situation was against her will. Regardless, good sense dictated that she be brave, show courage. After all, she wasn’t exactly daft when it came to magic and fate. “I should stay then. I should see whatever this is through.”

Iosbail squeezed her free hand. “Glad you said that.
But now’s not the time.”
She looked at Adlin. “This was just a wee introduction.”

“What?” Even as she said it, calm passed through her. She knew it was magic from them both. Shivers rippled down Mildred’s spine. Fear all but vanished, her reservations non-existent. Her eyes shot to Adlin’s. His eyes met hers. A far different sort of awareness tore through her but she ignored it.

She knew magic… had since childhood. He was magic. Yet he was more than that. Adlin was magic and man and someone she realized in that instant she honestly desired. Regardless, this reality, him, was too much too soon. Frightened, she said, “Get me home. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

Before she had a chance to pull free from his grasp, he cupped her cheek and his anguished eyes met hers. “I’d do anything to keep you here, Mildred, anything to keep you here with me.”

Would he? Why?

About to respond, to be strong, she talked. Spoke.

But it didn’t matter.

She was already gone.

Chapter Three

“I don’t want to be here anymore,” she repeated, groggy.

“Well, neither do I,” someone said, his voice strong.

She struggled for recognition. It wasn’t Adlin. She blinked several times. Jim? Instead of a small stone chamber the steel mill rose behind him. Panicked, Mildred tried to move.

“It’s okay.” Jim had his hands on her shoulders. “You passed out for a moment is all. Take a minute. Breathe.”

As her vision cleared she realized that Iosbail and Adlin were gone.
In their place, her sister and brother, David and Jim.
How was this possible? Air came fast and furious. She started to breathe too fast. Her hands and feet went numb.

Frustrated, Jim lifted her to a sitting position. His intent eyes came close and he asked, “You able to pull yourself through?”

She wanted to respond, she really did.

“Fine.”
A light slap to her cheek.

“How dare you!”

“That’s right,” Jim said.

“You’ve got balls,” she rasped.

“Focus, Mildred.
You with us or not?
I’ll smack you again unless you respond.
Harder next time.”

Focusing was hard. But she knew that voice. It wasn’t Adlin. It was Jim. “Off,” she whispered, trying to focus. She put her hand over her mouth, shook her head and leaned back against whatever held her up.

“Enough!”

That was Irene’s voice and she was mad… and concerned.

“Everyone get to work. I’ve got her.”

Knowing her sister was nearby felt soothing. Exhausted and weak, she leaned against Irene. How was she here? How were they all here? But she was so tired it didn’t matter.

“I’ll have someone clock you in as sick,” Irene whispered. “It’ll cost a day’s wage but you’re not fit.”

Even as she was shoved back into their car, Mildred felt guilt. To lose a day’s wage was too much right now. As she flopped across the back seat she tried to deny it but her limbs were done for, never mind her mouth.

The car lurched forward.

And Mildred passed out.

“Mildred.”

“Tell me the truth, Adlin.”

“Mildred.”

“I’m scared. Tell me the truth.”

“Mildred, it’s me, Jonathan.”

With a sharp woosh, she released pent up air from her lungs and opened her eyes. Not to a highland chamber nearly a thousand years old but to the attic of her bedroom.

“Adlin!” she cried and sat upright.

“It’s me, Jonathan, your brother.”

She tried to focus. Where was Adlin? He’d been right there. But he was gone. Overwhelmed, she slowly leaned back.

“Mildred, can you hear me?”

That was Irene’s voice. Of course she could hear her.

I need to lift my hand. I need to be coherent.
But the thought didn’t seem to connect with the brain. How could she be there then here?