Highland Persuasion (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (24 page)

“Do ye think Caitriona’s well then?” she asked.

“Doubt yer brother would have it any other way.”

“He’s a devious bastard.”

“Aye, but he has a kind heart about him.”

She shaded her eyes from the harsh rays of sunset and looked at him. “He’s a trickster.”

Shamus shaded his eyes and looked back. “Aye, but it seems he does it for the greater good.”

“You only say that because you’ve been brought back from death.”

“By a lass who was sent by yer brother.”

“So you think.” Iosbail scowled. “Could be she was
found
by me.”

“But that would only be because Adlin sent you to us without magic.”

“Hmph.”
Iosbail shook her head. “Everything could’ve gone the same with me magic.”

Shamus grinned though it clearly pained him. “
Nothing
would’ve gone the same had you had yer magic, lassie.”

“Welcome back!” A very young Adlin peered down, smiling.

Iosbail didn’t hesitate but shot up and kicked at him. Adlin dodged the swipe and took a few steps back.

Despite her swimming head, Iosbail came to her feet. “You bloody arse!”

Shamus jumped up ready to defend her.

Adlin shook his head and said to Shamus, “Nay, I mean her no harm, lad. Adlin’s the name. Good to meet you.”

The Irishman nodded. “Aye…
me
thinks.”

Iosbail shoved Shamus aside and put her hands on her hips. “Where is Alexander? I’ve done everything you wanted. Now save the Sinclair!”

Even though it occurred to her she sounded overly passionate the truth was she worried about the poor bastard. He’d done everything to save them and now he was left to a Hebrides clan with intentions she imagined extremely unfavorable.

“The MacLeon clan arrived here yesterday via the Defiance. They await you at my castle.”

“The MacLeon Clan?
I dinnae ken.”

“You didnae know then? The MacGilleEathain clan out of the Hebrides will be known as the MacLeon clan. While never an ally they are an intricate part of the MacLomain’s future.”

“Why?”

“Only you have the answer, lass. They’re here for you.”

“You dinnae seem that concerned,” she muttered as she walked away from the Defiance.

“That they are with the MacLomain’s tells me they’re on a journey with purpose.
One, however, that I’m not particularly worried about.”

Iosbail thought again of her time with Innis. The man wasn’t a fool. Why then was he here in the seat of his enemy? As she walked down the long stairway leading away from the Defiance she stopped, looked back and eyed her brother up and down. “I think I prefer you as an old man.”

Adlin offered a crooked grin.
“No matter what you mean by that I could offer the same.
I think I prefer you as a lass set out for revenge.”

Frustrated, she continued walking, running almost.

“So ye see her another way now?” Shamus
asked,
a smile in his voice.

“The Sinclair is certainly not her rival anymore,” Adlin returned, equal humor in his voice.

Iosbail ignored their chatter and made her way beyond the rock down into the forest. If Innis was here, Alexander couldn’t be far off. It was hard to imagine the Hebrides chieftain would travel far without him. But what did she know really? Not much. It all depended on what the Sinclair had bargained with when he allowed them their escape.

It was only when near the field leading to the MacLomain castle that she turned and said to Adlin, “Is Alexander here?”

“Does it matter?”

“You know it does.”

“Then why not say so from the start, lass.”

“The same could be said of you.” She stood within a foot of her brother. “You’ve played games with me since the minute I went forward in time. I think verra lowly of it.”

Though young now, his same blue eyes searched hers and she swore she saw compassion.

“There’s a bargain to be struck,” Adlin said softly.

“Is Alexander in your castle?” she asked again.

“Why do ye keep asking, lassie, when even I can sense him?” Shamus asked.

Iosbail kept staring up into her brother’s eyes. “Simple. I want to see if he can be as honest as he’ll be over a hundred years from now. Or was what I witnessed then just part of the man he’ll become.”

So angry it hurt she closed her eyes. Of course Alexander was here. She opened her eyes to Adlin’s. “Why is truth so hard for you?”

Adlin’s jaw clenched and his pupil’s flared. “Truth is something that is rarely mine to give.”

Iosbail knew he struggled with his devotion to the old gods and the new but when it came to aiding family, no god should take precedence.

Without giving his response another thought she turned and stared at the MacLomain castle. As always, it seemed a proud and massive structure perched against the darkening sky. The Sinclair was there not as a guest but as a prisoner. Once she set aside the turmoil between her and Adlin, Iosbail saw it clearly.

“How dare you!” she hissed at her brother and started to run.

As she neared the drawbridge, Iosbail slowed to a fast walk. When she confronted Innis it would be on her own terms, not Adlin’s. As suspected, everything seemed strained when she entered the courtyard. Instead of barging into the castle she walked through the stables and eyed the horses. Over fifty new steeds were stabled. Then she walked through the armory. Adlin always confiscated weapons. Hundreds of new blades amongst other weapons lined the walls. But Innis and his men would have so much more. Iosbail grabbed a few small blades, left the armory and was heading up the stairs to the main hall when Innis stepped out.

Their eyes locked.

Iosbail didn’t bat a lash but strode up the stairs, her voice loud and stern. “You dare imprison my husband in my own castle!”

“Is this your castle then?” Innis said smugly.

Without hesitation she pulled free a blade and whipped it directly at his head. One of his men threw up a blade and effectively stopped the weapon. Stride strong, she took two more stairs and whipped another. This too was stopped by another man’s blade. With a few final hops she landed in front of Innis, a blade in hand but not to his throat. Eyes narrowed she said, “You shame even the lowliest of highlanders.”

Innis looked down his long nose, his black devilish brows rising. “Do I then? You didnae take down a man with your weapons.”

“Are you sure?”

Two men lay on the steps behind her. Down at last by not her blade but by her magic.

“Why bother with the blade if you’ve your magic once more?” Innis asked, unimpressed.

Iosbail grinned with pure malice.
“Because it just felt
good
.”

“They’re guests,” Adlin said loosely. “Forgive her impetuousness, Laird Innis.”

The MacLeon Laird kept his eyes locked with hers. “If ‘tis a means to an end what are a few men lost?”

About to launch at the swine, Iosbail was surprised to find Shamus usher her past him into the great hall. His whisper was urgent in her ear. “I’m here for my friend, as should you
be,
lassie.”

She pulled free from the Irishman. “This is my home and yet here you and Adlin are trying to make right with the enemy. Tell me, where is our friend, Shamus? Because if I had my way he’d be comfortably chambered upstairs bathed and well fed!”

Furious, she didn’t wait for a response but headed for a place she’d never been before… the dungeons. Beneath the second staircase the dungeon stairs awaited. Pressing past the first barred door she started to travel down. Long and dank the descent reminded her much of the treacherous route they’d taken to the Stonehenge in the Hebrides minus the roaring ocean below. Instead, the drop was dark and echoing.

She grabbed the first torch from its bracket and continued.

Iosbail had several thoughts as she made her way down. The most pressing, why had she never explored down here? She’d investigated every tucked away room and hall, every wall walk that made up the MacLomain castle. Her second thought was far darker and born of what she saw as the stairs continued down.

How could the MacLomains ever have subjected any prisoner to this?

No sooner had she made it to the bottom of the stairs when she saw him. Torches burned on either side of Alexander so Iosbail found a spare bracket for hers. Strung up by the arms, his legs still seemed to support him. He wore the MacLomain plaid around his waist, nothing else.

“’Tis too cold, even for you,” she whispered.

When his head rose she found his face to be better intact than she’d anticipated. Though his upper cheek was bruised, the Sinclair looked fairly good.

“You’re here,” he croaked.

“Aye.”
She took his cheeks in her hands. “So are you it seems.”

“Thirsty,” he whispered.

“Nothing I can do for that.”

Iosbail focused on the feel of his skin against her palms. He wasn’t feverish, just tired.

“There,” he whispered and looked over her shoulder.

Iosbail glanced in the corner. Surprised, she saw a skin on the ground leaning against the wall.

“I’ll be right back.” Iosbail gently released his head and retrieved the offering. Not thinking twice she took a deep swig and swallowed. If anyone meant to kill the Sinclair they’d go through her first. Even though her magic told her the water was good she needed to be sure. While she waited to see if the fluid was poisoned she stroked his hair back from his face.

When convinced it was safe, she tipped back his head and held the skin to his lips. Once he’d had his fill she poured some water over his upper chest and spread it over his shoulders and neck. “How long have you been here?”

Already, he looked better and his voice stronger when he said, “Not long.
A few days at most.”

Iosbail was surprised how content she felt when she looked into his gray eyes. More than that, she was shocked at how her muscles seemed to unlock. How tense had she truly been? She wet her hands again and ran them over his cheeks. “How do you feel?”

Alexander clenched his jaw. His eyes turned that sharp silver hue that said his emotions were high.
“Verra angry, lass.
Innis is nay as honorable as he seemed.”

Iosbail huffed. “Did ye for a moment imagine he was?”

“’Tis my hope honor is at the heart of all men.
At least a small part.”

“Then you’re a fool,” Iosbail said.
“For more reasons than one.
What did you promise the man to allow him to release the rest of us from the Hebrides? And why are you now imprisoned in my brother’s castle?”

“What does it matter?”

With her magic intact, Iosbail sensed new things about Alexander. There was a power about him that felt different. “You are more than what I thought you.”

“Not entirely sure how I should take that, lass.”