Highland Persuasion (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (14 page)

Well, that was a frustrating aspect but she’d have to make do. Crossing one leg over the other she asked, “Tell me more about what you hope to get from me brother.”

His eyes flickered over her exposed leg briefly before he said, “Land, title, honor, the usual.”

Iosbail kept her expression contemplative. She’d already confirmed what she needed to know. Innis liked the lasses and he liked her legs. That’d been more than enough to win whole kingdoms in the past. It would be enough now… if played precisely correct. After all, an Irishman was not a Scotsman.

A lad from Eire would see through her shenanigans in an instant if she wasn’t careful.

“I’ll be up front with ye, Innis, I worry for my friends. I dinnae want to see them hurt.”

“Well, a few of them will be. There’s no hope for that.”

“Can we bargain?”

“Nay.”

She allowed her dress to pull up a very small fraction then pulled it back down as though she’d realized the indecency. It was extremely important that she persuade him to just the right degree. “I’ve no care for the Sinclair but some time with the Irishman would mean so verra much.”

No magic was needed to see the battle already warring within Innis. He might be made of magic but he was also made of man.

“What of the lass?”

“She’s nothing to me but a means to an end.”

His eyebrow arched but he made no response to that. “You can see the Irishman with my men present then you’ll dine with me.”

Of course she would. Iosbail bowed her head and did her best not to roll her eyes.

Would ever a man challenge her?

A burn started to fill her face. Had a man not already challenged her? When thoughts of Alexander started to bubble up she quickly tempered them. When her eyes once more met Innis’ it was to find him staring in interest. He thought her face burned for him! How perfect.

As she was led from the abode Iosbail tried her best not to reflect on the afternoon.

On the things she’d felt.

No lass should be subjected to feelings such as those. Her heartbeat increased. Her palms grew clammy. Mortified, Iosbail rubbed her fingers together. Alexander was but a man who lay with her and made her feel good… perhaps better than good.

Even as she was led through the night she found it impossible not to think of him. Aye, the sex had been far more emotional than she’d ever experienced but there was something more. It was those moments after they’d been together, first when he lay next to her in the grass and looked up at the tree. The next was when he’d given her space to commune with her gods.

Iosbail didn’t think she’d ever forget glancing at Alexander only to see him glance away. He’d respected her need to talk to whoever would listen. No man, king, wizard or immortal alike had ever granted her such kindness which honestly made her wonder about the life she’d led thus far.

Indeed, Alexander was quite a man…yet he was a Sinclair.

“Iosbail.”
She’d barely realized she was in a new hut until Shamus spoke. A small fire crackled and her Irish friend huddled nearby.

“Oh no.”
She rushed to him and fell to her knees. His forehead burned with fever, his eyes glassy. “Oh no, no,” she repeated.

“Get me something cold,” she said as calmly as she could manage to the guard at the door but he remained unresponsive. Though she wanted to get hysterical she knew that’d do Shamus no good. Nor would the fire he seemed to think so necessary. Her hands remained chilled from outside so she put them on his cheeks.

“I’m sorry lass. They came from the wood like the
diabhal
for me soul. I couldn’t protect her.” He closed his eyes. “They’ll not do good things to the lassie. You must find her.”

When his skin soaked up the cool from her palms she put her cold cheek against his. “Alexander will make sure she’s well, laddie. Worry not, aye?”

“We’ve a far different magic than them, lassie. Alexander knows not what he battles.”

She pressed her opposite cheek to his opposite cheek. “The great Sinclair can see his way through all. Even you ken as much.”

“We shall see.” A cough raked his body before he sputtered, “My arm must go.”

Iosbail took her forehead and placed it against his. It was almost off her tongue that they meant not to save him but instead she asked, “And will ye be yerself without a limb, lad? Would it be a life worth living?”

His sweaty hand grasped hers weakly. “A limb doesnae make a lad. A mind makes a lad and the life God gave him.”

So he worshiped the new God and saw a life worth living without a limb. She would keep that in mind though she didn’t much agree with it. Iosbail pulled back and placed the inner parts of her arms on either side of his neck, anything to keep him cool.

Frustrated, she cast another glance at the man standing guard.

“You used to stomp your feet when you got angry. When did you stop doing that?” Shamus murmured.

Iosbail smiled.
“When I figured out the lads didnae respond so well to it.”

Shamus smiled though his eyes were closed. “You always were so feisty. ‘Tis a shame you couldn’t get that stomp to work your whole life through.”

“I agree, laddie.” If she’d been able to stomp her way successfully across Europe and Scotland, no doubt she’d be much happier for it.

“Ye
be
sure to keep me laddie safe, aye?”

He referred to Alexander of course. “No worries, ye’ll be keeping him safe yerself.”

“So ye say.”

Iosbail took his cheeks and kissed him gently. “I’ll figure a way out of this. No worries, lad.”

Barely able to nod, he lay on the ground near the edge of the hut.

When she was led out, Iosbail said, “I need to relieve myself.”

Thank the gods she was given a small amount of privacy. For whatever their reasons, her knife had not been confiscated. Iosbail quickly cut a discreet swatch along the bottom near where Shamus lay. This would provide him chilled air through the night. It was all she could offer. What she wouldn’t do for magic right now.

Damn her brother!

A few minutes later she was pushed into another hut. Iosbail was relieved to see Caitriona. The girl was sound asleep so she said nothing but lay down on the opposite side of the fire. It appeared she would not be dining with Innis after all. Good enough. Her thoughts were consumed by Shamus. He needed immediate care. At this point, if magic was not available, the arm needed to be amputated.

If it wasn’t, he would die.

Iosbail ground her teeth and stared into the fire. She’d never forgive Alexander if Shamus died. After all, coming to this island had been his idea. But even she—in the midst of her anger—knew she was troubled more by Fate than anything else. Coming here had made sense. She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed.
Dinnae let him die!

Minutes, hours, she lay like that, praying to her gods, to his God, to any who would listen. At some point she must have drifted off because next she knew chants filled her eardrums. Confused, she sat up only to see that Caitriona had done the same.

“What?” The Norman lass shook her head, confused.

Iosbail was thrilled to see no man stood by the door. Finger to her lips she walked to the door flap and peeked out. Her eyes rounded. As if things couldn’t get worse she watched Alexander being paraded by with nothing but the MacLomain plaid wrapped around his waist. His hands were tied in the front, his ankles loosely together.

She rolled her eyes.
Bloody Sinclair!

Apparently he knew nothing about infiltrating a camp discreetly.

“M’lady, is all well?”

About to tell Caitriona otherwise she realized the lass was already peeking out, eyes wide.

So she said, “Aye lass, he has a plan I’m sure.”

“Nay, he’s caught well and good he is!”

Iosbail looked at Caitriona. Her lady looked right back and shrugged. “Am I wrong then?”

To truth, she much preferred a straight forward relationship with the lass. “Nay, ye’ve the right of it if ye’ve the mind to handle such things.”

“Aye, I do.”

Iosbail couldn’t help but appreciate watching the timid flower bloom so she said, “Good then because we’ve a road ahead of us to get the lads free.”

Caitriona nodded. “It seems the lads need our help often.”

“Aye, lass, ye’ve the right of it again.”

While she was thrilled to see her lass so well adapted she wasn’t thrilled to watch the state of Alexander enslaved. It didn’t seem to fit her perception of him. Taller than the lot of them and twice as muscular, he seemed a lion caged by ants. In addition, she didn’t think he deserved it. He’d proven—however unintelligent when he didn’t listen to her—to be kind hearted.

“All will be just fine,” she said, determined.

When a guard appeared in their hut they were forced to leave the flap. Strangely enough, Iosbail felt more secure as she lay down. Innis would not yet kill Alexander. And simply knowing that the Sinclair was near gave her an unexpected feeling of strength and security. Why, when he was clearly at the disadvantage, she didn’t know.

Perhaps it was because she knew they were at a disadvantage together.

Even though she drifted off for a bit, the moment she heard the clan begin to stir she awoke. Iosbail looked at the guard. “I wish to break my fast.”

Caitriona, groggy, sat up slowly.

“
We
wish to break our fast,” Iosbail repeated.

When the guard gave a slight nod they followed him out. The only way to know the sun had risen was by the slice of light skirting the cave floor. Its deep orange had already filled the cave with a majestic deep pink hue.

Iosbail wasn’t surprised when they were led toward the grand hut. Again, her eyes searched. They didn’t have too long. Her throat nearly closed when she spied Alexander strung up within twenty feet of where the great fire still burned.  Arms above his head, his body glistened with sweat and blood trickled down his side. As far as she could see there was no bruising yet. But there would be.

As if he knew she passed his head rose. Their eyes met.

If she could run to him and at least wipe away the blood, it’d mean so much. If she could look into his eyes and tell him she’d get them out of this, it’d mean even more.

But she could not.

It simply wasn’t possible without messing up her plan.

When they entered the hut, Innis already sat at the head of a small table, as though he’d been waiting. Iosbail made a show of running her hand through her hair and smoothing her skirts before she sat next to him. Immaculate, as though he hadn’t slept a wink, Innis looked over both she and Caitriona thoroughly. When the Norman lass started to sit next to her the guard promptly brought her around to sit on the other side of Innis.

Iosbail did not expect this.

Why exactly was Caitriona sat in a position of importance?

When fresh fish was set on the table, Innis said, “I invite you to feast. Fill your bellies. Today will be much welcomed.”

Though she had trouble doing it, Iosbail nodded and took a bite of fish. “What will there be to see?”