Highland Persuasion (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (29 page)

The hall expanded then shrunk. She staggered back against the wall and stared.

It was hard to tell how much time passed or how long his voice had been saying, “Iosbail, are you well, my love.”

She wiped a shaky hand across her face and looked at Alexander. “I dinnae think I’ve been well for a verra long time.”

Though she knew she wasn’t going to faint because she
was
a wizard after all, when he pulled her into his arms Iosbail took his support and held on tight. When tears fell she held on tighter to her Norseman, her Pict. Because only such a strong man of body and mind could get her through all she felt now. His large hand cupped the back of her head and his hard body offered an impenetrable wall of protection.

“Alexander,” she whispered against his chest. “I’m done with this as of this moment.”

All her long life she’d loved a good battle but now, here, in the MacLomain great hall she felt something shift inside her. Though it made no real sense she felt more one with the Earth than ever. Aye, she was pagan, but it was more than that.

“Of course, lass,” he said.

Though the tremors rocked her body she sensed he wasn’t quite as genuine as he could be. She pulled back and looked up into his face. “I mean it. ‘
Tis terrible this.”

He put her head against his chest again, his deep voice rumbling. “You’ve had your heart well and truly broken this eve, lassie. If ever a warrior stood amongst all those he’d sent to death and not felt respect for their departure from this life, then ‘twas not a battle well fought.”

Iosbail closed her eyes, felt the heat of him against her cheek and focused on breathing.

“I wasnae sorry when I did it… had to be done.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “But it hurts now, more than ever before.”

“Aye, lass, aye.”
He stroked her hair. “These feelings will pass but you will take from them what you need.”

It was hard to imagine what. Could she honestly say she’d never kill again? No. Only it was hard to say what life would offer and who she’d be defending. What Alexander was trying to tell her was to never change who she was but maintain compassion in her darkest hour. She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes, breathing in not the scent of death but that of his skin.

“King Edgar has fallen,” Adlin declared.

She and Alexander turned. Only Adlin, Shamus and the MacLomain warriors remained. Innis and his men were gone.

Her brother’s voice grew stronger and echoed over the great hall. “Long live King Alexander, rightful King of Scotland in the year of our Lord, 1107. Though you are of our future we honor you here this eve. May you always rule
wisely.
”

Adlin included, the MacLomains and Shamus dropped to their knee and lowered their heads.

Iosbail had never seen her brother bow before anyone. It was humbling and would prove to be the most powerful moment of her life. Not only because of the honor shown the Sinclair but because he never let go of her. When he nodded and gave thanks it was with her still in his arms as though she were his queen.

“Why does he say 1107 and not 1093?” she whispered.

“Because I willnae be returning to the time I left but a new one. Did you not notice that Edgar had aged? Methinks it took him awhile to find us here.”

Iosbail had been far too busy to pay much attention to the devil’s face.

When all rose to their feet and started the long, hard process of cleaning the hall, he looked at her. “If I am to be king allow me to help them. ‘Twould not feel right otherwise.”

“You need not ask me,” she whispered and looked around, still chilled. “What can I do to help?”

“Allow me to help, my lady.”

Iosbail’s eyes rounded when a beautiful woman made her way across the dead bodies.

Caitriona?
But it couldn’t be.

The Norman stopped in front of her.
“’Tis all right, my lady.
Adlin gave me this time with you.”

“Did he then?” she said as she took Caitriona’s hand. When she looked at Alexander he nodded.

When at last she was back in Adlin’s chambers she allowed Caitriona to help her into a bath.

“’Tis wrong, all of this,” she said.

The lass gave a small smile. “Not a moment of any of this has been wrong.”

Iosbail tried not to groan as she sank into the warm water. Fighting made for sore muscles.

“Nay,” Caitriona said. “I’m on a verra good path.”

“I only just left you yesterday,” Iosbail reminded her.

“You left me several months ago as time passes for me. And that time has not been all that bad.”

Iosbail looked at her. “So you’re happy?”

“As can be.”
Caitriona shrugged. “The Stewart is not always such an easy man.”

“Does he beat you?” Iosbail frowned.

“Nay!
Nothing like that, just stubborn.
It seems he thinks I’m too Christian. Somehow that makes me dangerous.”

Iosbail couldn’t help but laugh. “But you’re a healer!”

“Imagine that,” Caitriona murmured as she ran some soap through Iosbail’s hair. “A God fearing woman who can heal, to these pagans it’s as good as saying you’re the devil come to make their dreams come true.”

Though she wanted to laugh, Iosbail worked at a scowl. After all, one must protect their own.

“Oh no, I meant no ill by that, m’lady, just that the pagans are an odd bunch.”

Iosbail offered a small smile.
“Nay, lassie.
You’ve not a thing to worry about. We pagans bend to all beliefs.” Her eyes met Caitriona’s. “You believe in the new God. ‘Twill
be
an enigma to those such as Alan for some time. But if you’re meant to be together ‘twill not matter in the end. Only love will.”

If she wasn’t mistaken by the sound, Caitriona snorted but kept a cool face when Iosbail looked her way. “Well, is there love betwixt you then?”

The girl’s eyes looked lost for several moments before she said, “There’s no way to tell. It seems there’s little room for a healer such as me with the Stewarts.”

Iosbail took her hand and said, “Remember, there wasn’t much room for the persuasion of a Broun lass but here I am with the man I love. May God and the gods be as kind to you, my
friend.
Though you may not believe in the old gods they watch over you as well.
‘Tis no small thing possessing the power of a Highland mystic.”

“I know not what you mean. ‘Tis only a small unknown gift to me,” Caitriona said.

“Aye, but it will reveal itself more and more. Take pride lassie and dinnae let the Stewarts see you as anything other than the wonder that you are. My guess is you’re the first of your kind they’ve ever seen. And my guess is Lord Alan doesnae quite know what to make of you yet. But he will.”

Though her eyes turned moist, Caitriona quickly blinked away the sentiment and nodded.
“Aye, my lady.”

When more of her ladies entered, the Norman stood and curtsied.
“’Tis time for me to go.
Thank you so much for all you’ve done.”

“I’d do it again and again,” Iosbail said and meant it. “Stay safe and travel well.”

Caitriona nodded and turned to leave.

“My friend.”

The lass turned back.

“Dinnae be afraid to take chances. It can make all the difference.”

A tight smile lit Caitriona’s face but nerves made it vanish. Before she fled she said, “I already did by coming here.”

Then she was gone out the door.

Iosbail’s heart warmed. Her brother had given her a wonderful gift bringing the lass back even if for such a small amount of time. It seemed the battle she felt existed betwixt she and Adlin was at a simmer…at least for now.

“I’d like to be alone,” she said to the new ladies as they frittered about. When they lagged as if they honestly didn’t know better she repeated in a sterner voice, “Alone.
Now.”

When the last had left, Iosbail leaned her head back against the tub. Two torches had been left burning as well as the fire. The animal skin hiding the window blew in on the wind. A late night storm brewed as if it meant to clean the bloodshed that’d happened this eve. She closed her eyes and ran her hands over the edge of the tub.

So much had happened. Every last minute of it had made her feel different, alive and aware. All were emotions in which she was for the most part unfamiliar. But all had been so needed. All made her feel grateful. She’d lived her life so selfishly until this point, uselessly almost.

Thunder boomed and she sat forward, startled by the sound.

It seemed even the gods meant to keep her on her toes.

When she went to lean back, hands came under her arms, lifted her sharply and spun her.

Iosbail tried to gain foot but couldn’t

His wild eyes drilled into hers, his deep brogue rumbled. “Did you think for a moment that you wouldnae be mine this eve?”

Chapter Fourteen

When her wet body hit the furs on the bed Iosbail shook her head but whispered, “
aye
,” as she lay back, eyes wide.

He’d got her through but the Sinclair still had the bloodlust, the wild rage.

How well he’d suppressed it for her.

It was impossible not to watch as he pulled free his tunic, leaving nothing but a mess of his tartan around his slim waist. Iosbail wanted to touch that terribly muscular area where his abs met his hip bones but Alexander had fire in his eyes…a fire that had something to do with lust but more to do with being enraged.

The man was tortured… by his own mind.

She well understood.

When he came onto the bed and spread her thighs Iosbail said nothing. As if caught in a strange dream he ran his hand over one of her breasts and stared at it, enthralled. It only then occurred to her that he’d never touched her when wholly nude. And by the gods, she’d never touched him that way either.

Iosbail wasted no time but began to tear at the rest of his plaid.

His hips thrust in response as though he envisioned himself already inside her.

“I have lusted after you since I was a boy,” he said, pained, as his lips locked over her nipple and his hand scooped around her buttock and squeezed.

“Alexander,” she whispered. Though she pushed his hand away she thrust up, more eager than she’d ever been. He was in the throes of a madness he needed to release but for all she’d conquered fear a new one erupted.

His calloused fingers grabbed her hip then smoothed over her lower back as his other hand manipulated the back of her delicate neck. “You are everything I have ever desired in the flesh and so much more.”

He lifted just enough to rip his plaid away entirely. For the first time their flesh was whole. There was nothing to bar them. Iosbail lost her breath as his arm scooped beneath her lower back and his hips spread hers wider. An odd combination of panic and lust made her dig her nails into his shoulders.

“I’m so sorry!” she cried out.