Highland Stone (23 page)

He did his best to contain the amusement he got from her words. Who'd thought the Lord would send a fiery piece of fluff like her to him? Somehow along the way, he'd fallen for her. He knew that should she find the object she sought, she'd leave him, and that he could not bear.

He raised his arms in mock surrender. "All right, lass. I believe ye kin take care o' yourself. Shall ye run me through with your mighty weapon?"

"Don't you dare laugh at me, you egotistical jerk. I've had about enough of your overbearing, sexist attitude."

Laughter rumbled out of him. Kara growled and launched into his arms. The sword fell to the ground, forgotten for the moment.

Kara had caught him off guard and he toppled backwards, bringing her down with him. He landed hard on his back, pushing the air from his lungs, and she bounced on top of him.

"Now," he grinned. "This be a much better negotiating position."

Placing her face between her palms and her elbows on his chest, she smiled. "And what are we negotiating?"

Instead of answering, he said, "What 'tis the object ye seek and why have ye enlisted Jamie to help with finding it?"

Her eyes flew wide. "How did you know about that?"

"The night on the stairs when ye had Jamie down with your knee on his throat, I heard ye make the bargain."

Shifting, she straddled his waist. "Why didn't you say something?"

"I told ye to stay away from him."

"You are such a brute." She slapped his ribs. "Why didn't you talk to me?"

"About what?"

"Ooo, I can't reason with you."

She moved to rise, but his hands on her waist held her still.

"Then why be ye angry that I dinna talk to ye?" He smiled in that MacLeod way. Raising his hips so she could feel his erection, he said, "I be liking this negotiation better."

Placing palms flat on his chest, she rubbed her posterior against his shaft.

"You would." She reached behind her and lifted his plaid to cup him. "You're a male after all."

"Aye," he said, then closed his eyes reveling in the sensations.

Sounds of the day intruded on his bliss. He sat up, planted a chaste kiss on her lips, then rose. With her in his arms, he headed for the hidden stairway.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"To me bed."

"But my stuff…."

He turned on his heel, grabbed the sword and cloak then hurried to his chambers.

* * * *

Kara lay with her head on Alaxandar's chest drawing invisible circles around his nipple. The feel of her body snuggled close to his was like the sight of Dunvegan over the rise after having been gone too long in battle. Too many times had he sworn never to leave his heart to anyone. His love belonged to the clan and the country. Yet, this amazing woman made him long for a different life. Not that he wouldn't go to battle for the clan, and against an invading army, but he'd know she'd be waiting for his return and that made all the difference.

"Kara?"

"Hmm?"

"Would ye really leave when ye find this stone?"

Her fingers stilled. "I must."

"Stay with me."

She sighed heavily and mooshed her face in the hollow of his neck. "I sometimes wonder if I could stay."

"Stay."

"It's not that simple."

"We will get word to your clan. I will make sure o' it."

Chuckling, she sat up. "Okay, I'm going to tell you this even though I probably shouldn't."

He raised up on his elbows. "Tell me what?"

Deep breaths. "Carrick is the chief of my clan."

"What?"

His astonishment only echoed her reality.

"I come from a time in the future. My grandmother is Carrick's sister, Rhianna."

"Ye jest."

"I don't," she said. "She ran away from Conar MacKay to keep from being sold to Ross."

"Aye, I heard the story."

"She stole the clan stone. The stone transported her to the future—my time."

Her proud profile tapered down to a long neck covered in alabaster skin with tiny brown flecks, she called freckles. Arms that wrapped around him with strength and caring clutched the blanket against her breast. She had full, luscious lips and a sassy tongue that did any number of clever things.

Giving him her complete trust, she told him this tale. His sensible side, the warrior side, said she spoke false and turned his head with lies. Unfortunately, his heart said something different. The fae possessed untold powers and magic abounded within them. Mayhap she was fae and her trip was a magical one to return the clan stone.

Many emotions coursed through his body, not the least of which was anger. Why would she be sent to him only to be taken away? If she found the stone, she would leave, going back to where she came from, out of his life.

Alaxandar pushed himself out of the bed, wrapped his plaid around his waist, and left the room without looking back. If he'd looked at her, Kara would have seen the love and fear in his eyes. He needed a clear head to think and distance from Kara until he figured out how to deal with this new tangle in his life.

His piercing blue eyes had focused—on her. He'd said nothing. She turned away, not wanting to see the condemnation in his eyes. Her heart would crumble to pieces when he called her a liar. He'd surely throw her into the dungeon as a witch for this lunacy. The door slammed.

He was gone.

Kara went the entire day and into the early evening without seeing Alaxandar. At mealtime, she ventured downstairs to the hall.

He sat in his usual place at the table with the chief and the others. His stern countenance left her sad. She had no doubt she was the cause of his irritable mood. Her mouth went dry. His eyes followed her every step.

A platter loaded with roasted pheasants, fruit and sweet bread awaited her when she sat down. He hadn't verbally acknowledged her.

Conversations buzzed around the hall, all of which spoke of the great battle and how Conar MacKay was brought down by Drummond MacLeod. Heroic tales had already surfaced. No doubt word would spread across the country and be exaggerated until the MacLeod Chief had single-handedly taken down the entire clan. She smiled. 'Tis how legends were made.

The women spoke of the wedding plans and how beautiful Eleyne would be. Kara agreed. Eleyne would be a stunning bride. She glanced down the table to where Eleyne quietly sat next to Iain and Carrick. Kara could tell by Eleyne's eyes that her temper simmered, waiting for the right time to blow. Poor Carrick.

Kara glared at Alaxandar but he made no eye contact. Occasionally, he nodded in agreement with something his father said or voiced his opinion on a matter, but he gave no words to her.

He was being an ass. It didn't matter that she'd made a promise to herself to stay away from him, to give him time. His refusal to acknowledge her ticked her off. She would see how long he could keep that up. She wouldn't just be dismissed without even an argument. Casually, Kara dropped a piece of sweet bread next to his foot. She bent down to retrieve it and brushed her hand against his bare leg. When she sat up, she saw his clenched jaw and flared nostrils, but he ignored her. Reaching for her cup of wine, she accidentally tipped the cup and wine ran against his forearm.

"I'm terribly sorry," she said, taking a cloth to wipe it from his skin. Still he didn't look in her direction or comment on her clumsiness. She'd had enough. "Fine," she whispered so only he would hear her. "If you want to play that game, I will. But let me warn you, Alaxandar MacLeod, I'm an expert at it."

Kara stood and excused herself.

* * * *

Alaxandar hadn't spoken to Kara for another two days. She'd gone back to sleeping in a separate chamber. He acted as though they'd never shared intimacies; that she meant nothing to him.

Impossible.

His heart squeezed tighter every time he turned away or walked around her.

He'd just climbed into bed. With arms crossed behind his head, he stared at the roaring fire. The door to his chamber flew open and Kara stormed into the room. Her hands were on her hips and her hair tossed wildly around her face. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, fae or not. His heart melted another degree.

"That's it," she said in a loud whisper. "If you think I'm insane, fine. If you think I'm a witch, fine. But you better damn well talk to me."

The firelight outlined soft curves through her shirt. His fingers burned to touch her. He'd happily go up in flames if it meant loving her one more time.

"Come here." He held out his hand. She hesitated for a moment then rushed to his waiting arms. He lifted the shirt off and snuggled her close. Where she should be.

"I'm sorry, lass," he said, laying his cheek against her silky hair. "I had to think on your words and what they meant. Ye distract me and I needed to clear me head."

"Don't do that to me again," she scolded.

He chuckled and hugged her closer.

"So what did you decide? Is it the dungeon for me?"

Though his heart was heavy, he knew what he must do. Rising from the bed, his naked form walked to the desk by the window. From the drawer he removed a small cloth.

He balled his hand into a fist and stared at the beautiful woman in his bed.

Reality set in.

These past days had been a living dream. Kara had visited him in his dreams for years. He chose to deny the implications when she had appeared on the road. He tried to ignore the rumors and whispers that she was a magical fae or an evil witch. But magical she was. Her essence drew him. Never was it to be a life he would live. His duties as right hand to the MacLeod chief and warrior for the clan demanded much. He had no time for wife and family at this juncture in his life.

Silently, he approached to stand in front of her. Lifting his fisted hand, he opened it to reveal the MacKay stone.

Kara gasped. Her fingers reached out then pulled back. "What—"

"'Twas the day I found ye bleeding. It lay next to your body, so I picked it up and put it in me belt."

Glistening eyes gazed at him.

"I dinna give it much thought till the day I heard ye make the pact with Jamie." He sighed. "I grew angry and hid it."

"Why do you give it to me now?"

Like a mighty oak, he fell onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I believe your story, Kara."

"You do?"

"Aye." He pushed up to his elbows. "What purpose ye have here be fulfilled when ye give the stone to Carrick. Then ye go back to your home and I to me duties."

His calloused hands grasped her delicate fingers, bringing them to his lips. "I willna forget ye, Kara." He smiled. "Ye have shown me promise o' life I dinna think existed. One day I will be expected to wed and bring forth an heir."

She draped her body across his chest. "I don't know what will happen when I give the stone to Carrick. My opportunity to return to my century may have been lost."

Dare he hope that was true?

"You are a good man, Alaxandar. The woman who gets you as husband will be lucky indeed."

Thoughts of lying with someone else, loving another, filled him with grief.

"Since she be not around at the moment, mayhap we could slake me lust a few more times." He wiggled his eyebrows.

Kara laughed at his antics, but he saw beneath the façade to the sorrow inside. On the morrow, she would make haste to Carrick to return the stone. Until then, he planned to spend a memorable night in her arms.

Eleyne's belongings had been trussed up in trunks and loaded on wagons already. The ceremony would take place, the wedding feast, then the wedding night, and they would be off to Strathnaver.

Kara rose early and snuck out of the room. She crept down the hall to the bedchamber where Carrick and Eleyne were taken last night. Laying her ear against the door, she listened for any noises or movement. She didn't want to interrupt something
.
Slowly, she opened the wooden door just a crack to peer inside. She saw a mussed bed and Eleyne fast asleep. Carrick was not there. "Crap," she said. Eleyne mumbled and turned. Kara left.

Perhaps he'd gone to speak with his men. She hurried down the steps and ran into Iain.

"What be ye doing up so early this morn, Kara?"

"I wanted to speak with Carrick before he left. Have you seen him?"

"Aye, he went to see things be ready for the journey."

She thanked Iain and rushed out the doors and through the gates. She arrived just in time to see Carrick clasp arms with one of the men, so she held back. When Carrick turned, he smiled at her. Memories of her grandmother flooded her thoughts. She saw many similarities in Carrick and her grandmother.

"What brings ye to the enemy camp this morn, Kara?" He winked.

"You were never my enemy, Carrick, Chief of the MacKay Clan."

"Oh?"

"May I have a moment?"

"Aye."

Kara led him to a stand of trees. Chewing her bottom lip, she debated how best to explain how she'd gotten the stone.

"Carrick, I have a present for you." She stared at his smiling face then turned away. "When I give it to you, I want you to promise not to speak until I've told you my story. Do you agree?" He touched her arm and she shifted to look at him.

"I agree."

Reaching into the pocket of her skirt, Kara pulled out the cloth containing the clan stone which she handed to him. Anxious, she watched him open the velvet to reveal the MacKay treasure. Confused, stunned emotions ran across his features. He started to say something but she held up her hand. "You promised to wait until I told you my story."

He held tight to the stone and nodded.

She took a deep breath. "Rhianna Glynnis MacKay was my grandmother."

Carrick stepped back as if he'd been punched.

"I come from a time far into the future and was brought here to return the stone to the MacKay clan." She started to pace. "Glynnis was very ill. She spoke of a journey she'd made but it was unbelievable. After she passed away, I went through her closet and found a box which contained the stone and a journal." Kara faced him. "The journal spoke of a ruthless father who sold her to the Ross Clan. Her brother had not yet returned and she couldn't wait, so she stole the stone and ran away. Fleeing, she was terrified that the chief would catch her and put her in the dungeon or worse. She rubbed the stone, praying for protection. It grew darker, scarier, and a strange mist fell on the land. She awoke to find herself in the year 1940."