Darkest Highlander (31 page)

“Sonya!”

She slowed when she heard Broc’s shout. No matter where she looked, she couldn’t find a trace of the woman.

“What is it?” Broc asked as he came to a halt beside her.

Sonya took his hand to help stop her own from shaking. “There was a woman. She said everyone at the castle was marked.”

Broc’s gaze narrowed as it slid around the forest. “Where is she? Who was she?”

“I don’t know. I woke up and she was there.”

“Did you see her face?”

Sonya shook her head. The trees began to sway, their whispers growing incessant. She rested a hand on one and listened.

“
…
Deirdre! Deirdre! Deeeeeeeirdre!
…”

“
…
not safe. She was here
…”

“
…
they’re all marked. Sonyaaaaa is marked
…”

Sonya shivered as she turned to Broc. “The trees say it was Deirdre.”

“Shite,” Broc said, and pulled her behind him as he ran to their clothes.

They dressed hurriedly. Sonya had just grabbed her stockings and shoes when Broc’s arms went around her. In her next breath they were flying to the castle.

As soon as they approached, Broc began to shout for the others.

Sonya’s gaze was on the forest. Deirdre had been there. Within strides of her. Why hadn’t Deirdre taken her or tried to kill her? Why had she delivered the warning? Why hadn’t she tried to attack the castle? Or taken Broc again?

Broc’s arms tightened around her as he landed them in the bailey. “I should have sensed her,” he whispered. “She could have taken you.”

“I don’t blame you.” Sonya stepped out of his arms so she could see his face. “If she had wanted to take me, she could have.”

Broc opened his mouth to say something when the MacLeods came rushing into the bailey. Hayden jumped from somewhere atop the castle and landed beside them.

“What happened?” Fallon asked.

Broc looked at the gate and then down at Sonya. His heart still pounded, the acrid taste of fear filling his mouth. “I think we need to wake everyone.”

“Aye,” Sonya said. Her hand still trembled within his.

Broc didn’t release her as they followed the others into the castle. When Sonya took a seat at the table, she pulled him down beside her.

But Broc couldn’t sit. He paced the great hall as everyone came in.

“Broc? Sonya? Someone please tell me what has happened,” Fallon said.

Broc ran a hand down his face and tried to tamp his god down, but the fury and fear were too great. His wings flapped, the force of them sending a current of air around the others and blowing hair into their faces.

He growled and focused on calming himself. Once he had control of his god and his emotions, he looked at Sonya, who sat watching him with worried, filled eyes.

“There was a woman in the forest,” Sonya said. “She … she was cloaked with her hood over her face. I never saw her.”

Broc cursed and leaned his hands against the wall. He pushed his claws into the stones as he thought of how close Sonya had been to Deirdre. Deirdre had to have known Sonya was a Druid.

Why had Deirdre not taken her? Just what plans did she have?

There was a slight pause before Lucan said, “I gather by Broc’s anger this woman said something to you.”

“Aye,” Sonya said. “She said everyone at the castle was marked.”

Broc dragged his claws out of the stone and whirled around. “God’s blood! It was Deirdre! She was here!” he shouted.

Marcail’s face lost all color. Quinn and Hayden rose from their seats and headed toward the door. Duncan, Ian, and Arran were right on their heels.

“Hold!” Fallon shouted and jumped to his feet.

Hayden shook his head as his skin turned the red of his god and small red horns protruded from the top of his head. “I’m going to find her.”

“She’s gone,” Broc said.

Sonya glanced at Broc. “He’s right. The trees waited to tell me who she was until she had left. I think they feared what I might do if I knew.”

“None of this makes sense,” Camdyn, another Warrior, said. “She had already captured Broc a few days ago. We all know how desperately she wants Druids. Why no’ take one or both?”

“A damned fine question,” Broc mumbled.

Sonya wrapped her arms around her middle. “It was as if she was gloating, as if she wanted us to know we were marked.”

Ramsey blew out a breath. “Deirdre doesna do anything without a plan. There was only one reason for her to tell us she has marked us.”

“Fear,” Ian answered.

“Aye,” Ramsey said with a nod. “She wants us looking over our shoulders, wants us to be extra careful.”

Reaghan rubbed her hands together as if seeking warmth. “Do you think she has managed to capture some of the Warriors who escaped? Like Phelan?”

“Or Charon,” Arran added.

Sonya watched Broc walk to her and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. She hated the worry she saw in his dark depths.

“The only thing I know is that we have to be vigilant. She didna take me or Sonya today. There is a reason for that, even if we doona know it yet,” Broc said.

Fallon rose to his feet and looked at each Warrior and Druid. “Nothing has changed. Deirdre is still out there.”

But everything had changed for Sonya. She loved Broc. And he had nearly been taken from her again.

THIRTY-FIVE

Sonya quickly plaited her hair and walked into the kitchen. She needed something to do with her hands, something to take her mind off the fact Deirdre had come to see her.

She felt a gentle touch on her shoulder, and then Cara said, “It will be all right.”

“She’s right,” Reaghan said with a firm nod.

Marcail sat on a stool and put her hand on her stomach and her unborn child. “I wish I had your optimism, Cara.”

Isla handed Marcail a bowl and a spoon. “Stir that for me, please.”

There was a pause before Marcail did as Isla asked.

Isla moved to stand beside Sonya. “Deirdre marked all of us the moment our men stormed her mountain.”

“Aye,” Larena said with a soft sigh. “As soon as we heard she hadn’t died, we all knew her retaliation would be swift.”

Marcail dropped the spoon and wiped at her eyes. “What does it mean, though? ‘Marked’?”

“I think it means she has something in store for each of us,” Sonya said. “She didn’t say as much, but it was implied.”

“Did you see her?” Reaghan asked.

Sonya shook her head. “I saw nothing other than her cloak. She held it together in front of her, and the hood was pulled up in such a way that her face was obscured.”

“Why the ruse?” Larena asked.

Marcail snorted. “Precisely. Why not show Sonya who she was?”

“I suppose it has something to do with her plan,” Isla said.

Cara rolled her eyes. “Whatever that might be.”

The subject was quickly changed. Sonya paid no attention to anyone. Her mind still went over every word Deirdre had spoken to her again and again. There had to be something she was missing, something that would help them.

“We’re very happy for you,” Isla said as she began to knead the dough.

Sonya glanced up. “Happy?”

“For you and Broc.”

“Oh.” Sonya shrugged and continued to clean the fish they would have for their noon meal.

“Sonya,” Isla said. “There is no need to deny your feelings for him any longer.”

She smiled then. “I’m not.”

“Is he?”

“Nay. We just haven’t had a chance to…”

“Talk,” Isla finished. “I can understand that dilemma. Hayden and I had the same problem.”

Sonya turned to her. “I knew our chances of returning weren’t good. I didn’t want to die without knowing him.”

“No one can blame you for that. We’ve all seen the way you look at him and he looks at you. You both needed to come together. If you care for him, fight to keep him.”

“Listen to her,” Cara said.

Marcail nodded, her many small braids atop the crown of her head moving with her. “These Warriors are fierce in battle but can be very stubborn. Especially when it comes to the women they care about.”

“Our mortality,” Cara added.

Sonya wiped her chin with the back of her hand. “He’s not said as much, but I believe the fact that I’m not immortal bothers him.”

“Nay,” Isla said. “It is his immortality which troubles him. He will have to endure long after you are gone.”

Reaghan grinned and nudged Marcail’s arm. “Make it so Broc has no choice but to see you as his, Sonya. Once he has claimed you, there will be no turning back for a Warrior.”

The women erupted in laughter.

Sonya smiled, but she wasn’t convinced. It was going to take much more than that. It was going to take persuading him his “curse” couldn’t hurt her.

*   *   *

Broc stood with Ramsey and Quinn atop the battlements. He had tried to convince Fallon to allow him to look for Deirdre, but Fallon had said it didn’t matter where Deirdre was, that they needed Broc at the castle.

“I agree with Fallon,” Ramsey said. “I think Deirdre is gone.”

Broc stared at the forest. “I’d like to find out for myself.”

“If she had wanted in the castle, she could have gotten in,” Quinn pointed out.

Ramsey put a hand against the sawtooth battlement wall. “For whatever reason, Deirdre left you and Sonya alone. Rejoice in that.”

Magic, strong and pure, sizzled around Broc. He recognized the feel of Sonya’s magic and turned toward it. She walked from the kitchen to Cara’s garden.

Her hair was pulled away from her face and was once more in a braid. The thick plait slid over her shoulder to hang in front of her as she bent over to tend to a plant.

“We’ve all been waiting for you to claim her,” Quinn said.

Broc frowned and glanced at the youngest MacLeod. “Was my attraction so obvious?”

“Aye,” Ramsey said. “As was hers for you.”

“She’s mortal.”

Quinn smiled wryly as he faced Broc. “So is Marcail. Lucan faces the same obstacle with Cara.”

“And Galen and Hayden have yet to know if Reaghan and Isla are still immortal,” Ramsey added.

“What I’m trying to say,” Quinn said, “is that if you love her, then it shouldna matter.”

Love. Did Broc dare to admit it, did he dare to dream of sharing a life with Sonya? Did he dare to subject her to the curse or, worse, test it to see if it was gone?

He knew he wanted her beside him, wanted to share her smiles, her laughter, and whatever else came their way.

But would it be enough when he watched the life fade from her eyes?

“I’ll admit I’m holding out hope that somehow our gods are bound again,” Quinn said into the silence.

Broc turned his head to Quinn. “And if they are no’? You will accept that you will live on as Marcail and your unborn child willna?”

Quinn’s head jerked with a nod. “I love her more than anything. Whatever time I have with her I will cherish and enjoy every moment of. I doona want to lose her, but I would rather spend a few years with her than never know the love between us.”

Broc thought over Quinn’s words as he continued to watch Sonya. Maybe Quinn had the right of it. Whatever time Broc might have with Sonya was better than no time at all.

Sonya’s head suddenly lifted and their gazes clashed. It was time to talk to her, time to speak of what was between them. And if there was a future for them.

He jumped from the battlements and landed softly, on bent knees in the bailey. Broc’s long strides took him around the kitchen to the garden. But Sonya wasn’t there. He caught sight of her walking toward the village.

Broc inwardly smiled when Sonya looked over her shoulder at him. He didn’t waste another moment following her. Broc didn’t need to use his power to find Sonya, all he had to do was follow the trail of her magic.

It led him through the village and inside one of the newly completed cottages. He pushed open the door. Sonya stood facing the hearth, her face in profile to him.

He stepped over the threshold and softly closed the door behind him. Words ran through his head, words he wanted to say to Sonya, but he didn’t know where to begin.

She exhaled and turned to face him. The corners of her lips were tilted in a soft smile. “I’m glad you followed me.”

“I couldna stay away if I wanted.” The truth of his words slammed into him like an arrow. And suddenly the curse didn’t matter.

Nothing mattered as long as he had Sonya. He took a step toward her, his hands itching to touch her smooth skin. “There is much I need to say.”

Her amber gaze dropped from his. “And much I would speak of as well.”

“I know I’m no’ the best of men,” Broc began. He moved closer a step. “I doona have a title or the land that was once mine. The only thing I have is coin and … myself.”

His heart pounded loudly in his chest. He had never mastered the art of flattery, had never learned how to charm women. All Broc knew to do was speak the truth. A truth that came straight from his heart.

He didn’t expect Sonya to accept his offer. There was so much more that awaited her if she took a mortal. But, as he stared at her, Broc knew he would give Deirdre his soul if only Sonya would be his.

“I care not for your coin, land, or title,” Sonya said. She lifted her head and searched his eyes. “Those things do not make the man I have watched risk his life countless times, the man I know will always be there for me.”

Broc took another step, bringing him even closer. “Is it enough? Will knowing I will be there for you without fail be enough?”

“Is it enough for you?”

“I fear forever might no’ be enough.” He took the last step which brought him to her.

Sonya inhaled deeply. “It wasn’t until I saw you standing outside Marcail and Quinn’s chamber that I knew you would change my life. I had no idea then that you already had. When you are near I want to be with you. When you are gone, all I can think of is you.”

“Sonya…”

She raised her hand to quiet him. “Everything I had hoped for died when I saw Anice in your arms. Your grief made me believe you were in love with her.”