Highlander's Guardian (14 page)

“Thank you.” She stepped in beside Rory. “Show me what to do, cousin.”

“Set your feet apart and prepare the arrow.”

“Like this?” She eased her right foot slightly in front of the left then slid the arrow into the notch. “Do I aim for the moss?”

“Aye, and the arrow needs to arch afore hitting its target, so allow for a higher degree of aim.” He guided her hands to the right angle. “That should do.”

There wasn’t a chance she’d hit the target, not when her arrow was directed right at Hugh’s head. She barely held back her giggle. “I see.”

Hugh gritted his teeth.

“Nay, Rory. I think her aim is too high for this distance.” Colin nudged Rory out of the way and with his arms around her from behind, pushed the tip of her arrow lower. “There, that’s better.”

She smothered her gasp. Now her arrow was on a direct target for Hugh’s crotch.

“I cannae believe I’m about to get shot by a woman,” Hugh grumbled as he squeezed his legs together.

“You willnae if she can maintain her focus,” Colin admonished.

“Well, I’m very tired since I was forced to ride through the night, so my focus isnae quite what it should be.” She placed her cheek to the side of the arrow as she pulled the bowstring back. At the last moment, she lifted the arrow tip and let it go. It flew free and arched perfectly as it sailed.

Hugh slammed his eyes shut, and she bounced onto her toes as she followed the arrow’s path. The shaft speared the moss dead center.

“You have too much of a conscience,” Colin grumbled as he strode to his horse and unstrapped his bow from his saddlebags. He returned to her side and readied his bow. “Let me show you how to take the perfect shot, scamp.”

“Let’s make that a double-perfect shot.” Rory smiled as he stood next to Colin and took his position, his bow raised as they both lined up their sights. “Retribution can be sweet.”

Colin’s arrow sailed free first and thumped into the small V of wood between Hugh’s legs, then a second later, Rory’s arrow struck a hair’s breadth above Hugh’s head.

The warrior groaned. “Death may have been more kind than this torture.”

“Death is too easy for you.” Colin tapped his bottom lip as if considering where next to aim. After pulling another arrow from his pouch, he set it in place then released his shaft. It flew and splintered Rory’s arrow in two.

“Nice.” Rory readied for another strike. “Allow me to return the favor.”

“Please do.”

Rory’s arrow speared Colin’s shaft and Hugh hissed in pain. “Have mercy. A man needs his balls.”

“Ah, but if you didnae have them, I’d be a happier man.” Colin prepared his next shot. “As yet I’ve no’ heard you apologize to my wife. ’Tis what I’m waiting for.”

“Aye, I meant to.” Hugh glanced at her. “My lady, I never should have taken you from your kin. Please, would you forgive me?”

“Your actions will never be forgiven.” She rubbed her cheek against Colin’s arm. “Not when you raised a sword against my husband.”

“Good answer, scamp.” Colin released his arrow. It landed a whisper from Hugh’s ear with a thunk.

Rory tossed Colin another arrow. “I’d like to see you match that on the other side.”

“W-wait.” Hugh gulped in a breath. “I give you my word I’ll never attempt such a misdeed again, no’ against any woman.”

“That’s better, much better.” Colin handed Rory back his arrow. “Excuse me. I have to feed my wife. Feel free to continue without me.” He steered Annie toward the fire and spread out a tartan blanket one of the warriors had left there.

She sat and breathed in the succulent meaty aroma wafting toward her as across the river, the sun rose higher over the treetops and bathed them in its late autumn warmth. ’Twas beautiful this part of Scotland, but she missed the Western Isles, the crashing of the ocean’s waves, the squawking seagulls, and children’s giggles as they played along the beach. The isles were stunning with their glistening lochs and bens and moors.

Colin settled in behind her, his legs either side of hers. “What are you thinking that has that wistful look on your face?”

“I long for home.”

“Soon, but no’ yet.” He tugged her back until she rested against his chest. Gently, he twined a lock of her hair around his finger, his warmth fully enclosing her. “You have the most beautiful hair. ’Tis so pale it shines like liquid gold.”

“It does?”

“Aye, and I want to see it lying across my pillow every night.” He selected one of the sticks of meat, tore off a chunk and slipped the morsel between her lips.

“That could be arranged.” She plucked a piece of meat from the skewer and fed him.

In silence they ate as the other warriors wandered across and grabbed some food. A few men remained close to the fire and others strolled down to the stream.

Near the horses, Rory stowed his bow and arrow then ambled across. He perched on a low boulder after choosing a skewer and glanced at her. “We’ll need to leave soon. Do you feel up to the ride?”

“Aye, I’m fine, and I dinnae care to leave Elizabeth worrying for too long.”

“Then we’ll leave once we’ve eaten.”

Colin slid her hair over her shoulder and dropped a soft kiss on her neck.

Frowning, Rory eyed Colin and she eased across and blocked his view of her man.

Rory tapped his foot. “Annie, Colin can fight his own battles.”

“Aye, but my wife is too protective by far,” Colin rumbled over the top of her head.

“If I’m too protective, ’tis for a very good reason.” She nodded at Rory. “You’ve looked after me for three years and for that I’ll be forever grateful, but I’ve chosen the man I wish to spend my life with.”

“Aye, so I’ve seen, although you’ll always have my protection, whether you ask for it or no’.” Rory chewed his meat. “You are more than a cousin to me. You are a sister in many ways.”

She touched her heart. “And I consider you my brother.”

“Sisters can also be rather annoying.” A sly grin spread across his face as he stood. “Let’s leave. ’Tis time to ride out.” He kicked dirt over the fire and extinguished it, his decision to accept their relationship clearly made.

“Well, that went far better than I expected.” She jumped to her feet and grasped Colin’s hands. “I dinnae know what you were so worried about in speaking to Rory.”

“Aye,” he chuckled. “I’ve no idea.” He stood and adjusted the front ties of her fur cloak, ensuring it was well secured for the ride.

Across the meadow, two MacLeod warriors slung Hugh and Fergus belly-down across their mounts’ saddles. Their return ride wouldn’t be pleasant, but at least they had their lives.

She crossed to Colin’s destrier and he boosted her up then slid in behind her. With his arms around her waist, he grasped the reins and nudged his horse to follow the rest of their party.

With her hands on his black leather clad thighs, she relaxed into the ride as they galloped through the forest and across the grassy moors. Birds chirped high above the rolling fields of heather, and she smiled as Colin sang a gentle tune. ’Twas a Scottish song of bens and burns and of the hearth and home, one she knew well. “It’s been an age since I’ve heard that. My mother used to sing it all the time when she pottered around her kitchen.”

“That’s where I learnt it.” He rubbed his chin over the top of her head.

“I remember those days as if they were yesterday. You used to sit at the table next to your mother when you visited. You’d no’ move until the oatcakes had cooled, then you’d pinch the biggest one afore I could get my hands on it.”

“You didnae need the biggest one when you were so little,” he whispered in her ear.

“And you were too big to argue the point with.”

“I still am.”

“Aye, but I like how big you are now.” She half-turned and grinned at him. The wind whipped his dark shoulder-length hair behind him, the blond tipped ends adding a rakish look she completely adored. “Hopefully you willnae argue with me quite so often anymore.”

“I highly doubt that, unless you suddenly learn how to follow my orders.”

“Orders can be wearying.” She yawned and patted her mouth. The long hours of riding through the night had caught up with her and she was so comfortable.

“Rest if you need to.”

“Nay, I wish to talk with you some more.” Still, she closed her eyes and snuggled against him. Calm descended and she slowly drifted, the man she loved at her back and the future she’d always longed for within her reach.

He was the air she breathed and the man she lived for.

* * * *

Holding Annie safe and close in his arms brought such peace to Colin’s soul. The destination he rode toward though did not. He too would have preferred to continue on to Mull, but that option wasn’t possible with Ian and Murdock still awaiting his arrival at the faerie stones.

Night descended, the sun dipping below the horizon and sending a final flare of red across the sky. It bathed the palace in a fiery glow as they neared.

Annie stirred, blinked her eyes open and smiled at him. “We’re back already?”

“Aye.” He trotted through Holyrood’s gates and pulled his horse to a stop outside the stables. “You clearly needed the rest.”

“Annie!” Elizabeth hurried across the courtyard in a flurry of forest green skirts, the loose wisps of her auburn hair having escaped her high top knot fluttering around her face.

He dismounted and swung Annie down beside him. “I will see you inside, soon. Go with your aunt.”

“Are you sure?”

“That’s an order.”

“All right. Be careful.” She kissed his cheek then raced toward her aunt. The two women embraced with an excited squeal then Elizabeth steered Annie inside.

He handed his horse’s reins to the stable hand as across the bailey, the captain of the king’s guard strode toward them in his finely cut uniform.

The man tugged the dark cuffs of his coat as he passed his narrowed gaze over the restrained MacDonalds still slung over their saddles. He stopped in front of him and Rory. “’Tis good to see you’ve captured the men who kidnapped your ward, although there is only two. What happened to the rest of the MacDonald warriors?”

“They refused to submit in battle, and ’twas either their lives or ours.” Rory motioned toward Hugh and Fergus. “I’d appreciate it if you ensured they remain in your cells until the king decides their fate.”

“I’ll see to it immediately.” The captain gestured for one of his men to take the MacDonalds. “Unfortunately the king left no’ long after you did. There’s unrest at the borders that demanded his immediate attention.”

“What of the three chiefs?” Rory asked. “Has the king concluded his negotiations with Lachlan MacLean and Donald and Angus MacDonald?”

“I’m afraid those talks have gone on hold until the king returns.”

“Is Lachlan still in the tower?” Colin asked the king’s captain.

“He now resides in a locked chamber in the main palace, although under heavy guard as the MacDonalds do.” His gaze narrowed. “Are you aware an attempt to free your chief was made at midnight during the ball’s unmasking?”

“My ward was abducted around that time and I was rather busy riding across the country.”

“Three of the tower guardsmen were disabled with spiked ale a maid brought them.” He palmed the hilt of his sword, suspicion clouding his gaze. “The remaining guard identified the assailants as Malcolm and Munroe MacLean. Do you know of them?”

“I’ve no’ seen them since I left Duart. I wasnae even aware they’d traveled to Edinburgh.”

“The gate guardsmen also confirmed two warriors wearing MacLean plaids rode out no’ long after midnight, mayhap a half hour afore you and your party did.”

“Then that must have been the culprits.” Ian and Murdock had done their job in diverting suspicion from him and Arthur. Thank heavens.

Arms crossed, Rory glared at the captain. “Colin was also with me at the time of the unmasking, right afore we spent the rest of the night chasing Hugh MacDonald.”

“Then I apologize, but of course I had to ask.” The captain nodded at them both. “I wouldnae be doing my duty otherwise.”

“Then you’ve asked, but now allow us on our way.” Rory slanted his head. “Unless you have other urgent business you need to speak of.”

“There is none. I bid you both a good night.” The captain joined his guardsman and together they both hauled Hugh and Fergus away.

“Thank you.” Colin clapped Rory on the back.

“I cannae have you behind bars. That would cause Annie distress, something I’d never tolerate.” He clasped Colin’s forearms. “Look after her. She holds a special place in my heart, just as her parents did.”

“I give you my word that I’ll guard her with my life.”

“Then I’ll also have your promise you’ll bring her home to Dunvegan for the Twelfth Night and Yule celebrations. Elizabeth and my sister will never forgive me if she’s no’ there.”

“We’ll come.” He grinned and stepped back. “Rest well, Rory.”

“Aye, you too.”

He would only rest once Annie was back in his arms.

Hurrying, he collected his belongings from his chamber and strode to Annie’s room. ’Twas time to court his wife, and make her his in every way.