“Ivor!” Duncan hailed the man over and the Viking joined him. Gripping the man’s shoulder, Duncan asked, “Did you find aught?”
“We tramped to the village at the tip of Loch Ainort, spoke to a lad who said no fog had descended on them. The boy had caught sight of a vessel out on the water during the night, one holding six or seven men. It sailed on down Loch na Cairidh toward the Isle of Scalpay. Once we learnt of this, we turned and tramped back.”
“That’ll be Gavin MacDonald for sure. We’ll break our fast and sail directly to Scalpay, see if we can spy him there. The others willnae be far away so break your fast now afore we leave.”
“How does the lass fare this morn?” Ivor glanced her way, worry swirling within his striking green eyes.
“She fares far better than she did last eve, although has declared one of my men tossed her overboard, right afore apologizing to do so. Keep a listening ear out for any dissension amongst the ranks. I dinnae believe one of my men would ever harm her, but should that no’ be the case, then I’ll have that man’s head for what he’s done.”
“Aye, my laird. I’ll keep out a listening ear.”
“Good.” Duncan walked away from Ivor and crouched next to the fire. He tore some of the cooked fish free and ate as he eyed her.
A standoff. She could handle such from him.
Another team of men returned with plucked geese swinging from their hands and they skewered the meat onto sturdy sticks and propped it over a rack to cook.
“You appear hearty and hale this morn, a welcoming sight for certain.” Smiling, Hamish dropped in beside her, having appeared right out of the woods. “Is all well?”
“Aye, I’m much better, although I wouldnae mind getting my voice fully back.” Whispering all the time wore on her.
Leaning closer, he murmured, “Your ability to compel shall come and go this day, then be far more reliant by this eve.” A knowing glimmer flickered in his gaze. “Give Duncan some time. He’s no’ yet ready to accept you and your bond.”
“You’ve seen that what I’ve said is true?”
“Glimpses here and there, but enough to confirm you two are in fact soul bound.” He patted her leg, this fae-blooded seer now possibly her greatest ally. “I’ll do what I can to aid you in your mission with him.”
“More so I’d rather have your aid in another matter. I was tossed overboard last eve, didnae fall at all. The man apologized first, clearly fears me and what I can do. Did you see aught?”
“Nay, and like most fae seers, I dinnae always see all.”
“I understand.” ’Twas the same for Nessa, the seer within their village. She tucked the rest of her belongings away in her satchel, pushed to her feet and nodded at Hamish. “Do excuse me.”
“Of course.” He nodded and headed across to the fire, plucked some meat from one skewer and leaned against a tree to eat.
Time for her to go. She walked down toward the shoreline where her skiff sat beached on the sand near the galley.
“Ella.” Duncan stormed after her. “Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving, as we discussed.”
“Nay, you’ll be staying, as we discussed.”
She rested one hand on his chest. “I need to continue my search for Gavin, although I can no longer remain on board your vessel to do so. Our time to part has come.” Aye, her mate would continue to deny their bond unless she perhaps forced him to see the truth. Their coming separation would aid him with that, as well as ensure her safety by distancing herself from the warrior who’d thought to do her harm. She stepped away, tossed her bag on board the skiff and shoved her boat into the water.
“You cannae leave.” He grasped her arms.
“I can and I am.” She cleared her throat, pushed harder with her voice to raise it higher and prayed her compelling tone would come forth. “You will allow me to leave without any hinder.” Her voice rang with authority, with an unmistakably hypnotic demand. Thank goodness. “I will always be an annoyance to you, until you choose to see the truth about our bond and accept it.”
His blue eyes clouded over under her compulsion, one he couldn’t fight.
“Close your eyes, Duncan, then count to one-hundred, nice and slow, and once you’re done you may open your eyes again.” His long lashes fluttered down and carefully, she slid her arms free of his tight grip, kissed his cheek and murmured, “I wish you a safe journey. You may begin the count.”
“One, two, three...” Hands fisted at his sides, he rocked where he stood, the burnished hilt of his massive two-handed claymore glinting at his side.
She shoved her skiff deeper into the water, clambered on board and with the oars in hand, rowed from the center seat. Once she’d cleared the surf, she raised the sail and took one last look at her chosen one still standing on the beach, his eyes closed and teeth gritted.
Hopefully, he’d forgive her for what she’d just done, would come to his senses afore too long as well. Aye, leaving him right now was her only option, no matter doing so pained her to the very depths of her soul.
Chapter 4