MacLeod withdrew his own sword and advanced. “To the first who yields goes defeat.”
“Aye, that shall be you.” Alex strode into the center of the yard.
Cheers sounded from his men and MacLeod’s. They formed a solid circle around them.
Alex eyed MacLeod’s stance as he softened his footing in preparation to attack.
They circled each other, MacLeod matching him in height and breadth. Good. An even match. He enjoyed nothing more than battling an adversary such as this. “When you’re—”
“I’m always ready, MacDonald.” MacLeod struck and Alex blocked. Their weapons clashed dead center, steel ringing loud against steel. “Best you never forget that.”
“Then dinnae hold back on my account.” He came at MacLeod, landed several hard blows one after the other.
“You favor your right.” MacLeod twirled then attacked on his left, each hit stronger than the last.
He would fight, for Anne, for him, for their future together. Rory MacLeod would be the first to yield, because he never would. “Aye, but I can bide my time until you tire with such play.”
MacLeod grunted. “Strong words.”
“More like accurate.” Alex switched their positions. He sprang forward and caught MacLeod on his left. Battle lust rode him hard. The itch to kill throbbed through his blood. “Let’s battle.”
“You’re an admirable opponent, MacDonald.” MacLeod’s gaze flashed with determination. “But I’m bred from Vikings. We never concede defeat.”
“You will this day.”
“Alex!” Margaret raced out the door of the keep. “Mary has asked for you. ’Tis urgent.”
He swung his claymore down on MacLeod’s blade, every muscle in his body on fire with rage. Mother no doubt watched from her window. “Tell her I’ll be up shortly.”
Margaret stood at the edge of the circle, one hand pressed to her chest. “I’ll tell her no such thing. Rory, this fight must end. The MacDonalds are our guests.”
MacLeod smirked at his sister. “’Tis no’ a fight. We are enjoying the sunshine and fresh air while partaking in exercise.”
“Dinnae you try to wheedle your way out of this.” She ran to the central well, heaved up a bucket of water then marched toward them.
“Lass, dinnae even think—”
She tossed cold water at them, and it washed away the fury that had consumed Alex.
MacLeod slipped then righted himself with a chuckle. “Sister, that was wasteful.”
She stepped between them, eyeing her brother. “No more of your training. ’Tis getting late and the kitchen staff stand ogling you two instead of tending to this eve’s meal. You may train again in the morn.”
MacLeod leaned in and tweaked Margaret’s nose. “Aye, you may have your way this one time.”
Alex dipped his head respectfully toward Margaret. “Excuse me while I go and see my mother.”
“Thank you.” Huffing, she planted her hands on her hips. “Sorry to have wet you. Mary will greatly appreciate your visit.”
Sheathing his claymore, he backed away. Booming their congratulations, his men surrounded him. Had Margaret not intervened he would have won that round with MacLeod, but maybe ’twas best she had. They were guests, of which he currently needed to remain. He had to keep his head.
James gripped his shoulder. “We need to speak.”
“About?” He moved out of the others’ hearing range.
“While you fought, and MacLeod’s men were so engrossed, Alan and I searched for the Fairy Flag. It seemed logical for MacLeod to keep his talisman close, very close.”
“You searched the Fairy Tower?”
“Aye, and the old keep, but we’ve found naught so far. If the flag exists, ’tis kept securely hidden.”
“It exists.” Anne would not have been taken from him without its magic. “Continue with your search. Take every opportunity you can to find that flag.”
He would get Anne back and he wouldn’t rest until he did.
She was his, heart, body and soul.
For all time, not just the past.
Chapter 10
“How do those machines fly so high?” Annie gripped the railing of the glass viewing room at Auckland’s international airport. “’Tis a miracle for sure when they appear so large and cumbersome.”
Smiling, Anne rested her head against Annie’s shoulder. Her ancestor’s curiosity knew no bounds. Keeping up with her barrage of questions over the past two days had been both exhausting and comforting. Her enthusiasm for this time at least distracted her constant thoughts of Alex. “They run on fuel and with very large engines.”
“Which one will Morainne and Tor be on?”
“You can’t see it yet, but their plane will be here soon.” Thank goodness she’d been able to reach Donald and William the morning after she’d arrived. Being able to tell them she’d traveled through time again and was now with Annie, had eased some of her worry.
Donald had passed the phone to Dad. He’d demanded she not disappear again, his voice and hers breaking as they spoke.
“I’m sso sorry, Dad.”
“I know, honey. We miss you. Don’t go anywhere.”