“Of course you did.” Duncan snorted under his breath. “You’re just ignoring your base instincts, that of a man intent on binding his chosen one to him. It’ll all become clear sooner or later.”
“I agree I’ve always been infatuated with her, but that is all.” A lie. He’d been far more than infatuated with her over the years. From that day he’d swum with her in the pool around to the ledge behind the waterfall, he’d sensed something tugging at his very heart. That hour they’d sat with their fingers interlocked had been the most precious hour of his life. Naught had ever felt so right than to have her sitting next to him, not that he’d ever admit that to Duncan right now when it would only feed his brother’s insistence that they were in fact mated.
“If she is your mate then the bond between you will surely deepen now you’ve spent such an intimate time together. Trust me. From the first moment I touched Ella in the way that lovers do, she was all I ever saw.”
“My future path is set no matter my infatuation with Fiona. Kyla may have stood between her and I afore this day, but now Elizabeth does. The MacRae’s daughter is an innocent lass and I proposed to her. I asked her to be my wife.” He’d never backed down on his word once given yet, and he never intended to. He might no longer be honor-bound to wed Kyla, but he was honor-bound to wed Elizabeth.
Up ahead, the steep cliff side trail ran down toward Ardan and he slowed his mount as a lone horse’s tracks in the trail up ahead seemed to halt then veer sharply into the woods.
He hauled his horse to a stop next to the clear hoof marks scored into the dusty ground and circled them.
Duncan pulled his mount in beside his, motioned with his head toward the forest. “The tracks dinnae continue on but instead cut away into the woods toward the village.
“Duncan!” A woman with glossy brown hair waved and galloped out from under the high arched gate. With pale blue breeches encasing her legs and a cream tunic peeking out from under the hem of her black riding jacket, she could be only one woman. Ella Matheson, his new sister.
His brother grinned from ear to ear beside him. Aye, definitely Ella.
“Gentlemen.” Smiling, Ella brought her horse in between his and Duncan’s destriers then reached across and cupped Duncan’s cheek. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, love.” Duncan caught her hand and brought her fingers to his lips. “Meet my brother, Coll.”
“Aye, ’tis clear to see you two are twins, although there is enough of a difference for me to easily tell you both apart.” She nodded at him, gripped her reins tighter and edged her mount closer. “’Tis lovely to meet you, Coll.”
“As it is to meet you.” He patted his war horse’s neck. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you, although I’ve been told we now have quite the journey ahead of us. Hamish, the seer here at Ardan, foresaw your arrival and bade me to join you afore you made it inside. He ‘saw’ that you’re searching for Fiona, although she’s already ridden on to the village and now treks through the forested hills toward Loch Alsh and her father. Hamish insisted I’d be needed on your coming trip, that we’re to make all haste and find her afore the midnight hour strikes this night.”
“Did Hamish say whether or no’ Fiona and Coll are mated?” Duncan narrowed his gaze on his wife.
“He wouldnae confirm or deny it, said only part of the journey in finding our chosen one belongs in the chase.” She switched her gaze back to him. “Coll, Hamish also mentioned you’re now betrothed to the Chief of MacRae’s daughter, that he ‘saw’ that as well within his vision.”
“Aye, I’ve signed a formal betrothal agreement with the MacRae and I’m set to wed Elizabeth at the end of this week.”
“Oh, well, that might pose a bit of a problem if you’re indeed mated to Fiona.” She squeezed his arm. “But one I’m sure you’ll handle considering our mated males always do.”
“I’m no’ mated to her.” He couldn’t keep the growl from his voice.
“I see.” She cast a look at Duncan. “Your brother is much like you.”
“You mean stubborn?”
“Aye, but he’ll fall quickly into line once we catch her up.” Chuckling, she patted the saddlebags strapped to her horse. “I’ve brought provisions in case this journey takes longer than we might hope for.”
“A wise move.” Duncan reached across and swung a satchel from Ella’s shoulders and hooked the straps over his own shoulders then gestured toward the trail. “Ladies first, my love.”
“Keep your gaze on the trail and no’ on me. If you fall from your saddle again, I’m no’ coming back to help you up.” She shoved her knees into her mount’s flanks and tore into the trees, her laugh floating back to them.
“Och, I’ll never live that fall down will I?” his brother yelled to her then galloped off in fast pursuit.
He slapped his destrier’s rear and bounded into the trees after Duncan. Find Fiona, he would, and afore the midnight hour struck this night. He’d always taken the fae seer’s advice to heart, and didn’t intend to ignore it now.