Highland Defiance

chapter Five



Adlin stalked through the forest, frustrated and aroused. How had he lived this long and not felt this way for a woman?

So many years had passed since he’d last seen her and though he knew her being here was inevitable, it still caught him off guard…that he could still want her so very much. With a low growl, he spun and walked in the opposite direction. Before he gave it too much thought, his eyes reached through the night and saw her walking toward the castle.

He should let her go. Whatever this was between them couldn’t be. He should let her go. Even as he turned away, Adlin slowed. Unfamiliar pressure squeezed his chest. How much time might pass before he saw her again? Years? Decades?

Not this time.

Stopping in the shadows he turned back and whispered into the wind, called her to him. He watched her stop and turn. Though she couldn’t see him, Mildred walked in his direction.

It was dangerous using magic like this around the MacLeods. Bruce knew magic and if Adlin wasn’t careful, he’d ruin everything he and Iosbail had worked so hard to achieve. Everything Iosbail had sacrificed so much for.

Nobody would follow Mildred into the dark woods, nobody without magi that is. And those without magi would never see her walking into the woods to begin with. Adlin was very good at what he did, with or without the help of the gods.

Mildred slowed within feet of him and confusion passed over her delicate features. Adlin released the magic and took her hand.

“Come,” he whispered.

Though he sensed a brief flicker of hesitation, she followed his lead. “Where did you go? One minute you were in the stall then you were gone. What’s happening here, Adlin?”

Instead of responding, he pulled her after him. What was happening here? Simple. He’d turned coward. Run from something he knew would change his life then decided against it. The truth of the matter was sometimes a man grew tired of playing it safe, even if he risked everything.

“This way,” he said softly and led her down a path that cut between two walls of mountain, twin cliffs. The way became rocky and uneven but he led her with sure foot. After all, he’d walked this path a thousand times in his dreams. Eventually, the walls narrowed then widened and a small, secluded nook of beach unraveled through the moonlit night.

“Ohhh,” Mildred murmured, her eyes wide.

Adlin couldn’t help but stare. Not at the glorious and angry Scottish sea but at the way the wind blew thick hair around her slim shoulders and down her narrow back. The full moon swelled overhead, dusting flecks of silver over the fine slopes of her all-too-familiar features.

She was absolutely breathtaking.

With a quick movement of his wrist, he summoned a fur cloak and wrapped it over her shoulders.

Her eyes flickered from the water to his face. “Why did you bring me here?”

What a loaded question. And one he intended to answer in full. “Because I owe you many answers, Mildred.” He brought a fur cloak over his own shoulders. “And I owe you memories.”

Startled by his honesty, she pulled her cloak tighter around her neck. “That sounds rather ominous.”

Adlin dragged his eyes from hers and looked out over the darkened North Sea. “Ours has been an unscheduled and much welcome interlude to what has been a very long life for me.”

“Obviously I don’t understand.” Mildred’s voice softened, “But as incredible as it seems, I now know that Iosbail is…” She cleared her voice, and continued. “A very distant relative of mine, frighteningly distant in fact.”

Adlin nodded but didn’t meet her eyes. Not quite yet. “Aye, she is. Iosbail has seen much in her life.”

“And you are her brother,” Mildred whispered. “What does that mean exactly?”

Instead of answering he asked, “How old were you when you first started dreaming about me, Mildred?”

“Young.Too young.”

“Tell me about your dream… nightmare.”

“You really don’t already know?”

Adlin turned to her but didn’t touch. “I know that you were on a cliff and being led by very bad men. I know that you eventually felt no fear.”

“What do you mean eventually? I never felt fear.”

“But you did, Mildred. You just don’t remember. That’s what it is when a child’s dreams become a woman’s. They change. Become something else.”

Her lower lip curled in and she shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“So young,” Adlin whispered and touched her cheek. “But have lived so many more memories than your age should allow.”

When her brows lowered in confusion he continued. “We’ve shared many dreams together, Mildred. However, your mind will only focus on the cliff. It’s plagued you for far too long, made you unable to see all the rest.”

She turned her cheek from his touch. “That sounds incredibly scary.”

Adlin sighed and pulled her to a nearby rock. “Sit with me.” When she hesitated he said, “Please.”

Mildred slowly sat. “I’m so overwhelmed.”

“I know. While my words will not likely help that, lass, I intend to give you answers. Help you cope a little. Let me begin by telling you that though this is the second time we’ve met in reality you traveled further back in time. The year is no longer 1050 but 1006.”

She blinked rapidly. “Oh my goodness!”

“Aye,” Adlin said. “I know ‘tis confusing. Time-travel is very much that way. And while the date is earlier I still remember you from the first time you traveled, my future, rather than now. ‘Tis the way of all things magi.”

She frowned. “So when you meet me for the first time in 1050 you won’t remember having seen me now?”

Adlin liked her quick wit. “Oddly enough, now that you’ve traveled to this time I most likely will. It’s somewhat a one-time-experience, if that makes sense.”

“Barely,” she murmured.

“I wish I could explain it better but things in my world dinnae often make sense to mortals.”

“Mortals,” Mildred mouthed silently, as if she was trying to taste the word on her tongue. Yet, the lass had a certain admirable resilience and acceptance about her that made her able to see things clearer than most. “That’d be me I suppose. But I must be some amazing sort of mortal to be caught up in this.”

Though she appeared unable to carry on with her train of thought at first, she speedily regrouped and quite logically said, “So I really did end up traveling back to the wrong time, that’s what you and Iosbail had meant.”

He nodded. “Aye. But that is the very least of it. I need you to listen and ken. I need you to know who I really am.”

She nodded but said nothing.

So he continued. “As you might have guessed, I’m much older than I look. Though born in Ireland to a king and a Druidess over five hundred years ago I never saw the land but was immediately sent to Scotland to be the first of the MacLomain Clan. My blood is that of the Vikings, my soul that of the Scots. With my ability to harness powerful magic came also the unexplainable inability to age beyond my mid-twenties.”

Mildred’s eyes were round as saucers. Her mouth hung open.

Adlin continued. “I have spent my life building my clan. By doing that I have fathered a few but ensured my clan intermarried with many. It has been my life’s goal to make Clan MacLomain into what is fast becoming the most powerful clan in Scotland. I’ve done this for several reasons, the most important being for their very safety in such a tumultuous time and land.”

Sliding his hand into hers, Adlin offered her comfort via both physical touch and magic. His touch would only sooth her nerves. He let silence rule while she gathered her thoughts.

Eventually she spoke and said the very last thing he expected. “I possess very little magic compared to the rest of my family.”

Adlin looked to the sea specifically because he quickly realized how much courage it’d taken her to say those words. He’d always known exactly how much power she possessed. And it had nothing to do with his feelings toward her. No, his feelings had nothing at all to do with what he’d always thought made up the very core of his being.

Magic.

What existed between he and Mildred was far more potent and impressive than mere magic.

It was love.

But how could he ever tell her that?

She’d never believe it.

Nor would he have before that first dream so many years ago.

Interesting how hard it was to know he had to tell her the truth… to show her the truth and risk it all. In a perfect world, she’d remember it all and come into his arms in relief. However, the world wasn’t perfect and twenty years were very few. In the end he knew it was all about fear on his part. Something he hadn’t felt in so very long.

And this type of fear made a man do selfish things.

Adlin turned to Mildred after she declared she had little magic and said, “If you have so little magic then why are you here?”

Mildred’s eyes barely met his. “There’s only ever one reason a Broun comes back in time, isn’t there?” Her eyes crawled to his, sad almost. “For their one true love.”

“Aye.” Adlin took her hands in his. “And does that frighten you, lass?”

“More than you could imagine,” she whispered. “Do you know why?”

He shook his head though he had a good idea.

Her eyes held his for several moments before she said, “Because you’re supposed to lead me to him yet here you sit with me on a secluded beach at the tip of the Highlands.” She paused for several, excruciatingly long seconds, then said, “Which leads me to believe that you will only be leading me to one man… you.”

Adlin was almost startled by the shiver that raked his body. Perhaps he’d underestimated her short years. Aye, she’d stated the obvious but her wide blue eyes hadn’t batted a lash. No, they’d been sure and direct, completely unafraid.

“Did it not occur to you that perhaps I brought you here to help soften the blow of what was to come? To prepare you for the man you were meant to be with?”

Why had he said that? Why did he suddenly try to push her away?

“Not in the least.” Mildred’s voice gained more confidence. “You’re far too old and powerful to have given into the need for a kiss back in the stall.”

The corner of his lip curled up in a half grin. He couldn’t help himself. “See what I mean about being arrogant?”

A half smile met her lips as well. “Guess you had a point.”

Shocked, he realized he suddenly felt like a teenager again. Such an emotion felt beyond foreign. The world felt lighter, everything he had to tell her far less pressing. How did she do that?

“Want to go for a swim?”

A chuckle escaped his chest. Had he really just asked that?

Mildred chuckled as well as if the heavy tension of their conversation had never existed, she said, “Absolutely not. It’s freezing out!”

“Is it?” With a savvy grin, Adlin did the last thing he knew he should be doing on MacLeod land and used a wee bit more magic. Warm air whooshed around them.

“Oh!” Mildred said.

“Downright tropical, aye?”

Her eyes turned merry when she pointed at the water. “Doubt that is.”

“Hmm.” Adlin stood and removed his fur cloak. “Guess we’ll just have to find out.”

A nervous giggle erupted from her as he stripped down and ran into the choppy water. Ballocks, it was cold. At least for now. It wouldn’t be by the time she reached it. In fact, he’d have to use a bit of magic to get them in and out of these waves safely.

Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.

When he turned all good reason fled.

Surprisingly enough, Mildred had all but stripped down and was wading into the rough turf. Her curves were pronounced in the moonlight, breasts high and firm, and waist tiny, leg’s long and athletic.

His mouth went dry.

Let the whole of the MacLeod clan come down on him in one fell swoop if it meant seeing her this way for a few more precious minutes. Sweeps of thick hair were already damp with sea spray as she worked to gain her balance. Another long ripple of laughter escaped her full lips.

What a bloody fantastic sight!

With a few sturdy jumps he was close enough to catch her hand and a good eyeful of her chilled and very erect nipples, dark against the sheer white chemise she’d opted to keep wearing.

Determined, he pulled her close where the water would be warmed by his magic, and steered her beyond the crash of the waves. Wobbly, she held on and allowed his lead. Apparently, she enjoyed a good adventure.

Or was desperate for a little escape.

Either way, it worked and as they traveled a bit further out, he too was able to release heavy thoughts and obligations and… have fun?

Laughing together, they crested the last of the overly turbulent water which put him above waist deep and her to the chest. Conveniently enough that meant she had to depend on him to keep her from rolling back in on the tide. The wind whipped up around them but as he’d done to the water he did to the air and she felt only warmth.

“This is crazy,” she said on an errant breath. “You’re crazy!”

“Aye, lass.” He smiled and came around her backside so that he could hold her more securely. With one strong arm wrapped around her midriff he rested his cheek close to hers and said, “I’ve got you now.”

As he intended his words caused a tremor to roll through her body. Call it arrogant but he knew it had nothing to do with the elements. Her back molded to his front, her rear-end nestled against his interested cock.

No wave was going to separate this position. Not if he had any say.

Though Mildred relaxed, her breathing spoke of a woman well aware of the man at her back. No, her years on this Earth did not match what roiled and fluctuated within this woman, absolute maturity and strong yearning.

Had the gods known all along?

Had he?

A small sound sputtered over her lips and she giggled once more as good ol’ fashioned Scottish sea water dripped down her chin. Adlin had never heard or seen anything more sensual and instinctually ground his hips forward. Mildred gasped but didn’t pull away. Instead, her arms folded over his as he continued to anchor her.

Neither said anything for several minutes but fell into the lull and pull of the water at this depth. Unusually strong it took magic for him to hold them in place. Highland water was not a meek mistress.

“I want to hear more.”

Mildred had spoken so softly that he’d barely heard it. Adlin closed his eyes and leaned his head against hers. Why now? Things were so perfect as they were.

“Adlin,” she whispered. “Please.”

“Aye.”But nay. Still. He’d said he would. “I first dreamt of you the day you were born.”

There was no jerking motion or tenseness of her body, only patience. Relieved by her response he continued, “You were not the first. There have been many.”

That made her tense but he tightened his hold and rubbed his cheek against hers. “Men and women both. I was made to watch over many, to help guide their lives. I thought you were just another.”

Mildred remained still, waited.

Adlin brought his other arm around her. “Shortly after I watch people born I’m given direction and I help assist them to where they’re meant to go. Or at least that’s how it’s always seemed.”

“Who gives you direction?”

“The earth, the gods… the God.”

“You believe in God?”

“Aye, of course.”

This made her relax so he continued. “With you it was different. You never left me… my visions, dreams.”

“I bet you say that to all the girls.”

Adlin didn’t laugh, nor did Mildred.

“You were around ten when I realized that…” Adlin frowned then continued. “When I realized that you were here for me.”

Silence.

He wanted to read her thoughts but didn’t. This moment was hers. In fact, all were. To see inside her mind as he could most people seemed an invasion of privacy. That alone told him so much.

So he said, “Please know that I dinnae mean to frighten you. This… you… is something I’ve never experienced. You, your soul, remains as new to me as mine is to yours.”

More silence, too much silence.

It upset him. All his life he’d been patient with everyone now this mere slip of a girl was making him wait longer. Fully aroused and unbelievably out of character, he tightened his hold and ran his lips along the edge of her smooth, damp jaw.

Inch by inch, he ran his lips down toward the edge of her lips only to notice that they were quivering. Before he—with five hundred years of wizardly knowledge under his belt—knew what was coming she reached around and turned not only her lips to his but her entire body until her front meshed against his.

He growled with need, cupped her arse and pulled up, meeting the swift rise of her legs as they wrapped around him. Lips sweet with sea water crushed against his. Their tongues swooped and crashed more thoroughly than the consuming, eager ocean that cocooned them.

“Bloody hell,” he murmured into her mouth.

Unlike Mildred, he was without clothing and his member struggled against her warm belly like an anxious serpent desperate for a deep, clenching mystery. For all her youth, her lithe body seemed to have an excellent grasp of the male anatomy. Her legs tried to climb his torso and her lips molded to his with the talent of a sensual sea siren.

Before he understood what he was doing, Adlin shoved through the waves and turf and had her pinned beneath him on the less-than-smooth Scottish shore. Would this woman never stop pulling dangerous magic from him? It mattered little as he clasped her hands and dragged her arms above her head.

They still had so much to talk about. So much he needed to tell her. When a tiny, little whimper of pleasure fell from her parted lips, Adlin didn’t give a bloody hell about anything anymore but getting as deep inside her as possible. With a sharp tug he pulled down the front of her clingy, wet, white garment and wrapped his lips around an eager nipple. Arching in pleasure, she cried out.

He almost burst with release.

Forget magic. Shoving this flimsy thing up her wet thighs and settling in for the plunge seemed so much sweeter an idea.

Adlin! Trouble!

Startled by the sound of Iosbail’s voice in his head, he stopped. Disabled by a raging erection he pulled on even more magic, grabbed Mildred under her arms and moved at the speed that would have had her screaming had he not covered her mouth.

Within seconds they were wedged into a small cave in the side of the cliff, his hand hard on her mouth, his body pressed tight cushioning her against the frigid rock. No more magic now. Mildred’s eyes were wide and frightened. He shook his head and tried to warm her against the sheer, frigid wind blowing in from the north.

Within minutes they’d both enter into hypothermia.

But they had bigger problems.

“Scan the area well. She’s vanished. So has that bastard, Adlin!”

Bruce.

Adlin cursed himself a thousand times over for the danger he’d put them in, nevermind his sister. Iosbail would be damned lucky if that message she’d sent him mentally wasn’t detected.

Hell.

For the first time in his long existence, Adlin felt true fear.

He didn’t much like it.

Bruce’s men fanned out but found nothing. Still, their laird was less than convinced. Adlin watched as the MacLeod chieftain walked to the very spot he’d walked Mildred out of the water, as if he sensed what had happened there. Face to the wind, Bruce seemed to sniff the wind, his eyes narrowed as they swept the landscape.

Adlin sent a prayer to his new God for protection.

This would be a slim escape if one at all.

Mildred’s body shook harder against his and he did all he could to protect her.

When Bruce’s head turned in their direction he thought they were done for. He held his breath, ready to summon all the power he had.

Long, tense seconds passed.

As Bruce’s eyes peered into the darkness, wind whipped up, strong and sure. A sudden storm rolled in, impatient and angry, its turbulent intent wicked and twisting. The tide began to push forward at an alarming rate, creating vicious, white-tipped waves within a minute.

This storm was not born of magic.

No, it was born of the old gods.

Adlin never stopped watching Bruce as the water started to rush past their feet. And it seemed Bruce never stopped watching him either.

“My laird, we must go!”

The cry came from one of his men. Bruce, already knee deep, continued to stare. Adlin, already knee deep, did the same. Oddly enough, in that singular moment, Adlin wondered if his new God would make an appearance or would it always be the old gods who came to his rescue?

Even though he knew it a silly thought, aggravation reigned.

Mildred shook, her head buried against his chest. The waves now lapped at their thighs. Still, the MacLeod laird stared. But Adlin knew though Bruce searched, he didn’t see. Not really. Not yet.

“My laird, now!”

With a mad scowl, Bruce waded out of the water, gave the coast one last miserable sweep with his brooding eyes then followed his clansmen off the beach. Adlin waited several minutes until he knew they were gone.

But even that was too long for Mildred. Her frigid body went limp in his arms. If magic was an option right now he’d have her to Iosbail’s chambers in a second. Regrettably, it wasn’t and her core body temperature had fallen dangerously low. Regardless of his fear, five hundred years of life taught a lad a few things. Grabbing her around the midriff he dragged her out of the cave and onto the shore.

Once he had her onto a dry piece of land he took her face in one hand and said, “Mildred, wake up, now.”

Totally unresponsive, he lowered and leaned her against a rock. Supporting her back, he shook her face a little. “Mildred, listen to me, now!”

A few muscles jerked in her arms and her cheek twitched. “No, Jim.”

Adlin rocked back and stared. Jim?

But he already knew who Jim Seavey was. Her friend from New Hampshire. Her friend from back home. That she mentioned Jim now told Adlin much. Jaw clenched, he shook his head.

Saving Mildred was so very important.

Adlin glanced around. He had nothing to warm her with and couldn’t use magic to create something.

Unless.

He laid her gently against the rock face, then ran over and scooped up his dry clothes. Bless the gods they’d been blown back by the wind after he undressed. Her clothes were nowhere to be seen. Their fur cloaks were gone. He quickly stripped off her wet garment and pulled his tunic over her head. Once he had that in place he wrapped her lower half in his tartan.

He’d have to remain nude.

The next trick was to give her body some sort of exercise and get it out of this blasted, Highland wind. Lifting her under the arms, he hoisted her up against the rock, then flung her over his shoulder. Forty steps later, he had her around the first bend up the pathway. Bruce and his men were long gone, driven away by the weather.

Adlin would like to say he was surprised to see Bruce gave in so easily but in truth, the laird had a warm castle to return to and even warmer women. His attention span had always been notoriously haphazard. Here’s hoping that didn’t change now.

Eventually he lowered her and leaned her against the rock wall. “Mildred, are you awake?”

Her eyes lolled. “Mmm hmm.”

Adlin crouched and ran his hands over her arms rapidly then cupped her cheeks. “Mildred, I need you to look at me.”

“I know,” she whispered, drowsy eyes tried to focus.

“Do you?” he said sternly and shook her head a little. “You have to stay awake while I get you back to the castle, Mildred. If not, you’ll die.”

“Mmm hmm,” she murmured and closed her eyes.

He slapped her cheek.

“Ouch!”

“That’s right,” he responded. “I slapped you and will do so all the way.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “No, Adlin.”

Good, she said his name.

With a quick lurch forward, he gently scooped her up again, this time in his arms. She grunted and flailed slightly. As he climbed the path, Adlin kept to the shadows. At long last, he made his way into the back of the stables. Laying her down, he again took her head between his hands and whispered, “Mildred, are you awake?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Good girl. But he knew she was only half awake and time was limited. Moving quickly, he snuck into the nearest stall and made his way down to his horse. He grabbed another tartan from his pack, wrapped it around his body and returned to Mildred.

Only to find her gone.