Gifted Thief (Highland Magic #1)(73)

‘Frankly, it’s a miracle I’m doing it at all.’ I rubbed my aching arse for good measure. ‘I don’t understand why anyone bothers with all this horse malarkey.’

Byron pulled up his reins, bringing the stallion to a halt. Barbie, of course, kept going. I twisted my head. ‘What are you doing?’

Byron’s eyes were fixed on my bum. ‘Curvy. You have some padding there.’ He scratched his chin. ‘It can’t be that sore.’

I glared at him. ‘Wanker.’ Was he deliberately trying to get a rise out of me?

There was the faintest grin. He nudged his horse forward again and gestured at the horizon. ‘Look at all that. Why wouldn’t anyone want to do this?’

I followed his finger. We were surrounded by undulating hills, each one cloaked in a myriad of colours, greens and browns and even purples. I focused on one distant patch of wild thistles. Even from here, the colour mimicked the aura around Byron’s head.

‘Okay,’ I conceded. ‘It’s pretty.’

He was watching me. ‘It’s more than pretty,’ he said quietly.

I sucked in my breath. One minute he was all snarly and the next minute he was flirtatious. I didn’t understand him at all.

‘I’m sorry I was so touchy yesterday,’ he continued. ‘You have an uncanny knack for winding me up.’

I shrugged. ‘Hey, I guess I have a gift after all.’

He still didn’t look away. ‘Whatever impression Tipsania might have given you, we’re not romantically involved. We’re just friends.’

I raised my eyebrows and thought of the necklace. ‘Perhaps you should tell her that.’

‘She knows.’

I wasn’t so sure about that.

‘I’m single, Integrity.’ His eyes glittered. ‘For now.’

There was a tight knot in the pit of my stomach. I cleared my throat and pointed at Barbie. ‘Aren’t you going to tell me what I’m doing wrong? It would be nice to be able to stand up when I get to the Foinse.’

For a moment he didn’t answer. I was about to repeat my words when he finally said, ‘Sure.’

Other than the mechanics of riding, he didn’t say anything else for a very long time.





Chapter Twenty One




It was around eleven when the path we were following began to narrow. Although I was more comfortable astride Barbie after Byron’s help, I could still feel tension across my neck and shoulders. Every time I turned round, either the Kincaids or the Darrochs were spitting silent venomous looks in my direction. Once the Foinse was fixed, I definitely wasn’t going to stick around to find out whether they would make a move on me. It might be paranoia but they certainly appeared to hate me enough to want to get rid of me for good after I’d served my purpose.

Forced into single file, we meandered down the valley. With our goal getting ever closer, everyone dropped into a meditative silence. Even Lily ceased her humming. I supposed it made sense; this was a pilgrimage that no one had completed for years because of the difficulty in getting together at least four different people from four different Clans to make it. For once, I wasn’t at a disadvantage; I didn’t think anyone knew what to expect.

The path gradually changed from worn dusty grass to sharp stones. The horses were forced to slow down and pick their way down carefully. It seemed to suit Barbie; for once she wasn’t at a disadvantage. As the sides of the valley grew narrower, however, I wondered if her wide girth would make it. I could feel claustrophobia setting in when the slopes at either side became so steep that the blue sky was nothing more than a strip above our heads.

We eventually emerged into a small circular clearing, deep within the hills. The cliffs were just as craggy and foreboding and the atmosphere remained oppressive. All the same, a wash of relief overtook me. It wouldn’t be long now.

The others jumped lithely off their horses. I stayed where I was. I wasn’t convinced that, even with Byron’s helpful advice, I’d be able to walk without bowed legs. I was going to take my time.

‘Look,’ Diana Darroch said softly, pointing ahead. ‘There it is.’

I frowned. ‘It’ was another gap in the landscape leading to another narrow passageway, almost identical to the one we’d just left. The only difference was that this one was even darker and even more of a tight squeeze. I eyed the gap then glanced at Barbie. There was no way she’d fit. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if I would fit.

Malcolm strode forward, halting right in front of it. He placed his palm flat against the air. That was when I saw what had really grabbed the attention of the others. There was a ripple in the air, almost like heat rising – but this was Scotland in October. It might be a sunny day but it was still damned cold.

As I watched, he pushed his hand further in. It was as if he was pressing against a vast, invisible force. He shivered and quickly withdrew.

‘We’re here,’ he announced. ‘I can feel it.’

My skin prickled and when I glanced down, I saw goosebumps on my arms.

‘We shall have to leave the horses here,’ Aifric said.

‘How far is it to the Foinse?’ I asked. If it was going to be a long hike, I wasn’t sure my aching muscles would make it without a hot bath and long massage first. I looked at Byron. Perhaps he could…