Highlander Enchanted(35)

“My seillie doona run a household and they doona fight,” he said. “As their laird, I will decide when I must, no sooner.”

His firm response troubled her. That he had to think about what to do was a bad omen for the MacDonald’s, who would surely be cast out if the choice came down to Cade’s kin or theirs.

Cade faced her. “Ye’ve not slept,” he observed, focusing on her features once more.

“There is much to do,” she replied.

“We will survive until ye’ve rested.”

She craned her head back to meet his gaze. No part of her wanted to move, not when his woodsy scent was as soothing as the harp music drifting down the hall. His features were more savage than usual with several days growth of a beard shadowing his jaw.

Why did she cease thinking clearly whenever this barbarian was around?

“I must prepare for the day,” she said, blinking out of his spell.

“And it will wait.” He said and bent. He scooped her up in his arms as he had in the forest.

Isabel started to object but was unable to piece together more than two words. Fire raced through her at his touch, and his strength mesmerized her with how easily he carried her, as if she held no weight at all. From this angle, he appeared more savage than usual, and this touched the feminine side of her that had dreamt – however sinfully – of how it would be to be loved by him. His ferocity and loyalty to his family were beyond any she had ever seen.

His magic … she looked away from his strong features, not at all welcoming of the reminder of how different he truly was. Fianna’s explanation of him being half-seillie did not help her stomach the thought of magic any better.

“Ye’ve healed well,” he said, glancing down at her.

“Thank you. Marie was very gracious.”

“I ‘ave storms planned fer the next three days.”

She started to laugh and caught herself, baffled by his ability to manipulate the weather. “Why would you do that?” she asked in frustration.

A shadow crossed his features. She could almost hear thunder rumbling in the distance. “Because I must,” he said at last. His words were clipped, as if he were as doubtful as she was as to whether or not he should obey his magic.

Her cheeks warm, Isabel said nothing as they walked to the second floor. He lowered her to the ground before a bedchamber.

“This is Niall’s. He is away,” he said and released her.

She caught his scent again, forest and man, and breathed it in, embarrassed to realize he was waiting for her to respond.

“I will not marry you.” Where the words came from, her tired mind did not know.

A spark of something lit in Cade’s gaze. “I willna allow ye t’leave with Richard.”

“It is not your choice.”

“Ye ferget yerself, Lady Isabel. This isna yer keep,” he warned. “I am laird here.”

“I will not answer to you or Richard.” She turned and started to open the door.

Cade gripped the door, preventing it from moving. His nearness sent heat and awareness through her, and she instinctively hunched her shoulders.

“I couldna save yer brother. I can save ye,” he said in a low, gruff voice.

“What do you mean?” She faced him. “Save him? Did you not kill him?”

He studied her. “I should no’ ‘ave said it.” Abruptly, he was closed off from her once more. He released the door and backed away. “Rest. We willna starve before ye awaken.”

I am not so sure, she thought absently. She dwelt on his statement about her brother. As before, she sensed there was so much more that Cade was not saying about what happened in the Crusades.

She waited until he had disappeared around a corner and opened the door, closing and barring it behind her.

Every interaction with the man left her addled. She wanted to blame him for her life. But the moment his eyes fell to her, she became weak of will. Too weak to kill him when she had the chance, too curious and fearful to want to leave before she knew for certain what had befallen her brother.

Her stomach growled. Isabel wearily tugged off her gown and went to splash her face with water before settling into bed. The lighter the sky outside her window became, the heavier it began to rain.

She marveled at the sheets of water falling from the grey sky. That anyone could control the clouds was astounding. That someone did it for her sake …

Laird Cade did nothing but vex her.





Chapter Thirteen


Slaying his demons at the lists was becoming a routine duty he undertook every night. Four days after the arrival of the MacDonald’s, Cade was close to snapping with the amount of people around him at every moment of the day. Another messenger from Laird Duncan had arrived and been thralled, but his decision would have to be made soon.

He sensed someone approach, safe from the rain beneath the eaves of the keep, but did not dare stop when his moods were too brittle.

Cade fought the dummy until his breathing was ragged and his body began to wear itself out. Only when his blood had settled some did he drop his arms and toss his head back, letting the cold rain tickle his face. Steam radiated off his hot body, and he steadied his breathing.

Lady Isabel had been too occupied to speak to him since the night he carried her to a bedchamber to sleep. She was avoiding him, as she did Richard, and this disturbed Cade more than it should.