True to the Highlander(7)

Alethia fished the pendant out from under her chemise. Giselle had used the necklace to send her here, so there had to be a way to use it to get back. She studied the knotted effigy and wondered how to make it work. Holding the charm tight, she closed her eyes and clicked her heels together three times, muttering, “I want to go home. I want to go home. I want to go home.” Her body tensed, and she waited for something to happen. Nothing did.

Maybe if she replayed everything Giselle had said, she might find a clue. Someone was in danger. Who? Giselle would do anything to help them, and Alethia had untapped gifts and could survive anywhere.

If Giselle would do anything to help, then why wasn’t she the one wedged in the middle of this barbarian sandwich? Why me?

Alethia glanced at Malcolm’s back, and their battle from the previous day flashed through her mind. When he’d sat astride her on the ground, she’d felt his heat clear through her gown. The intimacy had been unsettling, his kiss even more so. He was huge and physically powerful, and the way he smelled might as well be labeled eau de testosterone.

She needed to get away. Alethia studied the knot on the leather cord binding her wrists. Bringing it to her teeth, she started to work it loose. Once her hands were free, she’d wiggle out from between the two men, grab her stuff and try to find the road. It had been rutted and worn, signs it was well traveled. Another group would happen along soon, and hopefully there’d be women in the party.

The knot slipped from between her teeth as she pulled. Her hands jerked forward, hitting Malcolm between the shoulder blades. She froze, held her breath and waited. When he didn’t move, she let her breath out slowly, brought the knot back to her mouth and resumed tugging.

Malcolm twisted around and stared down at her. Eyes the most vivid blue she’d ever seen fixed on the leather between her teeth. Busted. Alethia struggled to sit up, managing to at last, and held out her bound wrists. “Don’t you think this is a tad unnecessary? I know I do.”

“I canna say.” He rubbed his injured lower lip and arched an eyebrow. “Can you keep your hands from me?”

Alethia saw the twinkle of amusement in his eyes, and her face grew hot. She didn’t see anything funny about her predicament. She turned away to stare into the forest, biting her lip to keep from tearing up. This pretending to be brave business was hard work.

He rose, pulling her up with him, and cut the leather binding her wrists with a small dagger he pulled from his belt. Malcolm walked over to her violin and duffel and hoisted them to his shoulder. “I’ll hold onto these whilst you make your morning ablutions. The burn leads to a small falls offering privacy.”

“What’s a burn?” She rubbed her wrists and noticed Malcolm’s companions watching their exchange with avid interest.

“The wee river.” Malcolm jutted his chin toward the stream bordering the campsite. “What do you call such?”

“A stream,” Alethia muttered before she fled the camp and followed the burn into the forest. She took care of her body’s immediate needs in the brush, then found the place Malcolm had mentioned. If she hadn’t been so upset, she would’ve loved the small waterfall surrounded by thick pines, hemlock and juniper. The sound of the rushing water soothed her tattered nerves, and the fresh, tangy scent reminded her of home. Her heart ached with longing. She had to find a way to get back where she belonged, but how? How does one travel through time?

Alethia searched the shadows to make sure she was alone, took a drink, and then stripped for a hasty shower. Stepping under the falls, she gasped as the ice-cold water sluiced over her body. Once she was done washing, she moved to stand on the moss-covered boulder where she’d laid her clothes. Swiping the water from her skin with the palms of her hands, she heard a twig snap. She snatched her chemise from the ground and tugged it over her head, tying the strings in front with trembling fingers.

Hugh stepped out from the brush. “I do beg your pardon, my lady. I did not realize anyone was here.”

Deceitfulness pulsed off him like a strobe light. The lecherous perv had probably watched her bathe. Adrenaline surged through her body, sending her heart racing. “No harm done.” Every instinct she had screamed fight or flight. Mostly flight.

“’Tis clear some misfortune has befallen you. You’re far from home and your kinfolk.” Hugh blocked the path back to camp. “’Tis no’ safe for a woman to travel alone and unprotected. Might I offer my services?” He brought his right hand up to cover his heart, while his eyes raked over her with a lascivious glint. “I’d be more than willing to act as your protector until such time that you can be restored to the loving bosom of your family.”