The Condemned Highlander by Donna Fletcher

11

Annis stepped out of the dwelling and took a deep breath of the chilled air. It had been two days since the incident with Brogan’s mother and to her dismay she had spent one day mostly in bed and the other mostly in bed after attempting to return to her usual activity. Brogan had warned her to rest, but he hadn’t stopped her from doing as she pleased, though he had told her the witch would wait. She had not argued that since she had been wise enough to realize she had not healed enough to wander the path. Unfortunately, she had been too stubborn to realize that it was not wise to participate in the building going on.

Brogan had come to her rescue and with a firm arm around her waist, for much needed support, had walked her to Iver’s dwelling where he cautioned her to rest. That he had not commanded her to do so, softened her heart and made her see reason. That extra rest, she was certain, had helped and today she woke feeling like her old self.

It was time once again to seek the witch.

“Color has returned to your face, and you do not slouch in pain, though I imagine the pain is not completely gone,” Una said, approaching her to hand her a tankard of a steaming brew.

“Aye, I still suffer some pain and my back continues to be sore to the touch, but not enough to keep me abed for another day.” Annis took a sip of the brew and smiled. It was potent, thanks to the food staples Brogan had brought to the village.

“Be wise with what you do today, since you still have not fully healed,” Una advised.

“I will make certain to heed your advice as I explore the path today,” Annis said and walked with Una toward the campfires.

“It warms my heart to see the village come to life again,” Una said, a huge smile spreading across her face.

“The building does go well,” Annis said, seeing that much needed repairs were continuing on the existing dwellings and felled trees were being made ready for more dwellings.

“The extra hands go a long way and have kept busy since arriving,” Una said. “Risley’s skillful hands have been most helpful as have the tools he brought with him.”

“Where is Lord Brogan?” Annis asked, not seeing him anywhere.

Una turned and pointed. “Just beyond my dwelling.”

“I will go speak with him,” Annis said and handed the near empty tankard to Una.

“What of food? You have not eaten, and you need to keep up your strength if you wish to fully heal,” Una cautioned. “I will prepare you a small sack of food to take on your wander today, for you will no doubt turn hungry.”

“I am grateful for your concern and the food,” Annis said with a smile.

She found Brogan directing two men in clearing out a fairly large section of land. He smiled and waved when he saw her approach. A catch to her heart halted her steps briefly, the sight of him stealing her breath. His features were far too fine and his body far too appealing. He wore no cloak, and his sleeves were rolled up, and he stood with a confident demeanor. Then there was his smile. It captured and captivated in one glance.

He has captured my heart. The thought almost had her stumbling. She had never thought to lose her heart to anyone, let alone Brogan, one of the cursed lords. It troubled and excited her at the same time, and she silently admonished herself for her thoughts.

“You are feeling well?” he asked when she reached him.

“Much better today. The pain lingers some and I am still sore to the touch, but I feel much stronger today.”

“I am glad, and I am sorry I caused you such pain.”

She tilted her head slightly, her brow scrunching. “You did not cause my pain, your mother did.”

“The curse did,” he corrected. “It follows me everywhere and touches the innocent.”

“What happened to me had nothing to do with the curse. It was the fault of a bad-tempered woman who cares for no one but herself. And I will not have you take the blame for it,” she said with a stern command.

He grinned. “That sounds like an order.”

“If need be, then so be it.” She nodded firmly as if decreeing it. “I am curious. What do you intend to build here? It is a large piece of land for one dwelling, and it sits removed from the other dwellings.”

“My home,” Brogan said proudly. “And I was hoping you would help design it.”

Annis’s mouth dropped open and she stood speechless for a moment. “You intend to make a permanent home here for yourself? What of your clan?”

“Aye, I do, and I do not desert my clan, since these people are part of my clan. I simply choose to live here rather than at the keep.”

“Your father will not be pleased.”

“It is not for my father to decide. Someday I will take his place and when that time comes, I will do what is necessary. Until that day, my home will be here. Who knows, I may even decide to build a keep here.”

“It is a soothing place,” Annis said, staring at the hills. “The hills are a lovely view whether covered in mist or revealed in all their beauty. You would do well to build the cottage facing the hills.”

“I thought the same. What else would you suggest?”

Annis turned a smile on him. “I have many ideas and I will tell you as we wander the path.”

“Are you sure you feel well enough for the walk?” Brogan asked, his eyes narrowed in concern.

“We can keep a slow pace and rest when necessary and enjoy the food Una is preparing for us,” she said and cast a quick eye to the sky. “There is no sign of rain. If lucky, the sun may even peek through today.”

Brogan looked to the hills. “There is no mist.”

Annis kept her voice low. “People would think me crazy if they heard me say that the mist obeys the witch. But I believe it does and the mist will roll in if she wishes to talk with me.”

Brogan went and grabbed his cloak he had hung on a branch, then returned to take her hand. “Let’s get that food and be on our way.

* * *

“Not a spotof mist to be seen,” Brogan said as he studied the area around him. “Does the path seem more,” —he scratched his head— “of a path, if that makes sense?”

Brogan halted his steps alongside Annis when she stopped, her hand still wrapped in his. He did not intend to let go, worried if he did the mist would roll in quickly and steal her from him.

“I thought the same,” she said, her eyes on the ground. “It appears as though it has been traveled more. How can that be when no one can reach here without passing the village?” She shook her head. “And no one has passed through the village. We were the last ones to walk here.”

Brogan cast a slow glance around. “Maybe there is another entrance to the path.”

“Aye, over the hills,” Annis said, tilting her head back to glance up at the sprawling hill, its very top encased in mist. “That is a dangerous trek I doubt anyone would attempt.”

“I wonder what brought the witch to this particular place?” Brogan said.

“It has to have something to do with the curse.” Annis went to continue walking, then stopped suddenly, squeezing Brogan’s hand. “The bairn. The two-day-old daughter believed dead. She is here in this area.”

Brogan’s skin turned to gooseflesh. Could it be possible? “You think the witch has returned to protect her? And why now after all this time?”

“I do not know her reasoning, but it would make sense of why the witch has suddenly returned.”

“She did tell you not yet,” Brogan reminded. “If the lass, Wynda, is here, why does she wait?”

“I do wish she would talk with me, so we can see this done,” Annis said as they continued walking again.

Brogan was glad she included him, that she thought them cohorts in this quest. He could not, nor would he allow her to go off on her own. He would go completely insane with worry.

“What would you ask her?” Brogan said.

“I would want to know if the lass Wynda did survive can she break the curse and if so, how can I find her and how does she break the curse?”

“I want it to believe it is possible—”

Annis interrupted, knowing what he would say. “But you have been disappointed many times before and worry you will be again.”

“You understand.”

“I have been disappointed myself many times, though none can compare with what you suffer. I still understand how you feel. But all those disappointments made me realize one thing—never would I give up. I would keep trying as long as I had breath in me.”

Brogan chuckled. “You are persistent.”

“Does that annoy you?” Why she asked puzzled her and why she should care how he responded puzzled her even more.

“Actually, I admire your tenacity,” he said with a tender smile. “You let nothing stop you. you forge ahead and see it done no matter what others think. I have met and known many women in my life, but none as remarkable as you.”

Annis laughed. “I am like no other, as my mum often told me, of which she was grateful.”

“I agree with your mum. You are like no other,” he said. And I am grateful for that, for you belong to me and me alone. Words he wished to say aloud, but not yet.

Her stomach gurgled loudly.

“You are hungry and so am I,” he said. “The stream is not far ahead. We can stop there and eat.”

They settled near the bank of the stream and feasted on cheese, quail eggs, and dried meat, all provided by Brogan’s father.

Brogan had helped ease her down to sit after she had winced when trying to do so herself. His strong hands had gripped her arms and lowered her slowly and did not release her until she settled comfortably.

“Your tongue must charm far better than I imagined for your father to agree so readily with your requests. I thought he would deprive you of things until his demands were met.”

“He knows what fights he cannot win and avoids them. He also knows I would let no harm befall my clan. I would do whatever was necessary to see it stay strong.”

“Then you will sire an heir?” Another question she had no idea why she asked.

“I would not want a son or daughter to suffer the curse. Odran and Rannick feel the same as I do, that if we are the last of our clans then the curse dies with us.”

“You believe the curse was not meant for the clans, only the three men who partook in the slaughter?”

“Aye, with a strong leader left to rule, the clans can live on after us.”

“But they would not. No one would want to keep a cursed name, and your father and the other two lords must be well aware of that,” Annis said.

“The three lords all want the clans to continue no matter how many who follow us suffer, not so Odran, Rannick, and me. We want the suffering to end with us. Though, now with a possible chance of breaking the curse, I have hope all that can change for me, and everyone concerned.”

“We will see it done,” Annis said, determined. A sudden thought troubled her. “If your father and the other two lords were to find out that the MacWilliam daughter lived, they would not try to harm her, would they?”

“With King Alexander’s recent death and his young son Alexander III ascending the throne and no other MacWilliam alive, I do not see a threat to the lass. Though, those who supported King Duncan’s right to the throne might find her useful since she would be his bloodline, and possible heir to the throne if no other could be found.”

“Then if her identity was known, she would be in danger,” Annis said.

“If a curse once nearly took her life, then an oath can save it this time. If she has survived all these years, then Odran, Rannick, and I can pledge to keep her lineage a secret.”

Annis rolled her shoulders back in an attempt to ease the ache. “If the lass does live, why do you think your father and Lord Lochlann lied about seeing her killed?”

“They probably thought they had tracked down the right bairn.”

“I wonder if the witch misdirected them,” Annis said. “I cannot wait to meet such a powerful woman.”

“Witch,” he corrected, “and keep that in mind. She is a powerful witch. You must be careful. I will not see you suffer a curse.”

Annis turned a perplexed look on Brogan. “Why would she curse me?”

Brogan laughed. “Because you pestered her to death?”

“Funny,” Annis said and wrinkled her nose at him.

He laughed again. “Try as you might, you are beautiful no matter your expression.”

“I have been told since I was young how beautiful I am and by men and women alike. It means little to me since those people saw only my face and nothing else about me. So, while I do appreciate the flattery, it means little to me.”

He grinned. “I can have you bursting with glee from flattery in no time.”

Annis let loose with a short burst of laughter before saying, “You truly do think highly of yourself.”

Brogan leaned forward, his hand reaching across the cloth that held the food spread on the ground between them and gave the tip of her nose a tap. “Nay, it’s that I know you better than anyone.”

“You think so,” she challenged.

“Nay, mo ghràdh, I know so.”

The wink did it. She took on his challenge. “Then by all means have me burst with glee from your flattery.”

“True flattery,” he corrected.

“Of course, what other is there?” she teased playfully.

“This obviously is a challenge and when I win, I expect something in return.”

“Which is?” Annis asked suspiciously, seeing a gleam in his soft blue eyes and wondering if he would ask something she could not give or did not want to give.

“You must flatter me in return, and truthfully.”

What could she possibly flatter him with that was truthful? What did it matter? He would not win. “Since you will not be victorious, I can easily accept the challenge. Now flatter me.”

His eyes roamed over her as if he was searching her body for the words and she tasted victory.

Brogan leaned forward. “Your mind is more brilliant than a man’s when it comes to building.” Her eyes went wide, and her face cracked in a smile. “Never have I heard of such unique construction and thorough detail to the structures you talk of building. The village you construct for us will be a shining example of architecture that all will come to see and praise.”

Annis’s face burst wide with a smile, and she squealed with excitement. “Truthfully?”

“Aye, truthfully. Your talent amazes me, mo ghràdh, and I am proud to work with you.”

She squealed with delight and threw herself at him, hugging his neck and kissing his cheeks and lips repeatedly.

Brogan wanted to wrap his arms around her, but he was cautious of her back. His hands went to her waist instead to keep her steady and to keep him from tumbling back from her forceful enthusiasm while he enjoyed her endless kisses. That was until…

Annis leaned away from him, though his hands at her waist kept her close. “You won.”

He grinned. “Aye, I did and with the truth. Now it is your turn.”

She thought she would be stumped as to what to say, but the words flowed freely and truthfully. “When we first met, I thought you nothing more than a foolish charmer. I was wrong. It is a mask you wear. And when I catch a glimpse of the man behind that mask, I see a man who possesses a kind soul and a generous heart that few men ever possess. I find myself drawn to you, eager to see you, spend time with you, talk with you. And you do one thing that no man has ever done for me… you make me smile and often.”

She more than flattered, she stole his heart completely. It would never beat again without her by his side. He responded instinctively. He kissed her.

Her own words touched her as much as they touched him, and her arms tightened around his neck, needing his kiss more than she realized.

Brogan kept his hands at her waist as he eased down on his back, letting her settle on top of him. The kiss took on an urgency, a need that had been awaiting this moment and finally broke loose. It had been pent up since the incident with his mother, growing ever stronger. The kiss was necessary to his breath, to his soul, to his finally feeling whole again.

Annis could not get enough of the kiss. It fed a hungry thirst she had not realized she’d had. She could not get enough of his lips, his taste, the strength of him beneath her. This is what she had been missing since returning home; his kisses, his touch, being close with him. And she had not realized it until this very moment. There had been an emptiness to her the last two days she had not understood. She had thought she had missed her sisters, Bliss always there taking care of her when she got hurt or Elysia sleeping close against her at night. But it was not that at all. It was Brogan. She had missed the closeness they had come to share, had missed it terribly.

Their mouths parted to take a breath.

“If we do not stop now, we will do more than kiss,” he said, leaving the choice to her.

Annis was torn. She wanted to couple with him desperately, but did she dare? Did she want him out of need or out of love? The choice lingered there a moment and the decision was made for her.

They heard the distinct growl of a wolf, and he was not far from them, and either was the mist that rolled in rapidly around them.