The Condemned Highlander by Donna Fletcher

4

“Ican oblige you with that, mo ghràdh,” Brogan said, as she took quick steps away from him.

Annis attempted to find a good excuse for the remark she’d let slip. “The mist is disorienting as you said.”

“Or it could be that the memory of our last kiss, you enjoyed so much, lingers in your mind and you hunger for that enjoyment again,” Brogan said, thinking how accurately he described how he felt—hungry to taste her lips once again.

Annis laughed. “Hunger? I don’t believe so. Your kiss was not that memorable.”

Brogan laughed briefly, then grinned. “A lying tongue can come back to haunt you, leannan.”

“You truly think highly of your way with women, don’t you,” she accused, frustrated that he caught her in a lie, not that she’d admit it.

“I love putting a smile on a woman’s face, bring her joy, see her satisfied,” he said with a playful wink.

“Women,” she snapped. “Not one woman, but multiple women. What of love and being faithful to one woman?”

His playfulness faded. “How fair would that be when I will live on, and she will die. My heart would break a thousand times over to lose the woman I love. I would want to join her in death and would be deprived of it and we both would be deprived of ever seeing each other again.”

“You would love that strongly?” Annis asked, the thought of being loved that passionately left her thinking about such an enduring love. Was it truly possible?

“There is no other way to love. Once I give my heart to a woman, I belong to her and her alone, and she to me. We become one. How then do I ever live without the other half of me?”

Her heart suffered a stinging pain at the thought of losing someone who loved you that much and who you loved with the same passion.

“You truly believe you cannot die?” Annis asked and the sadness in his soft blue eyes answered for him.

“I know I cannot die. I have suffered wounds that would kill most anyone. I have taken falls that should have broken bones. I bled so much once that I thought for sure it was the end, but I survived. People tried to hang me, and the rope broke.” He turned his head away for a moment. “My father ordered the village destroyed for that. I tried to stop him, explain to him that fear drove them to it. He told me fear of his reprisal would have no others trying it again. He was right, though it only instilled more fear. Some believe it a gift not a curse, but I look to the future when all who I love are gone, never to see them again and my heart aches.”

“I will end the curse,” Annis said, the sudden need to help him overwhelming her.

Brogan smiled. “I will forever be in your debt if you do.”

“Besides saving Bliss, having you in my debt forever is something I cannot resist,” she said with a soft chuckle.

“So, you admit you like me,” he said and bumped his arm against hers.

“Who said anything about like? Where did you hear that?” she argued. “Nothing, not a word was mentioned about like.”

Brogan’s laughter echoed through the trees. “Now I know you like me since you protest so vehemently.”

Annis groaned in frustration. “You are completely and utterly impossible.”

“Another lie, Annis. You mean I’m completely and utterly loveable,” he said, continuing to laugh.

She groaned again since he was right. She did like him, though she didn’t understand why she liked him, and it annoyed her even more that she did like him.

* * *

Una wasone woman Brogan couldn’t melt with a smile. Her glare and pursed lips made it clear that she was not pleased with his presence. Annis was relieved that Iver felt differently or at least made an effort to appear that he did.

“You are welcome here, Lord Brogan,” Iver said. “We don’t have much, but we will share what we have.”

Brogan cast a lingering glance on his surroundings and his eyes said much, at least to Annis. What he saw disturbed him and his remark that followed proved it so.

“Your generosity is appreciated and must be repaid. Who hunts here?” Brogan asked.

“We are no longer allowed to hunt the land, my lord,” Iver said.

“If you hunt with me, you are,” Brogan said. “Two men would be better than one to hunt with me. More game caught, more meat to eat, since I am famished.”

Iver stared at Brogan bewildered.

“We must hurry since light will be lost soon enough,” Brogan said.

Iver shook himself from his stupor. “Aye. Aye, my lord.”

“I will get several fires going,” Una said, her face brightening with a smile.

“I will help,” Annis offered.

* * *

The night went betterthan Annis had expected. While the few there were grateful for the meat, they were—understandably—concerned with Brogan’s presence. That was until Brogan began entertaining them with humorous tales. As soon as laughter filled the air, other people wandered over, until by night’s end all the occupants of the village—ten—were gathered around smiling and laughing.

Annis caught the disturbed look on Brogan’s face when he saw an old man retreat to a lean-to after several yawns. She, herself, had noticed the dire conditions of the group, since it certainly could no longer be called a village.

“Annis.”

She turned to Iver, leaning close to her to speak.

“You will share the cottage with my daughter tonight,” Iver offered.

“I appreciate the offer, but I can sleep outside by the fire.” Annis did not want to deprive the man of what little comfort he had.

“You do me a favor, Annis. Una has barely any chance to speak with a woman her own age. It would be good for her to share some time with you.”

Annis smiled. “Then I gladly accept your invitation. Where will you sleep?”

“By the fire where Lord Brogan will bed down,” Iver said and lowered his voice. “I’d like to discuss a few things with him. Winter isn’t far off, and we could use some help with repairs to the few dwellings we have, or I fear we will lose some of the older ones this winter as we did the previous winter.”

“I’m sure something can be arranged,” Annis said, though seeing how the small group had been neglected she worried her words might not prove true.

“I believed that once,” Iver said, shaking his head. “More the fool me.”

Annis didn’t blame Iver for not trusting after what he’d suffered. She would feel the same. She stood, seeing that Iver, his daughter, Brogan, and herself were the only ones who remained. “We need to get an early start tomorrow and travel the path more slowly this time.”

Brogan stretched himself up to his feet. “Slow or fast, there is nothing to find there.”

“Appease me,” Annis said.

Brogan smiled playfully. “Always.”

Annis grumbled and shook her head. His playful way could be disarming, and his smile distracted far too easily. She hurried to follow Una to the cottage and was relieved once inside, until Una spoke.

“Lord Brogan favors you.”

“He speaks to all women that way,” Annis said, dismissing her claim.

“It’s not what he says, it’s how his smile changes when he turns it on you, as if his whole world fills with delight and his eyes ignite with sparks of desire. It is obvious how much he cares for you.”

“Lord Brogan cares for many women,” Annis said.

Una pointed to one of the two narrow beds that sat against opposite walls. “You can sleep there. I keep the bedding fresh. I cannot abide dirty bedding. I understand why you deny that you feel the same toward Lord Brogan. It is senseless to care for one of the cursed lords.”

Annis went to correct her and make it clear she felt nothing for Brogan, but something stopped her. There was something she favored about Brogan. That she couldn’t understand it annoyed her, but how did she deny the obvious, especially to herself.

“You are lucky. You are beautiful and free to find a good man. I dream—which is all I can do—of finding a good man who would love me,” Una said as she removed her tunic and leaving her shift on, slipped into bed after removing her boots.

Annis followed, though removed only her cloak and boots before settling beneath a soft wool blanket. “You will find love, Una.”

“I wish I felt as confident as you sound.”

“The curse will be broken, and all will change,” Annis assured her while reassuring herself. It had to or she chanced losing her sister, a thought that struck fear and heartbreak in her.

“I must tell you something, Annis, but you must promise me you won’t tell my da.”

“You have my word, Una.”

“I have walked the less traveled path many times.”

Annis popped up in bed. “You have?”

“Aye, I have, and I am sorry to tell you in all that time I have never come across the witch. I have not told my da since he would worry that Lord Balloch’s warriors would catch me and drag me away to the dungeon. I have learned the way of the warriors. They do not go near the path and rarely linger in the area, too afraid to remain near it, especially when the mist grows thick.”

“Why do you go there?” Annis asked.

“Curiosity, anger, frustration,” Una shook her head. “I do not know. One day I went there and simply started following the less-traveled path. I came upon a lovely stream and sat and began to dream of a good future. I left feeling better—in a way hopeful—than I had in quite some time. On subsequent visits I noticed various healing plants grew in abundance in the area as well as some plants I am not familiar with. While others fear the area, I take comfort in it.”

“You are a healer?” Annis asked.

“I am, thanks to my mum. She taught me. She was fearful I would be left on my own here one day with no healer to help me if necessary.”

“How wise and loving of her. Did she travel the misty path?”

“Nay. She warned me to stay away from it, especially after one of our own was found near it and Lord Balloch’s warriors took the old man away to the dungeon.”

“Lord Balloch sounds nothing like his son,” Annis said.

“To me, he is a cruel man. I should not have said that.” Una chastised herself. “My da warns me that Lord Balloch has eyes and ears everywhere.”

“There is no one here but you and me and I will say nothing,” Annis said.

“I would like to call you friend, Annis, even though when you finish here, we will probably never see each other again.”

“I am pleased to call you friend, Una, and we will see each other often when I am done here, and the curse is broken,” Annis said, her confidence as strong as ever.

“I pray you succeed, Annis. I truly do,” Una said, tears filling her eyes.

* * *

Annis wassurprised when she woke the next morning to find herself alone, Una gone. She was even more surprised when she stepped outside to see everyone gathered around a fire, talking with Brogan, some looking hopeful and some skeptical.

She stepped closer, though kept herself out of Brogan’s view, wanting to hear what he was saying.

“I will see the list of repairs you request are done before winter.”

“That is generous of you, Lord Brogan, but will your father agree?” Iver asked.

“I will see that he does,” Brogan said.

“His word is law in the clan,” Iver reminded.

“I will see it done. You have my word,” Brogan promised.

But could he keep that promise or would his father deny him, Annis wondered, and she could see from the look on the surrounding faces that they thought the same.

“Annis,” Una called out with a smile. “Come and enjoy a hot brew and bread.”

“A hot brew will be most welcome on this chilly day, but we cannot tarry. Brogan and I must be off shortly.”

“You will return here when you finish?” Una asked hopefully.

“If you don’t mind our staying here until we finish,” Annis said, taking the tankard the young woman held out to her.

“Truth be told, I enjoy the company,” Una said honestly and with a generous smile.

“We’ll hunt again when I return,” Brogan said. “And if you can gather at least some of what we need to build a shed to hold the meat, we will get started on that as well.

“Build?’ Annis asked eagerly.

“That’s right,” Brogan said with a grin. “I forgot you are skilled at building things.”

“I am and I can show you how to build a sturdy food shed,” she said proudly. “But the ground will have to be cleared and made level first.”

It was an hour before Annis and Brogan took their leave, Annis talking with Iver and two other men. They discussed where it was best for the shed to be built, the material they would need, and what had to be done first. She left the men with precise instructions, and Brogan offered Belle’s help if they should need it. Otherwise, his horse would remain where she was enjoying the wild onions in the open area near the few dwellings.

“It is good you help them. They are in need of it, but will your father allow the repairs to be made?” Annis asked as they walked toward the hills.

“I will make sure he does,” Brogan said. “Did you sleep well? I thought you might miss me so much you couldn’t sleep.”

Annis grinned. “I had the most wonderful sleep.”

“So, you dreamed of me then.” He grinned and winced.

“You are smiling far too much. Your wound will bleed again if you are not careful.”

“I do not want to be the cause of you fainting again,” he said, “though it is your fault I smile so much.”

“Is this where you tell me that you cannot help but smile when you look at me because I am so beautiful?”

His grin remained. “Nay, it is usually the unexpected things that come out of your mouth that has me smiling, though I will admit—and not reluctantly—you are beautiful.”

“How odd? I feel the same about you.”

“You think I am beautiful,” he said with glee.

“Nay, it’s the things that come out of your mouth. Though I suppose you do have fine features.”

“You say that with reluctance,” he chided teasingly.

“Because, no doubt, you’ve heard it often enough.”

“But I never cared until now when I heard you say it.”

She turned her head away after catching the passion that suddenly sparked in his blue eyes and made him even more appealing, if that was possible.

“Do not lie and tell me you do not feel the sparks between us, Annis,” he said, aching to take her hand but thinking now was not the time, since he wanted more than to just hold her hand.

Try as she might, Annis couldn’t avoid his eyes when she turned to look at him. Sparks lingered there, and she couldn’t deny they ignited something in her.

As usual words shot from her mouth without thought. “You have experience with that, I do not.”

“You do not need experience to understand how you feel when you are with me, when I hold your hand, or when I kiss you. You only need to feel.”

She stepped to the side to put distance between them as they walked. “You will not kiss me. You will hurt your wound.”

“You want me to kiss you though, don’t you?” he asked and not playfully. “And do not bother to lie. I can tell when you lie. You get a cute little wrinkle in your nose when you lie.”

Annis covered her nose with her hand and Brogan laughed.

“You truly are incorrigible,” she said.

“You pick on me to avoid the question. Do you want me to kiss you again?”

She thought of a suitable response. “Not at this moment.”

“You let me know the moment, leannan, and I shall see it done.”

As soon as they started on the path, Annis realized she would not meet the witch today. There was barely any mist, a patch here and there, but no thick mist at all. It did give her a chance to survey the area. It was lush with growth; majestic trees, plentiful plants, and colorful flowers grew in abundance. The squirrels were even chunky, though that could be a sign of a cold winter to come.

They came upon the stream Una had mentioned. It was narrow and ran clear and was no more than ankle deep from what she could see of it. She squatted down and scooped up a handful of water to drink, the taste cold and refreshing.

Brogan went down beside her and did the same, drinking several handfuls.

“We will not find her today,” Annis said. “There is no mist. She travels in the mist. It protects hers.” Her words surprised her, not sure where they had come from or why she had even thought that.

“Rannick, Odran, and I thought the same, but even when the mist came, she was nowhere to be seen,” Brogan said with disappointment.

Annis lowered her bottom to sit on the bank of the stream. “It would stand to reason that if the witch knows how to break the curse, then she could be the one who empowered Lady Aila to cast it.”

“There is that theory,” Brogan agreed, sitting as well.

“Lady Aila must have been desperate to seek the help of a witch.”

“I recall my father saying that the king gave the order and there was no disobeying the king. The order was to be carried out or one would suffer the same fate of the Clan MacWilliam.”

“I wonder why the curse affected you and the other two lords more personally than it did each of your fathers?”

“Our fathers suffered along with our clans. Though, you are right. Rannick, Odran, and I suffered more and wondered the same as you. The only reason we could fathom was that we are the heirs to our clans and our clans’ futures depend on us.”

“Just like the future of the Clan MacWilliam, the bloodline, depended on the two-day-old lass,” Annis said, trying to make sense of an act that had taken place twenty years ago and continued to affect so many today.

“With nothing to find today, we should return and help Iver and the others who prepare for winter. The fat squirrels indicate a harsh one.”

Annis scrambled to her feet. “I will see that the stone shed is constructed well, and you can make sure there is enough meat to fill it.”

Brogan sprang to his feet and startled Annis when he took her in his arms. “How about a gentle kiss, just a light one? If you’d like?”

Not only startled to be in his arms, but startled that she was tempted, much too tempted, and even more startled by her response. “A light kiss.”

Brogan hugged her waist with his hands, easing her closer to him and nodded as he lowered his mouth and whispered, “A faint one.”

A tingle shot through her, shivering her when his lips barely skimmed hers. It felt like a feather being drawn across them, first one way, then the other. Hungry for more, so much more, she turned her head away, frightened at what she might do.

Brogan placed a kiss on her temple and whispered, “I love kissing you.”

And there went the tingle again, shooting through her with such passion that it almost buckled her knees. She hadn’t realized that she gripped Brogan’s arms until she saw for herself when she turned her head to look at him.

“I’ve got you, mo ghràdh, and I am not letting you go,” he said and brushed his lips over hers one more time. He waited a moment, needing time himself to gather his senses about him and give him time to get his arousal under control, before stepping away from her and taking her hand.

They walked off together, not saying another word to each other.

They entered the village to shouts and hurried to find out what caused them. Shock brought them to a sudden halt seeing one of four warriors delivering several hard blows to Iver.

Brogan didn’t hesitate, he took off. The warrior did not see the fierce blow coming. Brogan sent him sailing into the air and landing on his back, knocked out cold.

“Another one of you,” Brogan yelled, “touch anyone here—ANYONE—and I will see you suffer harshly for it.”

“They are not allowed to hunt,” one warrior said.

Brogan turned to Iver.

“I told him you ordered us to hunt and also hunted along with us, but none believe me,” Iver said, his daughter handing him a cloth to wipe the blood from his mouth.

“Keep your back to Annis, until the bleeding stops. She has a weak stomach when it comes to blood,” Brogan said and turned back to the warriors, his angry eyes falling on a familiar face, a warrior loyal to his father. “This man spoke the truth, Rudd. Harm him, or any in this village, and my wrath will know no bounds. And you can tell my father I said that.”

“You can tell him yourself, Lord Brogan. Your father orders you home and the woman who broke his edict concerning the path brought to the keep and placed in the dungeon.”