Highland Defiance - By Sky Purington Page 0,10

old tongue,” Adlin mumbled.

With a heavy sigh, Iosbail stood with her hands on her hips and looked from Adlin to Mildred. “But I enjoy it.”

“’Tis tiring,” Adlin said.

“Is it then?” Iosbail asked Mildred.

Mildred stared blankly. The woman was asking her if her language sounded odd when she’d just been thrust back over a thousand years in time?

“’Tis fine, you dinnae need to answer. I can switch my way of speech if ‘twould make it easier,” Iosbail said. She plunked down on the end of the bed, a wide grin on her beautiful face. “Tell me then, how was the time-traveling?”

Mildred continued to stare at Iosbail, dumbfounded. It was strange comparing the disheveled female who’d raged over the bridge earlier with this somewhat refined woman. With hair as black as Adlin’s, a perfectly proportioned face and sharp, intelligent eyes, it was clear Iosbail was a woman made not only of drama but of immaculate transformation.

“She needs time, Iosbail,” Adlin said softly.

His voice got through to Mildred and she swung her attention his way. As handsome and intimidating as he might be it didn’t slow down the onslaught of emotions she was feeling. “Time? Yes, time would be good. Actually, my time would be better. My clothes too. I want to get dressed.”

“Of course.” Adlin stood.

“Oh, dinnae get the dress. Use your magic, brother,” Iosbail said.

“Nay, I dinnae want her getting used to—”

“Fine, then I will,” his sister said with a wide smile.

Mildred balked at the instant weight on her body. She pushed the blanket aside to find that she wore a garment. In a state of panic she tried to scurry from the bed only to fall flat to the floor. Before anyone said a word she came to her feet and stared down. Though the dress was simple and of ancient design, it fit.

“Iosbail!” Adlin said.

“What!”

“Too much, too fast.”

“Well, I dinnae think so.”

“Stop!” Mildred gained her bearings and looked from brother to sister. “I need simple straight answers. Why am I here and what are you two? Because you’re more than simple people.”

Iosbail nodded with approval. “Aye, you were right to dream of this one.”

Adlin shook his head and started to talk but Mildred interrupted him. “You dreamt of me too?”

“Of course he did,” Iosbail said. “Look at you. Is it any surprise?”

Adlin’s expression grew guarded, stony. His well-sculptured lips thinned and his direct blue eyes met hers. “I will answer your questions.”

He paused, obviously trying to gather his thoughts before he continued. “You are here because you were supposed to fulfill the fate of someone deceased. Now I’m not so sure. Iosbail and I are not quite human. We are wizards.”

Mildred felt her legs grow weak but decided to ignore the sensation. Instead, she braced her hand on the wall by the hearth. The idea of magic and… wizards wasn’t so far-fetched. What made her brace herself was the first part.

Fulfill the fate of someone deceased?

Her mother had taught her one thing above all else. When given information that seemed outside her comprehension, don’t let it overwhelm, don’t let it rule. Shame on her, she’d already let that happen several times since she’d arrived. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, gathered her thoughts then opened them, directly on Iosbail. “Whose fate was I supposed to fulfill? Why am I no longer?”

“Mhuire. Her name was, Mhuire,” Iosbail said, her eyes steady on Mildred’s. “The MacLeod’s dinnae know she died, nor do her kinsmen. You were to go in her place.” She shrugged. “Now I’m not so sure.”

“Nay, she’s not meant to at all,” Adlin said.

Mildred gripped the wall tighter. “This is a lot to comprehend. Why me?” She shook her head. “And why not me?”

“Because ‘tis destiny,” Iosbail said easily. “Because you arrived when you did.”

Wind howled and the animal skin flapped uneasily against her arm. Mildred started to chew her nail. None of this was right. She’d been tossed back in time. No doubt about it. Now, on top of that, she was being told what she was meant to do and then not to do.

“Well that’s an unfortunate habit she has,” Iosbail said to Adlin.

Adlin nodded. “I told her as much.”

Mildred frowned and lowered her hand. With a deep breath she gathered her thoughts. This wasn’t that much different than what she’d dealt with when it came to Irene, Jonathan and her mother. After all, she owned this situation. She controlled this situation.

Eyes calm she looked at Adlin. “Why am I no longer to go in