Highland Defiance - By Sky Purington Page 0,30

with and couldn’t use magic to create something.

Unless.

He laid her gently against the rock face, then ran over and scooped up his dry clothes. Bless the gods they’d been blown back by the wind after he undressed. Her clothes were nowhere to be seen. Their fur cloaks were gone. He quickly stripped off her wet garment and pulled his tunic over her head. Once he had that in place he wrapped her lower half in his tartan.

He’d have to remain nude.

The next trick was to give her body some sort of exercise and get it out of this blasted, Highland wind. Lifting her under the arms, he hoisted her up against the rock, then flung her over his shoulder. Forty steps later, he had her around the first bend up the pathway. Bruce and his men were long gone, driven away by the weather.

Adlin would like to say he was surprised to see Bruce gave in so easily but in truth, the laird had a warm castle to return to and even warmer women. His attention span had always been notoriously haphazard. Here’s hoping that didn’t change now.

Eventually he lowered her and leaned her against the rock wall. “Mildred, are you awake?”

Her eyes lolled. “Mmm hmm.”

Adlin crouched and ran his hands over her arms rapidly then cupped her cheeks. “Mildred, I need you to look at me.”

“I know,” she whispered, drowsy eyes tried to focus.

“Do you?” he said sternly and shook her head a little. “You have to stay awake while I get you back to the castle, Mildred. If not, you’ll die.”

“Mmm hmm,” she murmured and closed her eyes.

He slapped her cheek.

“Ouch!”

“That’s right,” he responded. “I slapped you and will do so all the way.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “No, Adlin.”

Good, she said his name.

With a quick lurch forward, he gently scooped her up again, this time in his arms. She grunted and flailed slightly. As he climbed the path, Adlin kept to the shadows. At long last, he made his way into the back of the stables. Laying her down, he again took her head between his hands and whispered, “Mildred, are you awake?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Good girl. But he knew she was only half awake and time was limited. Moving quickly, he snuck into the nearest stall and made his way down to his horse. He grabbed another tartan from his pack, wrapped it around his body and returned to Mildred.

Only to find her gone.

Chapter Six

“Shhh, say nothing, Mildred.”

Confused, discombobulated, she felt a warm finger press against her lips. Mildred opened her eyes and tried to focus.

“’Tis me, Iosbail. You’re safe in a chamber in the MacLeod’s castle.”

Mildred tried to respond but Iosbail shook her head. “No, you must get some rest.”

Before she could say anything, the room began to fade then vanish.

The next thing she knew the sound of heavy, pounding rain drove her awake. Covered with thick blankets, a small stone chamber greeted her. Though wind whistled and screeched through a small arrow slit of a window, she was warm and safe.

What had happened to Adlin? The last thing she remembered they were on the beach. Frigid and petrified, the world had become a bleak place. Made especially dismal by the fact she’d so recently felt amazing. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of what she’d done with Adlin, or almost done. What was she thinking? She barely knew him!

Or at least that’s what she thought.

After the things they’d discussed and the way he’d made her feel, Mildred could concede to the concept that they’d possibly known each other much longer, even if only in dreams. He’d felt so incredible right and looked so amazingly handsome.

And she was human.

Rubbing her forehead, Mildred remembered how loosely she’d behaved with him in the water, nevermind on the shore. She should be ashamed of herself. But she wasn’t. And that couldn’t be good…or moral.

When she sat up slowly, Mildred realized she felt quite well. She thought for sure the room would spin or at the very least she’d find a few toes missing. But all was intact and despite the room being chilly, her body seemed in pretty great shape. Had Adlin or Iosbail used magic on her? They must have.

Careful, she swung her legs over the side of the cot and stood. Though the floor was icy cold, her legs worked well and she made her way to the clothes that’d been left on a chair in the corner of the room. After she slid into the chemise, dress