Highland Defiance - By Sky Purington Page 0,45
and daunting. White and angry, the impatient waves boomed and crashed far below. As before, sea spray blew on the wind, dusting her skin. This time however, she was protected by rock on either side so the experience felt far less vulnerable.
“I assume that this was here long before you as well," she said.
"Aye." Adlin's plaid blew in wind, his stance tall and proud. She got the sense, despite where they stood, that he was on alert. Almost as if he'd seen or discovered something new. Did it have to do with her?
Mildred leaned back against the wall and looked up and up at the gigantic structure. “Though it might sound redundant, looking at this makes me feel like I’ve truly stepped back in time.”
“You have.” Adlin’s eyes watched her closely. “In more ways than one.”
Her eyes dropped to his. “Why?”
“There’s no easy answer save that which I’ve already told you.”
“Because of you.” She looked out at the sea and shook her head. “I need to understand more.”
“As do I,” Adlin ground out.
Her eyes shot back to his. “Are we meant to have a life together?”
With a sharp shake of his head, his gaze held hers, his blue eyes stark and restless. “I have no idea.”
“Well, why else would I have been brought here and possess such strong feelings.”
More than she wanted to admit.
Clearly, he didn’t want to give her the answer he did. “Perhaps to help yourself through your own pain.”
“My pain?”
“About losing your Da and possibly losing your brother and friends to war.”
“What do you know about my Da?” she said, stunned and once more frustrated.
“I know he’s a MacLomain. I know he’s lost to you.”
Her body started to shake. “How lost to me is he, Adlin?”
Eyes not wavering more than a moment he said, “You willnae see your Da again, Mildred.”
It felt like a knife cut through her chest and she shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”
Surprised, she watched anguish fill Adlin’s eyes. A pain he quickly hid by turning his eyes to the sea. “He’s a Highlander born to his time…meant for his time. In fact, you met him briefly yesterday. James, the stableboy.”
Oh dear Lord! How had she not connected the dots? Mildred’s throat clogged. While she always suspected her Da would not return she found she hurt more for her Mama than anyone. “Oh no,” she whispered.
Adlin had her wrapped in his arms before the first tear fell. Angry she tried to push him away but he held tight. “He loves you, always will. You must forgive him.”
“Will he remember meeting me here?”
“No, he is only just seven winters, lass. No need to worry.”
Somehow, the thought that she’d so recently talked to him, even if when a boy, calmed her immensely. Struggles ceased, she rested her head against Adlin’s chest and closed her eyes. Long ago, she said goodbye to her Da. Somehow she’d known that he would not return. Could it be her mother had as well? The thought broke her heart. Had their Mama been strong for her children all along knowing she’d lost the love of her life?
After some time, Adlin pulled back, his fingers wiping away more tears than she’d realized had fallen. Tender, his hands cupped her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, lass.”
“Why,” she whispered. “Unless you have the power to bring him back.”
Adlin stroked his thumbs over her cheeks. “In this case, I dinnae.”
“In this case?”
“’Tis not part of the plan.”
“The plan?” Mildred frowned and pulled away. “What plan?”
Equally aggravated, Adlin made a wide sweep with his arm. “Their plan. The God and gods and all who are not us.”
“Adlin, you’re a five hundred year old wizard. You are not us!”
The pain she saw cross his face almost made her stop.
Almost.
With a heavy thump of her palm, she tapped the rock. “Everything about you and this land is full of secrets and things that shouldn’t even exist!”
“Much like the very magic you possess shouldn’t,” he returned, unwilling to back down when faced with the rage she felt building inside.
“Oh nevermind that,” she exclaimed and pointed at him. “I find it very hard to believe you are as unknowing as I about why I’m here when you have the ability to intrude on my thoughts about Jonathan!”
Adlin pointed back the way they’d come, his voice raising. “How well you mask my intruding opinion on your thoughts when the real reason you’re mad is because you’re unwilling to admit you should just tell your brother and friends you love them