“Of course, I have! You were there; you saw what happened. I’m supposed to be this all-powerful spellweaver, aren’t I? I’m supposed to know what to do. Half your people are terrified of me and the other half seem to think I’m some kind of messiah!” She wrung her hands. “I promised I would save Skye and so many people are depending on me. If I can’t figure it out, what will happen to them? And if I can’t fix it, I won’t get paid, then I’ll lose my house, andhewill have won, and I’ll have nothing!”
It was the most vulnerable he’d ever seen her. Gone was the confident, headstrong spellweaver and in her place was just Jenna MacFinnan, a young woman tossed into a world not her own who was trying her best to make sense of it. She looked scared and lost and riddled with self-doubt. Arran’s heart clenched at the sight. In that moment he ached to take her into his arms and tell her that everything was going to be all right.
But he didn’t. Instead, he put his finger under her chin and lifted it until she was forced to meet his gaze.
“Listen to me. I dinna know what troubles ye face in yer own time but I know this: Jenna MacFinnan, ye are the most remarkable woman I have ever met. Ye are strong and brave and like a firebrand that’s been tossed into our lives. I dinna think anyone on Skye has ever seen yer like nor will again. Ye shouldnae be surprised that half my people fear ye and the other half are in awe of ye. I often feel that way myself.”
A faint smile curled her lips. “Ah, so you’re not as stupid as you look then?”
“Aye, I’m every bit as stupid as I look, lass. I think I must be if I ever thought I could order a MacFinnan spellweaver around. I shouldnae have shouted, but I was afeared for ye. Regardless of what ye may think, yer safety is my responsibility now, and I swore I would let no harm come to ye. I will keep that promise, Jenna, if it’s the last thing I do.”
She gazed up at him and he could see starlight reflected in her emerald eyes. “And I didn’t make that exactly easy for you by sneaking out, did I?”
“Nay, lass. Ye didnae. And there was no need to take such a risk in the first place because there isnae a single person on this island, me included, who thinks ye are a failure. The magic has been broken for many years. It’s unreasonable to think it could be mended in a day.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’ve no doubt ye will succeed, lass. Lir wouldnae have sent me to ye otherwise. I trust her judgment, and I trust ye.”
Tears gathered in the corners of Jenna’s eyes, sparkling like diamonds. She dashed them away angrily. “I think I preferred it when you were shouting at me. Now I feel doubly bad for sneaking out. How about we forget tonight ever happened and go on as before, eh?”
There was one part of tonight that Arran most definitely didnotwant to forget. In fact, if he had his way, they would reenact that part many times over. But it seemed Jenna did not feel the same.
He had to force out words. “Aye. We’ll forget it ever happened.”
They set off once more, and neither spoke as they walked back to Dun Tabor, Jenna seemingly lost in thought, Arran spending his time scanning the darkness for danger.
Finally, the gates of Dun Tabor came into view and Arran found the walls ablaze with torches and guards on high alert along the battlements.
“Stand down,” he shouted as he and Jenna reached the gates. “All is well.”
His men were obviously full of questions, but were wise enough not to voice them.
Arran led the way back into the keep and escorted Jenna up to her room. She paused at the threshold and turned to face him. “I… I… thank you for coming to look for me. I can’t remember the last time anyone was so concerned for my wellbeing—other than my aunts.”
Arran forced himself to keep his arms by his sides, resisting the urge to run a thumb down her cheek. She was so close that all it would take would be the slightest movement, just a tiny step forward, and she could be in his arms. It took all of his willpower to remain where he was.
“Ye are welcome. Well, good night, lass.”
“Good night, Arran.”
He stared at her a moment longer, then turned and strode away.
Chapter Fourteen
Jenna awoke witha groan as sudden light flooded her room. She cracked her eyes open to see Ingrid yanking back the heavy drapes.
“Aargh!” Jenna cried, putting a pillow over her head. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Ingrid came to stand by her bed. “I’m ensuring ye get up at a decent hour,” she replied, an amused tone to her voice. “Which is what ye asked me to do, if ye remember?”
Jenna pulled away the pillow and squinted up at the maid. “I did? Well please ignore me the next time I say something so idiotic.”
“Oh dear,” Ingrid said. “Ye sound a little grumpy this morning.”
“Grumpy? I amnotgrumpy. Just… tired.”
Ingrid busied herself tidying. “That’s hardly surprising considering ye and the laird’s… nocturnal activities.”
Jenna bolted upright. “What do you mean by that?”
Ingrid shrugged nonchalantly but Jenna could tell the young woman was burning with curiosity. She could barely conceal the grin that kept trying to creep across her face.
