Jenna sat back. “I’m sorry?”
Arran raised his head and looked at her. His expression was ravaged, his eyes full of shadow. “My men and I will ride out to meet this force, but ye will remain here.”
“What are you talking about? I have to go! This is my chance to do what I came here to do! If I can destroy whatever power is in that shrine, I’ll be able to fix the magic!”
He shook his head. “It’s too dangerous. We dinna know that thisshrine has aught to do with the magic at all. It could all be coincidence.”
“You don’t believe that.”
“It doesnae matter what I believe!” he snapped. “I willnae put ye in harm’s way! I willnae risk it! Ye will stay here with Rosaline!”
Jenna said nothing. Then softly, she said, “Arran, this is my chance. This isourchance. If I’m right, I will be able to restore Skye’s magic, and those raiders won’t even be able to reach the shore. Nobody will get hurt.”
“And if ye are wrong?” he asked, just as softly. His blue eyes found and held hers. The expression in them almost stopped her heart. “I canna risk it. I canna lose ye, Jenna.” These last words were spoken so quietly they were barely above a whisper.
That icy dagger sliced through her middle again. She felt the bands of fate tighten around her—aroundthem—and she felt the future slide into place. She suddenly knew that if she stayed behind, if she didn’t go with him to face this threat, then Arran would not return.
And that thought filled her with a horror so dark she could barely breathe.
“I’m coming,” she said, her voice shaking a little. “I have to. And you can’t stop me. Even if you lock me up, I’ll only use my magic to escape and follow you. You can’t win this argument, my laird. I’m sorry.”
His lip curled in a snarl, and she heard a growl in his chest like the low rumble of an avalanche. His hands clenched into fists. Then suddenly, he let out his breath in a whoosh.
“Has anyone ever told ye that ye are the most vexing woman on God’s clean earth?”
Jenna smiled wryly. “On occasion.”
“Dear God, woman. Ye will be the death of me.”
No, I won’t, Jenna thought.I will be the saving of you. No matter what it takes.
She gestured to the door. “Shall we? It looks like it’s going to be a long ride.”
Arran hesitated then gestured for her to precede him through the door. As she did so, Jenna felt fate snap tight around her and knew she’d taken a step from which there was no going back.
*
Arran rode witha sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t quite tell if it was fear or dread or apprehension or a mix of all three. He was used to all of these sensations—they had been his constant companions for most of his life—but now those feelings seemed more insidious, reaching dark, twisting roots right through him until he could barely think straight.
He realized he was pushing his horse harder than necessary and forced himself to rein the beast back. He was caught between wanting to get there as quickly as possible and not wanting to get there at all.
He glanced over his shoulder. His warriors were spread out behind him in a phalanx that would drive fear into the hearts of anyone who saw them. They wore grim, determined expressions as they rode, every one of them willing to die for Skye. For him.
He hoped it would not come to that. He’d already lost too many, and each death dragged around his neck like a weight that would drown him if it got much heavier. If Jenna was right, if she could somehow destroy the shrine and restore Skye’s magic, this would all be over.
Was it even possible?
He closed his eyes for a second, trying to picture a future where his people were protected, where his lands were not under constant threat from the sea, where they could plan and dream rather than living day by day. But he couldn’t. He struggled to see beyond today.
As they rode steadily southeast, more warriors swelled his ranks.The call to muster had gone out, and his people were answering. If the raiders thought to catch them unawares, they would be disappointed and if they tried to come ashore, Arran would make sure the waters ran red with their blood.
Bran snorted, and Arran forced himself to relax his grip on the reins, taking steady breaths to calm the rage and trepidation that warred for dominance inside him. It was another fine day. It seemed that whenever the raiders came, the sea was as calm as glass and the sun blazed in the sky overhead. Coincidence? Or the dark power of their god?
Lir, he prayed.If ever we needed your help, we need it now. Protect my people.He glanced at Jenna who was riding beside him, clinging to her mare like a limpet, face creased in determination as she concentrated on not falling off.Protect her, Lir. Please.
If anything should happen to her…
The sun was nearing its midday zenith by the time they reached the isolated bay that Brother Merrick had marked on the map. As they looked down on the horseshoe bay, Arran pulled up his horse and gazed out. The bay was unremarkable. Enclosed on either side by rocky cliffs, it boasted a small beach and strands of kelp that waved in the water like tentacles.
