Page 131 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"I'm so sorry," Elsea said. Being the youngest two siblings, she and Kieran were close.

Elsea and her clan left the coast behind and rode through the glen. Since the autumn frosts, all the heather flowers were dull brown, much like her mood.

Last night with Brodie had been unbelievable, both the passion and his forgiveness. Not being able to bid him farewell shattered her. Was he safe?

He had not told her he loved her. And maybe he didn't. She must accept it, for she'd done her best to show him her true feelings. No one could force him to feel something he didn't. Now she must do all she could for the selkie women.

With the sea far behind them, the salt air vanished, replaced by damp earth, decaying moss, and dried plants. Snow-frosted granite mountains jutted from the earth, lit by a golden glow. Pausing, she turned, gazing back toward the west. The sunset blazed orange, rose and violet, speared through by the beaming fingers of God. So beautiful. Where was Brodie? Was he fading from her reach like the sunset?

Chapter 26

As Brodie and his companions approached Rònmòrach Isle, his other galley came into view on the beach.

Kenneth and his clansmen stood on shore with the male selkies in human form, all armed. To the side, four pairs of selkies practiced with swords, their feet kicking up sand. Brodie was proud of them for the way they had grown in confidence and fighting skills.

He raised his hand in greeting and spoke to them telepathically. They grinned, welcoming him.

After rowing closer, his clansmen leapt off into the seawater and dragged the galleys onto the beach.

"Come, I wish you to meet the selkies," Brodie told Gavin and Torr as they leapt off, splashing into the cold water.

Brodie made introductions, and the men shook hands. Lady Una and several of the women emerged from the cave, again dressed in their finest, the sea glass beads gleaming in the sunlight. They greeted everyone, and he introduced them to Gavin and Torr.

Once the women turned their attention to the food, Brodie approached Scarth and lowered his voice. "Gavin and Torr received a warning from Finnian. He foresaw another raid. So, we must be ready."

"Did he say when?" Harcus asked, his scowl fierce.

"Nay," Gavin said.

"I've been sending scouts to keep an eye on Dunrhyne. No more galleys have shown up there," Scarth said.

Brodie nodded. "The knave owns five castles. He could be using one of the others as a base, perhaps one on Loch Long called Glenhaish."

The men had brought food and drink on the galleys. They shared it with the selkies, who in turn shared their fish roasted over an open fire. Brodie ate enough but didn't stuff himself. Nor did he drink much ale. He had to be ready if the bastard attacked this night.

He gazed out over the ocean toward the west, to the blazing orange, rose, and violet sunset lighting the sky. It reminded him of Elsea. She'd always remarked on the beautiful colors, awe in her eyes.

"How are you feeling?" Torr asked, approaching. He drank from a tankard.

"Much better. The shifting helped me heal faster."

Torr nodded. "You appear fully recovered. I'm impressed."

Brodie nodded. "I have to be ready for the next raid."

"Elsea asked me to tell you to be safe."

Brodie loved the sound of her name and wished he could see her now. Embrace her. "How is she?"

"Well, as far as I know. Just worried about you."

Brodie tried to banish her from his mind, for memories of last night muddled his thoughts. He needed to be sharp and focus on a possible attack.

"Move the galleys to the back side of the island," Brodie told his clansmen a few minutes later. "They'll not know we're here."

At gloaming, Brodie used his spyglass and spotted possible raiders in the distance. "Galleys approaching from the south!" he shouted. "Take cover, and we'll surprise them. They'll nay suspect we're all here."

"Shift and take to the water," Scarth told the women. They dashed for the cave. After they shifted, they would escape into the sea through the hidden tunnel.