Page 143 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

They moved toward the open portcullis and outside the curtain wall.

"Did you find the selkie women?" Brodie asked Gavin.

"Aye, they were in an upstairs bedchamber. Harcus said they're all accounted for, and some of the males took them back to the island."

Relief surged through Elsea. She released a breath and smiled.

"I thank you and Torr for helping Elsea and me and the selkies," Brodie said. "I'll never be able to repay you."

"Och. You well ken no repayment is necessary," Torr said.

"Indeed," Gavin said. "We always watch each other's backs. Besides, 'twas my fondest wish to see your curse destroyed." Gavin grinned.

"Elsea! What the devil is going on here?"

She glanced toward the road. William, Corran, Kieran, and their clansmen approached on horseback. A scowl on William's face, his eyes scanned their small battlefield, littered with fallen enemies.

"A skirmish," Torr called back.

"Cousin Torr, MacCain, MacTavish." William dismounted, along with her other brothers and clansmen.

"Aye, 'tis indeed us," Brodie said dryly with a mock bow. "Did you come to help? You're a bit too late."

William approached, and his face paled when he noticed Elsea's clothing. "You're covered in blood, sister! Are you hurt?"

"Nay. 'Tis not mine." She cringed, wishing she had something clean to change into.

"Your horse returned to Kincreag this morn," Will said. "We were looking for you. Why did you slip out again?"

"To free the selkies, as I told you before," Elsea said. "Talnaroch had them imprisoned here."

"Where is he?" Will asked.

"Hell, most likely," Brodie said, moving closer to Elsea, his arm brushing hers.

"You killed him?" William demanded.

Brodie remained silent, and she glanced up at him. He observed her with pride and affection.

"I did," she admitted, not proud, but glad she was able to save Brodie's life.

"What?" The word blasted from Will's mouth.

"You and your brothers trained our wee warrior well." Brodie grinned and slipped his arm around her waist. She blushed.

"You killed the earl?" Will stared at her, aghast.

"He was charging Brodie with a sword, intending to kill him. I refused to let him do that," she said in a firm tone. "Besides, he'd already shot Brodie in the head." She pushed Brodie's hair back a bit. "See the gash?"

Will's mouth hung open.

She followed Brodie's gaze as he glanced aside at the selkie chief and several of his men approaching.

"Chief Scarth, I'd like you to meet Lady Elsea's brother, Chief MacAuley." Brodie explained that Scarth was the selkie chief. The two bowed and shook hands.

"Please tell him what the Earl of Talnaroch did," Brodie said to Scarth.

"Captured all our women, stole them away to sell them," he said in Old Gaelic. Daavar translated into the modern language.