Page 79 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"Oh, I thank you, Arabella. I'm most grateful to you for saving my life." Elsea curtsied.

Arabella studied her, then copied the movement. "I was pleased to return the favor." Arabella's curious gaze shifted back and forth between Elsea and Brodie, and an impish smile lifted her lips. She took Elsea's hand and Brodie's, then placed them together, closing his fingers tightly around hers amid tingles like tiny bolts of lightning. Arabella grinned wider and walked away.

What the devil was that? Brodie frowned after the selkie.

Elsea yanked her hand away and headed toward the galley.

Immediately, he regretted the frown, but what was Arabella about? He ground his teeth.

As they were preparing to take their leave, Scarth approached Brodie and shook his hand, Una beside him. "We wish for you the wisdom of the king of fish, the salmon," he said in Old Gaelic. "May all your days be blessed, my friend."

With a respectful dip of her head and a serene smile, Una added, "May the wind of fortune sail you... and naught but peace, happiness, and love enter your home."

A tingle of mystified perception going through him, Brodie forced himself to bow. "I thank you both. 'Tis an honor to count you and your tribe as friends." Why was this happening now? Scarth had never spoken of blessings before, and Una rarely talked to him. The females mostly kept to themselves.

Brodie glanced aside, and Finnian sent him a mischievous grin. Had he told Scarth of the salmon that had slammed into him in the galley? Brodie frowned, searching the faces of those around him. No one paid him any attention now. Elsea waited farther down the beach, near the galleys, facing away. Aye, he supposed his frown had offended her. Damn it all!

Opposing forces warred inside him, but he tamped them down and approached Scarth. "Finnian will keep a watch out for those who attack you. I thank you for your warm welcome. If the weather is good, I'll return this night. If you could, choose a dozen or so men to accompany me to the castle."

"We'll be ready," Scarth assured him, then smiled. You could've told me she's your mate, my friend, he said telepathically.

She is nay my mate! Brodie returned, the words exploding from his mind.

Scarth and Una exchanged a glance, then gave him knowing smiles.

Chapter 15

Everyone said their goodbyes to the selkies and boarded the galleys again.

When Brodie lifted Elsea to carry her, his muscles tense, she could not bear looking at him and his dark glower. She stiffened and turned her face away.

Why was he so vexed? Because Arabella had linked their hands?

Elsea should punch him.

As the men lifted the sail, she slid as far away from Brodie as possible on the thwart. She tried to maintain two feet, but he wouldn't allow it. He moved closer.

Why did he have to ruin the whole experience of meeting the selkies? It had been enchanting, and she'd nearly wept at their grateful, artless manner. They were pure of heart and so sweet and kind, almost like children. Which made what that brute Talnaroch was doing that much worse.

When Arabella had wrapped Brodie's hand around Elsea's, she had been stunned breathless. Beautiful tingles had whorled through her, as if Arabella were magically joining their souls. But Brodie's scowl had been a dark storm cloud. Aye, she deserved it, but... that did not dispel the deflated gloom that engulfed her. She should simply accept that he would forever hold a grudge and cast her hopes and yearnings into the sea. She had helped the selkies, and she would keep helping them. That was enough.

The rest of the trip passed in silence. Brodie remained like a lump of stone beside her, and his clansmen gave him sideways glances, obviously not wanting to rile him further. When they reached the coast just below Farspag, 'twas growing late. Brodie helped her ashore again. She did not bother looking at him, and when he set her to her feet in the sand, she thanked him as if he were a stranger. She headed toward the cliff's steps, hoping he wouldn't notice.

"Could I help you up the cliff, m'lady?" Neil asked.

She did not see any teasing or flirtation in his eyes this time. In fact, he looked most serious. She glanced back to the galleys, finding Brodie busy. "I'm certain I can do it."

"The chief would be devastated if you should fall."

Hardly. He would probably be overjoyed.

She relented and allowed Neil to take her hand and lead her up. Finnian followed.

At the top, on level ground again, she thanked Neil, and he returned down the cliff. Finnian approached her, using his staff, carved with fantastical creatures.

"Could I have a word inside, lass?" he asked, his breath only slightly elevated.

"Aye." What could he possibly wish to discuss with her? He had helped her with her injury, but she was fast recovering and no longer needed his help.