Page 83 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"Nay, I'll handle it. Go inside."

The guard strode away from him and toward the stone guardhouse on the shore, near the landed galleys. The men had removed them from the sea, preparing for the coming storm.

"What the devil are you doing?" Brodie shouted at her. "Go back! Now. That's an order."

"I take nay orders from you," she mumbled, too low for him to hear and continued her painstaking descent, the rocks scraping her hands.

Cursing, Brodie stomped toward her. "A gale is approaching. We'll talk when I return."

Finishing her descent, she reached the more level shore, but rocks littered the area. Unable to see them well in the gloom, she stumbled a bit.

Brodie grabbed her arm. "Why are you following me?" he demanded, halfway between a growl and a shout.

"I must tell you something!"

"What? Can you nay see a fierce storm is coming?" He flung an arm toward the west and the waves crashing nearby.

"Of course. You must have a care. The earl's guards are vicious. They will fight without honor, and the witch could be helping them again. I wish you to stay safe."

"I'll be fine. A dozen selkie males are going with me. We'll outnumber them."

A forked bolt of lightning in the distance startled her, stealing her breath. "'Tis going to be a horrible storm. Wait until after it passes. The sea is too rough now."

"The selkies are waiting for me," he growled.

"They will understand that the weather has delayed you."

"You are the one delaying me. Damn it all! I will take you back." He moved to lift her, but she drew back out of his reach. "Lass," he said between clenched teeth. "I'm warning you."

"Do nay threaten me! I'm only trying to help you."

"I have nay need of your help. Did the guard allow you through?" he snapped.

"Of course. Do you imagine I can climb over walls?"

"I'll tell him to never let you through the gate again without my approval."

A gust of wind slammed against her, almost blowing her over, and a few raindrops stung her face. But something urged her to tell him the truth. To make him see reason.

He grabbed her arm, steadying her. "You can barely stand out here."

'Twas now or never. She must bare her soul. "Brodie, I'm sorry for all I've done to you! I pray you will forgive me."

He glared for a long moment. "Go back!" He pointed up the steps. "Now!"

"Why did you kiss me?" she demanded. "If you hate me so much, why did you kiss me?"

Lightning flared, illuminating his fearsome expression for a moment. Thunder rumbled along with the crashing waves spraying over them.

"Is that nay what harlots expect?" he snarled. "To be kissed and bedded by all the men? Is that why you followed me out here, to finish seducing me?"

His spiteful words striking her speechless, she shook her head. Remembering Finnian's advice, she forced herself to let him vent. If he could unload all his pain and rage upon her, mayhap he could heal.

"Your seduction skills are highly developed after all your practice on other men," he yelled.

For the first time, she experienced his agony, for he was inflicting some of it back on her. He had always been so kind before. So sweet and attentive. She had caused this. The rain and salt spray mixed with the tears burning her eyes. His rage and hatred reinforced the curse, and to overcome it, he must release all the venomous emotions.

"Hurt me all you wish," she said, her voice shaking. "Take your revenge! Go on, then." She grabbed his hand and placed it on her throat. "Strangle me and be done with it, as you've threatened. Throw my lifeless body into the sea and let it wash away in the storm. No one will know. 'Tis no worse than I deserve. You are blameless."