Page 84 of The Highlander’s Tempting Touch

“I wasnae.” Niamh shook her head. “I kent that I’d live tae see ye again. I wouldnae have let it be otherwise. Nae when…” She trailed off.

“When?” Alistair suspected he knew exactly what she was thinking of, but he couldn’t speak of his knowledge, afraid that if he did, he would reveal the price he would pay when they returned.

“I need Catriona tae confirm it, but I believe I am with child.”

“Then I am twice as glad I made it in time.” He bent to kiss her, then rose, still holding her in his arms. “’Tis time fer both o’us tae go home.”

“What o’...”

“Clan MacTavish has nay laird, and nay designated heir. As conquerors, we can claim the right tae appoint a laird, until someone with a better claim comes forward. Or we can absorb the clan intae our own, and MacTavish will cease tae exist.”

Alistair had some ideas on that front, but they would wait. His priority was to get Niamh home. Then he would keep his promise tae Sorcha.

Everything else could wait.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

The long ride back to MacDuff Castle seemed like a dream to Niamh. She was exhausted from the ordeal of her kidnapping, and dealing with Fergus MacTavish, and she was content to ride in Alistair’s arms, against his shoulder, dozing when she could.

They stopped at times, to rest and eat and drink. Niamh took what Alistair gave her, and submitted to his fussing over the marks left by the ropes, the shackle, and Fergus’s rough hands. She had no energy to pay much heed to any of it.

She had survived. Better still, she had protected her child. And she was certain, now, that she carried Alistair’s child. The knowledge was humbling, frightening, and wonderful all at once.

Alistair, for his part, seemed content to watch over her, occasionally speaking to her in his low, soothing voice. The feel of his arms around her, his broad back against her shoulders, was comforting, even amusing, when she recalled that he’d held her the same way during their first journey to MacDuff Castle. The same grip, but there was so much difference it felt like another lifetime, like they were two completely different people. And yet, it had scarcely been more than a moon since she’d met him at the Harvest Equinox Festival. Only a little over two and a half fortnights had passed.

And so much had changed. And would continue to change, as the babe within her grew. The idea both terrified and amazed her, to the point she was content to simply settle into his strong arms and allow herself to drift.

“What in the name o’ creation is she doin’ here?” The words startled her out of her pleasant haze, partly because of the vehemence in them. She blinked her eyes open and looked up.

She hadn’t realized it, but they were almost home. MacDuff Keep loomed close, less than a candle-mark away.

For a moment, she thought they’d encountered members of the clan who resented her, like Guineveve. Then she realized the words had come from a man riding close behind her, and that his attention was focused on a woman who stood in the middle of their path. A woman dressed in purple and black, her long, raven-colored hair swirling about her. “Sorcha?”

“Aye.” Alistair’s voice was low, subdued. “I arranged tae meet her on the way back tae the castle.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “I asked her tae aid me in savin’ ye, and promised tae pay the price she requested after ye were safe.”

“Price? What price?” Something cold tightened in Niamh’s belly. “What are ye…?”

“What I must.” Alistair gestured for his brother to come closer. “Stay with Niamh. I’ve a promise tae keep.”

“What promise, braither?”

Alistair hesitated, then swung down off his horse. Only when he was on the ground did he look up and address them both. “I’ve been avoidin’ the curse she placed long enough.”

“Alistair… ye cannae!” Ewan started to lunge out of the saddle, but Alistair stilled him with a firm look.

“Dinnae argue. I kent what I agreed tae when I made the promise. Besides…” His eyes flickered to Niamh, soft with regret and love. “I’m tired o’ living with a curse, o’ bein afraid tae give a woman me heart when she deserves it all. If I cannae love her freely, then I’ll see tae her safety and set her free tae love another.”

Before she could protest, before she could leap from the saddle to follow him, he turned and walked toward the witch. “I’m ready tae fulfill our agreement.”

“I ken.” Sorcha nodded, and withdrew a strange, dark-hued blade from her skirt. “If truly ye be a man o’ yer word, tak’ this blade and drive it home.”

Alistair took the dagger with no hesitation. Then he looked at her. “And ye’ll… ye’ll be kind tae Niamh? And Ewan?”

“I will give them what they need from me, and what they ask, as I can. And I will stir nay trouble against them.” Sorcha dipped her head, her words ringing in a promise of her own.

Alistair took a deep breath. The he raised the dagger, the blade parallel to his arm, and drove it toward his chest.

Niamh cried out in grief and fear. Ewan stiffened, a wordless sound wringing from his throat, and all the warriors surged forward as one, ready to take their vengeance on the woman who had sent their laird to his death…