Page 41 of Desiring the Highland Laird (Highland Destiny #1)

C allum watched Evie return to the keep as a deep shuddering fear rippled through him.

He had the sense that something terrible was about to happen.

He needed her safe and out of harm’s way.

When she disappeared inside, he turned toward the stables in time to see Dougal leading their two mounts.

Concern was etched on the older man’s face. The same concern he, himself, felt.

Without a word, they mounted and galloped out of the gate to meet his brother before he arrived at the keep.

It wasn’t far to meet up with him and the others who accompanied him.

As they approached, Callum realized Angus Sinclair was among them.

They slowed to a trot and came face to face with Malcolm and Sinclair.

“Brother,” Malcolm greeted. His gaze flickered from Callum to Dougal and back again. “I came to warn ye.”

Callum shifted in the saddle, unease flickering through him. “Warn me about what?”

“The MacDonalds are on the move,” he said. “They mean to attack Dundale.”

That niggling fear he sensed when in the bailey returned. “How do ye ken this, brother?”

“I saw them riding out of their keep.”

Fury erupted through him as he peered at his brother.

“How many?” Callum asked.

“A thousand strong at least. He’s called his banners.”

Dougal swore under his breath. Callum gripped the reins tighter in his fists, unable to keep from flinging the accusation. “Ye brought this down upon us.”

“I ken that and for that I am sorry, but we havna time to discuss it here,” Malcolm snapped. “Not if ye intend to secure the keep and fight back. ’Tis why I brought help.”

Angus Sinclair nudged his horse forward as Callum’s gaze flickered over to him.

“This isna yer fight,” Callum said.

“Aye, it isna,” Angus agreed. “But if ye have my kin in your keep, then I thought it best to help defend it.”

Evie. The man thought Evie was his kin. And that was his fault when he took her to him intending to leave her there. Looking back on that, he was glad she had remained with him. Before Callum objected, the man continued.

“My lady wife thinks she’s related, though I dinnae ken how. Mayhap a distant cousin. At any rate, she insisted we come when Malcolm showed up to beseech us for help.”

It occurred to him that perhaps Laird Sinclair wasn’t so far off in his assessment that Evie was related to him. Aye, she may be a distant relation—from the future. It made sense Malcolm would seek help from the Sinclairs. They were the nearest clan to Dundale.

They were also part of the prophecy. The words rang back to him. Two bloodlines. One destiny.

Two bloodlines coming together to fight side-by-side. Mayhap, Malcolm, too, realized that the Sinclairs were as much a part of the prophecy as they were.

“When will the MacDonalds arrive?” Callum asked.

“With their company and at their current speed, less than a fortnight,” Malcolm said.

He glanced at Dougal who listened with rapt attention. His gaze met Callum’s, a deep understanding in the depths. He nodded, encouraging him to make his final decision.

“Aye, then,” Callum said. “We best get ready to fight.”

His gaze landed on Malcolm. They exchanged some silent communication as Callum gave him a nod to indicate he was allowed to return. But it was not the end of it.

As they headed back to Dundale, the overwhelming sensation that the MacDonalds were coming for more than vengeance for the burned village pounded through Callum.

He had the distinct feeling they wanted something else—Evie and the keystone.

It was something his da had said on his deathbed: that Rory MacDonald knew they had the keystone and he wanted it.

He had sworn an oath to his da that he would protect the stone and the lass. He meant to keep that promise.

When they arrived back at the keep, Callum dismounted and headed straight for Malcolm.

He took him by the collar and hauled him away from the others to have a word with him.

Malcolm didn’t fight back. When they were far enough away, though, Malcolm shoved him off.

Anger was etched on his face as he smoothed his tunic back into place.

“I allowed ye back to the keep,” Callum said. “But dinnae think ye are forgiven for yer heinous acts.”

“Ye allowed me back because ye need me,” Malcolm said. “And ye ken that as well as I. MacDonald is coming, brother. There’s no stopping it. Call the banners. Bring them here to fight.”

Callum clenched his hands into fists and refrained from blaming him. “We havna much time to prepare.”

“’Tis why ye need to call the banners. I think ye ken there is more than one reason Rory MacDonald comes to fight.”

He clenched his jaw so tight it ached. The thought had crossed his mind, too, but he didn’t want to voice it. Voicing it would make it true.

“He wants what the lass has,” Malcolm added.

Evie’s beautiful face leapt into his mind. He could not allow Rory to take her or the stone. He had to do everything within his power to keep them both out of his enemy’s hands.

“And should Dundale fall? What then?” Callum asked. “I cannae protect her if I’m dead.”

“Nay, ye cannae.” Malcolm stepped closer to him, lowering his voice. There was a seriousness deep within his sea-green eyes. “Call the banners. ’Tis the only way.”

Callum nodded. But he had another idea to protect Evie. An idea she would likely refuse. He had to find some way to convince her. “Aye, we will call them and pray they arrive in time to fight.”

“Send me and Jamie to bring them back. Sinclair can help ye prepare for what is to come.”

It was a good idea, but Callum worried Malcolm would do something that would put them in more jeopardy. He regarded his brother with a lifted brow. Malcolm seemed to sense his apprehension and huffed out a breath.

“I ken ye dinnae trust me, brother. But ye must if we are to survive this fight. Send us to call for arms.”

“All right,” he said at last. “Bring them. We need the numbers if we’re to win.”

Malcolm nodded agreement. “Aye. I’ll tell Jamie to be ready to ride within the hour. We’ll leave at once.”

“Good. Godspeed to ye both.”

His brother hurried away to find Jamie. As he did so, Callum knew there was one thing left to do—convince Evie of his plan to keep her safe.

He headed inside the keep to find her, to tell her what he intended. She was in the kitchen with Roslyn. When he entered, her face lit into a bright smile. Roslyn gave him a nod of greeting.

“My lord,” she said.

“We will need more provisions. Malcolm has returned and brought the Sinclairs with him. There are more men on the way,” he said.

Roslyn paused kneading the bread to look up at him, surprise evident on her face. “My lord? We have visitors?”

“Aye. And there will be more coming.”

His gaze flickered to Evie. Her bright smile faded into a mask of concern. She sensed what was happening. Roslyn, though, didn’t ask questions. She started ordering the others in the kitchen to prepare to feed more mouths. Meanwhile, Evie moved to stand next to him, lifting her gaze up to his.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

He took her hand. “Come and I’ll tell ye.”

They walked out of the kitchen through the keep. She remained silent as they headed back to the great hall.

“It’s happening, isn’t it?” she asked. “The tapestry image is coming true.”

“They are coming,” he said, confirming her fears. He didn’t want to scare her, but he wanted her to know what was ahead. “A thousand strong heading this way.”

She pulled him to a stop and gaped at him with wide eyes. Her face paled. The wild beat of her pulse throbbed in the long column of her throat.

“A thousand? What will you do?”

“Fight,” he said. “Defend the keep.” He paused, taking her hand once again. “And keep ye safe.”

She swallowed hard. “I’m not leaving you.”

She suspected his plan. The only way to keep her out of Rory MacDonald’s hands—and the stone—was to send her away.

“Evie—”

“No, Callum. I’m not leaving.” Her tone was firm as her eyes glistened with tears. “I’ll hide in the larder if that’s what you want, but I refuse to leave this place. I refuse to leave you .”

His heart thundered hard in his chest. On impulse, he gathered her to him and held her tight, her head tucked neatly under his chin.

As he held her, he felt the pounding of her heart against him.

She was determined to stay with him no matter what.

He would have to find another way to make sure she was safe.

“We willna talk of this anymore today,” he said. Then he pulled back, holding her at arm’s length and giving her a faint smile. “I have men to greet and no lady wife to help me receive them.”

She flushed, her cheeks turning a pale pink. She shifted from one foot to the other. “If you wish for a lady wife…” She paused, taking a deep breath and letting it shudder out of her. “You have only to ask.”

He stared at her in shock. He hadn’t meant it to sound as though he were in need of a wife. It was a comment in jest for the most part. She looked up at him with those eyes he was so fond of.

Callum gripped her hands in his. He lifted one and kissed the tips of her fingers. He thought of her desperation to return to her time, to find her sister and wondered when her feelings had shifted.

“I thought ye wished to return home,” he said.

“I thought I did, too,” she said. “But I seem to have fallen in love with a Highlander.”

His heart thudded. “So, ye mean to stay then?”

She moved closer, pressing her small body against his as she tipped her head back to look up at him. “I do. I mean to stay with you.”

He smiled down at her. It seemed like the sensible thing to do. “I’ll marry ye, Evie Sinclair, if ye’ll have me.”

She grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”