Page 52 of Sins of a Scot

She looked at him then, her eyebrows slightly raised. “Aye, and, what about it?”

“Well, I’m curious,” he shrugged. “I’ve never met someone with a gift as powerful as yers. I want tae ken what it feels like.”

“Whatwhatfeels like?” Iseabail frowned.

“When ye compel someone,” he replied, shifting his leg over to straddle the log, so he could face her full on. “I want tae ken what it feels like tae be compelled by ye.”

Iseabail gazed at him for a long moment, her eyes sparkling as they reflected the firelight from the village’s activities. Her beauty truly was beyond comparison, for Owen could not think of another he had met that was more striking.

Or perhaps, ye are biased.

Indeed, he likely was.

After a while, she shook her head. “It’s nae something tae be played around with, Owen. Me gift is powerful, and I use it only when I have tae.”

But as Owen slipped off his necklace and placed it in the grass beside his feet, her eyes grew wide.

“What?” he said.

Iseabail glanced down at it, and then looked back at him. “Well, it’s just, without that crystal, ye have nay protection.”

“And?” he pressed, a smile dancing at the corner of his mouth.

She still looked astonished. “I just didnae realize how much ye trusted me.”

Owen felt a little surprised at her words. “Why the devil wouldnae I trust ye, Iseabail? Ye’ve never given me any reason nae tae.”

“I blackmailed ye tae be here, remember?”

Owen shook his head. “I thought we’d discussed that. I’m here by me own free will. There’s naething holding me here but the importance o’ yer quest.”

Iseabail still looked full of doubt, and for a long second, they shared a gaze. Owen did not look away, even for a second, and finding himself a little lost in her eyes, it was only Iseabail’s words that pulled him out of his trance-like state.

“Are ye sure?” she pressed, the lines on her brow furrowing in concern.

“Well, as long as ye dinnae compel me tae strip off and run around this place naked,” he joked.

Iseabail laughed then. “I promise. Naething like that.”

“Very well. Then aye. I’m sure. Come on. Face me, so ye can look me in the eye properly.”

Iseabail copied Owen’s earlier movement and throwing her leg over the huge log, she straddled it. Looking him directly in the eye, she said, “Ye must drink something.”

Immediately, Owen felt a desperate thirst come upon him, and he grabbed his throat, feeling like he hadn’t drunk for days.

“Wow, that is powerful. I thought I would simply feel like I had tae obey, but ye actually make me feel thirsty.” And still feeling the desperate need to quench his thirst, he grabbed his tankard and downed the rest of his ale.

Feeling impressed by her powers, Owen said, “That is definitely some gift ye have.”

She smiled warmly. “Did ye nae believe me?”

He nodded. “Och, I did. I just didnae realize the strength o’ it.”

“Well, now ye ken what it feels like.” She nodded down to his necklace. “Put the crystal back on.”

Owen smirked at her. “Why? Does it mak’ ye nervous when I’m nae wearing it?” He was mocking her a little bit, but she didn’t seem to mind.

She nodded with light laughter. “I’d just feel better if ye put it back on.”