Page 42

Merryn and Broc

Later that night, Merryn crept out of her chamber and headed toward the parapets. She grabbed a long fur to wrap around herself. For some reason, she needed to get outside, and the parapets were the safest place.

She let the door close slowly so as not to awaken anyone. Then she turned around, taking in the gorgeous view of the sea in one direction and the mountains in the opposite. She sighed, tearing up at the beauty of the isle.

Only once had she been on the curtain wall of her uncle’s castle, and she’d been quite young, only noticing trees that went on forever.

But here on Mull, it was different. The half-moon lit up enough of the area for her to see far across the water, the rhythmic lapping against the rocks below calming her. She tipped her head back in the breeze, the cool air refreshing.

What was to become of her? Of Shealee? Of Tristan and Broc and Simone? All the people she cared so much about, yet she feared something awful was about to happen.

Had Kelvan built up enough of a force to take over the isle and send the Grant warriors back to the Highlands?

She jumped at the sound of boot heels, smiling when she caught sight of Broc coming toward her. “What are you doing here?”

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her soundly. “I might ask you the same thing, lass.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” She snuggled close to him, taking in his heat, the hardness of his body that made her feel safe and …

“You’re blushing.”

“I know.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“You. Us. We. I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I like the feel of you against me.”

He bent down and whispered in her ear, “I like the feel of your soft curves against me. You are the prettiest lass on all of Mull, Merryn MacClane.”

“I think you are seeing things. There are many far prettier than I am.”

“Nightmares?”

“Nay, I’m just worried.”

Broc sighed and found a stool to sit on, settling her on his lap as he wrapped his arms around her. “You’re cold.”

“Not with you next to me,” she whispered.

“What worries you?”

“Everything. Broc, what if we can’t find them?

What if Kelvan has more men than we do? What if Glenna sells John and Lia before we find them?

What if he cuts Alasdair’s hand off?” She couldn’t stop the tears from misting her gaze.

“What if you’re hurt? Logan was stabbed, two guards were hurt.

There could be many more injured the next time.

And what if they come back for more bairns again? ”

“Hush,” he said, setting his fingers to her lips. “You’re doing what I spent the last hour doing, and it gained me naught. We can’t begin to guess what is about to happen. We have to trust in the elders of the group.”

“But it didn’t work before. More were taken. Are you not afraid, Broc?”

“I am. I hate to admit it, but I am scared. I thought I would come back with my mother, but we failed. So I understand your fear.”

“Kelvan is so cruel. So evil.”

“He is, but this was a patrol we were on. The next one will be a full battle with the Grant warriors called in from home. He’ll not beat us. Trust me, lass.”

“If you trust them, then I will too. I want so badly to have this all go away, so we can …”

“We can what?” He grinned, tipping his head.

How did she tell him what she wished? That she wished they could marry because she knew Broc would never hurt her like Kelvan had done to Nara. After watching her poor sister’s relationship, she swore she’d never marry. She whispered, “So we can get closer.”

Broc made her feel differently. She wished for them to explore each other’s bodies, something she’d never thought to do before.

Never!

Now she wished to see what he looked like without his tunic on. With naught on.

Her dear mother was probably rolling in her grave at her thoughts.

He whispered, “I want the same. I wish you were mine. I wish we had the time to ride across the isle, to swim at the beaches, to hike over the mountain. Mayhap someday.”

He didn’t know how to tell her that, at the moment, he didn’t deserve her. He’d failed his mother, failed his father, failed Logan. It was as if there were a wild boar standing outside the castle looking at him.

You’ll never be rid of me, laddie.

Broc had the oddest wish to find a boar and stick his sword in its belly. But he’d yet to see a boar on Mull.

He held Merryn close. “Soon, lass. Soon.”

“Good, because I’m falling more in love with you every time we are together, Broc MacNicol.” His heart swelled at the words.

“I love you too, Merryn. Our time will come soon enough.”

What he didn’t say was that if he didn’t save his mother, he’d never be able to marry. He wouldn’t be worthy of Merryn’s, or anyone’s, love.