Page 3 of Kilted Abduction
“Ye’re right,” Elspeth whispered. “Ye need tae get away from here.Now.”
CHAPTER TWO
The sun slipped toward the horizon and the air grew chilly. It was yet another reminder that the winter season was upon them, and it would be deathly cold before long. Magnus MacLeod stood on the battlements of Dunvegan Castle, his ancestral home, staring out at the bank of slate gray clouds sweeping in from the east. They looked to him as if they carried the promise of snow. If not snow though, he was certain they would bring bone-chilling temperatures.
His eyes drifted to the land below the wall of clouds in the distance. He gazed even farther to the east, his heart growing heavier with every mile he could see. Though the battlefield was too far away for his gaze, Magnus could see it all too clearly in his mind’s eye. Even now, as he stood safely upon the ramparts of his family home, he could hear the ring of steel and the cries of the wounded and dying. He could still smell the blood in the air. Worst of all, he could still see his father’s broken and bloodied form crumpled upon the ground. He could still see it as clearly as if he was standing right there. Magnus reined in his emotions and pulled his furs tighter around him.
“I thought I’d find ye here, braither.”
“I wasnae hiding.”
Domnhall, Magnus’ eldest brother and laird of their clan, stepped up beside him and together, they gazed out across the endless sea of green, the mood growing as heavy as the air around them. Magnus was silent.
“I dinnae need yer mind-reading gift tae ken what ye’re thinking about, little braither,” Domhnall said.
“Today is the anniversary of…”
“I ken.”
They stood together for several long moments and Magnus kept seeing the horrible events of the day their father was killed in battle playing on an endless loop in his mind.
“It’s nae yer fault,” Domhnall said softly.
“Ye keep saying that. Year after year, ye tell me that,” Magnus replied. “And yet, it still feels like it is. It was me plan that led us there. It was me plan?—”
“It was yer plan that carried the day and saved the clan. If nae fer what ye did, our lands—our home—might have been lost,”Domhnall said gently. “Our family would surely have been put tae the sword. Ye saved our lives, Magnus.”
“Nae all of us.”
“Sometimes, things happen ye cannae control, braither. As powerful as yer gifts are, ye cannae change the hand of fate.”
“Ye sound like Thora.”
The corners of Domhnall’s mouth and eyes crinkled as he smiled “For being so young, our sister is wise. Her second sight has given her a wisdom nae granted tae the rest of us. Maybe ye should give her yer ear,” he said softly. “Or perhaps ye should let Enya take away yer hurts or Kai replace the emotions ye are feeling and ease yer conscience, little braither.”
“Living with these wounds and the pain that lingers is a reminder tae nae make the same mistakes that led tae faither’s death.”
“That’s just the point though… ye didnae make a mistake. It was simply faither’s and maither’s time. And none of us can ken when our time is—nae even Thora,” Domhnall said. “And were Da here, he’d slap yer head and tell ye tae stop mopin’ around like a bleedin’ mule. He lived a good life. A life of honor. And he died the way he wanted tae die—with meaning.”
Deep down, Magnus knew everything his brother was telling him was true and right. Their father wanted his death to haveas much purpose and meaning as his life had. And yet, even knowing that didn’t absolve him of the guilt that had plagued him ever since the day their father had been slain upon the field of battle. The ache in his heart was a constant reminder that he had failed.
“Come, little braither,” Domhnall said. “It is almost time for ye and Kai tae depart.”
“I ken. I just wanted tae pay me respects and honor the day.”
“Ye can honor our faither by continuing to protect this family and our clan, just as he’d appointed ye tae do.”
Domhnall gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze and Magnus let his older brother lead him from the ramparts down through the castle and out to the yard, which was bustling with activity as servants ran back and forth, preparing things for the trip. Others were already putting up decorations to celebrate the coming of the Yuletide season and preparing for the annual celebratory feast they hosted.
Domnhall stopped Eldrick, their chamberlain, instructing him to load up his brothers bags on their horses. Eldrick nodded then scurried off to carry out his orders.
Domhnall looked around the bustling yard. “Now, where is Kai?”
“I’m nae sure,” Magnus replied. “But I’d start looking in the chambermaid’s quarters.”
“Aye. Probably so.”
Magnus grabbed one of the servants that was passing by. “Find me braither,” he said. “Tell Kai to get his bleedin’ breeches on and get out here. Time’s a wastin’.”
