Page 100 of Desiring the Highland Laird
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.”
