Page 99 of Desiring the Highland Laird
“But—”
“I want ye safe.”
She understood and nodded. “All right. But Callum.” She leaned toward him, tipping her face up to his. “Please be careful.”
He brushed the back of his hand over her cheek. “Aye, lass. I will.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Callum watched Eviereturn 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.
