Page 27 of Her Scot of Bygones
And my fears were realized when the same woodland appeared at the end of the tunnel, except this time the season hadn’t changed, nor the year.
This time, we were back on enemy territory here and now.
“This is unwise,” I ground out, quietly unsheathing my blade as Hazel made her way outside. I nearly put my hand on her arm to stop her, but caught myself, determined to keep my word, but it wasn't easy. Every step could rip her away from me all over again if the wrong Sutherland appeared. Hell, even if therightSutherland appeared.
Unfortunately, as it turned out, it seemed I was to be tested, because what happened next proved I wasn’t a man of my word, after all. Not when the right Sutherland appeared, and I didn’t handle it well at all.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
–Hazel–
IWASN’T SURE what to expect as Lucas and I made our way out of the tunnel onto Sutherland territory in our current era, because Evan told me in a dream to be prepared for anything. What I didn’t expect to find was a tall, handsome highland warrior with dark chocolate brown hair tinted with auburn and pale gray eyes waiting, looking at me with such adoration my heart leapt into my throat.
“Evan?” I whispered because I couldn’t quite find my voice. He had changed so much, but was still the same in every way that mattered, and all our moments together came rushing back when our eyes connected. “Is it really you?”
“Aye, lass,” was all he managed with a warm smile before I raced into his arms like I had as a little girl, and we were embracing each other like the long-lost friends we were.
At least until a low growl resounded behind me that sounded more animalistic than human. Evan put me behind him and held his sword at the ready when Lucas edged close, his dragon eyes flaring, clearly ready to fight.
“Dinnae do it, MacLeod,” Evan ground out as the men circled. “Ye dinnae have the right o’ it but ye will if ye but hear me out.”
“Hear ye out?” Lucas growled, shaking his head, overly possessive right now. “Nay, ‘tis no hearing ye out when ye thought nothing of taking my fated mate in yer arms as if she were yers.”
The next thing I knew, Lucas went at him, and their blades crashed together. While it was safe to say Evan fought well as their swords crossed in rapid succession, Lucas was an exceptional warrior, and he nearly nicked Evan several times. Despite being fueled by rage and jealousy, his movements were precise and well-orchestrated. Yet Evan managed to stay on the defense, even as Lucas drove him back and the men continued battling.
There were a lot of situations a modern-day woman could find herself in, but this one took the cake. Not in a good, yummy way either, but a ridiculous way, and I made that clear, finally finding an opportunity to intercept Lucas when Evan whirled away.
“Stop it, Lucas,” I exclaimed, holding my blade at the ready, surprised by how effortlessly my dragon eyes flared to life. Even so, my heart pounded at the fierce look in Lucas’s eyes. The pure battle lust. “Stop! Youpromisedme, and I need you to keep that promise.” I softened my tone and gentled my eyes. “More than ever, I need you to be steadfast and dependable right now.”
“’Tis not a good time for that,” he said roughly, clearly fighting his emotions because he partially lowered his blade as I lowered mine, allowing me to edge closer.
Even better, he gave me a chance to make him see reason.
“But itisa good time.” I rested my hand on his chest because I knew it would make him focus on me, and I was right. Despite keeping his eyes narrowed on Evan, he didn’t sound so vicious when his troubled gaze flickered my way.
“’Tisreallynot the time, mate.”
“But itis.” I stepped in front of him slowly, so he had no choice but to lower his sword altogether and made sure his eyes remained on me. “Evan only embraced me because I went to him, not the other way around.” My inner dragon flared in my eyes again, making things perfectly clear to him and his innerbeast. “Iwent tohimbecause he’s my good friend. One I forgot to miss until now.” I shook my head, certain I was right. “That’s it because I’m in love with you and he’s in love with someone else.”
“Aye,” Evan said softly but urgently. “And ‘tis best we speak of it away from SutherlandandMacLeod ears lest there’s an enemy amongst us.”
“An enemy amongst the MacLeods?” Lucas muttered, calming beneath my touch. Beneath the look in my dragon’s eyes, and the certainty that I spoke the truth. “Impossible.”
“Are ye so sure?” Evan wondered. “Sure enough to risk yer fated mate?”
“I wouldneverrisk her,” Lucas seethed, his dragon eyes flaring at Evan before I steered his chin back to me and locked eyes with him again.
“He means us no harm, Lucas, and we need to listen to him.” I made it clear I would go whether he came with me or not. I trusted Evan that much. “Not just for my sake but her sake.”
He frowned. “Who’s sake?”
“Lilias’s,” I said softly. “My sister.” I wasn’t sure how the details got all turned around, only that they had. I shook my head. “She was never part of a love triangle, but shewasloved a great deal.” I glanced from Evan to Lucas. “The three of us were good friends, but Evan always loved Lilias the way you loved me.”
“’Tis truly best we speak of this where I know our words cannae be overheard,” Evan pleaded, sheathing his blade, making it clear he would no longer fight back if Lucas attacked. “Otherwise, ‘twill be Lilias who suffers.”
“And I wouldneverforgive you if that happened,” I said to Lucas, removing my hand from his chest and biting back emotion. This wasn’t the time or place for it. “I’m not sure why you don’t remember her joining the three of us as kids yet, butshe did.” I blinked back tears and kept my gaze with his, praying he did as he’d promised and trusted me to lead the way. “I remember my sister now, only I had no idea she was my sister at the time, and I wish I had. Wish I could give her a big hug for all she’s suffered since.”
It seemed seeing my glassy eyes was all it took because he sheathed his sword and did what he did best, wrapping me up in his big, strong arms, and comforting me. “Aye, Sutherland,” he grunted, speaking to Evan over my head, the warning in his voice obvious. “Take us where ye will, but if ye put my lass’s life in peril, I willnae hesitate to cut ye down.”
