Page 30 of To Win a Highlander’s Heart

Her bow thumped to the ground. Her left hand crept up to his shoulder. The fingers of her right hand curled around his shoulder. Lost to his desire for her, he swept inside her mouth, aching for her to do the same. When she did, heat roared through him to centre in his loins. He pressed against her, needing to feel her against the most male part of himself.

She answered his need by moulding her body to his, and moaned. The fire between them swelled, pulling them into a dark, whirling storm of yearning and need. Their shared passion was carnal and fierce, blinding them to everything around them except each other.

He should have thought to ask for her kiss abovestairs, where they would have as much privacy as they desired, where they could allow instinct to take them where it would.

The sound of a throat clearing nearby cut through Orrick’s raging desire. He ended the kiss abruptly at the sound.

Isolde stiffened against him. She pressed a hand to his chest as hot colour rose to her cheeks.

Instead of releasing her and letting her fall to the ground on legs that were most likely as unsteady as his own, Orrick held firm, trying to be an anchor in the storm that was slowly releasing its grip.

Alastair studied the two of them with a raised brow and a sly grin. “Am I interrupting? Clearly I am, so don’t bother with an answer.”

“What do you want?” Orrick asked, grateful that his voice sounded steadier than he felt.

“Our scouts have returned and report that the village of Roag is being attacked.”

“By the MacQueens? The MacDonalds?”

“We don’t know anything more than that the raid has begun and that the villagers need our help,” Alastair explained.

Orrick’s stomach hardened to a knot. “What is your plan?” He relaxed his grip on Isolde so that she could ease away from him when she was able. A heartbeat later, she shifted away, then bent to retrieve her bow before stepping several feet away. She tugged at her skirt to straighten it about her hips.

“The men are assembling in the front courtyard. I want you to join us.” Alastair’s features pinched.

Only moments ago, Orrick’s blood had flowed with molten heat. Now it turned ice cold. “I cannot. I’ll be no help in battle, Alastair. Besides, do you truly need me when you have two hundred well-trained guards to attend you, and many more in training?”

“Aye. We need you. The three of us always ride into battle together. Our connection as triplets helps us to anticipate each other’s moves.”

“Who will lead the clan if we are all slaughtered?” Orrick asked.

“Callum will remain here. His skill as a warrior is growing daily, and he kept the castle and the men in order after Father’s death. I daresay he could do so again.”

“I’m not ready,” Orrick objected.

Alastair’s hands went to his hips. “I saw you strike that target with your last two arrows. If you cannot use a sword, then bring your bow or take a pistol, or both. I need you beside me along with Tormod. Together the three of us are stronger than we are apart.”

Orrick shut his eyes, then realised his mistake as the faces of those he’d killed came back to him in vivid detail. He flinched and opened his eyes. “I don’t know if I can, Brother. I cannot seem to escape my memories.”

“’Tis all right, Orrick.” A feminine voice cut through the tension. “When the cause is just . . .”

His gaze lit on Isolde.

Her cheeks pale now, she straightened. “I will go and fight for the MacLeods.”

She wasn’t ready for battle. Granted, she’d bested him time and again with her sword, but that was while they were sparring. Every battle he’d ever been in held many elements of surprise and was no place for someone who was not fully healed. He was about to object, when Alastair stepped forward.

“Nay. I’ll not take someone who puts my own men in danger because she is not at her physical peak.”

“It’s because I am female?”

“It’s because you are injured.” He pointed at the target in the distance—at the irrefutable evidence that lay before her. “Would you take a warrior with you into battle who could not defend herself or any of those around her?”

She swallowed roughly. “Nay. I would not.”

“Then stay here with my pregnant wife and all the others who may have need of your comfort while I am gone with my brothers.”

After a slight hesitation, she nodded. “I can do that.”