Page 45 of Taming the Highland Beauty

It was then that Gille heard the clashing of swords coming from the front courtyard. Callum’s hand moved to his sword as he and Alastair raced in that direction.

What had happened at Dunvegan while they had been gone?

Chapter Nineteen

Gille and Callum stepped into the front courtyard to see chaos unfold before their eyes. English soldiers, their red coats gleaming in the evening light, clashed swords with the MacLeod clan, their kilts stained with blood. Without a thought for his own safety while his clan was in trouble, Alastair drew his sword and stepped into the fray.

Callum turned to Gille. Anguish reflected in his gaze, mirroring her own. He drew a sharp breath. “I must help them.”

“I know.” She nodded jerkily as pain tightened her chest. “If only my magic and I could.” She dropped her gaze to the earth at her feet as a tear slid down her cheek. Would their path ever be free of obstacles?

“You must proceed with singing the song. Nothing can stop you from that course.” He brought her gaze back to his with a finger beneath her chin.

Gille stared at the man before her. A breeze ruffled his hair, and the evening sun cast him in a pale gold light. Her breath caught as a sense of quiet wonder replaced her sadness. He was so handsome. His eyes were not just brown, as she had always thought. They were the colour of the earth after a rain, in that moment between storm and calm. And just like nature, he was always changing, never the same. Evolving. Obstacles were just that—a moment where new challenges arose for them to conquer. He would fight the battle in the courtyard while she would fight to break her curse.

She reached up and brushed a lock of hair back from his eyes. Her fingers strayed to the strong, straight line of his cheekbone and followed it in a single brushing stroke. Words, dozens of them, pushed through her mind, but none of them came to her mouth. What could she say to the man who had rescued her from the forest and given her hope for a better tomorrow? He had given her back her laughter and made her smile when all she had wanted was to bury herself in her cloak and hide. She owed him so much.

“It is time,” she said, feeling brave once more. Time to confront the English and time to step into their future, whatever that might be. Callum started to turn away, but she pulled him back towards her. She pressed a kiss to his lips, lingering there for only a heartbeat before she pulled away. “I love you,” she whispered against his cheek. “I expect no words in return, but I wanted you to know before you go into battle what is in my heart.”

He pulled her tightly against his chest. “There will be plenty of time to speak of such things when we are through.” He released her. “Until then.” His brown eyes filled with promise.

Gille swallowed back the sudden lump that came to her throat. Aye, there would be plenty of time after she broke her curse. She hurried towards the castle. She had to call Lady Janet to the water’s edge. She made it no farther than the sea gate when Lady Janet appeared.

Were you successful? Lady Janet asked, floating beside Gille along the pathway as they turned back towards the water.

“Aye,” Gille replied, clutching the parchment with the song’s lyrics and Pearl’s translation. “We are ready to proceed.”

Could we wait for my children? Lady Janet asked, her voice tinged with despair. I’d like to say goodbye.

Gille understood the sentiment but pointed out the fighting in the front courtyard. “With the English attacking, ’tis impossible for your sons, Aria, or Isolde to join us. And Gwendolyn, Fiona, Rowena, and Rosalyn are caring for the wounded.”

Regret crossed Lady Janet’s not-fully human features. Then we should proceed, and I shall hope I have time before I pass to the afterlife to tell them I love them one last time.

At the water’s edge once more, Gille called, “Minerva.”

The waters of the loch stayed silent for a moment before the green-blue water rippled, and a sleek, dark shape emerged from its depths. Minerva, her seal form glistening with beads of water, hauled herself to the edge of the surf. Her large, expressive eyes filled with caution as she scanned the surrounding area. “We heard unusual sounds and sensed another ship in the distance that is not the Cliodna. What dangers have you brought back from your mission with you?”

“An English warship followed us home,” Gille confessed as the ship in question suddenly sailed into view, just off the harbour where the Cliodna was anchored.

Minerva’s eyes flashed with anger. “The English and their cannonballs threaten my people as well as yours.”

She turned her gaze towards the sky. It would be an hour or more until sunset. Even so, to Gille it appeared as if the world around her held its breath, waiting for her to sing the song that would free her, Minerva, and Lady Janet. “The song—”

“Must wait until we are safe,” Minerva snapped.

“What can we do?” Gille asked, tamping back her disappointment. Would she ever be free of the curse?

“Help me call the other seals. We must get them out of harm’s way before those two ships start firing cannonballs at each other and hitting my pod instead.”

*

The evening took on a surreal quality as Callum clutched the sword in his right hand, then drew his dagger from his belt with his left and raced towards the battle. He blocked out the words Gille had just uttered. He could not let anything distract him from his immediate purpose. Once the battle was over, if he survived, he could explore the warmth that had filled his chest and the emotions that lay in his own heart.

Callum dived into the battle as the clangour of steel against steel sounded above the shouts and cries of men and horses. Callum fought alongside Alastair, the two of them making their way towards where Orrick, Tormod, and Isolde fought.

Before Callum could make his way to the three of them, a dark-haired Englishman stepped before him and lunged.

Callum parried and spun to the right, but the redcoat brought his sword around in a sideways sweep. Callum was ready. His blade arced up and back, stopping the slice. As the swords collided, Callum kicked, catching his opponent in the stomach and sending him staggering backwards.