Highland Intrigue - A Prequel

She hurried through the market and seeing the worried looks on many of the mothers’ faces meant the news was spreading fast. She strained her neck looking about for her sisters and spotted the two men talking to a mother and daughter, the mother keeping her arm wrapped tightly around the lass.

The older man turned as the younger man continued to question the mother. He looked straight at Bliss and held her eyes for a moment. He turned back to the mother and after speaking to her, the woman pointed to Bliss, nodding.

The two men approached her and she thought to hurry away, but she feared they would chase after her, and then she would draw attention to Elysia and Annis. It was better she remained where she was and see what they wanted.

“You are the clan healer?” the older man asked.

Bliss had trouble thinking of herself as the clan healer. However, before Kendesa, the old healer, had died months ago, she claimed Bliss the new healer. She did not feel she knew half as much as Kendesa had, but people came to her anyway and she treated them the best she could. So she had no choice but to nod, confirming it so.

“We have a man arriving here tomorrow who needs care. You will tend him,” the younger man ordered.

She nodded again and the young man walked away, his eyes searching the crowd. The older man stared at her a moment before smiling pleasantly and with a nod he walked off. Her heart was thumping so fast that she placed her hand to her chest and took slow breaths to calm it.

Whatever was she going to do? How was she going to protect her sisters?

Her heart beat faster and she hurried off, needing to find her sisters and rush them home.

Elysia spotted the two men who searched for a wife for the dreadful cursed lord and shivered. They were not far off and she hurried to turn and keep a safe distance from them. She bumped into something hard and stumbled back, disoriented. Suddenly, a hand closed around her arm so tight she thought a shackle had clamped around it. She raised her eyes slowly along the length of the man. He was broad in width, his chest wide and muscled, and he devoured her short height. His dark wool cloak lay open and the garments beneath were just as dark as the cloak. His neck was swathed in cloth and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to look upon his face. The only way to do it was to be quick about it. She tilted her head back and almost gasped when she was met with intense green eyes. They frightened and yet captivated, especially since the swath of cloth around his neck extended up and across the lower portion of his face, leaving only his eyes to look upon.

“I—I—I am sorry,” Elysia sputtered and yanked her arm free surprised it released so easily. She turned to run and spotted the two men growing closer. Instinct had her turning and hurrying behind the large man to hide. “Please do not move,” she begged in a whisper. “I do not want those two men to see me.”

She remained huddled as close to his back as she could, though he was so wide and tall, she doubted anyone could spot her cowering behind him. He had a strong scent about him, pine, fresh earth, and a slight odor of wood smoke, a favorable combination.

Elysia was startled when he turned slowly, allowing her time to turn with him so she would not be spotted until she wound up as if engulfed in his arms. His scent grew stronger around her and she found herself stepping closer to him until their bodies brushed against each other.

A chilled early autumn air had lingered since dawn and though she had worn her wool cloak and was warm enough, the warmth of the man’s large body provided a more comforting heat.

When she almost laid her head on his chest, she realized his nearness had intoxicated her and she quickly raised her head. Her words stumbled out once again. “I—I—I am sorry for imposing on you.”

She peeked past his broad shoulders and was relieved to see the two men gone and Bliss heading her way. She looked up at him again. “My sister is here. Thank you for shielding me.”

He gave a nod, turned, and walked away.

“Thank God I found you,” Bliss said. “We have to find Annis and go home. I have news and it is not good.”

Annis had found Bliss and Elysia, having heard the news and was anxious to see if either had heard yet.

“I cannot believe Chieftain Emory is going to ban marriages until further notice,” Annis said, pacing in front of the closed door once the three had settled inside the cottage. “What of the marriages that were to take place?” She stopped. “Chieftain Emory would not let those women be taken away, would he?”