The Condemned Highlander (Highland Intrigue Trilogy 2)

He wasn’t surprised when he saw her turn and approach him. He knew what she would say when she reached him—and he was right.

“We will wander the path tomorrow.”

Her stance alone, her hands planted firmly on her hips, and her sharp tone let him know she would not be dissuaded.

He thought to suggest differently but it would be a futile effort. “If that is what you want.”

“I cannot keep waiting. Every day that goes by I worry more and more for Bliss.”

He tried to offer her some solace. “The witch told you she was safe for now.”

“How long is now?” she argued and shook her head. “Nay, I wait no more. I have instructed the men well and Risley knows much about building. He will be able to guide them. We go tomorrow at first light.”

Brogan glanced toward the hills, worried at what tomorrow may bring.

Brogan took her hand as they approached the mist covered hills, little good that it would do if the witch appeared. But he would hold on to her for as long as he could and he would remain where he stood if she disappeared in the mist, knowing last time she had not been that far from him.

The mist grew heavy not long after they entered the path and Brogan tightened his hand around Annis’s. “Watch your tongue with her, Annis.”

“Watching my tongue will get me no answers,” she said.

“I will not see you harmed,” he warned.

“You cannot protect Annis against me.”

Brogan stopped along with Annis, both hearing the sharp voice.

“I would think again on that,” Brogan threatened.

A disgusted sigh echoed around them. “A man in love is the worst fool to deal with. Begone with you.”

Brogan felt Annis’s hand slip out of his and he frantically reached for her only to find himself grasping at nothing more than the mist, and he called out, “I am here, Annis.”

“Brogan!”

His name faded away and fear squeezed at Brogan’s stomach. He could do nothing but wait as the mist grew thicker around him.

Annis watched as the mist parted and once again the witch showed herself. She did not wait to speak her mind. “How long do you expect me to wait?”

“Patience is a virtue,” the witch said.

“For those who have time for it. I have no time for patience. Tell me what I need to know or tell me why I must wait for the information,” Annis demanded and for a moment she thought she caught the witch smile.

“You will learn that time is everything concerning the curse and you will do well to pay it mind. However, the time is right for you to leave this area and continue your quest.”

Annis’s eyes lit with excitement. “The MacWilliam bairn lived, didn’t she?”

“Of course, she did,” the witch said, her chin going up a notch. “Those fools thought they could outwit my curse and they suffered for it and will continue to suffer if you do not see this made right.”

“How do I make it right?” Annis asked anxiously.

“Find the lass, and all will come to pass,” the witch said. “You must find the woman who took the bairn. But beware, there are those who will try to stop you. Those who have other plans. See them for who they are.”

“Can you not tell me who they are?” Annis asked, annoyed.

“They hide behind lies, sprout meaningless words, and remain in the shadows. You will need all your courage to find them.”

Annis understood that was all she would share about the unknown people and that was fine with her. Her concern was more for… “And what of Bliss?”

“Your sister has time yet. As the curse unravels you will understand why. But—” She raised her staff. “If the curse is not broken, then no one is safe. Not Bliss. Not you. Not Elysia. And least of all not the three cursed lords.”

“Why did you give Lady Aila the curse?” Annis asked, more curious than she had ever been about it.

“The men deserved what they got. They claimed themselves friends of Lord Brochan, then turned their backs on him and Lady Aila. They were willing to take the life of an innocent bairn when Lord Brochan had fought beside them to save their families. Lord Lochlann was the worst, having been like a brother to Brochan. I wanted the three lords to suffer more, not so Aila. She wanted her daughter to live, to be able to love, and have a good life.”

“You call them Brochan and Aila as if you knew them well enough to do so,” Annis said.

The witch raised her brow. “Like you do with Lord Brogan?”

“It seems natural to do since I think of him more as a friend.”

The witch’s brow went up even higher. “A friend. I believe you favor him much more than merely a friend, as he does you.”