To Bewitch a Highlander (Isle of Mull #1)

Chapter Thirteen

“’ T is the Witch,” a chorus of children screamed as they raced past Ronan and Aidan.

“God’s blood,” Ronan swore as he grabbed hold of a squirmy little boy and lifted him high in the air.

“Where is she? Where is the Witch?” he demanded, but the boy could only stare at him with pale, terror-stricken eyes. Apparently, he was as scared of an angry, over-sized warrior as he was of the Witch of Dervaig, but Ronan had no patience for the boy’s fear. He gave him a little shake and shouted, “Tell me where ye saw the Witch, lad, or I’ll take a switch to yer hide.”

“Ronan,” Aidan snapped. “For pity’s sake, give the lad to me.”

Ronan handed over the dirty faced whelp who was now screaming and flailing his skinny legs. Aidan put the boy’s feet on the ground and crouched down until their eyes met. “Alright then, lad, I saved ye from the big, scary giant. Now, tell me where ye saw the Witch.” The boy cupped his mouth as he whispered into Aidan’s ear. “Good lad,” Aidan smiled. Then he stood and gave the boy a swat on his rear end. “Now get going. The giant’s stomach rumbled, and ye’d make him a tidy snack.” The boy’s eyes nigh bulged out of his head before he tore down the lane as if the devil himself gave chase.

“Ye’d like to think ye’re the nice one,” Ronan said dryly. “But ye’re a rotter same as me. Now out with it. Where did he see her?”

“Heading into the north end of the forest,” Aidan said.

“On the outskirts of Gribun?”

Ronan wondered why she would take a path so close to the village. Then the answer came to him.

“She wanted to be seen,” he said. “She is vexed with me.”

“Well, it has been a full week, and ye did vow to return sooner,” Aidan replied. “Women don’t like waiting, nor do they take kindly to broken promises.”

“I do not need reminding,” he snapped. “I am painfully aware of how many days have passed, but I have had meetings and training. Hellfire, Aidan, we are on the brink of war.”

Aidan threw his hand up. “’Tis not me ye need to be telling all this to. ‘Tis Shoney. With that in mind, should we not go find her?”

“Aye,” he grumbled. “And swiftly. If she loses her temper, there is no telling what she might do. It will be hard enough to convince the clan she is just a normal lass. The last thing I need is for her the challenge a passing warrior to a duel. ”

Aidan burst into laughter.

“What is so funny,” Ronan growled.

“I’m sorry, my friend, I did not mean to make light of the matter. But I imagined Shoney confronting big, harry Dugald with sword at the ready and picturing his reaction just did me in.”

Ronan could not help but smile. “I have found a spirited lass.”

“That is one way to describe her,” Aidan grinned.

“Something tells me we’re about to witness just how spirited she can be,” Ronan said with a grimace as he headed toward the forest.

Upon entering the wood, he wondered how long it would take to find her, but he did not have to wonder long. Within moments, the Witch appeared from behind a tight cluster of trees and stormed toward them.

“Saints preserve us,” Aidan cringed as the figure charged.

Ronan had to admit Shoney was a chilling sight. She was fully enclosed within the folds of the tattered cloak of the Witch, but she had abandoned the usual limp and shuffle. If he didn’t know better, then he would have sworn the Witch of Dervaig had sprouted wings. But just as she was upon them, she flung her hood back and revealed her waves of golden hair and her fierce, steel eyes.

“Sweet Jesus, thank ye,” he heard Aidan mutter at his side.

She stood unflinching with legs apart and hands on her hips. Her head barely reached his chest. He had three times the breadth of shoulder, but still she brandished her might like a chieftain.

“How dare ye cast me aside, Ronan MacKinnon,” she said as she jabbed him in the chest with her pointed finger. “And to think, I trusted ye. I was a fool to dismiss my vision.”

He grabbed her wrist and turned her hand over and kissed her palm, but she yanked her hand away and cradled it as though he had stung her.

“Let me begin by clarifying that I have not cast ye aside as ye put it. I demand to know what gave ye that idea?”

“Ye told me to watch for ye,” she shouted. “Ye told me ye could not bear to stay away. Ye led me to believe yer return was imminent not in a week’s time.”

“Ronan, she does have a point,” Aidan chimed in.

Ronan glared at him before turning back to Shoney. “I have my duties, Shoney. I have been clear about this from the beginning. Do ye know how much I risk speaking to ye right now so close to the village?”

Aidan once again interrupted. “Shoney, he also makes a good point.”

“Aidan,” both Ronan and Shoney shouted in unison. “Shut up!”

He raised his hands in surrender. “Fair enough,” he said, backing away. “I’ll keep watch while ye both work through this mess alone.”

Ronan waited until Aidan was out of ear shot. Then he turned back to Shoney. “I don’t want to fight. ”

And he meant it. Seven days had seemed like an eternity, and now that she was finally standing in front of him, the last thing he wanted to do was argue. Looking from side to side, ensuring they were indeed alone, he said, “Come with me. I want to show ye something.”

“Are ye taking me to the village?” Shoney demanded. “Because that is the only place I want ye to take me right now. I cannot stomach anymore deception or broken promises. Let us take our chances with the truth.”

“Nay, Shoney.” His hand ran through his hair in agitation, but he worked to keep his temper at bay. “Ye know I cannot. My people are already anxious about the threat of war. Their actions will be guided by fear. They will think ye’re a bad omen.”

“That is absurd!”

“That is the truth. We must wait until after the war. I’m sorry, lass. Now, enough of this. Please,” he beseeched her. “Please come with me.”

He edged up the wooded slope, staying low to the ground. He glanced behind to see how she progressed, but she stood unmoving at the hill’s base.

“Are ye coming?”

“Ronan, I know every tree in this forest. There is naught for ye to show me except a little understanding.”

He walked back down the slope and stood before her. Sweeping the Witch’s cloak off her shoulders, he stuffed it into his sporran. Her face was crimson with anger, and her gray eyes blazed, reminding him of a steel blade catching the sun’s fire .

“I have missed ye every minute of every hour. I swear to ye, Shoney. If I could have stolen away, then I would have. But I will not act rashly. There is far too much at stake to be reckless.”

He watched as a series of emotions seemed to dance across her face. Then she hung her head for a moment as she stared at the ground. When her gaze met his again, he could see emotion still churning behind her stormy eyes.

“’Tis not easy being the one who is found wanting. And though ye say ‘tis just a matter of time, I feel in my heart that we want the impossible.”

He started to interrupt her, to deny her claim, but her hand silenced him.

“Please, allow me to finish. I am proud of who I am. I am proud of the woman who mothered me. I do not wish to dishonor myself any further with this deception.”

“Ye speak against deception,” he interrupted. “While ye and yer family have been deceiving my clan for well over a century. Or need I remind ye of the invented and fearsome Witch of Dervaig.”

“But that has been a necessary lie, made for our protection, our safe passage through this land.”

He drew even closer. “Yer protection is my one and only motivation for deceiving my family.”

“I believe nothing will be different when the war is over.” Her shoulders stooped with dejection. “’Tis impossible,” she whispered.

“Nay, Shoney. Do not despair. I told ye that I will find a way.”

“I remember the madness that claimed poor Aidan when he thought he faced the real Witch. I will only ever be despised and feared.”

“But that same man greeted ye with a smile just moments ago and even as we speak is keeping watch to ensure our secret is safe. If Aidan can be convinced, then why not the rest of my clan.” He paused, taking a deep breath, and then exhaled loudly. “Only not now, not when war is so close at hand.”

She stared off into the distance for a moment, her face a mask guarding her thoughts. After a time, she said, “Ye know the temper of yer people far better than I, but I can make no promises to remain content until after the war. I do not say this to be obstinate. I just do not want to make a promise I cannot be sure to keep.” She reached out and took his hand. “I do owe ye an apology, however.”

“Whatever for?” he asked.

“I have been selfish today, drawing ye into the woods. I allowed my temper to once again guide my actions.”

He smiled. “A habit which ye and I share.”

“And yet, ye came despite the personal risk. Why?”

“Is it not obvious?” He pulled her close. “I love ye,” he whispered the instant before his lips claimed hers. When he pulled away, a wide smile lit her face. She laughed and started running up the hill.

“Where are ye taking me,” she called down to where he stood.

He stared for a moment in awe of her strange beauty. Then he dashed up the hill, catching her hand. They ascended the remainder of the slope together.

“Is this safe, Ronan? Should I not return home now?”

“Ye needn’t worry. Aidan will alert me if anyone ventures close.”

Her wide eyes shone with pleasure, causing him to chuckle as he considered how just moments before her eyes had flashed hot with anger. He was once again the hero. Never would he have imagined a girl who could cause him so much agitation and at the same time so much pleasure. Her sharp tongue and stubborn ways pushed his patience to the limit, but her resilient spirit and fervor for life were intoxicating.

As they crested the top of the hill, he paused to take in the idyllic scene below. From all sides, the forest gradually sloped down and the trees thinned out as land met the waters of a small pond where dozens of small, black ducks swam.

“I saw them earlier flying overhead in the direction of the forest. I knew they would come here to swim.”

“’Tis beautiful, Ronan. If only we could forget that a world existed beyond this splendor.” She chuckled as she continued, but her smile did not reach her eyes. “However, even Puffins do not allow the mind to forget the trials of life.”

He laughed, wrapping his arms around her. “Be patient, Shoney, and do not doubt me. I promise ye that I will find a way.”

“When can we be together again? ”

“Tomorrow,” he said. “Meet me under the lone tree that sits in the valley west of here.”

“I know the place, but do we not risk discovery?”

“Aidan will ensure our privacy. Meet me there in the morning. I will bring food and drink, and I promise ye I will not leave yer side until the next day.”

“No more promises, Ronan. If ye do not make them, then they cannot be broken.”

“Have faith in me, my love. This is one promise I know I can keep.”