“That explains why he and Ula didn’t hesitate to support MacCuaig. Revenge.” Makenna paused and released a long sigh. “She is so blind. She cannot be reasoned with or even shamed into doing what is right. It was a waste of my breath and emotion.”
Colin tugged her gently against him. “Let me give you something you can invest your emotions into.” He breathed before lowering his lips to hers. Makenna instantly melted and reached out for support. He kissed her slowly, letting her feel the endless need inside him. It was a long time before Colin ended the tender embrace.
That was nearly two weeks ago.
Makenna flipped over on the bed and began to play with the dark hair on Colin’s chest. Ula was gone, and today Rona and her husband would return to their home. Rona’s constant nit-picking had grown each day her husband remained and participated in talks of alliances. Discussions had ended late yesterday evening, and Rona’s husband was among the many who had not yet pledged his support to Colin.
“Leave, Rona, life will be much more peaceful with you gone.” Makenna sighed to herself. Her fingers danced in the soft curls that covered his upper body before tapering to a line down his abdomen.
Colin stirred, and Makenna knew she had once again spoken aloud. “Well, what do you expect when you have cultivated a habit for so many years?” she asked herself, making sure her lips were firmly pressed together.
Her hair moved, and she knew Colin was awake. Every morning began this way, regardless of the night before. They could come back to his chambers quiet, aroused, or angry, but they always ended in bed, sometimes with frenzied need, and other times with slow deliberation.
Makenna felt free to be totally herself when inside these walls. Lack of fear brought a sense of security and with that an unbridled passion Makenna was unaware she possessed until these past few weeks.
Colin was just about to attend to Makenna’s playful hand when someone unexpectedly banged on the door. No one would summon him at this early hour unless they carried important, and most likely bad, news.
“Stay here,” Colin gently ordered before throwing on his leine and belt. Grabbing his sword, he headed toward the door. Before she could see who was in the hall, the heavy wooden barrier closed behind him.
The wood slats muffled their voices, but did not completely block their words. Makenna swung out of bed and threw on her chemise. She moved by the door and recognized Dunlop’s voice.
“There were several fires set against outlying Dunstan families during the night. One boy was burned, but will live.”
“Raiders?”
“No one saw or heard anyone.”
“Select a small group of men to accompany me. I ride in an hour,” Colin ordered, his voice disappearing as he descended the tower stairs.
Makenna swallowed. Small group of men, Colin had said. She wanted to find him, hold him tight, and make him promise to be careful. Pride kept her feet planted and her hands by her sides.
Suddenly feeling chilled, Makenna walked over to the hearth and added a log to the fire. She stoked it until the flames grew large again, heating the ambient air. Pulling the McTiernay plaid off the bed, she wrapped it around her shoulders and sank into the oversized padded chair she knew Colin preferred. Colin would return and explain what was happening before he left. She just needed to be patient.
“If I were to count all the minutes I spend studying the flames of a fire, I would no doubt learn that I have lost a year of my life,” she mumbled, moving to rest her head in a more comfortable position.
Several piercing shouts from the courtyard below jarred her back awake. Makenna blinked and saw that the light entering the room was significantly brighter than before. She had fallen asleep. At least an hour had passed.
Makenna stretched her deadened limbs and waited for the painful tingling sensation to fade so that she could go and see what was happening.
“Did you fall asleep in the chair?”
Makenna swung around to see Colin enter the room. “Aye,” she replied softly as he pulled out a plaid from the chest. His manner was casual, but she could see the tension in his muscles. “What happened?”
“Nothing you need be aware of. I will take care of it.”
His reply was short and terse. Makenna took a deep breath. He was treating her as if she were a child who needed blanket reassurance that all was well. She rose to her feet. “I do not doubt that you will resolve whatever is wrong, Colin. I am just asking what happened.”
Colin closed his eyes seeking patience and finding none. “And once I tell you, you will want to know where I am going, how long I will be gone, and if it will be dangerous.”
Makenna straightened her shoulders and eyed him closely. “Aye, those are considered basic questions a wife asks her husband when she sees him prepare to leave and not just for the day’s work.”
“I will not be explaining myself to you or anyone else. I am laird now, and I decide who receives what information and when,” he instructed, his voice harsh.
Her hands flew to her hips. “You best decide to include me and before you leave, Colin McTiernay. I am quite knowledgeable about fighting, and I can recognize preparations to enter one.”
Colin felt his insides clench and focused his attention on securing his belt around his pleated plaid. “Aye, I have heard about your alleged skill with a blade.”
“Alleged? I’ll have you know I am d—”
“And like so many of my young, ignorant recruits, you do not understand the great difference between wielding a sword with someone who won’t kill you and with someone who will. And if I have anything to say about it, you never will.”
Makenna’s jaw dropped. “You are serious about leaving and telling me nothing. Nothing about my own clan. If we are in danger…” Her eyes were wide with heated awareness.
Colin stifled an oath. “If you were in danger, I would not leave, Makenna. You know that,” he stated bluntly, wishing he could end this conversation by taking her to bed again. Unfortunately, there was not time to make her see reason, and by the look of her stubborn jawline and flashing emerald eyes, Makenna did not have the slightest inclination to be sidetracked.
“And just why should I know that?” Makenna asked, knowing the insinuation would prick his pride.
It worked.
Colin moved so quickly Makenna never saw him coming. One second she was fuming by the hearth chair and in the next Colin’s hand was around her wrist dragging her across his chest. His blue eyes glinted and pierced her soul. “Because you know me.”
He was right, and suddenly Makenna didn’t want to fight with him just as he was about to leave, heading into possible danger. The fact was, whether he knew it or not, she did know what happened and where he was going. Their fight was about two souls and their pride. And somehow, keeping her pride with Colin was not nearly as important as it once was.
“Aye, Colin, I do know you. You are proud and stubborn, but you would never consciously leave Lochlen, my people, or me in danger. But you should also know that I am not dense. I know something has happened, and it requires you to leave. But what has not occurred to you is that this terrible news will eventually make its way back here. The more you trust me, the better I can prepare our people.”
Colin stifled a groan, knowing their argument had not been terminated but merely postponed. Makenna understood that he needed to leave, just not his need to shield her. Colin dropped a soft kiss into her hair and threaded his fingers through her thick mane. It was gloriously soft, and he knew not being able to touch her for days, possibly weeks would be torture.
He pulled her head back and peered down into bright green pools glimmering with unshed tears. Makenna’s eyes were keyholes to her thoughts, and right now they were full of apprehension. He leaned down and brushed his lips lightly across hers. “Take care of the keep while I’m gone. Drake’s going with me. Dunlop will be with the men at the training fields if you need him. Brodie and Gorten are to remain here with you.”