Free The Highlander's Vow (Loch Moigh #4) by Barbara Longley Page B

I was dying. Grievously wounded and feverish, my life was slipping away bit by bit. Then the shimmering lights appeared, and I escaped fate’s decree. Do ye no’ see? I was meant to die that day. I’m living on borrowed time, and I fear that borrowed time is running out. I fear you are meant to take me back to the past, and it makes no difference whether it be Halidon Hill or Kildrummy. I cheated death once, and I ken well I will no’ be so lucky the second time ’round.” His voice broke. “And that, my lady, is at the root of my resentment toward you.”
    “What power do you believe I hold to take you anywhere?” Sky asked, her eyes clouded with confusion. “I assure you, I have no such intent or expectation. I—”
    “You have my oath to protect you, my lady. That holds power enough.”
    “I remember no such oath. When did you swear fealty to me?”
    “The moment you fell through time. Do you no’ recall? I gave you my word that you would be safe.”
    “Ah, well then . . . I release you from your vow.” She straightened her posture and lifted her chin. “There. Will you cease resenting me now?”
    “If only it were that simple.” He couldn’t help smiling. How could one wee lass be so haughty, and yet so warm and generous of heart at the same time? “I believe there are forces beyond our ken at work here. Perhaps fate has caught up with me at last.”
    “Och, but ’tis naught but superstitious thinking on your part.” She shook her head. “You can take the man out of the fourteenth century, but you canna take the fourteenth century out of the man,” she muttered.
    “What?”
    “My cousin Robley’s wife says that whenever she’s vexed with him, only she says fifteenth century.” She glanced at him through her lashes. “Robley is the cousin who came to this century by choice. He returned to us, which leads me to believe I will be able to return home as well. By whatever means, send me to the McGladreys in Minnesota, and you need no’ worry over my presence any longer.”
    There was the knotting sensation in his gut again. “You don’t need to go to Minnesota to talk to Connor McGladrey. Once we’re in Virginia, we can look him up on the Internet, and then we can e-mail or phone him and arrange a time to Skype.”
    She rubbed her temples. “I’ve no bloody idea what you just said.”
    He grinned. “Once we’re home, I’ll show you. In the meantime, will you accept my apology? I’m truly sorry for my churlishness. I know none of this is your fault, and you certainly don’t deserve my resentment.”
    “Aye, I will accept your apology.” Up went her chin again. “Will you set aside your resentment once and for all?”
    His feelings went so much deeper and were way more complicated than what he’d been willing to share, but those were his issues, not hers. At least what he’d told her was the truth, just not all of the truth. “I’ll do my best.”
    “Think you we might become friends, Struan?”
    The vulnerability in her tone tore at him. He, more than anyone, knew what she was going through, and yet he’d offered her nothing but suspicion, defensiveness—and lust. “Aye, lass. I would like that.”
    She chuckled. “Are you aware of the way you slip in and out of the speech of our time and now?”
    “Aye. I’ve worked hard to fit in here, but speaking to one such as yourself brings the old ways to the fore.” He studied her for a second. “Are you able to shut off your fae abilities? Do you have any control?”
    She nodded.
    “I might not always be able to control my emotions. I want you to know that none of what I feel about the past has anything to do with you, and I can’t always turn it off. If you would agree to allow me my privacy, that would help us to get along better.”
    “Oh.” Her face turned pink. “I . . . Och, now ’tis my turn to apologize. I’ve been so frightened and confused, I fear I’ve relied upon my abilities to gauge my