Free Mark of the Highlander (The MacLomain Series: Next Generation, Book 1) by Sky Purington Page B

blue and green checkered plaid wrapped around his waist and over his shoulder. Licking her lips, McKayla tried to focus on his black boots, on the hand he still held out, on anything but his face.
    But in the end she couldn’t focus at all.
    The world tilted, swayed and then went away.
    A loud buzz filled her ears. All vanished. Within seconds reality surfaced and she was in his arms. Trevor? No, it couldn’t be. Colin? Had to be.
    “I always meant to just look once and then leave you to your life,” he murmured as he carried her. “But it turns out I was too selfish.”
    He smelled of outdoors, fresh cut grass, warmed cedar, and fresh air. Trevor had always spelled of soap and woodsy cologne. But it couldn’t touch this new smell, the very scent of this man’s skin. “Who are you?”
    Then she was lying in her bed with a warm comforter pulled over her. Sunlight tried to stream through drawn crème-colored curtains. “I’m not tired,” she whispered.
    “You were tired the moment Leslie started on you this morn. Take a nap, love. Then you’ll see me again. The way you were always meant to.”
    McKayla tried to respond but couldn’t. Instead her heavy lids slid shut. Though it seemed only a few minutes had passed, when she next opened her eyes the sun’s cast on the curtains was low. Wind blew the oak tree and spikes of sunlight danced across the room. Somehow, it was tremendously peaceful.
    Could it be she’d simply dreamt it all? No. It had happened. Of that she was sure.
    “This was Arianna’s room even before it was mine.”
    Startled, McKayla sat up to find Caitlin sitting in the corner.
    Settling back some she said, “Sorry, I didn’t know you were here.”
    “I should be the one apologizing. Not you.” Caitlin smiled. “How are you feeling?”
    “A little off honestly.” She took a deep breath and said, “It all happened, didn’t it?”
    “It did.” Caitlin pulled the chair closer, her golden eyes compassionate. “You and your cousins are handling this really well. I suppose it’s in our genes to adjust to all of this quicker than most. Are you all right? How can I help make this easier?”
    Passing out like she had was handling it well? But she supposed it was better than going into hysterics like any normal person would.
    “Are Seth and Trevor okay?” McKayla asked.
    “Yes, they’re fine, just worried about you.”
    “Okay. Good. I mean that they’re okay, not that they’re worried about me.”
    “It’s good they’re worried about you,” Caitlin said. “They’re just as guilty as Ferchar and I in this terrible deception. We all deserve your anger.”
    McKayla fingered the ring Seth had put on her finger. “Why was Trevor so upset about this?”
    Caitlin schooled a frown. “I think mostly because Seth was showing you magic before he was.”
    Never. Trevor wouldn’t act that way over something so trivial.
    “You’re lying,” she replied quietly. “Tell me the truth.”
    Caitlin took her hand and rubbed her finger over the ring. “You’re right. I just don’t want to overwhelm you though it’s likely far too late.” She grimaced. “While I think Seth did this with your best interests in mind it might prove to make things difficult.”
    “For who?”
    “Trevor of course. He’s in love with you.” Caitlin frowned. “This ring bars that love. There’s no way around it.”
    “Though I’m not buying into the whole Trevor loving me part, how would this ring bar it if it did exist?”
    “Well, as far as I know the wizard’s eyes must match the stone. When Seth did this he ensured that Trevor could never be your one true love.” Caitlin shook her head. “What is it between them to make him act so harshly?”
    McKayla sighed. “Who knows? Seth and I have long been best friends in the most unromantic sense. I’ve never quite understood it because we’re polar opposites. He loves a mountain cliff with no rope. I love a quiet, safe room where I can write. The only