The Highlander's Servant: Book One of the Highlander Possession Series (26 page)

             
Sobs of overwhelming joy and relief racked both of their bodies. Kirstin let go of him to gaze upon his eyes, “I thought ye were dead.”

             
“Nay,” Mr. Croft smiled, his wrinkles deepening as he did so, “I am no’ dead.”

             
She embraced him once more, whispering in the crook of his neck, “How could Ma betray us so easily?”

             
She could feel her father frown, and heard the sorrowful tone in his voice, “I donna ken. I fear she was never satisfied with being my wife, and the choices I made, but donna give up on her yet.”

             
“But Pa,” Kirstin said a bit louder, “She wanted yer death and would have done it herself.”

             
His frown deepened, “I ken, Kirstin, I ken.”

             
Kirstin sighed into the crook of his shoulder before pulling away again, “And Neil-“

             
“I am sorry for no’ telling ye about yer brother.” Mr. Croft rushed, interrupting her, “Only Lachlan and I knew that he was on our side, yer mother always thought he really was loyal to Graham. I did no’ want to get ye involved in that.”

             
“’Tis all right, Pa. I am no’ upset. I have come to accept that everyone wants to protect me, but ye will all soon realize that I can protect myself.”

             
In awe by her words, Mr. Croft touched the side of her cheek with his thumb, “How ye have grown, Kirstin.”

             
She was flushed by his response, “Change has taught me much over the past several months. I am no’ the child ye once raised, Pa, for I am a woman who can think for myself now.”

             
Her father smiled adoringly at her, “I can see that.”

             
Just as he had said that, Lachlan and Ewan entered the room. Ewan was babbling away about Alana and Lachlan looked a bit unnerved. He was relieved when Mr. Croft interrupted them by standing from his chair and shaking Lachlan’s hand, “’Tis a pleasure to see ye again.”

             
“Nay,” Lachlan said, “the pleasure is all mine.”

             
Kirstin was grinning between the two of them, and their friendliness that they shared towards one another.

             
“So,” Mr. Croft clasped his hands together and bellowed, “When is the wedding?”

             
Kirstin laughed out loud at that, content in knowing that her father was as excited as anyone else.

             
“By the next moon.” Lachlan answered more calmly.

             
“So soon?” Mr. Croft asked. Kirstin nodded in response, sparing a glance at Lachlan.

             
“Well then,” Mr. Croft said once more, “We better hurry and kill those Ruskin bastards before they ruin a good wedding, what do ye say?”

             
Lachlan leered, “Now yer speaking in my tongues. Tell me, what do ye propose?”

             
Ewan and Kirstin listened curiously as Mr. Croft answered, “We ambush them before they us.” a devious smile touched his lips, “In the morrow.”

Chapter Thirty-One

             
Despite the hundreds of men that had joined together in the front fields of the almighty and fearsome Laird Bateson’s home, Kirstin had actually found herself to be calm. She was still worried because it was the very next morning since Mr. Croft had suggested they ambush the Ruskin Clan, and Lachlan had agreed with him. The plan was to attack at night, when the moon was high and full in the sky, and the stars bright.

             
A sulky gray cloud, as massive as the fields it floated above, hung low in the sky. It was right where the men stood, sparring and preparing themselves for battle. Kirstin had been standing away from them, gazing upon at the cloud. She feared that it was a dreadful sign of what may come, and found that coaxing herself was the only thing that helped. It was only the least bit relieving though, at telling herself that Lachlan would not die in battle with Graham.

             
If he did die, however, she would not be able to tolerate living anymore with the thought that his cause of death would have been potentially her fault. Kirstin could never love another as she loves Lachlan, no matter how charming or handsome any man may be.

             
As soon as she had spared that very thought, she felt a hand against her shoulder, and she looked down from the gray cloud to gaze upon those familiar blue eyes.

             
“Neil,” she greeted, noticing her brother was not clad in armor or leather like the other men, “Are ye no’ going to fight?” she asked.

             
Neil frowned, the crease on his forehead deepening as he did so, “Nay,” he said, “I told Lachlan I changed my mind for I have no’ been entirely loyal to either clan. I feel that ‘tis in my best interest to fight for ye, and therefor I have come to give ye my protection.”             

             
Kirstin’s expression matched his, “Neil, please fight for Lachlan.” She begged, “If ‘tis my protection yer fighting for then ye must ken that ‘tis Lachlan’s life that will affect mine.”

             
Neil became confused, “What do ye mean? I donna understand.”

             
“If Lachlan dies,” she said, grabbing hold of his arm in a desperate gesture, “Then I will surely die of heartbreak. Please, Neil,” she begged once more, her grasp tightening on his arm, “Fight for Lachlan. He needs as much, if no’ more protection, than me.”

             
Her brother’s eyebrows furrowed as he instantly became frustrated, “Fine,” he answered, a smile of relief touching Kirstin’s lips, “But ye must fulfill the promise ye made to me not so long ago.”

             
Kirstin gave him a wry smile, “Aye, I will go to Vanora’s home and stay with her until everything is serene again. Please, Neil,” she repeated more calmly, “protect Lachlan for me. I canna bear to live without him.”

             
He nodded once, “Aye, I will do my best, but quite honestly I donna think the man needs my protection. If anything, I need his!” Neil joked light-heartedly, but something about his tone gave Kirstin the impression that he was serious.

             
Kirstin laughed nervously, “Ye both stay safe, for I love both my betrothed and my brother.” She stood on her toes and gave him a quick kiss upon the cheek, “Even if I never knew I had one,” She added, “Ye make the best brother there is.”

             
A heart-warming smile touched Neil’s lips, and he found himself embracing his younger sister, “And yer the best sister a brother could ever ask for.”

             
Kirstin embraced him back and then said, “Ye should probably go tell Lachlan that yer going to stay and fight for him. I will come with ye.”

             
“Aye, that might be a good idea.” Neil said in a teasing way.

             
Together they walked through the many men. At one point, Kirstin almost got hit by one of the practicing sticks, but Neil had swiftly pulled her towards him to prevent it, “Stay close to me.” He had said protectively.

             
When they did reach Lachlan, he was shirtless with a fine coat of sweat glistening on his tanned skin. His breeches were tight, and his hair disheveled making him look all the more masculine.

             
“Lachlan,” Kirstin said, gaining his attention from his sparring, “Neil is going to fight for ye.”

             
“Is that so?” The highlander asked, turning around to face them with a smirk, “Boy, ye keep changing yer answer. Is this for certain?”

             
Neil nodded, “Aye, for Kirstin here has convinced me.”

             
“Very well then,” Lachlan roughly grabbed his shoulder and looked in in the eyes, “but there is no going back from yer decision this time, ye hear? ‘Tis the third confirmation I have gotten.”

             
“Aye.” Neil replied, “I promise.”

             
Lachlan leered at that, a wide grin coming to his face, until Kirstin interrupted him, “I am going to Vanora’s until all becomes calm.”

             
“Nay,” Lachlan snapped, “Yer going to stay here.”

             
Kirstin approached him, their eyes meeting in an instant with disagreement, “What do ye expect me to do, then? Hide away until Graham finds me?”

             
“Graham willna find ye!” Lachlan roared, “I willna allow it.”

             
Kirstin glared at him, “Ye canna prevent the inevitable. What if ye die, Lachlan? What then? Graham will surely find me.”

             
Lachlan’s tone of voice was booming as he retorted, “I willna die, either. Donna go thinking that, Kirstin, for ye ken better.”

             
There was a shift in her emotion as she became unhappy and regretful, “But what if ye die. ‘Tis no’ impossible.”

             
Lachlan caught onto her mood change and he felt bad for yelling at her, “Kirstin,” he said, reaching out to her. Neil had left, knowing his presence was not needed since the argument was between them. A few men watched them curious from afar, but they also gave Lachlan and Kirstin their space.

             
“I willna die, but if ye honestly donna want to take the chance then I will send Alana and Ewan with ye to go to Vanora’s. Ewan is a good fighter, and he will protect the both of ye. Alana has wit, and will protect ye with all of her motherly instinct. I trust them, and I trust ye, so donna go getting yerself into trouble. Lachlan was embracing Kirstin tightly, but at hearing his answer Kirstin was grateful for his change in mind.

             
“I thank ye, Lachlan.” She said, hugging him.

             
“No need to thank me yet.” His words were barely inaudible but she had heard them. They made her fearful of what they meant, but she would not give up hope and would wish for the best.

             
“Ye better go get a bag packed, and tell Alana that she is going with ye. I will tell Ewan. He is somewhere around here.” Lachlan looked around, scanning the area for Ewan and when he had found the top of his graying hair, Lachlan turned to Kirstin once more, “Come wish me farewell before ye go.”

             
Kirstin nodded, pecking a kiss to his lips and then she went towards the manor.

             
She called for Alana’s name several times until the old, plump woman came out from around the corner. She looked overwhelmed, as her hair was coming down from its bun and her cheeks were flushed.

             
“Oh child, why are ye calling my name in a time such as this?” She said flustered, her hands at her wide hips.

             
Alana gave a wry smile, “I donna want to make yer day more hectic, but Lachlan says that ye need to come with me to Vanora’s home before they leave for battle.”

             
“Oh my!” she exclaimed, “The both of ye are always asking so much of me. Who will stay and watch over the manor?”

             
Kirstin shrugged, “I am sure Runa and the other servants will be here.” Then Kirstin added, “Ewan is coming.”

             
Alana took immediate interest at that, “Ewan, ye say?”

             
“Aye.” Kirstin had confirmed, making a smile grace Alana’s lips.

             
“Very well then, but ye canna go off getting me into trouble, ye hear?”

             
Kirstin grinned as well, “I promise.” She stated, but did not know if she could keep the promise. If any bad word came back about Lachlan, then Kirstin would be the first to go in search of him.

             
“Let us go and pack a bag, and leave as soon as possible. We will want to get as far away from the ambush when it takes place.” Alana said, her tone low, “I willna have ye in any danger if I can help it.”

             
Kirstin was relieved that Alana was still taking a maternal role, but she feared that she would come to regret it if Alana ever became over protective of her. What if Alana would not let her leave, if any harm came to Lachlan?