Chapter 2

The rain was pouring, and Evander eyed it through the windows as he paced through the halls of his home, his betrothed, Enna, on his arm. Practice was going to be miserable in the morning, with mud up to the ankles. He was sure of it.

Beside him, Enna chattered happily about something or other that she’d been doing with his sister and his brother’s wives. Evander tried to listen, he truly did, but nothing in particular that she said could hold his interest. Still, he forced himself to pay more attention, as a courtesy.

“...and we’re thinking tae go with heather and spring flowers tae decorate the wedding arch, with heather and thistles embroidered on me dress…”

She was talking about the wedding. Evander suppressed a sigh. He knew all the womenfolk of the clan were excited about the coming festivities. The wedding was just a month away, as spring faded into summer. He should have been nervous, or perhaps excited, but all he felt was dull lifelessness.

Enna was a lovely woman, spirited, friendly, and possessed of a good-natured personality. As his friend, she was a wonderful person to be around. But as a lover, a betrothed, and a potential marriage partner... he couldn’t find it in himself to be interested at all.

He’d already loved once, and lost. He had no interest in falling in love and having his heart broken a second time, no matter how sweet and friendly Enna was.

“...and I was thinking we’d go tae London, and attend one o’ those fancy parties…”

Evander jolted to a halt. “We’ll be doing nae such thing.”

Enna huffed. “Well, at least ye’re finally after listening tae me. I was beginning tae think I was talking tae a walking statue.”

Evander scowled, but couldn’t fault her for the rebuke. “Och, ye ken I’ve a lot on me mind…”

“And nae any o’ it is the wedding we’re supposed tae be planning taegether.” Enna huffed. “Ye put more energy and interest intae those tattoos o’ yers than ye dae intae planning our life taegether.”

Evander dropped his eyes to the tattoos that traced up his arms. There were more under the cloth of his shirt. One for every life he’d taken as his clan’s war leader. He wasn’t particularly proud of them, but they were a mark of the things he’d done in the service of his kinfolk, and that was an acceptable enough legacy.

“Evander.”

He started and gave his betrothed a guilty glance.

Enna stared back at him for a long moment, then sighed. “Be honest with me, Evander. Why are we getting wed, if ye find me so boring tae be around? Ye ken I’ll nae force the matter if ye truly feel so little interest in me.”

“Tis nae that.” Evander flushed. “Tis nae that I’m disinterested in ye, Enna, tis only the rain putting me in a mood.”

“And I would believe it, save ye’re in a mood, rain or shine.” She took his hand. “I’m nae a fool, nor blind. In all the months we’ve been betrothed, we’ve never once kissed. Ye barely hold me hand, let alone aught more affectionate.”

Evander cast about for something to say. But unfortunately, her accusations were true. He’d never kissed her, much less showed her any great affection. She’d never pressed him for more than he was willing to give her, and he’d always thought she understood, perhaps even welcomed a marriage of polite friendship rather than passion.

He was till trying to find an answer, or a way to change the topic of conversation when he heard the doors to the castle open, followed by a sudden uproar. He tipped his head in that direction, grateful for the interruption. “Och, best be seeing what sort o’ trouble’s been stirred up now, and by who.”

Enna’s lips thinned in disapproval, but she let him lead her forward, toward where a growing knot of people were gathering about a central figure. Moving closer, he spotted both Alec and Bran, along with their wives, Kira and Ilyssa. Ilyssa looked seconds away from hugging someone, and Kira looked thunderous. His concern mounting, Evander pushed his way through the gathered clanfolk until he reached a small chair, surrounded by his family. He was just about to ask what was happening when the young woman seated there turned her head and locked eyes with his.

Evander felt his breath stop. He hadn’t seen those eyes in ten years, but he knew he wouldn’t forget them if he lived to be a hundred or more. The face was older and matured with the passing of time, but there was no mistaking who sat in that chair.

May MacPherson.

He couldn’t speak, and it seemed neither could she. It wasn’t until Alec coughed and cleared his throat. “Lass? Nae that we’re nae happy tae see ye, but the weather’s nae good fer traveling, and we haveane heard from ye or yer kinfolk in years. What happened?”

May blushed, and transferred her gaze to his brother. “Forgive me, Laird Mackintosh. As fer what happened... ‘tis a bit o’ a tale, but the short version o’ it is this: ten years ago, Clan MacDonell declared a feud on me faither and our clan. He was concerned that me braither and I would be in danger, so he sent us tae me aunt tae keep us from being captured, killed or used against the interests o’ the clan. We were there fer eight years, until me braither decided tae marry. After, Faither had decided that we both return tae hiding, but the clan needed tae see their heir, and I didnae want tae be kept away and isolated, so I convinced him tae let me stay.”

“Aye. I heard about that.” Ilyssa spoke softly. “But how does that come tae ye wandering across the moors in the middle o’ a thunderstorm?”

“Laird MacDonell decided he wanted tae claim the right tae the clan by way o’ marrying me, whether I would or nae. Two days ago, he managed tae have me abducted while I was doing some errands for the clan healer. His men carried me off, but nae tae his keep.”

She shrugged her shoulders, and Evander found himself strangely riveted by the simple, confident motion. “I escaped, but I didnae ken where I was, so I picked a direction and rode, hoping tae find anyone that wasnae a MacDonell tae aid me. I came tae Mackintosh Castle just as twilight was falling and the storm rolled in. When I recognized where I was, I didnae hesitate.”

“As well ye shouldnae have.” Ilyssa wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Tis a good thing that ye came tae us. I dinnae ken what else we’ll be doing, but at the very least, we can offer ye a hot bath and a good meal, along with a safe place tae rest until we find a way tae help ye get a message tae yer kinfolk.”

“Aye. I’ll send word tae yer faither and braither as soon as the morning comes, telling them ye’ve sought sanctuary with us.” Alec nodded. “We’ll keep ye safe until we can find a way tae see ye safely home, or yer faither can send his men tae come and retrieve ye.”

“I dinnae want tae impose on yer clan or yer kindness, but I think me faither has nae men tae spare.” May shook her head. “MacDonell is a difficult opponent, and if he can hide me so close tae the clan and nae worry about being found, then I fear ‘tis a sign that me faither’s resources are spread too thin.”

Evander wanted to respond. He knew he should say something, as his clan’s war leader. He was responsible for dealing with situations that might involve leading the clan into conflict. For that matter, as the brother of the Laird Mackintosh, he should be greeting their guest with the rest of his kinfolk. And yet, all he could do was stand there, staring at the woman he’d once loved and not seen in ten years.

A sharp pain in his side startled him out of his contemplation, and he turned to see that Alec had come to his side. “Ye should at least be polite and greet the lass.” His brother’s voice was a low whisper, but it held an edge of command, as if he knew how much Evander wanted to retreat down the hall and pretend he hadn’t seen May there.

Evander swallowed hard and stepped forward. May’s eyes met his, and it took everything he had not to either dive forward and embrace her, or storm away from the entry hall.

Then she said his name. “Evander.”

Her voice... It was just the same as it had always been, saying his name the way he’d heard it a thousand times over the years of their friendship, and uncountable times in his dreams since that fateful day when they’d been parted. It was like an arrow to his heart, and it hurt just as much. God above, but it hurt, and the pain was all the more shocking when he’d thought his heart long dead, or too walled off to feel.

He swallowed hard, and forced the only words he could think of to force through his tight throat. “I’m glad tae see ye safe and well.”

There were a thousand things he wanted to say. None of them could be said here, in this hallway, with May still dripping wet from riding through the storm. And none of them were things he wanted to think of or say when he was surrounded by his siblings, their spouses, with his own betrothed standing beside him.

He couldn’t stand there for another moment, and the idea of trying to make polite conversation with May... he just could not do that.

Evander spun on his heel and left the hall before he would do something foolish. His head was spinning as he made his way toward his brother’s study.

Ten years since I last saw her… and May still makes me heart feel like that o’ the boy I once was. Lovesick, heartsick, and foolish fer ever giving any lass such power over me. God help me, but what can I dae now?

May watched Evander stride away, feeling both hurt and puzzled at the same time. She’d expected to see him again, as she’d decided to seek refuge with Clan Mackintosh. What she hadn’t expected was how much he’d changed in those ten years.

The boy she’d known had been replaced by a tall, muscular man. He still wore his blond hair long and tied back like his brother Alec. The resemblance was increased by his green eyes, and the way his shoulders had broadened to match his brother’s build.

However, where Alec’s skin was tanned and unmarked, save for the occasional combat scar, Evander’s was now covered with tattoos, small symbols that twined up his arms, and disappeared beneath his sleeves. They made him look dangerous, and fierce, not at all like the gentle boy she’d once loved – the boy she’d thought loved her.

The way he’d barely spoken to her had hurt more than she had expected, and she could only stare after him as he disappeared into the dark hallways.

“Och, May... It has been a long time, so ye wouldnae have met Enna yet.” Ilyssa’s words dragged her from her contemplation.

She found herself face to face with the woman who had arrived walking beside Evander and holding his hand. She dipped her head politely. “Good evening. I’m May MacPherson. Me faither and the previous laird Mackintosh were allies, and many o’ the clan are old friends o’ mine.”

The other woman nodded a greeting, though she looked torn between courtesy and following after Evander. “Good evening. I am Enna Cameron, betrothed o’ Evander Mackintosh.”

It took everything May had not to flinch and pull away. It felt like she had been stabbed in the chest.

Evander’s betrothed… nay wonder he didnae seem happy tae see me.