Chapter 22

DUNVEGAN CASTLE - JULY 30, 1385

T hick heat lingered in the night air as Léo and Moira made their way from the shore of Loch Dunvegan. Although their morning meals together had grown more amicable, and he'd learned many signs, there was so much she couldn't say, and so much he couldn't intuit.

Peeking over her shoulder, Moira admired the torch light falling over his tanned skin and solid jaw. His eye moved to the side and winked at her. Why did he have to be so handsome? And why did he have to break her heart?

For the thousandth time that day she called to mind the facts. He'd pulled her in and rebuffed her time and time again. He'd used her to bring a missive across the Hebrides. Now he wanted to clip her wings and keep her from her role in the Shield.

Except, the pond…helping her to swim…launching her through the air…their laughter together…his numerous apologies and requests for forgiveness. Her heart softened.

Ardis. The one fact that was the most unyielding. He'd been untrue and continued to be untrue. And he had the audacity to accuse her of being a loose woman. Hector was wrong.

Chains re-formed around her heart and she climbed the hill, her thighs burning, her spine straightening. There was a mission. She had a job to do, not a man to win.

As they passed under the barmkin wall a voice called to her. "Birdy!"

Joy carried her and she sprinted toward David MacKenzie and leapt into his open arms. It had been more than a year since she'd seen her friend.

"How are you, lass? Och, you look just as bonny as I remember."

The boulders of his arms gave her a shake and he hoisted her onto his shoulder. "Look at mah popinjay." Bringing her lips together she whistled the call of the chiffchaff.

"That's not what a popinjay sounds like," Léo said walking through the barmkin gate, a slight frown upon his face.

Five men hooted and hollered at once, running toward him.

Iain clamped his arm around his shoulder. "Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence."

Angus grasped hands with him and pulled him into a brother's embrace. "It finally dawned on you after a month out of Cràdh you're second-in-command?"

Calum clapped him on the back. "Nay, Birdy blew her cover and he only just found out all the fun we've been having without him."

Murdoch grasped his hand and clapped his shoulder. "I've been praying for you."

David put her on her feet and put a hand out to him. "Good tae see you, friend." Léo looked at his hand and took it, a tight smile on his face.

From the door of the keep, a mighty yell rent the air. "MacKinnon!"

Léo stepped to the side, drew his arms back and yelled in response, "MacLean!"

The two battle-hardened brothers marched forward and clamped their arms over one another.

"I thought you were dead."

"Not dead. A little bruised but not dead."

Hector let Léo go, and to her surprise, brushed tears away. "I wanted to come for you but there was never a good opening. We waited months but they never let up. If it hadn't been for Birdy persuading Niall, doing everything she could think of, you might still be there. "

"I thought it was Gordon…" Léo's voice trailed off and he looked at her, the two wrinkles above his eyebrow deepening.

Hector signed and spoke her vindication. "If she hadn't been allowing him to make her into something she isn't, she wouldnae have gained his trust. She kept a strict vigil for the opening, and she found it. Refused to leave Dun Ringill and abandon her mission even though Niall's become threatening." A tender look came over Léo's face and he took a step forward.

Embarrassed to be the sole object of praise for a team effort, she waved him off. Any one of you would have done it. Enough of that.

Taking steps away from Léo and closer to the safety of Hector, she changed the subject. There's something I need to discuss. A few days ago Gordon and Malvina were talking. She wants Gordon to pay close attention to Léo and give her a report of his coming and going.

Léo scoffed. " Thank God , he is not hard to outsmart."

Moira wrung her sweating hands, remembering the last bit of Malvina and Gordon's conversation that she omitted from her explanation. I want to learn weapons.

Hector eyed her with an intuitiveness that made her think of Cara. "Of course you should, but why? Niall has gone to the mainland. Is someone else in the house threatening you?"

She shifted from foot to foot, hating to lie and remembering Father. Not threatening me exactly…more like…

She looked around at the angry faces of the circle of her friends, trying to find an explanation. Malvina has never liked me…

Léo scoffed. "You and me both."

And the other day, before she left…Gordon asked…well, what he wanted in exchange for information…you see, he…

Léo's face had drawn into thunder. "I can imagine what he wanted."

She took a large breath, trying to collect her thoughts and explanation to soothe everyone's overprotectiveness. Malvina approved his request and ? —

Before she could gloss over the details, Leo held up his hands. "Wait. Sign that again. Slower. What was the request? Did I miss that?"

She paused. It's nothing much—he requested…me. Malvina approved an d said to make me disappear before Michaelmas. But I don't think she meant ? —

Léo exploded in a burst of irate French and Hector joined him, the two of them shouting and gesturing. At long last, Léo turned back to her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Not obliged to explain herself, she continued. I want to learn weapons. Something small. A dagger.

Hector motioned and the Shield circled up. "Close fighting, dagger practice. Léo and Moira you're with me." From their boots and belts, each man drew a long, pointed dagger. Even Léo, though she wasn't sure where he'd managed to obtain one.

Hector lifted his eyebrows and waited. She stared back, waiting for instruction. "You wanted dagger practice. Where's your dagger?"

I don't have one.

Drawing his hands around his waist, Hector unbelted a second dagger and crouched beside her, strapping the scabbard to her thigh. "Wear it somewhere you can conceal it. Here." He held out the ivory-hilted dagger. "Your first dagger. I feel like a proud father."

Murdoch whistled and the men clapped. She took the dagger and rolled her eyes.

Hector waved Léo forward. "We'll give you a demonstration. How out of practice are you?"

Léo raised his questioning eyebrow. "Very. I kept up on grappling with Eoghan, but he's much smaller than me."

Hector shrugged. "Let's see how rusty you've become."

Moira hopped up on a low wall and settled in. Across from each other, Léo and Hector assumed a fighting stance, one leg forward, right hand high gripping a downward pointing dagger, left hand open and drawn forward. They circled each other.

Léo made a noise of frustration. "You always make me attack first."

"I don't make you do anything. You get impatient."

As Hector predicted, Léo grumbled again and lunged forward. Hector caught his forearm and twisted him away. Again Léo lunged, and Hector captured his strike between crossed wrists, yanking Léo's arm backward, then swiftly tapping the flat of the dagger to his exposed chest. " Och. This is pathetic."

Hector released him, and before he could react, Léo swung, grabbing him and yanking him down, tapping his blade off his throat. "Who's pathetic now?"

Moira's eyes widened. The berserker had entered the fight.

Frenzied, Hector sprang to his feet, blocking blows and parrying swings. Metal clattered and the other men stopped and joined her on the low wall, watching the impressive dance. She'd watched Hector spar against every member of her group during her training a year ago, and a few times since, but she'd never seen anyone cause him to struggle.

Blow for blow, Léo met his defense with attack, then lured him out and struck. For ten minutes the members of the Shield watched them fight until at last they stopped, Leo's blade to Hector's neck.

Hector doubled over sucking in lungfuls of air. "Did you get better in prison?"

Léo caught a skin of water from Angus and took a gulping drink. "Oui, or you got worse."

David hopped down off the wall and sized Léo up. "So it is possible to beat Beithir. How did you know what to do?

Léo shrugged. "Seven years straight of battles, minor engagements, raids, practice drills. We grew up together."

She waved her hands and got Hector's attention. What made you stop after seven years?

Hector wiped his brow over his arm and repeated her question to Léo who looked as if he was still trying to figure out what she said. "Why did we stop fighting together after seven years?"

An awkward pause grew and Léo sipped from the skin, ignoring her question. Finally, Hector blew a breath out. "In truth, I lost myself to drink. Léo took care of me for the last two years, pulled me out of taverns, kept me on my feet, looked after my coin. Then he met Théa and taking care of me became much less appealing. I dinnae blame him for giving me over to it. I showed up at his wedding angry I was losing my caregiver. Gave a blootered speech that I dinnae remember, made Théa cry, and vomited on the chapel stairs. Then I ran like a coward."

She didn't know what she was expecting but it wasn't that.

Hector drank from the skin of water, then wiped his mouth. "I was lost another few years after that before I finally let God in. I wasnae a good man."

Léo shrugged. "You were. Just a broken one."

Hector clapped him on the shoulder. "At least I have a partner worthy of me now."

All the men groaned and went back to sparring. Hector curled his finger at her. "Your turn, Birdy. Come here."

She hopped down and came forward, a little intimidated after what she just witnessed.

"Let's start with holding your weapon."

She pulled the dagger from the scabbard at her thigh, mimicking Hector's grip, blade extending from her pinky.

He nodded. "Good. Now stance, feet just outside the shoulders, dominant leg forward—with a dagger you want extra reach. Bend the knees and stay light."

She bounced from foot to foot, enjoying the loose feeling of the stance. "Now. Draw your arms apart, pulling your shoulder blades back and connecting this," he touched her stomach. "Yes, tighten it, with this." He touched her weapon arm. "I know it looks a wee bit ridiculous, but do you feel how much stronger and more stable you are with your shoulders rolled back and your stomach engaged?"

She nodded.

He motioned Léo forward and she dropped her stance. Hector cocked his head. "What?"

Turning away from Léo and keeping her thoughts private, she signed quickly. Please don't make me fight him. Things are strange between us. I gave back his necklace. I want to fight you.

Leo walked around her, eyebrows scrunched together. "What's she saying?"

Hector looked at her bare throat, then to Léo, raising one eyebrow. " You don't get to pick your opponent."

Frustration rent through her and she gave Hector a furious look, but he ignored her. She turned back to a scowling Léo.

Continuing his instruction as if everything was merry between them, and not the painful awkward mess it was, Hector ignored them. " Now. Basic attack. Your dominant leg is going to step forward, and then sweep your weapon forward and across your body in an arc."

Stomach tight, arms strong, she brought the blade forward in a smooth strike.

"Verra nice."

Dropping her weapon, she moved toward Léo, drawing her finger from her temple in an arc toward his neck.

Hector agreed. "Yes, aiming for his neck. But maintain your angle and your stance. Worry about your follow-through. Don't come in sideways, don't stab down and drop your stance. If you miss, keep your arm straight and centered with control. Always maintain stance or you'll become vulnerable."

The same principle applied to balancing in trees when she made small adjustments to maintain her center of balance. Moira's mind began to analyze the instruction, her mind easily envisioning the attack and how Léo would react.

"Now attack Léo. Slow and steady."

Resuming her stance, he locked eyes with her, their honeyed depths looking down at her, brimming with… mirth.

The dismissal rankled, and she focused on her stance and her vision of how to attack. Her eyes followed him, waiting for him to flicker before stepping forward into his space, bringing her arm down in a perfect swoop. His dagger struck out and instinct kicked in. With her left arm she barred his blow, leaning into his weight and shooting her dagger in toward his neck with her right hand.

Hector clapped. "Well done, Moira. Perfect. I didnae even teach you that part yet."

Tossing her curls out of her eyes, she shot Léo a look. She wasn't here for his amusement. She was a warrior just like the others.

He narrowed his eyes.

They repeated the strike a few times.

Léo raised his hand. "Hold on." Taking her forearm in his hand, he adjusted her. "Your weapon arm is too low. Elbow forward, arm high. Don't be afraid to hurt me."

They got back into position and she struck forward tapping the blade off his shoulder.

Léo nodded. "Good."

With only a few hours of night left, the Shield encircled her and Léo.

Angus clapped his hands. "All right Birdy, let's see what you've learned in one night."

She got into position and Léo circled her, his expression no longer full of amusement. Torchlight caught on the chain around his thick neck and her heart thumped. She could do this.

Hector gave the command. "Cut!"

Léo struck forward and she swung out, catching his hand between the pommel of her dagger and her wrist, turning into his blow and taking his arm down and away from her body. She shoved forward holding his arm aloft but he pushed her away before she could bring her blade in.

His arm swept down toward her and instinctively she bridged her back as she would to avoid a low tree branch, letting it sail over her head. Confusion lit in his eyes and she swept up, tapping him in the abdomen, then leapt back.

Iain hooted. "Come on Birdy!"

Eyes intense, Léo struck forward and she caught his wrist against the blade and pivoted, pulling his arm down in a flash of movement. Stepping inward, her muscles screaming, she braced her left arm against the back of his shoulder and forced him down, and in the frenzy of her attack, hit him hard in the chin with the pommel of her blade.

All five men on the wall groaned. "Ooooo!"

Not having meant to connect, she flinched, and he launched her off his shoulder at full strength, throwing her backward into the dirt. She tucked and rolled feet over head and bounced back up.

Iain burst out laughing. "Michty me, wha' was tha'?"

David hooted. "You gonna let her embarrass you like that, Léo? She popped up like a wee daisy."

Prowling forward, she stalked into his space. Léo switched to low guard and caught her arm, sweeping it behind her back and tapping her chin with the end of his pommel. She bounced away then struck upward, both hands on the pommel of her dagger tapping her blade quickly at his neck.

Applause broke out. She'd done it.

They broke apart and Léo drove his dagger back into his boot.

Murdoch crossed his arms. "Did you ever notice Birdy and Beithir move the same? Like a cat hunting prey? They're both light on their feet and their expressions, everythin'? It's spooky."

Hector and she looked at each other and made the exact same shrug. Everyone burst out laughing.

Léo watched her from the corner of his eye—an unreadable expression on his face. Shaking out her arms, she moved nearer to him and touched his chin. Did I hurt you?

He cradled his jaw. "You gave my teeth a good rattle. It's all part of it. You're a natural warrior." In the blink of an eye he rested a hand on her waist and swooped in to kiss her. She stepped back. He stepped forward. She stepped back. He stepped forward, playing with her, teasing her. Against her will, she felt her reserve melt as he gave her a heart-stopping grin. Blush crept up her cheeks and his face grew even more triumphant.

Annoyed, she made to shove him away. He dodged and she recovered, wrapping her arms around his neck to grapple.

Far stronger than she, he swept her off her feet before she knew what was happening. Adjusting his grip, one arm around hers, the other around her knee, he spun her into his arms, over his shoulders, around his chest, then placed her back on her feet.

Hector squinted. "Have you been practicing that?"

A mischievous glint appeared in Léo's eye and he stepped forward, lifting her over his shoulders. She draped across him and made a slow cartwheel off. Like climbing the branches of her favorite tree, she scaled his back and stood upon his broad shoulders. She put her hands to her waist and looked down at the group, who watched slack-jawed.

Steadying his position, he leaned his head back, bringing his palms to his shoulders. Flowing in a steady motion, she entwined their fingers, folded forward, shifting her weight off her feet, finding balance in his strength to handstand. Concentrating on the flecks of gold in his eyes, she extended into a split then brought her ankles together as straight as an arrow.

Moving together, she pivoted her hips slightly to the right and took one hand away, balancing one handed in his palm. He pushed his palm above his head and she rooted in him once more, and then brought her legs down, tumbling to earth. In a few movements, he shot her back into the air. She tucked and spun, sailing back down into the safety of his arms.

Together, they became something different, something powerful. With her arms around his neck, her heart warmed and she nearly forgot herself and kissed him. Instead, she blinked and looked away, and he put her down on the ground.

Iain broke the stunned silence. "Ye nooo tha' could be right useful far gettin' ooover a wall."