“You can get word to her over on Skye?”
“Already done. She’s on her way here as we speak.”
A flush of elation washed through Elise. Her sisterandher niece! Her family was going to be back together again!
“Phillip and King James better watch out,” she said with a fierce grin. “ThreeMacFinnan spellweavers together? Those bastards aren’t going to know what’s hit them!”
*
Jamie sat atthe polished oaken table opposite Cailean MacNeil, Laird of Barra. Sunlight pouring through the high windows cast light across the older man’s face, accentuating the deep, penetrating quality of his dark eyes.
They had been talking in low voices, Jamie telling Cailean all that had transpired on Islay. Now, as he finished his tale, Cailean growled deep in his throat, his grip tightening around the cup of whisky he held in one hand.
“Has King James lost his mind?” he snapped. “To seize the keep, imprison our men, and send his dogs into our lands? It’s not just an insult—it’s treason against the Isles!”
“Aye, but King James fears Ulster more than he fears us. And he’ll do whatever it takes to turn the Isles into a bastion against an attack Ulster might make against Scotland.”
“Doesnae fear us?” Cailean growled. “Then we’ll teach him to fear us! Barra’s fleet stands with ye. Ten longships ready to sail within the day.”
At Cailean’s words, Jamie felt some of his tension ease a little. Barra was under his overlordship and Cailean was one of his vassals—more than that, he was a friend—but even so, he’d been a little apprehensive about turning up here unannounced with his tale of woe.
Cailean had his own people to think of and would have been forgiven for looking to the defense of his own island first. But Jamie had underestimated his old friend and mentor, it seemed. Fire burned in Cailean’s eyes, anger and determination in equal measure.
Jamie nodded. “Perhaps, but it willnae be easy. Philip holds my home. He has the king’s men, the harbor, the keep…and Albie and my warriors in chains.” His chest tightened at that. He should have listened to Albie rather than letting himself be duped by Phillip’s lies.
“Any crew from the Isles is worth ten of these mainland dogs,” Cailean replied. “And word has been sent to Skye. They’ll come.”
The knot in Jamie’s chest loosened a fraction. “Aye. They will. And then we’ll teach Phillip and his masters to fear the Kingdom of the Isles.”
Cailean chuckled, leaning back. “That sounds more like the lad I remember. Full of fire and temper.”
Jamie smiled, remembering. As a youth, he’d spent time fostering on Barra when Cailean’s father had been laird. Cailean was a few years older than Jamie and during that time he’d become the older brother that Jamie had never had.
“I was a menace. All fire and spit and not a lot to back it up.”
“Aye, that ye were.” Cailean’s eyes warmed with the memory. “But a quick study. My father had half a mind to keep ye here. Ye were more Barra than Islay back then.”
Jamie’s mouth tipped into a smile. “Aye, I was.” He glanced around at the high walls of the great hall. He had fond memories of this place, memories of stories during the long winter nights and dancing in the summer. He’d been happy here. “Ye made certain I could wield more than a sword. Tactics, diplomacy, seamanship. I dinna think my father recognized me when I returned home.”
Cailean leaned forward. “The youth I trained…he was bold, stubborn, reckless. The man sitting before me is a chieftain worthy of the Isles. They’ll follow ye gladly.I’llfollow ye gladly.”
Jamie swallowed hard. The words meant more coming from Cailean than they would from almost anyone else.
“And what of Lady Elise?” Cailean added suddenly.
The abrupt change of topic caught Jamie off guard. “What of her?”
A smile quirked Cailean’s lips. “One thing that hasnae changed is that ye are not a very good liar, my friend. Yer feelings are written all over yer face. I saw how the two of ye were when Rose and I wed. I saw how ye were down at the harbor just now. I canna even begin to fathom the ins and outs of another MacFinnan coming to the Isles, but I canna believe it is just coincidence.”
Jamie scrubbed a hand through his hair. He hesitated, then gave up any attempt at caution. “I canna say why Lir broughtElise specifically either. I can only be grateful.” He met Cailean’s eyes. “Because I love her. Gods help me, I love her.”
Cailean’s expression softened into something unexpectedly gentle. “Good.”
Jamie blinked. “Good?”
“Aye.” Cailean leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Enough of this shite about marrying for political alliance. I dinna care if ye are Lord of the Isles or some lowly fisherman. Life’s too damn short to waste. I learned that the hard way when I buried my first wife. Ye never ken how many days the gods give ye.” His smile went lopsided. “For too long I was lost in darkness. It took Rose to pull me out of that. And I’m a better father, a better laird, a better man, for loving her.”
Jamie thought of Elise—her strength, her stubbornness, her laughter. His chest throbbed with something fierce and tender.
