Lamend nodded. “What is it that ails ye?”
“I wish tae ken more about me maither. I dinnae ken how she came tae be so far from her own clan, and what she was tae me faither.”
Lamend shook his head. “I dinnae ken the full story. Ye must consult with Gilleasbuig, our historian. He will ken more than I dae. Gaufried as keeper of records will surely have details of yer birth.
Edmund nodded. “Aye. I thank ye. I will meet soon with Gilleasbuig in the hope that he can help me. And I will speak with Gaufried too.”
Annora stood, shaking out her tunic and straightening her britches. She stretched her arms, and, once again, Edmund was taken with her grace and beauty as she reached her long, elegant, arms skywards.
“I wish tae walk in the labyrinth, Edmund. D’ye wish tae accompany me?”
“Aye I dae he said eagerly, rising to his feet. “I thank ye Lamend, fer yer counsel.”
He took her hand as they walked down the slope to the place where the labyrinth began.
“D’ye think the fae have placed the stones here? Mayhap they use this place fer their ceremonies and dances at Midsummer.”
She looked so hopeful that Edmund bit his tongue and did not dash her hopes of an otherworldly presence here. He had no time for such beliefs and a strong suspicion that a human handwas behind the placement of the stones. But he was of no mind to wipe the smile of delight from her lips.
“Mayhap it was the fairies. After all that is why this place is kent as the Faery Glen. ‘Tis said the fae have long resided on the Isle of Skye and many folk believe this tae be so.”
She set off, smiling, her eyes scanning the ground as she trod. No doubt looking out for a tiny slipper or a lock of hair that might attest to the faery presence.
The walked slowly, around and around the spiral, breathing in the pure air, the only sound a chirruping of birds and their own breathing.
Once they had reached the center, they waited a few moments before turning back. He reached for her hand again and she seemed happy to let it lie in his grasp.
“There is something here. I feel it,” she breathed.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked around, her cheeks flushed pink, and he noticed a smattering of tiny freckles across her turned-up nose. She held such joy in her face that he felt his heart melting.
“Aye lass. I feel something magical here too, but it may only be yer presence beside me.”
She gave him a disbelieving look but her smile never faltered.
Once they had retraced their steps, he took her hand again. “Come lass, ‘tis yer turn tae follow me. I wish tae climb up tae that high top.” He gestured to the highest point overlooking the place where they sat. “I believe we will see more of the Isle of Skye once we’ve made that climb.”
To his delight she responded with an eager nod. “Aye. I wish tae explore this place wi’ ye. ‘Tis all new and different tae what I am used tae.” She smiled up at him shyly. “I think it is very beautiful here.”
They scrambled up the rough track that went part of the way up to the crag, and then climbed the rest of the way until they arrived at a place from where there was a viewpoint.
“Look.” She pointed excitedly to the distant sea. “We can see so far.”
From where they stood, they could see ancient, windswept, rowan trees, a series of round-shaped hillocks, and other rocky outcrops like the one they stood upon.
Annora studied them. “They look like old ruined castles.”
They stood together in awe of what they saw. A landscape like nothing they’d seen before, mighty and ancient. Edmund pictured his Viking ancestors walking the hillocks and sailing the wild sea that crashed against the distant cliffs. The breath caught in his throat.
It seemed the most natural thing he’d ever done to place his arm around her waist and draw her close. To his surprise, she did not protest but leaned closer, so that he felt her warm, soft curves, pressed against him, and caught the sweet lavender-scent of her hair as it fluttered in the sharp breeze.
There could be no excuse that this was a friendly touch for he felt himself grow hard. He had no doubt that to him, his embrace was lovemaking.
But what was it to Annora?
Even as he mused on this, expecting her to pull away, she turned her face up to him. The breath hitched in his throat. She was so close, so soft in his arms and her lips so lush and tempting.
As their eyes met, he threw caution to the wild wind that swirled around them and leaned down to brush her lips.
