"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Alpin asked as he sauntered into the drawing room.
Wilona glanced up from the bridle in her hands and narrowed her eyes. Unsure whether she liked him or detested him, she still could not remember any sort of carnal interaction with him.
Should she pursue him or keep him at a distance?
Her primary focus was on Torr and his wench. Those two were growing closer and closer each day. The wee fire and the wolf pack had put a damper on their shenanigans. She smiled with satisfaction, wanting to laugh at the memory of Torr fighting the air with his blade. Anyone who saw him would think him mad. 'Twas merely a warning. Would he heed it and send the wench away?
"What does it look like I'm doing?" she snapped.
Alpin frowned down at the bridle in her hand. "Going out riding?"
"You might say that. I'm going to ride a kelpie."
His frown deepened. "Are you mad?"
She held up the bridle. "I'll cast a spell upon this. The only thing I'm lacking is one herb. Once the bridle is on Torr, 'twill render him helpless. He will be completely under my control." She smiled as she imagined it.
"And how do you plan to get it on him?" Alpin asked.
"You will help me. Once the reins are around his neck, we can easily put the bridle on his head."
"Why should I?" he demanded, clearly vexed.
"Are you afraid of a kelpie?" she taunted.
"Nay," Alpin growled. "But he is a large, fearsome beast. He could easily trample both of us."
"Do you still want to be chief of the MacTavish clan?" 'Twas the only leverage she had.
"Of course!"
"Well, then... after my spell and potion are complete, we will easily capture Torr, take him back to Caithmore, and use him as bait to lure Gavin MacTavish out. Then we'll kill them both."
Alpin scowled. "Gavin has several guards and warriors now. While we have none."
"But I have many surprises in store for them." She smiled, relishing all her grand plans.
***
JUST AFTER SUNDOWN, Cat hurried into the wood outside the inn, eager to continue their journey and return to the safety of Blacktower. Torr, with his sleek white coat, was easy to spot in the dusky gloaming among the tree trunks. While she wished he could remain a man both day and night, she also admired his beautiful and powerful horse form.
"Where are your clothes?" she whispered.
He nickered and trotted toward a mossy hummock, behind which she found his plaid and shirt, already folded, along with his other belongings. She quickly crammed everything into the satchel. After looping it across her torso, she climbed onto the hummock, then onto Torr's back.
Once she was settled and gripping his mane tightly, he trotted from the wood and onto the muddy trail. Gradually, he increased his speed into a gallop.
As the evening grew darker, he continued his quick pace. At this rate, they would be home in only a few hours. Funny how she'd begun thinking of Torr's home as hers too. If only that could be true.
Before crossing a wide burn, he paused to drink water, and she remained on his back.
"Do you smell the MacAuley clan or Wilona MacRae close by?" she asked.
He shook his head and nickered. Supposing that meantnay, she relaxed a bit more. She was glad she'd slept most of the day because now she could remain alert all night.
Just as a hint of dawn light gleamed at the horizon, they arrived at the Blacktower barmkin.
Shocked to see their two stolen horses grazing on tufts of grass near the stables, she gasped. "Rosie! Hercules!" Had they returned on their own, or had someone brought them in? Either way, she was thrilled.
