Page 23 of Enchantment of a Highlander

More people attended this week than last. They felt safer, more protected, now that Alec had a force of men behind him—even if it was a small one.

But the shell of security was fragile and Celia’s disappearance had caused a level of unease among the villagers. Many had relied on her for relief from their ailments.

He’d heard their rumors and how they feared she’d been swept up in the witch fires burning across MacDougall land.

Alec knew better.

His gut twisted with guilt. The blame sat squarely on his shoulders.

And now the boy paid the price with his illness left untreated. Alec looked down at the vial once more and cast it into an empty alleyway.

He wouldn’t make the boy drink such filth, especially not when he was already so sick.

Duncan’s illness had come fast and unexpected. His cheeks flushed with a burning fever and he woke only to beg for water. Wynda had checked his slender body for marks of the plague. Fortunately, none were apparent.

Still, the boy did not rise and each day saw him weaker.

Alec’s chest squeezed tight. Duncan would not last much longer.

Something between the pastry cart and a luckenbooth of colored ribbons caught his attention.

His heart lurched.

Had he truly seen Celia’s proud posture standing out against the crowd?

He dashed across the dirty street, his feet splashing through the watery puddles of mud. His gaze darted through the throngs of people.

A ripple of pale blonde hair disappeared around the corner.

His breath came faster now, fueled by raw desperation.

He raced through the crowd, darting and dodging to keep her quick pace.

The back of her straight, glossy hair shone bright against the sun. She glanced over her shoulder and met his gaze with a deep blue stare.

Air pushed from his chest and a strange stirring shifted inside him.

It was her.

Celia had returned.

A large cart rolled past, obscuring his view for just a moment, but that was all it took. By the time the cart had rolled away, she was gone.

No.

Damn it, he would not lose her again.

Alec angled his shoulders and sidled through the masses. He moved too slow.

He must find her.

He had to, or Duncan would die.

• • •

Celia’s heart fluttered in her chest and left scant room to breathe. Had she really just seen Alec?

She stopped a moment and looked back, but saw nothing more than a mass of faces.