Page 114 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"She's helped me since I was wounded."

Gavin nodded, looking hopeful, waiting for him to continue.

"I could never trust her again, though. She's still betrothed to the bastard. She says her brother signed the contract, and that she lied to the knave, saying she wanted to marry him to gain his trust, because of the selkies. But I have nay inkling when she's lying and when she's telling the truth."

"Let's consider her actions instead of her words," Gavin said. "Risking her life to help rescue the selkies. Helping you after your injury. What else?"

"The selkies like and trust her. They cannot read humans' minds, but they're perceptive. She showed me where Dunrhyne is, where the hostages were being held. She warned me the witch would likely be there."

"Have you caught Elsea in any lies since she's been here?"

Brodie thought for an extended moment. "Nay. But she tried to evade telling me why the earl came to see her brother. She tried to hide her current betrothal."

"She knew you would be enraged all over again."

Brodie nodded.

"To break the curse, can you not just trust her for a few moments? Briefly. Nay forever."

Brodie snorted. "I doubt that would work. What were the specifics of how your curse was broken?"

"In his fevered imaginings, Da kept yelling about a lass and how I needed to marry her to destroy the curse. I'd been having vivid dreams of a beautiful lass for weeks or months. But I had never met her before. I had nay idea who she was until she appeared in my bedchamber one night."

Brodie nodded. He'd heard part of this story before.

"I married Dani, thinking that would eliminate the curse, but 'twas nay that simple," Gavin said. "Dani had many misgivings about staying in this time period with me as a shifter. 'Twas only after the witch and her minions captured us that Dani realized she trusted me, loved me, and wished to stay with me forever. We thought it might be our last night on earth together. We both confessed our love and trust for each other out loud, in words. The next morn, I awoke after dawn as a man for the first time in well over a year. So, apparently, you must feel the love and trust deep in your soul and also say the words to each other."

Intense emotion and profound love for his bride gleamed in Gavin's sincere gaze. Brodie closed his eyes. He could not abide the impact of it, for 'twas the same love Brodie had held for Elsea in the past.

"We are brothers in every way but by blood," Brodie said. "Imagine if I were to stab you in the chest right now with my dirk. You are badly injured, but you survive. Would you ever trust me again? Even if I were to apologize?"

Gavin studied him, multiple expressions crossing his face—a lifted brow, disbelief, and amusement. Then a scowl, a frown, and a deep thoughtful look. "You pose an interesting question. I suppose it would depend on your reason for stabbing me and whether you're truly sorry."

"How would you determine if I regretted it or if my reasons were the truth? How would you know if I was lying or not?"

"I would go on our past association," Gavin said. "I've known you since we were lads. Because we are brothers, I would go on faith, so to speak. I would have to assume you're telling the truth until I see the proof of it."

"And that would be enough? Guessing?"

"Believing."

Chapter 22

In Cat's chamber, Elsea enjoyed getting to know Dani, Gavin's lovely new wife. Her thick, dark hair was straight and loose on her shoulders. Her blue-green eyes were friendly. They sat on the chairs near the warm hearth. At first, 'twas hard for Elsea to grow used to Dani's unusual accent and dialect of English. Some of her phrasing was difficult to grasp.

While Cat was otherwise engaged, Dani told Elsea how she and Gavin had met. How she had traveled from the twenty-first century and destroyed the curse which had entrapped Gavin. The story fascinated Elsea and made her envious. How she wished she could help Brodie break his curse.

Cat rushed in, excited and smiling. "Ruskin is helping Brodie dress for supper. He wants to join us in the great hall."

"Is he well enough?" Elsea asked, concerned.

"I think so. He can hold on to Torr's shoulder as he walks, in case he gets dizzy. We must get you ready, my friend, and make you as tempting as possible." Cat eyed her expectantly.

"Why?"

Cat tilted her head aside. "You will demolish his curse."

Elsea's face warmed as she shook her head. "You're wasting your time."