Page 66 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

“Who’s that?” she said curiously. She walked a little way further down the hall, staring at the line of portraits. To her surprise, they were all of the same woman.

“My mother,” said Niven, making her stop in her tracks. “This used to be her room. Back when she still lived here… but that was afore she had me…”

Deva looked taken aback. “Yer mother,” she gazed up, inquisitively. “She’s bonny…” she added, “Looks like ye…”

It was clear from Deva’s expression that she wanted to know more but didn’t like to ask it. Sensing her question, Niven answered for her.

“She died when I was still a bairn. That’s when we were sent to live here…” he stopped, surprised to find it still upsetting.

Softly, Deva took his hand. “Och, I’m sorry, I didnae mean to,” she began. Instantly, the tingle of her touch melted on his skin. Niven felt an overwhelming desire to caress her right there.

Instead, he squeezed her hand gently and said, “Come on, over here…”

First, he grabbed a couple of the candelabras that were standing on the side and took them to the one-lit candle to light them. As he did so, Deva looked on watchfully.

Then, he handed one of the lit candelabra to Deva. “Take this,” he said mysteriously.

“What?” Deva looked surprised as he led her across the room to the unlit fireplace.

In front of the fireplace was a large rug, knitted together of many tapestries. Swiftly, he kicked it aside.

Behind him, he could feel her eyes upon him, burning into his flesh. But there wasn’t time to stop. The footsteps reverberating up and down the hall outside told him someone else was coming, so he better act fast.

However, Deva was most confused. “Niven, what on earth are ye doing?” she asked.

Niven dropped to his knees and began scanning the floor with his hands.

“Did ye drop something?” asked Deva quizzically.

Niven didn’t say anything but continued running his hands along the cold, dusty beams. Then there was a creak.

“Found it,” said Niven, with a grin. He could see the curiosity in Deva’s face building. He turned the handle on the floorboard to reveal a trapdoor beneath. Without warning, a stone staircase appeared from nowhere.

Deva gasped. Niven put his finger to his mouth.

“Hush,” he said with a grin. Then he took her by the hand and led her down the steps.

“Careful with that,” he said, as she struggled with the heavy candelabra. He took it from her as she clambered down. Then, he pulled the trap shut with a resounding snap, which echoed in the empty chamber.

Astonished, Deva looked around herself. “What is this place?” she asked as they descended the steps.

It took a long time to get to the bottom. And when they did, they were in a cold, damp underground cavern. With the only light coming from their candles, it took a while for their eyes to adjust. Niven watched closely until Deva was safely down, then he scooped her in his arms and embraced her tenderly.

“Finally,” he said, holding tight in his arms. “I’ve got ye alone…”

But Deva seemed distracted. Curiously, she glanced about the stone vault she had found herself in.

“Niven, what is this place?” she asked, her thin voice echoing in the chamber.

Niven just grinned. “This, och, it’s just a super-secret tunnel,” he smirked. All he wanted was to fall into her embrace, but Deva had other ideas.

“What? A secret tunnel,” she said, enthused. Pulling away from Niven, she walked around, examining the stone walls in the candlelight.

“Och,” said Niven, just very slightly out of sorts. “It’s just a tunnel, doesnae every castle come with one o’ those?”

His eyes sparkled enticingly, drawing her into his gaze. For a moment, Deva lingered as if torn between exploring and his kiss.

“Does it?” she asked, looking unsure. “I’m nae sure the MacLean castle has anything like that… where does it go?”