Page 69 of Highlander’s Burning Touch

Fingal wasn’t sure what to think about this, but before he got a chance to speak, MacLean pulled closer. Now his breath was hot on his cheek. Intimidated, Fingal slunk back. But MacLean stuck to him like glue.

“But first, ye are going to take us to them an’ reveal all to yer uncle, Macaulay!”

MacLean snarled so impressively that Fingal almost expected flames to come from his nostrils. The laird’s demeanor was so threatening he hardly dared disagree.

“Aye, sir,” he said weakly.

But MacLean wasn’t done with him yet. Out of nowhere, his scowl turned into a beam. The laird brought his right arm over to Fingal, giving his shoulder a quick squeeze.

“Good lad, an’ ye ken, there’ll be a wee bit more say in the united clan lands, for the MacLeans…ye ken, as recompense for my trouble?”

An odd twinkle came into the laird’s eyes. Fingal watched him nervously. “Oh, I am sure that can be arranged,” he said cagily.

In truth, he had little idea about the negotiations that had gone on before. But now MacLean was getting into his stride, a strange grin playing around the sides of his mouth.

“Arranged, aye, it can be arranged, an’ so can a wee chat wi’ that brother o’ yers,” he mused, darkly.

For the first time, Fingal felt a little jolt inside. “Ye dinnae need to hurt him,” he said anxiously. His young eyes scanned the wily laird’s face carefully. “I dinnae want him hurt…Just persuade him to leave… for a wee while…”

Fingal felt his heart beating with renewed vigor. He had an uneasy feeling that MacLean would not agree.

“Persuade?” he said, a glint of amusement coming into his eyes. “Nae fash laddie, I will nae hurt the lad, but rest assured, me an’ my friends are very persuasive…!”

“Dinnae fash, lassie, they won’t come, I promise…” said Niven, as Deva gazed about, her eyes adjusting to the light outside.

They had both had enough of the dank underground of the tunnel. Maybe it was risky, but with the sun on their faces, Deva wanted a few minutes with Niven to enjoy it.

“Och Niven, wouldnae it be lovely if it could always be like this,” she said, beckoning out to the snowy horizon, glinting in the beautiful sunlight.

“Well, aye,” said Niven, his touch warming her shoulder with its presence. “That’s until the next blizzard, or hailstorm comes down,” he gave her a twisted grin, which almost peaked into a kiss.

Deva saw his lips, reaching out to her, tantalizing, and ached to kiss them. Of course, she did not. Instead, she gave a little cough to remind him of their predicament.

This brought Niven up close. Looking around quickly, he set his face straight and removed his arm from hers.

“I ken,” said Niven morosely. “But no-one is watching, at least, nae right now,” he said.

This did not reassure Deva one bit. “Ye dinnae ken that for sure, Niven,” she said, gathering her arasaid up and carefully walking along the slushy path. It was still icy from the wintery storms battering the Highlands.

The slippery conditions gave Niven some chance to help her out. He offered his hand to hers, steadying her, as she slithered down the drive.

“Careful, lass,” he said, but when Deva looked at him, she had more on her mind than not falling on ice.

“Aye, we need to take care, Niven,” said Deva solemnly. “An’ nae just on this path…”

She turned to him, her blue eyes flashing. Then, she sighed. She did not know how to say this.

“But the problem is, folk are always going to be over us,” she said shortly. She disengaged from his touch and moved away.

Looking up, Niven eyed her, dismayed.

“They’re always going to be here. The fact was, we’ve been taking massive chances ever since I’ve been here, an’, it’s my fault…”

Tears appeared in her eyes. Before she knew what had happened, they spilled out onto the snow below. Out of nowhere, Deva’s anxiety had broken, and she sobbed wildly.

“Hush,” said Niven, looking genuinely horrified. “Whatever is it, lassie?” he asked.

He held her tight, moving closer to her and absorbing her tears with his body heat. Deva felt his skin and yielded to his touch; burying her head into his neck, she wept.