Page 3 of Seduction in a Kilt

Alana looked over. “Aye, I see it. D’ye ye want me tae fetch it over fer ye?”

“Nay, hinny. That’s the medicine ye came fer.”

Alana stared at her with surprise. “But how could ye⁠—”

The witch grinned. “I told ye, there’s nae much old Selma daesnae ken. Dinnae fash yersel’ about it. Just take the bottle. Give yer patient three spoonful’s each day, mornin’, noon, and evenin’. He’ll be right as rain soon enough.”

“Och, thank ye, Miss Selma, I’m very grateful tae ye. What will ye take fer it?” Alana asked, her relief clearly overcoming her fear.

“Naethin’ ye can give me, pet. Tae ken ’tis helpin’ a poor soul who’s sick is more than enough thanks. Ye ken I like tae use me powers fer healin’ where I can.”

Alana smiled. “Aye, I ken ye’re a good woman because me sister-in-law told me so. Ye helped tae cure her of a terrible melancholy.”

“Aye, I remember. But the sword cured her, nae me.”

Liam’s skin prickled again. The witch knew who Alana was talking about without even asking Maddison’s name. But how?

“Well, if ye willnae take any payment fer the medicine, is there somethin’ we could dae fer ye perhaps before we go? Dae ye need anythin’ mendin’, or can Liam here chop some wood fer ye?”

“Nay, I have me friends who keep me well supplied with whatever I need, but I appreciate yer kind offer.” To Liam’s great discomfort, the witch continued looking at him. Then she said, “But I have somethin’ tae tell yer man there though.”

He felt himself blanch. “Tell m-me?” he stuttered, finding it hard to meet her stare.

“Aye. A wee bird told it tae me this mornin’ and said I’m tae tell it tae ye when ye get here. I never thought ye’d take such a long time!” She laughed as though tickled by his obvious discomfiture.

“But ye dinnae ken me. We’ve nae met before. How can ye have somethin’ tae tell me?” he asked, goosebumps breaking out all over him.

“I’m tae tell ye that ye’re about tae meet the love of yer life. But when ye dae, ye’ll be tempted tae succumb tae yer fears.” Her eyes seemed to glow in the dim light. “If ye dae, ye’ll lose her fer sure, and happiness will never be yers.”

He was shaken and had no clue how to respond the witch’s supposed prophecy. It was a relief when Alana retrieved the bottle and came back to his side. “Thank ye, Miss Selma,” she said. “Since ye’re busy, we’ll take our leave now. I should get back and give me patient the medicine as soon as possible.”

“Aye, of course,” Selma agreed with a nod. She looked at Liam once again. “Heed me words, lad,” she told him sternly. He did not need reminding of them, nor did he reply. Instead, he backed away towards the door, with Alana following behind. But before he could reach it, it swung open by itself.

A chill ran down his back as he hurried through it, feeling grateful for the rain and cold which greeted him outside. The door closed behind them, muffling the sound of the old witch’s laughter. It echoed in his mind along with her prophecy all the way back through the wood. He did not even have time to think how easy it was to find their way back to the main track.