Donna Grant - Untamed Highlander

She smiled in spite of her pain.

“Does your head ache often?”

“Nay. In fact, this is my second since arriving here.”

Ian scratched his whiskered jaw. “And before?”

“None like this.” Her head always ached before Deirdre took control, but this felt different. Still. Could it be Deirdre?

Her blood turned to ice. It couldn’t be happening already. If Deirdre had her magic, she could have easily gotten control of Isla’s mind.

Isla’s shield would have dimmed Deirdre’s magic, but not enough to prevent it. Unless Deirdre was still very weak. None of which boded well for them.

If Deirdre was strong enough to cause Isla’s head to hurt, then it was only a matter of time — a very short time — before Deirdre was strong enough to take over completely.

Isla dropped the broom and started out the cottage door. She had to tell the MacLeods. She took two steps outside before she ground to a sudden halt.

The sun blinded her and increased her agony until she could hardly breathe. She doubled over and bit her lip to keep from crying out. She reached out her hand for the cottage to help guide her when strong, familiar hands took hold of her.

“I’ve got you,” Hayden said.

Isla had never been more relieved to be lifted in his arms. She wound her arm around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder.

“What happened?” he asked.

There were footsteps and then she heard Ian say, “It’s her head.”

“It hurts,” Isla whispered. “The sun hurts my eyes.”

Hayden rubbed his check on top of her head. “I’ll get you somewhere safe. Trust me.”

It never entered her mind not to. As long as Hayden was near, she knew she was safe.

Hayden hated the taste of fear in his mouth. It was made worse because he could see the hurt etched on Isla’s face. She kept her emotions in check, so to show anything she must be in a terrible amount of pain.

Her hands held onto him tightly while she kept her head buried in his neck. Her body was tense, and she was much too pale.

He wished they had already been at the castle or that he could jump as Fallon did from one place to another without so much as a thought.

The walk to the castle was taking longer than Hayden wanted. At first he had taken long strides, but it must have jarred Isla because he heard her gasp in pain a few times. Hayden had shortened his steps while he tried to dodge any rocks that he might trip over.

Hayden could feel Ian’s presence behind him. He didn’t care. It allowed him to hold Isla while Ian could talk to the others and let them know what was going on. All Hayden wanted to do was get Isla somewhere dark so the sun would no longer harm her eyes and her head.

“We’re almost there,” he murmured. “Just a little farther, and I’ll have you in your tower.”

Her only response was a light pressure from her fingers on his neck. Hayden had never felt so powerless. He didn’t know what was wrong or how to help Isla, but he would find a way.

Out of nowhere Broc landed beside Hayden and folded his massive wings behind him. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure,” Hayden answered.

Behind him Ian said, “She complained about her head aching, and when she walked into the sun it seemed to grow worse.”

“Sonya can help her,” Broc said. “Sonya can heal anything.”

Hayden had seen Sonya’s magic, but he had his doubts. Especially if this had anything to do with Deirdre. “Let’s hope you’re right.”

“I’ll alert Sonya and the others.” With that Broc leapt into the air and flew to the castle.

Isla moaned softly. “I’ll be all right. I just need to get out of the sun.”

Hayden didn’t bother to answer her. She might think she would be fine, but he would make sure of it. He didn’t stop and wonder why he would go to the ends of the earth to help Isla, he only knew that he would.

He’d seen her in pain, and all that mattered was her. All that would ever matter was Isla.

By the time he reached the bailey, Lucan and Fallon were waiting for him. Hayden walked to Fallon, ready to beg him to use his power.

“Ready?” Fallon asked a moment before he placed a hand on Hayden’s shoulder.

In a blink the three of them were in the tower. Hayden felt Isla relax against him. He was about to lay her on the bed when he paused. Sunlight fell from her window and bathed the bed in light.

“I’ll take care of it,” Broc said.

Hayden hadn’t even realized Broc was in the chamber. He watched Broc take a blanket and fly to the window. Broc’s wings held him suspended as he closed the shutters and draped the blanket over them to block out all the light.

Isla lifted her head a little and sighed. Though Hayden was loath to release her, he knew she needed to be on the bed so Sonya could try to help.

As Hayden was laying Isla down, she lifted her head and whispered, “Do not let Marcail near me. She might try to take the pain, and I would not have her or her unborn child harmed in any way.”

“I promise,” Hayden said and looked into her eyes still clouded with pain. “Now allow Sonya to help.”

Hayden took a step back and then another. He had to force himself to give Sonya and Cara room to move, but it was difficult when all he wanted to do was hold Isla and try to make her better.

It wasn’t long before Quinn and Marcail arrived in the tower. As soon as Hayden saw Marcail start toward the bed, he grabbed hold of her arm.

“I can help,” Marcail told him when she tried to jerk her arm free and couldn’t.

“Hayden,” Quinn threatened behind him.

Hayden looked from one to the other. “I promised Isla I wouldn’t allow Marcail near her. Isla is afraid Marcail might try to help her, and she willna have you or the babe hurt.”

Marcail sighed, and then gave a small nod. “All right. I’ll stay back, but if they need me, don’t try to stop me again.”

Hayden returned his attention the bed. Isla was curled onto her side with her back to him, her lips pressed into a tight line and her face even paler than before.

Sonya was bent over her, talking quietly. Every so often Hayden would see Isla’s lips move in answer.

He was a Warrior. Immortal. With powers from an ancient god that could not be rivaled. But he couldn’t help Isla. He hated the feeling, the frustration of being able to do nothing.

Hayden allowed his claws to lengthen and fisted his hands. His claws sank into his skin and he felt the blood run between his fingers. But it did nothing to help the turmoil inside him.

“Sonya will help her,” Fallon said. “Give her time.”

Hayden glanced at the eldest MacLeod. “And if she cannot? What if no one can help Isla?”

“Then we will figure something out.”

“You think this is Deirdre, don’t you?”

Fallon’s jaw clenched before he gave a small jerk of his head. “It’s a possibility.”

Hayden didn’t want to hear it, even if he knew it could be the truth. He couldn’t lose Isla. He wouldn’t lose her.

“You will not kill her,” Hayden heard himself say. “If it is to be done, I will do it.”

Fallon raised a dark brow in question. “I gave her my word.”

“So did I just last night. I will do it.” It would kill him, but he would be the one to give her the freedom she yearned for.

“Are you sure you’ll be able to?” Fallon asked.

It would be the hardest thing Hayden had ever done, but he owed Isla at least that. “Aye.”

“So be it.”

Fallon walked away, but Hayden wasn’t left alone for long. Broc crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze on the bed just as Hayden’s was.

“Your blood is dripping on the floor,” Broc said as if he were speaking of the weather. “I’m sure Isla willna approve.”