Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) Read Online Free PDF Page B

isn’t right?”
    “Nay,” Iosbail said. “You traveled back too early… to a period too late.”
    Aghast, she swung her attention to Iosbail. “Approximately eight hundred and ninety-two years to be exact. You mean to say that wasn’t far enough?”
    “Precisely,” Adlin said.
    He appeared almost relieved at her quick revelation until she turned troubled eyes his way. “So if I’m not on time, or too early, I mean too late, are you still to lead me to my betrothed?”
    “Aye and Nay,” he said, a slight shrug to his shoulders.
    “Aye and Nay ,” Mildred repeated, looking between them. “Would somebody please give me a straight answer?”
    “Oh, straight answers are always overrated.” Iosbail stretched, almost as if she were growing tired with the conversation.
    “Overrated,” Mildred mouthed silently, eyes round and furious with them both.
    “What she means to say is that there really is no understandable straight answer to any of this, lassie,” Adlin said.
    “Never is,” Iosbail agreed.
    These two were impossible. Beyond furious, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Then why am I here now. Who fouled up?”
    Iosbail chuckled. Adlin attempted to take her hand but she pulled it away. So Adlin said, “Sometimes the Fates rearrange things. It’s hard to say why but they always have their reasons.”
    Mildred felt weak but didn’t let them know. Slowly, carefully, head high, she made her way to the bed and sat. “I don’t belong here. Obviously. If the Fates didn’t mean to bring me here now, I’d really like to go home.”
    Even as she said it a new reality swamped her. Even if Iosbail and Adlin implied as much, if the Fates didn’t mean to bring her here now, when did they mean to bring her here?
    Adlin’s eyes though curious, were also compassionate. When Mildred met them she saw not a man intent on making her believe but a man full of regret. With the steadiest voice she could muster she asked, “What’s next for me. I shouldn’t have to guess. You both know what I want. You both know that I’m petrified right now.”
    They sat, one on her left, the other on the right. Adlin said, “Know that no matter what, we don’t want any of this for you.”
    Mildred ignored the shiver that raked her body and focused on the slight feeling left in her fingers. She focused on the cool breeze whisking through the room and the way the sun slid past the rawhide to light slices of the furs on the floor. Adlin’s strong hand slid over hers and offered warmth. His thigh fell against hers, offering security.
    Still.
    “What’s become of me there,” she whispered. “In my own time.”
    “Your story hasn’t changed,” Adlin said. “As of this moment, your story is still the same.”
    Mildred welcomed his touch but looked at the hearth rather than at Iosbail and Adlin. “How is that possible?”
    Adlin squeezed her hand slightly. “Because you were raised the way you were.”
    She should flail, scream out, and rebel. These two had all the answers and she was in the dark. Everything about this situation was against her will. Regardless, good sense dictated that she be brave, show courage. After all, she wasn’t exactly daft when it came to magic and fate. “I should stay then. I should see whatever this is through.”
    Iosbail squeezed her free hand. “Glad you said that. But now’s not the time.” She looked at Adlin. “This was just a wee introduction.”
    “What?” Even as she said it, calm passed through her. She knew it was magic from them both. Shivers rippled down Mildred’s spine. Fear all but vanished, her reservations non-existent. Her eyes shot to Adlin’s. His eyes met hers. A far different sort of awareness tore through her but she ignored it.
    She knew magic… had since childhood. He was magic. Yet he was more than that. Adlin was magic and man and someone she realized in that instant she honestly desired. Regardless, this reality, him, was too much too soon. Frightened,