Page 15 of Forbidden Desire

It was my turn to laugh as we neared the side of a steep bank.

“What is amusing?” he asked, signaling for his men to start the climb.

“Nothing. I was just thinking you’re right, and you don’t even know us.”

“It is nice to see you smile.” Jeemie’s lips curled. “Yet I fear you grant me too much praise; your differences are not difficult to see.”

I paused, wondering what he had seen of my sister to draw his conclusion. What had happened to her and Charlie that meant they had been here on this island for so long without getting a word out to their families? Fleetingly, a wave of unease rose in my belly. I didn’t know this man, didn’t know his intent or where he was taking me. Looking over my shoulder, I glimpsed the boat again. If I turned now, I could make it there and cut the rope. I had a knife in my pocket which could do the job. I could be away from here—from him—in a matter of moments, but then what? I hadn’t come all this way to abandon Desiree. He’d mentioned her by name before I’d even identified her, so he must know her.

“What troubles you?” He inched closer.

“Nothing.”

I turned back, already knowing the moment had passed. It was too late to run, and whatever happened, I must manage it with intelligence and discernment. If there was a clan of people on this island no one else knew about, they would likely have an entirely different point of view. Based on what little anthropological research I had undertaken at school, they might have a different world order, an old-fashioned structure to their society. I’d already been able to ascertain they spoke a different language, so I had to be prepared for anything, willing to cede to the cultural differences, and prepared to do whatever it took to get my sister back.

“Come then, Elodie.” He smirked as my focus flew back to him, and I noticed his other men had already ascended the sharp climb, though how wasn’t clear. It looked impossible to hike, yet they had done so without equipment. “Do you need help with the climb?”

“No.” My response was immediate, his rising brow indicating how abrupt I’d been. “I mean, no, thank you.”

“After you then.” He gestured for me to go ahead, taking a tiny step back, and from high above, I saw the other giants looming. “Go ahead. My men will be there to pull you up if you require it.”

Pulling in a breath, I gritted my teeth and moved toward the bank. If there was breath left in my body, that was never going to happen.

Chapter Eight

Jeemie

I’D NEVER MET ANOTHER female like her, another woman with such pluck and resolve. She managed the bank alone with sheer grit and determination, but still, it was admirable to watch her abject refusal for assistance. Rasmie and I shared core beliefs about many things—the gods, the definition of community, and our place in the world—but I didn’t always share my brother’s desire to pulverize. He ruled with an iron will, and I respected his reverence to the old ways, but that did not mean I sought to be the same. If a woman wanted to work in the marshlands, to hunt or craft, I saw no ill in it, just as I saw no harm in a man relishing the art of cookery.

As I saw Elodie disappear over the brow of the bill, that sense ballooned in me. She was beautiful, but I knew she was doubly enchanting because she was so different from what I was used to. The attraction was oddly compelling.

“We should go, Jeemie.” Aidan removed his helmet, his gaze flitting from Elodie to me. “Our maighstir will be keen for a full report once Mawnsie reaches him.”

My gut twisted as his caution resonated. Aidan was correct. Once our friend’s warning of an invasion made it to my brother, he would be frantic to hear from us, but glancing at the ground, I recalled the enormous stag we also had to take with us. His girth would surely slow our progress.

“The village needs our kill.” My gaze slid over the men assembled. “We must see he is returned.”

“You killed that?”

A rumble of amusement reverberated at Elodie’s shocked expression.

“One of my men did, yes,” I replied, eager to maintain our exchange, despite my growing disquiet. “It will feed our people for some weeks.” Pride resonated in my voice even though the kill had not been mine.

“It’s barbaric,” she countered, folding her small arms across her chest. “Especially in this day and age.”

My brow creased. “How so?” I pressed her. “How is feeding our people with the abundance of wildlife present on our island barbarous?”

Her brow rose at my query. “I think eating meat is cruel and unnecessary.”

I had the distinct impression she was putting on a show, making a scene to impress me.

“I’ve lived a vegetarian lifestyle for years now.”

“Jeemie,” Aidan hissed. “This is not relevant to our predicament.”

“You are right.” I glanced back to our kill. “Aidan, finish the job of readying the stag for transportation, then lead everyone back at your own pace.”

“Jeemie.” He stepped closer, his tone insistent. “What of you and the nighean?”

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