Page 69 of Sins of a Scot
“We are on a quest,” he began. With another glance at Iseabail, he continued. “I shouldnae really be telling ye this, but Iseabail’s faither and braither are being held against their will by a madman who is determined to get his hands on something far more powerful than me necklace. The crystal we seek is far bigger, and in fact, is where that small piece came from. If she doesnae find it and bring it tae him, her family will die. It was the same man’s men who gave me this injury.”
Ada suddenly looked worried. “Ye ken when ye find it, that Iseabail cannae lay her hands upon it? With her gift, and with the power the main crystal holds, it may well be fatal for her.”
Owen nodded. “Aye, another told us the same thing nae so long ago.”
“I have heard rumors that what ye’re looking fer is hidden behind a waterfall nae far from here. It is hard tae find, and many ‘afore ye have searched fer it. The crystal is very powerful and disguises itself. It takes on the color o’ the water, which is why those who have looked have nae discovered its whereabouts.”
“Well, someone has,” Owen replied, “or I wouldnae be wearing a piece o’ it around me neck.”
“Then maybe it is gone already, and what I tell ye is o’ nay use tae ye.”
“Nay,” Owen said, shaking his head vehemently. “I’m grateful for the information. When we left South Ronaldsay without the knowledge we sought, we had nay idea where else we could look. Now, we at least have a place tae begin.”
“I only hope ‘tis useful,” Ada said with a tinge of sadness in her voice. “By the looks o’ it, that lass has suffered enough.”
It was at that moment, that Iseabail began to stir, and stretching and yawning, she sat up in the chair.
“I’m away tae leave ye two alone,” Ada said. Leaning in a little closer to Owen she added, “I’m going intae the village tae collect some herbs, so I’ll be a while.” She then winked mischievously at him.
He felt heat rush to his face, for he knew exactly her meaning, and as the healer shuffled from the room, Owen turned to look at Iseabail.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Och, Owen,” Iseabail cried, jumping from the chair and throwing herself upon his chest. “Ye’re awake. Ye’re alive. I was so terrified that ye wouldnae come back tae me. I thought I’d lost ye.”
Owen wrapped his arms around her tiny frame and held her close to him.
“I’m so sorry I scared ye so much, Iseabail.”
She lifted her head up to look at him. “I’m in love with ye, Owen Sinclair.”
She watched Owen’s delighted smile, and then he nodded. “And I am in love with ye, Iseabail. With all me heart.”
“How are ye feeling?” she asked, pushing herself off him, and taking his injured arm in her hands.
Owen bent his arm at the elbow several times, showing her how well he had healed.
“I dae believe Ada is a witch,” he quipped, raising his eyebrows mischievously.
“Indeed, she isnae a witch at all. She’s like me. She has a gift.”
“I ken,” he replied with a grin. “She told me.”
“I was so scared ye werenae going tae mak’ it. Ada was so good, and told me that only due tae her gift, were ye likely tae survive. Ye’re a madman, dae ye ken that? Only a madman would launch us off that wall and intae a raging, freezing cold sea.”
“I had tae dae something.” Owen shrugged. “Ye were in danger.”
She gazed at him tenderly. “I ken. And thank ye. For saving me life. Again.” But then, all the worry she had suffered the last three days rushed back to her, and with a playful scowl, she began her tirade accompanied by mock strikes to his body. “But if ye ever,” she struck him, “ever,” she struck him again, “put yersel’ intae such danger again,” another strike came, “I swear tae all the gods,” one more strike, “I’ll kill ye mesel’.”
Owen tried to defend the soft blows, and when she was finished, he was chuckling and nodding.
“All right. I surrender. I will try me very best nae tae put us in such danger again. But ye said it yersel’ when we were at the wedding celebrations last week.”
“What?” she asked, her eyes wide and eyebrows high on her forehead. “What did I say?”
“Ye told me that trouble just comes and finds me.” He grinned.
With a light smirk, she said, “Ye’re intolerable.”
