Page 13 of Kilted Abduction
Kai sighs. “Dae we really?”
“Aye. We dae. So, quit yer bleatin’. Ye sound like a bleedin’ mule.”
As if sensing the sudden and serious shift in Magnus’ mood, Kai did as he was told and fell silent as he waited for his older brother to give him his orders.
“What is the plan, braither?” Kai asked.
“Dae ye recall the description of the woman we’re lookin’ fer?”
“Aye. Small in stature, delicate features, hair like gold and eyes the color of the meadows around Dunvegan in spring. Skilled with a bow and a blade…”
At that point, Kai’s recitation cut off and he laughed. Magnus planted his fists on his hips and stared at his brother, annoyance on his face.
“What?” he demanded.
“It’s just the idea that this lass is some sort of skilled warrior who can kill us all… doesnae it strike ye as a little too strange tae be true?”
“Are ye saying lasses cannae fight?”
“I mean… nae as well as we.”
“Ye’d dae well to never let yer sisters Thora, Enya or Domhnall’s wife hear ye spew that nonsense,” Magnus said.
Growing up, their father had insisted all the siblings learn to master a variety of weapons. He had made sure they were all well prepared and capable of fighting and defending themselves—and each other. He knew a day would come when they would need to put those skills to the test and had ensured they were all ready for it. As a result, not only were Magnus and his brothers skilled and accomplished warriors, so were their sisters. Although they rarely used their skills, Thora and Enya were as deadly with a blade in their hands as Magnus, Kai, or Domhnall.
“Ye should ken better that tae say such stupid things,” Magnus grumbled.
“’Twas only makin’ a joke. I’m just sayin’ that this lass Domhnall has us out here chasin’ sounds like somethin’ out of the storiesMa used tae tell us when we were babes. She just doesnae sound real tae me. That’s all I’m sayin’.”
Magnus eyed him. “’Tis our duty tae find out if she’s real or nae.”
“What makes ye think she’s even here?”
“If what Domhnall was told is true, she’s lookin’ fer allies. This would bae the place to find ‘em,” Magnus said. “She’d bae able to blend in with the crowd and ask around more discreetly. She likely wouldnae stand out since a lot of people came tae the games lookin’ tae build alliances of one sort or another.”
“Aye. I suppose that makes sense.”
“Of course, it does,” Magnus said. “Now, get out there and start lookin’ fer her. And I mean it, Kai.”
“I give ye me word. Just remember the deal ye made me.”
“If you happen tae find her, dinnae engage,” Magnus warned. “Find me first.”
“If ye say so. But if she’s as fair as the description makes her sound, perhaps I’ll just charm her into givin’ me all her secrets.”
“Kai—”
“’Tis a jest, braither. Good Lord, ye need tae loosen up.”
Kai shot him a sly smirk that made Magnus shake his head and sigh as he stalked away from him and melted into the crowd. Small in stature, delicate of features, hair the color of gold, and eyes the shade of the grass in the meadows in spring. That was how she had been described to them. Truthfully, it could have described half the women in the crowd that Magnus passed. Every time he spotted a woman who fit that description, he took a quick peek inside her mind and had yet to find one who had any sort of nefarious intent in her thoughts.
After purchasing a bowl of roasted meats in a brown sauce with bread and something to drink and leaving a few extra coins for the vendor, Magnus found a quiet place to sit down and eat. His stomach rumbled, chastising him for going all day without food. It was basic fare but quite good. He was just thinking about asking the vendor what they’d spiced the meat with, wanting to take that bit of knowledge home with him, when a woman passing by caught his eye.
The woman turned to him and their eyes locked for just a moment and when they did, he felt a bolt of lightning fire through his veins. Something about her struck a chord deep inside of him and he wasn’t sure what it meant. Her eyes were the color of spring grass in the meadow and her hair, though hidden beneath the hood of her cloak, shone like gold. She was petite, her features soft and delicate. The woman’s gaze slid away as she turned away and continued on.
“Ye’re bleedin’ kidding me,” he said, feeling a rush of excitement was through him.
Magnus got to his feet and followed the woman at a discreet distance, not too close to spook her, but not so far off that he would lose her among the throngs of people. Music and laughter filled his ears, but the only thing he was focused on was the woman in the dark green cloak ahead of him. He could see the tip of a sword sheath peeking out from beneath her cloak. She was armed and ready for a fight. She moved as if she’d been trained and knew how to use them, which further piqued his curiosity.
