“LINDS, CAN YOU hear me?” came Milly’s faraway voice. “Can you see me?”

“Milly?” Lindsay whispered after her scream died off. For a second, she swore she gazed through the woods at Rona before the Scotswoman whipped a blade at her. It had seemed so real.

She clutched her chest just above her heart at what felt like lingering pain and gasped as she sat up. “What happened?” She blinked rapidly, trying to acclimate. The forest had been replaced with a dimly lit tent, and a person sat nearby in the shadows. “Is that you, Milly?”

“Hey, sweetie.” Milly’s face became clearer, her eyes concerned. “How are you feeling?”

“Where...what...” she started to say before Milly squeezed her hand, shook her head, and explained everything.

They had traveled back in time. The battle at Hamilton Castle had yet to happen. There was no way to know if the little girl had lived or died.

“And Conall?” she nearly whispered but didn’t mostly because there was no need. He had done what was expected of him and carried her here. Then he left her to Aðísla. That made sense. She knew better than to have expected him to be by her side when she woke. That might mean he cared.

“Conall is off hunting with Rona,” Milly said, eying Lindsay. “In case you were curious.”

“I was not,” Lindsay assured and smoothed her hair back as she sat up, pretending to worry about her appearance when it was the last thing on her mind. “How are you? Adlin?” She met Milly’s eyes and plastered on her warmest smile though she suspected it wobbled. “Are you totally in love or what?”

“Totally,” Milly assured, smiling. “He’s...”

When she didn’t finish her sentence, Lindsay did so for her. “Everything you had no idea you wanted, now couldn’t imagine living without. Right?”

Milly’s smile grew soft and her eyes dewy as she nodded. No words were needed.

“I’m happy for you.” Lindsay squeezed her hand. “More than you know, sweetheart.”

“Thank you.” Milly cocked her head, her eyes still locked with Lindsay’s. “So how about that kiss?”

She knew exactly what kiss Milly referred to.

Lindsay merely shrugged, not about to make a big deal out of it.

“Oh, really?” Milly’s eyes widened with humor. “So no sharing yet, huh?” She winked, baiting Lindsay. “Because rumor has it that kiss was so much more for Conall.”

She highly doubted that. He might have enjoyed kissing her, but she already knew him well enough to know he would never admit it.

Again, she only offered a dainty shrug. 

“You’re not gonna tell me a thing are you?” Milly appeared totally enthralled as she leaned forward, her sky blue eyes merry. “By the way, you overacted during the kiss I saw.” She shook her head, grinning. “I can’t speak for the second one.”

“I did overact,” Lindsay agreed then fibbed. “Can you really blame me? As you can imagine, the English had me somewhat nervous.”

Milly snorted and chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, sure they did.” One brow rose slowly. “Because it certainly couldn’t have been that you were so wowed by Conall’s kiss that you forgot how to act altogether.”

Lindsay narrowed her eyes as she swung her legs over the side of the cot. “Definitely not. As you saw, my acting skills are flawless no matter the circumstances.”

“Typically I would agree.” Milly’s amusement didn’t fade in the least. “So imagine my surprise when I saw otherwise.”

She knew Milly was just trying to glean more information, so she kept quiet and focused on acclimating to sitting up then hopefully standing.

“I’m not so sure you should stand quite yet,” Milly said as Aðísla entered.

Not one to back down from a challenge, Lindsay brushed off the comment. Yet when she placed her hand on the edge of the cot to stand, she noticed her ring and hesitated.

“Dear Lord, it’s gray now.” She frowned and looked at Milly, not sure she wanted to hear the answer. “Does it match anyone’s eye color?”

“It does not,” Aðísla said. “Anyone’s, that is, except your own.”

“My own?” she replied, surprised. “What does that mean?”

“We don’t know yet.” Milly shook her head. “But we’ll figure it out, Linds.”

“Like you figured out whose eyes your ring matched at first?”

“At first,” Milly reminded. “But not ultimately.”

Lindsay sighed and nodded. There was no point getting stressed over this. She knew the gems in these rings could be fickle. Besides, even if the gem did glow, she had no intention of being with any man, period.

“Let me look at you, Lindsay,” Aðísla said as she crouched in front of her. “Both your mind and body went through something very traumatic.”

Right, she had been on the verge of death, hadn’t she? Yet now there was no wound. Though she should be both grateful and alarmed, she felt oddly unaffected. As though it made perfect sense. A fact, she realized as Milly eyed her with concern and perhaps confusion, that must have many wondering what happened.

The Viking looked her over then placed a thumb to the center of her forehead, explaining that she was accessing her third eye. Within seconds she narrowed her eyes, pulled her thumb away and whispered, “You’re completely closed off to me now.”

That told Lindsay at some point she had not been. Instead of lashing out at Aðísla for invading her privacy, she kept a serene expression on her face. There was no need to let them see her real emotions. Best that she kept those to herself.

“It is okay,” Aðísla confirmed as her eyes met Milly’s. “She is fully healed and should have no issue standing.”

Lindsay could have told her that as she kept a pleasant smile on her face and stood. Though the world swayed ever-so-slightly, everything straightened out fast enough. “I’m fine.” She glanced at them both in reassurance when they tried to help her. “Truly, I am.”

Though she still wore the same dress, her shoes had been replaced with boots. Aðísla put a fur around her shoulders as Milly held the tent flap open and said, “Let’s go see what the guys are up to. I suspect they’re hatching plans with William.”

Curious, Lindsay glanced at Milly. “It must have been odd for him seeing you again after seven years.”

William had been very attracted to Milly and would have gladly been with her had she not been meant for Adlin.

“It was certainly strange,” Milly said softly but didn’t elaborate as they exited.

She was not surprised to see the same four men that had been at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Conall and his three cousins. The only ones missing from their last adventure were Grant, Blair, and Jim. As far as she knew, Blair and Jim were still in the future. Though surprised to see Rona here as well she made no mention of it as she joined everyone.

Graham and Bryce were immediately on either side of her. Graham urged her to sit in front of a small fire while Bryce handed her a stick with meat on it. Adlin offered her a skin of whisky with a wide smile. “’Tis verra good to see you up and about, lass.”

All agreed.

“It’s good to be up.” She smiled warmly at them. “Thank you.”

His expression as stoic as ever, Conall’s eyes flickered over her before settling on the fire again. Yet she saw the tension in his body. The tightness in his broad shoulders. More than that, she remembered how concerned he had been when he knelt over her on the floor of his castle. The stark fear she never would have expected.

“As soon as you’ve had a bite to eat, Lindsay,” William said as he joined them. “We will move to the caves.”

Her eyes met his, and she nodded. “Of course. Good to see you again, William.”

Though it had only been a few days, it felt like eons since she had agreed to be his spy.

“Aye, lass,” William said. “’Tis bloody good to see ye as well. How are ye feeling?”

She didn’t have to look at Conall to know he grew even tenser if that were possible. Likely because William seemed so glad to see her.

“I’m feeling much better,” she responded. “Thank you for asking.”

He nodded and considered her before he turned his attention to Adlin. “Might I speak with ye alone?”

After Adlin nodded and they left, everyone chatted about preparations for the upcoming skirmish. She absently followed it as she nibbled on meat and took a few small sips of whisky. What she wouldn’t do for a freshly tossed salad and perhaps some fish.

“Here, lass.” Barely glancing at her, Conall handed her another stick with some sort of meat on it.

Lindsay frowned and took the stick, studying its contents. “What is this?”

“Fish.” He frowned at her. “Did you not want some then?”

“I did,” she said softly, meeting his frown. “Not that I said as much.”

Conall grunted something indiscernible before he unsheathed his blade and started sharpening it without casting her another look. Meanwhile, Lindsay handed her meat to Bryce and sampled the fish. It was very good, and she said as much.

“Rona caught it not me,” Conall stated and left it at that.

Lord, he was an uncivil beast, wasn’t he?

“Well, thank you then, Rona,” she said as she enjoyed it.

Rona, it seemed, was as bland as Conall because she didn’t bother with a response. The look she gave Lindsay, however, was a giveaway. She was not a fan, and God only knew why. Not one to let another drag her down, Lindsay refocused on Milly, Graham, and Bryce and made the best of the time remaining before everyone was on the move.

Tents were left behind as they made their way deeper into the woods away from the river. The weather was chilly, so she was grateful for the hooded fur Bryce wrapped around her shoulders instead of the one she had been wearing. Though both he and Graham flirted readily, she kept them at bay. After all, she had plenty of practice.

What she had little practice with were men who ignored her especially after kissing her.

Regardless, Conall kept his distance and never looked her way. Or so he wanted her to believe. She supposed that was for the best. She did not want him. And she certainly did not want to promote the desire she knew he felt for her. Keeping their distance was best for them both.

Milly never strayed far from her side, and eventually, Adlin rejoined them. When he did, his brows were knit with concern.

“What is it?” Milly asked.

“There are more Sassenach moving into the area than Wallace anticipated,” he said. “’Twill make this battle a wee bit more difficult.”

“How can I help?” Milly and Lindsay asked at the same time.

“Och, you’re good lasses,” Adlin murmured as he steered Milly closer to him. “But there isnae much either of you can do until we know more.” His eyes went to Milly. “Mayhap you’ve a mind to use your witchcraft to keep an eye out for warlocks?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

Milly had the ability to astral project out of her body. If the last time she did such was any kind of example, then it seemed she could also home in on pure evil.

“I can help too,” Lindsay said softly. “I am very good at...convincing men to do what I want them to.”

She wasn’t that surprised when Graham and Bryce adamantly shook their heads no, and Conall doubled back. She didn’t have a chance to get another word out before he steered her away from the others.

“Excuse me—” she started to say before he cut her off.

“You will not be going near any more Sassenach,” he bit out, his hand wrapped firmly around her upper arm as he directed them even further away from prying ears. “Do you ken, lass?”

Here they were yet again tromping off into the woods together with his assertive nature nothing less than overbearing.

“I ken that you’re being overly dramatic,” she bit right back. “If you hadn’t noticed, I’m along on this journey, which means it’s for a reason.” She stopped short and frowned at him. “We all knew what that reason was at the last battle. And we all know I played a very important role.” She cocked her head. “Do you think if I have the chance to do that again, I intend to turn into a coward? What do you take me for?”

She could tell by the way his brows snapped together, and his expression grew fierce that she was not going to like his answer.

“I take you for a twenty-first century lass who thinks she will remain unscathed because she is overly confident in her wits, wiles and most certainly her physical allure,” he ground out, his hand not budging an inch. “I think you got bloody lucky before and to test that luck again is foolhardy.”

Overly confident in what? Had he just insulted her not once but three times? She couldn’t act calm if she tried and she definitely could not stop a heated response.

“My wits and wiles are what saved Scotland just a few short days ago,” she reminded him through clenched teeth. “And we both know all my looks did for me was put me up against a tree thanks to you and your lust.”

“I was not lusting,” he started before she cut him off.

“Oh, that’s right, you were trying to save me from the English.” Her eyes rounded. “By satisfying your lust and don’t you deny it!”

“Och, ‘twas no hardship on you though, aye?” he came right back at her. “You enjoyed the kiss well enough.” His actions were contradictory to his words as his grip loosened and became gentler. His thickening brogue, though, was heated and out of character. “But then I imagine ye have enjoyed every kiss ye’ve given a man since ye traveled back in time.”

Lindsay slapped him without thinking twice.

It was the first time she had ever hit a man, and though he might have deserved it, she didn’t believe in hitting another. Not like this.

Stunned, he released her arm and simply stared, baffled and perhaps even a little disappointed in himself. It was hard to know with a man like Conall. 

Both infuriated and saddened by his words not to mention her own overzealous response, she continued after the others. Milly, naturally, had stopped and looked like she was ready to throttle Conall. So did Adlin, Bryce, and Graham for that matter. Lindsay shook her head as she passed them and kept walking. It was time to focus on other things.

Anything but Laird Hamilton.

Of all people, Aðísla fell in beside her but said nothing. Not at first anyway. Instead, she seemed to be letting Lindsay gather herself. When she at last spoke, they had just entered the cave systems they would be taking shelter in.

“While I do not condone what Conall said to you,” she murmured, her tone softer than Lindsay had ever heard it. “I hope you will take into consideration that those words were only meant to push you away not offend you.”

“I know.” And she did, but that didn’t make them acceptable. “I know exactly where Conall is coming from Aðísla which is all the more reason it’s best we keep our distance at this point.” Her eyes met the Viking’s in the semi-darkness. “Distance we both want.”

Though it was clear she wished to say more, Aðísla only nodded in agreement before Lindsay continued on alone. Well, as alone as she could get since Graham walked in front of her and Bryce behind as the way got narrower. They didn’t go far before it opened up again into what appeared to be a honeycomb of sizeable caves. Tents were set up to protect against the cold draft billowing through. Not many though. It appeared most would sleep on meager plaids and blankets tossed onto the rock.

“You, me, and Aðísla will share a tent,” Milly said as she joined her, eying the area. “Rona can as well, but we’ll see.”

Translation. Rona would be with Conall. It was obvious she rarely left his side.

“I’m not worried about a tent.” Lindsay shook her head. “I don’t care where I sleep.”

Milly gave her an odd look before she said, “I know you don’t.”

Well, what did she mean by that look?

“What are your thoughts on bathing?” Milly’s eyes met hers. “And maybe having a heart to heart.”

“Not if it’s about—”

“It’s not about Conall,” Milly interrupted. “Come on, sweetie. Adlin showed me a spot earlier where you can clean up a little.”

Cleaning up didn’t sound half bad, so she agreed and followed, not surprised to see Aðísla fall in behind them. Likely Adlin’s request for protection if she were to guess.

“I have another dress for you to change into in this satchel,” Milly said as she retrieved a torch and they went down a narrow hallway into another chamber. That was her tasteful way of saying it was time for Lindsay to get out of her blood spattered dress. 

Like she had been doing all along, she swallowed and ignored the memories. The images of the little girl watching first her father then her mother being murdered. The blood that slickened the great hall floor. The same blood dried and caked on her dress now. She knew Adlin or his cousins would have gotten rid of it with magic if they dared. But there was no way to know if warlocks were about and they couldn't risk Wallace being discovered.

Aðísla didn’t join them at the water’s edge and remained out of sight yet Lindsay knew she wasn’t far off.

“Oh, I imagine this will feel fabulous,” Lindsay declared, determined to put on her usual airs in spite of her discouraged mood. “Even if it is frigid.”

“Aw, it’s not that bad,” Milly lied as she stuck her hand in then sat on a rock. “But I think I’ll pass.”

“You intended to pass from the moment you asked me to come here.” Lindsay winked and offered a knowing smile as she stripped down. “If I were a different sort of friend, I would say get your butt in here. Misery loves company.”

“Thankfully, you’re the best sort of friend and won’t.” Milly gave her an apologetic look. “If you really want me in there you know I’ll join you.”

“Don’t be silly,” Lindsay said. “No need to freeze if you don’t have to.”

While she could just crawl into the other dress and stay blissfully dry, Milly had brought her here for a reason. She knew Lindsay would want to wash off what she had seen in that great hall even if the blood didn’t literally stain her skin.

“Oh, hell, this is cold,” she whispered as she waded in. Yet she didn’t flinch. Not once. She was made of tougher stuff than that.

Almost as if Milly sensed what she was thinking, she asked the last thing Lindsay expected after she sank down into the water.

“I’ve never asked you much about yourself in general because I respect your privacy,” she said softly. “But based on what happened between Hamilton Castle and here, I think it might be time. Heck, based on everything that happened before that.”

Lindsay remained quiet, knowing full well what was coming as Milly continued.

“I could tell as I filled you in earlier that you remembered what happened at Hamilton Castle. Most specifically what happened to you in that great hall.” Milly’s eyes narrowed. “I mean Aðísla is a great healer but aren’t you curious why you’re wound free, Linds?”

Lindsay considered Milly for a few moments, debating how much to tell her before she sighed and shook her head. It was too hard to share. Her secrets had been hers for so long. “I remember very little about what happened except that it was violent.”

“It certainly was,” Milly said, eying her with that same curiosity and confusion she had before.

“What I might or might not recall aside,” Lindsay said softly but firmly. “I think we can both agree it was traumatic and something I may not wish to chat about quite yet.”

“I see. My apologies, sweetie.” Yet it seemed Milly would not be put off so easily. Some might say she was being pushy, but her sharp, knowing eyes insinuated she knew full well Lindsay hid things. “If you would rather not talk about that, then how about why I found you sleeping on the floor in my house back in New Hampshire? Because I have a feeling it has something to do with all of this. That it's an important part of who you are.”

Lindsay’s heartbeat slowed to a crawl as her eyes locked with Milly’s. She could lie or tell the truth. The truth wasn’t an option, but Milly would see through a flat out lie.

“It’s a way to remind me where I came from,” she began, trying not to flinch at how cliché she sounded. “To never forget that I didn’t always have money.”

“I’m sorry, Linds,” Milly replied. “I didn’t mean to pry, but I’m trying to understand...”

Milly did not entirely believe her. She could see it in her eyes.

“Understand what?” Lindsay kept her voice playful and her eyes daring. “How a gal goes from rags to riches?”

“No.” Milly shook her head. “You’re an amazing woman, Linds. I’ve never questioned your success. Not for a second.” She frowned. “But I do want to know how you survived that English encampment. Then, Aðísla’s assistance aside, how you healed so miraculously after being killed.” Her eyes grew moist. “Because you died, Linds. You flat out died.” She bit her lower lip and shook her head. “And when I talk about your time with the Brits I’m not thinking along the lines Conall did but about what Grant said.”

“And what did Grant say?” Lindsay murmured, taking the dress from Milly as she got out.

“About the same thing Jessie implied about all of us Brouns,” she said. “That you were special. Exceptionally special.” Milly tapped her fingers as she counted off her abilities. “I can reincarnate myself, astral project then actually move myself via magic.” Her eyes grew curious. “What can you do, Linds? Because I call utter bullshit if you say nothing.”

While tempted to buy herself some time by reminding Milly that she knew nothing about her abilities until she met Adlin, she refrained. Instead, as she stared into her friend’s eyes and realized there was nothing but death and heartache behind and likely ahead, she said more than intended.

“Though I'm not entirely sure why I'm wound free now, I do have a particular gift I can explain,” Lindsay admitted. “I have a certain talent when it comes to men, and even women I suppose. I can...enchant them for lack of a better word.”

“Enchant them.” Milly thought that over, nodding. “That makes sense. It’s not just your looks or mannerisms, but your magic.”

“You could say that,” Lindsay said. “I always kind of looked at myself as a succubus without the suck-the-man’s-soul-out-of-his-body part.” She shrugged. “But that’s all I can compare it to, and it works on any man I want it to...or at least it did.”

Milly kept nodding, intrigued. “Tell me about it.” She tilted her head in question. “It’s clear you knew you had a gift, that it was different. When did you first discover it? What happens specifically when you use it?”

Lindsay ground her teeth against painful flashbacks, specifically the night that first sparked her gift, and remained vague. “I was young. In my teens, I think.” She redirected the conversation to what Milly would find more interesting. “I was around twenty-one when I used it on a man for the first time. A bouncer at a posh club I needed to get into. I needed to,” she made quotes in the air, “be seen by those who mattered. Directors, producers, agents, you name it.”

Clearly intrigued, Milly propped her chin on her fist and nodded for Lindsay to continue.

“Well, it was like any other night I suppose. I was all done up, and looked quite amazing I might say.” She flashed a smile at Milly to keep the mood light and off the dark underbelly of the conversation. “Yet this time when I tossed my hair and met the bouncer’s eyes, something...simmered.”

“Simmered?” Milly rolled her eyes and grinned. “Like attraction?”

“Well, sure, on his part,” Lindsay acknowledged. “But it was more than that, somehow, on my part.”

“So you developed the hots for the bouncer?”

“No, not quite.” Lindsay shook her head. “More like I finally perfected my act and convinced myself that I had the hots for him. The moment that happened, a vibration rolled through me as our eyes locked, and after that...” She shrugged a shoulder. “He was mine.”

“What does that mean?” Milly sat forward a little, completely enthralled. “He was yours.”

“I mean after that, he did anything I asked of him.” Lindsay tried not to look guilty. “And I mean anything.”

Milly’s eyes rounded as Lindsay tied up her dress. “Oh, God, what did you make him do, Linds?”

“Mind you, it was for experimental reasons.” Sort of. “And nothing so bad as that.”

“So bad as what?” Milly shook her head. “Linds, you’re not acting right now. It’s just me. There’s no script. Tell me what you mean and stop being...” She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “So flippantly vague as if we weren’t talking about you bewitching a bouncer...for real!”

“Right.” Lindsay paused for effect. “Well, after a few weeks I had him do some odd things in the back room to prove what I suspected to be true. That he was completely under my spell...that I could order him to do anything.”

“Oh, no, what did you ask the poor man to do?” Milly asked, her eyes round again.

“Nothing too bad.” Lindsay smirked as she tugged on her boots. “Just kiss his toes, howl at the moon, stupid stuff like that.”

“And he did every last thing?”

“Yes.” She shook her head. “Then the next guy I enchanted did, then the next, until...”

When she trailed off, Milly frowned. “Until what?”

“Until I decided I wanted to make it on my own, so I did,” she said with a little more vehemence than intended as she ran her fingers through her wet hair and combed it the best she could.

Milly eyed her, understanding where Lindsay’s mind was at.

“Linds, almost-succubus-like-magic aside, you’re genuinely talented at acting. You know that, right?”

“I do.” And she did. “But it took almost more strength than I had not to take the easy way out, Mil. To not bewitch those directors into casting me as the lead when they chose another.” She sighed. “And, believe me, there were enough of those.”

Milly stood and looked at her with a level of respect that Lindsay still wasn’t used to. It was the same look her friend gave her on their last adventure when Lindsay volunteered to bait the English.

“I’m proud of you, hon.” Milly pulled her in for a big hug. “Amazed and proud. Don’t you forget it.”

“Don’t be,” Lindsay murmured, hugging her back. “Not yet. Not until I’ve ultimately done what I’m here for.”

Milly pulled back and frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean.” Lindsay kept a positive look on her face. “I’m here for a reason, Mil, and you and I both know it has to do with my gift.”

“Chances are good,” Milly said, always one to be honest. “You, the gem and a MacLomain...or someone with MacLomain blood. You realize that right?”

“Yes, I do.” Lindsay nodded. On that fact, she was not deluding herself. The only difference in her case was she fully intended to harness the gem’s power then move on.

“Ah,” Milly said softly, eying Lindsay with that look she got. “You think you’ll be able to save the day then use your not-quite-succubus powers to tell your one true love to go in the opposite direction because you don’t want a man in your life.”

“Well, when you say it like that, yes.” Lindsay shrugged as she wrapped a fur around her shoulders and they headed back in the direction they had come. “Not a bad plan, right?”

“I suppose not,” Milly conceded before she stopped, touched Lindsay’s arm and looked at her curiously. “Have you used this power of yours on Graham or Bryce? Better yet, Conall?”

“Why better yet Conall?” Lindsay frowned. “As if I would want to.”

Though she had been since the moment she met him. Anything to get him under her thumb so she could steer him away...which he somewhat seemed to be doing on his own anyway. Damn confusing man.

“No, I haven’t needed to,” she fibbed.

“Liar.” Milly's eyes narrowed. “You thought about it with Bryce until you learned he was engaged and maybe even Graham until you figured out he wasn’t entirely woo’able either for reasons we're all still trying to figure out.” She made a flippant gesture. “You liked them both so left them alone.”

A sly smile curled Milly's lips as she continued. “Now if you truly wanted to control and redirect any man I would think Laird Hamilton’s at the top of your list. If for no other reason than to drive him in the opposite direction...” She slanted another one of those all too knowing looks at Lindsay. “Because despite what an utter dickhead he’s been to you lately, you do want him looking anywhere but at you, right, Linds?”

Lindsay started to answer, but the words trailed away as a shadow brushed by her. What was that?

“Linds, are you all right?” Milly asked, but she barely heard her as she spun.

A tall, older but very handsome man in a Hamilton plaid materialized directly behind her. He looked so much like Conall and Grant she knew who he was in an instant.

Grant’s son.

Conall’s father.

Darach Hamilton.