Chapter Three
Miran frowned when she saw Nasim step forward. Not that she harbored any ill will toward the man, he had never disrespected her. Only his brother, Kuresh, had. But seeing Kuresh made happy for any reason did not sit well with her. He dinna deserve the honor of becoming a MacKay. That should be reserved for a man who understood all of the traditions that had made her clan one of the greatest in the northern Highlands.
Kuresh had made it abundantly clear on many occasions that women were inferior—meant to fulfill two obligations, warming a man’s bed and giving birth to children. He had even asked her which one did she think she was fated to perform.
Neither, she had said bitterly.
Her answer surprised him, for he remained silent for many moments before he spoke again. “You wish to be a child forever?”
“I wish to be myself,” she said, walking away before he had a chance to insult her.
“What name have ye chosen, Prince Kuresh?” Father Brandon’s voice brought her back to the present.
“Leod,” she whispered loud enough for her cousin to overhear.
Jamie shook his head. “Doona make a fool of yerself, Miran.”
“I willna.” She focused on Kuresh again, waiting to hear what the black-hearted barbarian had chosen for himself.
“Kai,” Kuresh announced.
Kai? An unusual name, though Scottish. It meant fiery. And as she stared at him, his turbulent gaze met hers briefly, causing something to stir in her belly. Not resentment, not hatred, and surely not appreciation. The strange sensation spread throughout her body, causing heat to rise in her cheeks. She fanned herself, and that’s when Kai—Kuresh, smiled at her before he returned his attention to the priest.
Damn him to the lowest realms of Hades. He’d made her blush and he knew it.
“Do ye swear fealty to Laird Jamie MacKay, to Clan MacKay, to God, whoever ye recognize him to be, and promise that any enemy of our laird and country is an enemy to ye? That yer old life, yer former family, whether parents or siblings, willna interfere with yer duties, and that from this moment forward, ye are a member of this clan, willing to sacrifice yer life in order to keep us safe?”
“I so swear.”
“Kneel,” Father Brandon commanded.
Kai dinna hesitate.
Father Brandon rested his right hand on Kuresh’s head, prayed in Latin, then flicked holy water over him. “Rise, Kai MacKay.”
The hall exploded with applause, and Miran made her escape once Jamie and his wife, Helen, were distracted. Nothing and no one could force her to stay and wish that beast-of-a-man well. Instead, she went outside, wanting to breathe in the crisp morning air and feel the winter sun on her face.
Several guards waved as she walked down the pathway to the loch, pleased to finally be alone. Within a sennight, she would ride out with Kai—under duress of course, tasked with seeking out maids to serve in Jamie’s household. An important responsibility she took seriously, but why had her cousin thought it necessary to punish her by forcing her to go with Kuresh?
“Kai!” she said aloud. “A senseless name for a brute I will always know as Kuresh.”
“Call me whatever pleases you, Lady Miran. Knowing I am on your mind is reward enough.”
She closed her eyes, willing the devil away, hoping she was simply hearing things carried on the wind. “Ye are not real.”
“I am flesh and blood.”
She turned slowly, finding Kai standing behind her. She scowled at his invasion of her privacy. “I dinna invite ye here.”
“Do I need an invitation to come to the loch? Does it not belong to the clan?”
She rolled her eyes. “It belongs to Laird Jamie.”
“As do you.”
She wouldna let his words upset her. The man spent every spare moment he had trying to irritate her, espousing how women should be silent and obedient. “Ye know nothing about me, Kuresh.”
“Kai.”
“I prefer Leod.”
He growled, moving closer. “Do you wish to take another swim in the cold water?” He tilted his head, his intense eyes promising he meant what he said.
Though she dinna doubt the sincerity of his threat, inside, she celebrated that she had the ability to discomfit him as much as he did her. “Ye have no right to threaten me—I came here in search of solitude. Ye should return to the great hall and celebrate with Jamie. I am sure he misses ye already.”
Kai rubbed his chin. “I came here to see why you refuse to accept me.”
She turned away, gazing across the icy loch. “My opinion shouldna matter.”
“Miran…”
“Lady Miran,” she demanded.
“Lady Miran,” he said coolly. “We are soon to travel together. Would it not be prudent to find a way to make peace?”
“Peace?” She whirled about. “From the moment I met ye, ye did everything within yer power to frustrate me. Not to befriend me.”
“You are not an easy woman to get along with. You are often shameless.”
She clicked her tongue in anger. “Shameless? Exactly what are ye accusing me of? When have I conducted myself with immodesty, sir?” Oh, she would have her say now, for the invader—that’s what she truly considered him—had insulted her character in a way she couldna allow. Miran guarded her maidenhood as fiercely as Jamie guarded his holdings. “Well?” she pressed. “If ye wish to name the circumstance, I am eager to hear it.”
“Perhaps I chose the wrong word.”
Twas it possible? The dark warrior was admitting he made a mistake?
“Shameless aligns me with a woman of loose morals, sir,” she chastised him. “A whore.”
Kai’s eyes widened with surprise. “Those words should not come out of your mouth!”
“Nor yers!”
He shook his head and sucked in a discontented breath. “I am a man.”
She waved her hands about. “I’ve waited for ye to announce yer sex again.” She pressed her fist against her breast, mocking him. “Ye are a man—set above woman and beast.”
“Miran,” he said in a low voice. “I do not wish to argue with you. But if I must, if you continue to fight me, know that Laird Jamie has given me broad powers over you, not only to protect you, but to teach you respect.”
She laughed nervously. “There is nothing for ye to teach me. And if there is, I doona want to learn it from ye.” She turned to go, but Kai gripped her arm and stopped her.
“Listen to me…” He tugged her against his muscular body, overshadowing her with his intimidating size and strength.
“Release me at once!” Her lips trembled, because the one thing she couldna deny or overcome were the feelings Kai elicited whenever he had his hands on her. And for as much as she tried to avoid him, she often found herself in circumstances where he was able to touch her.
“Lady Miran…”
“Let go of me.”
“If you will be still.”
She kicked his shin, forgetting she was wearing her soft-leather boots, so it hurt her toes, not his leg. “Christ!” she yelled.
Kai frowned, then leaned closer to her face. “If you refuse to stop using such language…” His mouth closed over hers, his soft, warm lips teasing her mouth open.
His tongue slipped inside her mouth, gently at first, exploring, demanding…
Miran bit down on his tongue, tasting blood, feeling his body jerk with pain. He cursed in whatever language it was he spoke, his features darkened with rage. She wouldna wait for his reaction. Nay, she fled as fast as she could go, running past the guards at the gates, entering the manor house breathless, and certain she’d embarrass Jamie, and hurried up the stairs, not caring who was watching.
“Miran!” Someone shouted after her.
She couldna stop. She wanted to be alone, away from prying eyes, away from that dark-haired heathen with hypnotic eyes and a handsome face. Once she was safely ensconced in her bedchamber, she drank a cup of wine, trying to wash away his taste. That minty-sweet taste uniquely his own.
Jamie and Kai had returned to the Highlands with a ship laden with treasure from Constantinople, including a collection of exotic plants which grew within the walls of the manor house now. And every morning, Kai could be found in the indoor garden off the kitchen, picking and eating various herbs and leaves he claimed kept a man virile and healthy.
Jamie did the same.
Who knew what kind of poison her cousin ingested.
Nervous, she unbraided her hair and started to comb it out. Would Kai retaliate? Report her bad behavior to Jamie? If he did, Jamie would be left with no choice but to punish her severely to serve as a lesson for other maids living under his protection. No woman was permitted to disrespect or assault an honored captain of the guard, especially one who was a prince. Unless she was fighting for her life. Twas the only exception. And she had violated that rule more than once already.
Kai shouldna have followed her to the loch. In fact, the man needed to turn his attention elsewhere. Then something wonderful crossed her mind…a definite solution for her problem with the captain. Knowing there was no way to change Jamie’s mind about her accompanying Kai on the trip, perhaps she could take advantage of the time and search for a wife for him.
Aye, the kind of woman he was always telling her she needed to be. What man could resist a chance for his daughter to marry the captain of Laird Jamie’s army? Twas the most coveted position in her clan other than laird. And they would be visiting some of the poorer villages along the coast. She smiled, suddenly hopeful. What a blessing it would be if she chose a pretty lass from one of the fishing villages.—Not only would her family’s circumstances improve, but Miran’s own life would return to normal.
Kai had unwittingly provided Miran with the details she needed to choose a comely woman for him. He preferred lighter features, blonde hair, blue or green eyes, and a voluptuous form. Aye, she’d seen a couple of the maids who flirted with Kai, women who had likely shared his bed. She rolled her eyes. One had been a redhead, the other had golden hair like hers, but both were heavy-breasted.
She poured herself another measure of wine and took a delicate sip, quite pleased. No one must know of her plan, not even Helen, who could keep a secret when asked. Kuresh-Kai—she must force herself to remember his new name—would never expect her to do such a thing. And if Miran had her way, by spring, he would take a wife.
Or, was she being silly fantasizing about such a thing?