Page 12 of Highland Sky

Chapter Five

“Nash, wake up,” said North the next morning, kicking Nash’s foot.

“What is it? I’m up!” Nash bolted to his feet, drawing his blade, almost hitting North as he did so. The three MacKeefes had slept by the fire last night. Nash had spent most of the night wide awake, watching for Kellina to sneak up trying to kill them. It was only from sheer exhaustion that he’d finally closed his eyes at all.

“Watch it! Ye almost took my head off with that thing,” complained North.

“Put the sword away, Nash.” Aidan walked over with the chieftain hobbling alongside him. Between them was, to Nash’s dismay, a priest. “The priest is here to marry ye.”

“Oh,” said Nash, scoping the area and then slowly sheathing his sword. “Are ye sure this is necessary? I mean . . . right now?” He had hoped to have time to think of a way out of this betrothal. He figured he’d have a day or two, not knowing that the priest was arriving so soon.

“Of course, it is necessary, ye dolt,” said his brother. “It’s to form an alliance with the MacKenzies. Now, stop stallin’.”

Nash leaned over and spoke to North quietly so the others wouldn’t hear. “Are ye sure ye dinna want to marry the lass instead of me? I’ll let ye have her. I’m sure Storm and Ian willna mind if we switch up our sentences a little.”

“Nay, Brathair. This is yer sentence, no’ mine. Now stop bein’ so afraid of the wench and marry her and put her in her place.”

“Uncle, what is the meanin’ of this?” Kellina hurried out of one of the burned huts with her brother and sister at her heels. She was half-dressed, wearing only a blanket over her shift. She walked outside with bare feet. “Jamie said the priest is here to marry me. What is goin’ on?”

“Jamie is right,” said Ciaran. “The marriage will take place now, so the alliance is in full agreement before the MacKeefes even lift a finger to help us.”

Nash felt extremely uncomfortable by this situation. He could tell that Kellina didn’t like it at all either. All he could hope for now was that she would be able to talk her uncle into postponing this ceremony. He wasn’t ready for this. He needed time to think. This couldn’t really be happening. It was all too fast.

“May I talk to ye privately, please?” Kellina grabbed her uncle’s arm, walking a short distance away to talk to him without the others hearing. Nash couldn’t make out their words, but could tell it was a heated conversation between them. Kellina’s arms flew in all directions and she looked madder than all hell. Nash felt the same way, although he remained silent. He secretly hoped this betrothal would either last for a while before they had to take their vows, or possibly not even happen at all.

Finally, they returned, and Kellina was quiet. She gripped the blanket around her, almost as tightly as her jaw was clenched.

“If we’re goin’ to do this, let’s get it done and over with. I have things to do,” she blurted out. “There are roofs to be thatched and plenty of repairs to be made.” She turned and stared at Nash next. “Are ye ready to go up on the roof, Highlander? I hope ye arena afraid of heights, since ye are so afraid of tiny little squirrels.”

She was trying to belittle him in front of everyone, or perhaps it was a warning that she planned on throwing him off the roof. He wasn’t sure. No matter what she meant, he didn’t care. Nash wouldn’t let her speak this way to him. Especially since he was stuck with her for a wife. The sooner she learned he wasn’t going to tolerate her nasty attitude, the better.

“Haud yer wheesht, and get over here and marry me,” he commanded in a gruff voice, getting an odd look from his brother and Aidan.

Her eyes and mouth opened wide. She looked speechless as she stood there clutching that damned blanket around her.

“Uncle, tell him he canna talk to me that way,” said Kellina, seeming shocked and appalled by what he’d just said. Nash obviously caught her off guard and he liked her startled reaction. Two could play this game. Nash liked games, and he was used to winning.

“Kellina, please. I dinna want trouble,” begged Ciaran. “Now, just come stand next to Nash, and we’ll get on with the weddin’. Jamie, tell the others the ceremony is about to begin.”

“Aye, Uncle.” Jamie ran off to round up the rest of the clan.

It was early, the sun just having lifted past the horizon. The night had been cool, but the day would be hot, just like all the others. A slight mist hung over the mountains with the early morning dew. The air smelled fresh, and the birds sang happily. If he hadn’t been getting married right now, this would almost prove to be a perfect day.

“Just let me get my book here, and then I’ll be ready.” The priest strolled back to his horse, talking with the chieftain. Aidan was busy chasing down his squirrel, and North took up to flirting with Kellina’s sister. That left Nash standing alone with Kellina. He didn’t know what to say.

“I dinna want to marry ye, ye murderer,” hissed Kellina, looking straight ahead rather than at him.

“I am no’ the one who murdered yer parents, and I willna have ye takin’ out yer revenge on me,” Nash answered. “I’m no’ thrilled about havin’ to be saddled with ye for a wife!”

“What does that mean?” Her head snapped around and she glared at him now.

“Well, look at ye, lass. Ye are no prize for any man. Ye’re walkin’ around barefoot and half-dressed. Plus, it looks like ye never comb yer hair since it is so tangled. What are ye? Some kind of witch who spent the night makin’ a poisonous brew for me around her boilin’ kettle?”

Nash reached out and picked up the ends of her long, blond mess of hair to prove his point. Then he wished he hadn’t. Her hair was as soft as silk. The loose, long curls fell gently around her shoulders, and a lock of hair disappeared into the top of her bodice. It lifted slightly in the breeze. When he pulled his hand back and scratched his cheek, the strong scent of heather drifted from his fingers, smelling tantalizing and alluring. It had come from the witch’s hair.

“If ye’re insinuatin’ that ye think I might kill ye, then I’ll take that as a compliment,” she told him, one side of her mouth curving up in a satisfied smile. “But on the other hand, if ye’re thinkin’ I’m goin’ to cook for ye once we’re married, then ye’ve got another guess comin’, because I surely am no’.”

“Really, Witch? Do ye think that frightens me?” He challenged her, pushing, wanting her to back down. But she didn’t.