HISTORICAL ROMANCE: Scottish Romance: Scars of a Highlander (Highlander Alpha Male Romance) (Historical Fantasy Scottish Time Travel Romance Short Stories) by Cassandra Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

you?”
    “We heard that you were trying to free the broken warrior.” The dark haired one spoke again. “We can offer you and your clan immunity from the battle if you hand him over to us.” He said with a serious look on his face.
    “What will ya do with him once you have him?” Abi asked him with suspicion.
    “That’s not your worry, lass.” The dark haired one said quickly.
    “I think you’ll find it is.” Abi said defiantly.              
    “What does it matter to you? Your clan will be safe.” The dark haired one said with steady face, but Abi could see the layers of frustration working their up to the surface.
    “You know what? I could have saved my clan by marrying a man I didn’t love, but I didn’t. If I wasn’t willing to give away my freedom what makes you suppose that I’ll give up his?” Abi said with a  sneer.
    “You’ll regret it if you don’t.” The dark haired one warned her.
    “Aye, and I’ll regret it if I do. So, I guess I’m not winning that battle any time soon.” She said with a casual shrug.
    A rustle of leaves sounded from beyond where her eyes could see and she flicked them over to find the source. It was Gregory working his way out of the trees. “Ya heard the lass.” He said in a deep, booming voice that seemed to fill all the stillness around them. “Now get gone.” He said firmly.
    The two men looked nervously at each other and then started to walk quickly back in the direction from, which they had come. Abi waited until they were out of earshot, before she spoke. “They wanted me to hand you over.” She said, as her eyes darted between their fading figures and Gregory.
    “I know.” He said.
    “How?” She asked him.
    “I heard everything.” He said simply. “I was going to come out and protect you, but then I heard their offer and I needed to know what you chose to do. I needed to know whether I could trust you.” He said and his eyes burned intensely.
    “And can you?” She asked him.
    “Aye.” He said with a quick nod.
    “I’m glad.” Abi said as the left corner of her mouth lifted up into a smile.
    They didn’t have much distance to travel back to the camp, but Abi picked up her pace even still. The morning had stretched on and she knew that her father would be growing worried about her absence. She forced her legs to move quicker, as she dashed ahead of Gregory.
    “What’s the hurry?” He asked her as he widened his stride to keep up with her.
    “My father will be worrying about where I am.” Abi said as she stood on the top of one of the peaks and looked down at the small plume of smoke that was coming from the fire at her campsite. “It’s just over there.” She said pointing to the smoke.
    “I see it.” He said with a nod. “You have a good sized clan.” He said with an approving look.
    “We do.” Abi said. “It’s just a shame that this war is bigger.” She said in a hushed voice. “Come on, we need to get down there.” She finished as she started to make her way down to the settlement. She could feel her feet moving quickly beneath her as they tried to keep up with how fast she really wanted to go.
    She came to a stop just around the back of her tent and she waited for Gregory to catch up. She peered around the corner and saw that a wedding arch had already been built and was standing close to the fire. She scowled at it, before turning back to see whether Gregory had made it to her yet. “We need to speak to my father.” She said quietly, as she gestured for Gregory to follow her.
    “Do you think he will listen?” Gregory asked as he followed her direction.
    “I hope so.” She said wistfully as she came to a stop behind her father’s tent.
    ******
    Abi made her way around the tent and opened up the doors slowly. “Father?” She called out.
    “Abi, where have you been?” Her father said with a voice full of relief.
    “I went on a quest to save our clan.” Abi said as she walked into the tent