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 B

and gestured for Gregory to do the same. She could hear his quiet footsteps push against the damp earth beneath his feet, but she didn’t turn to look at him.
    “I’m going to need you to explain this to me.” Her father said with eyes full of confusion. He looked at Gregory and then back to Abi, as he waited for one of an explanation.
    “Have you heard about the legend of the broken warrior?” Abi asked him hopefully. She didn’t want to have to waste any time explaining the story to him.
    “I have.” Her father nodded quickly.
    “Well, I found him.” Abi said and then she glanced at Gregory and smiled. “And he has agreed to help our clan in the coming battle.” She said as she turned her gaze back to her father.
    “You can’t have.” He said and shook his head. “He’s just a legend.”
    “All stories start from something real.” Abi said.
    Her father frowned and looked at Gregory. “Is this true?” He asked.
    “Aye.” Gregory said with a quick nod. “Except I’ll only fight under one condition.” He added.
    Abi turned to him with a frown on her face. He had never mentioned any conditions to her and she couldn’t help but bite her lip in anxiety as she waited for him to explain.
    “What is this condition?” Her father asked Gregory curiously.
    “Ya don’t make this here lass marry someone she don’t want to.” He said as he gestured to Abi. “I will fight with your clan and we will win, but only if you allow her to follow her heart.”
    “Can you assure me that you are enough to enable our clan to win?” Her father asked him with a look of disbelief on his face.
    “Aye, I never lost a man until my final battle.” Gregory replied.
    Abi noticed the same flinch of pain on his face, as the old memories resurfaced in his mind. She felt a sudden urge to reach out and stroke his face. She wanted to mend what had been broken inside of him. She wanted to make him feel better and whole again, but she kept her hands by her side.
    “Then your condition will be met.” Her father said with a curt nod. He looked at Abi. “You better be right about him.” He said and then he smiled warmly. “I knew you hadn’t abandoned us.” He added.
    “I would never abandon my people.” Abi said fiercely.
    “We need to tell Alistair about the change in arrangements.” Her father said after a moment of thought. “I’ll go out and fetch him, you two wait here.” He said and then he quickly headed out of the tent.
    “You sounded sure that you can win.” Abi said after her father had walked out.
    “That’s because I am.” Gregory said with a warm smile.
    “But how can you be so sure?” She asked him. There was more to the question, but she was unsure about how to ask without upsetting him.
    “Do you mean because my heart is still broken?” Gregory asked with a faint. “You don’t need to worry about watching your words around me lass. I’m stronger than you think.”
    “Well, I guess so, yes. I mean you lost your last battle because of it. How can you be so sure that you will win this one?” She asked with her eyes fixed onto his.
    “My last battle was lost because I had nothing to fight for.” Gregory explained. “That is not the case today.”
    Abi wondered what he was referring to, but she didn’t ask him. Before she had a chance to speak footsteps from behind the tent curtain filled the silence and she realized that her father was back. She turned to face the doorway and watched as he and Alistair walked into the tent.
    “So, as you can see, we will not need to unite with your clan.” Her father said, as he gestured towards Gregory.
    “Do you think that he alone is enough to secure your victory?” Alistair spat venomously.
    “My daughter believes it and so do I.” Her father said with a simple, almost smug smile on his face.
    “I’m giving you one last chance to reconsider.” Alistair warned and his eyes flashed with anger. “Your clan needs us. Your daughter needs me if