Highland Passage by J.L. Jarvis

“Aye.”
    With a nod, Hamish urged his horse on as they headed into a pass between two hills.
    The cave was well hidden behind jutting rocks. Although the entrance was narrow and deep, after a few minutes they turned into a larger chamber that had a fissure which allowed sunlight in from high above. There was room for them here, horses and all.
    Mac asked Ciarán, “How long will we wait here?”
    “Until we’re safe to go home,” Ciarán said as though that were enough of an answer.
    Mac tried to keep her voice patient. “And when will that be?”
    Ciarán turned to her. “I dinnae ken. It depends upon them. If they ride past us, we’ll need to wait for them to turn back and go home. If they follow our trail, we’ll fight them.”
    “Here?”
    “Aye.”
    For Ciarán, this was a simple decision that he took in stride, but for Mac, the reality of it was harsh. Violence was a part of life here. People grew up with it, prepared for it, and accepted its consequences. But Mac knew nothing about how to survive in this world.
    After being lost in thought for several moments, Mac glanced up to find Ciarán studying her. It would have been a good moment for him to tell her that everything would be fine and that he would keep her safe. But try though he would, even great warriors fell. If he did, she would be helpless, and she knew it.
    Without a word, he took her hand and led her around the bend in the cave. There, he handed a sgian dubh to her. “’Tis a small weapon, but effective up close.” He showed her how to best hold and wield it. “Dinnae hesitate. Strike to kill, for you’ll not have a second chance.”
    Mac gave a determined nod and slipped the knife under her belt, but her trembling hand betrayed her. Ciarán put his sure hand over hers and lifted it. Gently, he brushed his lips over her fingers. “You have yet to answer my question. Why have you come here?”
    “You told me that I would love you.”
    “Aye, but you didnae know me then.”
    “No, but I thought that I might.”
    “Know me?” His searching eyes stirred her soul.
    “Love you.” Mac had never felt so exposed. Instinct told her to turn away, but she could not take her eyes from his. “The way that you said it made me wish it were true.”
    A gentle smile warmed his eyes. “And what else did I tell you?”
    “That you would love me,” she whispered.
    He brushed a wisp of hair from her brow and smiled gently. “Ah, but you see, I already did.”
    “And now?”
    “And now.” He cupped the back of her head in his hand and drew her into a kiss.
    The nearby voices of Hamish and Fergus reminded them that they were not alone. Ciarán leaned back in an effort to put a safe distance between them, but it only served to afford him a view of the slope of her neck to her shoulders and breasts, which his hands further explored. But he stopped, put his hands on her shoulders, and let out a guttural sigh. “My lovely Mac, I believe you have come to torment me.”
    She smiled, and his answering smile filled her with joy. “Not being with you like this was my torment. That’s why I went through the stone chamber.”
    Ciarán grinned. “So you could watch me go mad from wanting you?” He laughed as he lifted and spun her around. But their laughter soon faded as he slid her body down against his and set her feet on the ground. They clung together. His breath warmed her neck as he whispered, “I am yours, Mistress Mackenzie.”
    Fergus cleared his throat loudly and walked past them on his way outside. “I’ll keep the first watch.”
    Ciarán exchanged somber looks with Fergus. “Good. I’ll relieve you when night falls.”
    Mac saw the concern in his eyes as he watched Fergus leave. He was thinking of what was to come. If the Clan Ross men found them, they would be outnumbered. The very thing that now kept them protected could become their downfall, for if discovered, they would be trapped in the cave with no means of escape. But it was