Under the Highlander's Spell Read Online Free

him.
    â€œAnd why is that?” Artair asked.
    â€œThese woods are safe.”
    â€œNo woods are safe,” Artair said.
    â€œThese woods are. Trust me.”
    James glanced around the landscape skeptically. “Are there wee folk about?”
    â€œJames!” Artair warned sternly.
    â€œDon’t tell me you don’t believe,” James argued. “You heard yourself how the wee folk stole all of Bogg’s coins and left him near the river to almost drown.”
    â€œBogg drank himself drunk and had to concoct a good tale to appease his wife, or she’d have drowned him herself.”
    The others laughed.
    â€œHe knew no one would dare speak against the wee folk,” Artair finished. “Bogg used his head, once it cleared, and told a tale that keeps growing taller with each telling.”
    The other men nodded in agreement.
    James looked to Zia for clarification. “If not the wee folk, then how are these woods safe?”
    â€œSentinels.”
    Artair sprang to his feet, he and his men drawing their swords as Nessie sprinted to his side.

Chapter 3
    â€œY our weapons are not necessary,” Zia said. “Besides, they are useless. Our sentinels are excellent archers. If they intended to kill you, you would have been dead when you first stepped on our land.”
    Artair ordered his men to put away their swords. “They have been watching us all day?” he asked.
    Zia could see uncertainty in his eyes. He was probably debating his next move, though ordering his men to sheath their weapons was a wise choice. She didn’t wish him to suffer needlessly. After all, he had saved her life.
    â€œThere is nothing for you to fear. They will not harm you. They are there to protect our land.”
    â€œOur land?” Artair questioned.
    â€œThe village Black. It belongs to all of us who live there, though it is named after my family, who founded it. Believe me, Artair, we mean you and your men no harm. The village is probably grateful you rescued me.”
    â€œHow would they know? I have only rescued you today.”
    He was quick-witted, though cautious and he seemed to apply sound reason to his decisions. He had realized fast enough that the only way he would be able to have what he wanted from her was to free her and he had paid handsomely for the decision. And he hadn’t hesitated in paying the coins, which made her realize how important his brother Ronan was to him.
    It seemed every step he took was toward finding his brother, and she couldn’t blame him. If she had a missing sibling, she would do the same. Unfortunately, she was alone, without father or mother, but she was ever so grateful to have her grandmother.
    â€œThey keep track of my whereabouts,” she answered, not ready to admit to the odd connection between her and her grandmother.
    â€œYou give me your word that we are safe?” he asked.
    Strange, but comforting, that he would accept her word. It meant he trusted her, and that pleased her.
    â€œYou have my word that no one will hurt you or your men. The sentinels protect from danger. You and your men are no danger to us. You can rest easy tonight.”
    Artair signaled his men that there was no threat, and the other three men spread their blankets and sought a good night’s sleep.
    He however did not, and Zia knew he intended to speak with her. She was ready. Actually, she lookedforward to the discussion. Artair intrigued her. He had remained calm and in control throughout the whole ordeal in the village as if none of it had disturbed him. Even now he seemed in control and unperturbed, and she couldn’t understand why that troubled her.
    His men were soon snoring around the campfire, and she and Artair were left to themselves, Nessie cuddling beside her. It didn’t take long for him to begin questioning her about Ronan.
    â€œMy brother was brought here to your village?”
    She had questions of her own as she