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  Robbie stood with her back to the beach. “After we retrieve the gold, I’m going back to Scotland with Eoin.”

  “To endure a life as his mistress?”

  “To protect my loved ones.”

  He was selfish to take her away from them, selfish to want her, but God help him, he didn’t want to let her go. “The man took your virtue without intentions of taking you to wife. He is responsible for the death of your brother, yet you remain loyal to him.”

  Robbie stared at him, attempting to contemplate his words. “What do ye mean Eoin is responsible for Fergus’s death?”

  “God’s legions!” Reid held his forehead in his hand and rubbed his temples. “Think, Robbie. Think back to that eve in the cavern. To the night Fergus was slain. There is a reason Eoin escaped unscathed.”

  Unwanted memories filled her head. Three Colquhouns had burst into the cavern after Reid sank below the loch’s surface. “They came for ye and Eoin.”

  “Aye.”

  The Colquhouns had paid her little heed, she recalled in a daze. “I ran for assistance.” But one followed, and caught her on the hillock. He forced her onto her stomach and punched her hard in the back, but she fought with all her might.

  Her eyes pinched tight. Tears flooded her cheeks. Her pulse quickened the same as it had that night. “He kicked me in the side,” she murmured, not certain which memories she voiced aloud and which she held inside.

  The recollection made her dizzy, made her nauseous. She could still recall the sound of her rib snapping, could still feel the heel of his boot in her back as he held her to the ground. The sequence of events overlapped in her mind’s eye. “They branded me with an iron rod.”

  She rubbed her wet cheek, wanting to scrub the scar away like she’d done so many times in the past.

  “What else, Robbie? What else did you see?” he prodded.

  Why was he making her remember? Why did he insist on torturing her? She shook her head and pressed the tips of her fingers against her eyelids, not wanting to see anymore. “Ye were there. Ye watched them burn me.”

  Reid gripped her shoulders. “I tried to help you, love. God help me, I tried, but Da set me on his horse and took me away. You can continue to hate me, but know that the man whose bed you plan to return to named Fergus as the MacGregor heir to save himself from the Colquhouns’ blade.”

  “Nay.” Denial came easier than acceptance, but her heart squeezed with doubt. “Eoin avenged Fergus’s death. He killed the Colquhoun who murdered my brother.”

  “’Tis a lie.” Reid’s fingertips dug into her arms. He shook her. “Do not let your loyalty to Eoin blind you from the truth.”

  But she didn’t understand what the truth was or how Reid was privy to it. “Ye were beneath the surface. Ye were not there.”

  “My da was there, and he battled the Colquhoun while Eoin fled.”

  Nay! She shook her head as age-old grief overwhelmed her. Her legs trembled, wanting to flee, but there was nowhere to run. She possessed neither the strength nor the desire to resist Reid when he pulled her into his arms. Her body convulsed as she sobbed against his chest, reliving the loss of her brother.

  Reid was patient. He gave her all the time she needed, stroking her back and circling the ridges of her spine for what seemed an eternity. “Next to you, Fergus was my closest friend. I wish I could change the past. I wish with every ounce of my being I could have protected Fergus as well as you.”

  “Why did ye keep this from me?”

  Reid set her back and wiped her cheeks. “Would you have believed me?”

  Nay. She shook her head, knowing she would have defended Eoin the same as she had for years. But no more. The pain inside her turned to anger. Eoin didn’t deserve her loyalty, and he didn’t deserve to lead the clan. Her mind filled with vengeful thoughts, ways to make Eoin pay.

  She bent to raise the hatch, but Reid caught her. “Where are you going?”

  “To find Eoin.”

  Reid spun her around. “He has already gone ashore, as have all the others.”

  Robbie gawked at the scene before her. “We’ve arrived? Is this your Yucatán?”

  “Aye.”

  When she climbed onto the edge of the crow’s nest, Reid grabbed hold of her wrist. “Och, woman! You’re completely unrestrained. Think you can spend more than two seconds debating your decisions? There are big fish in these waters. Damn big fish. Henrik is waiting for us in the longboat.”

  Mayhap insanity controlled her actions, but she was desperate to get off the Obsidian, desperate for a moment to herself. Robbie looked down and waved at the Henrik, regretting the harsh words that had passed between them. “Do apologize to Henrik for me. Tell him I lied about the blade, and that I never intended to maim him or eat his bollocks. I shall see ye ashore.” And with these words, she snatched her hand free and leapt into aqua-blue water.

  12

  ~ ARRIVAL ~

  ’Twas like a giant tub of bath water—warm, soft, mind-numbing. Robbie didn’t want to think about Eoin or Reid or the clan. She wanted to reflect on her brother’s memory.

  Inside her head, Fergus smiled at her with his round cheeks. “Fret not, Robbie. You’ll get your titties soon.”

  Robbie laughed and cried remembering how her brother constantly obsessed over the size of women’s breasts. Pain sluiced through her heart and her tears mixed with the brine of the sea. She licked the salt from her lips and dove beneath the surface, pretending Fergus was at her side racing her to shore. She would have won. She’d always been faster than him, smarter than him, but he’d had a bigger heart. He wouldn’t want her grieving over him or sacrificing the clan to avenge him.

  Then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. Father MacCrouther’s words sprang forth in her memory. The same words he’d used to end his sermons. She’d always believed there was some conspiracy against the MacGregor Clan and once revealed, they would all be free, but this day those words had an altogether different meaning, for she’d never felt more free to live her life.

  My thanks to ye, Fergus.

  She came up for air, but immediately went back under, pushing crystal clear water behind her in long sweeping motions. Having spent years diving, her lungs were strong which allowed her to explore when she entered shallow water. Salt burned her eyes, but she didn’t dare close them. Sunlight illuminated a beautiful world of sea-life. Schools of tiny fish darted away from her and hid in lush green plants covering odd-shaped rocks. Colorful species of vibrant yellows, blues, and oranges wove through long thin leaves swaying to and fro like a dance beneath the surface.

  Oh, Fergus would have enjoyed these waters. The loch in Scotland had always been dark and far too cold to enjoy, but this, this must have been one of God’s most prized creations.

  Again, she returned to the surface to fill her lungs, then dove deep to witness a creature gliding gracefully across the white sandy bottom—a flat, diamond-shaped fish with wings and a long pointed tail.

  Reid suddenly appeared in the corner of her vision. She might have known he would follow. The man worried overmuch about her, guarding her like the farmer guarded his chattel. Had she been able to voice her thoughts, she would have informed him his protection was both unwanted and unnecessary. But as she watched him, she admitted his attention was welcome, however suffocating it was.

  He swam like a mer-creature with elegance and perfection. Bubbles floated through his black hair as he scissored his bare feet with slow, fluid motions toward the odd diamond-shaped fish. He motioned her toward him, then reached down and stroked the sea creature’s smooth gray hide as it drifted away.

  Robbie took his extended hand and allowed herself to enjoy his companionship without guilt as they kicked to the surface. She could see herself being his friend, even though deep inside, in the place where she hid her dreams, she wanted to be so much more.

  He whipped his head side to side, spraying water from his hair and then smiled that smile that made her
ache to be his woman. “The stingray has a tail like a bodkin and can cut you like a sword. You must practice caution when…”

  Ack. Robbie settled on her back and let her ears dip beneath the water, turning his words into a drone. The man was always lecturing her about safety. For the nonce, she just wanted to be free of fear, free of caution. Could he not allow her this single moment of peace?

  She floated and licked the brine from her lips. “I dare say a person could lose themselves in a place such as this.”

  Reid splashed her. “You were not listening.”

  “Ye were blathering like auld Angus.” She splashed him back, but he was in no mood for foolishness.

  “Come along, love. We can play in the water later. They are waiting for us.”

  She spun and waded, studying the people flooding the shore. The men wore the silly little breechcloth that covered their pillicocks, but Robbie admitted to being caught unguarded by the women’s attire—or lack there of. Short canvas skirts covered them from navel to mid-thigh, and naught but rows of beads hanging from their necks provided cover for their breasts, which really wasn’t covering at all. Oh, aye, Fergus would have enjoyed this verra much. “The women are practically naked.”

  “The shock wears off rather quickly. Look your fill now, so you do not offend them when we go ashore. Ready yourself for their greeting. I’ll do my best to keep the men from being overzealous.”

  Overzealous? Robbie fretted over Reid’s statement, recalling her first encounter with Jax in the cavern and how he’d fondled her breasts.

  The instant Robbie’s toes dug into the sand, Reid took her hand in his beneath the water. “When you meet the chieftain, he’ll check you for disease and—”

  “Ye mean he will grope me.”

  Reid chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Aye. He verra well might. You may call him B’alam or the Jaguar King. He is respected by his people and should not be insulted.”

  The impeding meeting set Robbie on the defensive. “And if he insults me?”

  A tug on her hand was Reid’s way of telling her to behave. “The gold that promises to set the MacGregor clan free is on his land. You’d be wise to hide your temper.”

  As they rose out of a white foam wake, she scanned the scope of the beach and found Eoin with Jax and Jean-Pierre amidst a group of natives already bonding in laughter. Hatred crawled beneath her skin and sent the blood pulsing through her veins. She wanted to tell Eoin that she knew. She wanted to tell him she hated him. S’truth, she wanted to physically hurt him.

  She took a single step in Eoin’s direction, but Reid pulled her back with a jerk. “Robbie, please. You must save that confrontation for another time. ’Tis doubtful you even have words prepared.” He released her hand and set himself behind her, retaining a firm grip on her shoulders. “The Mopán people have waited a long time to meet you. I beg ye to give them your attention.”

  She might have argued until a dozen bairns raced toward her, dusting the beach with tiny footprints.

  They were perfectly beautiful with olive-colored skin, black hair, and white pixie teeth. They spoke the language far too quickly for her to interpret, but a smile was easily translated in any language. Curiosity rounded their dark eyes, so she settled on her knees in the sand and allowed them to examine her. They touched her clothes and her hair. Not one of them paid any heed to the scar on her cheek, but her eyes seemed to captivate them.

  A small girl with the longest lashes Robbie had ever seen leaned close and pointed. “Your eyes match our jungle. They are…green. Verra pretty.”

  “Verra good, Pea-nut.” Reid moved to the side and caught the child when she jumped into his arms.

  “Welcome home, White Serpent. You were missed.” The girl, no more than eight winters, pressed her tiny hands against Reid’s cheeks and kissed his whiskered chin.

  “Am I still your favorite white man?” Reid brushed noses with the girl and smoothed her long black hair.

  She nodded fiercely. “And I your favorite Pea-nut?”

  “Aye.”

  Watching the affectionate reunion filled Robbie’s insides with warmth, but there was another emotion present—longing. She’d wanted a family since before Eoin took her to his bed, but he’d been careful not to plant a bairn in her womb, and for that she was now thankful.

  Reid squat down beside them and set the girl in front of Robbie. “Pea-nut, I would like you to meet my…friend, Robbie,” he stumbled over the introductions. “This is Jax’s daughter, Yellow Peacock.”

  “Hach ki’imak in wo’ol in kaholtikech.” Robbie had practiced the phrase, but she apparently didn’t put the accents in the correct places for the child stared at her with a puckered brow. Robbie tried again, “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  Reid pulled Robbie to her feet as a woman slightly swollen with child waddled toward them and then threw her arms around Reid’s neck.

  Robbie tried not to ogle her, but it was nigh impossible. Tattooed bands of delicate designs embellished her ankles, arms, and neck. Her features were exotic—thick lips, smooth light-brown skin, and lush black hair. Gold piercings decorated her face and chains of turquoise and brown beads hung around her neck, but didn’t hide her ample breasts with large brown nipples.

  The small lines at Reid’s temples deepened with his proud smile as he set the woman back for introductions. “Robbie, meet Jax’s woman, Mukuy Ik.”

  Feeling inadequate, Robbie crossed her arms over her own breasts, but quickly had to unfold them to return the woman’s affectionate hug.

  “Och, nay! Call me Black Dove. I be Jax’s wifie an’ the mither o’ his bairns.”

  Dumbfounded, Robbie gawked at her. Black Dove sounded just like auld Angus. “Ye speak my language verra well.” Robbie raised a brow at Reid, hoping for an explanation.

  “When I arrived, I taught Jax my language and he taught me his. Black Dove was smitten with Jax and tried to worm her way into our lessons.”

  “Aye, but the dunderheid paid me no heed.” Black Dove cast a scowl across the beach where Jax stood with Eoin.

  Reid smiled. “As a gift, Da taught the daughters of the Jaguar King our language, and I fear his heavy burr came along with it.”

  Instant regret made Robbie frown. She had no idea Jax’s wife was the Jaguar King’s daughter. She couldn’t say with any certainty whether or not Jax even liked her. “Ye should have told me Jax was close kin to the chieftain. Mayhap I’d have badgered him less aboard the Obsidian.”

  Black Dove took Yellow Peacock by the hand and backed the children away from Robbie. “Fret not. Da’s bark is worse than his bite.” She dipped her head toward an approaching man whose attire was not half as intimidating as his menacing snarl.

  “Prepare yourself, Robbie. You’re about to make the acquaintance of the Jaguar King.” Reid moved aside as well. “Remember what I told ye.”

  He is respected by his people and should not be insulted.

  Robbie’s backbone stiffened. Her pulse kicked up a notch. Her smile weakened with every step the Jaguar King took toward her. Though elderly, he was built like a stone drite-house.

  She swallowed and forced herself to blink as the Jaguar King set himself before her. While she tried to deny her eyes, the bands around his forearms were unmistakably human teeth. Colored feathers decorated his shoulders and chiseled bone pierced his nostrils and ears. Tribal markings in a brown color slightly darker than his skin covered his bald head, his forehead, and his cheeks.

  He scowled at her with angry black eyes. Mayhap he purposely set his face rigid to intimidate her. Mayhap he wanted to instill fear in her. S’truth, the man’s tactics made her tremble, but she maintained an undaunted pose when he grabbed her chin and forced her mouth open. He moved her head side to side investigating her teeth, then held her arms outright and studied her from head to toe.

  Robbie understood his need to keep his people free from disease, but his callous inspection stirred the temper Reid warned her to hide. He
might be their king, but when he spun her around by her neck and cupped her duff in his hand, she nigh came undone.

  “Bix a k’àab’a’?” The Jaguar King posed his question to Jax, who’d followed their chieftain across the beach and now stood at Black Dove’s back.

  Jax dipped his head once toward Robbie, as if to offer his approval of her controlled behavior, then answered their chieftain’s question, “I have named White Serpent’s woman, Fire Tongue.”

  Robbie narrowed her eyes on Jax, but she managed to trap her reply between her teeth.

  The Jaguar King grunted, then twirled Robbie back toward him with unnecessary aggression. He blatantly stared at her breasts pushed high out of her bodice.

  S’help me Odin, if the man so much as—

  His strong muscular hand rounded her left breast and squeezed.

  A sharp intake of hot air scorched her throat. Robbie’s temper crawled into her arm and took over her hand. She wrapped her fingers around the Jaguar King’s heavy bollocks beneath his breechcloth and squeezed back with a grip that snapped his eyes wide.

  The natives gasped.

  “Robbie,” Reid scolded at her side.

  Mayhap her actions were foolish, but she wasn’t going to let him grope her like a common tart regardless of his status.

  To her surprise, he released her breast and grinned, revealing yellow teeth encrusted with gemstones. “Ma´. B’alam name you Handful of Seed.” The chieftain threw his head back and roared with laughter.

  Humiliated, she snatched her hand back and scanned the hordes of guffawing natives. Blast them and their mockery!

  Just as she opened her mouth to strongly protest her new name, the Jaguar King splayed his arms wide and boasted, “Welcome to Ballace.”

  He curled his hand around her shoulder and forced her steps to align with his as he led her into his jungle. The man’s skin was oily or mayhap sweaty, but he smelled like sweet butter.

  Reid jogged to her side. “Is that what you call hiding your temper?”