They all began to speak at once, but Alastair held up his hand. “One at a time, children.”
“You know, it makes us sound like we’re squabbling five-year-olds when you call us children,” Mackenzie grumbled.
“Duly noted.” Alastair gave her an indulgent smile.
She gave him a sour look and compressed her lips to smother a grin. Turning to Nathanial, she studied him with a sense of awe.
He bore an uncanny resemblance to Alastair, with the exception he was a bit burlier than his descendant. But the deep blue eyes, the color of their hair, and even their sardonic expressions were all the same. Of course, Nathanial wore his hair a bit longer, and he didn’t seem to be as elegant with his clothing choice, but that could be due to the fact he was dressed as a butler.
“Do we call you Grandfather?”
Nathanial’s smile widened, and he opened his arms in invitation. “You, my dear Mackenzie, may call me whatever you wish.”
She rushed into his embrace, shutting her eyes as his arms closed around her. “I felt a connection to you from the moment I saw you. I had to fight the urge to constantly hug you.”
“A part of you recognized me. I imagine it was owing to your psychic ability.” His arms tightened momentarily before releasing her. “And I’ve wanted to hug you as well. It’s good to be able to meet you as myself, dear girl.”
Emotions long suppressed crept up on her. She’d been rejected by her own father. Most likely the only deadbeat Thorne in existence. But Nathanial’s love for her was clear in his every look. Every smile. “Your responsibility to our family is why you are here, isn’t it?”
“To a large degree, yes.”
“So, you’ve never been our true butler and Teddie really isn’t my aunt?” Sebastian asked, wrapping an arm around Mackenzie’s waist, as if he needed comfort, too. “It explains the godawful scones.”
“All good fun, boy.” Nathanial’s sparkling eyes practically illuminated the cavern all on their own. “And you are correct; Teddie is no blood relation to you.”
“Aunt Gwennie?”
“Is really your aunt. She’s a formidable woman and insisted on helping us in our cause to keep the Enchantress entombed.”
“What is Teddie’s real name, Grandpa Nate?” Spring asked, her head tilted slightly and her face full of undisguised curiosity.
Their two-times-great-grandfather smiled his approval at her, giving her a quick hug in turn. “Teddie’s true name is Evelyn. Evie to family and friends. She’s been my one-and-only love throughout time.”
Spring’s beatific smile widened as if he’d confirmed some fact she already knew.
Mackenzie shook her head and patted his arm. Maybe she had to touch him to make this seem real, but it felt like she was in the midst of a bizarre dream. “How is it you’re this old and still so healthy?”
“The Aether.”
“I don’t understand.”
Alastair stepped forward, cutting off any reply. “How about we shelve this conversation for the moment? I believe this would be better over a brandy and sitting next to a blazing fire.”
“You’re getting weak, boy.” Nathanial’s expression was teasing, but he turned and led the way toward the sound of the running water. “Come. I have just the thing.”
They followed him in silence, each of them most likely trying to process this revelation like Mackenzie was attempting to do. It wasn’t until they were around the stone wall and passing by the iridescent aqua waters of a pool that she registered the beauty of the underground grotto.
“Holy hell! You had no idea this was here, Baz?”
“None.” His tone was troubled, and she placed a hand on his arm, halting him.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m not fond of surprises, and we’ve had quite a few recently. I wonder how many more we’re in for.”
“Does it bother you Nathanial has been here in disguise the entire time?”
“Yes. No.” He sighed and ran a hand over his face. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Want to talk about it?”
His attention was fixed on the others as they crossed the bridge over the shimmering pool. “I’m not sure how I feel at the moment. Confused, mostly.” He turned his dark gaze on her and grimaced. “I suppose I should be happy there’s a powerful warlock watching over us, but it almost feels like a betrayal of trust. Why not tell us before now?”
“Seems like Gwennie knew. She could’ve spoken up.” Mackenzie wasn’t trying to be difficult, but he had to see the responsibility wasn’t only on Nathanial or Evie to reveal themselves. “There has to be a good reason they kept it quiet, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps.”
“You’ve every right to be upset, Baz. Essentially you were lied to your entire life. When you became laird of your little clan, you should’ve been made aware of the facts.”
His expression softened as he cupped her cheek. “Thank you for understanding. Let’s go have that drink. I don’t want to miss the origin story.”
Sebastian was more disturbed by Nathanial’s revelation than he cared to let on. The elderly butler had been a fixture in their home for as long as he could remember. As had his Aunt Teddie. Later, when he was alone, he’d examine his feelings on the matter and decide how to get past his sense of betrayal. The lies and subterfuge had to stop, though. Moving forward, they all had to be of one mind to defeat Isolde. If they weren’t, the results could be catastrophic.
As they crossed the bridge to join the others, Mackenzie kept casting him worried glances, as if she sensed his underlying anger. Perhaps she did. His beautiful wife was in tune with most things. Maybe due to her abilities, maybe just because she cared, but either way, he appreciated her empathy.
He captured her hand and gave it a little squeeze. His way of assuring her he was fine for the moment. She returned the gesture. Her way of supporting him.
Before the dedication gala for Georgie Sipanil, Sebastian had only met Mackenzie a handful of times in passing. He’d been struck dumb by her loveliness, but she hadn’t so much as cast a glance his way. Then, right when he was feeling his lowest about GiGi and Ryker’s reunion, she showed up at Alastair’s estate and served to remind him how much he’d desired her from the second they met. Since that day, she’d danced through his dreams, conjuring fantasies of the two of them locked in a passionate embrace.
Last night, as they made love, he recognized snippets from those previous dreams, making him wonder if they hadn’t been fated from the start. To think, if he’d let down his guard before this weekend, they may have been together sooner. How much of his life had been lived from behind his reserved wall?
“You ready?”
Sebastian lifted his head at Mackenzie’s softly spoken question. “Sorry. Woolgathering.” He took a steadying breath. “Ready.”
She smiled and would’ve turned had he not tugged on her hand and spun her back to face him.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Mack. I love you.”
Happiness shone back at him from those incredible, expressive eyes of hers, and her smile widened. “I’m glad. I feel the exact same way about you, Baz.” She gripped his shirt and tugged him forward until there was no space between them. Stretching up, she placed her lips on his.
Taking advantage of the moment, he kissed her. Theirs wasn’t the savage, passionate kisses from mere hours before; instead it was one of love and promise. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her until they were at the same level.
She ended their kiss, placed a palm on either side of his face, and locked gazes with him. “I can’t see past this week, Baz, and it scares the life out of me. But never give up hope. I’ll always find a way back to you.”
His heart seized. Hers was a premonition of sorts—he could tell by the serious, sad quality in her eyes—and that glimmer of warning was all he needed to resolve to fight to the death to keep her with him. Whatever the cost, he’d pay it. A small shiver shook her body, and his arms tightened with his desire to ward off her demons. “And I you, love. Always.”
She rested her forehead against his. “Thank you for loving me, Sebastian Drake. My time with you was all I ever imagined and more.”
Moisture stung his eyes, and he struggled to hold back his tears. He, too, had felt the ache of loneliness in the past, as he somehow sensed she had. “It’s absolutely my pleasure, Mackenzie Drake. Thank you for loving me.”
She dropped a quick kiss on his lips and grinned. “We’ll readdress pleasure when we get back to our room later.”
“No doubt about it. I say we lock ourselves away and discover all the pleasure there is to be had.”
Her hips pressed forward, and his eyes nearly rolled back in his head from the exquisite feel of her delectable body against his. He eased her to the ground, sliding her front down his as he touched her everywhere.
He buried his nose in the hollow of her throat and gave her a small love bite. “Want to skip this little party and return upstairs?”
“Hell. Yes!”
“Are you two coming?”
They both groaned when they looked up and saw Spring at the far end of the bridge with her hands on her hips.
“Apparently not anytime soon,” Sebastian said in an aside to Mackenzie.
She laughed and threaded her arm through his. “Should I leave you here to cool off, darling?”
“No, I’ll picture Leopold’s, er, Nathanial’s pickle socks. That should do the job nicely.”
Sebastian didn’t fail to notice Spring’s knowing smirk as they met up with her.
“Based on my cousin’s glowing face, I have a good idea what is now beneath that kilt of yours, Mr. Drake.” Her laughing gaze bounced back and forth between Mack and him. “Knox definitely has to get one of those.”
“I’ll set him up with my tailor.”