| |
HE FELT CHLOE’S heartache as though it were his own when she pulled her hand away and closed her eyes to grief.
“What just happened, lass?” He crouched in front of her and took her hands, not wanting her to suffer alone. “What did you just remember?”
“That it wasn’t allowed,” she whispered. Tears brimmed in her eyes when she opened them. “I was never supposed to engage with you, let alone fall in love with you.”
He knew she referred to their past life. The one where they finally gave in to their emotions.
As she remembered, so did he.
The deep love they had felt. The huge risk they took.
“I took that risk too.” He cupped her cheek, understanding more by the moment as he looked into her sparkling eyes. “I knew you would lose your immortality. And I knew that life would be the last we had together.”
“There was more, though,” she whispered. “Consequences for us both. Mine was my immortality and you, a final death...” She narrowed her eyes and shivered, trying to follow the knowledge as it revealed itself. Trying to understand more. “But I sense you evaded it somehow...yet you still have to pay up.” Her worried eyes met his. “Just like Tiernan did on his adventure.”
“Yet he is still here with us,” he reminded, wiping away her tears. “He is alive and well, lass.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance. “Just as I will be at the end of all this.”
“You better be,” she murmured. The sparkling receded from her worried gaze. She searched his eyes. “Because I don’t think I can stand to lose you again.”
“And you willnae.” He meant every word. “Because I refuse to lose you now that I have found you.” He shook his head. “I willnae let it happen.”
Over the course of the day, his feelings had become clearer, and at last, the undying devotion he’d felt for Maeve had waned if not vanished. Rather than guilt, he felt a sense of peace and, again, closure. As if in letting her go, he might have lent her peace in the afterlife.
Now, looking into Chloe’s eyes, he understood that, however true the love he felt for Maeve, it wasn’t this. It wasn’t what he felt when he was near Chloe. When they talked and laughed together. When they shared their lives and anticipated remembering previous ones.
In retrospect, he wondered at the feelings he had shared with Maeve. Had he been as smitten as he thought the first time he saw her? Did he have trouble looking away from her like he did Chloe? Had she made his heart race with anticipation every time she glanced his way?
He recalled none of that but more of a close friendship. It was as if the more he got to know Chloe, the more clearly he could see what he and Maeve had shared. How off it had been in a way he couldn’t quite figure out. Almost as though their feelings had not been real. Likely it had to do with Maeve being cast under a spell or perhaps even a side-effect of the Claddagh ring...of the love he was finding with Chloe.
And it was love.
The truest he had ever felt.
Once Chloe had gathered herself, and he knew she was going to be all right, he set to bathing as well. All the while, as they had when she bathed, they watched each other out of the corner of their eye. Though she had a slender stomach and legs, her arse and breasts were well-rounded, making constant arousal inevitable.
He had turned many a lass away since Maeve died without much trouble, but he knew had Chloe been here sooner, it would have been impossible. She had curves that seemed designed to fit his hands and skin so damn soft he wanted to taste every inch of it.
Every inch of her.
Honestly, it was a wonder he managed to dress without pulling her into his arms again. Without tasting her sweet lips and plunging deep inside her. But he felt she deserved more time. A wooing period so to speak. He was glad they had lain together last night but didn’t want to rush her into another encounter until she was ready.
As history foretold, they had nine more days until Regent Donald met his end, so there was time. Or so he hoped. Some might argue sleeping together would help them spark the power of the Claddagh ring faster, but they seemed to be progressing just fine as things were. He wanted to cherish this time.
To fall in love the way they both deserved.
They continued chatting as they readied themselves, laughing often, which did both their hearts good. By the time they were set to head downstairs, Chloe seemed much peppier. Back to herself. Which, naturally, made him happy, not to mention flirtatious. While he fully intended to take his time with her, that didn’t stop him from brushing his lips across hers before they left. Though tempted to kiss her longer, he feared he might not be able to stop.
“Remember to stick close to me at all times,” he warned. In truth, he had no intention of letting her out of his sight. Nonetheless, good intentions aside, she had a way of following her curiosity, and this was no place to do that. “You truly dinnae want to wander off alone here, lass.”
“No worries.” In typical Chloe fashion, she didn't sound as convincing as he would like. “I learned my lesson last time.”
Though tempted to tell her she’d by no means suffered the trouble that gown might have brought her at Edinburgh Castle, he kept quiet. Because again, he would not be letting her out of his sight.
By the time they joined the others, Cray had returned, and black clouds swallowed the setting sun. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the wind had picked up.
“Does it ever stop raining here?” Chloe commented. Her lovely eyes were round as saucers as they headed for wee King David’s holding.
“Aye.” Aidan chuckled. “Though ‘tis more like October weather right now, this much rain has been known to fall during summer.”
Between her and Julie’s beauty and Cray’s dark demeanor, they were drawing more eyes than he would like. Where the lasses were one thing, his cousin’s foul mood combined with his sheer size, drew the sort looking for trouble. Many were preparing to leave for battle and itching for a fight. One that Cray would undoubtedly enjoy giving them.
“Ye’ll need to improve yer mood, Cousin,” Tiernan said out of the corner of his mouth. “Or ye willnae be joining us to dine with the king, ye ken?”
“Aye,” Cray groused, his expression only slightly less fierce by the time they arrived at David’s holding. Thankfully, when they entered, no doubt because of the king himself, Cray’s expression was halfway civil.
As it happened, they were only dining with Robert Bruce and David, who seemed to be getting along just fine. Pleasantries were exchanged, and though he initially tried to act kingly and serious, eight year old David eventually smiled. He was glad to see Tiernan and Julie again. They had defended him gallantly when his retinue was attacked before.
Chloe was smitten with the wee lad from the get-go, her love for children obvious. Like Julie, she was very good with the king, not babying him but at the same time encouraging him to laugh. Not just that, but they got him to behave like the child he was. Which, sadly, was something he could rarely if ever indulge in nowadays.
“Our time here in Perth is short,” Robert said after food and drink were served, and the seven of them were alone again. “Scouts report Balliol and his disinherited have landed in Kinghorn, Fifeshire, and are rallying locales to fight. Most will leave on the morrow to head to Dupplin Moor.”
“Where the battle takes place,” Chloe said into his mind. “And where the earl dies, right?”
“Aye,” Aidan replied.
“What of King David?” Tiernan asked. “Will he remain here?”
Not surprisingly, despite David being present, Robert responded frankly. These were trying times, and bairns, especially a wee king during wartime, had no choice but to grow up fast. Not just that, but at least in part, David knew of the supernatural oddities going on around him. He understood that bizarre things were at work.
“Nay, the earl claims our best fighting men will be with us, so David must be too,” Robert muttered, not happy with the decision. “He feels the king is best protected with the retinue.”
Of the same mind, Aidan and his cousins exchanged a disgruntled look before Tiernan spoke to Robert. “’Tis clear ye dinnae think this is wise.”
“Och, nay, ‘tis foolish,” Robert grunted. “If I had my way, I would leave soldiers to guard him here away from the battling.” He shook his head and sighed, going back and forth with his reasoning. “But then ‘tis hard to know if that would be wise either. For if we lose this battle, ‘tis just a matter of time before Balliol takes the town.”
“Aye,” Tiernan agreed. He reminded Robert of everything they’d shared in his tent that first eve. “Best to keep a close eye on Donald for any uncharacteristic behavior. ‘Tis impossible to know who is and isnae possessed.”
“Aye,” Robert said. “I am keeping a close eye on everyone. Thus far, all has been quiet.” He shook his head. “Though Donald bringing David to the battle isnae necessarily what I would have done it doesnae mean he’s possessed.”
Nay, if anything, they feared Robert might have been possessed for wanting to keep him here. The Bruce ultimately leaned toward the right conclusion, though, so all was well. At least for now. Unfortunately, recorded history said little about David’s whereabouts at this time. Therefore, best to remain wary wherever they might be.
Despite talk of war, they enjoyed the next few hours with the wee king, who spent more time talking with Julie and Chloe than anyone else. Eventually, someone came to escort the king back to his rooms, and Robert invited them to join him at the tavern.
“We’d love to,” Chloe gushed, snapping her mouth shut when Aidan tossed her a frown.
Chloe knew he didn’t want her at the tavern with so many rambunctious men about, but he supposed there was no helping her curiosity. Not to mention, as Robert soon pointed out, that’s where Donald and his fellow nobles were. So it was a good time to see if he were off in any way.
“Outside of having a mighty buzz,” Julie said under her breath as they entered the tavern, “I’d say he’s as much of a dick as he ever was.”
“Right,” Chloe echoed, taking everything in.
It wasn’t as crowded at this hour since many were already abed with orders to leave at dawn. Robert went off to drink with his men, and Tiernan and Aidan kept their lasses tucked against their sides at a small corner table. Back to looking fierce, Cray plunked down beside them, crossed his arms over his chest, and eyed the room with distrust.
“’Tis a wonder there hasnae already been a fight with this mixed crowd,” Cray remarked, clearly relishing the idea of one.
“Nay, the men in here have but one enemy at the moment,” Tiernan reminded.
A fetching barmaid set down mugs of ale then winked at Cray. Naturally, he grinned back only for his momentary humor to fall flat. He cursed under his breath about intrusive, unwanted dragons not dictating his actions, and downed his entire mug in two long swallows. Then, determined to set things straight, he pursued the bonny lass, his intentions clear.
“What was that all about?” Chloe asked. She sniffed then sipped her ale before flinching at its bitter taste.
“My guess?” Tiernan shook his head when Cray pulled the barmaid against him only to scowl fiercely, set her aside, and stalk out of the establishment. “Your friend Madison is making herself a wee bit too comfortable inside my cousin’s mind.”
Aidan couldn’t help a small grin. “It seems she might have made a comment or two about the lass who served our drinks.”
“Really?” Chloe’s brows flew up in surprise. “She’s in Cray’s head that much?”
“I would say so.”
“But they haven’t even met.”
“Nay.” He gave her a pointed look. “But then you and I hadnae met yet either when we made contact at the stones in a dream.”
“True.” She peered after Cray and shook her head. “Lord, I can’t imagine being inside Madison’s head, never mind, Cray’s.”
“No, kidding.” Julie chuckled. “Those two hooking up is a stretch all the way around.”
As they continued drinking and kept an eye on everyone, Aidan and Chloe filled them in on the revelations from their previous lives. Mainly that they’d broken the rules somehow and it cost them. Now Chloe felt Aidan’s life was threatened because of it. Julie and Tiernan, of course, reminded them that they’d had a similar experience, and everything worked out, so not to worry.
“Like you told us when we were going through our stuff, Aidan,” Julie reminded. “The answers will come when the time is right.”
“Aye,” he murmured, at least fairly certain about one thing. “I think it started for us at the Irish Stonehenge. I’m almost positive that’s where we met.”
“I agree.” Chloe nodded, thinking about it. “When I dreamt about first seeing you, you were sitting beside a standing stone.”
“Aye,” he said softly, meeting her eyes, seeing her memory as though it were his own. Feeling it as if he were sitting there once more. “’Twas one of several stones.” The slurred conversations of the patrons around them faded as he remembered. “’Twas a place I visited often, drawn by the peace it lent, the warmth...”
“It drew me too,” she murmured. “But, never like it did that day. Because you were there.”
He could sense how strongly she felt.
How important that moment in time had been.
“That’s it,” Julie whispered, seeming to sense something. Her eyes shifted a little. Her inner Guardian Witch surfaced. “You’re right, it was the Irish Stonehenge! You sat beside one of the stones my ancestors used in the ritual to protect the Celtic King and Druidess.” Her eyes widened. “Better yet, you sat there before Adlin’s conception, not after.” She looked between them, amazed. “The stone didn’t affect you. It was the other way around. You affected the stone.”
Then she said something that backed up Adlin's revelation.
Something that implied they had played a big part in things indeed.
“You affected the destiny of Clan MacLomain.”
