The MacLomain Series: Later Years - a Scottish Time Travel Romance Boxed Set

by Sky Purington

  Heidrek sheathed the MacLomain sword Rònan had recently tossed to him and held out his hand, his eyes locked on hers. “Come, Jackie. Let us seek shelter before the storm arrives.”

  Jackie nodded, took his hand, and eyed the cloudless sky as they walked. While some might ask him why he said that, she knew better. Heidrek might not be a dragon, but there was something mystical about him. His mother had been a powerful seer, and his father was a dragon shifter, so he was far from simply human.

  Though she had been to this ring fortress before, she remained in awe of its sheer size. With dozens of long piers, various sized ships and a large village cozied between a huge wall and massive mountains, it was truly impressive. While she might have spent the majority of her time here indoors caring for Erin who was caught in an unnatural slumber, she managed to get out a little bit. During that time, she got to know Heidrek and his family better.

  While Darach continued to avoid her.

  Oh, the trouble a kiss can cause.

  She vividly recalled the first time she met Darach Hamilton in New Hampshire. He had been teaching Nicole how to fight. Dressed in nothing but faded jeans and black boots, his sweat-slicked muscles glistened in the sun. She sat in her car, hands gripping the steering wheel for far too long as she admired him. And struggled with an unusual feeling of familiarity...almost déjà vu.

  After they’d been introduced, he seemed to keep his distance. They talked on occasion and eyed one another. Maybe even flirted here and there but that was it.

  Until just before he left.

  It had been then, in those last moments before he turned away to leave, that he shook his head, closed the distance, cupped her cheeks and kissed her. It hadn’t lasted long. No tongue was involved. But it was the most romantic kiss of her life and had left her breathless.

  Yet she knew he regretted it the minute he pulled away.

  She saw how disappointed he was with himself.

  “You worry over Darach,” Heidrek said softly, cutting into her thoughts.

  “I do.” It wasn’t a complete lie. She did. “I wish I understood what was going on. Why he wanted Rònan to give you that blade.” Jackie shook her head. “Isn’t it supposed to stay with Darach? To help him defeat the dark demi-god?”

  Jackie didn’t have to wonder why Darach chose Heidrek to keep her safe. It was no secret that she and the Viking had become good friends and that he would do his best to protect her. But why was Darach determined to stay away from her? Was he so opposed to the idea that she might be meant for him?

  “Yes, it has been said that the blade can help defeat the evil demi-god,” Heidrek said. “But there is a way to keep you and the ring safe. One which does not include you being with Darach.”

  Jackie eyed him as they walked. As tall and muscled as his dragon kin, Heidrek was remarkably handsome with dark blond hair and pale blue eyes. And like his family, he was every inch a warrior. Yet somehow she knew whatever he spoke of had nothing to do with merely protecting her.

  “Darach wants me to be with you, doesn’t he?” she murmured. “Somehow he knows a way to break this Broun, MacLomain connection.”

  “Yes.” He never released her hand as they made their way through the crowd and past the fortress gates. As always, he was greeted by everyone. The Viking King might still rule, but it was clear the people looked to Heidrek as well.

  While she might genuinely like Heidrek and could admit that she was attracted to him, she didn’t like being told who she should be with. Especially when it meant being tossed from one fated man to another. She was angry. Confused. Because none of it made any sense. She just couldn’t wrap her mind around it. Why did Darach give her up so readily? Better yet, what gave him the idea that she was his to give up in the first place? When she felt her skin tingling in response to her emotions, she tried to suppress them.

  Forgive him, Jackie.

  Forgive him so that you can calm down.

  As if he sensed her disgruntled thoughts, Heidrek pulled her into the stables away from the crowd. He cupped her shoulders as his eyebrows flew together. “Are you well, Jackie?”

  “I am,” she whispered and inhaled deeply, almost cursing when the normal scent of horses and hay didn’t reach her nostrils.

  Forgive. But could she?

  “You will never be forced into anything you do not want,” Heidrek said gently, well aware of her tension, her issues. At least some of them. Where Cassie had gone blind, Nicole was going deaf and Erin, mute, Jackie faced something altogether different. Something that affected her sense of touch and smell.

  Two symptoms that would eventually lead to something far worse.

  And it was that something that only Erin knew about.

  Or so she assumed. And hoped.

  It was hard to know for sure who knew what in this land of magic and time travel.

  “I hear you saying the words, Heidrek,” she managed. “But it feels like Darach expects me to be with you and that you expect the same.” She kept trying to forgive them for assuming as much. “And while I appreciate your protection, I’m not a big fan of having others decide my fate.”

  Born into a wealthy family who owned half the real estate in the Hamptons, she had learned at a young age how pre-planned her life was. In fact, her uncle nearly had her married off before she turned eighteen.

  “Darach trusted me to protect you, and that is what I intend to do.” Heidrek squeezed her shoulders. “If nothing else, we’re friends Jackie. Let that fact not make you feel caged but free. I’ve enjoyed our time together and hope for far more. But that does not decide your fate. Only you decide that.”

  And that’s why she liked this guy so much. He didn’t push her. It was yet another reason she supposed the King wanted him to take the throne. Heidrek knew how to handle people.

  “Okay,” she whispered and met his eyes. “Thank you.”

  Heidrek held her gaze for a long moment before he nodded and pulled away. When a commotion arose outside, he cocked his head and narrowed his eyes as though he knew precisely what was happening.

  “What is it?” she said.

  “Something that does not overly surprise me,” he said under his breath as he took her hand and led her back out. Jackie’s eyes widened when she saw who had arrived.

  Grant Hamilton.

  Darach’s father.

  He looked upset as he strode through the village. When his eyes locked on them, he stopped short. “Is he here then? Is my son here?”

  “Laird Hamilton,” came a deep voice as Naðr Veurr, the Viking King appeared through the crowd. “What ails you, my friend?”

  “Darach has vanished.” Grant wore a heavy frown as his eyes flickered between Jackie and the King. “I cannae sense him anywhere.”

  Jackie’s frown met Grant’s as they joined them. “I thought everything was okay. Wasn’t he just at MacLomain Castle?”

  “Aye,” Grant said. “And in a state. He was last seen on the wall walk with Erin and Rònan. After he left there, he vanished. Nobody can find him.”

  Her heart leapt into her throat. “Do you think...did the...”

  When her words trailed off, Grant’s eyes widened. “Do I think what? That he was taken by evil?”

  “Well, yes,” she started, but the King cut her off.

  “Come, Laird Grant, let us go somewhere quiet.” His eyes met Heidrek’s. “You and Jackie as well.”

  Grant kept muttering as they followed Naðr deeper into the village until they entered his private lodge. Queen Megan waited and urged them to sit around a fire as they received mugs of ale.

  “We have seen no sign of your son or anyone else until Heidrek returned with Jackie,” the King said. “What has happened?”

  “Bloody hell if I know.” Grant took a hearty swig from his mug. Jackie had never seen him like this before. As Laird of the Hamilton clan and the most powerful MacLomain wizard, he was usually far more refined.

  “I knew he was upset, we all did,” Grant cont
inued. “But Erin convinced me to let him speak with her and his cousins alone. So, I did. I gave them their time.” He shook his head, distressed. “Then he just disappears!” Grant took another swig, eyes rounding. “Is he hurt? Has he been taken? I have no idea.” His eyes shot to Jackie. “’Tis hard to imagine that he disappeared of his own free will when you’re in more danger than ever.”

  “But I thought...” she started.

  “You thought what?” Grant’s eyes narrowed. “That my son had the power to keep you and the wee king safe by giving you to Heidrek?”

  Jackie’s blood chilled at his tone. Heidrek didn’t take it much better based on the way his brows drew down.

  “Darach did not give me to anyone because I did not belong to him, to begin with,” she said, enunciating each word firmly but respectfully. “Instead, he told Rònan to toss his sword to Heidrek, and we were pulled through time and ended up here.” Her skin started tingling again. Forgive. “So please tell me...us, what’s going on because we’re as clueless as you are.”

  “Aye then, lass.” Grant’s eyes went to Naðr’s. “The demi-god is Keir Hamilton’s father. Though it has long been told that Keir was an evil reincarnate, that doesnae seem to be the case. Instead ‘twas Keir’s da who was reincarnated. Though he went by the name of Innis MacGilleEathain when last on Earth, he was once Eoghan Dubhdiadh, Druid of the South. A powerful warlock who plagued my mentor, Adlin MacLomain’s parents in ancient Ireland. He desired the Druidess, Chiomara and stopped at nothing to have her. I’ve no idea why we were told Keir was Eoghan nor do I know how he became half god. But I do know that there is no worse fate for us.”

  Jackie could barely breathe. She had been told about Keir Hamilton. A man turned warlock who was determined to take Torra MacLomain as his own and drive Scotland into ruin twenty-seven years ago. A man with a dark heart who the next generation, Grant, and his brethren, had eventually defeated and trapped in a tapestry in MacLomain Castle’s great hall. To this day, the man remained locked in a purgatory made of MacLomain and Viking magic.

  A place between medieval Scotland and Scandinavia.

  “So Eoghan the demi-god attempts to break his son free,” the Viking King said. “That is how he’s able to track you not only in your time period but here.”

  “I believe so,” Grant said. “’Tis the only thing that makes sense.”

  Jackie didn’t miss the look the king gave Heidrek. It was the one that gave him leeway to speak.

  “So all of our people are at risk now,” Heidrek said. “Even those at our dragon lair.”

  “Mayhap,” Grant said. “But as it has been from the start, the dark laird seeks the ring.” His eyes fell to Jackie’s finger. “So I would say since Jackie is here, the fortress is most at risk.”

  “But what of Darach’s convictions?” Heidrek clenched his jaw. “I like the man. I believe in him. Do you mean to say that he is wrong thinking Jackie is safe here? That she is not safe with me?”

  Grant released a heavy sigh and shook his head. “I think my lad has become less of a warrior and more of a romantic.”

  “A romantic?” Jackie started, but Heidrek put a hand on her arm and shook his head as his eyes met the King’s and then Grant’s.

  Heck, if she got cut off one more time...

  “It is a rare day that a romantic heart gives up the woman he loves to another man.” Heidrek’s eyes remained locked firmly on Grant as he defended Darach. “We Vikings would see that more as a warrior’s heart. Someone who means to protect those he cares for.”

  Grant shrugged, his expression cautiously reluctant. “Och, ‘tis just a thing that we Scots see differently, aye?”

  Jackie was used to watching men in power play their games, so she made a point of eying the Viking King the entire time. While he might be giving Heidrek the reins on occasion, he was in charge.

  And he wasn’t entirely feeding into whatever Grant was up too.

  Because Grant was up to something.

  But what?

  “Yes, we come from different cultures, so it is always possible that our perspectives are different,” the Viking King conceded. “But one thing remains the same. We protect our kin. So what would you have us do seeing how your son is not here?”

  “Allow me to take Jackie with me,” Grant said. “Let me take her away from here because right now she only puts your people at risk.”

  “A risk I would take again and again,” Heidrek said with more heat than he likely intended.

  But the King didn’t look his way. He kept his eyes locked on Grant. “It is a noble request, my friend and I appreciate the offer.”

  Grant set aside the mug. His eyes never left the King’s as he said, “But you willnae let her go, aye?”

  “I will not,” the King confirmed.

  “Nor will I.” Heidrek’s eyes flickered from her to Grant, and she heard the emotion in his voice. “Unless we know she is safe.”

  “Of course, she will be safe,” Grant scoffed. “She will be with me.”

  Heidrek’s eyes narrowed. “And where exactly will that be?”

  “It doesnae matter,” Grant exclaimed.

  “But it does.”

  “Ye dare to question me, lad?” Grant’s eyes narrowed. “Do ye know how powerful I am?”

  Everyone was frowning at this point. Something was seriously off.

  Seconds later, black lightning started to sizzle around Grant before he turned into a black mass and spun toward her. No wonder he had been acting so strange.

  He was the demi-god.

  The Vikings sprang into action. A scream caught in her throat when someone spun her and yanked her into their arms. The next thing she knew, her head was tucked against his chest.

  “Ye’ll not have her,” came a deep growl as cool then warm air whipped around her. Colors blurred as she squinted. It didn’t take long to figure out who held her based on his scent alone.

  Darach.

  He smelled like a mixture of cedar and spices heating over flames. Earthy wood smoke on a chilled autumn day.

  Whatever was happening around them died in an instant followed by Grant’s soft but firm declaration. “I knew if you thought I was the enemy you would come, Son.”

  Darach pulled away and tried to do something with magic that no doubt would take him out of here, but Grant stopped it.

  “What are you running from?” Grant said, his voice desperate as he held Darach back with magic.

  Darach clenched his fists by his side as his eyes met hers. She had met a lot of men but none that looked like him. Around six foot five inches worth of broad-shouldered, well-proportioned muscles with an intricate tattoo running from his left shoulder to his elbow, he was the sort of man who stopped women in their tracks. With chiseled cheekbones, a strong jaw, brows that worked at being optimistic and lips that curved toward sin, he was gorgeous. Add in the thick black hair accented with mahogany highlights and watch out.

  Then there were his eyes.

  Those thick-lashed pale bluish gray eyes that could swallow a girl whole.

  “Her,” Darach managed to answer his father, but his eyes stayed locked on hers. “I was trying to run from Jackie...” He shook his head, confused by his own answer. “To keep her safe.”

  Caught in each other’s eyes, it took a split second longer than he likely intended before Darach remembered he’d been lured here and his gaze returned to his father. “Let me go.”

  Grant did the opposite. He grabbed Darach’s forearm and came nose to nose. “Dinnae ye ever give me and yer ma a scare like that again, lad.”

  “You dinnae ken what you’ve done by tricking me, Da.” Darach yanked his arm free and shook his head. “You dinnae ken in the least.”

  “Then tell me,” Grant started, but a loud boom cut off his words.

  “Bloody hell.” Darach’s eyes swung to Naðr. “Rally your dragons. Protect your people. I will leave. When I do, you will be safe.”

  “Darach, what’s going on?�
� she said, but he shook his head sharply, his eyes going to Heidrek. “Keep her here with you, friend. She isnae safe with me.” Then his eyes shot to Grant. “You must let me go, Da. Trust me when I tell you ‘tis for the best.”

  “Nothing about remaining in the dark to your plight is for the best,” Grant retaliated. “Why are you so convinced that the demi-god will steer clear of Jackie if you do as well?”

  “Because I have something he wants. Something easier to take from me than from Jackie protected such as she is.” He put his hand in his pocket and frowned before he searched it more intently.

  “What is it?” Grant’s eyes narrowed. “What are you looking for?”

  Darach shook his head, baffled and more concerned by the moment as his eyes shot to her hand. Better yet, the ring on it. “I dinnae ken,” he murmured, again fishing around in his pocket. “Where did it go?”

  Totally confused, she glanced at her ring and frowned. “Are you talking about this?”

  “Och, the bloody gods, and their games,” Darach muttered and took her hand, peering more intently at her ring. “This isnae right at all.”

  Suddenly, Darach’s expression shifted. Almost as if he heard something.

  His eyes flew to Grant. “You need to get us out of here, Da.” He gestured at Jackie and Heidrek. “All three of us. Now.”

  Grant’s eyes remained locked on Darach’s, and she knew they spoke telepathically. What could possibly have Darach wanting her far away from him one second and then with him the next?

  The King’s eyes went to Heidrek, and he frowned. “Why must Heidrek leave?”

  Still locked on Darach, Grant’s eyes widened slightly as he seemed to understand. “Bloody hell,” he whispered. “’Tis a summoning from Adlin MacLomain. How can this be?”

  Grant’s eyes went to the King’s. “You need to trust me when I tell ye Heidrek’s journey is with Jackie and Darach for now.”