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

by Sky Purington

  Naðr was about to respond, but Heidrek spoke first, his tone surprisingly stern considering who he addressed. “I will stay with Jackie, my King. I intend to protect her.”

  Though clearly displeased, Naðr eyed Heidrek for a long moment before he gave a curt nod. “You must follow your path. But do not forget that there is one laid out for you here as well. One that includes my kingdom and you ruling it someday.”

  “A future I embrace, Uncle,” Heidrek assured. “I will return once I know Jackie is out of harm’s way.”

  The King nodded. “Then go, Nephew, but travel safely.”

  Heidrek nodded as his hand slipped into hers. For a split second, she almost felt guilty and pulled away. But why should she feel guilty? Because of Darach? They might have shared a brief kiss, but he hadn’t been around to offer her the amount of comfort Heidrek had. He may have had his reasons, but in all actuality, that didn’t change a thing. She barely knew him. So she squeezed Heidrek’s hand, thankful if nothing else for the support and friendship he offered.

  “Now, Da.” Darach’s hand slid into hers as well. “Get us where we need to go.”

  Okay, so this was a little weird.

  But ‘weird’ soon took a backseat to that edge of fear she always experienced when magic unleashed around her. Now she squeezed both of their hands, grateful when they came close and protected her against what Grant threw at them.

  It felt different.

  More powerful.

  Wind whipped and the crackling fire at the heart of the Viking lodge swirled away only to be replaced with higher flames and screaming. Though they kept her safely between them, she heard the metallic ring of Heidrek and Darach unsheathing their swords. Yet she soon realized as she peeked out from beneath their arms that the fire she saw was at the heart of a tall, square building and the screaming was people celebrating.

  “Well, what do we have here,” said a tall, handsome young man with black hair and light blue eyes.

  “More followers then, m’Laird?” someone said.

  “We can only hope.” He grinned and cocked his head, his eyes meeting Jackie’s despite the men cocooning her. “Someone from the future, aye?”

  “Bloody hell, Da did it. We made it,” Darach murmured. “’Tis Adlin MacLomain.”

  Chapter Two

  Scotland

  The Original Highland Defiance

  845 A.D.

  “YE CANNAE APPEAR OUT of nowhere and expect a blade willnae be at yer throat.”

  Darach stilled and peered down at the young lad with the tip of a small blade held against his hip. He might be standing in front of the great Adlin MacLomain, but he still said, “Ye do know that ye’ve got the blade nowhere near my throat, aye, lad?”

  The boy with big brown eyes glared up at him. “Aye, Mister, but my other will be after I use this one.”

  “Och, enough, William,” Adlin said with a chuckle. “He is a friend. They all are.”

  Like Heidrek, Darach stepped away from Jackie but didn’t release her hand. Though it seemed clear they were safe enough, looks could be deceiving.

  “Where are we exactly?” Darach asked.

  Adlin cocked the corner of his lips. “At my Defiance. But not for much longer. We leave on the morn.”

  Darach knew they needed to be sent back in time to locate Adlin when he was young but wasn’t sure exactly where that would land them. “So you know who we are?”

  “Enough so.” Adlin’s eyes went to William. “’Tis time to make our guests welcome. Go fetch them some whisky.”

  Unsure, the boy eyed them. “Truly?”

  “Aye, lad.”

  William sighed, narrowed his eyes one more time at Darach then headed into the crowd.

  Adlin’s eyes remained on the three of them, not cautious in the least but kind. “Might you introduce yourselves then?”

  Darach was surprised that he said “you” instead of “ye.” Something that MacLomains hadn’t started doing until the first Broun lass traveled back in time. But then again, this was Adlin. The arch-wizard of the MacLomain clan. Immortal until the day he fell in love and started to age. Not only that but he was conceived by Chiomara the Druidess, and Erc, King of the Dalriada, in fifth century Ireland only to be delivered by the gods to Scotland a full grown man.

  A man who started his legacy and clan right here at the Highland Defiance.

  “Aye, of course. I’m Darach.” He gestured at Jackie. “This is Jackie.” Then he nodded toward the Viking. “And that’s Heidrek.”

  A twinkle lit his eyes when Adlin looked at Heidrek. “A Viking ancestor then.” He smiled. “’Tis good to have you amongst us, friend.” His eyes went to Darach. “You as well my distant offspring.” Then his gaze settled on Jackie as he approached.

  Neither Heidrek or Darach released her hand when Adlin stopped in front of her, his eyes even kinder than before as they held hers. “And you. A Broun, aye?”

  Jackie nodded, her eyes darkening even more with emotion.

  “You’ve no need to be frightened,” Adlin said softly, his eyes flickering between the men before again landing on her. “Not with such brawn lads to keep you safe.”

  Jackie pulled her hands from the men and stood up taller. “I can keep myself safe.”

  Adlin eyed her for a long moment before he nodded. “I am sure you can, lass.”

  But they all knew she couldn’t, and Darach felt a tinge of guilt about that. He had worked tirelessly to make sure Nicole could fight but turned Jackie away whenever she asked to be taught as well. He just couldn’t do it. He couldn’t risk following a path that might lead to one of the many dreams he’d had about her coming true. Dreams he’d had for years. Ones he never would have imagined held any truth until he first laid eyes on her in New Hampshire.

  “You’ve been here before, aye?” Adlin asked Jackie.

  Darach bit back aggravation when Jackie’s eyes went to Heidrek before she spoke. A need to ground herself in this reality. But how could he blame her when he had pushed the two of them together?

  “I did. With Bradon and Leslie. Friends of mine,” she said. “But it looked a lot different.”

  “How so?”

  “It was abandoned.” Her gaze drifted upward past a set of stairs that wound themselves along the walls until they reached the ceiling far overhead. “And the ceiling was in rough shape.”

  “Aye,” Adlin whispered, his sad eyes following hers. “’Tis a shame that.”

  “You summoned us, m’Laird. But what era have we landed in?” Darach kept his voice respectably soft. “What is happening with our MacLomains?”

  “Summoned you?” Adlin shook his head. “Nay. ‘Twas the magic of one of my gods. I sensed it around you when you arrived.”

  That wasn’t surprising. Brigit and her games.

  Adlin eyed the Defiance for another moment before one sort of sadness replaced another. Even so, his voice and eyes were light when he responded. “Due to circumstances beyond my control, we MacLomains will travel south on the morrow and start a new life elsewhere.”

  Darach felt his answer as if the weight of all his ancestors landed on his shoulders. They had returned to the time when Adlin left his origins in Scotland behind and set out to start a new life in Cowal. All because those in the area could not accept that he welcomed people of both Christian and Pagan faith under his roof. This era, like most in the past and even the future, wasn’t ready to accept that multiple faiths could coexist.

  And though it seemed strange to say considering the clans’ comradery in the future, Darach murmured, “Because of the MacLeods then.”

  Jackie’s eyes shot to him in surprise. As far as she knew, the MacLeods were stout allies of the MacLomains. And her closest friend, Erin, had just ended up with one of them.

  “Aye,” Adlin whispered, eyes a little distant before he gathered himself. “But ‘tis not for ye to worry over right now.” He held out the crook of his elbow to Jackie. “Come, lass. Might you join me and mine
in celebrating our last night here?”

  “I don’t understand.” She slipped her arm into Adlin’s. “Why are you celebrating considering you’re leaving?”

  That was the last he heard before Adlin walked her into the crowd. Soon after, young William returned and held out mugs with a scowl. “For ye both then.”

  Darach and Heidrek took the mugs and nodded.

  “Pft,” William scoffed with disdain as he crossed his arms over his chest and eyed Jackie as Adlin showed her around. “’Tis poor of ye both to let a lady wander off with someone ye just met.”

  Heidrek cast an eye at the lad. “Then might you go make sure she is safe?”

  William cocked an eyebrow at him before muttering, “I suppose somebody ought to,” and darted into the crowd.

  Heidrek and Darach took a swig from their mugs and kept their eyes trained on Jackie. Neither said a word at first likely because they had come to a point they hadn’t anticipated.

  Being with Jackie at the same time.

  Jackie.

  Jacqueline.

  A lass who was no longer part of his dreams but flesh and blood. And hell was she beautiful with her long, thick, pale blond hair. A slender but voluptuous figure. Full breasts, a small waist, slightly flared hips and long, long legs. A face so delicate and well-proportioned he was shocked men weren’t tripping over themselves to get to her.

  And her eyes.

  Those eyes.

  Made for sin, they were such a dark shade of brown they almost appeared black. Almond-shaped, thickly lashed, they were liquid destruction designed to steal a man’s soul. Eyes like hers didn’t let go once you gave into them.

  That’s why he kept his distance. Save that one kiss.

  That one, life-altering kiss.

  A kiss he wished he could repeat a thousand times. A million.

  His whole damn lifetime.

  “Why did you give her to me, Highlander?” Heidrek said softly. “She is not only the kindest but the most beautiful woman I have ever met. It makes little sense.”

  It would if Heidrek knew what Darach did about the ring. “I meant to keep her safe.”

  “Meant.” Heidrek’s eyes swept to Darach. “So do you mean to pursue her now?”

  Darach stiffened. “I still mean to keep her safe.”

  “As do I.”

  “Then she will be well protected.”

  “So it seems.”

  Though the idea truly troubled him, Darach intended to honor his promise to the Viking if Heidrek still desired as much. “As I told you before, I know a way to switch the power, the passion that might lie betwixt her and me because of the ring.”

  “Passion,” Heidrek said so softly he barely caught it. “Is such a thing something a mortal man can so readily control?”

  “Aye and nay.” Darach took another shallow sip and watched his surroundings closely. “With the right amount of magic, anything is possible.”

  “I would think only the gods possess such power,” Heidrek said. “And you and I do not worship the same gods.”

  Heidrek had no idea how close he skirted to the truth. Their eyes met briefly before they continued to keep a close eye on what was going on around them. Both were in a whole new world, and neither trusted it.

  Eventually, William sidled up next to them with a dagger tucked by his side and disbelief in his voice. “I dinnae think ye’ve a ballock betwixt ye letting your lass roam as she does.”

  The boy couldn’t be a day over ten but acted years older.

  “I trust Adlin MacLomain,” Darach said. “Do ye not then?”

  “Och.” William shrugged. “He’s nice enough but nice enough doesnae mean ye’ve got a lad figured out, aye?”

  Darach and Heidrek perked their brows at his response. What sort of youngling thought that way?

  “You speak as though you have lived a life far longer than you have,” Heidrek said.

  “’Tis just simple logic.” William shook his head. “Have ye no logic of yer own then?”

  “William,” a lass hissed as she took his hand. “Enough, lad.”

  More bonnie than most with flaxen hair, she nodded at Darach and Heidrek. “Please forgive, William. Like ye, he is new to this place.”

  When his eyes caught hers, Darach felt an odd sense of familiarity. “Aye, lass.”

  Their eyes held for a moment before a tall Highlander with light brown hair joined her. His eyes locked with Darach’s as he wrapped an arm around the woman’s waist. “My apologies if William caught ye unaware.”

  This time, the sense of familiarity was stronger. Much stronger. But why? Darach shook his head and tried to speak, but nothing came out.

  “All is well.” Heidrek nodded at the couple who must be William’s parents.

  “Come, lad. Let us give the newcomers some peace, aye?” the man pulled William and the woman after him.

  Darach was almost tempted to follow before Adlin reappeared without Jackie. His eyes were merrier than they should be considering all that was on the horizon.

  “I’ve provided Jackie with a chamber so that she might wash up.” Adlin’s eyes twinkled as they went between the two men. “Space is limited, so I’m afraid you must refresh in the same chamber.”

  Darach and Heidrek not only frowned but voiced their opinion at the same time.

  “Nay,” Darach said. “’Tis unseemly.”

  “No,” Heidrek said. “Not until she belongs to me.”

  When Darach’s eyes shot to him, Heidrek only shrugged.

  “Then dinnae bathe.” Adlin waved a hand by his nose as he eyed them. “But dinnae expect she will want either of you near her otherwise.”

  Darach and Heidrek’s eyes flickered to each other again, unsure. Adlin rolled his eyes and pointed upward as he walked away and threw over his shoulder, “’Tis not a matter of laying with her, lads. She could use your company and bathing is best for all.”

  After Adlin left, they continued to eye one another and pretend to drink.

  “’Tis unseemly,” Darach reiterated.

  “She does not belong to me yet,” Heidrek said.

  Silence fell between them as the celebrations grew rowdier. Men chased women and lust blossomed in darkened corners. Though tempted to find a way to her without Heidrek knowing, Darach did his best to remember he was trying to push them together. So he finally said, “’Tis unwise of us to leave her alone.”

  “It is.” Heidrek’s eyes went to Darach’s. “She is unsafe.”

  “Without us defending her, how else could it be?”

  They nodded and made their way up the curving stairs. Never had a stranger building been constructed than the Highland Defiance with its oddly placed arrow-slit windows and lack of balustrade. It had long been a joke in the MacLomain clan that Adlin might be a mighty wizard but not the brightest when it came to architecture. Why else would he have designed his first masterpiece so poorly?

  When they reached the top, Darach called down the narrow hallway leading to the only empty room in the place. “Jackie, ‘tis us...may we join you?”

  “Um, give me a minute please,” she replied, and water splashed.

  “Take your time, woman,” Heidrek said. “Adlin wanted us to remain close, so we are here.”

  Though the men kept their eyes on the crowd, Darach knew Heidrek was as tempted to catch a glimpse of her as he was.

  “It’s all right to come in now,” she finally called out.

  Good thing there was just enough space for two to walk down the hallway or he and Heidrek might have battled it out to arrive first. Yet for all their rush to get there, both froze at the doorway.

  He had never seen anyone lovelier than Jackie as she stood with her back to the fire. Though simple in design, the dress she’d been given was an off-white shade that warmed her creamy complexion and accentuated every curve to perfection. Her freshly scrubbed skin glowed, and her sultry eyes flickered in and out of the torchlight.

  “Hey there.” Her eyes went
from Darach to Heidrek before sort of settling between them as she turned slightly and tugged at the back of her dress. “Label this awkward, but I need someone to help me tie this.”

  “I will help,” both men said at once and stepped forward.

  Her eyes rounded and she shook her head. “I don’t think it takes four hands to get this done.”

  Darach bit back a sigh. If he meant for the two of them to be together, he better let Heidrek do it. Because if his hands dusted her smooth flesh, that might be the end of all his noble intentions. So he nodded at the Viking and stepped back.

  Heidrek wasted no time and soon tied her sashes with enough expertise that it was obvious he’d had his fair share of women. Despite himself, Darach couldn’t help but watch Jackie a little closer than intended. A lass’s body language gave away a lot, especially when a man was so close to her...touching her.

  Though her head was bent and slightly tilted, she didn’t seem flushed. No gooseflesh rose on her skin. His magic tested the air around her. There were no heat fluctuations or movement based on tremors or shudders of pleasure.

  He was only slightly surprised when Heidrek stilled, and his eyes narrowed on Darach. The Viking sensed his magic. Though Darach had no idea how much power Heidrek possessed, his mother had been even more powerful than his father, so he imagined the lad had inherited some gifts. That he could feel Darach’s magic—the element of air—said much. Out of the four elements, it was the most difficult to track because it shifted so frequently.

  “Thank you,” Jackie murmured, her eyes on Darach as Heidrek finished tying up her dress and stepped away.

  For a second, he got the feeling she sensed his magic as well. All of the Brouns were witches, but as far as he knew, Jackie had displayed no signs of power yet except being able to communicate with Erin when she was in the Otherworld.

  Heidrek crouched beside the tub and ran his hand through it once before he stood. His eyes met Darach’s. “The water is warm again. Bathe next Highlander. I will keep Jackie company.”

  Darach’s eyebrows perked. So Heidrek could control the element of water as well?

  The corner of the Viking’s lip inched up ever-so-slightly as he winked at Darach then took Jackie’s hand. “Come, woman. We will go watch the celebrations while the Scotsman sees to himself.”