He frowned. “I dinnae ken.”
“I can feel you even when I go numb,” she murmured. “I’m assuming it must have something to do with your magic.”
“Aye, mayhap,” he said. “But I would say ‘tis more likely because of our unique connection.”
“Could be,” she whispered. He heard her thoughts. How she didn’t want him connected in any way to her sickness. Before he could respond, she changed the subject. “They brought up a tub of water. It’s still warm.”
Though tempted to continue speaking of her illness, he figured she’d had enough for now. So he fingered a silky strand of her damp hair. “I’m sorry I missed watching you bathe, lass.”
“I have to keep some things a mystery.” A small smile curled her lips. “Besides, we seem to have started a tradition where we bathe separately.”
“Aye.” He managed a small grin. “A tradition that needs to end. I’d much rather bathe with you.”
“I’m sure you’ll get the opportunity.” She eyed the chamber. “This room is gorgeous. Stately. So did I tell you in one of your dreams my favorite colors were blue and orange?”
“Not any dream I remember directly.” His grin remained, and he was never more thankful considering his sadness. “’Twas just a strong feeling so I went with it.”
“Interesting.” Her eyes drifted over the oceanic tapestries before returning to him. “I’m curious about a few things.”
“As am I.”
Her brow swept up in response to his words, but she continued talking as she balanced a small piece of meat on its side. “Weren’t your parents curious about this room? Why you had it designed?
“Nay.” He shrugged. “But then it’s been my chamber for years now.”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “I thought you had it created for me?”
“I did,” he said. “More so, for both of us. But then like you said, ‘twould have been odd to create such a space and not reside in it.”
“Didn’t they question why it was made the safest?” She cocked her head. “I assume that means with magic.”
“Aye, both with magic and location,” he said. “I told them it was the perfect place for the wee King if he ever ended up here. I’ve been training my whole life to protect him so ‘twas a logical assumption he would eventually arrive at this castle.”
“True. That makes sense.” She slanted a look at him as she stacked a piece of cheese against the propped up meat. “So my husband’s not only a long term planner but clever as well. Not to mention devious.”
“I like when you call me husband.” He trailed a finger over her idle hand, increasingly amused by her food architecture. “Aye, though I dinnae think I was all that devious. The king would someday come, and I did need a larger chamber. If I thought of you during its creation, there cannae be any harm in that.”
“I suppose not.” She stacked another piece of meat on her wobbly creation before her eyes drifted to their bed. Huge with four posters, it could easily sleep many. “Nice bed. I’ll bet it’s gotten a lot of use.”
Well, she certainly knew how to keep him distracted. He cocked the corner of his lip. “Are you jealous of who has been here before you, lass?”
“Of course not,” she said a little too quickly as she took a chance with an extra wedge of cheese on what had become a teetering tower. “It’s none of my business.”
“Aye, you’re probably right.” He enjoyed playing with her. “You’ve lain with other lads, and I’ve lain with other lasses. There isnae any point in discussing it.” A grin ghosted his lips. “Save to say that we’re both better off because of our experiences.”
There was a compliment in that, but she clearly wasn’t interested in praise, sexual or otherwise.
“Right. I suppose all that matters is that I’m on birth control and practice safe sex. At least, I did before we got together.” Her lips curled down, and she risked one wedge of cheese too many, toppling her tower. “I just figured because you had this room created...” She stopped and shook her head. “Never mind. Anyway, I’m curious about something else. The statue built into the castle. The one that looks like me.” She pointed to her birthmark. “It even has this.”
“Aye, ‘tis you, lass,” he said. “Yet another thing created by Goddess Brigit.”
“No kidding.” She tilted her head. “I’m surprised nobody in your family thought it was odd when I showed up. You would’ve thought someone would’ve mentioned the statue and connected the dots.”
“That’s because nobody knows about it but me. ‘Twas recently created by the goddess in case of an emergency,” he said. “She told me ‘twould be visible when needed and thankfully ‘twas.”
“She seems to have an uncanny sense of foresight,” Jackie said.
“Aye,” he agreed. “But then she is a goddess. And one who likes to play games at that.”
“Evidently.”
Darach studied her. “Might I ask you something as well, lass?”
“Sure.”
“What did my Ma say to change your mind about marrying me?”
Jackie considered him for a long moment before sharing. “She pointed out something I couldn’t dispute.”
“What was that?”
“Like I told you, I connected with your mom at the Viking fortress. We had lots of time to talk, so she knew that my parents wanted me to marry before I got my inheritance. That they believed in true love above all else.” Her eyes met his. “Not only would they have liked you but they would have wanted me to follow my heart no matter the risk.” She grew more emotional. “They would have wanted me to marry you. They would’ve given their blessing.”
“’Tis good to hear.” He wrapped his fingers around hers. “I wish I could have met them.”
“Me too.” Their eyes held for a long moment. “You have a pretty wise mother, you know.”
“Aye,” he agreed. “I’m verra lucky.”
Jackie nodded as her eyes swept over the bed again. Though she was eager to distract herself, it wasn’t so easy, and she was back to thinking about who’d been there before her. Darach flicked his wrist and removed the tray. Perfect time to put her concerns to rest.
Her eyes widened when she saw his intent. “Oh no, you don’t.”
Before she could get far, she was on her back beneath him. She wasn’t going anywhere. Propped up on one hand, he wound the other into her hair and made sure her eyes stayed with his. “I know you’re still curious about the bed.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “You’re the first lass to sleep in it.”
“I wouldn’t care if I wasn’t,” she fibbed, a telling light of relief in her eyes. “It’s your room.”
“Our room.”
She trailed a finger over his straining bicep, her voice softer. “Our room.” Her eyes stayed with his. “So where did you go to—”
Darach put a finger to her lips and shook his head. “Never here, lass. That’s all that matters.”
He brushed his finger down her neck, pleased by her gooseflesh and the shudder that rippled through her. Before she could utter another word about previous partners, he pulled up her chemise, settled between her thighs and spent longer than intended showing her just how much this bed really was hers.
By the time they finished and he dried off from his bath it was mid-morning. As sated as him, Jackie sat at the table and watched out of the corner of her eyes as he wrapped his plaid.
“’Tis cute how you fiddle with things,” he mentioned as she appeared to be creating some new design with the left-overs. “First the pebble at the glade, now the food.”
She pulled her hand back as though she hadn’t realized she was doing it. “I don’t know that I’d call it cute. My uncle would call it unbecoming.” She shrugged. “I picked it up after I traveled back in time.”
He pulled on his boots. “Really?”
“Yeah. Like I hinted at before, life was a lot different back home. I was expected to act a certain way. Always use the right utensi
ls and say the right thing. Be a lady. Fiddling with anything would have been frowned upon.” A guilty little grin crawled onto her face. “I guess a new me is emerging here.” Her eyes met his. “With you...because of you.”
“Good to hear, lass.” He winked. “Because this ‘you’ will be the perfect Lady of Hamilton Castle.”
“And here I thought a more refined woman would be better suited as the laird’s wife.”
“Och, nay, there’s no fun in that.” He pulled on his tunic. “Ma was in your position for almost three decades. Does she strike you as all that refined?”
When she didn’t respond, he looked her way and froze. Her body was limp, and her eyes were rolled back in her head.
“Bloody hell. Jackie?” Fear spiked as he scooped her up and laid her on the bed. “Lass?” He cupped her cheeks. “Can you hear me?”
He called to her telepathically.
Still no response.
“Lair, I need yer help,” he roared into his sister’s mind. “Something’s wrong with Jackie.”
“Aye, brother,” she responded. “I’m coming.”
He tried to remain calm. This couldn’t be happening. Jackie could not be leaving him all ready. He wouldn’t allow it. They needed more time. Far more time. Though Lair arrived within minutes, it felt like hours. Thankfully, Aunt McKayla was with her.
“What happened?” his aunt asked as they went to Jackie.
“She passed out.” Darach shifted around to the other side of the bed. “She willnae even respond within the mind.”
“So she is beyond simply passed out,” Lair murmured as she pressed her palms against Jackie’s temples and started chanting.
Meanwhile, Aunt McKayla put a hand against Jackie’s sternum and closed her eyes. She was connecting to Lair’s magic so they could search out the problem together.
“It’s grown,” Lair whispered between chants. “Influenced by dark magic.”
“What’s grown?” But he knew. He frowned and squeezed Jackie’s hand, his chest tight. “The tumor?”
“Aye,” his aunt murmured. “Recently. When she took the brunt of the demi-god’s wrath.”
“Och, nay,” he whispered and pressed his lips against her palm. “When she took my pain.”
Lair nodded but kept chanting before she stopped abruptly and pulled her hands back. Her eyes met McKayla’s and understanding passed between them.
“What is it?” he asked, more concerned by the moment.
“’Tis something odd about her tumor.” Lair frowned. “Has she tried to have it removed?”
“I dinnae think so.” He shook his head. “She said ‘twas inoperable.”
“Aye, mayhap inoperable,” Lair said, her eyes still on Jackie’s face.
“I dinnae ken, Sister.” Darach tried to keep aggravation at bay. He wanted answers. “What are ye trying to say?”
“There is something unnatural about her tumor. Something I sense dark magic can control.” Her eyes narrowed on Jackie’s ring. “Look, Brother.”
“Bloody hell, nay,” he whispered.
The stone at its center wasn’t blue in the least but black.
He was about to say more when Erin and Nicole rushed into the chamber. Though they were clearly worried about Jackie, that wasn’t the sole reason they were there.
“We’ve got problems.” Nicole gestured out the window. “There are some super spooky sounds coming from beyond the castle. Horrible wailing. Good thing I seem to be the only one who can hear them because they’d likely throw this whole place into a panic.”
“There’s more.” Erin stood at the end of the bed and frowned at Jackie. “I just had another one of my ghostly out-of-body experiences.” Her eyes went to Darach. “And you’re seriously not gonna like it.”
“I dinnae like a damn thing happening right now, but I’ve no choice but to face it.” His frown deepened. “So tell me.”
“Whatever is going on with her illness is only going to get worse if she stays here. Or so I assume based on what you’re about to do.” Erin clenched her jaw and shook her head as she eyed Jackie’s ring. “You must put her on Eara and send her out beyond the gates. When you do, life will return to everything around the castle as death fades away. ”
“I would never do such a thing.” He shook his head, confused. “Besides, Eara isnae even here.”
“Actually,” Erin said softly. “She appeared a few minutes ago beyond the gates.”
“Nay.”
“Aye, lad,” Eara said into his mind. “I am here, and ye must bring Jackie to me if ye want to save her. ‘Twill also spread hope to yer clan to see this land alive again.”
Baffled, defiant, he shook his head. “Where would ye take her? And why would the land heal?”
“Jackie can only go to the Otherworld now, lad,” Eara said softly. “She cannae survive here.”
It felt like everything dropped out from beneath him. “But she’s still alive.” His eyes went to the very slight rise and fall of her chest. “She breathes.”
“Mayhap.” Aunt McKayla’s pained eyes met his. “But not for long.”
“Hell.” Nicole sank down beside Darach. “I thought...I mean...things don’t usually work this way with tumors, do they?”
“There isnae anything normal about her tumor. I’ve dealt with several and this isnae one. ‘Tis different.” Lair’s eyes went to Darach. “I think ‘twas somehow created by the demi-god.” Her frown deepened, and her voice went whisper soft. “And I think only he can heal it.”
“How can that be?” Darach kept shaking his head. “Da or Adlin would have figured it out. They would have told me.”
“Nay, Brother, they might have been powerful, but neither were healers,” she said. “So they wouldnae have known.”
“But Goddess Brigit would have,” he said. “And she would have told me.”
“You mean the goddess who likes to play games?” Erin reminded.
“She wouldnae about something so grave,” he assured. Would she? He shook his head. “’Twould make no sense.”
“Damn.” Nicole flinched in pain and yanked out her hearing aid. “The wails are getting louder.”
“Rumor has spread that there’s a bonnie horse beyond the gates,” Sheila said from the doorway. “You need to go down now, Son.” Her sad eyes went from Jackie to him. “You need to take care of your wife and your clan.”
He knew what she asked of him. Darach bit back emotion. “Nay, I willnae let her go.”
“You will do what you must.” Sheila joined them and put a hand on his shoulder. “Not only do the Hamilton’s have family beyond these gates, but the Thomson’s and Broun’s do too. If you’ve a way to lift the curse on this land, you will.” Moisture flashed in her eyes before she grew sterner. “And if you’ve a chance to save your love, then you must do it.”
“Save her?” he guffawed. “Handing her over to evil isnae saving her.”
“Neither is keeping her here,” she said. “At least, if you send her to where she can survive, there’s always a chance you’ll be able to find her later. If not, she dies in this bed.” Her eyes went to Jackie. “And she deserves more than that. She deserves the chance to fight.”
Fight? An odd turn of phrase considering what he and Jackie had recently discussed. Had they been talking about her illness right now he would have agreed. She should fight. She should try to survive.
Then it occurred to him.
His eyes shot to his mother’s when he realized what she meant.
Jackie should try to fight her illness.
Maybe not in the typical sense because the rules had changed. It seemed the fight would not come from this reality but another. An afterlife of sorts. Because the Celtic Otherworld they all knew thus far was Eoghan’s creation. A dead place co-created by Balor. Not Heaven but very much a version of hell.
“But how can she possibly fight such darkness on her own?” he said. “Not even Da could win against the demi-god. How is Jackie supposed to sta
nd up against not only Eoghan but Balor?”
“I don’t know,” his mother said softly. “But I think she deserves the chance.”
“Eara will be with her, and I’ll bet just about anything that she’s merged with someone powerful,” Erin said as her eyes met his. Emotion thickened her voice. “If there’s one thing I know...we both know about Jackie, it’s that she wouldn’t want to die here with the Otherworld threatening everyone. Not when she has a chance to set everyone free.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Especially little Robert and William.”
He knew how hard that was for her to say.
But she was absolutely right.
Darach stared at Jackie. How could he make such a difficult decision? Yet he knew there was only one choice. The one Jackie would make if she were awake.
“I need a moment alone with my lass,” he murmured. “Then we’ll be down.”
“Aye, Brother, of course,” Lair said softly, and they all left.
Darach pulled Jackie onto his lap and cradled her head. “I dinnae know if you can hear me, lass, but...” He paused. But what? I’m sending you to hell to fend for yourself. No. It was more than that. “I know you said you were done fighting. That you had accepted your fate.” He stroked her cheek. “But I havenae. None of us have. And so you’re going to have to fight after all. You’re going to have to be verra brave and battle your darkness. Just a different type of darkness than you expected.”
He paused again and fought emotion as he brushed his finger over her birthmark. “I believe you have this for a reason. Not only because you were once Gwendolyn but because you’re so much more. We are so much more. Were you not able to open the door below stairs by touching the mark? And did those stairs not lead you to this room?” He struggled with his words. “’Twas the verra first place I saw you in my dreams. Right here in this room was where it began.”
“It means something.” He brushed her hair back from her cheek. “And I think whatever has brought you here will be there to fight alongside you.” His brogue thickened. “But nothing can help ye if ye willnae fight to begin with, aye, lass? And me keeping ye here in this room will only ensure that ye end where ye began, and I willnae have it.”
The MacLomain Series: Later Years - a Scottish Time Travel Romance Boxed Set Page 106