Though Bryce barely caught it, startled distress flashed in Sven’s eyes before he clenched his jaw and nodded once. “I understand.”
“Bloody cryptic,” Bryce muttered. “All of this.”
“Just as cryptic for Sven,” Jessie said softly, her eyes still on the fire.
Though frustrated that she defended the Viking, he could admit to being pleased she was kind enough to come to his defense. Sven had done nothing but help him and was a good, albeit quiet friend. In truth, he couldn’t be more grateful for his presence these last few weeks. A presence that rarely left Bryce’s side.
“We will talk more alone, Nephew,” Aðísla said as she stood and gestured at Sven. “So that our friends can rest and be up early, yes?”
He nodded and stood, bidding them goodnight before they departed. Not much in the mood to imbibe any more than Jessie seemed to be, their drinks sat untouched on the table. Though two cots had been provided in their single-room cottage, he sensed her discomfort.
“I’ll find another place to—” he began before she cut him off.
“No,” she murmured and shook her head as her eyes flickered between him and the fire before finally settling on him. “I don’t want to be alone...please.”
He nodded, as she began applying the poultice. Though it had a rather pungent smell, he could only focus on her delicate scent. It reminded him of wildflowers and evergreen blowing on a springtime wind. Fresh and enticing yet earthy and sweet.
Then, as she continued to touch his skin gently, his dragon picked up another scent entirely. Arousal. In direct response, his own intense need roared to the surface. She was too close and far too tempting. Knowing full well this wasn’t the time for such things, he said through clenched teeth, “’Tis all set. Thank ye, lass.”
When her eyes whipped to his, it was clear she understood why he needed her to be finished. Thankfully, she nodded, then proceeded to wash her hands in a small bowl before she sat beside him and stared at the fire again.
Though she had done as he asked, Bryce was still overly aware of her. How quickly she was affecting him in general. Those moments at the waterfall had been profound. While yes, he was very impressed by how she saved him, his sole focus at the moment was how her small body had felt against his.
As he rubbed his fingers together, he could still feel the warmth of her in his hands. The firmness yet frailty of her body. Then there was the strength of her mind. The great kindness within her. A beauty that was hard to describe. He had never felt another mind the way he did hers. Not only was it arousing but comforting in a way he couldn’t explain. Yet in some small way, it made him wary too.
Mainly because it was a connection he should not enjoy so immensely.
“Ye know I’m promised to marry another,” he suddenly blurted softly, his brogue far thicker than intended. He frowned and kept his eyes locked on the fire.
“Yes, I know,” she replied just as softly. “And I respect that.”
His scowl only deepened as a part of him wanted her to show more emotion. To get a wee bit riled that he might not be available. Though he meant to remain quiet, he kept on talking. “If you respect it, then am I to assume that you dinnae intend to ignite the power of the ring with me?”
Her brows perked slightly as her eyes went to his and she reiterated, “I respect that you’re promised to another.”
“Yet you’re here with me now.” He might be many things, but foolish wasn’t one of them. “And my ma gave you her magic which means she had faith in...”
He trailed off as it suddenly occurred to him that he was mayhap more foolish than he thought. Had he nearly just used his mother to convince her that she should be with him after he himself said it wasn’t possible because of another lass?
“We should rest,” she said.
“You should eat,” he countered, well aware she had barely touched a bite in Angus’ cottage. “You need food, lass.”
“Sometimes,” she agreed. “But in small portions at times such as these.”
He tilted his head in question. “Times such as these?”
“Yes.” Her eyes flickered to the fire again before landing squarely on his. “As a rule, if I feel I might need to use my magic in excess, I’m the opposite of Christina. Nourishment is not necessary. If anything, it drains my spiritual self because it pulls me back into my physical body.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Oftentimes, I’m sort of like a monk fasting to reach a part of himself that might otherwise be unattainable.”
Just when he thought Jessie couldn’t surprise him any more, she did.
“Aye,” was all he could manage as he mulled that over. He knew nothing of her magic or the strength of her powers. Which reminded him how much he wished Adlin and Grant were here. They could mayhap understand it better.
“I ate enough already,” she assured, her eyes still on his. “I’m all right, Bryce. Really.”
He almost shook his head. She was the furthest thing from all right, and he could feel it in all the little things she did without realizing. By how her forefinger slid back and forth slowly along her right thumb. By the way she swallowed a tad bit too often because her throat had gone dry. More than anything though, he sensed it in the erratic beat of her heart. It went too fast when it should go slow and too slow when it should go fast.
That’s when he realized how much she tried to keep herself under control. How much she had trained herself to keep the warlocks from knowing her true reactions.
Though tempted to ask more about his sister, he wanted to understand Jessie better first. “Tell me what happened after you opened your grandfather’s book.” His eyes went to the pocket in her dress where he knew it lay. “Tell me about what happened in those first few years after your house burned and you became master to...” How to phrase this? “Things so powerful.”
Jessie eyed him, clearly hesitant before she finally spoke. “At first, it was a living nightmare for both my mother and me.” Though she wrapped her fingers together on her lap as though at ease, he caught their slight tremble as she remembered. “Though Mama hired men to remove the debris from the fire, the warlocks would not allow anyone else to rebuild. Rather, they used their magic alongside mine to reconstruct a small log cabin.” She swallowed hard. “It allowed them to keep better tabs on us.”
Bryce couldn’t imagine what that must have been like. “I dinnae mean to sound insensitive, but I find it curious they allowed your mother to live at all.”
“Only because I convinced them that I needed her as I came into my magic,” she replied. “That I was far too young to be without a parent. Not to mention without a parent or legal guardian, I would be placed in another home.” Her voice grew soft. “But then eventually, of course, it didn’t matter.”
When he frowned in question, she said, “The only reason I kept my sanity around them was because of my magic.” She clenched her jaw as emotion flickered in her eyes. “Someone with no magic will end up turning very bad themselves, or eventually lose their mind.” She released a choppy breath. “I’m afraid Mama fell into the latter category. Though she held on for longer than I would’ve expected, she was pretty much insane by the time I turned eighteen.”
“Och,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry, lass.”
“It’s okay,” she murmured. “Her death was swift in the end. Once the warlocks realized how far gone she really was, they ended her life before she could possibly harm me.” She trembled again. “At least the warlock who did it was mercifully fast about it.”
How bloody terrible. Did Jessie’s nightmares never end? He clenched his teeth in anger, more than eager to finish off these warlocks if for no other reason than to avenge her.
Determined to offer her some level of comfort, he rested his hand over hers. Though she jerked slightly at his touch, she didn’t pull away as she continued talking.
“There’s little to tell about the in-between years except that I was always watched closely,” she said. “As I got older
my friendship with Milly, Lindsay and Christina was only allowed because they served a purpose. They were part of the plan.”
“For the most part, your upbringing and time since must have been verra lonesome,” he said. “Did you spend a lot of time speaking with these warlocks? ‘Tis hard to imagine you didnae.”
“I did here and there,” she conceded. “Mostly to the one tasked with spending more time with me as I grew. The same one who ended my mother. I spoke with him at length when he...it was around. Or should I say, when it made itself known. Because one way or another they were always watching me.”
“It sounds like you were almost fond of that one,” he remarked. “Shocking, considering it killed your mother.”
“Yes, but like I said, it was mercifully quick.” She shook her head. “The others would have drawn it out and made it excruciating to feed their own dark desires. Especially the one with my grandfather’s essence.”
“Is that the one affecting the weather now?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“’Tis surprising he fights us first considering how powerful he is.” Something occurred to him as newfound distress flashed in her eyes. “Unless, though not necessarily more powerful, the last warlock is far more difficult for you to destroy.” He narrowed his eyes. “The last one is the merciful warlock, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Then you must let me take control when ‘tis time to face him,” he said. “You must let me end him for you.”
Jessie offered a single small nod, her eyes trained on the fire once more. “The only way that will be possible is by igniting the power of this ring.”
“Aye.” He squeezed her hand gently. “Then we will do that, lass.”
“How though?” Her eyes returned to his. “When you’re promised to another?”
True and it was something he’d been giving a great deal of thought to since his grandfather had said not to fight an attraction to Jessie. More so, since he witnessed what his mother was willing to do for her.
“You say you were close to Ainsley.” He watched her intently. “So it stands to reason you might know more about the prophetic vision my sister shared with my dying grandmother. The one about who I’m to marry.”
“I know little more than you,” she murmured as she pulled her hand from his. “What I do know is that there were only four MacLomain men meant for my friends and me.” Her eyes leveled with his. “And you are, without a doubt, one of them.”
“So then we’ve a riddle to solve.” He finally took a swig of ale. “Because if what you say is true than you’re the lass Ainsley was talking about. It can be no other way.” He cast her a curious sidelong glance. “That means she could verra well have been sending a cryptic warning, aye? Preparing me for what I might face with you?”
She frowned. “I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”
He had to give her credit. She was very good at lying. But he saw a little something there in her guarded expression. She was keeping something from him. Something very important.
“I think you do know what I’m getting at,” he said softly, his eyes never wavering from hers as he became more confident about his speculations. “Ainsley said I was destined to marry an unnamed lass who will always love another. She never said it wasnae a Broun lass. So it could verra well be you.” He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes as he became more sure of himself. As the most likely possibility became clear. “So keeping in mind that you are my destined wife, I can only wonder...who do you love, lass? Who is it you will always love?”
Thick tension fell as their gazes held and her eyes grew moist.
While he figured for sure she would continue lying or fabricate some wild tale to defend herself, she instead shocked him when she whispered the last thing he expected.
“You.”
Chapter Seven
THOUGH IT MIGHT not be the best move considering her current circumstances, Jessie took a few sips of ale before she finally came clean with Bryce. Because the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it made her, needed to be shared sooner rather than later if they hoped to save Scotland.
“When I told you that I figured I was meant to be with you because you’re a dragon and my strongest element is fire, that wasn’t the whole truth.” She shook her head. “Not by a long shot.” She took another sip of ale before she rallied her courage and met his eyes again. “As you know, one of the last two warlocks possesses a part of my grandfather’s essence.” Her voice softened as her eyes stayed with his. “The other warlock possesses yours, Bryce.”
Renewed shock settled on his face. “That’s impossible.”
“No it’s not,” she murmured. “The warlock was at the conception of the rings as was your essence.” She flinched. “The truth is, making you part of him was rather brilliant.” She took another few sips and ignored the warmth spreading through her. “What better way to fight me in the end if need be?”
“’Tis truly unsettling.” Bryce crossed his arms over his chest. “How did it know to steal some of my essence when my cousins’ essences were part of the process as well?”
“Simple really.” Jessie did her best to hold his gaze. “It took the essence of the soul most compatible with mine.” She swallowed hard again. “Dark magic is capable of many things but above all recognizing good souls and bad. Even good ones that can be turned bad or vice versa. Along those same lines, it can see compatible souls lining up almost like DNA markers of close family members.” She shrugged. “So yes, while there was the slightest possibility the warlock could’ve been wrong when he picked yours, it turned out he wasn’t.”
“Och,” Bryce muttered as he downed half his mug then eyed her again. “So am I to understand I’m missing part of my soul?”
“Yes and no,” she said. “What he took from you was more cloned than anything...sort of...it’s very hard to explain.”
“Well, try.” A heavy frown settled on his face. “Please.”
“While what he took from you doesn’t affect the man you’ve become or the soul growth you’ve experienced in this life, you’re bound to feel complete in an unexplainable way once he’s gone,” she said. “Yet, as you’ve grown so has he. In fact, it was the part of you in him that kept me strong all these years. The only real light that existed for me.”
He downed the rest of his ale, his eyes never leaving hers as his brogue grew so thick she barely understood him. “So I’m to ken ye fell in love with this warlock version of me then, aye?” His brows snapped together. “So I’m in competition with...myself.” He managed to pour more ale without ever taking his eyes off of her. “And ye’ll always be in love with him according to Ainsley.” He shook his head. “How do we ignite yer ring then?” His brows shot up. “More than that, how do we, I, really trust ye through all this when ye love the bloody enemy?”
“It’s not him I love,” she whispered. “It’s you.” She shook her head, frustrated. “What Ainsley shared with your grandmother was the only way to prepare you for me without flat out saying it. As it was, the warlocks could sometimes track her too. If they did, they would think, based on her words, that I remain devoted to them...him. That I was very much on their side.” She kept shaking her head. “But as I’ve already said, I’m not.” She clenched her jaw. “I never was.”
“But how do I know that with any certainty?” he said. “Unlike you, I dinnae have the benefit of knowing you better, or at least parts of you, as you did with me.”
“Not yet,” she murmured. “But I strongly suspect you will as our journey continues.” Her eyes never left his. “As we grow closer, I believe you will start to recall his memories of me. Your memories so to speak. Once he’s gone, and you get your essence back, you should remember everything.”
“But they arenae my memories,” he argued, a flash of aggravation in his eyes. “They are his...its.”
“But they will be yours in the end.” She dropped her eyes to the fire again, not sure what
else she could say to convince him.
“I dinnae ken why Ainsley would bother preparing me for you,” he muttered, “when you yourself said she was desperate to connect me with a Broun lass so I would be protected by the MacLomain, Broun connection.”
“You can’t fault the impulsive act of someone that loves you so much and is determined to protect you,” she said softly. “Ainsley knew full well what the warlocks were capable of and while yes, she knew you and I were destined for one another she was terrified for you.” She shook her head. “She never should have contacted your grandmother, but I think in some ways it was impossible for her to stay away. You were her family though she had very little time with you.”
She cleared her throat, uncomfortable continuing though she did regardless. “Your sister very much wanted us to be together and got that message across to you and your family the only way she knew how.”
Silence fell for a stretch as his eyes settled on the fire and he digested what she had shared. Every second felt like an eternity. How did he truly feel about being meant for her? Did he believe what she had said about Ainsley? While tempted to follow his thoughts, she did her best to keep her mind respectfully disconnected from his. This was a lot of troubling information for anyone, and he deserved his privacy while he came to terms with it.
After what seemed like centuries, he murmured, “We will rest for the eve then on the morrow you will begin telling me about some of these memories you and the warlock shared. ‘Tis important that I get a better idea of what I’m up against...how close you truly got to him...”
The suspicious way he said it made her eyes go to his. What she saw there, however, was not what she expected. While yes, there was some doubt, there was also jealousy. Though a strange little bolt of pleasure went through her at that, she focused on what he was really getting at.
“I shared no intimacies with him,” she said, being honest. “That’s not to say he didn’t want as much.”
Avenged by a Highland Laird Page 9