Bryce and his kin grinned as they watched Robert the Bruce now.
This had been one of those days in history Sir William Wallace would have liked to witness. They didn’t doubt Robert thought of him now as he led his horsemen to the edge of Roulston Scar and ordered his trumpeters to sound the Rally.
Down below in the gully where the Black Douglas and Sir Thomas Randolph still fought, the English and Scots alike turned their heads toward the clamor of trumpets. When they saw Bruce’s host on the escarpment, the Scots roared in triumph and surged forward.
“Cowards,” Bryce muttered, just as pleased as everyone else as they watched the Sassenach army disperse. Some tried to flee where others surrendered when James Douglas ordered that the Scots give quarter. The Corrie was a difficult place to escape from, and in the end, very few English got away.
The Earl of Richmond surrendered his sword to James as did his lieutenants. Twenty Sassenach knights lay amid the dead with twice as many wounded. That fine day the Scots ushered their prisoners up the hill, where Sir James Douglas and Sir Thomas Randolph presented their prisoners to the king.
“All is going as it should on our end,” Graham said into their minds. “We arrived at Rievaulx Abbey in an attempt to capture King Edward.”
“And King Edward escaped as he should?” Adlin said, disgust in his internal voice.
“Aye,” Graham reported. “When told of his army’s defeat he was humiliated and ushered from the abbot’s house by a guard of twenty men. As we know, he will now try to take a ship in Bridlington.” Now it was Graham’s turn to sound disgusted. “And just as history told, he left over one hundred of his bodyguards behind to forfeit their lives to buy him time to escape. This, as planned, will delay the Scots sufficiently enough to allow Edward to slip away.”
“Christina and I stayed behind as the Stewart continues to pursue Edward,” Graham informed. “He travels with fewer men now so ‘twas best we not join him and mayhap disturb history in some unanticipated way.”
Sir Walter Stewart and fifty men would chase King Edward for many miles, but in the darkness, they would lose him on the road to Nunnington. Along the way, Edward’s horse would become lame, and he’d be forced to seek a fresh mount at Pickering Castle. On the morrow, at that very castle, his grey charger would be presented to King Robert as a prize of war.
Eventually, Edward would arrive in Bridlington and request the keeper of the castle to provide him with a ship to take him to London.
“I would’ve loved to see the look on Edward’s face when the keeper escorts him to a lookout tower and points out at the bay,” Christina said, a grin in her voice. “Good ol’ Captain Angus stickin’ it to him yet again!”
As it turned out, three long galleys belonging to Angus Og sat in the bay waiting, so escaping by sea was impossible. No trading galliot could outrun such impressive ships. So Edward rode to York narrowly escaping capture twice, and lost his shield in the process. Rumor had it the Bruce later returned this shield to Edward as an unspoken challenge. Fight or negotiate peace.
Edward didn’t rise to the challenge, and this was one of the reasons he was later deposed.
From York, Edward and his party made their way to the safety of Burstwick in Holderness. After that, they were on to London where they reunited with Queen Isabella. She, no surprise, was not happy about being abandoned by Edward. Left behind and forced to fend for herself, she had made a perilous journey disguised as a Nun to Tynemouth Priory.
“Queen Isabella barely escaped as well,” Graham commented. “Just as history said.”
With her and Edward’s departure, the North of England was now wide open for the Scottish army to extract tribute, pillage, and loot at their leisure. King Edward left behind his finery, personal treasury, armor and shamefully enough, the great seal of England.
“’Twas a mighty rout indeed, my King!” the Black Douglas declared later that evening as they sat around a fire at Robert’s encampment. When he raised a mug of ale in salute, everyone else did as well, roaring their approval.
As it had been after every battle, the Scots buried their dead, paid their respects and now celebrated a victory far grander than most. Bryce and his kin had decided to spend one last eve with Robert rather than go home just yet. After all, he was the greatest king Scotland had ever known, and once they left, he would once again become part of history.
So they spent a fine evening with him and caught up on old times. Not just their adventures now but those young Robert had shared with Bryce’s parents, aunts, uncles, Grant and Adlin. The relationship they shared with the king had now spanned over forty years.
With many a warrior wanting to celebrate alongside him, King Robert eventually wandered off but not before ensuring that they would say goodbye on the morn.
“Aye, we wouldnae leave without saying goodbye, my friend,” Grant assured.
After that everyone resumed chatting.
“She knew, you know,” Jessie said softly to Bryce, reflecting, as it turned out, on what else she had discovered today. “Your sister knew I was a dragon.”
Sensing her sadness, he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer. Clearly, she had learned as much when her dragon was returned to her.
“That’s why Ainsley seemed off on occasion...angry...” Her eyes were damp as they met his. “It wasn’t me she was upset with, but what had been stolen from me.” She pressed her lips together, fighting emotions. “She was with me the first time I shifted.” A tear slipped free. “In fact, she taught me how.”
Though he felt for Jessie because she had forgotten such a thing, nothing made him happier than to know she hadn't been alone. That his sister was there for her during such a tumultuous time in a dragon’s life. Never mind what Jessie was going through beyond that.
“She saw when the enemy took my dragon,” she whispered. “But he threatened her and said that if she ever told me, he would end my life.” She shook her head. “Unfortunately, when he died, and she finally had the opportunity to tell me, the curse was unleashed and made it impossible. She was muted so long as the warlocks existed.”
“Och,” he murmured, saddened for both her and his sister. “That must have been verra frustrating for her.” He wiped away her tear and tilted her chin, so Jessie’s eyes stayed with his. “But I couldnae be more pleased that she was there for you. That she offered you some happiness in all that misery.”
“Me too.” She blinked away the moisture in her eyes and offered a wobbly smile. “Though she described what to do in great detail, she never got the chance to teach me how to fly. Too risky.” She released a small chuckle. “It was one thing for people to think they saw a ghostly dragon. Another altogether if they saw a real one.” Her gaze grew nostalgic. “But I would have loved to fly alongside her.”
“Aye, lass,” he said softly. “As would I have.”
He peppered several kisses on her lips that turned into a few passionate ones before they finally rejoined the conversation. As Bryce figured it would, everyone’s attention turned Jessie’s way. Though it had been difficult, all had waited for her to relax some before they asked what had been weighing on their minds.
It seemed, however, she knew what was coming and spoke first, her voice gentle. “I know what happened to Fraser...and I know where he is.”
Tension lay thick, and all remained silent as she continued. Though they sat in the midst of a boisterous encampment, it seemed all Bryce could hear in those moments was the crackle of the fire and Jessie’s voice.
“As Kenna implied and you were beginning to suspect, Fraser did not actually die on the battlefield all those years ago.” Her eyes went from person to person. “Instead, the warlock shifted him through time.”
“But he was mortally wounded,” Conall denied, a mixture of sadness and anger in his eyes. “I saw it. I was there.”
“It was the heat of battle, Cousin.” Adlin clasped Conall’s shoulder in reassurance. “Sometimes we dinnae see things correctly w
hen battle lust takes over.” He shook his head. “Most especially when it comes to those we love.”
“Somehow he survived,” Jessie assured gently. “Because he is still alive.”
Conall nodded, digesting that as he murmured, “Aye then, lass.” His eyes stayed with hers. “Where is he then? How do we get him back?”
“Though I can’t speak to where he is at this moment, the warlock shifted him to a small village off the eastern shores of Scotland,” she replied. “The year was fourteen hundred and forty-eight. Now, however, I’m guessing it’s around fourteen hundred and fifty.”
So over a hundred and twenty years in their future.
Conall frowned. “So he’s been there two winters?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“So I was right about that pirate ship being from the fifteenth century,” Bryce murmured as his eyes went to hers. “That’s where he is now...” He almost couldn’t say the words they seemed so preposterous for one of his kin. “He’s a pirate, aye?”
“I would say so,” she replied.
“’Tis not so bad really.” Adlin offered everyone a comforting smile. “At least he’s still alive.” His brows bunched together as his eyes met Jessie’s. “What I dinnae ken, though, is why we cannae sense him? At the verra least, Grant and I should have been able to.”
“That’s where things get a little...” It was clear she was looking for the right words. “Things aren’t quite as cut and dry when it comes to Fraser’s abduction. Much like Bryce and I, he suffered repercussions.”
“Repercussions?” Christina cocked her head. “What does that mean, honey?”
Bryce squeezed Jessie’s hand in reassurance when she hesitated. She met his eyes briefly before she nodded, returned her gaze to the other’s and shocked them all.
“Fraser isn’t like you anymore,” she said softly. “His magic was taken from him, and he’s no longer a wizard.”
Chapter Nineteen
GUILT-RIDDEN, JESSIE FELT personally responsible for what had happened to Fraser, and she said as much. She owed them that at the least.
“As I told Bryce and now have confirmation,” she said. “The last warlock wasn’t just jealous of Bryce but of Fraser.”
“Because you might have been meant for him,” Adlin murmured, reflecting on the conversation they’d had aboard Angus’ ship.
Lindsay’s brows swept up. “What’s this?”
Slightly uncomfortable, Jessie glanced at Bryce and Conall before she filled everyone in on what she had shared with Bryce about some people having second loves.
“Och,” Conall muttered as he looked between Bryce and Lindsay. Yet a confident grin hovered on his lips as his eyes lingered on Lindsay’s. “’Tis good we got everything squared away betwixt us then, aye?”
Lindsay smiled in return. “I would say so.” Her eyes slid Bryce’s way, teasing before she winked at Conall. “Not to say dragons don’t hold their appeal.”
Meanwhile, Bryce had taken more immediate action and pulled Jessie onto his lap. His lips brushed hers before he offered Lindsay and Conall a grin, the fire in his eyes obvious. “Only a certain kind of wee lass can handle the likes of this dragon.”
“Wee,” Jessie muttered but couldn’t help smiling as well.
That is until her mind went back to his missing cousin.
“I’m so sorry about Fraser,” she murmured, frowning as she met their eyes. “If I could’ve stopped the warlock I would have.” She shook her head. “While I thought I had control, they managed things I never could’ve imagined.”
“’Tis not your fault, lass,” Grant said gently. “Never forget that.”
“Aye,” Adlin agreed before they all did. Everyone she needed to hear it from. Bryce, Graham, and Conall. But then there were others weren’t there? Fraser’s parents and sister, Blair. His aunts and uncles. His cousin, Rona who was as close to him as Conall.
“None of them will blame you either,” Grant said, easing her worries as he followed her thoughts “They will be as grateful as we are that he is alive and that you know what became of him. Everything else can be handled from there.” He nodded at them all, confident. “’Tis just a wee bit of time-traveling betwixt him and us then we’ll bring him home.”
She nodded though she wasn’t so sure about that last part.
“What is it, lass?” Bryce murmured, sensing her discontent.
“It’s...ah...well, it might be a bit more complicated than that,” she said softly.
Conall frowned. “How so?”
When she hesitated, wanting to make sure she said things in a way that didn’t offend anyone, Graham spoke instead. “’Tis as Kenna said and as we saw on the ghostly ship.” His gaze went to Christina before returning to Jessie. “He’s changed. He’s harder and colder. And as Kenna said to Christina, how he lives now might be beyond the scope of saving, aye?”
Jessie nodded and whispered, “Yes.”
“Och, nay.” Conall shook his head, refusing to believe it. “You cannae tell me if Fraser could come home to his kin, he would choose not to.”
“What of his magic, lass?” Grant murmured, his eyes on hers. “Now that the curse has lifted, should his magic not be returned?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “Though I can tell you from what I sensed of him, he didn’t want it back. He didn’t want to be a wizard again.”
Another spell of stunned silence fell at those words. She could sense the storm of confusion and hurt they all felt. Not only was it impossible to comprehend that he might not want to come home, but to not want his magic back? How could that be? He was a MacLomain.
“Why would Fraser reach out to Christina as he did and help her out of our time loop if he didn’t still care?” Graham asked, hopeful. “And wouldnae him having done such imply he still possessed some kind of power?”
Though Jessie suspected that had more to do with the combined magic of her time loop and Conall and Lindsay’s time flux, she wouldn’t say as much. Better that they keep hope. So she merely shrugged in response. “I just don’t know.”
“Can you contact him, Jessie?” Adlin said. “As you did on Angus’ ship or mayhap in the fashion you did your grandmother?”
“I’m not sure.” She shook her head. “I didn’t summon him on the ship but suspect that happened because we were at the exact location on the North Sea that he was, though in different eras.” Yet she would not refuse them. “But I can certainly try.”
Everyone nodded as Conall said, “Please, lass. ‘Twould mean a lot.”
She nodded and pulled out her little book. “Of course, but we should try to find someplace quieter.”
Understanding fully, they followed her a short way into the woods. Now that her ring was ignited and her dragon had been returned, she no longer needed a fire to amplify her gift. As to light, the moon was quite bright so they could see their surroundings clearly.
“Here goes,” she murmured. She closed her eyes, visualized the man she had seen on the pirate ship, started sketching and chanted. Once she was done, she opened her eyes and waited. They all did, their eager eyes to the woodland around them.
Yet nothing happened.
No one came.
They waited a while before she shook her head. “I’m so sorry. He would have manifested by now if I was able to bring him here.”
They nodded, each and every one of them trying to keep the disappointment from their faces for her benefit. Because the truth of it was, if she, with all the power she had come into, couldn’t do it then nobody could.
“We will discuss this further on the morrow,” Grant said softly. “If nothing else, we’ll figure out who will travel through time to find him.”
In agreement, everyone headed off to do their own thing. When Bryce murmured in her ear that he only wanted to be alone with her, she couldn’t agree more. She had been eager to do that exact thing since the warlock was defeated. Because as far as she was concerned, they needed to make up for lost time.
Naturally, he followed her thought process and chuckled as he swept her up into his arms and headed for their tent. “’Twas but one eve without intimacy, my lass.”
“One eve too many in my opinion,” she muttered and smiled before she grew serious. “Though it was necessary, I am sorry for what I put you through yesterday and last night. It must have been difficult. I know it was for me.”
More than difficult actually. It had been pure torture doing that to him. Watching him suffer as he worried about her. Then sensing he was so close to taking his own life to save hers. Nothing had ever upset her more.
“It was verra difficult,” he conceded. “But you dinnae need to be sorry. ‘Twas for the greater good.” He perked his brows in resignation. “Though it does make me better appreciate the hell you’re capable of putting me through.”
“Well, don’t expect any more of that hell in this lifetime,” she murmured as he set her down in their tent. She trailed her fingers up beneath his tunic, whispering, “Just pleasure.”
“Aye then, lass,” he said huskily as fire flared in his eyes.
While she was used to being wildly aroused by him, something about seeing that fire this time caused a rush she hadn’t anticipated. A whole new kind of desperation to have him inside her. To feel the great pleasure he could bring.
“Our dragons are responding to one another,” he whispered as he bent over so she could pull his tunic over his head. He caught her lips with his before she could respond. As their tongues wrapped and fire lit their blood, both moaned.
It was all so different now. Every touch was amplified, from his kisses to the feel of his fingers as he ran them down the side of her neck. It was as if he left a blazing trail in his wake. One that sent delicious chills over her skin, countering the flames in a way that made her heart pound in anticipation.
Though they meant to take it slow, they began yanking off their clothes in a mad rush. They couldn’t touch each other enough. It was as though it were all brand new. But then in its own way, now that they were whole again, it was. Not just that but their connection was finally complete.
Avenged by a Highland Laird Page 25