by Mary Morgan
“Bloody hell,” he hissed. “Explain, Conn how ye ken this man?” demanded Adam.
“Damn! If you would be so kind as to close the door before someone else comes storming in here,” instructed Conn.
Controlling his fury, Adam quietly closed the door behind him.
“Would you like a drink?” asked Archie reaching for a bottle of whisky by a stack of books.
Adam fisted his hands on his hips. “After I have heard Conn’s account. Or ye can speak and tell me how ye come to ken this Fenian warrior.”
“I’ll take that drink, Archie,” replied Conn. “And you can tell Adam who and what you are.”
Sighing, Archie poured the amber liquid into three glasses. Handing one to Conn, he brought the other one to Adam. “You might want to down this first.”
“I want my wits when I hear what ye have to say.”
Shrugging, Archie placed the glass on a nearby table. “I am not who you think I am. My true name is Eoghan, Bard of the Fae. I am the keeper of all knowledge, not only in the realm of the Fae, but I also record all history between the Dragon Knights. It has always been thus.”
Adam dropped his arms. Numb from the revelation, he muttered, “I think I will take that drink.” Picking up the glass, he downed the liquid. Handing the empty vessel back to Archie, he said, “Another.”
As soon as Archie complied, Adam tossed back the whisky.
“Do you need another?” asked Archie, holding the bottle out to him.
Waving off his offer, Adam placed the glass back down. He glanced at Conn. “Why were ye discussing me?”
Conn took the bottle from Archie and poured himself another drink. “Because Archie believes I should not be training you. He was unaware that I was in this realm—time.”
“You have broken Fae law,” growled Archie. “And you have involved me.”
“I did not ask anything of you. You will do what you’ve always done. Document the history.”
“Yet, I am a witness. This act of treason is beyond even you, Conn,” snapped Archie as he walked over to his desk.
“Treason?” barked Adam. “I demand ye tell me all!” The shadows blurred Adam’s vision, but only momentarily as he remembered his training and shoved them aside.
Conn’s eyes flashed silver. “I and two of the brotherhood, have defied one of the strictest Fae laws by assisting you in defeating the evil that has crossed over into this time.”
Adam narrowed his eyes at the Fae. “Why would ye do this?”
The man clasped his hands behind his back. “We have no wish to see the world destroyed by this evil, and the Dragon Knights vanish into the mists of time. You and the MacKays may harbor ill feelings toward us, but we believe in the Order. Some of us were there from the beginning to witness the birth of the Order of the Dragon Knights. It was a glorious time between the realm of Fae and human.”
“It is not your decision to make or interfere. The Fae law is strict,” interjected Archie, rubbing a hand across his brow.
“What would happen if the Fae knew?” asked Adam.
“Death,” replied Conn soberly.
The room became eerily quiet, except for the ticking of the wall clock. Adam realized all true warriors were the same—be it men or Fae. Nor did the century matter. These few Fae warriors were willing to give their life to stop a monster. His respect for Conn rose.
Heaving a sigh, Adam retrieved the bottle of whisky and poured some in each of their glasses. Placing the bottle down, he lifted his glass up. “Together we shall bring down this evil. However, time is slipping by. There are only a few weeks until Samhain.”
“Aye,” groaned Conn.
Archie gazed into his glass. “You must understand that what I record—witness will be accounted before the Fae council. Do you deem it wise that I should stay here at Aonach?”
Conn’s smile was one of sadness. He clamped a hand on Archie’s shoulder. “You are the Bard. It is your duty, my friend. Stay and make sure all is told.”
Archie’s next words were ones spoken in a language Adam did not understand, and his instincts told him they were as ancient as the Fae themselves. Conn embraced him and then took a step back.
“Then I’ll ask a silent prayer the Fae hear nothing until this battle is finished,” stated Archie and lifted his glass upward. “To victory.”
“To victory,” replied Adam and Conn in unison.
Their words were no sooner spoken than there was a knock on the library door.
Adam rushed to the door to prevent anyone from entering, leaning all his weight against the wood. “Where can ye hide, Conn?”
“Let them in,” replied Archie. “Conn is no longer here.”
He shook his head as he glanced behind him. The warrior had vanished. “God’s teeth, I will never get used to them coming and leaving like the mists,” muttered Adam.
Opening the door, he took in Meggie’s stance. She did not look pleased.
“Would ye care to explain why ye would not let me inside?” She brushed past him. “Are ye holding some secret meeting, Archie?”
Archie only shrugged.
“Sweet Brigid! No wonder ye didn’t want me in here. Ye were drinking.” Meggie pointed a finger at Adam. “Ye start the day with beer or ale, and then whisky by midday? And here I came searching for ye to see if ye were ready to take the horses out.” She snickered, moving past Adam. “Ye most likely will fall off your horse, so nae bother coming.”
He reached for her hand. “I can assure ye, Meggie, I am able to ride anywhere, in spite of how much I have drunk.” Leaning close, he whispered, “And would have nae issue with riding ye, as well.” Seeing the blush forming on her neck and rising slowly to her cheeks, he gave her a wink. Releasing her hand, he strolled out of the library.
“Ye are so sure of yourself…ye, ye insolent man!”
“I dinnae understand the word, nor do I care,” he shouted over his shoulder. “I’ll see ye in the meadow.”
By the time Adam reached the meadow with Ciar, he could see the wild fury on the face of Meggie. Not only had he infuriated her in the library, but in the stables with Bruce standing nearby. When she started to curse him, he was tempted to plunder her mouth with kisses. Instead, he smacked her on the bottom while Bruce’s back was turned. The spark of outrage almost cost him his manhood. While leading Ciar out of the stables, she jabbed the shovel into his thigh. Any higher and he deemed she would have done grave damage.
His feisty Meggie was emerging.
Dismounting from Ciar, he waited. She almost flew off her horse in an effort to reach him. He took a few cautious steps back. “As ye can see, I had nae problem staying on my horse. Whereas, ye almost lost your footing.”
“How dare ye!” She lunged at him.
Adam grasped her arms. “Are ye a wee bit angry?”
Meggie struggled to get free, but he held firm. “Let me go…ye beast!”
“And here I thought ye only called Ciar a beast. Is that not what ye told Fion?”
“Ye are both the same. Always wishing to control us women.”
Adam threw back his head and roared with laughter. “Och, leannan, there is a difference.”
“Don’t ye dare use that word of endearment with me, Adam MacFhearguis.” She kicked him hard below the knee, and he grimaced.
He brought her close to his chest. “Forgive me? I have no wish to quarrel with ye.” Adam could feel her breasts against his chest with the rise and fall of her breathing.
“Never,” she stated.
“Never is a verra long time.”
Meggie looked away from him. “Ye insulted me, especially in the stables. I am your boss.”
Adam released his hold and cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I dinnae ken the word.”
She pushed him away and walked over to an aging oak tree. “And yet another word ye claim not to know. Did they not school ye properly where ye came from? Though, they taught ye Latin, of all languages.”
He moved slowly towar
d her trying to fathom the meaning of some of her words. “I have offended ye?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed and turned her back on him.
Seeing a clump of heather, he pulled forth a handful. Adam leaned close and whispered, “Bonny flowers to beg your forgiveness, my bonny Meggie.”
Meggie’s shoulders slumped. Turning around, she took the offered flowers. Adam could still see the fury in her eyes, even though she tried to hide the smile forming on those beautiful lips.
“Thank ye. And I’m sorry for what I said in the library. Archie told me ye only had a wee nip of the uisge beatha. Ye could have let me inside.”
“And hear the scolding before I had a chance to tell ye?” He leaned against the tree.
“Which I did,” she chided. “Can ye tell me something, Adam?”
“Aye, what do ye want to ken?”
“Did ye always stir these many emotions—feelings in me?”
Adam cupped her face, warm and flushed. “From the first day we met, leannan.” He placed a feather-light kiss over her lips and shuddered from the touch. “And ye did the same to me.” Deepening the kiss, he savored the taste of Meggie. When she placed her arms around his waist, he groaned. He ached for Meggie, fearing each day would be their last.
“I wish I could remember those feelings,” she whispered against his cheek.
When he swept her up into his arms, she let out a cry of protest. “My flowers,” she muttered softly.
“I will gather more for ye. Let me love ye, Meggie. Here…now.” His heart pounded in his chest as he carried her to a secluded part of the meadow. The canopy of the trees and the warmth of the sun was the only shelter they needed. Adam longed to close out the world. To always keep Meggie safe, if only for an afternoon.
Bringing her gently to the flower covered ground, he smiled. “Ye take the breath from my body with your beauty.”
She trailed a path along his jaw with her finger. “Will ye always be mine?”
Adam’s heart stopped. Had he heard the verra words? The same ones she spoke to him the night they handfasted. Could her memories be coming back? “Forever, Meggie. Forever.”
Her kiss came sudden and fierce, catching Adam by surprise. For once, he let her control the passion. Her need. He fisted his hands in her thick tresses, giving her all that he had. The passion of her kiss ignited a storm of desire so potent, he ached to bury himself deep within her womb. A raw act of possession.
His thoughts fragmented as his hands and lips continued their hungry search of her body. This was not a time for slow kisses and soft words. Adam wanted—needed to feel her around him.
Taking his hand, he slipped it under her sweater, tugging at the lacy material. Her groan filled his body along with his own.
Her fingers tugged at his jeans and within moments, she had freed his cock, stroking, squeezing until he could no longer bear the torment. He pulled her hand away, placing it on her own clothing. Understanding his meaning, she broke free from their kiss. Slipping out of her jeans, she kicked them aside with her feet.
As they each watched the other hastily remove their clothing, the storm of desire built around them.
When the last article of clothing had been stripped free from their bodies, Adam wasted no time in recapturing her lips, demanding all she had to give. Taking a hold of his cock, he thrust deeply into her. The heat of her body caressed him, and his love for Meggie consumed him. With each kiss, each touch, the burning passion built and lifted them.
Meggie arched wildly under him. “Mine, Adam…aye, oh, aye!”
His body started to quake as the release tore free from him and into Meggie. The words ripped from his mind and spilled forth. “Love ye, always.”
Adam rolled bringing Meggie on top of him. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest as he held her firmly. There would never be another. His Meggie filled his soul, and he would fight until he had no breath in him to keep her.
“Ye love me. ’Tis not fair,” she uttered softly against his neck.
Fear seized Adam’s heart. Would she learn to love him in time? Could he live with only her partial love? He kissed the top of her head. “Life is nae fair, Meggie.”
She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. Adam could see the hurt reflected within. “Ye confess your love to me, but I’m scared, Adam. There are secrets ye hold and will not share. Did we not share everything before? Whom do ye love, Adam? The old Meggie? Or the new Meggie?” Tears pooled in her eyes as she spoke.
“I will nae force the memories from ye, Meggie. I only ask for your trust.” When a lone tear spilled down her cheek, Adam brushed it away with his thumb. “And to answer your question, I love both. Ye are one and the same, Margaret Aine MacKay. My bonny, Meggie.”
Her lips trembled and more tears trickled out. She cupped his face with her soft hands. “Give me time to understand my feelings for ye. I will trust ye with my heart, Adam MacFhearguis. But be warned, if ye break it—”
Adam silenced her final words with a searing kiss. He did not want to ponder what she would do to him when she found out everything. That day of reckoning was one he feared, for surely she would cleave him in two.
This time, Adam took his time as he made slow, leisurely love to the woman who held his heart.
Chapter Nineteen
“Let the river serve as a place for your memories. Watch closely as they glide silently down the water of life.”
“For the love of the Goddess, why is Jamie yelling?” demanded Meggie as she dumped another cup of flour into the mixing bowl.
The doors to the kitchen were flung open, and she could hear her son shouting with joy. Then, all would become quiet, until his next outburst. Her nerves were already a jumbled mess. The outing in the meadow last week was the last time Adam made love to her. She had hoped, nae prayed, there would be more opportunities, but the man was intent on being chivalrous.
Maybe he was upset that she was unable to share her feelings. She needed his complete trust before she poured out her heart. The man held all the cards, including his secrets, and she was growing impatient.
When another burst of yelling came forth from her son, Meggie dropped the egg onto the floor. “Damn! Sweet Mother Danu!”
“What’s wrong?” Lena asked, strolling in with an armful of basil, thyme, and sage.
“Can someone please tell me why Jamie is shrieking like a banshee?” Picking up the egg mess off the floor, she dumped it all into the garbage.
Lena snickered. “He’s having some male bonding time with Adam.”
She glared at her cousin. “He’s supposed to be at lessons, not having playtime with Adam.”
Lena moved to the table, sorting out the herbs. “You could say that he’s learning some lessons.” She gave Meggie a wink. “You’ll have to go see for yourself. They’re in the hall.”
“Men,” she muttered. Meggie removed her apron and tossed it at Lena on her way out of the kitchen.
As she approached the doors, Meggie paused to listen. She could hear Adam praising Jamie for his strength, and she frowned. Peering around the edge of the door, she spied her son standing on top of the oak table, his wooden sword held high. Jamie was facing Adam, who also held a sword and was showing him a new stance.
Meggie’s fingers dug into the hard wood, holding back a harsh retort as she watched Jamie lunge and deflect each blow from Adam. When he ducked, rolled, and stood, he smacked Adam on the backside.
“Yippee!” yelled Jamie. “I got ye. Show me another move, Sir Dragon Knight.”
The air around Meggie cooled. Lights swam in front of her. “Dragon Knight?” She stumbled into the hall, clutching her head.
Adam was immediately at her side. With his arm around her waist, he nearly lifted her off the floor and into a chair. He brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “Are ye unwell?”
Meggie rubbed at her eyes and soon the dizziness passed. Glancing up, she noticed her son behind Adam, his hand on the man’s shoulder. So like
your father. From his stance, to the furrowed brow. Both father and son shared the same look.
She reached out and placed a tender hand on her son’s cheek. “I’m all right.”
“Ye look like ye saw a ghost, Mama.” Jamie dropped his sword and moved to her side.
Picking him up, Meggie sat him on her lap. “No, I’m just a little tired.”
“Ye should go to bed early. Ye work too much.”
Jamie’s remark sounded more like an order than a simple request. Smiling, she nodded.
“Good. Now Adam and I have to continue with our training.” Proceeding to pick up his sword, he climbed back onto the table. Meggie stood, though Adam’s hand was on her elbow, and she could feel the gentle strength in his grip. “These were not the lessons we spoke about earlier, Jamie.”
“Ye will not let me in the lists, so I must train somewhere else, especially if I am to become a Dragon Knight,” he protested.
Meggie shuddered and stepped out of Adam’s grasp. “Jamie, the Dragon Knights are myth, naught more. They were stories told by bards many years ago.”
Jamie pointed to the wall with his sword. “They were real, Mama. Look at the tapestries.”
“The lad is correct. The Dragon Knights were verra real,” stated Adam quietly.
She turned abruptly toward Adam. “Have ye been filling his mind with stories about the deeds of the MacKay clan?”
The man arched a brow. “Nae, quite the contrary. Jamie has been sharing his knowledge with me.”
She gritted her teeth. She could feel the beginnings of a headache behind her eyes, and this was not the time to stand there and debate mythology with her son and his father. “James William, you’re done with battle training for today. Go to the library. I believe this is the hour ye were to have a math lesson.”
Stomping his foot on the table, Jamie jumped down. “Ye only use my full name when ye are mad at me and have nae wish to argue anymore.” As he stormed out of the hall, he paused at the entrance. “Mama?”
“Yes, Jamie?”
“Ye need to remember.”
Taken aback by his comment, she could only stare at his retreating form.
“Jamie is correct,” stated Adam as he moved past her, leaving the hall.