A purple dragon stared back at her in her mind’s eye.
The moment their eyes connected, the situation was taken out of her hands entirely as the dragon roared then flew straight into her.
Jessie broke contact with Erin and staggered back.
“What did you do?” Jessie whispered as she felt a whole new type of power fill her.
Moments later the door flew open and not only Erin’s husband Rònan stood there but Bryce.
“What did you do to me?” Jessie whispered again as red flickered in her vision.
“You’ll never fly alongside me again, my love,” Rònan said hoarsely as his eyes met Erin’s. “You’ll never shift.”
“No, but at least our son stands more of a fighting chance now,” Erin managed to say before she fell only to be caught by Rònan just before she hit the floor.
Jessie shook her head in denial as Bryce’s eyes met hers and he confirmed the worst.
“Ma just gave ye all her magic,” he said softly, pain in his voice. “Ye now possess the essence of the dragon.”
Chapter Four
BRYCE STOOD IN front of the fire in the great hall and tried not to brood. Why the bloody hell had he ever let Jessie into his castle and near his family? Now his mother was out cold in bed, having forfeited her magic to a complete stranger. Worse than that, it was all he could do to keep his eyes off the lass who had put her there.
While he knew Jessie had a unique, untouchable beauty before, now, dressed as she was, she appeared exceptional. Exquisite. She had dainty curves he hadn’t realized were there, hair that shined as if caught in the moonlight, and skin so soft and touchable he swore he could feel it clear across the room. He sensed her Scottish and English bloodlines, but it was her gypsy heritage that shone through in her skin tone and looks. Maybe even in her magic.
“This was not the wee lass’s fault,” his grandfather murmured as he joined him and handed him a mug of whisky. “We both know yer ma would not give up her magic if she didnae see great hope in Jessie.”
“I didnae think such a thing was even possible.” Bryce shook his head. “What if Jessie took it from her somehow?” he growled, tearing his gaze from Jessie at long last to meet his grandfather’s eyes. “What if she’s fooling us all and is still working with the warlocks?”
“Does your ma strike you as the type of lass to be so easily fooled?” Grandda perked his snowy white brows. “Moreover, do ye truly believe she’d forfeit her magic if she didnae believe in Jessie with all her heart...with all her dragon’s heart?”
“She barely knows the lass,” Bryce exclaimed. “So nay, I dinnae see much logic in her actions.”
“Because ye havenae had a wee one of yer own yet, lad.” Grandda rested his hand on Bryce’s shoulder. “What yer ma did, what her dragon did, was verra telling.” His eyes never wavered. “Bryce, no matter how short the time they spent together in that chamber, yer ma saw something admirable enough in Jessie to give up her greatest gift. Her ability to embrace her other half.” He shook his head. “Erin would never do such a thing on a whim. She would only ever do it if she truly believed and had absolute faith that her actions would see a favorable outcome.” His voice softened. “And there is nothing she wouldnae do for ye, lad. Nothing at all.”
As their eyes held, Bryce saw the conviction in his grandfather’s gaze. Truth told though it was hard to grasp everything that had just happened, he knew he was right. Ma would have never done the unthinkable and give her magic to another unless she had absolute faith in them.
“Why though?” Bryce murmured before he could stop himself. “What did Ma see that I dinnae? What certainty does she have in Jessie?”
His grandfather’s eyes drifted to Jessie and held for a moment before returning to Bryce. “Yer ma sees what I see, Grandson.” He nodded, his eyes prideful and even a little moist. “Hope.”
“Hope?” Bryce said, baffled.
“Aye.” Grandda notched his chin. “Hope for all of us. Scotland. And ye...always ye.”
“But I’m to be with another,” he reminded. “Grandma said it herself. ‘Twas her and Ainsley’s vision.”
“Aye, ‘twas and I felt the truth of it in my bones,” Grandda said softly. “A vision that only ever had yer best interest in mind. That only ever saw a hopeful future for Scotland.”
Bryce sighed, shook his head and took another swig of whisky. He wished he could see what they saw in Jessie but unfortunately, logic seemed to flee him every time he looked her way. Instead, he became enraptured by her in another way altogether. One far too lustful for a chieftain that should be focused on his kin and country above all else. But then, he reasoned, was not focusing on a lass who might threaten both doing just that? So it really was best to keep an eye on her. There was little he could do about the fact she was so beautiful and distracting. To that end, some might say no enemy could be better armed.
“Even if ye arenae meant for one another,” his grandda continued softly, “’tis not so bad that ye can only focus on one thing when ye look at her. She’s a truly lovely lass.”
Bryce tore his gaze from Jessie, eyed his grandfather and shook his head. “So do ye want me to ignore my obligations to our clan or not? This other lass I’m meant to marry? Because it sounds like ye want me to pursue Jessie.”
“I want ye to follow yer heart, lad. Just as I followed mine with yer grandma so long ago.” He clasped Bryce’s shoulder and held his eyes. “Follow yer heart no matter where that takes ye, aye?”
Bryce narrowed his eyes as something rather daunting occurred to him. “Is Ma inside her somehow? Because that might prove awkward.”
Colin chuckled. “’Tis good yer keeping yer humor.” He shook his head. “Nay, yer ma only shared the essence of her dragon, nothing more. She isnae inside the lass.”
Their shared moment of levity vanished as his da joined them. “Yer ma’s awake and asking for ye, Bryce.”
“Aye, then.” He started to head that way before his father caught his arm and met his eyes. “She’s asking for Jessie too.”
Bryce frowned. “Aye?”
“Aye,” Da confirmed. “So ye best bring the wee lassie along.”
Bryce grumbled under his breath but did as asked and headed her way. Naturally, the closer he got the more tempting her allure. It didn’t surprise him in the least that Milly and Christina were a solid wall of protection between her and several of his clansmen. Yet he knew her beauty and frailty were only an illusion. With a wiggle of her little finger and a nonchalant chant, she could easily protect herself from their advances.
Likely anticipating why he was heading her way, Jessie murmured something to her friends then headed in his direction. Though men swarmed in, they backed off quickly when they saw the look on their laird’s face. A look, Bryce realized with frustration, that might very well appear possessive.
“My mother would like to see you,” he announced as he steered Jessie toward the stairs.
She nodded. “I know.”
“Doesn’t Jessie look beautiful, Bryce?” Christina piped up as she trailed them up the stairs.
Bryce stopped and frowned at her. “Why are you following us, lass?”
“Because Jessie’s my friend and it’s damn well time someone look after her rather than her looking after everyone else.” She patted the hilt of the blade at her side and grinned. “And who better than a demi-god warrioress?”
“You’re a witch with godly powers, not a demi-god,” he reminded.
“Tomato, tamahto.” She shrugged, gave him a pointed look and returned to her previous assessment. “I think Jessie looks absolutely stunning.”
So did he but he wasn’t quite ready to pay her compliments yet.
“Come, then,” he grumbled and kept walking. “But you’ll wait outside Ma’s door, Christina.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
He reminded her again before he and Jessie entered his parent’s chambers and he closed the door, leaving Christina in the hallway.
/>
Not surprisingly, his mother wasn’t in bed where she belonged but sitting at a small table.
“Ah, there you are.” She gestured at a chair beside her. “Jessie please sit because Bryce won’t.”
Jessie nodded and thanked her before she sat. Where some lasses might be inclined to thank someone when they gave them their dragon magic, she remained silent.
He, however, did no such thing.
“Why did you do it, Ma?” He frowned and shook his head, trying to keep his anger under wrap. “How could you do such a thing to Da? He’s your dragon mate!”
“Watch your tone, Son.” She gestured at the other chair. “You know what, why don’t you sit down after all.” Her eyes narrowed when he hesitated. “Now.”
She might be half his size and without dragon magic but when his mother issued an order, he listened. Silence settled as she eyed the two of them before finally speaking. “I did what I did for the greater good of Scotland and do not regret my actions.” Her eyes leveled on Jessie. “While yes, you are one of the strongest women I’ve ever met, you’re also one of the most repressed. It’s that, what you keep buried so deep inside, that my dragon magic will coax to the surface.” She shook her head. “You won’t shift into a dragon. It’s not like that.”
Jessie nodded that she understood before Erin continued. “My magic is no longer part of me but very much a part of you. We are not connected in any way. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Jessie replied. “I can feel it...” She nodded again. “It’s very strong, and I’m thankful.”
“I didnae know a dragon could give up their magic,” Bryce began, but Ma put up a hand, shook her head and silenced him as she continued speaking with Jessie.
“Embrace the magic I’ve given you and trust it.” His mother took Jessie’s hand and held her eyes. “Make it yours and allow it to offer you new light, guidance, and strength. Allow it to bring you joy where there has never been any.” She cocked her head. “Can you do that? Will you?”
Jessie nodded again and if he wasn’t mistaken, blinked away a glimmer of moisture.
“And you, my son.” His mother’s eyes swung his way. “You will not harbor anger at Jessie for my choices. She didn’t ask me to do this. I did it because her journey back from where she’s been is far more difficult than you can imagine.” She clenched her jaw. “And if this country is to have any hope at all, she needs help. Not just from me but from all of us.”
Bryce kept frowning. “How do you know she needs help?”
“I think what you meant to ask is ‘how can I help’?” She met his frown. “Your father and I are well aware that you’ve been trying to dodge your prearranged marriage so now you have a chance to redeem yourself.”
He arched his brows. “Redeem myself? You’re asking me to break my pledge to our clan now that I’ve finally realized the error of my ways!”
“I never said break your pledge,” she replied, a flicker of unexpected challenge in her eyes. “Unless, of course, you intend to try to ignite the power of Jessie’s ring with her.” She shrugged. “That, I suppose, might mean breaking your pledge.”
Bryce crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes. “You’re playing games with me.”
“No,” Ma said bluntly, her eyes unwavering as they stayed with his. “I’m focusing on what I feel is more important right now.” Her eyes went from Jessie back to him. “And that’s you being the admirable man I know you are. That means you’ll stand by Jessie’s side and protect her while you two at long last free both her and Scotland from this God-forsaken curse.” She reached across and took his hand, never letting go of Jessie’s. The look in her eyes was both emotional and strong. “Will you do that for me, Son? Will you help Jessie save our country?”
“There isnae anything I wouldnae do for ye, Ma,” he grumbled, his brogue thickening as he did his best to keep emotion at bay. “Ye know that.”
“Good.” His mother squeezed his hand and was about to pull away, but he stopped her by placing his free hand over hers.
“Will ye be all right, Ma?” Eyes firmly locked with hers, he embraced his dragon and let his vision haze red so he could see any truth she might be hiding. “Or will losing yer dragon end up harming ye in some way?”
“I’ll be just fine,” she assured and pulled away. “So put your dragon eyes away, Son.”
She was hiding something but what? If it was illness, his dragon should have sensed it.
“I’ve said everything I intend to say,” his mother announced as she poured ale into two mugs. “Now I’m going to spend time with my husband so I can put his mind at ease.” She slid the mugs in front of Bryce and Jessie. “Meanwhile, you two will take this time to talk.” Her eyes landed squarely on Jessie. “And you will explain what Colin already knows. You will tell my son exactly how you are connected to his twin sister and you won’t spare a detail. Do you understand?”
Bryce’s eyes shot to Jessie as her eyes drifted to the fire and she murmured, “Of course.”
“Oh, no. Enough with hiding your gaze in the flames.” Ma gently tipped Jessie’s chin until she turned her head and met Bryce’s eyes. “Time to face things.”
“Okay,” Jessie whispered as his mother left.
She cleared her throat, rallied her courage and started talking. “I first came in contact with your sister Ainsley during the creation of the rings...well her essence anyway.” Though he sensed she wanted to look at the fire again, she sat up taller and continued. “In a strange way, we grew up together.” She blinked several times as though stopping moisture before it had a chance to form. “She grew in the afterlife as she would have here...and she was my only friend for a very long time.”
He tried to respond but couldn’t he was so caught off guard by her revelation.
“She’s been trying to protect you all this time,” she said softly. “That’s why not just Milly’s but especially Christina’s gem shone the color of your eyes. She was desperate to connect you with a Broun so that you would be protected by the power of the MacLomain, Broun connection.” She shook her head. “Lindsay’s ring was the only one she couldn’t manipulate because she and Conall had connected for the first time via the oak outside MacLomain Castle.”
A deafening silence fell as he processed what she had said. He wasn’t sure what troubled him more. That his deceased sister hadn’t passed on to somewhere peaceful or that Jessie’s existence really was so reclusive that a ghost was her closest friend.
Finally, still coming to grips with the enormity of what she had shared, he took a deep swig of ale then asked about yet another thing that worried him. “The warlocks know about Ainsley then?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “But they think she’s my sister, not yours.”
He frowned, not expecting that answer. “Why?”
“It explained why she would have been there at the creation of the rings,” she said. “And it kept them from going after her.”
His heart leapt into his throat. “Will they now that they know you betrayed them?”
“No,” she whispered and swallowed hard. Though she remained stiff and her face expressionless, a single tear rolled down her cheek. “She’s free of all this now and moved into the light. They can’t touch her there.” Her eyes stayed with his. “I’m so sorry, Bryce.”
Overwhelmed, he set his drink down and stared at her. He didn’t realize until this moment how hopeful he had been that Ainsley was still out there somewhere. In all honesty, until this moment he didn’t realize that he had hoped by some miracle that she might reappear like Uncle Darach had.
Evidently sensing he was having trouble with her information, she said, “When and if you’re ready, I’ll continue.”
All he could manage was a single nod.
“Like Kenna, Ainsley also sacrificed for the good of Scotland on Christina and Graham’s adventure,” she said softly. “By creating the magic that you and Christina harnessed on the first day of The Battle of Bannock
burn, she helped see history through.” She clenched her jaw as another tear slid free. “As such, she and her inner dragon became part of their time loop. When it closed, she was set free from the place in between and moved on to what many would call Heaven.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Her every thought was of protecting you and your kin at all cost...especially you, Bryce...her twin brother.”
He shook his head in denial even though he felt the truth of it in her words. He could see it in her eyes. Ainsley was really and truly gone.
“I wish it could have been different,” she whispered. “I wish she hadn’t become part of all this, to begin with.” She finally brushed away her tears but did as his mother asked, and kept her eyes with his. “Even so, I feel privileged to have known her and hope, as time goes by, you’ll allow me to share my memories of her with you.”
If nothing else was clear, it was that Jessie had loved Ainsley. They had shared an important bond. He nodded, still mute with disbelief and sadness. It was no easy thing to know one’s sister hadn’t crossed over when she died in infancy but grew up in some strange dimension in between. That she had chosen to be caught in a curse so she could protect her kin and country. So that she could protect him.
It seemed that nod was all she needed because Jessie’s eyes drifted back to the safety of the fire. She left her drink untouched as her sad gaze seemed to reflect his every emotion. He knew he should thank her. That she had done a lot for him. Yet all he could do was watch her stare at the fire. More so, observe the way the flames danced in the rich darkness of her eyes.
In fact, he became mesmerized by it.
“Och, nay, not yet,” he began but knew it was already too late as the air thinned and the ground dropped out from beneath them.
Like it or not, they were traveling through time and most likely beginning their adventure.
Avenged by a Highland Laird (The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Book 4) Page 6