“Aye, times are changing indeed,” Iosbail agreed. “But we’ve created good Scottish bloodlines, strong witches and wizards all, that will keep Scotland on track. And though we might not always be there to guide them, I’d say we taught their predecessors verra well. So well that both MacLomains and Brouns will always be as courageous and persevering as we ever were.” She chuckled and winked again. “And naturally, like us, verra clever and not hard on the eyes.”
Adlin grinned, back to his chipper self in no time. “We are verra clever on occasion.”
She eyed herself over, grinning as well. “And verra attractive.” Then she shook her head. “Even if one of us is transparent.”
Both chuckled, smiling as their eyes held and they reconnected in a way long lost to them.
Yet all good things must come to an end.
“I’m afraid the time has come that I say goodbye to both ye and me beloved clans,” she said softly, “and remain in the afterlife with me king.”
Like Adlin had when he met Milly in his previous life, Iosbail had met and fallen in love with King Alexander Sinclair and begun her aging process. Though Bryce was curious why Adlin had been reborn and not Iosbail, now was certainly not the time to question it. In all likelihood, the answer was as simple as wanting to remain with her one true love.
Iosbail’s eyes went to Jessie, impressed. “Ye have done verra well by my country, and I couldnae be more proud.” Her voice lowered in respect. “Neither could yer mother, lass. She sends her love and strength and will see ye again someday.”
Jessie’s eyes welled, and she nodded as Iosbail’s gaze turned Bryce’s way. “And yer sister feels the same about ye, lad. Know that someday we’ll all be reunited as we should be. Until then, continue to protect yer clan as valiantly as ye already have.”
Bryce nodded, more than grateful for the kind words and the sense of comfort she offered.
She nodded, clearly pleased with Bryce and Jessie “Ye saw through the last of my influence over this curse when ye aided Laird Angus MacDonald and set history straight again.”
Something in her eyes told him it wasn’t quite over yet though. History would still need some help, but it was out of her hands.
At last, her attention turned Milly’s way. “I couldnae be happier that ye and Adlin are reunited, Mildred. Ye share the truest of love and ‘twill always keep ye both strong.”
“Thank you, Iosbail,” Milly replied, her eyes fond as she obviously recalled Adlin's sister from a previous life. “Thank you for everything.”
Iosbail nodded before her eyes, at last, settled on Adlin, her words emotional. “’Twill be some time before we meet again, Brother. Until then, I wish ye the verra best and love ye verra much.”
“Aye, Sister,” he replied, just as emotional. “And I love ye.”
Their eyes held for a long moment before she began to fade then vanished. Nobody said a word as Adlin stared at where she had been for a few moments longer before he nodded as though accepting that she was, indeed, officially gone.
“Well, then,” he finally said, breaking the silence as his eyes went to Bryce and Jessie. As only he could, he set aside melancholy and smiled. “It seems you’ve been busy in our absence!”
“Aye,” Bryce replied, truly glad Adlin had arrived. He had wondered if either arch-wizard would make an appearance on their adventure. “It’s been verra entertaining.”
A knowing little smile hovered on Milly’s lips as she looked between Bryce and Jessie then hugged Jessie hello. As they started back toward the others, Milly said, “We brought someone along that’s eager to see you, Jessie.”
Jessie nodded, not needing to ask who. Minutes later, they joined his kin, and Lindsay was embracing her tightly. Neither had a dry eye by the time Lindsay pulled back, held Jessie at arm’s length and gave her the same sort of knowing look Milly just had. “Well, look at you, darling.” Her eyes flickered to Bryce then returned to Jessie. “You’re blossoming before our very eyes, aren’t you?”
Though pink stained her cheeks, Jessie managed to smile. “So it seems.”
After that, Lindsay took her hand and walked off to spend some time alone catching up. Already packed and ready to go, everyone followed at a distance. Conall handed him two sticks with meat on it, explaining one was for Jessie.
“Since we learned the truth, Lindsay’s been verra eager to reconnect with Jessie,” Conall said as he, Adlin and Bryce walked together. “’Tis bloody amazing how much Jessie’s accomplished.”
“Aye,” Bryce agreed. “I’m verra proud of her.”
Adlin eyed him. “I’d say yer more than that when it comes to the lass.”
Bryce shook his head. “I’ve never met anyone like her.”
“’Tis safe to say none of us has,” Adlin murmured. “She’s exceptional.” He grinned at Bryce. “Though ye know verra well I wasnae referring to her magic but the love already betwixt ye.”
“Aye,” Bryce said softly. “’Tis...remarkable.”
“Aye,” Conall replied. “There is nothing like coming together with our lasses.” His eyes remained on Lindsay. “The love is verra strong verra fast.”
“Aye,” Bryce agreed. “’Tis unlike anything I’ve ever felt.”
“And that love has already made a difference,” Adlin said. “Though I cannae help but wonder why I was compelled to come here when ‘tis obvious ye’ve things well in hand. I would have thought ye’d be on to the Battle of Byland Moor by now.” He shrugged. “Mayhap ‘tis as simple as making sure Lindsay works her magic on Angus’ fleet, so they dinnae remember seeing dragons.”
Bryce had been wondering the same thing about their arrival. More than that, why they were still here. Two rowboat trips later to get all of them back aboard the ships, he continued to wonder. As far he could tell, all was as it should be as they set sail down the eastern shore of Scotland. The weather was temperate and the North Sea fair. Too fair actually with far too little wind.
“Mayhap ‘tis as simple as needing Conall along to manipulate the wind, hence ensuring Angus and his fleet arrive on time,” Adlin pondered as he, Milly, Bryce, and Jessie stood at the railing and enjoyed a vibrant sunset rich with deep reds and oranges.
Because Angus had the largest boat with the most space, he had taken the extra travelers aboard his ship. As it was, Lindsay had to be on the same vessel as Jessie so that his lass could amplify her friend's gift of enchantment to the entire fleet when the time came. The others had returned to their original ships, confident Adlin would make sure all traveled on to the next battle together.
Bryce suspected Angus had insisted Lindsay be on this ship for more selfish reasons than anything. Where his son seemed to have a taste for petite brunette’s it appeared the MacDonald Laird enjoyed blondes. But then Lindsay was, at heart, an actress and seemed to only boost the morale on the ship with her enigmatic ways. Of course, this was much to Conall’s chagrin who remained by her side and manipulated the air so well that wind helped the rowers move the ships right along. The truth was Lindsay only had eyes for Conall, and he knew it. Moreover, Adlin pointed out, a boost in morale could only help their cause.
As it turned out, everything worked perfectly.
Lindsay used the opportunity to enchant the men into forgetting that they ever saw dragons or witnessed any magic at all. Rather, she convinced them they were such mighty sailors that they had single-handedly weathered the most powerful storm in Scottish history. And all for the love of their king and countrymen.
Though Bryce and his kin knew full well those extras Lindsay threw in would be lost to history, it helped the men tremendously. And where it might have taken too long otherwise, thanks to Conall and their current speed they should arrive right on time. Not to say Jessie couldn't have managed it, but she seemed just as happy to take a break.
“And what harm can it do to be a part of such history as what lays on the morrow, aye?” Adlin asked.
Bryce grinned. “Aye, I hope we’re around
long enough to see King Edward’s face when Angus sails by with three of his ships.”
Jessie was about to speak but stopped when she seemed to see something they couldn’t.
“What is it lass?” he began, but trailed off when she put her hand on his arm, shook her head and whispered, “Look...”
The moment she touched him, not only him but his cousins and their lasses saw the same thing.
A ghost ship was sailing by in the opposite direction, its black sails revealing what it was. What truly startled them, however, was the bearded man who stood on the side closest to them, his narrowed eyes locked on theirs.
“’Tis Fraser,” Bryce murmured, shocked. “And bloody hell if that’s not a fifteenth century pirate ship!”
Chapter Thirteen
WITHIN MOMENTS, THE pirate ship faded but not the inner turmoil Jessie felt within every MacLomain who had just connected with her via Bryce.
“I dinnae ken,” Bryce growled, fire flaring in his eyes as he stared at the sea where the mighty ship had just been. “Is Fraser dead or alive?”
“Alive,” Jessie said softly. “Though he appeared to be a ghost, and I certainly accessed the spirit realm to see him, it was more of a time flux. Similar, actually, to what Christina and Graham experienced the first time they met at Mystery Hill in New Hampshire.”
“Bloody hell,” Adlin muttered, echoing Bryce’s earlier sentiment. “How can he be alive when Grant and I cannae even sense him? ‘Tis frustrating!”
“Don’t forget what you and Iosbail so recently discussed,” Milly reminded, squeezing his hand. “A lot’s been taken out of your hands because of this curse.” She shook her head. “You can’t blame yourself.”
“That’s right,” Jessie said as her eyes met Bryce’s. “As I told you, I’ll know more once the last warlock is defeated. Until then, you need to focus on the fact that Fraser is still alive.”
“Aye,” Bryce murmured as his brows drew together. “Yet he seemed changed...different.”
“Just like Kenna warned us,” Christina said into their minds.
Bryce and Adlin scowled at that. Kenna, who once loved Fraser, claimed that where he went changed him. That he was hardened in ways he had not been before. Kenna, sadly, had lost her life on Christina and Graham’s adventure.
“I sensed something else from him too,” Adlin murmured. “Something even more out of character.”
“Aye,” Conall replied. “’Twas a bit of roguishness, aye?”
“Aye,” Graham agreed, the frown obvious in his inner voice.
It was hard imagining any man with MacLomain blood being unprincipled, but Jessie had caught the same thing in Fraser’s hard icy blue eyes. Or so it appeared.
“I wouldn’t trust anything you see just yet,” she said to them all. “Right now, he’s still under the influence of the warlock, and that could very well be messing everything up. Not just how he’s acting but how we perceive him.”
Adlin nodded, his eyes grateful as they met hers. She knew the struggles he had experienced coming into his powers this lifetime. The man he had to measure up to. His previous self. On rare occasion he still battled to get back to that person. Especially at times such as this when sound, reassuring words weren’t coming from him but her. Still, he was a reasonable man who was wise enough to be thankful when the moment warranted it.
Adlin might have been part of creating the rings, but she had all but created the warlocks. Or at least that’s how she looked at it. She might not have been the evil behind them, but she had helped direct them and knew them better than anyone. More than that, what each and every one was capable of.
“Come,” Angus said in passing, totally unaware of what had just transpired. “I invite ye all to dine with me.”
They nodded, more than ready for a drink.
Angus raised his mug of ale in salute a while later. “Here’s to me and my men navigating the most dangerous storm in history yesterday!” He grinned broadly. “’Twas one hell of a ride!”
She didn’t miss it when Bryce winked at Lindsay.
Jessie was so much a part of his mind now she followed nearly every thought. How impressed he was with Lindsay’s magical abilities of enchantment. She had done a stellar job with Angus and his crew.
Though she tried to repress a twinge of jealousy, Bryce didn’t miss her reaction to the brief connection between him and Lindsay. The truth was he and her friend had shared several connections since the curse began unraveling. Most importantly, when Lindsay saved his life in Stirling. Thanks to her, though he had been beaten within an inch of his life in the English encampment, they didn’t end him altogether.
It had been a horrible thing that Jessie imagined would always haunt her. How helpless she had felt at the time. How pleased the warlocks had been at his suffering. Soon enough she would use that memory against this last warlock. She would keep it firmly in mind and have her retribution.
Yet despite how grateful she was to Lindsay, she still had the nerve to feel jealousy. Shame on her. Even if she understood the root of her response, there was no excuse. She should be better than this. If for no other reason than she knew Lindsay was no longer a threat.
When Bryce rested his arm on the back of Jessie’s chair and stroked her shoulder in reassurance, she knew he realized her reaction wasn’t just remorse over his poor treatment. It was jealousy too.
“I’m sorry...for all my emotions right now...” she murmured into his mind. “You can’t imagine how difficult it was knowing you were hurt so bad...”
When she trailed off, he prompted her to continue.
She said nothing at first as everyone chatted yet eventually she came clean with him in a way she had not intended to. She wanted to better explain why she had felt jealous, to begin with.
“Though we all have one true love, sometimes there’s a second person out there whose soul is compatible enough that deep love can form.” Her eyes remained on the others in avoidance as she sipped ale. “It doesn’t happen all the time. It didn’t with Milly and Adlin or with Graham and Christina.”
Bryce waited patiently for her to continue when she paused, considering how to phrase things.
“Had Lindsay not reconnected and found Conall, the two of you would have been compatible...you might have found love.” Her eyes finally turned to his. “Hence her attraction to you before she came together with Conall.”
Though she knew he was tempted to deny it, he had been aware Lindsay was drawn to him at one time. Men knew such things. Especially men with MacLeod and MacLomain blood.
“Yet I wasnae drawn to her,” he replied, absolutely truthful. “Shamefully enough, as soon as I knew she was meant for Conall and couldn’t possibly be the one to free me from a loveless marriage, I focused on the next Broun lass.”
“I know,” she replied. “But had things gone differently, namely her and Conall not coming together, then us, you would’ve been drawn to her eventually. It was inevitable.”
“’Tis a bloody odd thing to consider,” he replied frankly as he dusted his fingers along the side of her neck. Based on the flare of his pupils, he clearly enjoyed when she shivered with awareness.
“No offense to Lindsay because she’s a kind and bonny person,” he went on, “but I think ‘tis safe to say she and I are glad that you and Conall exist.”
She offered a small smile. “Me too.”
“And ‘tis perfectly normal to feel jealousy.” His inner voice remained gentle. “Dinnae forget that you’re human before anything else, lass.”
She sensed that some small part of him actually liked her response. Her possessiveness. How strongly she felt. Which told her where his mind was when it came to her. His love. Which in turn made her hope that the conversation would end here because there was more. Something now irrelevant to their situation, but information she might want to know if she were in his shoes.
Not surprisingly, he sensed the thoughts she was trying to repress and narrowed his eyes. “What is it
? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing that much matters now.”
“Och.” He leaned closer and murmured in her ear, “When it comes to you, everything matters, lass.”
Another shiver of awareness went through her as their eyes met. Though hesitant at first, she finally gave in and told him.
Almost as if he knew what was coming, Adlin’s eyes suddenly turned their way. It seemed, perhaps, their private conversation had become too important for an arch-wizard to ignore.
“Weren’t any of you ever curious why there were only four rings,” she asked Bryce, “when there are five MacLomain men?”
“Adlin and Grant were curious but had no way of changing the fact their magic was only determined to make four rings,” he replied, frowning. “Then when Fraser and Kenna fell in love they assumed he was the one who wasn’t meant to make a MacLomain, Broun connection.”
“That’s always a possibility.” Her eyes stayed level with his. “Though I strongly suspect that’s not the case based on how thoroughly Fraser has been removed from the picture by this last warlock.”
As their eyes held it suddenly occurred to him what she was trying to say.
“You cannae mean Fraser...” His brows slammed together in a look of incredulousness. “And you...”
When he trailed off in shock, she nodded. “My guess is though he’s clearly not my true love, we would have been compatible...we would have found love.”
“Bloody hell, why didn’t we see that one coming?” Adlin muttered aloud as he shook his head and took a swig of ale.
Bryce frowned and took a swig as well, his every thought coming through loud and clear. To his mind, it all made perfect sense now. The warlock contained a piece of Bryce’s essence and as Jessie surmised, was jealous enough to try to kill Bryce during every time shift. Along those lines, would he not have removed anyone else he considered a threat? His eyes slid back to her. And—though he tried not to think it, but focus on being grateful his cousin lived—was Jessie not Fraser's type physically? After all, Kenna had also been petite and brunette.
Avenged by a Highland Laird (The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Book 4) Page 18