“So ‘twas a lass’s magic you felt then?” He yawned as Bryce fed a small fire in the cave they were resting in. “Are you sure, Graham?”
“Aye.” He nodded. “At first, I thought ‘twas the warlock, but I saw her...then felt her.”
Bryce frowned. “Felt her how?”
“’Twas as if...” How to phrase this? “’Twas as if I had felt her close before. As if I was familiar with her.”
Christina shook her head. “I still can’t figure out how I didn’t know she was there from the get go.” Her troubled eyes were trained on the fire. “I was there the whole time, and I didn’t see, hear or sense anything.” Her eyes met his. “And I’m pretty good at that sort of thing. Better than most.”
Graham nodded, not doubting her in the least. “’Tis bloody odd, then.”
“Aye,” Grant murmured as he contemplated it. “’Twas almost as if she put out a frequency to attract Graham alone. One connected solely to water.”
Christina frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means whoever that was didnae want you to know she was there,” Grant said softly as his eyes met hers. “I also tend to think she wasnae from around here.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at that as Bryce said, “Do you mean to say you think she was from the future?”
“Mayhap.” Grant’s eyes stayed with hers. “The last time you saw Jessie, she was sitting in front of the fire in New Hampshire, aye? Then there was nothing but a cryptic note.”
“A picture, actually.” Christina crossed her arms over her chest and nodded for him to continue.
“I wonder about your friend Jessie more and more,” Grant said gently. “How much do you actually know about her?”
“Less and less by the day it seems,” Christina muttered. “Care to share what you’re gettin’ at?”
“You know full well what I’m getting at,” Grant said. “Lindsay told you everything, did she not? About her strange feeling that the healer that cared for me at the Action at Happrew felt familiar before she vanished. Then what the warlock said about a wee witch controlling him.”
Graham slipped his hand into Christina’s when she tensed and frowned. “Yeah, I’ve followed everything, and I don’t know what to make of it. What I do know is that Jessie isn’t evil.” She shook her head. “She might be strange as all get out but she’s not evil. Not in the least. Just different.” She rolled her shoulders a little. “I tend to know these things.”
Grant nodded. “Aye, I know you do, lass, and I meant no harm by my words.” His eyes met Graham’s before they returned to hers. “I just think ‘tis best to be vigilant and not overly trust anything or anyone right now...no matter how well you think you know them.”
Christina’s frown only deepened as her eyes stayed with Grant’s. “So you’re telling me not to trust one of my closest friends if we cross paths again?”
“He’s asking you to be careful,” Bryce said. “And I agree with him.”
Her eyes shot to Bryce. “Agree with him?” Indignant, her head whipped back. “You know nothing about Jessie.” She shook her head again. “You might not like hearing it, but it needs to be said because I have a bad habit of saying what’s on my mind whether people like it or not.” Her eyes remained on his cousin. “While I’m thankful for what you did for me and what you’ve done for Milly and Lindsay, as a whole, I keep wondering about something.”
Bryce had no chance to talk before she continued.
“Who do you really care about in all this outside of yourself and your kin?” She kept shaking her head. “Because I don’t think it’s so much my friends. Not beyond saving a damsel in distress. No, I think all you really care about is getting out of some marriage pact.”
Disappointment flashed in her eyes as she went on. “What kind of man tries to skip out on his obligations? Who is this woman you’re hurting so much? Because her feelings have to be hurt by your actions...” She clenched her jaw. “Unless she doesn’t know, which is even worse.”
Graham tensed and shifted closer to Christina, not because of his cousin’s reaction but possibly the dragon within. If he were going to protect anyone, it would be her.
“Careful, Cousin,” he said into Bryce’s mind. “I see the beast flaring in your eyes.”
“Aye, but not for the reasons ye think,” he responded. His eyes never left Christina’s as he responded. “The way of dragons is verra set, lass. We have one mate, be she human or dragon.”
“So it’s cut in stone by some higher power?” She kept frowning. “If that’s the case why would you ever agree to marry someone if you didn’t know for sure they were your mate?”
“’Tis complicated,” Bryce said softly as he clenched his jaw but never looked away. “And unfortunate.”
Still frowning, she shook her head.
Graham bit back a sigh, knowing full well the truth behind Bryce’s vague words. That he wasn’t quite as callous as he sounded.
“You should get back to sleep, Uncle Grant,” Graham said. “All of us should.”
Grant’s eyes flickered between Bryce and Christina before they met Graham’s and he nodded. “’Tis a verra wise suggestion, Nephew.” He settled back. “Rest well, all. May things be clearer on the morn.”
That was Grant’s way of saying nothing more would be discussed.
“Come, lass,” Graham said softly as he spread a plaid on the ground. “Rest with me.”
“My pleasure,” she grumbled, still eying Bryce with distrust as she did as Graham asked. His cousin scowled, clearly not pleased as Graham lay down beside her. Yet it was also clear he wasn’t all that willing to battle it out right now.
That what she had said bothered him.
“I’m sorry, Cousin,” he said into Bryce’s mind. “She doesnae ken...”
“None of ye truly do,” Bryce muttered as he rolled over and cut off all contact.
The truth was Graham did. He knew what it felt like to be committed to another, whether or not it was truly what he wanted. While yes, in Bryce’s case, it might be a bit more extreme due to an inherent need to be with his mate, it was still very difficult for anyone going through it.
Graham pulled Christina back against him, covered her with a blanket and rested his chin on the top of her head. He had never felt so content as she pressed back against him.
“You feel amazing just like this...all wrapped around me,” Christina’s unintentional words floated through his mind. Then other words, scattered and whisper soft as she drifted off to sleep. “I hope it’s you...if anyone’s meant for me...”
In total agreement, he pulled her tighter against him, more at peace than he could ever remember as he drifted off to sleep. As he slept, he returned to the river with Christina and held her in his arms once more.
This time he sensed no other magic but brought her onto the shore as he had before but this time, nothing stopped him from coming together with her. Yet as dreams tend to do, it only came in snippets. Images of her arching in pleasure beneath him, groaning, finding release.
Then they were lying together much as they did in the cave with his front to her back as they eyed her ring, wishing it would shine the color of his eyes. No more pretending. Yet as they stared, it remained a clear gem.
Moments later, his eyes were drawn to the forest. The very spot he knew his dagger had hit a lass. Though he couldn’t see her shadow this time, he could hear her whispered words. “No more pretending.”
Seconds later, Christina’s gem began glowing brightly.
Gold.
The exact shade of his cousin’s eyes.
Startled from sleep, he bolted upright at the same moment as Christina. They frowned at each other before their eyes went to her ring.
“Oh no,” she whispered. “Tell me you don’t see that.”
He did. Her gem remained golden.
“Even if my cousin doesnae,” Bryce said softly, his eyes trained on her gem. “I do.”
As if aware of the sudden disc
ontent in the pre-dawn cave, Grant’s eyes opened and he frowned at the ring. “This doesnae mean anything until it means something.”
“Och, it means Christina’s my lass,” Bryce growled, his eyes narrowed on Graham. “And well ye know it, Cousin.”
“Nothing can be trusted when it comes to the ring, and you both ken that by now,” Grant muttered as he sat up and yawned. “Dinnae forget that Milly’s gem glowed the color of both of your eyes at first.”
“Aye, but she heard Adlin’s voice in her mind first,” Bryce reminded. “Just as Christina heard mine.”
“Which could verra well happen if she’s already found her one true love and connected with him,” Grant reiterated.
“Which she hasnae because she has not heard Graham’s voice within her mind,” Bryce stated bluntly.
“But she has,” Graham retaliated.
Grant perked up. “She has?”
“Aye, twice now,” he supplied. “Surely that means something.”
“Just twice then,” Grant said softly, a speculative look on his face as he contemplated Christina. “Yet Graham hears your voice all the time. ‘Tis strange that.”
“How so?” she asked.
“I cannae be entirely sure yet but what I do know is that something is amiss.” His eyes went to Bryce. “All aside, that Graham heard her within his mind first is telling. It means something. ‘Tis hard to know what but seeing how they clearly desire one another, ‘tis worth paying attention to.” He shrugged. “And there is the fact they passed through one another under the influence of Conall and Lindsay’s magic before they ever met.”
Bryce frowned. “What difference does that make?”
“It could make all the difference,” Grant explained. “Mayhap it scrambled their signals, and that’s why Christina cannae hear Graham more frequently. Or mayhap Christina’s evident brushing with a warlock within her mind when she first met the Bruce is affecting her.” He shook his head. “Or it might even have to do with the residual effects of the wound inflicted on Graham by Conall and Lindsay’s warlock.”
Grant’s eyes stayed with Bryce, his brogue thickening as he grew sterner. “Either way, ye’ll not assume Christina is yers until we know for certain.” Before his cousin had a chance to respond, Grant continued. “And if ‘tis somehow proved she really is yer true love, ye’ll do nothing about it unless she feels the same and comes to ye.” His eyes narrowed. “Do ye ken, Nephew?”
“Aye,” Bryce grumbled, obviously displeased.
Graham was never more grateful that Grant was here. Otherwise, things might have gone considerably different between him and his cousin.
“Come, we should travel a bit further before we double back on the morrow,” Grant said as he stood. “’Tis not good to stay in one place overly long. We’ll hunt and eat along the way.”
As they packed up their belongings, Grant’s eyes went between Graham and Christina. “I sensed you two awoke at the same time. Tell me about the dream you shared...what you saw.”
Christina glanced at Grant, surprised. “How do you know I had a dream...and what makes you think Graham had the same one?”
“Uncle Grant is verra powerful,” Graham explained though she likely already knew as much. “Like Adlin, he tends to know things others dinnae.”
It didn't shock Graham that they might have shared a dream. Yet he was curious about her take on it.
Christina’s eyes met his. “I’d like to hear about your dream first if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” So he told them what happened. “’Twas most certainly the same lass I may have wounded earlier though I dinnae quite ken how I know that.”
“It was,” Christina said softly, worry in her eyes. “Because I saw her...every feature.”
“And?” Grant replied.
“It was definitely Jessie.” She swallowed hard. “And she wasn’t alone.”
Tension made his muscles tighten. What put that sudden flash of fear in her eyes? “Who else did you see?”
“Two tall hooded figures dressed from head to toe in black,” she whispered.
Bryce frowned, troubled. “So the warlock’s have her?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Sadness and concern met her eyes. “I think she has them.”
Chapter Thirteen
CHRISTINA TRIED TO keep the image of Jessie and the warlocks out of her mind, but it was nearly impossible as the day wore on. The eerie, powerful look in her friend’s eyes as she peered down at Christina and Graham. The warlocks had stood behind her with their heads bowed, as though obedient, well-trained soldiers.
There had been something else though. Something she had not shared with the others and had no idea why except that it was meant for one person’s ears. Bryce’s. Though it should probably alarm her that she felt that way, it didn’t. Almost as if it were a message being delivered that only she could carry and only Bryce could hear.
Yet how to present it? More than that, how to apologize for her rude behavior last night?
“I need to go talk to your cousin,” she finally said after several hours of walking with Graham. They had chatted the whole time, getting to know one another better. Like it had been from the beginning, they got along exceptionally well. He made her laugh more often than not. Actually, they made each other laugh quite a bit.
She was surprised despite their markedly different upbringings that they had so much to talk about. But they did, and she had a feeling they always would. That time spent together would never be boring.
She told him about how her mother had died in childbirth, and her father took off soon after leaving her with Granny. How life wasn’t easy, but at least she was always well-loved. He told her about his childhood too. The ups and downs of living during such a difficult era but the many happy memories of growing up with his fellow wizards. Their endless antics as they came into their powers. Most especially Adlin.
All in all, like her, he was grateful for the people he called his own and how they shaped the person he had become.
“Aye, lass, I figured you might want to talk to Bryce eventually,” he said in answer to her previous statement. “Do you want me to join you?”
“Why’d you figure I might want to talk to Bryce?”
“Because you have a kind heart,” he said softly. “And you need to better understand where his mind is at.”
She nodded, not all that surprised he understood her so well. While tempted to tell him there was more to the dream, she felt she should speak with Bryce about it first. So she kissed Graham’s cheek then joined Bryce who had been walking a little ways behind with Grant.
“Mind if I speak with Bryce alone?” she asked.
Grant nodded then joined Graham.
Not one to mince words, she came right out with the first part of what she needed to say. “I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to be so rude. I was just frustrated, and took it out on you.”
Bryce nodded, his expression hard to read. “Dinnae worry, lass. All is well.”
“I don’t know that it is and I want to smooth things over between us which means understanding where your head’s at.” Her eyes went to him. “I know you’re a genuinely good guy. That there’s nothing you wouldn’t do for your family. So I guess I just need to understand why you don’t want to marry a woman if it helps your family.” She cocked her head. “Because isn’t that what pre-arranged marriages are? Arranged by your family? Or did you somehow arrange it yourself?”
“Nay, ‘twas arranged by my Grandma Torra on her deathbed,” he said gruffly. “To a lass I have never met.”
Christina nodded. “Isn’t that how it sometimes goes in this day and age?” She tried not to frown. “And while I still don’t think too highly of you wanting to leave this girl in the lurch, I’m curious. Is your grandmother half dragon? If so, why would she want an arranged marriage for you when she knows you’re supposed to end up with your true mate?”
“A question I’ve often asked since,”
he groused. “But ‘twas made betwixt my grandma, grandda and parents, dragons all outside of Grandda. So except for a Broun, MacLomain connection, there isnae any dodging it.”
“Weird that they’d do that to you,” she murmured, trying to keep things lighthearted. “So who’s the lucky gal?”
“Mayhap you,” he said so softly she barely caught it. “She is an unnamed lass who will always love another.”
She frowned and shook her head. “What does that even mean? And why the heck would your kin commit you to someone like that?” The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. “And what about the Broun, MacLomain connection? Did they just assume that wasn’t gonna happen to you?”
“’Tis always impossible to know what the future will hold,” he replied. “If not for Aðísla’s prophetic vision, I dinnae think Grant and Adlin would have created the rings, to begin with.” He shrugged. “A vision the Viking foresaw after my marriage pact was made.”
“Well, that’s too bad,” she said. “Did anyone ever say why this marriage was so important that you had to give up being with your destined mate, wherever she might be? That seems kind of harsh in my opinion...especially considering most of your kin are dragons themselves.”
“’Tis not for me to question my elders,” he said. “All I know is that this match was important for the future of the MacLeods and that’s all that matters.”
It was clear he was proud of his clan and had no wish to let them down. Yet... “I guess I can’t really blame you for wanting out of this marriage, but the question remains. Aren’t you, by wanting to be with a Broun, letting your kin down? They have to be aware of what you’re up to.”
“Aye, I cannae say I’m overly proud of my actions in light of just that,” he conceded. “But even they know a connection such as this is necessary to save Scotland. And our country must come before our clan.”
She supposed she understood where he was coming from. It might not seem the noblest of things, but then she hadn’t walked in his shoes. What would it be like to be told you had to be with a complete stranger? Even worse, that they would never love you?
The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4) Page 69