Obviously, they were telepathically connected with their MacLomains. All of which she was sure Grant had been in touch with by now.
“Yes, I compelled you to keep the fire going,” Jessie replied. “It magnified my magic and helped me time-travel.”
Christina nodded and grinned. “Well, I’m just glad I could be there for you.”
Jessie nodded, still amazed by how wonderful they were being.
“I’m sorry that I’ve been dishonest with both of you all this time.” Jessie’s eyes went to the fire on the hearth. “That our entire friendship has been based on a lie.”
“No, it hasn’t, Jessie.” Milly shook her head. “Now that we know your reasons, we completely understand why you had to do what you did.” She reached across the table and took her hand, squeezing it until Jessie met her eyes. “We love you for all the moments in between. The fun times we’ve had.”
“That’s right,” Christina agreed. “And don’t you forget it.”
Jessie could only manage a small nod as another rush of emotion overwhelmed her. She swallowed hard before she finally murmured, “And Lindsay?”
“She feels the same way as us,” Milly assured. “She would’ve been here if she could have but don’t worry, you’ll see her soon enough.”
“Good,” she whispered, more relieved than she let on that they all still seemed to care so much. It was more than she had hoped for.
“Naturally, we have more questions but now’s not the time,” Milly said. “I know you’ve been here for a while in spirit form, but still, this has got to be a lot.”
“It is,” Jessie murmured as she nibbled. “But know that I’ll answer any questions you have whenever you like.” Her eyes flickered from Christina to Milly. “If nothing else, I owe it to you.”
“I don’t know, honey,” Christina replied. “The way I see it you’ve been protecting not only us but the whole country of Scotland for a long time so I’d say we owe it to you to give you a little breathing room.”
Again overwhelmed by their response, all she could do was nod once more as her eyes went to the water. “I’d love to bathe if it’s all right with you.”
“Sure,” Christina exclaimed. “Would you like us to stay or wait outside?”
Jessie glanced from Erin back to them. What she would prefer was to bathe in private. Even so. “Maybe just a few minutes alone...well, with Erin here of course.”
They nodded and headed for the door before Milly stopped in passing, put a hand on her shoulder and met her eyes. “If you need us, just holler. We’ll be waiting outside the door.”
“Thank you.” She put her hand over Milly’s. “I’ll be okay.”
After they left, Erin stuck her hand in the tub of water and chanted. “There we go. All warmed up.” Her eyes met Jessie’s as she gestured at a small table beside the tub. “Everything you need is right there. Soap and a towel as well as shampoo and a concoction to condition your hair with that I whipped up. A change of clothes is on the bed.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” As soon as Erin turned away and looked out the window, Jessie stripped down and slipped into the blissfully warm water. Though it felt wonderful and she was tempted to linger, she was uncomfortably aware of Bryce’s mother.
“You seem to have had a nice reunion with your friends,” Erin said softly, likely trying to ease the awkward situation. Because truthfully, they both knew that if Jessie could stop a dragon with fire than having a dragon keep an eye on her was sort of pointless. “I’m glad. Friends and family are very important.”
“Yes, they are,” Jessie responded.
Silence stretched before Erin finally said what was really weighing on her mind. “Bryce is meant for you, isn’t he? And you’ve known it for a long time.”
Jessie swallowed hard, unsure if she should answer this or not. So she remained as truthful as she was capable of at the moment. “Yes, there is a very good chance, and I have known it for a long time.”
Silence settled again as Erin likely contemplated that before she finally said, “Are you aware he’s promised to marry another?”
“I am,” Jessie murmured.
“And your thoughts on that?” Erin prompted.
Her thoughts were varied and complicated, but she certainly had no intention of sharing that just yet. “My thoughts don’t go much beyond ensuring Scotland’s survival.” She made her voice firm and was absolutely honest with Erin. “That means I intend to make sure the magic of my ring is ignited, no matter what it takes.”
If Erin was taken aback by Jessie’s straightforward response, she didn’t let on. “True love can’t be forced.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Jessie replied. “Nor do I have any idea how to force love.” She kept her voice firm though she would much rather get to know Erin better and perhaps bond. Nonetheless, she had been in control of all this for far too long and showing weakness now, especially to a woman like Erin, wasn’t wise. “What I do know is that the MacLomain, Broun connection exists and that it’s powerful. More than that, I have faith in it to find me when the time is right.”
Erin remained silent after that. Jessie didn’t blame her. Not only had a woman come along that probably struck her as powerful as Grant and Adlin but pretty much declared she would have her son if it meant saving Scotland.
Yet she got the feeling Erin had been testing her. Not only that but she suspected Erin sensed Jessie’s connection with her daughter. How could she not? Dragons were known for the deep bond they made with their offspring no matter how short their lives might have been.
After she toweled off, Jessie put on a lovely crème colored dress with flecks of moss that made her darker skin tone grow more luminous. It was fitted closer to her body than anything she had ever worn. She peered down at her cleavage, unsure, as she murmured a chant to manipulate air and cinched up the back. Oh, goodness, that did nothing but plump her breasts up even more.
“You look beautiful,” Erin said softly, having finally turned Jessie’s way.
“Thanks,” she whispered, not at all comfortable in something so revealing. She touched her hair, manipulated the air and dried it instantly.
“You don’t worry about using your magic then?” Erin asked as she eyed Jessie over, making adjustments here and there. “The warlocks you were so close to for so long can’t sense it?”
“No, not here,” Jessie replied. “When I am no longer surrounded by stone or fire, they likely will though.” She didn’t avert her eyes when Erin’s returned to hers but remained forthright because she felt Bryce’s mother deserved as much. “Once we travel beyond these castle walls, I will become the number one target of my...the warlocks even before the fate of Scotland.” And though she hated to be so blunt, she knew Erin would prefer it. After all, once upon a time in the twenty-first century, Erin had been military. “Not only that but I will be more weakened and vulnerable than ever now that I no longer have the warlocks’ protection...or connection so to speak.”
Erin didn’t bat a lash or lose eye contact with Jessie but notched her chin in defiance. “You might be weakened in some regards but based on what I see in your eyes, not in the ways that will matter most.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Because you’re not afraid of them, right? You’re not afraid of these last two warlocks you face.” Before Jessie could respond, she continued firmly. “Because if you are, getting over that is the first thing you need to do or all else is lost.”
“I know.” Jessie nodded, glad however odd the conversation may be that someone saw what she had to do. “It won’t be easy, though.”
“Nothing so important ever is.” Erin surprised her when she held Jessie’s hands between hers as their eyes remained locked. “But you will do it. And you will do it with every last bit of strength you have.”
“Absolutely,” she began but trailed off when something unexpected started to happen.
In a split second, Bryce’s life flashed before her eyes. Him as a baby, a child then all the ye
ars between then and now. When he walked, then embraced his dragon for the first time. Enthralled and bewitched by everything being shown to her, she almost didn’t catch what was going on. Regrettably, by the time she did, it was already too late.
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.”
The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4) Page 85