The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4)

by Purington, Sky

  “Aye.” He squeezed her hand gently. “Then we will do that, lass.”

  “How though?” Her eyes returned to his. “When you’re promised to another?”

  True and it was something he’d been giving a great deal of thought to since his grandfather had said not to fight an attraction to Jessie. More so, since he witnessed what his mother was willing to do for her.

  “You say you were close to Ainsley.” He watched her intently. “So it stands to reason you might know more about the prophetic vision my sister shared with my dying grandmother. The one about who I’m to marry.”

  “I know little more than you,” she murmured as she pulled her hand from his. “What I do know is that there were only four MacLomain men meant for my friends and me.” Her eyes leveled with his. “And you are, without a doubt, one of them.”

  “So then we’ve a riddle to solve.” He finally took a swig of ale. “Because if what you say is true than you’re the lass Ainsley was talking about. It can be no other way.” He cast her a curious sidelong glance. “That means she could verra well have been sending a cryptic warning, aye? Preparing me for what I might face with you?”

  She frowned. “I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

  He had to give her credit. She was very good at lying. But he saw a little something there in her guarded expression. She was keeping something from him. Something very important.

  “I think you do know what I’m getting at,” he said softly, his eyes never wavering from hers as he became more confident about his speculations. “Ainsley said I was destined to marry an unnamed lass who will always love another. She never said it wasnae a Broun lass. So it could verra well be you.” He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes as he became more sure of himself. As the most likely possibility became clear. “So keeping in mind that you are my destined wife, I can only wonder...who do you love, lass? Who is it you will always love?”

  Thick tension fell as their gazes held and her eyes grew moist.

  While he figured for sure she would continue lying or fabricate some wild tale to defend herself, she instead shocked him when she whispered the last thing he expected.

  “You.”

  Chapter Seven

  THOUGH IT MIGHT NOT be the best move considering her current circumstances, Jessie took a few sips of ale before she finally came clean with Bryce. Because the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it made her, needed to be shared sooner rather than later if they hoped to save Scotland.

  “When I told you that I figured I was meant to be with you because you’re a dragon and my strongest element is fire, that wasn’t the whole truth.” She shook her head. “Not by a long shot.” She took another sip of ale before she rallied her courage and met his eyes again. “As you know, one of the last two warlocks possesses a part of my grandfather’s essence.” Her voice softened as her eyes stayed with his. “The other warlock possesses yours, Bryce.”

  Renewed shock settled on his face. “That’s impossible.”

  “No it’s not,” she murmured. “The warlock was at the conception of the rings as was your essence.” She flinched. “The truth is, making you part of him was rather brilliant.” She took another few sips and ignored the warmth spreading through her. “What better way to fight me in the end if need be?”

  “’Tis truly unsettling.” Bryce crossed his arms over his chest. “How did it know to steal some of my essence when my cousins’ essences were part of the process as well?”

  “Simple really.” Jessie did her best to hold his gaze. “It took the essence of the soul most compatible with mine.” She swallowed hard again. “Dark magic is capable of many things but above all recognizing good souls and bad. Even good ones that can be turned bad or vice versa. Along those same lines, it can see compatible souls lining up almost like DNA markers of close family members.” She shrugged. “So yes, while there was the slightest possibility the warlock could’ve been wrong when he picked yours, it turned out he wasn’t.”

  “Och,” Bryce muttered as he downed half his mug then eyed her again. “So am I to understand I’m missing part of my soul?”

  “Yes and no,” she said. “What he took from you was more cloned than anything...sort of...it’s very hard to explain.”

  “Well, try.” A heavy frown settled on his face. “Please.”

  “While what he took from you doesn’t affect the man you’ve become or the soul growth you’ve experienced in this life, you’re bound to feel complete in an unexplainable way once he’s gone,” she said. “Yet, as you’ve grown so has he. In fact, it was the part of you in him that kept me strong all these years. The only real light that existed for me.”

  He downed the rest of his ale, his eyes never leaving hers as his brogue grew so thick she barely understood him. “So I’m to ken ye fell in love with this warlock version of me then, aye?” His brows snapped together. “So I’m in competition with...myself.” He managed to pour more ale without ever taking his eyes off of her. “And ye’ll always be in love with him according to Ainsley.” He shook his head. “How do we ignite yer ring then?” His brows shot up. “More than that, how do we, I, really trust ye through all this when ye love the bloody enemy?”

  “It’s not him I love,” she whispered. “It’s you.” She shook her head, frustrated. “What Ainsley shared with your grandmother was the only way to prepare you for me without flat out saying it. As it was, the warlocks could sometimes track her too. If they did, they would think, based on her words, that I remain devoted to them...him. That I was very much on their side.” She kept shaking her head. “But as I’ve already said, I’m not.” She clenched her jaw. “I never was.”

  “But how do I know that with any certainty?” he said. “Unlike you, I dinnae have the benefit of knowing you better, or at least parts of you, as you did with me.”

  “Not yet,” she murmured. “But I strongly suspect you will as our journey continues.” Her eyes never left his. “As we grow closer, I believe you will start to recall his memories of me. Your memories so to speak. Once he’s gone, and you get your essence back, you should remember everything.”

  “But they arenae my memories,” he argued, a flash of aggravation in his eyes. “They are his...its.”

  “But they will be yours in the end.” She dropped her eyes to the fire again, not sure what else she could say to convince him.

  “I dinnae ken why Ainsley would bother preparing me for you,” he muttered, “when you yourself said she was desperate to connect me with a Broun lass so I would be protected by the MacLomain, Broun connection.”

  “You can’t fault the impulsive act of someone that loves you so much and is determined to protect you,” she said softly. “Ainsley knew full well what the warlocks were capable of and while yes, she knew you and I were destined for one another she was terrified for you.” She shook her head. “She never should have contacted your grandmother, but I think in some ways it was impossible for her to stay away. You were her family though she had very little time with you.”

  She cleared her throat, uncomfortable continuing though she did regardless. “Your sister very much wanted us to be together and got that message across to you and your family the only way she knew how.”

  Silence fell for a stretch as his eyes settled on the fire and he digested what she had shared. Every second felt like an eternity. How did he truly feel about being meant for her? Did he believe what she had said about Ainsley? While tempted to follow his thoughts, she did her best to keep her mind respectfully disconnected from his. This was a lot of troubling information for anyone, and he deserved his privacy while he came to terms with it.

  After what seemed like centuries, he murmured, “We will rest for the eve then on the morrow you will begin telling me about some of these memories you and the warlock shared. ‘Tis important that I get a better idea of what I’m up against...how close you truly got to him...”

  The suspicious way he said it made her eyes go to his. What she saw
there, however, was not what she expected. While yes, there was some doubt, there was also jealousy. Though a strange little bolt of pleasure went through her at that, she focused on what he was really getting at.

  “I shared no intimacies with him,” she said, being honest. “That’s not to say he didn’t want as much.”

  Bryce’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “Did you as well?”

  “I’d be lying if I said that on occasion I wasn’t curious. He was the closest I’ve ever come to love or being desired by a man.” She shook her head. “Yet I always knew his touch would be no different than the others. Very, very unpleasant. Contact with something born of evil is indescribable.” She took a deep breath and pushed memories of her mother down. “That’s why I was so grateful Mama’s death was swift.”

  Bryce nodded but said nothing more as they went to bed. No matter how much she tried to give him privacy, his troubling thoughts still came through here and there. How sad he was about her life. How frustrated he was that a warlock had stolen a small piece of him before he was even conceived. Angry that his sister had somehow gotten wrapped up in all this.

  She was a little surprised by what was most prevalent in his mind though. That a warlock had so many memories with her when he did not. That the warlock was there to offer her some small measure of peace where Bryce was not.

  Yet who he was at heart was there with her all along. Because what the warlock stole from him was a mere piece of a whole that was good. That was Bryce. A man who would do anything to protect those he cared about. Moreover, a man who would always protect someone in danger.

  Though she thought she would have trouble sleeping alone in the same room with him, the opposite proved true, and she drifted off to sleep quickly. When she woke, it was daylight, and he was roasting rabbit on a small spit over the fire.

  As if he knew she was waking up, his eyes went to hers, and he nodded. “Good morn, lass.”

  “Good morning,” she murmured, relieved that he didn’t seem upset anymore.

  “I hunted.” He gestured at the table. “And brought in some fresh water.” His eyes went to a satchel. “Christina made sure you had a change of clothes too.”

  She nodded, thankful, as she joined him and took a few sips of water. “I appreciate all this.”

  He nodded and said nothing more at first. When he did finally speak, his words were measured. “While I didn’t go into much detail, you should know that for their own safety, I warned Graham, Christina, Sven, and Aðísla about how verra dangerous the last warlock really is.” His eyes turned to hers. “And that it might have a hold over you that we all need to prepare for.”

  She nodded, understanding his need to share with them. Because if things took an unfortunate turn and she wasn’t strong enough in the end, it would be necessary for them to treat her like the enemy.

  “Furthermore,” he continued as he removed the cooked rabbit and began slicing off several pieces. “I’ve decided that though I’m eager to learn more about the connection you shared with the last warlock, you’ve been through a lot and dinnae need to be pestered straightaway.”

  His eyes returned to hers as he handed her a plate of meat. “I also wanted to thank you for being so honest with me last night. You’ve dealt with far more than most and need good people around you now.” He shook his head. “Sharing such things could have verra well put you at risk if we chose not to believe you.”

  Would it ever have.

  “But we do believe you, Jessie,” he went on. “I believe you.” He poured her some more water. “So now we will move forward with trust between us rather than doubt. Because as far as I can see, there is no other way. Not if we hope to ignite the power of your ring.”

  She didn’t realize how truly concerned she had been until he said those words. Until he gave her such sound reassurance. She blinked several times as an unexpected wave of emotion rolled over her.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “You don’t know how grateful I am to hear you say that.”

  “Aye, then,” he murmured. He cleared his throat before his eyes met hers and he made a declaration she didn’t see coming. “I intend to move forward with the certain knowledge that you are without a doubt the lass I’m meant to marry. Therefore, I will pursue you with that in mind.” He shook his head and took her hand. “That means I will make sure you have no further designs on a simple piece of me when you can have the whole of me.”

  Her cheeks warmed beneath the determination in his eyes, the flicker of fire. She saw not just his but his dragon’s intent. Before all was said and done, he meant to seduce her. Which made perfect sense and was truly the only way to ignite the ring. Still, she suddenly felt like a novice. She had no experience. Nothing to offer him.

  “Dinnae worry, lass,” he said softly, obviously catching those thoughts. “I have enough experience for us both.” Her heart skipped a beat as he brushed his finger over the tender flesh of her inner wrist. “When the time comes, the last thing that will be on your mind will be pleasing me.” The devil lit his eyes and the corner of his lips curled up. “In truth, ye’ll be unable to focus on anything but how I make ye feel.”

  Now her cheeks were flat out burning. While some women might be put off by his forthright arrogance, she wasn’t. Mainly because she knew it was the truth and in some small way appreciated his confidence. After all, a part of her had wanted this for a very long time. Him. The chance to be together when she had begun to give up hope.

  As they ate, they chatted about less serious things. Normal stuff like the types of food they liked and enjoyable pastimes. She shared her love for herbs and skills at healing. He shared his various responsibilities as laird that, naturally, made up a big part of his life.

  “The poultice soothed my wound greatly,” he said. “Thank you, lass.”

  “Of course,” she replied, glad to hear it.

  “Though I thought to wait, I find myself eager to know more about my sister,” he finally said, his eyes both sad and curious as they met hers. “Might you share a wee bit about the time you spent with Ainsley? What she was like?”

  While some might speculate he was testing her to see how well she really knew his sister, she sensed that wasn’t his intention at all. He had already made the decision to pursue Jessie with or without this information. He simply wanted to know the sister he never got a chance to meet.

  “It would be my pleasure.” Jessie offered a soft smile as she remembered her friend. “In some ways, she was a lot like you. Protective, brave,” she shook her head, “a little stubborn.” Then she smiled. “Definitely playful. She loved embracing her dragon and flying all over New England.” She chuckled. “I think she gave conspiracy theorists more to talk about than Area 51.”

  A small smile ghosted his face. “What is Area 51?”

  “A highly classified Air Force facility in Nevada,” she informed. “Long speculated to be a place where the government hides anything related to extra-terrestrials.” She gave him a pointed look and even a wink. “So basically, like Ainsley’s dragon, not all that believable.”

  “So she could shift even in spirit form,” he mused. “I would not have thought it.”

  “She could, and she was beautiful.” Jessie had been so impressed. “She was black as night and huge...and of course mischievous.” She looked up at the ceiling and smiled as though it were the night sky in Maine. “She picked evenings bright with moonlight so that those who were more susceptible to seeing spirits wouldn’t miss her.”

  “Her dragon looks like mine then,” he said softly. “I always wondered when I imagined what it would’ve been like to fly alongside her.” He shook his head. “I suppose it makes sense she would look like me considering we were twins.”

  Though he clearly warred with a variety of emotions, the look in his eyes was only thankful as they met hers and she continued sharing stories. While most memories of Ainsley were very good and Jessie’s only salvation, her friend had a more secretive side too.


  “But she was also mysterious.”

  “How so,” he asked.

  “I just always got the feeling she kept something from me,” she said. “And that whatever it was bothered her greatly.”

  They didn’t talk much more about it because there wasn’t much to say. Jessie had no idea then and certainly no clue now as to what her friend might have been hiding from her. She supposed at this point it didn’t matter because Ainsley was gone. Or at least it had felt that way until sharing childhood memories with Bryce. Reminiscing with her brother kept Ainsley alive in some small way, and Jessie was grateful for it.

  “So did the warlocks worry that you might be a dragon too?” Bryce asked. “Considering they thought you two were sisters.”

  “No, they knew everything I was.” She shook her head. “So I was no threat.”

  “Yet as it turned out, you verra much were,” he murmured, clearly impressed by her as they continued talking. Unfortunately, however, considering how much she enjoyed chatting with him, they eventually had to get going.

  By the time she changed—during which he waited outside—he seemed much more at ease with her than before. She, in turn, felt the same. It was one thing to know him in a sense through the warlock and another to get to know the man himself. As far as she could tell, he was as noble and kind as she always knew he would be. Unlike the warlock, however, he had a sense of humor and was quick to smile.

  “So has Angus or John confirmed that history has unfolded as it should have up to this point?” she asked as she joined him and they started toward the ships where everyone else was supposed to meet them. The day was cloudy and somewhat windy. Not too bad a day for sailing.

  “Aye, all seems to have gone as history tells it, and it has been an eventful year for King Edward II.” He grinned as they reflected on everything that had happened leading up to Robert the Bruce requesting Angus’ aid. “As told, it started badly with a continuing revolt by Edward’s cousin, the Earl of Lancaster and Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford after Edward reneged on undertakings made at parliament in thirteen twenty-one. Those which limited him and his favorites abuses of power.” He shook his head. “And as reported, Edward was further enraged by the judicial murder of Piers Gaveston whose head was presented to the Earl of Lancaster.”