When Julie looked at her curiously, she told them about her nausea when she came in contact with the stone. She explained the details of the vandalism and how she sensed it might be more than just kids playing a prank.
“The cops believe the sacrificial table was vandalized with power tools, but I dunno.” She shook her head. “I think it was made to look that way, so what really happened wouldn’t be obvious.”
Julie and Tiernan glanced at each other with concern, likely thinking about the ominous sacrificial table at the Callanais Stonehenge. How it had played a role in the brotherhood gaining access to the Stonehenges. Though its table might not have been the same one on which the unicorn was sacrificed, it was most certainly connected somehow.
“Mayhap that’s how the brotherhood is connected to America’s Stonehenge,” Tiernan theorized. “Through its sacrificial table.”
“I think you're right,” Julie murmured, her magic sparking, her eyes troubled. She referred to her power being born of both the old gods and new. “And they’re definitely accessing Guardian Witch power if a cross was present too.”
A chill swept through Chloe. It was one thing to relate whatever happened at that sacrificial table with the old gods and paganism but to involve God? That just seemed like sacrilege.
“We will heed this new knowledge and pay closer attention to the sacrificial table in the twenty-first century,” Tiernan advised. His attention turned Chloe’s way. “I think the bigger concern at the moment remains how the possessions made you more vulnerable, lass.”
“Aye, Cousin,” Aidan agreed. They continued traveling. “I will keep a close eye on Chloe. With any luck, her igniting magic will reveal all in time.”
Tiernan nodded, glancing back one last time in the direction Cray had vanished. “At least now we know a fiery sunspot on my tattoo doesnae necessarily mean our cousin is finding trouble.”
“I don’t think he’d agree with you on that.” Julie snorted. “But it is an interesting side-effect of two dragons connecting across time.”
“Indeed,” Tiernan said.
Within the hour, River Tay appeared and soon after the town of Perth. She tried to act disinterested with everything but suspected the excitement showed on her face. While the air was certainly fresher here, that wasn’t the case in more metropolitan areas. Rather there were a variety of scents, some better than others. Like bread baking and roasting meats versus smoke, sweat, and horse manure. She counted around forty buildings, including a church, stables, armory, and a tavern. The houses were made with a mix of plank and wattle sides, many boasting slate roofs, some turf.
According to Aidan, Perth was one of the more established towns in these parts, complete with a mercat cross—market cross—at the end of its wide center street. Granted by the monarch, a bishop or baron, this gave a burgh the right to hold a regular market or fair. As a rule, it was located beside houses for nobles, burgesses and other significant inhabitants
She could hardly believe she was here witnessing history. Sure, it might not be overly famous history but history nonetheless. The armory and stables were busy as the retinue made its way into town. It was muddy underfoot, and the mood fairly somber yet raucous hooting and hollering could be heard from the tavern down the street.
“That sounds entertaining,” she commented as Aidan helped her down.
“Aye.” The corner of his mouth curled up. “With so many nobles and soldiers in town ’twill be plenty of lasses about. Some will be looking for a husband, most for coin.”
“Ah.” That made sense. Intrigued and wanting to see the show, she peered down the street.
“’Tis no place for a married lass, though.” He winked, his half grin firmly in place. “Besides, I thought you might prefer to dine with the King of Scotland.”
“You thought right,” she exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement this time.
As it turned out, it would be a while before that happened. The ceremony to make Donald the official regent took precedence. Something they didn’t attend, but that was okay because she had the chance to bathe instead. Though Aidan offered to wait outside the door to the room they’d been given at a small inn, she insisted he guard her from inside.
“We’re supposed to be married,” she reminded. “So how would that look?”
“True,” he agreed, sitting at a table in the corner. He didn’t look at her directly, but she knew he watched her out of the corner of his eye. “I suppose I’m just trying to make things more comfortable for you...normal.”
He really was considerate, and she appreciated it. But the truth was, nothing about any of this was normal. They had pretty much skipped the dating process and gone straight to the relationship part. Which, all things considered, didn’t feel nearly as odd or awkward as it should. But she supposed between the ring and however many previous lives they shared, that made sense.
Despite having already had sex and feeling like she knew him so well, she still felt bashful when she undressed. Nevertheless, she removed her clothes and climbed in. He had warmed her bath water with magic, and it soothed her sore muscles.
“I never realized how painful horseback riding could be,” she commented, lathering up with a crude looking yet flowery smelling soap.
When Aidan didn’t reply right away, she glanced at him only to find him staring at her with unmistakable desire.
“Aye, horseback riding can be taxing if you’re not used to it,” he said hoarsely, glancing away. He cleared his throat. “Especially when riding as much as we did.”
Just as aroused by that smoldering look as she had been by his affection all day, she continued bathing, casting him sidelong glances as often as he did her.
“Thank you for warming the water,” she commented, loving that he could do that with the flick of his wrist. “It must be a relief to have your magic working a little better.”
“Och, ‘tis,” he agreed wholeheartedly. “’Tis extremely difficult when it doesnae work as it should.”
“I can imagine,” she teased. “Then, you actually have to do things normally like the rest of us.”
When distress flared in his eyes, and his anxious thoughts brushed hers, she realized just how much a wizard was connected to his magic. How he only felt like half a man without it. While tempted to tell him he wouldn’t be, she kept quiet.
“’Tis all right, lass,” he said softly. “You dinnae need to keep quiet.”
“I just wish I knew what to say,” she murmured. “I've never met a wizard, so I'm clueless about what you’re going through. What it feels like to have your magic so off.”
“’Tis like losing a piece of who you are.” His eyes appeared haunted. “’Tis indescribable really. Our magic is tied in with our verra being. Our sense of self.” His brogue thickened. “If I were to equate it with anything, I suspect ‘tis worse than someone losing all their senses at once. Thrust into scentless, muffled darkness. Unable to feel a thing, even the metallic fear in their mouth.” He shook his head. “There is a sense of drawing closer to vast emptiness.”
Hell. That sounded terrifying. No wonder they were so troubled.
“Then let’s make sure that doesn’t happen to you guys.” She tried to sound flirtatious even as her heart went out to him. She winked, reminding him intimacy was a key factor, hoping he got the hint. “No matter what it takes.”
That got his mind back on track, and they chatted about less serious things. All the while, they checked each other out, imagining what came next. The bed? Floor? This very tub? How it would feel. Euphoric? Gravity defying? Likely both plus a zillion other naughty adjectives.
By the time she stood and wrapped a towel around her, she was so aroused, her legs felt liquefied. Yet still, her shyness returned. Something she’d never experienced with other men. Granted, they weren’t as hot as this one or nearly as good in bed but still. Her skin kept heating, and her heart raced. It almost felt unnatural.
Eventually, she couldn’t hold her tongue about
it anymore.
“Do you feel it, too, or is it just me?” she asked, well aware he followed her thoughts. She sat down at the table, still wrapped in her towel. “I’m not shy by nature but something about you,” she gestured between them, “whatever’s happening between us makes me feel more like a sheltered virgin than a modern day woman who’s no such thing.”
“I dinnae feel precisely what you feel, but I do feel...different,” he conceded, clearly trying to keep his eyes on her face rather than her scantily clad body. A courtesy that only turned her on more. “’Tis something I have never quite felt before...at least not in this life.”
If possible, her heart pounded even harder, and she felt a little breathless.
“Not in this life,” she murmured, resting her hand on the table. “So in another life.”
“Aye.” He placed his hand over hers, sounding surer than she expected, considering it undermined what he felt for Maeve. “I think what you’re feeling, what we’re feeling, is falling in love...again.”
The moment he said ‘again’ a strange sensation washed over her. Most certainly a sense that he was right but more than that. An overwhelming feeling of loss so strong she knew their love had been doomed.
More than that, looking into his tender gaze, she suddenly knew why.
Chapter Twenty-Two
HE FELT CHLOE’S heartache as though it were his own when she pulled her hand away and closed her eyes to grief.
“What just happened, lass?” He crouched in front of her and took her hands, not wanting her to suffer alone. “What did you just remember?”
“That it wasn’t allowed,” she whispered. Tears brimmed in her eyes when she opened them. “I was never supposed to engage with you, let alone fall in love with you.”
He knew she referred to their past life. The one where they finally gave in to their emotions.
As she remembered, so did he.
The deep love they had felt. The huge risk they took.
“I took that risk too.” He cupped her cheek, understanding more by the moment as he looked into her sparkling eyes. “I knew you would lose your immortality. And I knew that life would be the last we had together.”
“There was more, though,” she whispered. “Consequences for us both. Mine was my immortality and you, a final death...” She narrowed her eyes and shivered, trying to follow the knowledge as it revealed itself. Trying to understand more. “But I sense you evaded it somehow...yet you still have to pay up.” Her worried eyes met his. “Just like Tiernan did on his adventure.”
“Yet he is still here with us,” he reminded, wiping away her tears. “He is alive and well, lass.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance. “Just as I will be at the end of all this.”
“You better be,” she murmured. The sparkling receded from her worried gaze. She searched his eyes. “Because I don’t think I can stand to lose you again.”
“And you willnae.” He meant every word. “Because I refuse to lose you now that I have found you.” He shook his head. “I willnae let it happen.”
Over the course of the day, his feelings had become clearer, and at last, the undying devotion he’d felt for Maeve had waned if not vanished. Rather than guilt, he felt a sense of peace and, again, closure. As if in letting her go, he might have lent her peace in the afterlife.
Now, looking into Chloe’s eyes, he understood that, however true the love he felt for Maeve, it wasn’t this. It wasn’t what he felt when he was near Chloe. When they talked and laughed together. When they shared their lives and anticipated remembering previous ones.
In retrospect, he wondered at the feelings he had shared with Maeve. Had he been as smitten as he thought the first time he saw her? Did he have trouble looking away from her like he did Chloe? Had she made his heart race with anticipation every time she glanced his way?
He recalled none of that but more of a close friendship. It was as if the more he got to know Chloe, the more clearly he could see what he and Maeve had shared. How off it had been in a way he couldn’t quite figure out. Almost as though their feelings had not been real. Likely it had to do with Maeve being cast under a spell or perhaps even a side-effect of the Claddagh ring...of the love he was finding with Chloe.
And it was love.
The truest he had ever felt.
Once Chloe had gathered herself, and he knew she was going to be all right, he set to bathing as well. All the while, as they had when she bathed, they watched each other out of the corner of their eye. Though she had a slender stomach and legs, her arse and breasts were well-rounded, making constant arousal inevitable.
He had turned many a lass away since Maeve died without much trouble, but he knew had Chloe been here sooner, it would have been impossible. She had curves that seemed designed to fit his hands and skin so damn soft he wanted to taste every inch of it.
Every inch of her.
Honestly, it was a wonder he managed to dress without pulling her into his arms again. Without tasting her sweet lips and plunging deep inside her. But he felt she deserved more time. A wooing period so to speak. He was glad they had lain together last night but didn’t want to rush her into another encounter until she was ready.
As history foretold, they had nine more days until Regent Donald met his end, so there was time. Or so he hoped. Some might argue sleeping together would help them spark the power of the Claddagh ring faster, but they seemed to be progressing just fine as things were. He wanted to cherish this time.
To fall in love the way they both deserved.
They continued chatting as they readied themselves, laughing often, which did both their hearts good. By the time they were set to head downstairs, Chloe seemed much peppier. Back to herself. Which, naturally, made him happy, not to mention flirtatious. While he fully intended to take his time with her, that didn’t stop him from brushing his lips across hers before they left. Though tempted to kiss her longer, he feared he might not be able to stop.
“Remember to stick close to me at all times,” he warned. In truth, he had no intention of letting her out of his sight. Nonetheless, good intentions aside, she had a way of following her curiosity, and this was no place to do that. “You truly dinnae want to wander off alone here, lass.”
“No worries.” In typical Chloe fashion, she didn't sound as convincing as he would like. “I learned my lesson last time.”
Though tempted to tell her she’d by no means suffered the trouble that gown might have brought her at Edinburgh Castle, he kept quiet. Because again, he would not be letting her out of his sight.
By the time they joined the others, Cray had returned, and black clouds swallowed the setting sun. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the wind had picked up.
“Does it ever stop raining here?” Chloe commented. Her lovely eyes were round as saucers as they headed for wee King David’s holding.
“Aye.” Aidan chuckled. “Though ‘tis more like October weather right now, this much rain has been known to fall during summer.”
Between her and Julie’s beauty and Cray’s dark demeanor, they were drawing more eyes than he would like. Where the lasses were one thing, his cousin’s foul mood combined with his sheer size, drew the sort looking for trouble. Many were preparing to leave for battle and itching for a fight. One that Cray would undoubtedly enjoy giving them.
“Ye’ll need to improve yer mood, Cousin,” Tiernan said out of the corner of his mouth. “Or ye willnae be joining us to dine with the king, ye ken?”
“Aye,” Cray groused, his expression only slightly less fierce by the time they arrived at David’s holding. Thankfully, when they entered, no doubt because of the king himself, Cray’s expression was halfway civil.
As it happened, they were only dining with Robert Bruce and David, who seemed to be getting along just fine. Pleasantries were exchanged, and though he initially tried to act kingly and serious, eight year old David eventually smiled. He was glad to see Tiernan and Julie again. They had defended him gallantly whe
n his retinue was attacked before.
Chloe was smitten with the wee lad from the get-go, her love for children obvious. Like Julie, she was very good with the king, not babying him but at the same time encouraging him to laugh. Not just that, but they got him to behave like the child he was. Which, sadly, was something he could rarely if ever indulge in nowadays.
“Our time here in Perth is short,” Robert said after food and drink were served, and the seven of them were alone again. “Scouts report Balliol and his disinherited have landed in Kinghorn, Fifeshire, and are rallying locales to fight. Most will leave on the morrow to head to Dupplin Moor.”
“Where the battle takes place,” Chloe said into his mind. “And where the earl dies, right?”
“Aye,” Aidan replied.
“What of King David?” Tiernan asked. “Will he remain here?”
Not surprisingly, despite David being present, Robert responded frankly. These were trying times, and bairns, especially a wee king during wartime, had no choice but to grow up fast. Not just that, but at least in part, David knew of the supernatural oddities going on around him. He understood that bizarre things were at work.
“Nay, the earl claims our best fighting men will be with us, so David must be too,” Robert muttered, not happy with the decision. “He feels the king is best protected with the retinue.”
Of the same mind, Aidan and his cousins exchanged a disgruntled look before Tiernan spoke to Robert. “’Tis clear ye dinnae think this is wise.”
“Och, nay, ‘tis foolish,” Robert grunted. “If I had my way, I would leave soldiers to guard him here away from the battling.” He shook his head and sighed, going back and forth with his reasoning. “But then ‘tis hard to know if that would be wise either. For if we lose this battle, ‘tis just a matter of time before Balliol takes the town.”
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