“Cousin.” For the first time since they were lads, Cray embraced Aidan. “You have my undying thanks for what you did for our country.” He pulled back and clasped Aidan’s shoulder, his tone grave. “And my apology for our long war over Maeve. May we, at last, put it behind us.”
He would like nothing more. It had been festering between them for far too long.
“Aye, Cousin.” He clasped Cray’s shoulder as well. “’Tis part of the past now.” He handed over the Viking sword, well aware it had, in addition to Chloe’s magic, allowed him to find her when she died. When her soul ended up at the Ring of Brodgar. “This blade served me well. Might it do the same for you, Cray.”
His cousin nodded, took the sword, and sheathed it. They eyed each other for a moment longer, finally at peace before Cray turned to Chloe.
“Whilst ‘tis hard,” he began then stopped, scowling as he searched for the right words. As he tried to let go.
“Whilst ‘tis hard to,” he began again only for Chloe to fling her arms around him and press her cheek to his chest.
“I’m so incredibly sorry,” she murmured. “You must know that. Please know that.”
When Cray glanced at Aidan, aloof for a moment, not sure what to do about his cousin’s lass embracing him, Aidan only nodded. All was well. This was what Chloe needed. So Cray tentatively embraced her, realizing he had to forgive her. Her heart, however much it had broken his, had been in the right place. She’d put his kin first, and that had to matter more than anything else.
“I accept your apology,” he said gruffly. “And I thank you for saving my life. ‘Twas...” he again struggled for the right words, “heroic and unexpected.”
“Anytime,” she murmured, going quiet for a moment. The sort of moment Aidan knew all too well. Her mind percolated, and her curiosity surfaced. “Was it really so unexpected, though? That I would do something like that for you? That I would—”
“All right then, lass, ‘tis time to go,” he interrupted before more questions erupted, and she, however unintended, drew Cray’s foul mood back to the surface.
A mood his cousin was doing well to contain considering Madison. A point of contention Aidan and Tiernan would rather not address before they all said goodbye but knew they had to. Tiernan would be returning to MacLomain Castle to check on things, and Aidan fully intended to take his lass home at least for a little while.
Thankfully, Tiernan took the lead.
“As you well know, Cray,” he began, “’tis only a matter of time before your path crosses with Madison. A path that is verra important and—”
“Och, I know well enough,” Cray groused, his scowl back in place along with a little something else. A devious, resolute gleam in his eye that spelled trouble. “And I look forward to it indeed.”
Chloe and Julie narrowed their eyes.
“Do you really?” Julie frowned. “Because if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were out for revenge.”
“Revenge?” Cray’s expression seemed resolved in a way that most certainly meant Madison would have her hands full. “’Tis not revenge but mayhap a chance to finally...” He perked a brow. “Find peace betwixt us?”
“Do you think we should be worried?” Chloe said into Aidan’s mind. “Will he hurt her?”
“Nay, never,” he assured, glad he could still speak telepathically with her and his kin. He had not expected such. “Cray might be out of sorts, but he would never harm an innocent lass.”
“Are we sure Cray shouldn’t be heading to the future?” Chloe asked Julie and Tiernan after Cray bid farewell and left. “Or maybe I should head back?”
“No, not yet, if at all.” Julie glanced at her ley-lines. “Right now, we should stay put in Scotland and let Cray take over because he’s definitely next.”
When Aidan and Chloe looked at Julie curiously, she explained.
“He’s had a bright ley-line connected to him for a while now.” She thought about it. “Probably since around the time he connected with Madison.” She pointed west. “And it’s always heading in the direction of New Hampshire.”
“Well, I guess that seals the deal then,” Chloe said.
“One would think but,” Julie flinched, revealing a daunting tidbit, “there also happens to be another ley-line forking off in the direction of MacLomain Castle.”
“Bloody hell,” Aidan exclaimed. “’Tis where Ethyn is.”
“Yup.” Julie shook her head. “Honestly, I’m starting to feel for Cray. It looks like he might’ve moved on from one love triangle only to find himself in another.”
“I dinnae know, lass.” Tiernan shook his head as well. “I think we might want to be more concerned about Ethyn dealing with Cray, such as he is.”
“Do the two normally get along?” Chloe asked. “I don't recall.”
“Aye, well enough,” Aidan said. “Though out of all the cousins, they’re the most different. Ethyn tends to be upbeat, where Cray, well, need I say more?”
Everybody shook their heads, not needing him to elaborate. They had seen firsthand what Madison and quite possibly Ethyn would be dealing with.
“So, I guess no unicorn or Stone of Destiny on our adventure, then?” Chloe sighed. “I was really hoping to see them.”
“’Tis likely you will before all is said and done,” Aidan assured. “As Grant said, both the beastie and stone are still verra much a part of this.” He squeezed her hand and winked. “As to our journey? I much preferred the help of a faery.”
She offered a soft smile in return, her eyes not quite sparkling as she worried about him. She feared him coming across a faery to begin with had ultimately led to his sacrifice. But she need not think that because he wouldn't change meeting her for the world. Yes, losing his magic had been life-altering, but losing her would have been a thousand times worse.
“What Stonehenge do you think is next?” Chloe asked everyone. “Did Cray mention dreaming of any one in particular?”
Tiernan shook his head. “Nay, but then he’s been rather shut off of late.”
“Stonehenges aside, another regent will be appointed, though, right?”
Aidan nodded. “Aye, former King Robert the Bruce’s brother-in-law, Sir Andrew Murray of Bothwell will be next.”
“Speaking of Bruce’s.” Chloe frowned, referring to who they had been traveling with. “I hope Robert's not remembered for murdering Donald.” She shook her head, as sad as the rest of them over his loss. “It wasn’t his fault.”
“Nay, as far as we know, history does not remember such,” Tiernan said. “His name remains untarnished as does Donald’s.” He shook his head. “Even to wee King David, thanks to Chloe’s and Julie’s magic blinding him from it.”
“Right, my magic,” Chloe murmured, understanding Madison’s cryptic words now. “Magic that allowed the Disinherited to find King David so fast. That made me and David vulnerable because they could track it.”
That's what Madison had meant by Chloe being vulnerable when she made the possessed warriors vanish. Something that would no longer happen now that she had come into her fullest power. The ‘extra one’ Madison spoke of remained a mystery, though. Did she refer to the Claddagh ring? Stonehenge? Or perhaps something more? He suspected it was only a matter of time before they knew, and all truths were revealed.
“Your magic was also the reason I found you in death at Brodgar Stonehenge,” he reminded Chloe. “’Twas not just a beacon but let me see clearly what needed to be done. How I could save you and seal off the Stonehenge.”
He had been relieved to see Grant there, and eternally grateful he’d helped him through it. No doubt, he had eased the way for Aidan because God’s truth, losing one’s power near crippled the soul.
But then, luckily, his soul was already held up by another.
Stronger for its connection with Chloe.
So the experience though unsettling and difficult was made far easier by the peace Grant lent and knowing he would not lose his soulmate. He bet
ter understood why his battle skills had suffered along with his magic now too. As he had suspected, even cultivated, they had been so intricately tied in with his magic that when one suffered, so did the other. Now that his magic was gone, his skills as a warrior would no longer be affected.
When Grant declared the Stonehenge sealed, he also assured Chloe she was no longer vulnerable to the brotherhood. They had retracted, unable to connect with her anymore. As it had been when the Callanais Stones were closed off, they were temporarily weakened.
Yet, in turn, they were also growing more angry and desperate.
In this case, that didn’t mean they would act more spontaneously or radically in the future but be more wary and cautious. Something everybody would need to keep in mind as they moved forward. The enemy had possessed two regents now to no avail, so it was unlikely they would make the same mistake a third time. Not only were they not accomplishing their goal, but they had to assume the MacLomains would anticipate them repeating what they’d done before.
Therefore, it was best to expect the unexpected when the time came.
Until then, he wanted to take his lass home.
After everyone said their final goodbyes and Julie and Tiernan left, he pulled Chloe into his arms, glad to have her there, wanting her there always. “Are you finally ready to go home, lass? To begin writing about this? To chronical our journey and what comes next?” He traced her jawline. “To become my wife?”
As foretold, he had just told her what she needed to write. What should be remembered. Not by the public, but by their own lineage.
“Yes to all of it,” she said softly, concern in her gaze as she searched his eyes. “Are you going to be okay, Aidan? Are you—”
He put a finger to her lips, in truth, never better. “Whilst I thought I would feel like I lost a piece of myself when I lost my magic, it hasnae been like that.” He wrapped his hand under her hair and around the back of her neck. “I feel like I gained so much more than I lost. That things are as they should be.”
“I feel that way too,” she whispered as one of Julie’s ley-lines took them home. “I feel like...”
She trailed off, caught first by her ring, shining the color of his eyes then Hamilton Castle when it appeared in front of them.
“You feel like nothing was lost but only gained,” he murmured softly, kissing her, feeling something unexpected fill him.
Something he never could have anticipated.
“Because it has.” He met her eyes and smiled, feeling a whole new type of magic fill him.
The magic of the Claddagh ring finally igniting as it should.
The magic of a love that endured time.
A power that was every bit as potent as the magic he had given up.
“Do you feel it?” he said softly.
“I do,” she whispered, placing her hand over his heart. “It’s as much a part of you as your magic ever was.”
“Aye, ‘tis.” It would be interesting to see what this new magic was capable of, but that could wait until later.
Right now, there were far more important things to do.
“Are you ready, then?” He smiled. “Are you ready to finally go home, not as a faery but the lass who will become my wife? Who will help lead our people alongside me?”
Her teary eyes lingered on him before turning back to the castle. Kinsfolk had appeared, ready to welcome them home. Family she knew so well from another life. He sensed their eagerness to meet her. Their thankfulness for all she had done for them. For him.
“I’m ready for all of it. A lifetime together.” Her eyes turned back to his. “More than you could ever know.”
So hand and hand, finally free of their past, they walked into their future.
As expected, his kin fell in love with Chloe, and they were married that very night. They spent hours upon hours remembering their time together with his family. They were delighted with her tales, yet surprised they never knew she was there.
Grant, of course, was in attendance, enjoying the celebration in a castle that had seen so much. One that often saw good triumph over evil. Grant himself had been its first laird with MacLomain lineage, once upon a time saving its repressed people.
But then one way or another, that’s what MacLomains did.
Though their current enemy had not ultimately been defeated, they were one step closer to defeating the dark brotherhood determined to end the MacLomains before they had a chance to begin. Yet, as their nemeses already saw, such a thing would not come easily. For like those before them, Aidan and Chloe intended to keep safe, cherish and defend their lineage for the rest of their days.
True love connections that had proven time and time again were meant to be.
Some might say, ‘twas in part thanks to a Scot's devotion to love.
Where others remain convinced, ‘twas quite simply, the result of an unforgettable faerytale.
Coming Soon
Pre-order Now
EAGER TO CONFRONT THE annoying lass who haunts his mind, Cray travels to the twenty-first century only to discover his cousin, Ethyn, already there. Worse yet, set to keep Madison for himself, convinced she’s his destined Broun. A decision Cray would have been fine with but changes his mind when he lays eyes on her. She might not be his Broun in the end, but she would be his for a time. His and his alone.
Yet no matter where he goes, a love-triangle follows as the brotherhood not only uses his beloved Maeve against him but his own flesh and blood. Nevertheless, a king must be protected, and his country saved. That means doing what he must to see things through, no matter what it takes. More specifically, not taking no for an answer this time when it comes to a lass.
Join Cray and Madison on a battle-of-wills adventure alongside Regent Sir Andrew Murray as the quest to keep King David II safe continues in A Scot’s Resolve. Now available for pre-order.
Just Curious?
First off, I’d like to thank all of you who have kept reading my books and followed my characters over the years. As I always say, without you, they’d be voiceless, their stories forever untold. I’d also like to thank those of you who just found me. I hope you’ve enjoyed spending time with all my various characters. Enough so that you might share your experience.
To that point, if you enjoyed this story, would you consider leaving a review? Just a line or two. It would mean the world and would make such a difference when it comes to reaching more readers and continuing the craft I so love. If you’re up for it, thank you in advance. I appreciate it more than you know, as do my characters.
Fondest Regards,
Sky
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Stonehenge & Stone of Destiny
America’s Stonehenge (Mystery Hill)
Salem, New Hampshire
United States
WHILE THE FIRST MENTION of the site was in 1907 and no pre-Columbian artifacts have been found, some still believe that the site is over 4000 years old. On the equinoxes and solstices, people flock to the area to watch the sun rise and fall over the huge chunks of granite, deciding for themselves whether or not they're standing amid relics of prehistory.
Calanais Standing Stones
Callanish, Isle of Lewis
The Outer Hebrides
Scotland
ERECTED BETWEEN 2900 and 2600 BC, the Callandish (or Calanais) Stones are an arrangement of standing stones placed in a cruciform pattern with a central stone circle or tomb. They’re on a low ridge above the waters of Loch Roag with the hills of Great Bernera behind them.
Ring of Brodgar
The Orkneys
Scotland
Erected between 2500 BC and 2000 BC, the Ring of Brodgar stands on a small isthmus between the Lochs of Stenness and Harray.
Machrie Moor Stone Circles
Machrie
Isle of Aaran
Scotland
Erected around 2030 BC, the Machrie Moor Stone Circles is a collective name for six circles formed of granite boulders, while others are built of tall red sandstone pillars.
Clava Cairns Stones
The Highlands
Scotland
Around 4000 years old, the Clava Cairns Stones are a cemetery complex of passage graves; ring cairns, kerb cairns, and standing stones.
Stone of Scone (Stone of Destiny)
ACCORDING TO ONE CELTIC legend, the stone was once the pillow upon which the patriarch Jacob rested at Bethel when he beheld the visions of angels. From the Holy Land, it purportedly traveled to Egypt, Sicily, and Spain and reached Ireland about 700 BC to be set upon the hill of Tara, where the ancient kings of Ireland were crowned. Then it was taken by the Celtic Scots who invaded and occupied Scotland. Around 840 AC, it was taken by Kenneth MacAlpin to the village of Scone.
Stone of Destiny
Coronation Chair
The Coronation Chair was made by order of King Edward I to enclose the famous Stone of Scone, which he brought from Scotland to England in 1296, where he placed it in the care of the Abbot of Westminster.
The MacLomain Series
End of an Era
A Scot's Devotion (The MacLomain Series: End of an Era, #2) Page 21