by Mary Morgan
Desmond came strolling by, giving her a passing nod. He had kept quiet for the remainder of yesterday and well into the evening. Kevan made up for it by chatting nonstop about life in Navan. She knew her brother worried about her, but there was nothing she could do. Her heart ached one moment and the next, she was yelling at anyone who came passing by. Even the animals scampered past her yesterday, making her cringe with guilt.
Today would be a better day, she promised.
With a sigh, Fiona walked over to Desmond. Grasping his hand, she beamed up at him. “I’m happy to see that your arm has healed. Does it bother you at all?”
He chuckled softly. “Only when it is cold. I told ye, I have been hurt afore.”
“I can only imagine. Perhaps you can tell me more stories about our family today?”
Tweaking her nose gently, he answered, “With pleasure. ’Tis good to see ye smiling.”
Looking past the trees, she could hear the stream gurgling, and an idea struck her. “Do you think I could wash up before we leave?”
He arched a brow, and she saw his uncertainty.
“I’m not going to remove my clothes—only clean my feet and arms. I promise not to take long.”
Desmond placed a kiss along her brow. “Take as long as ye want.”
Jumping up, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thanks!”
Gathering her gown, she ran to her horse and pulled out the bar of soap Aileen had given her. Inhaling the scents of roses and lavender, she practically skipped down to the water with glee. Stripping off the leather boots Stephen had made for her, she then rolled up her sleeves as best she could. It didn’t matter that it was a spit bath, Fiona just longed to have some part of her body clean.
Choosing a spot in the sun with a small boulder next to the water, she sat down. As the icy water made contact with her feet, she grimaced. Yet, it didn’t deter her as she started to scrub, starting at her toes, and then moved up her legs. When she finished, she quickly doused her arms with water, followed by soap.
With her skin tingling, she stood, stepped back from the water, and shook out her limbs letting the sun dry them. In just those few moments, her body felt rejuvenated. Raking her fingers through her hair, she said, “What I wouldn’t give for a pitcher to wash my hair.”
“Would ye like me to help wash your hair, Fiona?”
Her heart beat rapidly against her chest, the sound of his voice a silken caress on the breeze. Could it be? Slowly turning around she let out a small gasp, her nails biting into the bar of soap. Her vision blurred, feeling the blood drain from her face.
“Alastair.” Her voice barely a whisper.
He took a step closer, and she held out her hand to stop him. “Don’t…” She would not behave like a lovesick fool in front of him.
“I take that to mean…nae?”
She studied his face, seeing the wariness and it matched her own. They were like two strangers, and she had no words for the man. “I…have to go,” she blurted out.
Her legs trembled as she started to walk away.
“Ye left your king.”
She froze. Glancing over her shoulder at his outstretched hand, she swallowed the lump in her throat when she saw the chess piece. Looking up into vivid green eyes, she stated, “You abandoned your queen. You had no faith.”
“Ye left with my…”
A great roar from the trees halted any further words from them as Desmond emerged, sword in hand. “Ye will move away from Fiona, now!”
Alastair made no move. “I have come for her, Desmond.”
“Ye failed in your vow. Do ye remember what I told ye?” Desmond stalked over to him placing himself between Fiona and Alastair.
“Aye. And I ken ye have every right to kill me where I stand. I did fail…miserably.”
Fiona’s mind whirled. Alastair was willing to die because he failed? She looked from one to the other, and when Desmond leveled the blade at Alastair’s heart, she took a step to her brother’s side. “Don’t, Desmond.”
“Why would ye have anything to do with him?” He snarled still keeping the blade leveled at Alastair’s chest.
Gently, Fiona placed her hand on his arm. “I would like to hear his explanation before we depart. I need closure.”
Looking down at her, his eyes flashed with anger, but he finally lowered his sword. “Speak,” he commanded.
Fiona squeezed his arm this time getting his full attention. “Alone, please.” She could see his jaw clenching as she released his arm and pointed to the trees.
“We are not finished, MacKay,” he growled and stormed off.
Her nerves frazzled, she turned toward Alastair. His expression was one of worry and for a moment, all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms. It took every ounce of strength to keep her distance.
“Dinnae be upset with your brother. He has every right to take my life. I told ye, I gave him my vow to protect ye.”
Her eyes flashed with outrage at him. “Well, events happen, and sometimes you can’t do everything in your power to protect someone. There are times when fate intercedes.”
He took a step closer, and she looked away. Blast the man! He was unraveling her just by breathing the same air.
“He made me swear as a Dragon Knight, Fiona,” he uttered low. “’Tis his right.”
Her chin went up. “Stop it! I lived! So there won’t be any talk of killing anyone! Men and your bloody codes of honor. Where was your honor as I lay dying? Where was your honor when I woke up to find that you had left me alone?” Seeing the shocked look on Alastair’s face, she held up her hand. “Don’t answer. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
Striding over to the stream, her eyes blurred. The man obviously wanted to give her his parting gift and trudge onward with his life. Might as well finish this, Fiona. “You started to say something before Desmond came charging through. Just finish, so I can leave.”
Alastair walked over to her. Reaching for her hand, he placed the king in her palm. Her fingers trembled as his brushed over hers. Feeling the warmth of the wood caress her skin, she slowly looked up at him. Giving her a smile that made her heart flutter, he said, “Ye left with my heart and soul, Fiona. Aye, I was wrong to have left your side. No better than a coward.” Taking another step closer, he stood mere inches in front of her. “Yet, I could not watch the woman I love fade from my eyes. I would have sacrificed my own life, so that ye may have lived. My belief in love was not strong enough to overcome my fear in letting ye go. I saw only madness.”
“Love? You love me?” she stammered.
“Och, Fiona, do ye ken how much I love ye?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and she shook her head back and forth unable to give him an answer.
Cupping her face, he gazed into her eyes, wiping away a tear that had fallen. “It will take a lifetime to show ye. Will ye marry me, Fiona O’Quinlan? Can ye learn to love the beast and the man? Perchance, ye will forgive both in time.”
She choked back a sob. “Oh, Alastair,” and running her hand across his scar, she felt him shudder under her touch. She wanted to take away the hurt he carried inside of him. He wore it as a badge across his chest, and she couldn’t determine if it was to cause fear in others or to lock out his own emotions. “I love the beast as much as the man, for they are one and the same. You have been a man divided for so long, and it’s time to heal the wound. Forgive? I was more angry with you than anything else.” Placing his hand over her heart, she said, “I love you, Alastair. There were many times I wanted to tell you, and when I woke, my heart broke, realizing I would never say those words to you. I was afraid to say them sooner.”
Alastair clutched her to his chest. “Say them again, leannan.”
“I love you—all of you, totally, completely, head over heels in love with you, Alastair MacKay. Yes, I will marry you.”
With a shout of joy, Alastair lifted her in the air and twirled her around in his arms. After
several turns, he lowered her and captured her laughter with a passionate kiss. She twined her fingers in his long hair as their tongues teased a sensual dance igniting a burning desire for more. His fingers edged along the outer edges of her breasts, and she moaned.
The snap of twigs brought their kiss to a halt. Alastair released her, but not before giving her one last kiss. “We are not finished,” he stated sending her a wink. Her mouth burned from his touch, and she let out a shaky breath before turning around to face her brother.
Desmond stood staring at them, his arms crossed over his chest. “Would ye care to explain?”
Alastair bravely took a step forward, placing a protective arm around her. “I have asked Fiona to be my wife, and she has accepted.” He glanced back down at her. “I love her.”
Desmond arched a brow in question. “Fiona?”
She peered into Alastair’s eyes, seeing the depth of his love reflected back to her. “I love him, too.”
Silence filled the air for a few moments.
“About bloody damn time ye both came to your senses.” Pointing a finger at Alastair, Desmond added, “Do ye ken what it was like being around my sister lately? If ye ever cause her anymore pain, your life is forfeit.”
Fiona and Alastair gaped open mouthed at Desmond as he continued with his rant. Finally, he yelled out for Kevan and the druid came running out of the trees with a dirk.
“For the love of Danu, what now?” demanded Kevan.
Desmond clapped the druid on the back. “My wee sister is going to marry the Dragon Knight.”
Kevan smiled broadly. “About bloody time!” He then embraced them both.
Alastair and Fiona roared with laughter. He picked her up again and twirled her around with joy. “Do ye think your brother would mind if we went for a walk?” His breath warm against her ear made her shiver all the way down to her toes.
She hugged her arms more tightly around his neck. Nipping his ear, she answered, “Not a chance in hell he’s going to let me out of his sight before we’re married.”
Placing her down, he looked at her retreating brother when he spoke, “As we have a wedding to plan, I believe we should take advantage of the day and ride hard back to Urquhart.”
“’Tis a three day journey, Alastair,” stated Desmond, moving through the trees. Sheathing his sword, he mounted his horse.
Fiona saw the look Alastair gave her brother. Almost as if he tossed down a challenge to see how quickly they could return to Urquhart. As Alastair helped her onto her horse, his hand slipped under her gown stroking her leg. “How fast can ye ride, leannan?”
She bent her head low to his. “Did I not tell you that I’m an expert horsewoman.” Giving him a wink, she sat forward.
With a wicked smile intended for her eyes only, he shouted, “I say we’ll be at Urquhart in two days.”
Neither heard Desmond’s argument as Alastair quickly mounted his horse and giving a quick nod to Fiona, they took off for home.
Chapter Forty-Two
“If we cease to believe in magic, the world will become a dismal shell of its former self.”
As the sun dipped, the falling rays sprinkled over the water of the loch. “Home,” he said quietly. True to his word, Alastair had pushed them relentlessly, arriving at Urquhart within two days. He expected Desmond to argue, yet the man only challenged him by riding faster.
Smiling, he had grown to like Fiona’s brother, though he would never admit that openly.
On the last part of their journey they had covered rough terrain, and he and Fiona were separated from Desmond and Kevan. Chuckling softly, his plan succeeded in spending some time briefly with his love. Most likely, Desmond would be shouting curses at him when he finally made it to the castle.
Hearing soft footsteps approach, he held out his hand, keeping his focus on Urquhart. Fiona slipped her fingers into his, and he brought their combined hands to his chest. “’Tis a sight to see one’s home in a different light, aye?”
Leaning her head against his arm, she smiled. “It is beautiful. To tell you the truth, I hated to leave.”
He was stunned by her confession, believing she longed for her home. “Truly?”
“I had grown fond of everyone, especially Nell. And Brigid and Aileen are like sisters.”
Alastair peered down into her face, one that bewitched him more each day. “And now you will be when we are married.”
She sighed. “I like the sound of that.”
Caressing her cheek softly with his knuckles, he bent his head to taste her lips. It was only to be a soft kiss, but when she opened to him, he growled. Taking her lips fully, he devoured their softness. Breaking slowly from the kiss, her cheeks were flushed, and Alastair longed to find a secluded spot to tear her clothes off and feel her skin on his.
“By the Gods, I’ve missed ye.”
“Well, then we’d better have this wedding soon,” she said softly, kissing their still joined hands.
Hugging her closer, he looked out at the water. “Were ye happy in your other life?”
Surprised by his question, she frowned up at him. “What made you ask that question?”
Shrugging, he slowly cast his gaze back to hers. “’Tis a simple question. I would not want any ghosts of your past to haunt us.”
Fiona burst out laughing. Shielding her eyes from the fading sunset, she responded, “First, I believe you and I will always have ghosts from our past. In the future, it’s called baggage. Second, I was miserable, feeling disconnected with my life. I believe my soul cried out to return home all those years. I had no close friends and no desire to make any. When I woke in this time, I reconnected with my spirit.” Looking back up at him, Alastair saw her eyes glistening. “I am home.”
Placing his forehead against hers, he let out a long sigh, fearing his next question. “What of your brothers, Fiona? Can ye be happy here at Urquhart?”
“Honestly, I will miss them. I’ve just been reunited and it’s not like I can hop on a plane…”
“Plane?”
“Don’t ask. My answer would freak you out.”
He glared at her, and she instantly took her palm in an attempt to rub the frown off his face. “That will not work,” he grumbled.
“Well, I tried,” she giggled. “Getting back to your question…part of me longs to see them. So, do you think we could visit them from time to time? I understand it requires both of us to travel across the sea, which is something I am not looking forward to.”
“Fiona, I would travel all the oceans, if that is what ye wish. There is naught I would not do to make ye happy. Did I not say it would take a lifetime?”
“Oh, Alastair, thank you,” she whispered as he bundled her back into his arms. “What I wish for at this moment, is to go somewhere and take off all your clothes.”
“Och, my love, that is where my thoughts have been.”
She let out a squeal when Alastair grabbed her hand and moved it over his erection.
Of course, Desmond made his presence known by shouting curses as he rode furiously down the hill.
“I believe your brother is happy to see us,” drawled Alastair.
Smirking, Fiona shook her head. “You might as well get used to his outbursts. It’s part of his demeanor.”
“Thank the Gods there will be an ocean between us.”
“Alastair!” She smacked his chest. “I hate that there is an ocean between my brothers and us.”
Seeing her lips pout, he bent his head back to hers. “Forgive me.” Then without waiting for a reply, he took her mouth savagely.
“Ye devil! Take your hands off her before I run my sword through your balls!” bellowed Desmond.
Breaking quickly from the kiss, he gave Fiona a wink. “Must ride quickly, or your brother will have my head.” He whistled for Gawain.
Rolling her eyes, she grabbed for her horse’s reins. “I believe he said your balls.”
As he mounted his horse, he rubbed a hand across his face.
“I believe it would be best to get inside the walls of Urquhart.”
“Well, you had better hurry. He’s almost here.”
Leaning over, Alastair gave her one last kiss. “Let him try and catch me.” With a swift nudge to Gawain, he rode off.
“Oh, Molly…what a stubborn, playful man I’ve fallen in love with. Shall we join him?”
As Alastair approached the castle, he shouted for the guards to raise the portcullis. Not risking a glance over his shoulders to see how much closer Desmond had approached, he charged Gawain onward, saying a silent prayer that the men could move swiftly. Hearing the grating sound of steel, he watched it being raised.
It became a challenge on what could move faster. Man, beast, or steel.
Judging the distance of how far up the gate had traveled, he deemed Gawain could pass through, but not him. Bending his head to the side of his warhorse, he kept a steady pace, flying through and feeling the breath of steel graze his back.
Bringing the horse to a slower pace, he patted him. “A fine race, indeed, Gawain.” The horse shook and whinnied.
Duncan ran forth. “By the horns of Cernunnos! What possessed ye to come charging through with the gate barely up?”
Alastair swung his leg over and jumped off the horse. “Being chased by a madman,” he replied slapping his brother on the shoulder.
“I fear he is the one that has lost his mind,” growled Desmond, wiping his brow as he came charging inside.
“For the love of Lugh, our long lost brother has returned once again,” laughed Stephen and embraced Alastair. “Good to see my real brother is home.”
Merlin came rushing forward, barking loudly, and he all but jumped into Alastair’s arms. No sooner did he give his greeting, than the dog ran off in Fiona’s direction.
Seeing the confusion on Desmond’s face regarding Stephen’s comment, Alastair reached out his arm. “’Tis in my true nature to love a good challenge. I have been sorely lacking these many moons. Truce, O’Quinlan?”
Desmond dismounted and narrowed his eyes at Alastair. Placing his hands on his hips, his mouth remained a thin line.