Again My Love (Kaitlyn and the Highlander Book 9)

by Diana Knightley

“Don’t shoot!” With an elbow over my face, I shielded m’eyes. I dropped my bag tae the ground. “I am nae armed, I need tae speak tae Colonel Hammond!”

  I was rushed and surrounded by soldiers and once they understood I was the king, ushered tae a barricaded shelter where Colonel Hammond had the central command of the troops.

  “King Magnus!” His smile was wide and warm.

  I tried tae return it but m’opinion of him was strained by what I kent. I couldnae trust him, but I needed his help, so I had tae use him for m’aims, but I would always need tae watch him for signs of deceit.

  Colonel Hammond asked, “Have you seen Queen Kaitlyn? She requested ATVs yesterday. She and Colonel Quentin Peters and two other civilians were on an errand to the past, I have seen storms behind the house and—”

  “Colonel Hammond, tis imperative that ye daena tell Kaitlyn that I am here. I have looped ontae her actions, she must complete them, but I ken the Safe House is about tae fall tae Roderick. He is tryin’ tae draw me out tae fight. I am here, but I canna change Kaitlyn’s actions or we will lose this war.”

  “What do I need to do?”

  “Just give her what she needs.”

  Hammond and I looked over the maps and discussed our battle plan — Roderick had most of his forces here, since the royal family was here, but I would remove Archie.

  Then Hammond would remain tae fight on this front, while I would lead forces against Roderick’s troops to the west.

  I dinna ken if this would work. I wished I had known Colonel Hammond’s strategy afore he lost this war. I wanted tae win it this time, but I had nae way tae ken if these were new plans or the same — the difference though was that I was here now. I had tae hope my authority would be enough tae change it.

  Hammond spoke intae the radio, then reported what was said. “Colonel Quentin Peters has left for Florida with his wife, she is ill... they expect Queen Kaitlyn any moment.”

  “Where is Archie?” Hammond pointed at the guest wing of the Safe House. I said, “I will need more helicopters for a diversion. If Kaitlyn discusses any of this with you, about Archie, or my presence, or anythin’—”

  “My orders are to lie to the Queen?”

  “Aye.”

  Forty-seven - Magnus

  With four soldiers behind me I rushed tae the house, and banged on the door.

  “Bella, let me in!”

  The door opened and I entered tae find Bella, held in the arms of the man, John Mitchell, and Archie in his carrier on the floor.

  Bella threw herself against m’chest. “My Magnus, I knew you—”

  “There is a waitin’ helicopter, grab your things.”

  I picked up Archie by the handle on the carrier. Soldiers yelled, “Go, go, go, go,” as we raced from the house tae the waiting helicopter, rotors turnin’, wind roarin’ — Archie was terrified, screamin’ and wailing.

  Bella buckled intae the seat. I buckled a strap across Archie’s carrier, strappin’ it down, then commanded the pilot tae deliver them tae a bunker where I would meet them.

  Three helicopters and close tae thirty drones rose intae the air at once and spread through the skies,

  Explosions blasted the ground around us, gunshots through the sky, cannons and missiles and ground shaking blasts.

  The helicopter carryin’ Archie was hidden within their number. I watched, holdin’ m’breath, willin’ it tae stay safe as it flew.

  I looked over m’shoulder at the Safe House as it lost power.

  Hammond said, “Queen Kaitlyn is inside, she wants tae speak tae me.”

  “I remind ye, if she kens I am here we will lose the war, Hammond, guard this news carefully.”

  He left for the house.

  I spoke tae the air around us. “Keep going, Kaitlyn, stay safe. Daena worry on Archie. I have him now, twill be okay.”

  Hammond returned a while later, “Queen Kaitlyn is going to the castle ruins, should I attend her?”

  “Nae, send a soldier. I need ye here.”

  Then while commandin’ the troops on the grounds around the Safe House, I watched as storms rose above us, and one group after another left the grounds, until I kent m’family was out and safe.

  The bunker was within a cliff. There was a spare apartment meant for a commander, but I gave it over tae Bella, though she was furious on the matter. She had only Mrs Johnstone tae look after her and seemed tae think she required more help.

  I lived in the bunkhouse with the soldiers, tae give Bella room tae be as irritated and fussy as she wanted tae be without bringin’ me intae it.

  John Mitchell looked exhausted and harried but I dinna speak tae him on the matter. I visited with Archie and passed m’days livin’ and breathin’ the decisions of war.

  Hammond and I were in constant contact on decisions and I came tae rely on him again, always remindin’ myself that he had turned against me, takin’ Roderick’s side, the utmost of treasonous actions, and I needed tae keep up m’guard around him.

  On the third week Hammond crossed me.

  I gave him an order and he changed it on the ground. At the end of the day he had been correct tae do it, but I had a fury in m’chest over it. I kent that he was a step away from the disloyalty that had marked his career and so I demanded he come tae the bunker by mornin’ and when he was led intae the command room I sent the men from the room.

  We stood across from each other while I sized him up. On the walls surroundin’ us were the shiftin’ videos of carnage and battles and war. I had grown used tae them through the years, had learned tae rely on them.

  “Colonel Hammond, I am havin’ an issue with ye, tis perhaps unfair — I have seen yer future. There ye had a career that is now clothin’ ye in disloyalty, of which ye are unaware. Since tis only fair tae question ye on deeds of which ye are sensible — ye were Donnan’s man, were nae ye? My father?”

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “You had a relationship with my mother, if I am tae believe what I hear from her, but ye were first and foremost a protector of Donnan the Second.”

  “Yes, I...”

  “Then, when twas convenient tae ye, you became Samuel’s man.”

  “I had no—”

  “Twould be enough tae hold against ye, but then ye came tae the aid of Queen Kaitlyn. You were an advisor tae me, and a commander in my army. I have every reason tae trust ye, without question, yet I have been tae the future, twas a future that had me lose tae Roderick and I have seen ye uniformed as his commander.”

  I watched how that set heavy on his shoulders.

  “Tis a burden on ye, tae be judged by a future action, I ken. I am tryin’ tae be fair, tae nae judge ye, based on the actions of a future I am strivin’ tae change. But with this knowledge, how am I expected tae trust ye will have my—”

  “I have done nothing but command your troops to the best of my—”

  “The exception, of course, a day ago, ye disregarded m’order and now I am left with two recourses, one, tae let ye go, or two, tae have ye strung up for treason.”

  “Don’t,” he added, “Your Highness.”

  “Why nae?”

  “Because I am loyal and will fight on your side.”

  “Why, ever, would I believe ye tae be loyal?” There was a knock on the door and I called, “Come in!”

  A soldier entered. His eyes shifted back and forth between his king and his colonel and to the video on the wall of an explosion on a local road. He said, “Your Highness, you’re wanted on an urgent call...”

  “Have them hold, I am almost done.”

  He bowed from the room.

  As soon as the door closed, I lunged, grabbing Colonel Hammond by his shirt, shovin’ him against the wall, growlin’, “I daena have time tae discuss or test — you have asked me tae trust ye beyond what I have seen with m’own eyes. I canna have a traitor in my command. I am goin’ tae have tae relieve ye of duty.“

  I was furious and breathin’ heavy, glarin’ intae his eyes. />
  “You have to trust me. I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

  My brow furrowed. “Why nae? Ye could live your life, nae fight anymore. In yer place I would take the chance in a second.”

  “I can’t tell you because you will kill me for it.”

  “I daena understand. What have ye done tae deserve tae die? Ye have been my commander.”

  “I haven’t done anything but be born.”

  “Ye have tae explain yer meanin’. All of us die, but I believe it takes more than bein’ born tae deserve tae go.” I let go of his shirt and shoved him for good measure.

  He collected himself, straightening his uniform over his barrel chest.

  “Explain, I am runnin’ out of time and might need tae kill ye just tae bring this conversation tae an end.”

  He exhaled a deep breath. “You and I share a grandfather. I am your cousin. I have a claim, that I don’t want, to your throne.”

  “What dost ye mean?”

  “My father was Lidan. He was killed by Tanrick many years ago in the arena. Donnan, my uncle, retrieved me from my home. I was eighteen. He told me I could serve him or die in the arena. I chose serving him. In exchange he hid my parentage so I would not be challenged. Since Donnan was killed, I have had to pledge my allegiance to my uncle Samuel, and now my cousin.”

  “Why daena ye just quit and leave?”

  “I know that wherever I am, whenever I go, I will not be safe. There will always be a brother or a cousin to find me. Living in hiding and fear is no way to live. I just want to live without worry. If I serve my king I will have foreknowledge of what is coming.”

  I leaned against the desk. “I understand that wish, but what of your family?”

  “I don’t have one. I have not been free to have one.”

  “Oh.”

  We stared at each other across the command room.

  I asked, “Ye daena want the throne?”

  “No. Never. I can not imagine a worse fate.”

  I nodded. “I agree.” I let out a deep breath of air.

  The large projection loomed on the walls, enclosin’ us — two men with a war tae wage, we dinna want tae fight but we had tae win.

  “I have interrupted the work for too long, I need tae give this room over tae the soldiers again.”

  “I understand.”

  “My apologies, Colonel Hammond, for threatenin’ ye. As my commander, as long as I am king, ye will have safety within my service. I canna hold yer bloodline against ye.” I added, “How can I? Tis the same as mine.”

  “You can call me Hammie, the other is too formal. And I’d like to get back to work, Your Highness, this war won’t win itself and now I really need you to remain the king.”

  Forty-eight - Kaitlyn

  The day after Magnus left, Hayley returned by storm.

  I mostly thought Magnus would accompany her, so I raced to meet them, with Quentin driving, but there in the sand — just Hayley.

  I tried very hard not to be disappointed.

  I dropped into the sand beside her and stroked her arm. “Hey babe, ready to get up? Where’d you go?”

  Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up into mine. She frowned the kind of frown that bordered on comical, the kind that you have to really work on to get it to frown so much, and said, “Oh no, I think I made a mistake.”

  Once she was ready, Quentin helped me pull her to standing. We helped her teeter to the car and climb into the back seat. As we drove her home, she had a dazed look on her face, her brow drawn down, her expression confused and bordering on hopeless as she watched the houses slide by. I kept looking at her over my shoulder. Quentin checked her with the rear view.

  “How’s it going, Hayley?”

  “Not good, I think...” Her voice trailed off.

  I met eyes with Quentin. “Want to talk about it? Where’d you go? How long?”

  She sighed. “I’ll tell you about it when we get to the house.”

  At the house she ate a meal that was enough for ten men, so much meat and cheese I warned her she was going to get sick.

  She said, “Bring it on! Better sick than starving.”

  She dipped rolled up roast beef into a rich cheese sauce, moaning rapturously, swigging a dark ale to wash it down, until she groaned collapsing on her arms on the counter.

  “I was so freaking hungry.” Then she vomited all over her lap.

  I held her skirt up so it wouldn’t drip on the floor, and directed her to the bathroom to strip down. And then I sat on the bathroom counter while she showered. “So where were you? Eighteenth century by the looks of it, but maybe you should give me the details.”

  “I was with Fraoch and Lizbeth. She’s wonderful by the way, she sends you her warmest regards.”

  I said, “I miss her so much, she’s awesome isn’t she? How long were you there?”

  She was lathering suds in her hair. “A month, a whole fucking month, because your husband promised to come back for me after one day, but guess what? He lied.”

  I clamped my smile down in my teeth. “I’m sure he had a very good reason?”

  She waved that off, “Whatever,” finished rinsing her hair and stepped out of the shower, wrapping in a towel for her body and another one for her hair.

  She asked for my big fluffy robe to complete the comfort level she required after, as she put it, “Your husband kidnapped me and stranded me in the eighteenth century.”

  I said, “I can see you’re in a mood, how about you come to the living room and tell me all about it.”

  She sat down on the couch in a big huff. “I’m hungry again.”

  “No wonder, and how long were you in the eighteenth century?”

  “Long enough to eat blood sausage.”

  Chef Zach grimaced. “I’m getting you cookies and a glass of ginger ale, stat.”

  She wouldn’t talk until the plate of cookies and glass of milk were in front of her and she had started eating. Then she leaned back on the comfortable couch wrapped in all the luxurious white fluffy terry and settled her eyes on me. “I saw Magnus, he said to tell you that he loves you very, very much.”

  “Aw, that’s really awesome.” I sighed. “He’s been gone for a full day and it feels like forever.”

  She squinted her eyes and looked at me long.

  Finally I said, “Wait, how long has he been gone?”

  “He said it had been nine months.”

  “Oh. Whoa.”

  “Yeah. He said to tell you that he thinks the war against Roderick is turning, and there will be an end to it in time. He looks really tired though, Katie, and sad. He was glad to see Lizbeth and Sean and Fraoch.”

  I sighed, “Remind me again, why he can’t come home?”

  “I think he wants to get this done. He’s worried that if he comes home before he’s beaten Roderick’s army that he’ll give Roderick the chance to take over again. He sent this letter and this present. He might explain it better.” She dug through the leather pouch she had carried with her and brought out a package wrapped in a square of cloth, a deep vivid royal blue wool. It was Magnus’s favorite color.

  Inside was a leather bound book, a journal, beside it what looked like a long jewelry box. I pried the box open to find a gorgeous gold fountain pen. I clutched it to my chest while I opened the book, blank, except for, on the first page, in my husbands scrawling hand:

  And I will come again, my Luve,

  Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

  And under it, he wrote:

  The book is for ye tae list what we will do next... I will see ye on July 2, 2020

  Love,

  Magnus

  “Oh.” Tears welled up. I clutched the book to my chest too.

  Hayley nodded.

  Then she sighed.

  Then she said, “We get it, we know, he’s the most amazing romantic man in the world, but can we please talk about Fraoch? I think I... I don’t know... Like, he wore rose-scented lotion for me.”

&nb
sp; I placed my present on the side table, wiped my eyes, and attempted to focus for my friend. “He did what?”

  And then she told me the whole story.

  And after she told me the whole story we wrote a list of pros and cons using my luxurious new gold pen.

  She added many more pros than cons but they were ridiculous pros, like she could ‘bring him here to get his tooth fixed.’

  I explained that she wasn’t doing the list right.

  We finally agreed to ‘agree in principle’ that she might need to go see what comes next with Fraoch.

  We also agreed that, because she could go back to any time of her choosing, she would wait until after Magnus was home. And that if we could Magnus and I could accompany her to the past. All of us together.

  To protect her. And support her.

  “That would be good,” she said, “it sucked not having you guys there, when Magnus arrived everyone treated me so differently, so much better.”

  “Good, when he is home we’ll all go together. You can tell Fraoch you’re sorry you lied to him and then, you can spend some time with him, with us there, too.”

  “Like a double date.”

  “Exactly. A double date. And you will be able to decide what comes next.”

  “Maybe I stay.”

  “God, would you, Hayley? Really?”

  “I might. I might if he needed me to.”

  “You are a terrible arse.”

  “I have to be to keep up with you.”

  Forty nine - Kaitlyn

  The next few days I spent hanging out, resting, relaxing. I couldn’t remember the last time this happened. It was melancholy, but also, not.

  I felt strong. I knew in the marrow of my bones that my husband would be home in a few months time, exactly as he said he would be. I also knew from the tip of my head to the ends of my toes that I was for perhaps the first time in my married life, safe.

  He was creating the future for me — one in which no one would be hunting for my murderous ass. One I would be the queen of.