The Draig's Choice
Page 56
There was a winter chill floating in the corridor that no hearth would erase, and a Highland winter meant cold. Sarah said, “Let’s bundle them up and go. I’d love to spend the day with you and our clan.”
Without question, Conall accepted her shift from focusing on what she had left behind to the life they lived with purpose and passion. “Aye, sweet Sarah. Upon our return, I shall need to make certain you and the bairn are warmed. Mayhap a hot bath before the evening meal?”
Her thoughts blurred from spending time as a family to stolen hours alone with her husband, a man who had defied a king to be with her and love her. Sarah pulled him down and planted a slow teasing kiss to his lips. “I love that idea almost as much as I love you.”
The End
Afterword
Dear Reader,
Hopefully, Sarah and Conall were able to distract you from real life for a bit and that you enjoyed their story as much as I enjoyed creating it.
There are only two historical accuracies in The Draig’s Choice. The first is the date for the Battle of Bannockburn - June 24, 1314. The second is the description of Robert the Bruce. An article in The Telegraph (December 8, 2016) details the facial reconstruction of his skull at the Face Lab at IJMU. Said skull was found during excavations at Dunfermline Abbey in 1818. Provided they had the correct skull, we know how Robert the Bruce appeared in life, which I find to be amazing.
There is absolutely no historical reference to the legendary Bruce spending time in the Highlands. In fact, he was quite busy continuing his battle for the right to rule. If you read Time of the Draig, you may recall that I quite literally recreated time and made string theory a fact, not a theory. Quick catch-up: multiple realities. Who’s to say what possibilities that opens up? For me, it meant that the Bruce could be wherever I wanted and needed him.
In Time of the Draig, we learn that all travelers enter the Scottish past on May fourth; hence part of the reason Sarah and Conall rushed their courtship. Given the impending battle, there wasn’t a lot of time to get those two together. Somehow, I doubt Conall would have waited. He knew Sarah had come for him, being a believer of tales has a way of allowing love and destiny to take control.
The Draig’s Choice was originally born to explain the edict that brought Declan and Emma together in The Draig’s Wife. I was curious as to what type of romance would inspire a ruler to write such an absurd dictate. That Robert the Bruce turned out to be the antagonist of the story hadn’t been in the plan, merely what happened as the story unfolded. Again, there’s no evidence to support his being such an arse.
The Draig clan isn’t done with me yet. There are more stories to tell. I’ve started on The First Draig and we’ll see where that goes. I have the feeling some Draig clan traditions have been altered or even misunderstood due to the passage of time. Let’s find the real beginning. Dana, from Time of the Draig, has a story to tell. Plus, we now have Graham and Kayla in the present to get to know better. I wonder how much has been retained and how much lost for the Draig clan in modern times.
The issue of PTSD was hinted at in this book. This condition exists for too many of our dedicated servicemen and women. Know someone who needs help? There are a variety of options available. Encourage that person to seek professional assistance. Explore options in your community that could help that person move forward to a better tomorrow. Your doctor or clergy will have suggestions on places to start.
Want a dog? Adopt. So many wonderful animals are waiting for a loving home.
Our four-legged family member is Bella, though not a pit bull. The description in the book is based on her buddy, Rover. This immense canine is one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met. There are no bad breeds, only horrible owners.
No book is created on an island. With loving gratitude, thank you to Stacey and Paula for always reading the first draft and helping me find the best tale to tell. Your encouragement keeps me writing.
Thank you to Novel Needs for editing my grammar. Their dedication and sense of humor is always appreciated.
Many thanks to you for choosing this book. Whether your first foray into the Draig, or a continuing guest, my extreme thanks for joining us.
Wishing you love and destiny fulfilled,
Lisa
Also by Lisa Dawn Wadler
The Draig’s Woman
Rescuing the man tied to a tree seemed like a rational decision. Claire is a smart, capable bookkeeper who happens to work at a martial arts academy. She has no idea the door she walked through to save the bound man would leave her trapped in 13th century Scotland. She is unable to regret the night of passion shared with Ian, even though it happened with the threat of death just outside the door. She pretends to be content with Ian’s friendship, knowing his people must come first. Compelled by honor and tormented by desire, is being his woman, while he marries another, enough?
Ian, Laird of the Draig Clan, is a man trapped by fate. Forced by necessity to marry a woman he has never met, her dowry is essential to save his clan. However, he is in love with the woman who saved his life and then spent one night in his arms. Duty prevents Ian from being able to marry Claire as custom, honor, and his heart demand. Drawn to her, believing they share the same desires and dreams in life, he finally offers her the only option available, a place by his side and in his bed.
Claire and Ian are bound together in love and then ripped apart by deception and a plot to destroy the Draig clan. Facing the final battle alone and unarmed, Claire saves them all. The ultimate challenge is forgiving Ian for sending her away.
Time of the Draig
In an attempt to save the world from destruction, physicist Major Samantha Sykes, opens a door in time. Her plan to travel into the past to change the future has unexpected consequences. Trapped in 11th century Scotland, her mission is complicated by the love she never knew she was seeking.
Laird Faolan of the Draig clan has one desire: to claim the woman who fell through time and make her his. He will do everything in his power to convince Samantha that she belongs with him for all time.
Opening the door in time brings Samantha and Faolan together. Fate, destiny, and responsibility are at odds. The forces that brought them together may be their undoing.
Will their love survive Samantha’s journey back to her world to save time, or will the centuries that stretch between them tear them apart?
The Draig’s Wife
He’s given her no reason to like him, but there are many reasons to marry him.
Answering a cry for help brought Emma into Medieval Scotland. There she finds the love of a father, friendship, and a child who captures her heart. Dealing with the bluster of the laird is much more complicated.
Declan provides for his clan with cold clarity. Due to the mantle of his responsibilities, his heart is denied. The requirement that he must marry to protect his people and save his title was one more burden until he meets Emma. Declan will use every trick possible to have her by his side and in his bed.
A rushed marriage is complicated by constant threats. When the danger becomes too great, love may be the victim when marrying the Draig Laird.