Moments later, Marek appeared and reined in his horse. By the looks of it, he had been pursuing them quickly.
“By the bloody rood,” Marek exclaimed, wide-eyed and confused. “Did ye see it then?”
“See what?” Ciara replied, just as baffled as Ethyn about their newfound location. “Ireland?”
“What?” Marek frowned and shook his head. “Not Ireland, but the beastie!”
“Was I Phelan here then? Did we not actually leave?” Ciara frowned over her shoulder at Ethyn. “Before the curse started unraveling, I’d never been shifted back against my will before, yet now it's happened twice.”
“Nay, not your wolf.” Marek shook his head and looked around. “When you two took off on your own without a word, I followed only to see a unicorn. The unicorn.”
“Aye, we left but ‘twas not simply through the woods,” Ethyn replied, shocked that Marek had seen the same thing they did. “We did see the unicorn that the Brotherhood sacrificed, though.” He shook his head. “We best join the others so we can tell them what happened. ‘Tis something worth sharing to be sure.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Ciara said softly, following his thoughts. Worry lit her eyes when she looked at him again. “You were in that warrior, weren’t you?”
“Aye.” He gestured in the direction Marek had come. “Let’s get back first, then I’ll explain.”
As it turned out, though quiet, Ethyn and Ciara had apparently continued traveling with the retinue for some time before they veered off. Something neither had any memory of. But then why would they when they’d traveled back in time to ancient Ireland in some multi-dimensional fashion? The same sort of thing had happened to Aidan on his journey as well.
“So was the unicorn trying to tell us something?” Ciara said later on. Everyone sat around a fire a little ways off from the main encampment. Game roasted, while a storm rumbled in the distance. “Or was it the other way around?” She looked at Ethyn. “You were supposed to tell the unicorn something.”
“Which I did,” he reminded. “I told her she shouldnae be there. It was dangerous.” He sighed. “Unfortunately, I had no chance to explain myself.”
“Maybe she got the message anyway,” Julie said. “Maybe what you said gave her food for thought.” A frown settled on her face. “Not that it matters because the Brotherhood got her anyway.”
“’Tis a horrible thing,” Ethyn murmured, still incredibly touched by the whole experience. “For she was unlike anything I’ve ever come across. Her soul, her verra essence, ‘tis impossible to describe...to explain.”
“’Tis bloody evasive is what it is,” Marek grumbled, surprising them all. But then his mood had grown fouler by the moment since he saw the unicorn. “All she had to do was slow down and let me catch up then mayhap...”
When confusion lit his eyes, and he trailed off, Tiernan prompted him along. “Mayhap what, cousin?”
“I dinnae know.” Marek shook his head and raked a hand through his hair, frustrated. “I thought I knew for a moment, but it got away from me.” A frown tugged at his mouth. “All I know is that I needed to catch up with her. That she need not run from me.”
Julie considered him. “It almost sounds like you knew her.”
“Knew her?” Marek said softly. He blinked a few times as if snapping out of a reverie. “Nay, I didnae know her.” He gestured at Ethyn. “But, he clearly did.”
“Aye,” Ethyn agreed. “And I think I knew her well. That we were good friends.”
“Which stands to reason considering you were a Fianna warrior,” Ciara said. “For you were as much a part of the woodland as the creatures who inhabited it. They would only ever adore you and you, them.”
“Ironic really,” Julie looked from Ciara to Ethyn, “considering you’ve had a cursed wolf following you from life to life.”
“’Tis ironic,” Ethyn agreed. “More so, that I felt I had no choice but to take her life.” He bit back emotion, recalling more of the event now, most likely because he’d experienced being within his former self. “’Twas nearly the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Nearly?” Julie narrowed her eyes. “There was something harder than killing her, then?”
“Aye,” he whispered, not sure why he said that but certain he was right. “I just dinnae know what it was...”
“But you will,” came Chloe’s soft voice moments before the other couples finally arrived.
“Och, brother, ‘tis bloody good to have ye back with us.” Marek clapped Cray on the shoulder in greeting and embraced Madison. “And my new sister.”
As everyone said their hellos, Ethyn remained by Ciara’s side, fully aware how tense she had become. After all, this was the first time Madison and Chloe had seen her since they were filled in telepathically on what was happening.
Fortunately, as he expected would be the case, they were truly thankful for Phelan’s protection during Cray and Madison’s adventure. They were also grateful for Phelan both protecting and spending time with King David. Something Ethyn stilled reeled over, truly impressed by her. The kindness she had shown the boy despite the nightmare she was living. To her mind, as he well knew, wee David’s nightmare was almost as bad as her own. Not only had he lost his parents at such a young age but had to watch regent after regent die or be taken hostage.
Chloe came forward first to greet Ciara. “I’m so sorry we doubted you, sweetie.” She sat beside Ciara, took her hand, and met her eyes. “And I’m sorry we weren’t big fans of you in general. We just—”
“You just acted appropriately, because I wasn’t very nice.” Ciara looked from Chloe to Madison. “And I’m truly sorry about that.” She shook her head. “I just needed to remain on the outside looking in for as long as possible. So acting like a bitch seemed like the best way to go about it.”
“Well, it worked,” Madison replied flatly before she broke into a smile and winked, her personality remarkably changed since being with Cray. “No need to apologize. Like Chloe said, we’re the ones who should apologize to you.” She flinched. “Or should I say Phelan, seeing how I’m sure she overheard things.”
The corner of Ciara’s mouth curled up. “She did catch a few things.”
“No doubt.” Madison sat on Cray’s lap in front of the fire, her knowing gaze going from Ethyn to Ciara. “It seems she also runs jealous.”
He had wondered how long it would be before what happened in the woods on Madison and Cray’s adventure came up. Not long, it seemed. For she referred to the kiss he thought to give Madison before she and Cray came together. More pointedly, Phelan’s less-than-favorable response to it.
Though Ciara didn’t respond, her cheeks pinkened, confirming that indeed she hadn’t wanted him kissing Madison. Nor, he realized soon after it happened, did he want to kiss Madison. A sentiment that made all the more sense once he met Ciara. Aye, Madison was bonny but not nearly as lovely as his lass.
“That’s sweet but a bit much,” Ciara said into his mind. “Madison’s truly gorgeous.”
“She’s bonny enough,” he concurred, meaning every word. “But she isnae you.”
Though she didn’t reply to that, he knew she inwardly preened. His compliment actually meant a great deal to her. But then she was new to compliments, wasn’t she? Stuck in the form of a wolf, life after life with little memory of her former human. A great deal that most took for granted had been taken from her. If all that wasn’t enough, he noted as she rubbed her thigh absently, when she did get to enjoy being human, she lived in pain. Aye, she had been truthful when she’d claimed it was lessening but still. Any pain was too much pain, in his opinion.
After everyone finished greeting one another and they were caught up on the happenings at MacLeod and Hamilton castles, Tiernan refocused on what Chloe had said when they first arrived.
“What did you mean, lass?” Tiernan cocked his head at Chloe. “Though you said Ethyn would soon discover what was worse than killing Phelan, it sounded like you might know som
ething more about it.”
“I think I might.” Chloe’s pained eyes went to Ethyn and Ciara. “In fact, I think I might’ve been there when it happened.”
Chapter Thirteen
CIARA HAD NO idea what to make of Chloe’s story other than it rang true somehow. More than that, it was heartbreaking for her and Ethyn without them knowing exactly why.
“I thought when Aidan and I came together that I had remembered everything from my life as a faery,” Chloe said in conclusion, “but little pieces keep surfacing.” She shrugged. “Maybe because you’re making your way out of your curse, and this memory has to do with you, Ethyn.”
“So, you knew me as a Fianna warrior?” Ethyn said. “And you knew I loved someone?”
“Yes, based on my memory, we definitely knew each other.” Her eyes sparkled a little. She looked at him with a touch of wonder. “I mean, I was a creature of the forest, and you were sworn to protect us all. You were amongst the mightiest of the mighty.”
“’Tis no small thing for a faery to think such,” Aidan pointed out, pulling Chloe onto his lap. “And in your case, it sounds like she felt even more strongly, Ethyn.”
“I did.” Chloe nodded. “I just wish I knew why exactly. The details.”
“Yet you remember so much,” Ciara murmured, contemplating what Chloe had shared.
Apparently, she’d had a flashback of twittering alongside Ethyn when he was a Fianna. She was pleading with him to tread carefully. Those he dealt with were dark, sinister, and unpredictable. Who he would be dealing with, he, not she, couldn’t be trusted.
“First, you were going to see the woman you loved in that life, Ethyn,” Chloe revealed. “Then, though you denied it, you were going to confront some mysterious man. I can’t recall who he was, but I know I didn’t trust him.” Chloe sounded convinced. “You were going to bargain with him about something because he wasn't getting things done fast enough. He wasn't doing what he said he would.”
Why did it almost sound like Ethyn was aligned with a member of the Brotherhood?
“You’re sure it wasn’t a she?” Ciara asked. “Because Alyssa was very likely at the heart of it.”
“That just blows my mind.” Madison shook her head. “I never would’ve thought she had it in her.”
“And maybe she still doesn’t,” Julie reminded. “Let’s not forget how convinced everyone was that Ciara was the bad guy.”
“True.” Chloe shot Ciara another apologetic look before shaking her head. “No, whoever Ethyn was going to confront in that life was definitely a man. And when he passed my way again, he was changed. Different and broken in a way that tore at my heartstrings.” Her gaze flickered from Ciara to Ethyn. “Shortly after that, I saw Phelan for the first time. She became your faithful companion always by your side.”
“And what of this woman you claimed I loved?” Ethyn asked, understandably upset. “Did you see her before or after that happened?”
“I don’t recall seeing her before, but that may be because she’s shrouded by the curse.” Chloe shook her head. “I definitely didn’t see her after, nor did you ever speak of her again.”
“Which means this mysterious man is likely responsible for changing Ciara into a wolf,” Cray contributed.
“Aye,” Grant confirmed, materializing right on time. He perked a brow at Ciara. “Which backs up my theory, evil forces may be feeding you false information via your curse.” He shook his head. “That mayhap Alyssa isnae on the other end of this like you thought she was.”
“Or Destiny,” Marek added for good measure.
“Destiny?” Ciara shook her head and referred to what she and Ethyn had speculated about their first visit to the Irish Stonehenge. “No, she was too busy hiding Stonehenges in magical tattoo compasses and prophesizing about the MacLomain’s doomed fate if Étaín and the Guardian Witches didn’t do something.”
“Indeed!” Grant’s brows whipped up. Bits of his ethereal form caught on sparks blowing off the fire. “That’s verra specific, lass.”
“And could just as easily be wrong.” Ciara frowned. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that when I have no clue if it’s true.”
“No clue,” Grant murmured. His gaze went to Aidan for a moment, who obviously caught him up telepathically on everything he’d missed. “But undoubtedly worth paying attention to.”
“So you truly think my lass was the prophet that prompted Étaín and the Guardian Witches to manipulate the stones?” Marek asked Grant. “That she saw to it each stone took attributes from us couples that would someday contribute to our MacLomain bloodline? Not to mention created some sort of failsafe that we hope will ultimately defeat the Brotherhood.”
Grant cocked his head curiously. “Your lass?”
“Aye.” Marek nodded once. “Destiny.”
“Ah.” Grant tilted his head the other way. “How do you know?”
“How do I know what?”
“That Destiny’s your lass?”
“Because she’s the only one left,” Marek replied. “And by the sounds of it quite possibly a dragon.”
“Is that a requirement, then?” Grant asked. “That MacLeod mates be dragon?”
“Nay.” Marek shrugged. “’Twas just always assumed.”
Cray’s brows shot up. “Was it then, brother? For, last I knew, Nessa MacLauchlin wasnae dragon.”
Nessa was Laird Keenan MacLauchlin’s sister and supposedly Marek’s secret sweetheart.
“We’re not talking about Nessa,” Marek said a little too quickly, redirecting the conversation. “We’re talking about Destiny.”
“Right,” Madison kicked in as Cray rested his hand protectively on her baby bump. “Who must be your one true love because Alyssa, the arch-enemy of Ciara and Ethyn’s curse, wants Ethyn, not you.”
“Well...aye.” Marek nodded. “Is that not the assumption?”
“’Tis never wise to assume,” Grant chimed in.
As the group continued to speculate about Marek’s potential mate, Ciara smiled at Chloe and Aidan and commented on the birth of their child. “By the way, congratulations on your baby girl.”
Unfortunately, the birth had happened in the brief time she and Ethyn had been in the twenty-first century, so they'd missed it.
“Thank you.” Chloe beamed right along with Aidan. “I take it Julie and Tiernan filled you in?”
“They mentioned it, but even if they hadn’t, she’s all you two can think about.” Ciara squeezed Chloe’s hand. “And you have every right. She’s precious.” She winked. “And sparkly.”
“Indeed.” Aidan’s worshiping smile lingered on his wife’s face. “She has a lot of her mother in her.”
“And father,” Chloe reminded. “After all, she’s an arch-wizard.”
“Aye, then?” Ethyn exclaimed, grinning at Aidan. “Your daughter got your powers?”
“I like to think so,” Aidan said softly.
“Someday, she’ll be Clan Hamilton’s chieftain.” Chloe’s eyes sparkled. “Mark my words.”
What nobody talked about as the conversation continued was that while yes, their daughter might become chieftain, what would that reality look like? Would Scotland still be the same, post thirteen forty-six? Would their daughter still possess powers? Or would her magic ultimately vanish along with all magic in Scotland?
As late afternoon turned into night, they ate, drank, and speculated, trying to piece together the parts of their various adventures. To figure out what the Brotherhood had done at the Irish Stonehenge beyond the obvious. Then what happened prior to that not only between Ethyn and Ciara and Marek and his Broun, but the Guardian Witches, Étaín, and the yet-to-be-discovered prophet.
“I still dinnae ken why we dinnae just travel to the future and confront Destiny and Alyssa,” Marek said, his thinking similar to what Ethyn’s had been. “Do that, and I imagine many of our quandaries will be solved.”
“Or,” Grant theorized, his form more faded now than it had been earlier. Bar
ely there, actually. “You’ll be confronting something you shouldnae confront until Ethyn and Ciara have activated their ring and sealed off their Stonehenge.”
“If we do,” Ciara said softly. While she much preferred Grant’s take on her curse, she had lived by her subconscious for so long it was hard to think differently.
“You do want to, though, don’t you?” Chloe’s knowing eyes went between Ciara and Ethyn, taking in how close she sat to him. “You’re both hoping Ciara’s the one despite the wolf angle?” She shrugged. “Or maybe because of the wolf angle.”
“Aye,” Ethyn said without hesitation, yet again warming her heart. Giving her hope that might not be hers to have. “’Tis Ciara I want by my side.”
“I can see that,” Chloe said softly, smiling. She looked at Ciara. “No need to ask where you stand.” Her eyes sparkled as her inner Fae took over and changed the octave of her voice. “But then things don’t always go as ye hope, aye? Not when dealing with immortals...not when ye love an immortal so deeply.”
Madison leaned forward as if picking up on Chloe’s magic. Her dragon eyes flared. “For, immortals are willing to do anything for those they love. Those they feel so deeply about.” Her dragon eyes flared brighter, seeing into the distant past. Most definitely witnessing a memory. Her words sounded animalistic as her inner dragon spoke through her. “Not just dragon and unicorn magic were needed but innocence in its purest form.”
Almost the moment Ethyn said, “Innocence in its purest form?” Madison’s and Chloe’s eyes returned to normal.
Seconds later, Grant vanished when the wind picked up, and lightning flashed overhead.
“What was that all about?” Cray asked, his arms around Madison now. His need to protect her and their little one, Ceann, obvious. “What just happened?”
“Just the past giving Ethyn and Ciara a message I’d say,” Madison said reassuringly. She leaned back against him. “What that is exactly, I’m not completely sure.”
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