by Donna Grant
“That’s what is in Wallace’s blood now,” Malcolm said. “Death had me trapped. If it hadna been for Evie, I’d still be there.”
Larena looked at Evie. “Then I owe you a great debt.”
“No. I did it for Malcolm,” she said.
Malcolm wanted to pull her into his lap and kiss her. She wasn’t cowed by the Warriors, and she had stood up for him. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had done that.
“We’re glad you did,” Ramsey said. “I suspect you risked your own life while doing it, Evie.”
“She did,” Malcolm interjected when she shook her head. “Phelan saved her. Did he no’ mention how Death nearly burned her alive while she was trying to rescue me?”
“Phelan was doing what he thought best,” Larena said.
Ramsey sat back in the chair and stretched out his legs. “Phelan is a lot like Fallon. He wanted you at the castle.”
“But no’ Evie?” Malcolm clenched his jaw in anger. “After what he went through with Aisley?”
“I think it’s because of what he went through with Aisley.” Ramsey’s silver gaze slid to Evie. “Phelan recognized the strong feelings between the two of you. He knows firsthand what Wallace can do. Had Aisley no’ been a Phoenix, she’d be dead.”
Malcolm looked at the floor, unable to say anything. He was hurt by what had transpired with everyone the night before, but Ramsey made sense.
A chair scraped on the floor as Evie rose and came to stand behind Malcolm. She placed her hands on his shoulders and said, “Malcolm needs his family. If it means that I remain behind, then so be it.”
“Nay.” Malcolm was up and had Evie in his arms before she could blink. “That’s no’ an option.”
“Malcolm, please,” she pleaded.
He shook his head and wrapped one of her curls around his finger. “Nay, lass. Doona bring it up again. I’ll no’ leave you alone. Every time I do, you get into trouble,” he teased.
She laughed and then nodded. “All right, but you need to make up with your family. You’ve only got the one.”
“It’s us who need to apologize to him,” Larena said. “Not the other way around. But I appreciate what you just tried to do.”
Malcolm sat and pulled Evie onto his lap. He liked having her close so he could feel her curves and touch her as much as he wanted. She was a reminder of who he wanted to be—and who he wanted to be with.
“Is it true?” Ramsey asked. “Has Wallace put the prophecy in motion?”
Malcolm looked at his friend and gave a single nod. “It was his plan all along. I doona know how long he had the plan in place, but we fell into step exactly as he wanted us.”
“So you’re carrying a child?” Larena asked Evie.
Evie shrugged. “Jason said I was, but I don’t know for sure.”
Ramsey rose and walked to them. He squatted next to the chair and looked at Malcolm and then Evie, his hand hovering over Evie’s stomach. “May I?”
“Ramsey is part Druid, part Warrior,” Malcolm explained to her.
Evie’s clear blue eyes widened. “Oh. And yes, you may.”
Malcolm didn’t move as Ramsey placed his hand on Evie’s stomach and closed his eyes. Several seconds ticked by before Ramsey opened his eyes and stood.
“She does carry a child in her womb,” he announced as he resumed his seat.
Malcolm held Evie tighter. “Evie isna evil. The child can no’ be born evil just because the prophecy says so.”
“There is much left out of prophesies,” Ramsey admitted. “The problem is, we rarely discover what was missing until it’s too late.”
“What do I do then?” Evie said. “Jason said if I tried to abort the baby he would kill Brian. I can’t bring a child of pure evil into the world for Jason to raise.”
Larena shook her head of golden hair. “No, that can’t happen. Wallace first tried to bring about the prophecy with Phelan and Aisley. I wonder if they might know more.”
“We need to ask then,” Evie said.
Ramsey was silent for several moments before he looked at Evie. “Your site was hacked, aye?”
“Twice,” Evie admitted.
“Once by our Gwynn. We think the second was by Wallace.”
Evie shifted on Malcolm’s lap. “It was. He wanted my necklace in exchange for my brother.”
“Did he mention the necklace when you saw him last?”
Malcolm frowned and looked at Evie. “He didna to me. Did he to you?”
“No,” she said in surprise. “I was so worried about Brian and then learning about the prophecy that I completely forgot about it.”
Larena leaned a forearm on the table. “There’s a chance he may not have actually wanted it.”
“But you do?” Evie guessed. “Why?”
Malcolm thought back to what it could be, and when the answer came, he was shocked he hadn’t realized it sooner. “They think it’s from a cargo of magical items which left Edinburgh years ago in one of three shipments.”
“I’ve searched Edinburgh Castle as well as the Tower of London, but the necklace isn’t there,” Larena said.
Ramsey shrugged. “At one time we wanted the necklace for us. Now, we want to make sure it doesna fall into the wrong hands of someone like Jason Wallace.”
“What do you think my necklace does?” Evie asked.
Malcolm met her worried gaze. “Binds the gods inside us.”
CHAPTER
FORTY-NINE
Evie stood atop the hill gazing at the majestic mountains around her without seeing any of it. Malcolm’s words still rang in her head.
The necklace her family had guarded for generations contained the spell to bind the gods inside the Warriors. It seemed absurd, and yet … right.
And she had lost it to Wallace. If Jason knew what the necklace contained, he could use it against Malcolm and the others, leaving just the Dragon Kings to fight for mankind.
Evie couldn’t imagine Malcolm as anything but a Warrior. His god was part of the man he was, the Highlander who had made such sweet love to her.
She swallowed and silently berated herself for being so trusting. She was to blame for the entire mess. To make matters worse, knowing those at MacLeod Castle wanted the spell so they could bind their gods made her feel even lower.
The only good thing to come out of the entire debacle was Malcolm. He was like the great oaks she’d always admired—strong, steady, and constant.
“This is one of my favorite views,” Elena said as she walked up.
Evie jerked, surprised to hear a voice. She glanced at Elena to find her staring at the same view. “It’s beautiful.”
“But you’re not really seeing it today, not that I blame you.” Elena cut her a quick look. “Hal and Rhys took Brian and put him to work herding the sheep. The poor boy looked like he needed to get his mind off things.”
“That’ll be good for Brian. He won’t tell me what Jason did to him. After seeing what Jason was capable of with Malcolm, I’m almost too afraid to find out.”
“I’m sure Brian will tell you in time. Each of you is dealing with things in your own way.”
Evie sighed loudly. “God, Elena, I can’t figure a way out of any of this.”
“You need to focus on the here and now. And remember, you’re not alone.”
“A month ago all I worried about was work, meeting a guy, and what Brian and I would do over the Christmas holidays. It seems a lifetime ago.”
Elena shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans and cocked her head at the mountains. “When I first came to Dreagan, I almost died while caving in the mountains. My boss did lose her life, and it was Guy and the others who found me. We’d been trespassing, but it was obvious Sloan had come here to find something. Con thought I was part of it.”
“Were you?” Evie asked as she looked at Elena.
“No, and only Guy believed me. I was so scared. My ordered life went into utter chaos. The only calm in the storm was Guy,” she said wit
h a soft smile before she faced Evie. “I put my faith in him, and I discovered who he really was. And then I set out to help all the Dragon Kings.”
“How?”
Elena grimaced. “Much to Guy’s anger, it involved returning to London and the company I worked for, PureGems, to determine who was behind looking into Dreagan. You watch all the movies about spies and you think it looks easy, but it isn’t.”
“Did you find out who it was?”
“In a manner. It was the CEO, but someone else was behind him. It would’ve taken us even longer to learn that if it hadn’t been for Jane. She and Banan met and fell in love in London.”
Evie let the gust of wind slide over her. “I’m carrying a child of a prophecy, Elena. A child who is supposed to house all the evil of the world. How can I let it live?”
“If you think Malcolm is going to allow Wallace to take your baby, then you don’t know him,” she said with a wink.
“You’re right.” Evie couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of that. She was so mired in everything else she had forgotten who Malcolm was at his core.
Elena bumped against her with her shoulder. “He’s worried about you. He’s been standing at the bottom of the hill watching you for the past hour.”
Surprised, Evie turned and looked over her shoulder to find Malcolm just where Elena said he was.
“Go to him,” Elena urged. “Brian will be occupied for a while, and I’ll make sure no one bothers either of you for at least two hours.”
Evie nodded before she turned and started toward Malcolm. The closer she got to him, the more she saw his face was set in hard lines, almost as if he were preparing himself for something.
She stopped a few paces from him. “I didn’t know about the necklace, Malcolm. I swear.”
“I doona care about that.”
“If Jason discovers what the spell is—”
“Then he will,” Malcolm interrupted her.
She shook her head in amazement. “Does nothing faze you?”
“Everything when it comes to you, apparently.”
Her heart skipped a beat as his words sank in. “Because I carry your child?”
“Because you are you.”
She was entangled, caught, trapped in his azure gaze. An emotion, deep and profound, was there for her to see, to accept if she was but willing.
Evie didn’t have to think twice. She closed the distance between them and flung her arms around Malcolm’s neck. He held her tightly, his mouth descending upon hers in a scorching kiss.
His arms were like bands of steel holding her captive against him as he plundered her mouth, demanding she yield completely.
She offered everything she had—body, heart, and soul. With one touch he had ensnared her, enticed her. Enthralled her. He was everything she wanted, everything she needed.
The kiss deepened, his chest rumbling with a moan. Evie’s body burned for him, craved to feel him inside her, filling her.
“I have to have you,” he murmured as he kissed down her neck.
Evie’s head dropped back. The cool wind raced over her heated skin. “Yes. I’m not complete unless you’re inside me.”
She barely took notice when he lifted her in his arms and began walking. How he could think, much less stand upright when his mouth was wreaking havoc against her skin boggled her mind.
The next thing she knew, she was on her back with Malcolm’s delicious weight atop her. She groaned when she felt his hard arousal.
Her sweater was pulled over her head just before his lips claimed hers again. She sank her fingers into the silky locks of his thick, blond hair.
So much had happened between them, and yet they hadn’t shared much in the way of words. Suddenly, she had to tell him how she felt, had to make him realize just what he meant to her.
Evie broke the kiss and pushed against his chest until he lifted his head and his gaze pierced her. Her breathing was ragged, her heart pounding as she looked into his eyes and saw the same need she knew was reflected in hers. The world melted away then.
With the feel of his heart beating against her palm she realized that somewhere along the way she had fallen hopelessly, madly in love with Malcolm.
The words tangled in her throat as her emotions welled high. She wanted him to know, needed to tell him.
Their gazes still locked together, Malcolm shifted until she sat upon his lap, her legs wrapped around his waist. When had their clothes been removed? And then she no longer cared as he lifted her over his rod.
Evie sucked in a breath when she first lowered herself onto his staff. He was thick and impossibly hard. Skin to skin beneath the sun and sky their bodies—and hearts—joined. The rhythm was slow, sensual as she moved her hips, causing her nipples to graze his chest.
His azure eyes darkened, a moan falling from his lips as he kept one hand on her hip and the other wrapped around her. They moved as one, taking the other higher with each thrust, each touch.
Evie was sinking into Malcolm, into all that he was. She could feel his heartbeat, hear his breath … savor his very essence.
He drew her closer until their lips nearly met as the desire knotted tighter and tighter inside her. Her skin sizzled, her blood burned through her veins. All for Malcolm.
As she welcomed the love for him, some shackle she hadn’t known was around her heart fell away. She became … more. She was everywhere and yet nowhere. She could reach past the stars and into chaos. She was as small as an atom, as fierce as the sun.
She was a Druid.
And she had given her heart and soul to a Warrior.
“Evie,” Malcolm whispered reverently.
Her body shattered, the climax sweeping her away on a current of bliss that took her higher, deeper than she thought possible.
As she rode the waves of ecstasy, Malcolm’s fingers dug into her as he orgasmed.
Their breaths mingled, their hearts beating together as the pleasure coalesced into something bright and intangible. No longer were they two people—but one.
Whatever had just happened, it changed everything. But for once, Evie knew only good could come of it. Because she had Malcolm.
She cupped his face as the last tremors from her climax faded. “Whatever comes next, I can face it with you beside me.”
“I wouldna be anywhere else.” His thumb brushed her bottom lip. “I didna dare hope that I would ever find you. I’m no’ going to let you go without a fight.”
“I didn’t know about the spell in my necklace.”
He gave a shake of his head. “As I said, I doona care. The others may want to be mortal once more, but there has to be someone to fight evil.”
“And that will be you?”
“Aye. If the Druids at MacLeod Castle can live four centuries, then so can you.”
“If that’s what you want.”
“It’s one of several things I want, but it’s a start.”
The teasing light in his blue eyes made her smile. “Together then.”
“Together.”
They weren’t words of love, but for a man who hadn’t experienced emotion in a long time, they were just as good.
* * *
Phelan stood at the windows of Con’s office and watched Malcolm and Evie walk back to the manor hand in hand. “So you’re pissed.”
Con gave a snort. “Do I agree with what you did? Nay. And you know it. I’m no’ the one you need to apologize to.”
“I was trying to help him.”
“Aye. And so were Charon and Laura when they told everyone you were with Aisley. I distinctly remember you being a tad on the angry side then.”
Phelan rubbed his forehead and faced Constantine. “I admit I forgot all about that when I discovered what Evie was.”
“What is Evie but a Druid who was backed into a corner and did what she thought best to save lives? Both Aisley and Isla have proven that just because they performed the ceremony to become drough doesna make them evil.”
“O
kay. So I fucked up. I knew Aisley wasna evil when I met her.”
Con lifted a blond brow. “Malcolm uses the same argument, except Evie wasna drough when he met her. He’s known her before and after the ceremony. I also sense no evil in her.”
“Yet.” Phelan leaned against the wall and shook his head. “Malcolm has been through so much. What if Evie is working with Wallace? What if she was meant to get close to Malcolm and turn him against us?”
Con’s forehead furrowed. “Malcolm has been on the edge of darkness for a while. We’ve known he could fall either way. You have a valid point when it comes to Wallace, but I agree with Malcolm that Evie is trustworthy.”
“You’re going to chance the entire world on that?”
“Aye. And I’d do the same for you if you were in Malcolm’s shoes. I trust my instincts, Phelan.”
Phelan blew out a breath. “I was on the outside looking in for so long. I think that’s why I understood Malcolm before. He’s been given the short end of the stick on most things. I doona want to see him lose it all now.”
“Then we make sure he doesna,” Con said, his black eyes full of determination and resolve.
One side of Phelan’s mouth lifted in a grin. “Agreed.”
CHAPTER
FIFTY
Despite the circumstances, Malcolm wanted to smile about everything. Nothing was sorted yet, but they had months before the baby came to find a way out of the mess with Wallace. And he wouldn’t stop searching until he discovered how to kill the bastard.
He wanted more time alone with Evie, but the women of Dreagan, along with Larena, had pulled her into a room as soon as they returned to the mansion. Malcolm stared at the closed door for several minutes before he went in search of Brian.
Malcolm opened the front door to find Rhys walking toward the house.
“Just who I was looking for,” Rhys said. “I need to patrol around the east side of our property. Fancy helping me?”
“Aye.” Malcolm was never one who liked to sit around anyway.
“Good. I’ll race you there.”
Malcolm raised a brow. “I’m no’ foolish enough to race a dragon.”
“I’m no’ going to shift into dragon form,” Rhys said, affronted. Then he smiled. “But I still can beat you.”
