Stone of Destiny
Page 14
Holding the stone in his hand, Gavin slowly entered the circle, every muscle taut and nerves on edge. Katherine and Thomas waited outside the ring, hoping for the best. Gavin walked to the largest stone, the only one lying on its side, and used it as his starting point. He passed each stone in a counterclockwise motion until he’d come back to where he’d begun.
Turning around to face the center of the circle, he held the rock out in supplication and waited. The sun struck the stone in his hand and a green glow appeared, spreading out until it filled the entire area inside the circle. A haze formed in the center and Gavin squinted his eyes, trying to see beyond the mist obscuring his vision and hoping he didn't disappear into it.
Chapter Thirty-One
Sitting across from each other in the living room, Abbie and Kristen worked from their laptops in companionable silence. Researching the MacKenzie line on the internet had become a weekly hobby for them both. Abbie wanted her child to know as much as possible about his proud heritage.
"Even present-day Scotland seems like such a magical place," Kristen said. "I'll have to go there sometime. Maybe I can find my own Scottish hunk."
Abbie winced and Kristen saw it.
"Oh, honey, I'm sorry. There I go, putting my foot in my mouth again."
Abbie gave her a soft smile. "No, don't be. In fact, when Ian's old enough to enjoy it, why don't we all go together? I'd like him to see the country." And by that time, I should be able to visit without bursting into tears, she thought.
"That'd be fun," Kristen said and nibbled on her finger, sounding more subdued. "They have some fascinating legends."
She started reading again and Abbie blinked back the moisture filming her eyes.
"Hey!" Kristen slammed her computer down on the coffee table and jumped up from her chair, startling Abbie. "There's a green mist floating above your head."
"What? I don't see anything." Abbie set her laptop aside and started to stand.
"Don't you see? No, stay where you are. I've been reading about the faerie circles."
Abbie shook her head. Kristen was babbling now. Her previous trips had nothing to do with the faerie circles.
"It's Gavin," Kristen insisted. "I think he's trying to call for you."
Abbie's breath caught. She could see the mist now. Kristen broke out in a dazzling smile.
"I knew it! I knew he'd find a way to bring you back to him. Remember to tell Ian about his Auntie Kristen!"
The light started to swirl then everything went black.
***
Gavin thought he saw Abbie next to a lass with blonde hair. Suddenly the mist disappeared, leaving Abbie sitting on the ground in front of him. For a moment neither one spoke, not daring to believe in what had just occurred.
“Am I really back?” Abbie whispered those words at the same time as Gavin took a good look at her rounded middle in the tight shirt and trews that she wore.
“A bairn? I'm going to be a da?"
Abbie gave him a blazing smile and nodded.
Gavin swiftly picked her up and carried her out of the circle – before it changed its mind and took her back – all the while showering Abbie with kisses and telling her how much he loved her. All Abbie could manage was a good cry as she held onto him. Katherine kissed her cheek, tears streaming down her own face. Thomas raised Abbie's hand to his lips as he welcomed her back.
While carefully making their way back toward the castle, Abbie finally managed to tell Gavin he was going to have a son. He savored the news as he held her in his arms.
***
The morning of Là Fhèill Brìghde, the festival of Imbolc, dawned bright and clear, holding the promise of spring in its grasp. Abbie marveled at the events of the last few months. The path her life had taken to bring her to this day, her wedding day, had been extraordinary to say the least.
Sorcha had been brought up from the village yesterday and deftly inserted another panel into Abbie’s wedding dress. It now fit perfectly once again, baby bump and all.
Gavin hadn’t been able to keep his hands off her belly, once the shock wore off. He expressed his joy over both having her back and his impending fatherhood over and over again. He was so happy that Abbie thought he might float through the air at any moment. She understood the feeling.
When Gavin had told her about his search for the way to bring her back, Abbie burst into tears and couldn’t stop. She had to reassure him that she was overwhelmed with happiness, as her continuous tears alarmed him.
Her love for him knew no bounds. Abbie would always be grateful that he never gave up. Without the persistence he displayed, they would have been doomed to live their lives separate and apart.
“Good morning, love.” Gavin rolled over and planted a kiss on her forehead before patting her belly.
“Good morning to you, too, Ian.” He felt a kick against his hand in response and laughed.
“You look deep in thought. Are you feeling well?” His tone held a slight touch of anxiety.
Abbie glanced at him with a smile on her face, unable to roll toward him. “I was just thinking about how wonderful it is to be back here.”
Gavin cradled her in his arms, full of wonder and delight at having Abbie back home.
“When I first saw you in the mist, you were standing next to a blonde lass.”
“That was Kristen. She was a wonderful friend and helped me through those months when I thought I might collapse under the weight of despair. I will miss her dearly, but I know she’s happy for me.”
Gavin kissed her again and stood up. “I’ll leave you now so you can be properly attended to on your wedding day. I dinna want to risk being thrown out of my own room by Katherine.”
Later that day, as Abbie stood between the fires, she could see the radiance she felt reflected back to her in the glow from Gavin’s eyes. They exchanged their vows and he slipped the ring on her finger, at last sealing their destiny in front of the entire population of villagers. No one had wanted to miss out on being a part of this happy day. The Laird and Lady presented themselves to cheers that echoed amongst the surrounding hills. No Fae would be able to interfere in their lives again.
***
Three months later…
Ian MacKenzie made his way into the world, strong and healthy, the first of several children who would be loved and cherished by his adoring parents, according to Nikolai's vision of Abbie's future. Katherine slipped into the role of doting grandmother, overjoyed with his presence.
“I am the happiest man to ever walk the face of the earth because of you.” Gavin kissed her tenderly before picking up their son.
As Abbie watched her sleeping child, nestled in his proud father’s arms, she knew she’d found her happily ever after.
Acknowledgments
This book is dedicated to my family.
I couldn’t have written it without the love and support that you’ve always shown me.
If you liked Stone of Destiny…
Check out Laura's other published works!
********
Seducer of her Dreams
Emily is beautiful, successful, but has no love life – not with a real man anyway. Involved in the hottest sexual relationship of her life with the ultimate man of her dreams, lately she’s been waking up before the job is finished. Determined to start living her life again in the real world, she banishes him from her nights.
An immortal Seducer created to fulfill sexual fantasies, Devan takes the rejection personally. Determined to correct the error, he visits the earth to seduce Emily in person. Only allowed one full cycle of the moon, he arrogantly assumes that she will capitulate immediately. The only catch…he can’t tell her who he really is, or he will return to the void forever.
While Devan learns about life and love in the mortal realm, with humorous and poignant results, Emily learns to trust her own feelings as their sexual passion for each other escalates. But time is running out for them as rules are broken and Fate intervenes. Can their
love for each other survive across dimensions when he must return to his own?
Available at Amazon, BarnesandNoble, Smashwords, and other ebook retailers
Prophecy Moon
Loner Travis O'Conner becomes the unwilling champion of a mysterious seer who plunges him into another dimension. His only guide—a deck of Tarot cards in her possession.
He falls in love with a woman who may not be his ally, while battling wizards intent on destroying him. Must Travis lose his love in order to save his world?
Available at Amazon, BarnesandNoble, Smashwords, and other ebook retailers
Deadly Intent
Death stalks the small town of Wood Park after a violent thunderstorm wreaks havoc on the population and drops a stranger in its midst. Police Chief Jonathon Brier chases after clues, always a step behind, as citizens become more irrational with tragic consequences.
When the town is abandoned to its fate with no hope of any outside help, Jonathon must figure out how to combat the evil presence that taunts him before time runs out for everyone.
Available at Amazon, BarnesandNoble, Smashwords, and other ebook retailers
Don't Fall Asleep – A Dream Assassin Novel
In the 27th century, a psychic aberration has manifested in humanity, gifting a select few with the ability to weave dreams for others. They ply their addictive trade, calling themselves Dream Merchants.
Rarer still are those who can assassinate people while they dream…
Newly arrived on Altair IV, Cassandra Dade works her profession as a Dream Assassin according to her own code of ethics. She's beautiful, rich and running from her past—a past which is about to catch up with her.
The partner she trains might be all that stands between her and mental destruction, a fate worse than death. But does his own secret agenda set them on a collision course with disaster?
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Tempest Child
As future Queen and Guardian of the Elements, Princess Skylather'cha'eab thought her worst nightmare was the impending find-a-husband party until events take an ominous turn. Now she must put her life at risk to save her Kingdom.
Armed with only a staff, a bow, and her wits, Skyla's world is turned upside-down when she enters the Crossroads and encounters the beast she's destined to kill. Does she have the courage to sort truth from lie, or will she die not knowing who betrayed her?
Available at Amazon, BarnesandNoble, Smashwords, and other ebook retailers
Realms of the Red Rabbit, Book One
“At last the time has come.” The voice spoke like a clap of thunder, menace choking off the breeze that had sprung up.
“Seven hundred years I have waited for the Red Rabbit to appear once again. There will be much sorrow here soon…and pain. That is what makes the waiting worthwhile.” With that proclamation the pair of enormous emerald green eyes faded back into the darkness.
A spoiled, rich young woman is catapulted into an alternate universe because of an ancient legend. As she fights to find her way back home, she must adjust her way of thinking or remain trapped in the Realms for eternity. Along the way she learns the meaning of friendship, love and honor while struggling against the dangerous adversaries who are intent on keeping her there.
Available at Amazon, BarnesandNoble, Smashwords, and other ebook retailers
Realms of the Red Rabbit-Jake, Book Two
“You belong to me, Alyson,” he whispered softly, but with the clash of steel filling his voice as he spoke. “I will have you.”
Loving the wrong woman led to his downfall. Now Jake must spend eternity trapped in the Realms, inflicting terror at his master’s command, the entity known as Green Eyes.
Meeting Alyson rips Jake’s carefully constructed world apart, leading him to wonder about his very existence. Havoc reigns as he seeks to keep Alyson against her will. Can her influence change the life he’s led for four thousand years, or is he doomed forever?
Available at Amazon, BarnesandNoble, Smashwords, and other ebook retailers
About the Author
Laura Eno lives in Florida with a very tolerant husband, three skulking cats and two absurdly happy dogs. She has a pet from the Underworld named Jezebel and a skull called Mr. Fluffy who help her write novels late at night. Please visit her strange imagination at http://lauraeno.blogspot.com, Like her Facebook page and follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lauraeno
Table of Contents
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