by Mary Morgan
“And the women?” asked Stephen.
“Pray tell me how we could remove our wives?” Angus shook his head in amusement. “Ye ken that more damage would come from the women, unto our heads, if we kept them away.”
“Brigid would have more than my head,” grumbled Duncan. “Go greet them, my laird.” He gave Angus a mock salute and waved him onward.
Angus gave the signal for the portcullis to be raised and walked across the bridge. The Fae’s royal sleeveless tunics glistened in the morning sunlight—the golden colors almost blinding. Each warrior had their arms crossed over their chest, displaying Celtic spirals from shoulder to wrist. Their upper arms were encased with golden bands, the writing on the metal as ancient as the words on their flesh. Once, Angus had witnessed the power of those symbols, and he had no desire to see them again.
Unclenching his fists, Angus nodded to them. “Greetings, Conn, Liam, and Rory. What brings ye to Urquhart?”
Conn stepped forward. “We are here to ask for your help.”
Angus almost laughed, but held back. “How can the Dragon Knights aid Fae warriors?”
“There is a grave matter we wish to discuss with you and your brothers.”
Viewing the warrior skeptically, he rubbed a hand across his chin. “’Tis obvious since ye are here in Fae clothing.”
“Each moment we waste, Lachlan gains. Only the Dragon Knights can defeat this monster.”
“Ye are not speaking clearly. Ye spout knowledge we ken,” snapped Angus.
“In order to defeat Lachlan, you will need the help of the Fenian warriors. We are asking for your help—to become an ally.”
Stunned, Angus moved closer to Conn. “What have ye done?”
Liam and Rory moved alongside Conn. He glanced at them briefly and back to Angus. “We have left the brotherhood, and in doing so, defied the Fae. You will need our power, since Lachlan has traveled the veil. May we be welcomed into Urquhart?” Conn’s request was almost a plea.
Never had Angus known a Fenian warrior to ask for help, let alone be welcomed into their home. His nerves skittered with unease. If they were willing to defy the Fae, then the circumstances were grave indeed.
“Let us speak more inside.” Angus turned and walked past his stunned brothers. He knew they had heard Conn’s words.
Upon entering the hall, the women were all standing. Angus gave a brief smile to them and went to the head of the table. Reaching for a jug, he poured ale into cups, presenting the first to Conn. As each man took a cup, he motioned for everyone to sit down.
Brigid leaned across the table and grabbed Conn’s hand. “It is good to see you again.”
“Lady Brigid, the pleasure is surely mine. My heart soars at your happiness.” He turned to Deirdre. “And I’m happy to see you found the oak tree, so Angus would find you.”
“Did you ever have any doubts?” Deirdre smiled and placed her hand on her husband’s arm.
“I am sure the women would like to give more praises. Yet, ye are here to ask for our aid. Why?” Angus asked in a stern tone. He felt Deirdre’s hand tighten on his arm, but he kept his focus on the Fenian warrior.
Conn took a sip of his ale and then placed the cup down. He looked at Rory and Liam and then back to Angus. “On the night of the great battle—”
“The night Meggie died,” interrupted Duncan.
“Yes, on the night Margaret died, the Guardian stripped you all of your relics. You may have believed you were cursed, but as you all know, it was a quest for each. A path of redemption. Furthermore, the moment Margaret uttered her last breath, the Guardian captured her essence—her spirit. She sent her not to the Land of Forever. She sent her through the veil of ages.”
Angus’s fire dragon clawed inside of him. “What are ye saying?” he growled, placing his hands on the table.
“Margaret MacKay is alive and living in the future.”
An audible gasp came forth from the women.
The air cooled, thunder clapped violently, and the ground shook beneath them. Each brother rose with deadly calm. However, Angus remained seated, the blow of the Fae’s words slicing through his heart, leaving him stunned and confused.
“How long have ye known?” demanded Duncan, slapping Conn with a thrust of power.
“You overstep,” warned Conn, his eyes flashing silver. Rory and Liam stood instantly.
“How long?” bellowed Stephen and Alastair in unison.
“I believe my brothers have asked ye a question,” stated Angus. “I would advise ye to answer.”
“The night of the battle,” answered Conn.
“All this time!” roared Duncan, unsheathing his sword. “I should kill ye where ye sit—all of ye. To make us suffer cruelly!”
“Meddling bastards!” protested Alastair.
“We all fled our home. Almost sought death. Why?” demanded Stephen.
Conn glared at Angus. “What? You have no questions? You would watch as one of them takes a blade to us?”
“If ye think my anger is anything compared to my brothers, ye are not as wise as others have claimed. With one thought, I could burn your neck from your shoulders.” His mind reeled with the knowledge that his sister lived, and it took all of his might not to burn all three warriors to ashes.
“How dare you threaten—” He flashed Angus a look of disdain.
Angus slammed his fist onto the table, knocking the cups over and leaving a scorch mark on the wood. “Ye came to our home. Asked for our help. Ye must have foreseen this, Fae.” He spat out the last word as if it was foul tasting.
“What you did on that night cannot be taken back. You took a life in the end. If you had not walked your quest, none of you would have found what you stole from Margaret. Love.” Conn glanced around the room. “Duncan and Brigid. Stephen and Aileen. Alastair and Fiona.” His gaze traveled back to Angus. “You and Deirdre. Would any of you undo your path?”
Angus felt the cool touch of Deirdre’s fingers on his hand. “I’m happy my path led me to you. Is it not enough to know that your sister lives?” she whispered. Her soothing voice calmed the raging fire dragon burning inside him, and he turned to her.
Seeing the unshed tears in her eyes, he placed her hand over his heart. Glancing at his brothers, he noticed their wives were there also. Each woman had wrapped an arm around their husband, soothing the angry beasts within them all.
Heaving a sigh, he let the tremor of fury subside. “Is our sister…well?”
Conn gave a sad smile. “Yes. Though, she is not alone.”
Angus’s heart clenched. “By the hounds! Lachlan? Explain.”
“He is in her world. However, there is another. Adam MacFhearguis has stepped through the veil into her time.”
His brothers started shouting, each spewing their own questions. Angus held up his hand to silence any further outbursts.
“Continue,” he nodded to Conn.
“At the present, Adam is the only one that can free her memories. When she traveled the veil of ages, she arrived with no memory of the past. Her language is a mix of old and new. She battles every day to regain those lost years. You are aware that Adam is a Dragon Knight. He has only recently learned this news and that of his powers. I can tell you that he is attempting to learn. I am his teacher.”
“Poor man,” grumbled Duncan. Stephen and Alastair both snorted.
“Meggie lives,” muttered Angus, shaking his head in disbelief. Grabbing two fallen cups, he filled them both and handed one to Conn. Downing the entire contents of his own cup, he gazed across at the Fenian warrior. “What can we do? Ye will need all the Dragon Knights to defeat the druid.”
“For now, we must wait. When the time comes, we will come for you. Furthermore, Adam must succeed in freeing Meggie’s memories, and he must do so before Samhain.” Conn drank deeply from his cup and placed it down.
“And if he can’t?” asked Stephen.
“Then the Order will vanish into the mists of time. All that you know wi
ll cease to exist.”
“Great Goddess! That’s less than four weeks away,” exclaimed Aileen.
Angus stood. “Then I suggest ye return and do all ye can.”
Standing, Conn rubbed a hand over his face. “Meggie and Adam are on their own path. They must regain what was lost. It is their journey. We are only here to make sure that Lachlan and the Dark One are defeated. Our position to defy the Fae will travel the realm once the battle has begun.”
Angus realized these Fenian warriors would now surely face death for interfering. He tried to fathom why they would forfeit their lives, but he dismissed the thought. He was more concerned for his sister. Would it be possible for her to return home? The Order fully restored at Urquhart?
“There are others who ye have forgotten. I deem the MacFhearguis clan will want to hear this account.” Angus walked over to Conn and clamped a hand on the warrior’s shoulder. Seeing the warning flash in his eyes, Angus’s smile turned sinister. “And ye will accompany us to deliver the news.”
Conn rolled his eyes. “I fear you are going to try my patience until this is finished.”
“Most definitely,” roared Angus in laughter.
Chapter Fifteen
“Do not fight the passion of change. Accept your fate and change the stars.”
“Thank ye, Fae,” whispered Meggie as she peered into the kitchen. Not a sign of anyone, including Adam MacFhearguis—thankfully. She didn’t want any chatter, especially this late at night. Her nerves were frayed from having to work alongside Adam for the past five days. Each night left her exhausted from trying to remain businesslike with the man. He stirred emotions from lust to admiration. Yet, when her head hit the pillow, sleep remained elusive. But when she did slumber, her dreams were filled with him, and when she woke, she tried to remember if they were memories or just dreams.
After that day on Drumbuie ridge, the tension never eased. The following morn, he’d said naught as he managed all the chores and then made the needed repairs—all without asking her permission. He simply took over the stables.
Meggie glanced down the corridor expecting to see him standing outside his door. “Ye twist my insides like no other.”
Slipping inside the kitchen, she quietly closed the door. Wrapping her shawl more tightly around her body, she shivered from the late night chill. Light from the sliver of a crescent moon shimmered through the glass pane of the window. Its light dusted starlight onto the stones. Placing the kettle on the stove, she pulled down the jar of shortbread, smiling at the memory of her and Jamie making them earlier in the day. “Ye are my only hero, wee son. I should banish these silly notions of having a man in my life. ’Tis foolish and I have nae time.”
Nibbling on the shortbread, she knew her heart beat to another thought—having Adam in her arms, and she was angry for those feelings. What had he told her? I desire everything. Did she mean something to him? Obviously, he didn’t want her for only one night and yet, he didn’t mind that Jamie was in her life. That she had been with another.
She placed a hand over her heart. “I wish I could remember.” Tears filled her eyes. “Why won’t ye help me, Mother Danu? I have this ache of longing, which I cannae explain.” Letting the tears fall, she shook her head at the silence. No answers were forthcoming, and Meggie feared they were ones that only she could unlock.
“How can I give him more than one day? One night? I’m scared,” she whispered into the darkness.
The tea kettle whistled, the sound startling Meggie. As she prepared her cup, she prayed that perhaps tonight she would sleep deeply without any thoughts of him. Sitting down at the table, she drew her feet under her. As she sipped her tea, Meggie let the warmth flow through her, soothing her tired limbs and spirit—closing off her thoughts.
Time moved slowly, and her muscles relaxed. The stars winked at her from their velvet cocoon. Soon the moon slipped past the window, leaving her in semi darkness.
Wipe the slate clean. Begin anew. Do not be afraid.
She smiled. “Instead of fighting to remember the past, I can find a new path to start,” she murmured.
Finishing the last of her tea, she cleared away everything and made her way slowly down the corridor to the stairs. Pausing, Meggie turned around, her steps leading toward Adam’s door. Her hand stilled on the rough wood.
“Will ye be mine one day, Adam?” She almost giggled at her question. For reasons she could not fathom, believing the Fae were guiding her, Meggie put aside all doubt and fear. Turning around, she deemed that sleep would finally beckon her as she made her way back to the stairs.
****
“Why can’t I practice in the lists with Adam?” moaned Jamie, as he wielded his wooden sword in the air.
“Because the men are using real swords,” replied Meggie as she pulled some carrots free from the dirt, tossing them into a basket. Seeing Skye inch closer, she pointed a finger at her. “Don’t ye even think of snatching one. I’ve given ye plenty already.”
“But Adam will need my sword arm. Lucas was wearing his fierce scowl when he left for the lists, Mama. I fear for Adam.”
Meggie rolled her eyes. “I’m positive Lucas will do naught to cause Adam any harm. He’s just upset. Besides, I believe Adam can manage against Lucas without your sword.”
Jamie snickered. “’Twas funny when Adam pushed him in the horse muck.”
“James William,” she scolded. Yet, Meggie turned her face to hide the laughter that threatened to spill forth. “If Lucas heard ye, I believe he would nae longer take ye fishing. Show some respect.”
Meggie could still hear her son chuckling, causing her shoulders to shake from trying hard not to join him. Recalling the sight yesterday of Lucas covered in horse dung was priceless. Her cousin had been relentless in his barbs toward Adam. It was only a matter of time before fists were thrown.
“See, ye thought it was funny, too,” giggled Jamie as he ran around in front of her.
“That may be, but again, I caution ye to not mention the incident in front of your cousin.” She batted the sword out of the way. “And a knight does not use his sword to point at a lady. Especially his mother.”
Jamie dropped the sword and wrapped his arms around her. “Sorry, Mama. Can I watch them from the knothole in the fence?”
Meggie ruffled his hair. “Nae. Ye have not finished in the herb garden. There is no basil in your basket.”
He stomped his foot. “The leaf smells funny and ’tis a woman’s job.”
Leaning back on her legs, she gave him a warning look. “At Castle Aonach, we all learn the jobs to keep the place running. No job is beneath ye, Jamie.”
“One day I shall be Laird MacKay,” he proclaimed as he walked over to the herb garden near the kitchen.
“Oh, Sweet Brigid,” she muttered.
After only a mere ten minutes, Meggie looked up. Swatting away a bee, she shook her head. Seeing Jamie using his sword to bat at the basil, she deemed he was done helping her in the garden for the day.
Standing, she brushed off the dirt from her jeans. “Bring me your basket, Laird MacKay. I believe we have enough to fill the kitchen.”
Giving a gleeful shout, he ran over with the basket in one hand and the sword sheathed in his belt. Dropping it next to hers, he fisted his hands on his hips. “I have a question, so may I go down to the loch?”
“Why do ye need to go the loch for your answer?” Meggie asked as she bent to retrieve the baskets. Moving past him, she headed for the kitchen, Skye ambling along beside her.
“’Tis a secret and only the dragon can help me.”
Meggie paused, glancing down at Skye. “This should be interesting.”
Skye thumped her tail in agreement.
“Are ye referring to Nessie? Some think he’s just a giant fish.”
“She is not a fish, Mama! She is the Great Dragon.”
Turning slowly, Meggie shivered, though not from the late afternoon chill. Awareness? Knowledge? As if, she should know this info
rmation. “Tell me more, Jamie.”
“She is full of kindness and kens everything. And she tells me stories of the Fae.” He ran over to her and grasped her hand.
Seeing the serious look he gave her, Meggie truly marveled at her son. Wise beyond his years, she almost believed him. “Ye may go, but Skye will keep ye company. Go no further than the gray boulder. Do ye hear my words, Jamie?”
“Aye, Mama. But the Great Dragon will keep me safe.”
She bent and brushed a kiss along his brow. Looking at Skye, she cupped the dog’s face. “No more than an hour. I’m off to gather some mushrooms.”
Skye let out a bark and off the pair went.
Shaking her head, she headed back to the kitchen and placed the baskets by the back door. Her mind full of questions, she hoped the walk in the woods would give her answers. Picking up an empty basket, she ambled slowly along the path leading toward the trees, whistling an old tune.
The late afternoon sun slanted through the thick canopy of pines, their crisp autumn scent filling her soul. With Samhain approaching, Meggie felt the worlds thinning. As with each season, she made a silent plea to the Fae that they would honor her request to restore her memories. Yet, this time, she decided to toss out the old and embrace the new. And Adam MacFhearguis was the new. Would he be the light on her new path?
“Give me a song of the old and the new. Where past and present weave together, I will dance in its web of desire. Around the bonfires, the Ancients will come forth, singing a song long forgotten, and so the seasons circle once again.” Meggie hummed the rest of the song, stopping every now and then to forage for mushrooms.
“Beautiful song.” A male voice interrupted her singing.
Startled to find anyone in these parts, she dropped her basket, the contents spilling everywhere. “I’m…I’m sorry,” she stammered to the stranger sitting against one of the trees.
The stranger stood and rushed to her side. “Pray forgive me. I dinnae mean to scare ye.” He bent and helped her retrieve the mushrooms.
Gathering as many as she could find, Meggie shook her head and stood. “’Tis no need. There never has been anyone in these parts, and I was in my own thoughts. Who are ye?”
