by Mary Morgan
His orders were clear. No life was to be taken. He had to obtain the power from the one who held the doors open to past and present. The most powerful. Lachlan had believed it to be the Great Dragon. His visits to the loch proved unsuccessful. The beast would not show herself to anyone unless called with the ancient words. Lachlan had hoped Meggie would provide him with the spell to summon the dragon. Yet, on several visits, his attempts to probe her mind were useless. Dark places dwelled within.
Even his brew did naught for her. He had claimed it was his version of tea, but it only made her dizzy. She was only a woman, not gifted like her brothers. Lachlan almost felt sorry for her—almost.
He should have taken her up on her kind offer of staying at Castle Aonach. Although, the thought of being around other MacKays made his gut sour. “They should all be dead.”
Absently, he clawed at the side of his face where he had been scarred. Seeing movement in the trees, he smiled. Quickly retrieving his mug off the floor, he placed it on the table and went to the door. “Welcome, Margaret,” he greeted her before she had a chance to knock.
“I was passing through and wanted to ask if you needed any supplies. Food? Wood?”
“Nae, I am good.”
“Umm…great.” She nodded.
Her expression seemed strained and Lachlan did the unthinkable. Taking her hand, he peered into her eyes. “What troubles ye?”
“’Tis naught.”
“Ye have been most kind to me. Please let me return the favor. I have water in the hearth for tea.”
She gave a slight smile. “I’ll stay for one cup.”
“Wonderful,” he replied. Guiding her into the cottage, he led her to a chair by the hearth.
“What’s with all the herbs strewn about?” she asked.
“I was attempting to make the same brew ye made for me,” he lied.
“’Tis a simple recipe. If ye want, I can show it to ye again.”
He waved her off. “Perchance on your next visit.” He crushed the herbs, pausing to consider adding foxglove. Yet, that did naught to help her memories the last time. Lachlan feared to add too much, since if given in large doses it could stop the heart.
Dumping the herbs into a mug, he lifted the kettle and poured the water over them. “Let the leaves steep,” he said, handing her the mug.
Meggie sniffed. “You’ve found chamomile.”
Lachlan shrugged. “I saw the flowers and thought of ye.”
Taking a sip, she closed her eyes briefly. “Thank ye.”
Lachlan took a seat next to her. “Would ye care to talk about what troubles ye?”
She sighed, cradling the mug in both hands. “Have ye ever thought ye knew someone, only to find out they were naught what ye expected?”
“Many times,” growled Lachlan. Seeing her startled expression, he tapped her knee with his hand. “Forgive me. I should not have snapped. Please continue.”
“Well, I wonder if they should even be around my son. The knowledge I learned today was frightening.” Meggie took another sip of her tea.
The woman had a son? Could he hold the knowledge? His patience had been rewarded with this information. “Ye should protect your son, if ye feel wary of this person.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Even if it’s his father?”
“Most certainly. There are times when one’s kin can turn against ye.”
“Do ye speak from experience, Lachlan?”
“Aye,” he spat out.
“And when was the last time ye spoke with your own kin?”
Images of the night his brother Cathal banished him from their home flashed before him. He had accused him of failing to follow the path of a druid. Lachlan had argued that there were many journeys to take as a druid—light and dark, but his brother would not listen, saying that dark magic should not be used. As always their arguments grew until Lachlan threw the first blast of power at Cathal, knocking him off his feet and across the cottage.
On that night, Lachlan walked away from everything his brother stood for. He began to search out other druids who followed the darkness. And on his path, he found the Dark Lord.
Meggie’s voice brought him back to the present. “Are ye all right, Lachlan?”
He rubbed a hand across his forehead. “Aye. Painful memories from long ago. I have not spoken with my kin for many moons.”
“Have the headaches returned?” Meggie stood and walked to the table. Placing her mug down, she glanced at all the herbs. “Ye must be careful not to mix some of these herbs. Why would ye need foxglove?”
“I require them from time to time,” he said gruffly.
“Use them wisely, Lachlan.” She frowned and turned to leave. “I shall try and return before the feast of Samhain.”
“’Tis soon?” He sensed the day drew near but did not ken the days.
“In four days.”
“I look forward to your next visit,” he replied. “If I may ask, what do ye call your son?”
“Jamie. A light in my life,” she uttered softly.
“After his father?”
Meggie sighed and kicked at a lone pebble. “Nae.”
Watching as she strolled down the path and stepped through the trees, Lachlan slammed his hand on the table. “A wee Dragon Knight. If I have to crush your mind to get the words to bring the Great Dragon to me, so be it!”
Chapter Twenty-One
“To hear the words of wisdom you must be silent.”
As Meggie entered the grove of pines, she stood at the entrance once again. The crisp, autumn wind slapped at her face, but she gave no care as her hair unraveled from its braid. Staring at the standing stones, she tried to listen with her heart and not her mind. Adam told her she died here. “Impossible,” she muttered. Yet, this was her mind speaking. She was angry, hurt, and more confused than ever before.
“Your words make no sense, Adam MacFhearguis!” she shouted to the wind. “How could I have been born over nine hundred years ago? Why?”
Meggie fought the battle of emotions within and stepped slowly inside the circle of stones. Fighting the dizziness, she kept moving forward until she stood in front of the tallest standing stone. “Is this why I fear this place?” Closing her eyes, her hand shook when she placed it on the cold surface. “Why did ye take my memories, Fae?”
Adam twisted her guts, and she despised him for knowing more about her own self than she did. “Does Adam speak the truth?” Although, Meggie knew the answer before she even spoke the question. The man was a medieval ancient—from his speech, clothing, and manners. She had tried to deny it, but it was her anger speaking.
The wind subsided to a gentle breeze, and Meggie leaned her head against the stone. A sense of calm washed over her. “Help me to understand, Fae. I cannae do this alone.”
“Can I help ye?” Adam’s question was more of a plea.
Meggie opened her eyes. Is this your way of helping, Fae? She almost laughed at the absurdity. There was a reason the Fae sent Adam and regardless of how angry she was at the man, he held all the answers to her questions.
Turning around, she leaned against the stone for strength. Meggie could see the hurt reflected in his eyes. “How?”
His gaze swept over her features. “Give me your hand.”
She was afraid to touch him, for she would surely melt into him. Meggie longed for the protectiveness of his arms. Yet, hurt and anger were her only shields, and she wanted to keep them with her. But when she looked into his eyes, she felt safe, cherished—loved. And in that quiet moment, Meggie knew she loved him, too.
Her hand trembled as she reached out to him. Warmth and strength infused her when he took it within his own.
“I ken ye are angry with me, Meggie. But I beg ye not to banish me. Not until ye hear everything.”
Meggie watched as he removed a ring from his jacket pocket and held it up to the sunlight. The light danced off the red stone. “’Tis beautiful.”
“It was meant to be yours on the
night we were to be handfasted.” His voice shook with emotion. “I never had a chance to place it on your finger.” Placing the ring in her palm, he closed her fingers over it and covered her hand with his own.
“Why did the Fae bring ye here? Now? And why did they bring me to the future?” Tears blurred her vision.
“I would like to believe they brought me to ye, so we can have the life that was taken from us. I do not ken the reason why they brought ye here.”
She wiped at her eyes. “Is there more you’re not telling me, Adam?”
“Och, sweet Meggie. I have already spoken too much. I fear patience is one gift I have yet to learn.” He released her hand and strode to one of the smaller stones. “I had prayed that our time together would help ye, but I can see it only has brought ye pain. I am sorry.”
Holding the ring to her chest, she prayed that it would bring some spark of life to her mind. After several moments, she sighed. It was the same. No image, sound, or recollection of the past.
Walking to him, Meggie wrapped her arms around him, hearing him groan. “We have both suffered much, Adam. ’Tis time we release the past.”
“Sadly, ’tis from the past we must seek our help.”
Releasing him, she strode around in front of him. “Tell me…tell me everything, Adam.”
Adam cupped her chin. “Are ye ready to hear more?”
Meggie placed her hand over his and tucked the ring in her pocket. “Start with my brothers—the Dragon Knights.”
The smile he gave her warmed her insides. Taking her hand, he led her to a soft spot covered with bluebells. Sitting down, Adam placed his hands on his knees. “Ye have four brothers, Angus, Duncan, Stephen, and Alastair. Stubborn, protective, and they loved ye fiercely, Meggie. Ye are the youngest. The first female to be born in a thousand years to your clan. Ye were deemed special.”
“Wait!” She placed her hand on his arm. “The tapestries. Those are my brothers!”
“Aye,” he chuckled.
“I spent many a waking moment staring at the images on the cloth. They hold this mystique, magic about them, as if I should ken their meaning. ’Tis hard to fathom that they are my kin. Were they happy about us, Adam?”
A shadow passed over his features, and he looked away. “Nae. There was a feud between our clans for hundreds of years. My family deemed we should have been the rightful owners of the Dragon Knights’ relics.”
“Relics?” she asked.
“Fae relics given to the Dragon Knights.”
“Ahh…more Fae magic,” she mumbled.
“Your brothers forbade ye from seeing me. They even sent ye away to live with a healer.”
“They sound horrific.” Meggie shuddered.
He turned back toward her. “They loved ye. Aye, I hated how they kept us apart, but after a year—”
“One year!” she exclaimed. “’Tis cruel.”
“I agree. But it was ye that stayed away. However, we found each other again. At the next Midsummer festival, one of your brothers took a fist to me when he spied me in the crowd. Although, it did naught to stop us from seeing each other. Ye came to me on a full moon night on the ridge, and I made love to ye, Meggie.” He grasped her hands and placed them on his heart.
“Adam, that must have been when I conceived our child.”
“Truly?”
She smiled fully at him. “Aye. I ken how many months it takes to carry a bairn. Though, he was born early. Thank the Goddess, for he was a big babe.” She rubbed at her ribs recalling his constant movement.
“Forgive me,” he choked out. “I was not able to save ye both.”
Meggie brought their joined hands to her lips and placed a kiss along his knuckles. “I am sure I did something foolish to put myself in harm’s way. My heart aches that they fought each other, simply because we fell in love.”
He bowed his head. “It does not matter. It was my duty to protect ye.”
She could feel his pain and wished there was something she could do to take it all away. Whereas, Meggie did not have her memories of that dreadful night, she could only imagine how much this man had suffered. “What about my parents?”
Adam lifted his head. “Your father died when ye were a young lass, and your mother followed him soon thereafter. I believe ye were only seven springs when she passed.”
Her mind burned with so many more questions, but for now, Meggie was content with the ones he answered. “Thank ye, Adam.”
His laugh was filled with bitterness. “For what?” He stood abruptly. “Your death? Coming back into your life? Causing ye pain? The list is endless, Meggie.”
Standing, she cupped his face with her hands. “For loving me so much, ye came through time to find me. Also, for giving me the most amazing son ever.” Feeling him tremble from her touch and words, she placed a kiss on his lips—the simple touch sent a shockwave coursing through her body.
When she broke from the kiss, Adam put his hands on her waist. “When did ye ken he was my son?”
Sighing, she replied, “After the first night we made love. I watched ye sleeping, with your arms flung outward and your head tilted a certain way. ’Tis the same with Jamie. So, I left the chamber and went to his room. The moment I stepped inside, the confirmation was there as he, too, slept in the same fashion. Besides, ye both have the same stubborn stance.”
Adam arched a brow. “Stubborn?”
“Aye.”
“Sadly, I perceived him to be another man’s bairn. A Fae warrior told me I was his father. Forgive me?” he pleaded.
Her eyes went wide. “’Tis naught to forgive, Adam. Ye had only met the wee lad. But ye have met a Fae warrior? Is it because you’re a Dragon Knight?”
Adam groaned. “I have only recently learned the knowledge about myself. And yes. ’Tis because I required training as a Dragon Knight.”
“How can this be? I thought it was said only the MacKays were Dragon Knights.”
“On the night…the night ye died, the bloodline divided, and I was made a Dragon Knight, though ’tis still unclear.” He leaned down and smothered her lips, leaving her senses reeling.
Aching for more, she twined her fingers in his hair, and returned his kiss with reckless abandon. The wind and leaves danced round them, wild and uncontrolled like the two lovers they were.
Meggie groaned when he broke free, leaving her body burning for another kiss. “Oh, Adam,” she moaned. Moving away from him, she hugged her arms around herself. “I fear I may never remember anything, except bits and pieces.”
Adam twirled her around to face him. “Why did ye not mention this before?”
She shrugged and leaned against him. “I wasn’t ready, and I wasn’t positive they were memories. I saw ye standing on a hill, dressed in medieval clothing. Ye were calling my name and I swear at that moment, my soul ken who ye were. It was brief—fleeting, and I feared it was naught.” Meggie glanced away, feeling the heat creep into her face. “It was after we made love.”
His lips seared a path down her neck, and she shuddered from the sensation. “I deem we should leave this place and seek your chamber. Perchance if I made love to ye over and over again, ye might recall other memories.” When Adam’s tongue gently touched her earlobe, she groaned.
Breathing heavily, she shook her head. “Ye can’t…not now. I heard ye tell Jamie ye would give him lessons on riding a horse.”
Resting his forehead on hers, Adam sighed. “Ye are correct.”
“There is always tonight,” she teased.
Capturing her mouth savagely, his kiss demanded all, leaving her with a promise of what she could expect later. As he broke free, he cupped her bottom. “Until this evening.”
Meggie nodded, fearing that if she uttered any words, they would be ordering him to strip off his clothing.
Watching as the man strode away, Meggie glanced back at the bleak stones. No longer did she dread them. This might have been a place of her death, but it was also one of re-birth. Kneeling down, she
placed her hand upon the ground. Feeling the energy pulse into her hand, she drew it into her body. “I will return to cleanse this sacred ground. The place that the ancients built will become holy once more. My pledge to ye, Mother Danu.” The warmth of the land infused her spirit and rising slowly, Meggie made her way back to Aonach.
****
Watching as Archie and Adam played a game of chess, Meggie’s nerves grew taut with anticipation. Adam had teased her relentlessly the rest of the day. He would graze his hand over her breast in passing or by removing his shirt. He’d continued with his work while her mouth went dry, and her hands itched to touch his bare skin. Stolen kisses in the corridors outside the kitchen heated her core beyond anything she expected. He was a drug, tempting, teasing, and playing with all her senses.
During the evening meal, his behavior bordered on outright seduction, and she feared Lucas or Bruce would draw blades. Or worse, bring out the guns. Thank the Goddess Scott wasn’t present, or Adam would have been slaughtered and trussed up on the oak table for all to take a carving.
Skye nudged her hand, snapping her out of her lustful thoughts. “Is Jamie asleep?”
The dog gave a low bark and extended her paw, touching Meggie’s leg.
“All right. One last walk along the loch before we retire for the night.” Perhaps a walk would help to cool the fever burning inside her mind and body.
Passing the chess table where the two men were in deep concentration, Meggie said, “Skye and I are taking a quick walk. We’ll return shortly.”
Adam’s smile was slow and seductive—as intimate as a kiss. Meggie swallowed and almost tripped as she made her way to the door.
Grabbing her coat off the hook in the hallway, she ushered Skye out the front. The dog took off on a sprint through the gate. The evening air stung bitterly cold, and as Meggie lifted her head, she could feel the promise of snow looming not far behind. Tucking her hands into the pockets of her coat, she followed after Skye. A few stars blinked from their velvet darkness, and Meggie felt the shift between the veils with Samhain only a few days away.
As she took her time heading to the loch, she could hear the sounds of the nocturnal creatures. Their calls were music to her ears, and she smiled. Emerging from the trees she spotted Skye sitting at the edge of the loch, her tail thumping with joy. Her friend must have seen something to make her eager to play.
