“And what do you suppose that is?”
Adlin mulled it over before he sighed. “’Twould have to be the chance to steal an important soul, indeed. One that would give them far more leverage in the realm of Celtic gods.”
Darach frowned, more and more uncomfortable. Where was this leading? “What sort of soul is that important?”
“One they’ve likely been chasing for a long time,” Adlin murmured.
Before Darach could respond, Adlin swiftly redirected the conversation. “Tell me about your communications with Goddess Brigit.”
Darach knew she was the infamous goddess who supposedly saw Adlin to Scotland to begin with. “She came to me in a dream and gave me a Claddagh ring.”
Adlin nodded, his eyes trained on Jackie as she danced with Heidrek. Too closely with Heidrek in Darach’s opinion. But again, that was good…right?
“The ring Brigit gave you was the real one, aye?” Adlin said. “And until now, Jackie wore the replica.”
“Aye.” His eyes met Adlin's. “So you think Jackie wears the real one?”
“’Tis without doubt,” Adlin said.
Renewed worry for her flared. So did hope.
Hope he shouldn't feel because he would honor his word to Heidrek.
“’Tis admirable that you meant to keep her safe, that you wanted her to find love when you desire her so much.” Adlin quirked a brow. “Now things have changed and she wears the right ring. One that could bind her to you. Yet Heidrek is here as well. That is interesting, aye?”
“’Tis something all right,” Darach grumbled. “So mayhap the ring willnae lead a Broun to a MacLomain this time.”
“Aye, mayhap ‘twill be a Hamilton instead.” Adlin chuckled and eyed him. “So you are son to a man who will inherit more of my gifts than most. Son to the current MacLomain arch-wizard. A MacLomain turned Hamilton.”
Darach nodded. “I am son to Grant Hamilton, a man you will care for verra much. Someone you will mentor.”
Adlin's wise eyes never left Darach’s face. “So tell me, why dinnae you want to become chieftain of the Hamilton’s?”
Darach knew better by now than to be surprised by the wizard's uncanny insight.
“I’ve not a drop of Hamilton blood in me,” he muttered under his breath before he could stop himself. “I am a MacLomain.”
“Hmm. So you willnae tell me yet.” Adlin rubbed his chin again. “A puzzle of sorts then.” A smile split his face. “I always did love a good puzzle.”
Honestly, he was surprised Adlin did not already know. But then, strangely enough, Darach's da didn't either. He was about to speak when he spied Jackie and Heidrek. The Viking held her close. And she seemed just fine with it. Jaw clenched, he refocused his attention elsewhere.
“He isnae a real Scotsman, is he? His accent is all wrong,” William said as he leaned against a post and shook his head.
“Who?”
William frowned at Darach. “Dinnae be so daft.” He gestured at Heidrek. “Ye’ve no ballocks in the least letting yer lass dance with him.”
Darach snorted. “And what fault do you find with my friend?”
“He’s not like us.” William glared at Heidrek before his eyes met Darach’s. “A Sassenach then, aye?”
English? He shook his head. “Nay, lad.”
“Then what is he?” William crossed his arms over his chest. “Because he isnae Scottish and I dinnae trust him.”
“And here I thought I was the one ye took issue with,” Darach muttered.
“Och, I do,” William said. “Mainly because ye’ve no ballocks.”
“William,” a woman chastised. The same lass who had claimed him earlier joined them. Her eyes met Darach’s. “My apologies.” She shook her head. “My lad doesnae know his manners.”
“I am not yer lad,” William grumbled and strode away.
When Darach glanced at Adlin, he’d vanished.
“My name is Lilas Thomson,” the lass said softly. “Again, I am sorry for William’s behavior. Life has not been kind to him.”
Darach figured as much. “What happened to him?”
Lilas hesitated, her eyes searching his before she apparently saw what she was looking for. “His parents were killed in a raid.”
“Och.” He frowned, well aware of Scotland’s history and the havoc tearing the country apart. “Vikings or Sassenach?”
“It doesnae matter,” came a deep voice as the man who had been with Lilas earlier appeared and pulled her close, a wary eye on Darach.
Lilas made introductions. “This is my husband, Dougal.”
“Nice to meet ye both. I am Darach.” He gestured at Heidrek and Jackie and gave their names as well.
Darach again had that strange sense of familiarity. Bizarrely enough, Jackie’s eyes locked on them from across the room as though she felt the same. Odder yet, they eyed her with equal interest. Because of his superior hearing, Darach could hear the couple whisper to one another.
“She seems so familiar,” Lilas said.
“Aye,” Dougal said. “They both do.”
What was this draw between the four of them? Maybe Adlin knew. But when his eyes swept the room, the MacLomain wizard was nowhere to be found.
“Look at William now,” Lilas murmured to Dougal.
Darach almost grinned when he saw what the lad was up to. He had approached Jackie and Heidrek. Whatever he said soon had the Viking handing her off to William.
“He has a way with the lassies,” Dougal said proudly.
“So it seems,” Lilas responded. “Takes after his Da he does.”
“I’m not his Da.” But there was no mistaking a wee bit of fatherly pride in his voice.
“Nor am I his Ma but we are in spirit.”
Darach's lips curled up as he watched William hold Jackie at arm’s length but kept his eyes locked on hers.
“Look at him, aye?” Lilas said.
“A true gentleman.” Dougal nodded with approval.
“He’ll grow up to be a fine lad.”
“Aye.”
Darach offered a brief nod to Heidrek as he joined them. Call it whatever you want, but he was damned glad to see Jackie out of the Viking’s arms. He and Heidrek remained silent as they drank and watched Jackie dance with William then several others.
“Might we dance?” came a soft voice.
Darach tore his gaze from Jackie only to find a comely lass in front of him, her doe eyes more brazen than most as they swept over him. He was about to say no when Adlin joined them. “Aye, he will, lass. My lad doesnae need to watch any longer. Go, enjoy her company Darach. It’ll do ye good.”
If there was one thing he couldn’t do, it was dispute Adlin MacLomain. So he slid his hand into hers and joined her on the dance floor. Though she tried to sidle closer, he kept her at arm’s length and made idle conversation. “’Tis nice to meet ye, lass.”
“Aye, ‘tis,” she murmured, squeezing closer as the crowd grew merrier. “Yer brawn ye are.”
Darach did his best to keep her wandering hands at bay, but she was fast.
“Let us say farewell to our home properly!” Adlin cried to a crowd that only grew thicker. “More pipes!”
If ever a great hall—or large chamber—could explode with merriment, it did now. He’d never felt such energy vibrate in the air. An energy born of people who were saying goodbye to one life but had faith that the next would be so much better.
The crowd pressed closer as did the lass in his arms. So close that he took a step back. They spun once to avoid another couple.
Then again.
And again.
Until she let go and another fell into his arms.
Someone far more favorable.
Chapter Three
JACKIE SHOOK HER head as she looked into Darach’s eyes. Being in his arms was the last place she needed to be. Yet the crowd pushed them closer and the man she had been dancing with vanished. She swallowed hard when his arm wrapped around her waist and t
wirled her away from a couple that stumbled by them laughing.
The pipes trilled.
The crowd was wild.
And she was tight against Darach.
Not a good place to be. Or was it? She swallowed again and kept her arms down because if she lifted them, what would she touch? The sides of his muscled torso…his strong forearms…his wide shoulders?
“You dinnae need to keep shaking your head no,” he murmured. “I willnae…”
When he trailed off, she realized that he had no idea what he would or would not do. Besides the arm that he wrapped around her waist, his other hand didn’t touch her at all.
His head was bent near hers, his lips so close to her ear that she could feel his hot breath down the side of her neck. Chills and heat raced over her simultaneously as she tried to sift through her feelings.
Push away. Touch his chest and push away.
But again, if she touched him…what then? Would pulling away still be an option?
The pipes seemed to trill louder, and the fire in the center of the room sparked higher as the celebrations became a boisterous background to the quiet she suddenly felt on the inside. A strange silence made up of her heartbeat and the indentation where his neck met his collarbone. She inhaled deeply and turned her face inward, chasing his scent and heat.
She barely felt the slight touch of his hand on the back of her head as she nuzzled in, desperate to get closer to…something. It almost felt like a memory. One just out of reach. Lips open, she flicked her tongue, eager to sample. Eager to capture his scent. Curious what it tasted like.
Only when he whispered, “Bloody hell, lass,” did her eyes snap open and she realized what she was doing. By that time, it was too late. He tightened his hold, dug his hand into her hair, tilted back her head and met her eyes. Their lips were inches apart when he whispered, “What are you doing to me?”
Jackie had no idea. What was she doing to him? What was he doing to her? She’d never felt anything like it. So much. Almost too much. Yet it felt like something not entirely real. As if she recalled snippets of a dream.
Their lips drifted closer, eager but tentative.
Wanting but unsure.
His eyelids drifted down. So did hers.
There…almost there.
“Och, bloody hell!” he growled and jerked away.
Confused, Jackie blinked until she saw the blade against Darach’s side.
William glared. “Ye dinnae know how to respect a lass, do ye?”
She had to give him credit. Darach didn’t lash out at the boy. One who apparently nicked him in the thigh enough that blood trickled down his leg.
“It’s fine, William, he’s not hurting me,” she tried to assure the boy.
William peered up, eyes narrowed. “What is yer next move because it best be a good one.”
Darach stilled, eyes locked on the lad. “’Tis safe to say my next move will take me away from Jackie, aye?”
William’s eyes narrowed even more. “’Twill lest ye want me to cut ye again.”
“That wouldnae be good,” Darach relented. “And here I thought ye wanted me to grow a pair of ballocks and dance with the lass. Now if ye’ll remove the blade, I’ll step away.”
William eyed him for another moment before he nodded and stepped back.
Jackie jolted in surprise when the air chilled and almost seemed to crackle as Darach pulled away. Not only that, she swore she felt a slight suction. As if the very air fought against them separating. Their eyes shot to each other. What was that?
“’Tis one thing to dance with a lass, another to take advantage of her when doing it,” William reprimanded. “Now ye best keep a proper distance, Mister.”
“Call me Darach.”
William frowned at him. “I will be watching ye, Mister,” then he vanished into the crowd.
Jackie sensed that Darach wanted to continue dancing with her but thought better of it not because of William but because of what had happened between them. Something he clearly seemed determined to avoid. This, of course, only renewed her aggravation. His apology for kissing her then avoiding her. As far as she was concerned, that only happened when a man truly had no clue where his heart lay. But did she want his heart? Or even Heidrek’s for that matter? Who was she kidding letting either of them too close when there was no hope.
Still, every once in a while it was nice to pretend.
To fantasize.
With a heavy sigh, she brushed by Darach and made her way toward the entrance. What she wouldn’t do to have Erin here. Somebody she could talk to who understood all the barriers she faced. While it was likely her friend would only grow aggravated with her for not enjoying the company of these men, they both knew there was a good reason. Nothing could come of it because in the end she’d only end up hurting them.
How else could it be considering Jackie was dying?
Not wanting to think about it right now, she went outside and breathed in the cool air. The small, fenced-in courtyard was fairly quiet considering most people were inside celebrating. Torches spit and a random horse whinnied from the stables. It was nice to be away from the crowd.
While she enjoyed the way both Scots and Vikings celebrated, she had never been a huge fan of parties. Probably because of all the stiff, formal affairs her uncle had hosted when she was young. Though people were far different here, she still felt a level of discomfort. One she just couldn’t break free from.
“Are ye there then, lass?” whispered through her mind.
Surprised, Jackie smiled, headed for the stables and replied within the mind, “Eara?”
“Aye, lass.”
Sure as heck, she found Eara two stalls down once she entered the stables. Eara was the last of the four horses that had mysteriously appeared at the barn in New Hampshire right before Jackie and her friends arrived at the old Colonial. Every other horse had merged with a former MacLomain wizard thanks to ancient Viking magic.
Thus far, all had been related to the Scotsman each of her friends had ended up with. Either a mother or grandmother. Which made Eara a complete mystery because Darach’s grandmother, Coira, had already merged with Niall and Nicole’s horse, Vika. According to those of the Next Generation of MacLomains, especially Grant, there was no way Eara was somehow merged with Darach’s mother, Sheila. And Sheila agreed wholeheartedly.
So who had merged with Eara?
“It’s so good to see you!” Jackie entered the stall. “How on Earth did you get here?”
Jackie had first heard Eara speak within her mind when she traveled back in time, but she swore they had been talking for far longer than that. Strangely enough, it wasn’t all that different than how she felt dancing with Darach. Flickers of something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Flashes of memories. Maybe even dreams?
“I dinnae know how I arrived here, lass,” Eara said. “One moment I was at MacLomain Castle. The next, I was here. Adlin found me in the woodland and made sure I arrived safely.”
“Ah.” Jackie kept smiling as she stroked Eara’s muzzle, admiring her light tan coloring and white blond mane. “So when are you going to tell me who you really are?”
Until she met Erin, she had never been around horses. Even then, she felt uncomfortable. Fearful. But not with Eara. Not in the least.
“’Tis not for me to tell you who I am, I’m afraid,” Eara murmured into her mind. “Ye know ye must wait until the time is right, just like your friends did.”
“But wouldn’t it make things easier to tell me now?” She met Eara’s eyes. “Maybe if we knew who you were we could better prepare ourselves for what lies ahead.”
Eara only neighed, shook her head and stomped her foot. Just then, Jackie got an eerie feeling that someone was watching her. Goose flesh dotted her skin and the hair stood up on the back of her neck. Almost afraid to look, but acting on instinct, she glanced over her shoulder and gasped. A tall man in full armor, with a helmet, faceplate, and a long brown cloak shimmered
just beyond the stall door. His form was ghostly and transparent as his eyes locked on her hand…more so, her ring.
“I’ve missed ye so much,” he murmured before his eyes flickered to hers, concerned. “Are ye well, lassie?”
An Irish lilt?
“I…wha…” she started and blinked several times as a wave of familiarity washed over her. As soon as she felt it, it vanished. One more blink and he was gone. Instead, Darach stood in his place with a look of concern on his face.
“Are ye well, lass?” he said…repeated.
She blinked a few more times. What the hell was going on? Was this part of the magic that was Scotland or was her condition worsening?
Jackie frowned and turned her attention back to the horse. “I’m fine. Thanks. You don’t need to be out here.”
“We were worried about you,” Heidrek said, joining Darach. “It is not a good idea for you to be without protection.”
“I’m fine, guys,” she said. But was she? Truly? She felt like she was losing it.
“You should come eat.” Darach came alongside the horse and stroked Eara's neck. “When did she arrive?”
“Recently," Adlin said as he entered the stables. He wore a grin as he joined Heidrek at the stall door and eyed Eara. “’Tis good that the horse arrived when she did. Now she can travel with us on the morrow.”
Jackie made a point of keeping her eyes averted from Darach’s as their hands ran along either side of Eara’s muzzle. She didn’t want another awkward moment like they had when dancing.
“I will be calling an end to the celebrations in a wee bit,” Adlin said. “The three of you should make your way to your chamber. Food and drink awaits.”
Jackie’s eyes shot to Adlin. “But there’s only one bed.”
“But ‘tis a big bed, aye?” Adlin shook his head and chuckled as he left, calling back, “We leave early. Best get your rest whilst you can. ‘Tis the beginning of a journey unlike any other!”
“Adlin’s right,” Darach said. “We’re about to embark on a journey that will make all MacLomains envious.” This time, she couldn’t help but meet his eyes based on the excitement in his voice. “We travel to what will someday be MacLomain land. Better yet, MacLomain Castle.”
Passion of a Scottish Warrior (The MacLomain Series: Later Years Book 4) Page 4
