Passion of a Scottish Warrior (The MacLomain Series: Later Years Book 4)

by Sky Purington

  “How far is it from here?” Heidrek said.

  As always, once her eyes locked with Darach's, they held. “Far South. Several weeks’ journey.”

  “Then we should rest,” Heidrek said firmly as his hand slipped into Jackie’s.

  “He’s right,” she murmured and tore her gaze from Darach’s. She gave Eara one last pat and then left.

  As tactfully as she could, she pulled her hand free from Heidrek’s and headed back toward the Defiance. More people filtered around the courtyard so she knew Adlin was slowly winding the party down. When she entered the building, the crowd had thinned considerably. As she headed upstairs, she wondered exactly how this was going to work…because she wouldn’t be sleeping in bed with either Darach or Heidrek.

  An array of food was set out on the table in their chamber and several pitchers and mugs. Darach filled a mug with water and handed it to her. “I know you dinnae drink alcohol, but I could manifest some tea if you like.”

  “No, thanks,” she said. “Water's fine.”

  “Are you sure?” Darach said. “It might calm your nerves.”

  “My nerves are just fine.” But they weren’t around him, and he damn well knew it.

  “Suit yourself, lass.”

  Soon, the three of them were enjoying an amiable enough meal. The bread was warm and soft. The seafood fresh. Even the water tasted better than it did back home. Their conversation stayed light. The men talked about the era in which they’d arrived. How different it was from their own.

  Jackie got the impression they were just talking to talk. Easy, safe conversation. Anything to get through the meal and avoid all the turbulent emotions they were feeling. At least her and Darach. Heidrek seemed rather relaxed. Eventually, everyone finished eating, and her sense of discomfort grew as she eyed the bed.

  But it seemed she had no reason to worry as Darach slid down against the wall on one side of the room and Heidrek the other. When she frowned, the Viking nodded at the bed. “Did you think we meant to sleep in it with you, woman?”

  “We’d never do that,” Darach added. “You’ve nothing to worry over, lass.”

  While grateful, she frowned at them. “So you guys are going to sit on the floor all night?”

  “We are warriors,” Heidrek grunted. “This floor is more comfortable than some places I’ve slept.”

  “Aye,” Darach agreed and nodded at the bed. “Sleep, Jackie. We will protect you.”

  “I can protect myself,” she nearly said, but the truth was she’d be lying. She had already seen the power of their enemies. But, more than that, she'd seen Nicole and Erin fight. She knew how well they could use a weapon. And she had no clue how to do the same. None at all.

  She nodded and was about to climb into bed but stopped when an idea occurred to her. Maybe she could play on their sense of needing to see her comfortable or safe to get what she wanted…what she needed. So she slid down onto the floor at the end of the bed and settled in to rest.

  Heidrek frowned. “What are you doing?”

  “Going to sleep.”

  “You’re not sleeping there.” Darach frowned as well. “’Tis too cold, lass. Get into bed.”

  “I’m fine right here.” She closed her eyes. “If you guys can sit on the floor then so can I.”

  “Nay,” Darach said at the same time Heidrek said, “No.”

  “Why not?” she murmured. “It only seems fair.”

  “Jackie, get into bed,” Darach said softly. “Please.”

  “No.”

  Jackie waited patiently as a tense silence passed. She could be more stubborn than most when put to the test.

  “Go to bed, lass,” Darach repeated, his voice a little firmer.

  “No.”

  A longer stretch of silence passed before they fed right into her hands.

  “What will it take to get you into bed,” Darach finally growled.

  Jackie cracked open an eye. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

  “Aye, but you do.” Darach sighed. “What do you want, lass?”

  She opened the other eye and met not Darach’s but Heidrek’s eyes. “I want to learn how to fight.”

  “’Tis a bad idea,” Darach grumbled. “You’re not built for it.”

  What did he mean by that? She might not be as toned as Nicole and Erin, but she did Yoga and Pilates and tried to stay fit.

  “Hence, me asking Heidrek and not you, Darach,” she said flatly, eyes never leaving the Viking’s. “Will you teach me how to fight, Heidrek?”

  “I tried at the fortress but you would not,” he started, but she cut him off, not wanting him to share her reasons.

  “I’m ready now, and I want to learn.”

  Jackie clenched her jaw and refused to look at Darach. The only reason she had said no to Heidrek was because she was still determined that the Scotsman teach her. Likely because she felt she needed to prove some sort of point to him. That she could do it. That she wasn’t the helpless blond he seemed to be making her out to be. I mean, seriously, why would he teach Nicole but not her? Then Erin went into her strange Otherworld sleep, and Jackie lost focus.

  No more.

  “I disagree with Darach. It does not matter a person’s build,” Heidrek said. “If you want me to teach you to battle, it would be my pleasure.”

  A flicker of excitement rushed through her. “Really?”

  Heidrek nodded. “It would give me great pride to do so.”

  Darach mumbled something, but she tuned him out. “So I have your word that you’ll train me?”

  “Yes, but only if you get into bed,” Heidrek said.

  “You got it.” She shot a triumphant grin at Darach as she got up. “But I have a small stipulation.”

  “I can only imagine,” Darach muttered, his frown deepening.

  Jackie ignored him and pulled everything off the bed except a pillow and blanket then gave the rest of the bedding to them. “If you’re sleeping on the floor, I want you to be as comfortable as possible.”

  Some women might have invited them to sleep on the bed as long as they behaved but she knew it would be a bad idea. Yes, an attraction simmered between her and Heidrek but something far more dangerous festered between her and Darach.

  She still had no idea what to make of her time dancing with them. When Heidrek pulled her close, she felt warm and flustered. When Darach did the same, she about burned up and lost herself.

  Either way, she wasn’t the sort to play men against each other. She had enjoyed a healthy sex life back home. She dated. Never committed. Because God knows they were likely in it for her inheritance. A trust fund she couldn’t even touch. Nonetheless, life was simpler after her uncle left the States to travel the world. Things were uncomplicated. Just the way she wanted it…had wanted it for a long time.

  Now? In light of recent revelations from her doctor, it was more uncomplicated than ever.

  It was only a matter of time.

  Jackie pulled a blanket over herself, closed her eyes and wondered what would come of all this. Why had she been able to protect Erin when she was trapped in the Celtic Otherworld? Because somehow by being with her, she had healed her friend from what should have been certain death. More than that, she'd flitted in and out of that gray place to do so. Yet she felt no fear.

  Rather, courage.

  She had no clue why, considering it was so horrible. But when she was there with Erin, keeping her prone body the safest she could, she felt strong. Ready. For what, though?

  “To be with me again,” whispered through her mind. “To realize what a fool ye were for turning from me to begin with.”

  When Jackie opened her eyes, it wasn’t to the room at the Defiance but to the Otherworld. A place made of jagged mountains and tall, lifeless grass. Where a winding stream ran dry and trees were barren. A sharp cliff rose nearby, and the ocean rolled black and oily in the distance.

  She turned and froze as a tall, dark haired man approached. With a long b
lack cape crackling with flames, his dark intensity nearly made her sink to her knees.

  “Who are you?” Jackie whispered, but she was afraid she already knew.

  “How could ye forget me?” He stopped within feet of her, his Irish lilt gravelly. “When I have not forgotten ye for even a day. What we had.”

  Jackie shook her head. Somehow he was familiar. “I don’t understand.”

  “Of course, ye do not.” His eyes fell to the ring, and disgust flickered across his face. “If ye take off that thing ye will remember me. Eoghan Dubhdiadh, Druid of the South.” His eyes locked on hers. “Ye will remember the love of your life.”

  Jackie shook her head in denial as the sense of familiarity grew.

  “’Twas a good trick the imposter pulled keeping the real ring from ye, but now the truth can be laid bare. A dark truth that has been kept secret.” His eyes went from the ring to her face. “Take it off and remember what ye have so long forgotten because the real ring had not yet touched ye.”

  “No,” she whispered, terrified by what she might discover. “I won’t.” She shook her head and backed away when he took a step forward. “Leave me alone. Release me from this place.”

  “Why would I release ye?” he growled, his eyes never leaving hers as he took another step forward. “When ‘twas our place all along?”

  Jackie staggered back a few more steps, still shaking her head. “No.”

  Patience hanging on by a thread, his voice deepened. “Come to me lassie, for I willnae stop until I get ye.”

  “Nor will I stop until I know she’s safe,” came a loud declaration.

  A split second later, the armored warrior she saw before came thundering forward on Eara.

  “No!” roared the dark man as he lunged at her, his black cape billowing in the wind.

  Too late. Jackie was scooped up into the warrior’s arms, and they were racing toward the cliff. Oh, this couldn’t be good. When she tried to look over her shoulder, the man held her tighter and made it impossible.

  “Stop!” she cried. She might be scared shitless of the dark man but plummeting to her death didn’t sound much better. Close. Closer. Super close. “Please, stop!”

  Too late.

  They flew over.

  Terror-stricken, she screamed.

  “I’ve got you, Jackie,” came a distant, worried voice. “Wake up, lass!”

  “No, no, no,” she repeated as wind rushed by her and the ocean rose up. “God, no!”

  “You’re safe, I’ve got you,” came the same voice. “Please wake up, Jaqueline.”

  Instead of crashing into the ocean, everything vanished and the world went still.

  Very, very still.

  The next thing she heard was the steady beat of thunder. It took several moments to realize that thunder didn’t beat. A heart did. One inside a warm chest.

  Jackie’s eyes shot open, and she pulled back.

  “Shh, calm down,” Darach said gently, holding her shoulders as their eyes locked. “You had a nightmare, but you’re okay.”

  She blinked rapidly and tried to get her bearings. She was still in the room at the top of the Highland Defiance. Dim daylight filtered through the keyhole window and she sat on Darach’s lap. Heidrek was next to them, a blade drawn as though he meant to defend her from something unseen.

  “Bloody hell. I knew if I put the three of you up here I’d get to the bottom of things,” Adlin said as he appeared at the door. His wise eyes fell on them. “Now I know precisely why you were sent to me and what we must do if we’ve any hope of saving the MacLomains.”

  Chapter Four

  IT SEEMED ALL the tales told around campfires since Darach was a wee bairn were true. Adlin was not only meddlesome and evasive but cryptic. He refused to explain why they were here or what he meant when he said I know what to do if we are to have any hope of saving the MacLomains. But he refused to tell them what that was. This had Heidrek scowling fiercely. Not soon after, Adlin declared that they were leaving, and to ready themselves.

  “I’m sorry,” Jackie mumbled before she scrambled off Darach’s lap and looked anywhere but at him.

  “You dinnae need to be sorry, lass.” Darach came to his feet and looked at her with concern. “Are you all right now?” He poured some water and handed it to her. “Here. Drink.”

  Her eyes flickered to his then away before she took the cup and murmured, “Thanks.”

  He and the Viking had slept in shifts so that one of them always kept watch. Darach had been sleeping when it happened.

  When his nightmare blended with hers.

  That was the only way he could describe it.

  One moment everything was dark, the next it was gray. Mountainous, dead, and lifeless, the land around him appeared desolate and unearthly. As he rode Eara, only one thing lit his way. A light. Life.

  Jackie.

  When he saw the massive cloud fluctuating in front of her—the demi-god—he thought nothing of rushing to her rescue. Then he thought nothing of letting Eara take over as they flew off the cliff and toward the water…toward death. As though it wasn’t the first time he had done it with her.

  Then, unlike Jackie, he awoke with no fear.

  Calm, prepared for her distress, he held tightly and gently coaxed her out of the nightmare.

  “Are ye well?” came a concerned voice. “We heard a commotion and wanted to check on ye.”

  Darach was surprised to see Lilas and Dougal at the door. Lilas had her eyes trained on Darach and Dougal’s were on Jackie.

  When Heidrek frowned at them, Dougal stood up a little straighter and eyed the Viking. “We dinnae mean any disrespect ‘twas just…”

  When her husband trailed off, Lilas said, “’Twas just that we thought someone was hurt. It didnae sound good in the least.”

  “Och, nay,” Adlin muttered as he returned and shooed them out. “All’s well enough. Ye two just confuse things.” His eyes met Dougal’s. “We leave soon. Ye keep a close eye on yer wife and wee William, aye?”

  “I dinnae need watching over,” William declared, scooting past the adults until he took up position in front of Jackie. He held a dagger and eyed everyone with a frown as he spoke to Jackie. “How fare ye, lass? I would have gotten here sooner, but my legs are far shorter than theirs.”

  Heidrek’s eyes narrowed. “Not that much shorter.”

  Adlin sighed. “The lad slept at the top of the stairs determined to protect Jackie when you two failed.”

  Darach chuckled. They had known the lad was out there. “No faith then?”

  “None at all.” William looked between Heidrek and Darach. “Ye’ve yet to prove a bloody thing to me when it comes to this lass.”

  “Jackie,” she said softly. “My name’s Jackie.”

  “When it comes to Jackie,” William corrected himself.

  “I’m fine, William.” She peered over his shoulder and met his eyes. “I just had a bad dream is all. But thanks for having my back.”

  William’s brows snapped together in confusion. “Right now I’m protecting yer front.” He spun and peered behind her, dagger at the ready. “Does yer back need protecting too?”

  “No.” She lowered his wrist, a warm smile on her face as she met his eyes. “It’s just an expression. I’m really okay. All of you did a great job protecting me.”

  “Aye?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  William eyed her for a long moment before he stepped away.

  “Come, William.” Lilas held out her hand. “Adlin means for us to leave now.”

  “Aye?”

  “Aye.” Adlin nodded at William. “Go with Lilas and Dougal now. They love ye.”

  William contemplated everyone for another long moment before he obeyed. Meanwhile, Adlin eyed Jackie, Darach, and Heidrek. “It seems none of you even took off your boots last eve. ‘Tis good enough I suppose.” He gestured for them to follow as he ushered William and his parents down the hallway. “Darach and Heidrek, ‘twould be
best if you take Jackie’s hand as soon as possible.”

  Though Darach and Heidrek frowned at each other, they were smart enough to realize if the arch-wizard said something, they better listen. What neither expected was how soon Adlin meant. They had just reached the landing when the wizard flung his arms in the air and started chanting.

  Darach was shocked by the amount of people squeezed into the room below and going up the long, winding stairs. Stairs that allowed more to stand on them because there was no balustrade. Darach and Heidrek didn’t just hold Jackie’s hands but pulled her between them as Adlin began chanting.

  “Now I plead, let my people flee. Now I plead, let my people be free. Obsecro, domine mi et fugientibus consulite. Obsecro, domine mi liberi populi.”

  Light poured from the keyhole window, down the hallway, until it washed over them and spread down the stairs into the crowd below. The narrow windows seemed to help direct it. At first warm and welcoming, it soon turned blinding. Consuming. Yet there was no fear as the floor dropped out from beneath them.

  No, there was only a feeling of joy.

  Change.

  Redemption.

  It felt like he stood at the edge of Heaven.

  When the light faded, Jackie still stood between them and all the people who had been in the Highland Defiance stood in a forest. Darach didn’t need to use magic to know they stood on the outer edges of what would be MacLomain land.

  “Where are we?” Heidrek said.

  Adlin smiled as the last of the white light and fog faded into the woodland. “Almost home.” His eyes slid to Heidrek. “Not yours I’m afraid.”

  “Sonofa-fn’bitch,” a woman exclaimed. “A little warning would’ve been nice!”

  “I thought you were trying not to swear around the kid,” a female responded within the mind.

  “She was, but she sucks at it,” came another feminine voice.

  “I was… oh shoot, I mean son-of-a-gun.”

  Darach couldn’t help but grin. He knew those voices.

  “Nicole? Cassie?” Jackie pulled free and peered around as the last of the fog drifted away. “Erin?”