Meanwhile, Christina’s eyes stayed with Graham’s. “Anything is possible.” A soft smile graced her lips as she looked down. “Seeing how I’m on birth control.”
Yet she still worried as her eyes went from Grant to Adlin again. “So what about Jessie? Was she really there in the twenty-first century? Was the second warlock truly killed though I never saw it?” She frowned. “And what about Bryce, Sven, and Aðísla? Have they returned?” She shook her head. “And who do you suppose provided our clothes when Graham and I travelled to the future after we...” she cleared her throat, not mentioning the sex. “After the Battle of Bannockburn was set back on track.”
“Nay, none have returned, I’m afraid,” Grant replied. “As to what you witnessed in the twenty-first century, ‘tis hard to know but my guess is you defeated any hold the last warlock might have had on Scotland’s history by remaining true to Scotland and those you love.”
“I don’t understand.”
A warm smile came to his lips. “Anyone in your position would have grown verra angry with Jessie. Most in fact. You had your friend right in front of you. Someone you thought had caused so much harm. Yet you didnae lash out.” He gave her a pointed look. “You wanted to but you didnae. You remained calm and kept the bigger picture firmly in mind. That evil could be at work. Therefore, Graham’s or any of our lives could be at risk.”
She nodded though a frown tugged at her lips. “I really did want to kick her butt and strangle some answers out of her.”
“Had you, things might have gone verra differently,” Adlin responded. “Keeping that fire burning and not attacking Jessie when you had the opportunity were two verra wise decisions, lass.”
“Why the fire?” Graham asked, his interest piqued. “And though I’m glad she didnae attack Jessie, what makes you say that with such conviction?”
“Sven,” Grant provided. “He felt fire was verra much connected to Jessie. That she has some sort of control over it.” His eyes flickered between them. “Seeing how you often travelled through time together when near a fire, ‘tis verra likely she controlled your adventure.” He shook his head. “Which means, assuming she had some dark control over the time loop, had you hurt her, the loop might have been destroyed taking you with it.”
“Or released from it,” Adlin remarked and frowned. “Though ‘twould not have been good to test that theory.”
“So if we’re to ken things correctly,” Graham said. “If Jessie controlled our time traveling and adventure, then would it not stand to reason she was trying to bring Christina and me together? Which means she would have been helping Scotland, not hurting it?”
“It seems more probable than not,” Grant murmured. “I suppose we will just have to wait and see where your friend really stands in the end, Christina.”
“I guess we will,” Christina said softly, frowning. “Still, could the last bout of evil really have been that easy of a test?”
“You underestimate just how hard that test would have been for most,” Grant said softly. “You showed great restraint and a sound mind. One that’s valued among our kind and most welcome in our family, lass.”
“Our kind,” Christina murmured, grinning a little. “You make me sound pretty important.”
“Because you are,” Grant said. “A wise warrior with godlike abilities who can find reason and restraint in battle. Within what some might have considered their darkest hour. Yet still, you were a warrior who knew when to fight and when not to. ‘Tis a rarity indeed.”
Christina kept with that charming grin of hers. “If you say so, sugar.”
Yet Graham knew as he held her close and they continued enjoying everyone’s company, that Grant’s words had meant a great deal. That being accepted so readily into the family meant a lot as well.
“Just one more question and I'm almost afraid to ask,” Christina said, her worried eyes flickering over everyone.
“What is it, lass?” Adlin asked, clearly concerned.
“Scotland.” She trembled ever-so-slightly. “Does it still exist in the twenty-first century?”
“Aye.” Grant nodded. “It does.” His eyes grew troubled. “Why do you ask?”
Though they had heard about the picture in Jessie’s book thanks to Jim, Blair, and Rona, they were surprised to hear Scotland had vanished on Jim’s cell phone the next morning.
“That morning never happened, Christina,” Jim said. “Not like that.” He shook his head. “You had to have been living your own reality in your time loop because when we woke up the next morning, you and Graham had vanished. Again.” He offered her a look of reassurance. “No worries though because Scotland definitely still existed.”
Relief lit her eyes. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that.”
“Aye.” Adlin offered a wide smile. “See, you really did save Scotland by handling the remainder of your time loop so well. Because as Grant said, had you handled it differently, things might have changed in dire ways indeed.”
“Well, I’m just glad it worked out.” Her eyes warmed as they met Graham's. “More than you know.” She looked at the others again as one more thing occurred to her. “So why do you suppose Jessie’s cryptic words kept popping up through our journey? Death to those who fly. Death to Scotland.”
“I’m afraid that remains a mystery,” Adlin replied. “But I strongly suspect it has more to do with Bryce’s adventure and mayhap Sven’s. ‘Twill be them that gets to the bottom of things once and for all.” A renewed smile lit his face as he eyed everyone. “Until then, we will rejoice in the fact that Scotland still exists far into the future and that things, no matter how small, do seem to be improving for the better.” He nodded, pleased. “So we are making a difference.”
Everyone agreed, content enough for now to enjoy the reunion. Graham and Christina visited for a little while but not too long. He could tell she was drained from their traumatic experience and could use some rest. Besides, he wanted to spend some time alone with her.
Before they left, however, Adlin took him aside and put his mind at ease.
“The MacLauchlin clan have heard of Kenna’s unfortunate outcome,” he said respectfully as he met Graham’s eyes. “The remainder of the clan is now safely within our castle walls under orders of protection from ye, Cousin. He who would have been their new chieftain had ye married Kenna.”
Graham nodded, grateful. “Thank ye, Adlin, but ye should have told them that ‘twas ye that saw to their safety.”
“Why?” He clasped Graham’s shoulder and shook his head. “When ‘twas clearly my first-in-command who has all along.”
“Why did you never say anything if you knew?” Graham asked softly.
“Because I didnae feel ‘twas my place to interfere. I knew well the dynamics between ye, Kenna and Fraser.” He shook his head. “’Twas enough that I became chieftain when ‘twas clear ye would have welcomed such a position. Not out of a need for power but because ye truly love our people.” His eyes stayed with Graham’s. “So I suppose in matters of the heart, I wanted ye to remain in charge.” His voice grew softer. “I could only protect Kenna so much against the chieftains she was promised to. She needed a marriage alignment with a powerful clan.”
“Which you always knew would be ours one way or another,” Graham murmured.
“Aye.” Wisdom lit Adlin’s eyes. “And we both know ye would not have allowed her to be married off to one of our clansmen. Ye cared about her and Fraser far too much to let that happen.”
“Aye,” Graham agreed, realizing it could have only ever gone the way it did.
“I should go see to her people. ‘Tis the least I can do,” Graham began before Adlin shook his head and cut him off. “Ye’ll do no such thing. The MacLauchlins are well cared for, and ye can visit with them later. Now go see to yer new lass and wee one, aye?”
Though tempted to argue he recognized the stubborn notch of Adlin’s chin. He would not budge on his request. Probably for the best considering Chri
stina was waiting for Graham and she needed rest. Not to mention he was eager to see her again though it had been mere minutes.
“Aye, Cousin.” Graham embraced Adlin and was about to head off but paused, wondering. “Did ye ever discover who shot that arrow at my ma then?”
“Nay, but ‘twas an interesting thing.” A twinkle met Adlin’s eyes. “Not long after that, the arrow vanished but not before several people claimed it glowed first.”
“Glowed?” Graham didn’t have to consider that long. “Like mayhap a godly sort of glow?”
“Aye, I would say so.” Adlin kept grinning. “If I didnae know better I would say Fionn Mac Cumhaill might have verra well been behind it. A means to push Christina to embrace her gift for all to see.”
“And, in effect, fuel the continuation of a journey we needed to see through,” he murmured. “Not only with each other but with Kenna.”
“That would be my guess,” Adlin agreed before he ushered Graham along. “Now go be with yer lass, aye?”
“Aye.” Graham grinned before he did just that.
“They never did answer my question about who they thought might’ve left our clothes at Mystery Hill,” Christina remarked as she and Graham made their way upstairs a few minutes later.
“Because ‘tis likely they dinnae know,” he responded. “Any more than we know who provided clothing for us at the tavern on Conall and Lindsay’s adventure. Whilst some speculated it might have been Adlin’s sister, Iosbail, from the afterlife, others felt it might have been Jessie.”
She frowned. “Why Jessie?”
“Because ‘tis strongly suspected she was at the tavern that night caring for Grant when he was wounded,” Graham reminded. “Though ‘tis truly hard to know.”
“It sure is,” she agreed softly. “Like Grant said, I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see how this mystery unravels. In the end, is our friend our enemy or our enemy our friend?”
Graham offered no response but knew she was right. Either way, he had no intention of discussing it anymore right now. He was happier than he imagined possible that she was so happy as he showed her his chambers.
Their chambers hopefully.
“Well, where else am I gonna sleep?” she remarked, reading his thoughts as she grinned at him. “I know we didn’t plan the whole pregnancy thing, but I was really hoping...”
That’s all he let her get out before he pulled her into his arms and kissed the words right out of her. He kept kissing her long and hard, making sure his actions got through just in case his words didn’t.
Yet when he said them, he cupped her cheeks, stared into her eyes and made sure she knew just how much he meant them. “I’d never assume or expect you to stay in medieval Scotland because you’re carrying my child, lass. ‘Tis your right to do as you please.” He tilted his head. “But you should know that nothing would make me happier than you staying.”
He remained perfectly honest because she deserved it.
“Though I will be around more often than before ‘tis important that I continue to help out surrounding clans.” He hoped he didn’t drive her away with his words. “’Tis important that I dinnae abandon them and hide behind these castle walls.”
“I agree,” she said readily. “Don’t forget how I passed the majority of my time back home.”
“Running for charity,” he said.
“Right,” she replied. “And I don’t intend to stop doing that here. I just have to figure out how to put my gift to good use and continue helping those in need.”
“Aye,” he agreed, proud. “After the birth.”
“I’m not sure I said it quite like that.”
“But ‘tis surely how you meant it.”
“I meant it like I said it, Graham.” She frowned. “I want to help.”
“And you will,” he conceded. “I dinnae doubt it.”
“Great.” She perked up. “So we understand each other?”
He frowned. “We do?”
“Ye willnae win this argument son,” his father’s amused words floated through his mind. “I have been there, done that.”
“Damn straight he has,” his mother’s words echoed, just as amused. “And he never did win that argument.”
“We will speak of this later, aye, lass?” he murmured to Christina.
“You bet we will, handsome.”
His parent’s chuckles echoed away as he scooped her up and at long last, brought her to his bed.
“So you’ll be staying,” he whispered as he came down over her and their eyes held. “You’ll remain with me?”
“Of course I’ll stay with you,” she whispered back, giving him the one word he had been waiting for. “Always.”
After that, they forgot all about talking and moved on to much more pleasurable things.
Things born of friendship and the wonders it could lead to.
The country was still in rough shape, but at least it was on the map again. It existed. Loved ones were lost but wouldn’t be forgotten. Wrongs had been righted, and famous battles won.
History was once more on track, and everything was almost perfect...
“Did I mention I love you, Graham MacLomain?” she whispered in his ear.
There it was. Now things were perfect.
“Aye?” He met her eyes. “’Tis good that.”
“I know.” She lifted her brows. “What about you?”
He grinned. “You mean ye?”
She met his grin. “No, I mean you.”
They laughed as he flipped her and proceeded to show her all night long how much he loved her, his murmured words making her smile.
“Aye, lass, like I said before and will never stop saying, I love ye...and I love you too.”
The End
Avenged by a Highland Laird
Book Four
By
Sky Purington
Introduction
WHILE THE MACLOMAINS and their Brouns know they’re facing a curse determined to end Scotland, their true enemy remains a mystery. Is it the warlocks they have been fighting all along? Or could it be Jessie, a Broun lass and supposed friend who seems to have followed them on their adventures? After all, it looks like Jessie might be in league with the very warlocks set to destroy them. What better way to find out the truth then to start back at the beginning with Jessie herself. And so the story goes...
Prologue
Northern Maine
1999
JESSIE SHOT UP IN BED the moment the first flame curled around the bottom of her grandfather’s old, threadbare curtains. It was already too late. There would be no stopping the fire this time.
Her heart pounded as she stumbled out of bed. Where was Mama? Did she know?
“Jessie!” her mother gasped from down the hall. “Help!”
“Keep calm, Jessie,” she whispered to herself over and over again. “Stay strong for Mama. She needs you.”
She always knew this day would come. That the man she called her grandfather would pass out drunk with a cigar and destroy what little they had.
By the time she made it to her bedroom door, fire was spreading quickly, crackling and roaring as it began consuming everything. Though her throat thickened and her nostrils stung, she pushed past fear and followed the sound of her mother’s wracking coughs to the kitchen.
“I’ve got you, Mama.” She had her mother wrap her arm around Jessie’s shoulders for support. “Just hold on and walk the best you can, okay?”
“You need to find your grandfather,” Mama croaked.
Jessie couldn’t help but notice that her mother had said ‘find’ not ‘help.’ No surprise really. He was awful. Evil. Rotten to the core. Nevertheless, once she got her mother to safety, she took a deep breath then headed back into the burning house.
Smoke stung her eyes as she made her way down the hallway past rooms already consumed in flames. As she suspected, her grandfather was passed out on his bed.
“Grandfather,” she yelled, shakin
g his shoulders. “Wake up! The house is on fire!”
As she choked on ever thickening smoke, she kept trying and trying, but he wouldn’t budge. Was his skin more ashen then usual? His lips blue? She covered her mouth with the top part of her nightshirt, took shallow breaths and pressed two shaky fingers to the pulse point on his neck.
No heartbeat.
He was already dead.
Shocked, she stared at him, bereft of emotion. Was this the fate of such a cruel man? Was this the fate of a man with dark abilities? She swallowed hard as her eyes narrowed on the small ancient looking notebook on his bed stand. There it was. The cause of many a nightmare.
That was what her mother thought needed saving.
Why, though, when nothing good ever came of it? Yet even as she recoiled, she felt compelled. As though so much depended on it. So though loathe to touch it, she scooped it up and started to race out of the room, only to stop short. Fire was everywhere. The hallway was engulfed.
There was no way out.
This was it. The end she saw coming. An endless fire that ripped everything away. Fire that had all the control. Terrified, she began screaming. For who though? Her mother certainly couldn’t help her. Nobody could.
“It can’t end like this,” she whispered and shook her head. “I won’t let it.”
She had lived her entire life in fear. All ten years of it. Now she was going to give up? Give in? Let everything fade away before she had a chance to live a life without her grandfather in it? She shook her head, and narrowed her eyes, madder by the moment before she roared, “Let me live!”
Heat seemed to well not only around her but within her as her vision hazed red.
This fire had no control over her.
She controlled it.
Moments later, a strange sensation rolled through her, and a twisting tunnel began to form down the hall all the way to the front door. Free of fire, it was a path of safety created solely for her. She looked from the book to the hallway. Had she manifested it or had the book? Dare she trust this? Because it could easily be some kind of trick left behind by her grandfather.
The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4) Page 80
