Bound by Dreams (Cauld Ane Series, #5)

by Piper Davenport

“Aye, lass.”

  She sat beside him again. “So, who are these people?”

  “Lore more than anything. Rumor has it, they were who we all came from. Back when Odin and Thor were prevalent gods in Viking life.”

  “So, did they exist, or were they just folklore?” she asked. “The Kalt Einn, not Thor and Odin.”

  He shrugged. “I was born in Scotland from Scottish parents who were born from Scottish parents. As far as my lineage is concerned, we don’t know of any direct link to the Kalt Einn. Kade and his brothers might be a different story, but right now it’s just a theory.”

  “I think we should go.”

  “Go where?”

  “To Max and Grace’s,” Charlotte said.

  Niall rubbed the nape of his neck. “Baby, I don’t want you mixed up in this.”

  “I’m already mixed up in this,” she pointed out. “This man obviously wants something, and he was willing to come to America to find me and then all the way to Inverness. Which is confusing. Why Inverness and not here?”

  “Because I’m smarter than Max,” he said with an enigmatic smile.

  “What does that mean?” she asked.

  “Our home isn’t in my name. His is. Pepper’s father... ah, whoever this person is... wouldn’t be able to find me easily. At least not with a paper trail. Max’s name, on the other hand, has always been attached to his property.”

  “What if Pepper’s father, or ‘whoever he is,’ is still looking for me and finds out I’m not there, then what’s to stop him from coming here? He seems to have an uncanny ability to find me.” She raised an eyebrow. “If we go to Max’s, we can keep him out of our private life a bit more than if he forces himself into our world here.”

  Niall took his plate to the sink and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “And if we go there and his aim is to hurt you? What then?”

  “He could have hurt me when we were at the terminal in Portland, Nye. He didn’t. In fact, he did everything he could to keep me safe, going so far as to heal me.”

  Niall grumbled something under his breath.

  “What?”

  He scowled.

  “What aren’t you telling me?” she demanded.

  “He was able to calm you,” he admitted.

  “What do you mean?”

  “When you were working with my brother to heal me, it wasn’t me who calmed you. It was him.”

  “Really?” she said. “Are you sure?”

  “Damn it, yes.”

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  He squeezed his eyes shut and grimaced.

  She tapped his chin. “What, Nye? Tell me.”

  “I think it’s possible he might be your father too.”

  “What?” she squeaked.

  He nodded. “I think all of this is more than coincidence, and I think there is some form of familial bond or he wouldn’t be able to calm you.”

  “Well, that’s more proof that he wouldn’t want to hurt me, wouldn’t you say?” She gave him a sympathetic smile. “It doesn’t make you less than perfect in my eyes, just to be clear.”

  “Oh, you’re hilarious.”

  She curtsied. “Thank you.”

  Niall frowned. “I still don’t like this, Charlotte.”

  She widened her eyes. “But we can go.”

  He sighed. “Aye, we can go.”

  “Thank you.” Charlotte smiled and slipped her arms around his neck, forcing him to relax. “Everything will be fine. You and Max will be there to make sure I’m safe. What could possibly go wrong?”

  Niall raised an eyebrow and patted her bottom. “Are you really saying that right now?”

  Charlotte giggled. “This is real life, Nye. Not a movie.”

  “Your point?”

  “My point is, what’s the worst thing that could happen?”

  “Charlotte,” he said with a groan.

  She smiled and kissed him. “Would you like some convincing?”

  He slipped her T-shirt from her body and grinned. “Yes. I think that would be a good idea.”

  Two hours later, Niall phoned his brother and let him know they’d be on the seven o’clock flight from Edinburgh to Inverness the next morning.

  NIALL KISSED CHARLOTTE awake at four... however, not particularly successfully.

  “What is this tom-foolery?” she snapped as she gently pushed his face away for the third time.

  He kissed her fingers. “We need to head to the airport in less than an hour.”

  She rolled away from him. “Five more minutes,” she grumbled.

  Niall rolled her back toward him. “You’ve said that for the last fifteen minutes.”

  “And you’re obviously not listening to me.” She yawned. “Bad husband.”

  Niall chuckled, throwing back the covers. “Come on, love. Up we go.”

  “Why are we going so early?” she complained as she sat up with her eyes still closed.

  “Because you wanted to be there before lunch time,” Niall patiently pointed out.

  She opened her eyes and wrinkled her nose. “And you have to give me everything I want, right?”

  He leaned down and kissed her quickly. “Your wish is my only desire.”

  She giggled. “Well, next time, argue with me a bit.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Charlotte slid from the mattress and headed to the bathroom. “What’s the flight plan?” she called.

  Niall leaned against the doorjamb of the bathroom and crossed his arms. “We have to stop in Belfast, but it won’t be for long.”

  She caught his eye in the mirror. “Nothing non-stop?”

  “Not without my plane.”

  “Oh,” she whispered.

  He shook his head. “You’re not still afraid, are you?”

  Charlotte bit her lip. “A lot a bit.”

  Niall wrapped his arms around her and kissed the back of her neck. “You’ll be fine. I’ll make sure of it.”

  She sighed and leaned back against him. “I feel better already.”

  He chuckled and broke contact to start the water. “Okay, quick shower, love. We have to go.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know,” she retorted, as she pinned her hair on top of her head and stepped under the water.

  * * *

  Charlotte discovered she was extremely glad to have Keir close by as they traveled to Inverness. Niall had understated just how popular he was in Edinburgh, and they were inundated with fans, some old enough to be her parents, others as young as her sister.

  The women in particular had no issue shoving Charlotte out of their way to get to Niall. Keir was quick to guide her away from the fray, speaking with one of the security guards at the gate, who graciously offered up a private room to wait. Niall finished signing a few last autographs and then followed the guard to the gate, Charlotte and Keir bringing up the rear.

  “What are you doing flying commercial, Mr. MacMillan?” the guard asked, and closed the door of the bare room. “Don’t you have yer own plane?”

  “Aye, I do,” Niall said. “However, it’s currently with my brother.”

  “Ah.” The guard nodded. “Well, I’ll collect ye when we’re ready to board.”

  “Thank you,” Niall said, and shook his hand after posing with him for a picture.

  The rest of the trip, thankfully, wasn’t quite as eventful. Even though Niall could now calm Charlotte without touch, he kept hold of her hand until they walked off the plane and climbed into the car awaiting them, graciously sent by Max. Keir climbed into the front seat with Bruce.

  Charlotte’s mouth dropped open several times as they drove from the airstrip to Max and Grace’s home. Inverness was stunning, with rolling hills and glorious landscape. She could imagine exploring on horseback, the terrain virtually untouched by motor vehicles. All too soon, Bruce pulled the car through wrought-iron gates and up a long road shaded by large trees.

  “These trees are unreal.”

  “These are
Birnam Oaks,” Niall explained. “It’s an ancient Scottish tree. Max had them planted over a hundred years ago.”

  “They’re very spooky looking.” She smiled. “In a good way.”

  Niall chuckled. “Aye, lass, they are. Especially in the dark.”

  The whitewashed brick of a massive house appeared before them. Ivy wove its way up one side of the house, adding to the historical façade, while the cobblestone courtyard offered the perfect welcome that led to the blue seven-foot-tall, six-foot-wide double doors at the front.

  “Wow,” Charlotte said. “It looks like something out of a Jane Austen novel.”

  “Max finished the house in 1900, I think. Maybe it was 1901. But he’s made several updates to it since then, obviously.”

  “It’s a very Grace house.”

  “Is it?” Niall asked.

  Charlotte giggled. “Most definitely. She used to draw pictures of houses all the time. She’d sign her name Lady Grace Annabelle Wilson. I used to tease her mercilessly and then hide the same pictures I’d drawn under my mattress.”

  “Oh, really? Why?”

  “Because I’d draw castles, and believe me, they looked like really bad stick houses. I do not have Grace’s artistic bent.”

  Niall chuckled. “How about I show you the real thing once we get this mess sorted out.”

  “A real castle?”

  He nodded.

  “Like a tour of one?”

  He shook his head. “No, like Kade and Samantha’s other home.”

  She clapped her hands. “Yes, please.”

  “You’ll love it,” he promised as the car came to a stop and Grace rushed outside, followed by Max, despite the rain.

  The driver pulled open the car door and Charlotte slid out into the waiting arms of her best friend and sister. “Hi.”

  Grace smiled. “Hi. I missed you.”

  Charlotte grinned. “It’s been all of two days.”

  “So?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I missed you too,” Charlotte admitted.

  “Come inside. I’ll show you your room and then we’ll eat.”

  “And when, exactly, will you tell me what’s going on?”

  “When we eat,” Grace said. “We’ve promised Con and Pepper we’d all be there for dinner.”

  Charlotte frowned but chose not to press Grace until lunch. She followed her up the winding staircase and to a door at the back of the house. Intricately carved wood stood before her, and when Grace pushed the door open, Charlotte couldn’t stop a gasp. “Wow, Gracie.”

  “I know,” she said. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

  The bedroom was the size of Charlotte’s entire apartment in L.A., with plastered walls in a light yellow, almost cream, and ancient iron windows that took up an entire wall overlooking an expansive property with intricate gardens below. A large bed sat adjacent to the window wall, offering a pretty incredible back drop to wake up to.

  “You have a full-sized bathroom in here,” Grace said as she walked through one of the doors. “And the other door houses a closet and dressing room. If you need anything, you can press this button here”—she showed Charlotte an old-fashioned intercom panel—“and someone will call to find out what you need. Seriously, Charlie, anything. It takes a little getting used to, but the staff is awesome.”

  “Okay,” Charlotte said distractedly as she took in her surroundings.

  “Chuck?”

  “Hmm?” Charlotte glanced at Grace from the window and smiled. “Sorry, what did you say?”

  Grace laughed. “Nothing. I’ll leave you two to get settled.”

  Charlotte saw Niall standing by the bed. “I didn’t even see you come in.”

  “I noticed,” he said good-naturedly.

  “We’ll eat in twenty minutes, sound good?” Grace asked.

  “That’ll be good, lass, thanks,” Niall said, and closed the door behind her.

  “This place is unreal.”

  Niall grinned and joined Charlotte by the window. “Aye, lass, ’tis.”

  She looped her arms around his neck. “Did you ever live here?”

  “No’ this house, no. But my childhood home still stands on the property.”

  “It does?”

  “Aye.” He slid his hands over her bottom. “It’s not really livable, but Max does his best to keep it from crumbling.”

  “He didn’t want to restore it?”

  “No.” Darkness flittered in his eyes. “The memories are unpleasant.”

  “Oh, sorry.”

  “Don’t be, love. It’s time to make new memories.” He smiled and kissed her quickly. “Do you want to visit it tomorrow?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Aye. I’d love to show you where I grew up.” He raised an eyebrow. “We could even ride over if you’re interested. Horseback, that is.”

  “Oooh, I haven’t ridden since I was a teenager. Yes, please.”

  He smiled. “Perfect. Let’s eat.”

  “Okay. I’m starving.”

  He pulled his shirt from his body. “Feast away, sweetheart.”

  She giggled. “We are expected at the table. But I’ll make you a deal. For dessert, I’ll use your body as a plate.”

  He nodded and she headed toward the door. “Are you coming?”

  “Not quite.”

  “Niall,” she said with a giggle. “I’ll take care of that later, I promise.”

  * * *

  Niall led Charlotte downstairs and into the kitchen. Max was setting the table while Grace put the finishing touches on what looked like a chicken Caesar salad.

  “I made your favorite, Charlie,” Grace said, and handed the bowl to Max, who carried it to the table.

  “Thanks,” Charlotte said. “What can I help with?”

  “If you want to grab drinks from the fridge that would be great. We’re pretty much done here.”

  Niall followed Charlotte and took a couple of beers for him and his brother, then the foursome took their seats at the table.

  “Okay, so now that I’ve waited patiently,” Charlotte began, “What the heck is going on?”

  Grace relayed the incident the day before, and Charlotte grabbed for Niall’s hand. He gave her a gentle squeeze as she processed the information.

  “So, is this man trying to say that Pepper’s his daughter?” Charlotte asked.

  “Looks that way,” Grace said.

  “What does she say about that?”

  “Connall’s investigating his claims, including a DNA test,” Max said. “He’s not happy.”

  Charlotte frowned. “If the DNA results come back positive, what is Pepper going to do?”

  “That’s something we’re going to talk about tonight at dinner. They have invited Ari, although he’s staying at a hotel at the moment,” Max said.

  “He’s not staying with them?” Charlotte asked.

  “Why would he?” Niall challenged.

  “Why wouldn’t he?”

  “Because there’s something off with him, Charlotte,” Max said. “Connall doesn’t trust him, and quite frankly, I wouldn’t either. Lucky for them, Ari offered to stay in the hotel, promising not to intrude. Let’s hope he keeps his word.”

  “Maybe he just wants to connect,” Charlotte pointed out. “Ari, I mean.”

  “And if that isn’t his motive?” Niall asked.

  “What else could his motive be? He hasn’t hurt me, quite the opposite in fact. Did he hurt Pepper?”

  “No,” Grace responded, earning a scowl from her husband. She popped a bit of chicken in her mouth and smiled as she chewed.

  “You can’t honestly expect you’re going into this with a big family reunion in mind, do you?” Niall asked.

  “Why not?” Charlotte asked. “Maybe we can give this guy the benefit of the doubt.”

  “Bloody hell,” Max snapped.

  Charlotte scowled. “What’s with the judgy face, Max?”

  “I hope you’re not serious.”

  “Max,” Niall war
ned.

  “I can fight my own battles, thank you very much,” Charlotte said, and focused back on Max. “Why wouldn’t I give him the benefit of the doubt?”

  Niall noticed the temperature in the room drop.

  Grace raised an eyebrow. “Well, for one, because it’s not you.”

  “Maybe I’ve changed.”

  Grace snorted. “You’ve suddenly decided you’re going to trust a man you don’t know?”

  “Maybe I feel like I should at least try to open up a little.”

  “And maybe you just want to get a rise out of Max,” Grace challenged.

  “Maybe I don’t appreciate being told what I can and cannot do.”

  “He wasn’t telling you what to do,” Grace snapped.

  Charlotte jabbed her fork toward Grace. “Oh, he wasn’t saying it in so many words, but his disapproving face said everything he wanted me to hear.”

  Niall could see Charlotte and Grace’s breath as they argued now.

  Grace rolled her eyes. “So much for giving people the benefit of the doubt.”

  “Are you seriously trying to tell me that wasn’t a Judgy McJudgerson expression?”

  “Oh, my word, Charlotte!” Grace ground out. “What the hell is your problem? Max is just looking out for you. Stop being such a bitch.”

  “You know what, Grace... you can suck it.” Charlotte pushed back from the table and stormed out of the kitchen.

  As soon as Charlotte left, the temperature returned to normal. Niall sat in stunned disbelief as Grace sagged in her chair.

  “What was that?” Grace said, bursting into tears. “Holy crap, why am I crying?”

  “Sort this out, Niall,” Max demanded, and pulled Grace from her chair and out of the kitchen.

  With a heavy heart Niall cleared the table and headed to his room. He had no idea what was going on, but his mate had the ability to literally change the temperature in the room.

  He pushed open the door to find Charlotte curled up in one of the chairs by the window, staring despondently out at nothing. “Charlotte?”

  “What?” she muttered.

  He sat in the seat across from her, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. “What happened?”

  “Oh, other than acting the shrew to my best friend, nothing much.”

  “You made her cry.”

  “What?” She turned to face him. “I did?”

  “Aye, lass. I don’t tell you that to make you feel worse, I’m just trying to sort everything out.”