Page 69 of A Celtic Vow
“What the...” Constance fell to her knees in agony as her younger self did the same and bit back a sob. “What did shedoto you?”
“Turned me back into a monster,” he managed when the pain finally subsided. “Into something so terrible you would never be tempted by me again.”
Clearly trying to wrap her mind around what they had just witnessed, Constance swallowed hard. “If that’s the case, how did we ever end up reborn into this life? How did you become an unknown king?”
“Because we still loved each other,” he said softly, grateful he could pull her into his arms. That they could touch in a dream. “Somehow, some way, things didn’t end with what we just saw.”
No truer words were said because moments later, they were back among the druids. Watching as Siobhán told them her version of the story. One in which she claimed Aodh never gave up his lust—versus love—for Constance and tried to steal her away against her will.
She claimed he’d long lost his sense of loyalty to the Druid Guard. Grown bitter and resentful. He had become certain if he stole Constance’s incarnate away, what the druids had done to him would be reversed. Return to normal. Moreover, he would finally have his way with the lass who should have been his wife to begin with.
“I would see her held at her father’s castle until we are sure his taint did not somehow infect her,” Siobhán counseled the head druidess. “’Tis the most impregnable place in all of Eire’ if side effects arise.”
“Side effects?” Constance frowned and shook her head. “What possible side effects could arise? She destroyed you and broke my heart.”
“Hasshe destroyed me, though?” Aodh sensed something in that. “Because I don’t feel destroyed.” He narrowed his eyes. “I feel sad and enraged but not destroyed.”
No sooner did he say it than they were back in the chamber with the red chair. Back in her father’s great hall.
“Months have gone by since Siobhán cursed you,” Constance realized, following their memories as they unfolded faster and faster. As they showed them so much. “Nearly half a year.”
“And still, you’re kept here.” He was caught by the sight of her former self staring forlornly out the window. How heartbroken and miserable she seemed. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” Constance looked around. “But I suspect Siobhán does.” She narrowed her eyes to where Siobhán had stood years before, clearly remembering the sly look she tossed between their former incarnates before advocating for Aodh to become part of the Druid Guard. “She had a plan all along. I’m sure of it. Positive now considering what she’s accomplished in the eleventh century.”
She was about to go on when cries rang out, and the ground trembled underfoot. “What is this? An earthquake?”
“Nay.” He shook his head slowly. “Not an earthquake.”
“I’m terrified,” Constance exclaimed as her former self fled the chamber and started down the tunnel-turned-hallway. “With good reason, too.”
“And now you’re trying to flee.” Aodh blinked at flashes of the same tunnel from the opposite direction. He was stalking her...or looking for her. “And I can’t blame you...however....”
“However, what?”
“I don’t know.” He frowned and shook his head. “I feel different. Confused. Eager. Yet very, very angry.” Rock walls flew by in his mind’s eye. “I’m coming...drawing closer...”
Seconds later, Constance screamed and ran back in the direction of the chamber.
“This is it!” Constance’s eyes went wide. “Thisis my nightmare, Aodh.”
Her incarnate raced into the room and started to climb out the window, only to stop and turn back.
“I’m terrified, yet determined to face what’s been haunting me,” she whispered as though she might somehow interrupt the moment. “What I dreamt chased me down this tunnel time and time again.”
She swallowed hard as her younger self did the same. Stood up straighter and confronted not fire but cat-like eyes in the darkness.
Confronted what Aodh had become in that life.
He snapped awake at the same time she did when they heard a commotion outside.
Then, battle cries.
It seemed what they just witnessed had intensified Constance’s magic because she was able to chant them into clothing.
“Stay near me.” He looked at her grimly and sheathed weapons that had been left for him. “I know you said you can fight, but—”
Too late. She was already gone, and he was racing after her into the mayhem.
