Page 18 of Her Scot of Bygones
He was essentially being my fairytale Scot of Bygones.
“We will leave after we eat and travel back under the veil of darkness,” Lucas said. “Before the storm arrives.”
“What storm?” I wondered. “There’s barely a cloud in the sky.”
“But there will be,” Aspen said, revealing how dragons could sense incoming weather. She grinned at me. “It’s one of the many perks of being half dragon.”
Despite how impactful seeing that bronze dragon had been, it hadn’t frightened me like it might have even a few days ago. If anything, it intrigued, if not downright impressed me. Yet again, like so many things since traveling back in time, it seemed familiar. More than that, it warmed my heart in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and I knew I had loved it. Him. Evan.
And nothing felt more strange, given how drawn I was to Lucas.
That feeling only increased while everyone continued eating and chatting. Now that I had forgiven Lucas, thanks to Aspen, it was as if we were starting all over together, and it was impossible not to like him. Although we didn’t talk much one-on-one, he was courteous and thoughtful, describing each dish to me with an infectious smile I couldn’t get enough of. It didn’t hurt that it only made him more gorgeous and brought out not just his dimples but a merriness in his thickly lashed blue eyes that beguiled me.
In turn, I revealed I did, in fact, prefer some foods over others because I felt I could. Like another layer of my need to please, was peeled back just enough, I could confess I typically leaned toward comfort foods. Until tasting the meat served tonight, I usually liked breads and pastas, although I did really enjoy a well-made chicken parmigiana.
Setting aside the warm flushes Lucas tended to invoke every time he looked at me, it was safe to say, if nothing else, I could see us becoming good friends. It didn’t seem to matter that we were from such vastly different eras, and he was a warrior, and I, a cook. There was an easy camaraderie between us that made speaking to each other effortless and enjoyable,almostas if we had known each other for years.
After dinner, we went our separate ways but would meet again soon, somewhere discreet, so the clan wouldn’t see us leave. Aspen helped me pack a small satchel with what I might need for a few days and made sure I was truly ready.
“Are you sure this is the right course of action?” she asked before we headed back downstairs. She searched my eyes. “Though I know you’ll be safe with Lucas, this sounds like it’s also going to put you on Sutherland territory again.”
“I know,” I replied, certain it would. I just didn’t know what time frame. “But yes, I’m certain this is the right course of action, and the letter seemed to imply my curious nature was supposed to lead the way.”
“Right.” Aspen narrowed her eyes. “Though you’ve never really struck me as the curious type.”
“No,” I said softly. “I wouldn’t have because we met when we were older and I’d changed by then.” I shook my head. “Honestly, I had forgotten I was ever like that. It seems like eons ago.”
For the first time, I felt Lucas’s comforting presence in my mind without him being in the same room, and I liked itmore than expected, given it was a delicate topic and private conversation. He wasn’t there long, but enough to keep old emotions from bubbling to the surface, and Aspen seemed to sense it.
“That’s his inner dragon comforting yours,” she explained. “And in turn, your human half as well.” She offered me an equally comforting smile. “I would have never thought it possible, given your different personalities, but I’m glad you and Lucas are connecting. I really am.” The corner of her mouth curled up. “And who knows, maybe you two will be good for each other. Rub off on one another.”
I didn’t need to ask what she meant because it was already happening. Lucas was acting less impulsively and thinking things through, and I was surprisingly eager to set out on another adventure and see where it led, when typically, I would play it safe and stick close to Aspen so I could keep an eye on her.
“Maybe we already are,” I murmured as we headed back downstairs, but not before reminding her to drink the tea I recommended. “I told Chara all the ingredients, and she promised she would have it made for you. It seems a lot of the ingredients are designed to keep baby dragons healthy.”
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.” Aspen smiled. “Already your inner dragon is a good aunt, sensing what her unborn nephews will need.”
I bit back emotion because I had a feeling she was right, and it meant a lot knowing my inner beast would help in that way when I seemingly had no control over it.
As planned, we didn’t go out the front but a different, more discreet way, so no one saw me leaving. Broderick trusted his clan but wanted to err on the side of caution until we understood what was going on between me, Evan, and Lucas. That meant we would travel a rather treacherous, unique route.
“Really?” I exclaimed. Lucas and I stood with Aspen and Broderick, eyeing the path down the cliff on the backside of the castle that appeared to vanish into the rock. “That’s our only option?”
“’Tis the best route if we want to be discreet.” Lucas looked at me with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “Dinnae worry, lass. I’ll catch you if you fall.”
“Which won’t happen,” Aspen assured, rolling her eyes at Lucas. She embraced me and held on tight. “Take care, sis, and remember we can speak telepathically now, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you guys need help or if you just want to talk. I’m always here.” She pulled back, glancing from Broderick to me. “We both are.” Her gaze narrowed on Lucas. “You better protect her with your life.”
“Of course, m’lady,” he swore, sounding particularly serious before clasping arms with Broderick, hand to elbow, and nodding once with reassurance. “I will keep ye abreast every step of the way, m’laird.”
“No Flame?” I wondered, looking around for the wolf pup. “I was under the impression he’d be joining us.”
“Flame tends to go when and where he’s needed most,” Broderick divulged. “So I imagine he’ll join you when the time is right.”
Although disappointed he wasn't coming now because I liked the little guy, I sensed Broderick was right. Flame would be there when we needed him. “I look forward to seeing him again soon, then.”
We said our final goodbyes before setting off down the single-file path. Ever the hero, Lucas made me walk in front of him in case I slipped. Although I wasn't athletic, I worked out often enough that it wasn’t too bad, and I managed well until we reached the hole, and things got a little tricky.
“Just take my hand, lass,” Lucas said. “Then step where I step.”
