Page 28 of Her Scot of Bygones
“I would expect nothing less.” Evan gestured for us to follow and headed into the woodland. “This way. Mayhap ‘twill jog yer memory, MacLeod.”
Despite Lucas muttering under his breath he thought that unlikely, I knew he felt the same sense of recognition I did as Evan led us deeper into the forest before heading down a pathway between towering moss-covered boulders. The chilly air smelled of one storm retreating and another coming. Of potential snow as autumn leaves danced down around us, and the way grew steeper. Interestingly, my leg wasn’t cramping in the least, and I imagined I could thank Lucas for that.
“Nay,”he said into my mind, his tone as soothing as his touch had been last night.“’Tis your inner beast surfacing more by the moment that takes your discomfort away. ‘Tis her you should thank for she’s as much a part of you as I am.”
Somehow, I knew he was right, and Iwasthankful, eager to meet her when she surfaced.Becomeher. And it was the oddest sensation. I could only pray it didn’t happen in such a terrifying way as it did for Aspen at Sutherland Castle, because being tossed off a battlement sounded horrific.
“’Twill never happen,”Lucas swore.“Because I would be there. Always.”
We both knew that might not be true, but I appreciated his saying so because it brought me comfort. Everything about him did.
“This way,” Evan said, vanishing into a cave at the bottom of the path. “’Twill bring us to a spot that rests betwixt both territories that’s long evaded detection from both clans.”
“How is that possible?” Lucas said, distrust in his voice, yet we continued following Evan into a cave with a pathway as tight as the one we had just left. “’Tis our territory, then yours. Simple as that.”
“One would think, but it has never been claimed by either, nor do they have knowledge of it.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“Because ‘tis protected by MacLomain magic,” he said, ducking under a low overhanging rock before vanishing.
Before Lucas had a chance to caution me against following him because anything could be waiting to ambush us on the other side, I followed Evan, shocked by where I ended up.
“Och, Iknewhe couldnae be trusted,” Lucas exclaimed, right behind me. His eyes narrowed on our surroundings, and he unsheathed his sword, protecting me even though I’d made it clear I could protect myself. “’Tis the forest that tried to take you from me.”
“Or pull me back to it,” I said softly, taking in the woodland area cushioned by cliffs with my hazel tree toward the center, and blinked back tears. I wasn’t surprised to see Lucas lower his sword when poignant memories came flooding back for him as well.
“I can’t remember the details, but that tree is how I traveled back to you.” I wrapped my fingers with his. “And where we shared our first kiss years later.”
“Aye,” he replied, his voice gruff with emotion. “I remember this place now.” He blinked as if waking from a dream. “All themoments we shared.” His brow furrowed, and the corners of his mouth tugged down. “I dinnae understand why it upset me so much before.”
“Likely because ‘twas her way back to the twenty-first century, taking her away from ye.” Evan sighed. “I was there many times when it happened, and ‘twas never easy for either of ye.”
I went to unsheathe the blade he had given me, only to find it gone. “What on earth?”
“It’s returned to normal,” Lucas exclaimed, surprised to find the Viking sword sheathed at his back again.
“Might he be talking about the blade I gave ye years ago, Hazel?” Evan wondered, bemused.
“He is.” I remembered him giving it to me now. “I assumed you sent it to me somehow.”
“I think the Viking blade had more to do with it, but aye, mayhap partially.” Evan strode to the rock wall behind the hazel tree, reached into a crevice, and pulled out the sword he had given me. “This was where ye hid it when ye traveled to the future.” He handed it to me with a warm smile. “Though ye cannae bring it outside of this place until peace is found betwixt our clans, ‘tis yers always, lass.”
“Thank you.” I met his smile, remembering even more now, but unsure how Lucas would take it. “You chose these stones because I loved the way this place looks sometimes at twilight.” I gazed at the surrounding cliffs. “The way the forest seems to ignite with a purplish violet because of how the vanishing sun hits the rocks. It’s enchanting.”
“Ye always thought so.” He glanced from Lucas, back to me. “I wanted ye to have yer own sword after Lucas taught ye to battle in this verra location. ‘Twas a sight watching ye two, especially during those special twilights.”
“Aye,” Lucas said softly, gazing at me with such love, warmth spread through me. “It ignited ye in that verra shade and ye were a vision.”
“It did, didn’t it?” I glanced down, remembering the simple linen dress I’d worn and how it seemed awash in purple. “The dress,” I whispered, shocked. My gaze rose to Lucas. “My father wanted me and my sisters to wear different color dresses to his funeral. Those were his last wishes, and we’ve since learned there’s something to it that only he seemed to understand. I'm starting to think it was to help us find our way back to our fated mates.” I couldn't help but smile in reflection. “My dress was purple.”
“So he knew about us?” Lucas assumed. “Knew we were meant to be together?”
“I’d say so,” I marveled, meeting Lucas’s smile because this seemed like confirmation that we could be together.
That is, until Evan shared the last thing we wanted to hear.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
