Page 40 of Her Scot of the Morrow
“And for that I am truly grateful.” King Robert met my eyes and nodded before he looked at Sloan and grasped his arm, hand to elbow, in return. “Not that ye need it, but some of my menwill see ye safely home. Wishing ye and yers all the best in what lies ahead, my friend.” He nodded once at me. “And my eternal thanks to yer fated mate for saving my life tonight because I dinnae doubt she did.”
I nodded at him in return and watched the King of Scotland fade into the stormy night, heading into an uncertain future, just like us. And sadly, it only became more uncertain when we returned home with no targets on our backs, finally free to be together, which should have been cause for celebration.
That is, until we learned why, in the end, Elspet and Dugal had been so compliant.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
–Sloan–
ICOULD HARDLY believe what transpired at Sutherland Castle, but I was never more grateful as I finally took Willow home. Despite gusty winds, the rain had already let up, and the moon peeked out from behind rushing clouds once more.
“Look,” Willow exclaimed when she spied what had appeared beside her sisters' trees at the edge of the woodland upon our approach to MacLeod Castle. “It looks like my mother's unraveling spell made sure our tree found its way home.”
A spell we understood now had aided us through our entire adventure before it finally lifted, leaving everything just as it should be. A spell Elspet had clearly tried to tap into, and ultimately it had cost her when her various deceptions fell apart. It was magic that was never meant for her to utilize, and yet, somehow, shehad.
“At last, our tree is home,” I agreed, inhaling the scent of Willow's hair, wanting her so much and never intending to let her go, now that there was no doubt she was mine. I slowed our horse and tilted her chin until our eyes were aligned. “Tell me ye’ll marry me this verra night beneath our tree. That ye’ll finally, at long last, become my wife.”
A small smile curled her mouth. “Do I have a choice?”
“Nay.” I met her smile. “I let ye go once and will never do it again.”
“Promise?” she asked softly.
“Promise,” I murmured, closing my mouth over hers and kissing her with all the love I felt. In fact, I kissed her so thoroughly we might have found our way to yet another tree for some time alone had Broderick not reached out to me telepathically. When he did, he urged us to come inside so we might catch up on the night’s events and mayhap celebrate another wedding despite the late hour.
Although everyone was already caught up on most of what happened via our dragons’ connection once we were back on MacLeod territory, there were still things to discuss. So after the king’s men who had escorted us home were seen to, we met in the War Chamber, where an inviting fire crackled on the hearth, and Hazel had prepared food and drink.
“Welcome home, sis,” Aspen said, smiling as she and Hazel embraced Willow. “The moment we saw your tree appear, we knew everything was going to be okay.”
“At least for now.” The smile Willow had been wearing since seeing her sisters faded. “Tell me you’ve heard from Ellie and that she’s alright because in the end Dugal and Elspet acted far too compliant.”
“We’ve heard from her,” Aspen confirmed, her smile fading too when she delivered alarming news. “Unfortunately, the tattoo has already appeared on her wrist, so Adlin’s taking her somewhere that’s safer.”
“Damn,” Willow cursed, frowning at me. “That explains why Dugal and Elspet were so biddable for sure.” She shook her head and looked at her sisters again. “I hope he’s got a good place to hide her because something tells me all bets are off, and the Sutherlands are going to actively pursue her after being disavowed by the king.”
“’Tis safe to assume,” Broderick agreed, looking at us with reassurance. “Yet Ellie is in good hands. The verra best withAdlin MacLomain, who seems to have assistance from the hereafter, as well.”
I arched my eyebrows. “Grant Hamilton, then?”
“Aye.”
“The hereafter?” Willow exclaimed, sharing how Ellie had mentioned something about her MacLeod spending too much time in the hereafter. She shook her head. “I couldn’t tell you what she meant by that because she didn’t elaborate, but it seems pretty ironic now. Willow’s brow furrowed. “I take it the hereafter is what you Scots call the afterlife?”
“In some circles, aye,” I replied. “And for wizards such as those two, most certainly.”
“And what of Lilias and Marjorie?” Evan asked, the worry in his eyes unmistakable. “Are they well?”
“Well enough,” Willow assured. “And undoubtedly on our side with help from Blaze.” She eyed the room for the wolf pup who was nowhere to be seen. “Who, I imagine, is still playing hide-and-seek with his good friend, Marjorie.”
“Blaze,” Aunt Chara said softly, nodding. “Aye, that sounds like a better fit for him than Flame.” Her eyebrows edged up as she sensed even more. “And he’s speaking telepathically to Lilias’ wee one so soon?”
“So it seems.” Willow smiled. “According to Marjorie, they’re already fast friends, and it sounds like she’s the one helping him get in and out of the castle undetected.”
“’Tis good to hear,” Aunt Chara said, a whimsical look in her eyes now. “’Twill be interesting to see where Blaze ends up next.”
“Hopefully helping Ellie wherever she turns up,” Hazel said, pondering. “Maybe the hereafter is like the Morrow?”
“I couldnae say,” Chara said softly. Maybe she did know, but decided now wasn't the time to talk about it. Her daughter by marriage seemed to understand because she redirected the conversation.
