Page 60 of Broken Veil
Mary and Andrew were Duncan’s friends and the couple who managed Murrayshall House for him when he was away. Carys had only met them as Lachlan’s ex-girlfriend, so returning to Duncan’s home as his girlfriend was going to feel completely different than her first visit.
“Are you kidding?” Duncan glanced at the rearview mirror, and Carys wondered whether Lachlan was looking at his Brightkin. “You’ve had a fan in Mary since the first day you met. Nothing makes her happier than someone putting me in my place.”
Carys turned to look at Laura, who was sitting next to Cadell in the first row. Lachlan and Godrik were behind them, with Naida curled into the far back. “Mary is Duncan’s housekeeper.”
“House manager,” Duncan said. “Honestly, the hall is more her house than mine. And her husband Andrew manages the grounds. They live on the property, so there’s always someone there.”
“Do they know about…” Laura looked around the van. “All this?”
“Oh yes.” Duncan chuckled. “Mary, Lachlan, and I all played together as children. She knows all about the Shadowlands, though she’s never been on the other side.”
“One could say,” Godrik said, “that though your friend has never been to the Shadowlands, we are bringing the Shadowlands to her.”
Laura looked out the window at the green hedgerows that lined the road. “A wolf, a fae, and a dragon walked into the Brightlands.”
“Don’t forget the shaman,” Cadell said quietly.
Laura looked at him, and the corner of Cadell’s mouth turned up.
Carys couldn’t help but notice that behind Laura and Cadell, Lachlan was staring out the window, his eyes fixed on the landscape, his lips pressed shut in a firm line.
She felt a tug of something in her chest.
Lachlan was home but not home. Carys wanted him to be happy, and she knew it wasn’t her responsibility. She knew that, but she still felt the urge to comfort him.
Do you think either Lachlan or I stopped loving Seren after she died?
A part of her still loved Lachlan. She had to admit that to herself even if that made things with Duncan more complicated. You didn’t just stop loving someone who had turned your life around the way Lachlan had with her.
She’d been drowning in depression when she met him. In many ways, Lachlan had saved her life. He’d forced her to think about the future again. He’d made her laugh and made her believe things could get better on days when the darkness wanted to swallow her.
Meeting Lachlan had made Carys believe in hope.
She turned and forced her eyes back to the winding road. She caught Duncan looking at her and knew he’d spotted her watching his twin.
She reached across the van and took his hand in her own.
She loved Duncan. He was the fire, the spark, the man who held her heart.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t remember what it felt like to love Lachlan too, and she only hoped that Duncan was able to understand.
“Look at you!”Mary enveloped her in a massive hug. “Oh, look at him too.” She reached up and tugged on Duncan’s ear. “You two look so happy. I knew it was meant to be.”
“Mary,” Duncan growled. “We have guests.”
“Oh aye, my laird.” Mary, dressed in a blue work shirt and worn green trousers, pretended to curtsy. “I shall see to your guests right away, my laird.”
“Och, haud yer wheesht, woman.” Duncan rolled his eyes.
Laura nodded. “Yeah, I like her.”
“I like you too.” Mary grinned. “I can tell already. This one’ll take the piss out of a dragon, won’t she?”
“I’m really not sure what that means, but context leads me to believe it’s a compliment,” Laura said. “So thank you.”
Mary clapped her hands and walked over to Lachlan. “Here’s the golden boy.” She pinched his cheek and drew him into a hug. “It’s been too long, Lachlan.” She kissed his cheek. “Why have you been a stranger? Andrew’s had three seasons of hunting without your company.”
“Mary, you’re looking well.” Lachlan hugged her tight and whispered, “Leave your ogre of a husband and run away with me, won’t you?”
