Dragon Knight's Ring (Order of the Dragon Knights Book 5) (12 page)

“Now what’s the matter?” Lena nudged Meggie in the arm. “Are you going to be trading barbs at the dinner table?”

Meggie chewed at her bottom lip. “Did ye see Adam’s scowl when Jamie came running into the kitchen? ’Tis as if the hounds of Cuchulainn were after him.”

Lena blew out an exasperated breath. “No. What I witnessed was a look of shock and confusion. He was unprepared to find out you’re a mother. Any man who has the hots for a woman might find it an inconvenience.”

“The hots?” asked a bemused Meggie.

Her cousin leaned near and whispered, “The man likes you. Any fool can see by the way his eyes roam over you when you’re not watching. He devours you with one look.”

She pinched Lena’s arm. “He does not!”

“Ouch!” Her cousin rubbed her hand over her arm. “And any fool can see that your eyes love to look over the gorgeous man when he’s not watching. I caught you gazing at his fine arse.” She suppressed a giggle. “Did you know that Archie had to show him how the jeans zipped together? Now that’s a sight I would have loved to witness.”

Meggie grabbed one of the beers and drank fully. Before she had a chance to counter what Lena had said, all the men came strolling in, each carrying a food or drink item. Jamie rushed in almost sloshing his milk out of his glass and proceeded to sit next to Adam—the enemy.

“Jamie, don’t ye want to sit next to me and tell me everything you did while on your adventure?” Meggie patted the seat next to her.

“Nae. I want to sit next to Sir Knight.” Jamie glanced up smiling at Adam. “Ye must tell me of your travels.”

“This should be interesting,” chimed in Lucas.

“Naught to tell,” stated Adam as he scooped out some stew into his bowl.

“There are some stories too sad to speak of,” muttered Jamie, reaching for some bread.

Adam’s hand hovered over his bowl. “How old are ye lad?”

Jamie’s chest puffed out proudly. “Three winters in February.”

“He’s advanced for his age,” interrupted Meggie, seeing Adam’s eyes narrow. “I have decided to have him schooled here with the help of Archie.”

“A wise choice,” agreed Archie through mouthfuls of stew.

Chewing on some bread, Jamie mirrored what Adam did, and Meggie wanted to reprimand her son for wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “They say ye came here on a horse. Why?” asked Jamie.

Arching a brow, Adam replied, glancing Meggie’s way. “Why not? Ciar has been my most
faithful
companion these many years. I would have no other.”

What the hell did he mean by faithful? His gaze was one filled with accusation, and Meggie defied his hard stare with one of her own. “Ye must be scared to drive, since it was your first time today being in any type of vehicle.”

“Mama, the man is a knight. He has no need for cars.” Jamie nodded to Adam in understanding.

Scott, Bruce, and Lucas each snorted their disapproval but kept silent as they ate.

The rest of the meal was spent in broken conversations, mostly with Jamie chattering about something to Adam and the man giving a grunt, nod, or one word answers. It was clear to Meggie that the man found Jamie an annoyance. Keeping the boy away from Adam would be a difficult task, she feared.

“It has been a long day, Jamie.” Standing, Meggie held out her hand. “Say good-night to everyone.”

As Jamie hopped down from his chair, he rushed to Meggie’s side. Tugging on her shirt, she shrugged her shoulders. “What?”

“Bend down so I can speak in your ear,” he pleaded.

Instead, Meggie scooped him up in her arms. She angled her head to the side. “Whisper your secret, Jamie.”

The young lad cupped his hand over her ear. “Can I have Adam tell me a story before bed?”

She glanced at Adam and then back to her son. Placing a kiss along his brow, she whispered into his ear. “Why don’t we wait until tomorrow eve to ask Adam? It was a long day for everyone, including Adam.”

He cupped her face with his chubby hands. “Deal?”

She lowered her head against his forehead. “Deal.”

Placing him down, Meggie watched him say good-night to everyone saving Adam for last. As he stood before the towering man, she watched in awe as Adam bent down on one knee.

“Remember, a knight must learn to use his mind,” he tapped Jamie’s head with his finger and continued, “before he can take up the sword.”

“Verra wise, Sir Knight. I will remember your words.” Jamie flung himself into Adam’s arms, and Meggie saw pain reflected in Adam's eyes. But it vanished before they both stood.

“Go choose a book and I will be there shortly, Jamie.”

The lad dashed out of the hall.

“Sleep well, Adam,” she uttered softly.

He said nothing at her dismissal but instead brushed past her and left. Within moments, she heard the doors to the entrance crash open.

Walking slowly up the stairs, Meggie shivered from the cold, night air—torn between fury and hurt.

****

The Red Branch Tavern—Urquhart Glen

“Do you think he’ll show?” asked Rory, taking another sip from his beer. “You do understand that he has not set foot inside this tavern since the Battle of Culloden.”

“Aye, he’ll come. I made it an urgent request.” Liam gazed at the pint waiting for their Fenian brother. “We all lost many during the battle.” He shoved his own pint away and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Agreed. But Conn was guardian to many Scots during that century. More so, than you or I. He vowed never to set foot inside a place where the memories were too painful.”

Both men glanced out of the booth where they were sitting when the door to the tavern opened, only to groan when it wasn’t the man they were expecting.

“Damn,” hissed Liam. “I had hoped he would put aside his feelings and come because of my appeal.”

“He’s over an hour late,” stated Rory. “I’ll get us some more beers. Then you can think of another plan.”

Liam reached for his glass and downed the entire contents. “My plan would have fared better if there were three of us.”

Rory shrugged. “Well, I’m with you.” Saluting his brother, he walked away.

Rubbing the back of his neck in frustration, Liam knew the risk was great, but his fate was still undetermined. He had manipulated the veil of time and brought Aidan Kerrigan back in time to rescue his daughter, Aileen. Furthermore, no one could have foreseen Aidan’s death. As a result, a death sentence hung over Liam each day, and he deemed the Fae were determined to keep him waiting before they summoned him before the council.

“Och, Aidan, I do miss your wisdom and wit,” muttered Liam.

Rory returned and pushed another pint toward him. “Let’s discuss your plan and forget about the past. We need to save the future.”

Once again, the doors opened, and both men peered around the booth. There in the doorway stood Conn MacRoich. Pain marred his features, his hands were clenched. The man moved slowly forward into the tavern. Nodding to another Fenian brother behind the bar, he made his way to Liam and Rory.

Coming to a halt in front of them, he pierced Liam with a hard look. “Your request for assistance stated it was a matter of life and death—to human
and
Fae.” He waved his hand about. “However, here you both sit drinking beer and acting blasé.”

“’Tis good to see ye, too.” Liam’s tone held an edge of sarcasm. “Please join us and all will be revealed.”

Conn took a seat and sneered. “We’re in the twenty-first century, Liam. Cut out the ye’s and ’tis.”

“Is your mood always thus?” criticized Rory. “Or has age made you more…cranky?”

Liam held up his hand. “Stop. We have much more to discuss than my use of language, or your age, Conn.”

“Well, if we’re drinking to an imminent disaster, I will require something stiffer than this.” Conn pushed away the pint. “Bring us your most expensive bottle of single malt,” shouted Conn to the man behind the bar. He turned to Rory. “I’m sure you can pick up the tab.”

“Of course,” he replied tersely. When the bottle of whisky arrived, along with three glasses, Conn filled each one. “Before we speak of grave matters, I would like to make a toast to the fallen from Culloden.” Lifting his glass, he sipped and then swallowed, his gaze wandering over the room. “To those that took up the cause. To those whose spirits have yet to cross over. To those that I called my friend. Forever you will live in my heart.
Cuiridh mi clach ad chàrn
—I’ll add a stone to your cairn.”

“Aye,” agreed Liam and Rory in unison.

Conn refilled their glasses. “Now, tell me why we are meeting here and not in the halls of the Fae?”

Liam placed his arms on the table and leaned forward. “Because what I am about to say cannot reach the Fae.”

“Continue,” replied Conn.

“Ye are Adam MacFhearguis’s guardian. He has traveled the veil to Margaret MacKay’s time.”

“You are speaking facts that are already known to me,” grumbled Conn.

“Yes. But did ye know another has ventured to their time? Seeking to destroy them both?”

Conn nodded. “Word traveled to the realm that Lachlan has journeyed through the veil—”

“And the Dark One continues to grow in power,” interrupted Rory. “We must intercede.”

“We are bound not to interfere. How dare you even speak of this.” Conn’s eyes flashed in outrage.

“Are ye a fool?” demanded Liam. “We have all meddled in this battle, including ye!”

“I have—”

“Don’t ye dare say ye haven’t.” Liam shook his head. “Ye assisted Brigid O’Neil through the veil, making sure she
landed
in Duncan’s time. We both know the power was unstable and without your help, she would have ventured to another time period.”

Conn remained silent, glaring furiously at Liam.

“By your silence, I can assume I speak correctly.”

“What are you suggesting
we
do?”

“Seek out Adam MacFhearguis. His power is unstable. As the most recent Dragon Knight, he is unprepared for what he faces. He requires someone to teach him.” Liam downed his dram in one swallow.

“You do realize that this will break all Fae laws. Death will surely follow.”

“Aye, I am already awaiting a summons from the Fae council. So it matters naught to me.”

“Rory?” asked Conn.

“I stand by my brother. I cannot sit by and watch the ancient dark magic slither in and destroy everything. If the death of three Fenian warriors saves two races—human and Fae, then I deem it worth the risk.”

“There is one more matter, too,” stated Liam.

“I fear to ask,” drawled Conn.

“We must involve the Dragon Knights. In order to destroy Lachlan, we will have need of their powers and strength.”

Letting out a loud sigh, Conn refilled their glasses. “I hope you are both prepared for the mighty wrath of all the MacKays when they hear that their sister, Margaret, is alive.”

“I am fully aware that any one of them will take a blade to my heart,” uttered Liam.

“Agreed,” stated Rory gravely.

“Well, I may be prepared, but I can still move faster.” Conn lifted his glass. “To our success, before our deaths.”

“
Sláinte mhath
!” proclaimed Rory and Liam.

Chapter Eleven

“If you stay focused on the path ahead, you will miss the beauty and calling of the landscape.”

Sitting on his horse within the shadows of the trees, Adam watched the birds welcome the new morning. Their song filled the air, while the first rays of dawn’s light touched on the ancient stones. Once a place of respect and awe, now only sorrow waited for him. He stared into the vast stillness of the circle, his heart shattered after last night’s revelation.

Meggie had a son.

When sleep finally claimed him, he was haunted by dreams—one in which his Meggie was with another man. As he tried to free her from her lover, the shadows blurred his vision and she mocked him.

He screamed her name and woke, finding his room filled with darkness. Only when he had eased his racing heart and mind, did they vanish.

“Ye fool!” he shouted, ending the birdsong. “How can I make her love me, when there was another?”

Adam dismounted from his horse. Taking the reins, he moved slowly within the circle. Removing the ring from his pouch, he knelt down. Rubbing his thumb over the red stone, his heart broke once again. Placing it down upon the ground, he stood.

“Did ye bring me here to show me what I cannae have?” Adam clutched at his cross. “I had hoped,
prayed
for one last moment with Meggie. Ye have shown me she lives. She has a son.” He swallowed. “Now, I ask ye return me to my own time. I have nae wish to remain. There is naught for me here.”

The stones remained silent.

“Your heart does not speak the truth, Adam MacFhearguis.”

Turning swiftly around, Adam unsheathed his sword and leveled the blade at the man. “Who are ye?” he demanded, though he could have sworn he had met the man somewhere.

“Conn MacRoich,” he replied.

“Have we met?”

The stranger leveled him with a sharp look and unclasped his hands from behind his back. “Many times.” He touched the tip of the blade with his finger. “Please be so kind as to remove your sword from my face.”

“I would have remembered the
many
times,” stated Adam gruffly.

“Do you still hear the screams of your Templar brothers?”

Adam lowered his sword, the realization hitting him square in the chest. “Christ! Ye were there. Ye were the one that saved my life during the battle in Jaffa.”

“Aye,” whispered Conn.

Stunned, Adam moved forward. “I sought to thank ye, only to find ye vanished within the smoke. How?” His voice choked on the word as if he could taste the smoke filled air.

“Because I am your guardian, Dragon Knight. I am honor bound to protect ye, if the Fae so deem it to be so.”

Conn’s eyes shifted colors, and Adam was stung by his words. “Fae,
ye
are Fae?” he spat out. His fury rose, and he stepped away from the man. “I want naught to do with the Dragon Knights, nor the Fae.”

“What do you want, Adam?”

He glanced at the Fae, confused and bitter. He waved his hand in the air. “To leave this place and return to my brothers. There is naught for me here.”