Dragon Knight's Ring (Order of the Dragon Knights Book 5) (21 page)

When another burst of yelling came forth from her son, Meggie dropped the egg onto the floor. “Damn! Sweet Mother Danu!”

“What’s wrong?” Lena asked, strolling in with an armful of basil, thyme, and sage.

“Can someone please tell me why Jamie is shrieking like a banshee?” Picking up the egg mess off the floor, she dumped it all into the garbage.

Lena snickered. “He’s having some male bonding time with Adam.”

She glared at her cousin. “He’s supposed to be at lessons, not having
playtime
with Adam.”

Lena moved to the table, sorting out the herbs. “You could say that he’s learning some lessons.” She gave Meggie a wink. “You’ll have to go see for yourself. They’re in the hall.”

“Men,” she muttered. Meggie removed her apron and tossed it at Lena on her way out of the kitchen.

As she approached the doors, Meggie paused to listen. She could hear Adam praising Jamie for his strength, and she frowned. Peering around the edge of the door, she spied her son standing on top of the oak table, his wooden sword held high. Jamie was facing Adam, who also held a sword and was showing him a new stance.

Meggie’s fingers dug into the hard wood, holding back a harsh retort as she watched Jamie lunge and deflect each blow from Adam. When he ducked, rolled, and stood, he smacked Adam on the backside.

“Yippee!” yelled Jamie. “I got ye. Show me another move, Sir Dragon Knight.”

The air around Meggie cooled. Lights swam in front of her. “Dragon Knight?” She stumbled into the hall, clutching her head.

Adam was immediately at her side. With his arm around her waist, he nearly lifted her off the floor and into a chair. He brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “Are ye unwell?”

Meggie rubbed at her eyes and soon the dizziness passed. Glancing up, she noticed her son behind Adam, his hand on the man’s shoulder.
So like your father.
From his stance, to the furrowed brow. Both father and son shared the same look.

She reached out and placed a tender hand on her son’s cheek. “I’m all right.”

“Ye look like ye saw a ghost, Mama.” Jamie dropped his sword and moved to her side.

Picking him up, Meggie sat him on her lap. “No, I’m just a little tired.”

“Ye should go to bed early. Ye work too much.”

Jamie’s remark sounded more like an order than a simple request. Smiling, she nodded.

“Good. Now Adam and I have to continue with our training.” Proceeding to pick up his sword, he climbed back onto the table. Meggie stood, though Adam’s hand was on her elbow, and she could feel the gentle strength in his grip. “These were not the lessons we spoke about earlier, Jamie.”

“Ye will not let me in the lists, so I must train somewhere else, especially if I am to become a Dragon Knight,” he protested.

Meggie shuddered and stepped out of Adam’s grasp. “Jamie, the Dragon Knights are myth, naught more. They were stories told by bards many years ago.”

Jamie pointed to the wall with his sword. “They were
real
, Mama. Look at the tapestries.”

“The lad is correct. The Dragon Knights were verra real,” stated Adam quietly.

She turned abruptly toward Adam. “Have ye been filling his mind with stories about the deeds of the MacKay clan?”

The man arched a brow. “Nae, quite the contrary. Jamie has been sharing his knowledge with me.”

She gritted her teeth. She could feel the beginnings of a headache behind her eyes, and this was not the time to stand there and debate mythology with her son and his father. “James William, you’re done with battle training for today. Go to the library. I believe this is the hour ye were to have a math lesson.”

Stomping his foot on the table, Jamie jumped down. “Ye only use my full name when ye are mad at me and have nae wish to argue anymore.” As he stormed out of the hall, he paused at the entrance. “Mama?”

“Yes, Jamie?”

“Ye need to remember.”

Taken aback by his comment, she could only stare at his retreating form.

“Jamie is correct,” stated Adam as he moved past her, leaving the hall.

Meggie wanted to shout at them both. Fisting her hands on her hips, she slowly walked around the hall to one of the tapestries. The man held his sword high, the storms clouds surrounding him. Lightning streaked on either side of him, and she had a sense the MacKay was directing everything with his blade. It spoke to her of raw power and she shivered. She was always drawn to this one tapestry, especially when she first noticed the sword on her arrival at Aonach. Archie told her his name was Duncan MacKay. All four of the brothers had their tapestries displayed in here, except for the youngest—a sister. Hers was never found.

She wandered over to the others, touching each in passing. “Angus, Stephen, and Alastair. Ye look like mighty powerful men—with a shield, medallion, and axe. ’Tis amazing how the history books have made ye into Gods.” Meggie cupped a hand over her mouth to stop the laughter from bubbling forth. Shaking her head, she walked slowly from the hall.

“No wonder Jamie wants to be like ye all,” she said softly, closing the doors.

****

Castle Urquhart—October 1207

“Bloody hell,” growled Alex. “I grow tired of this waiting, Angus. ’Tis only seven days until Samhain.”

Angus swirled the wine within his mug, keeping his gaze on the liquid. “Ye think I cannae count the days?
We
—my brothers and I are just as weary.” Swallowing the last of his wine, he placed the mug on the table and looked at the man.

Alex waved his hand out. “I cannot fathom Adam in another place and time. I had only spoken to him about being a Dragon Knight, before he vanished. He did not take the news well.”

“None of us did,” grumbled Angus.

“We should have brought the Murray here with his men,” stated Alex.

“Nae. The snows have started and the path is treacherous. Furthermore, there was not enough time. This is our battle, not Cormac’s. “

“Yet, I fear he will not take kindly when he hears that he did not get another chance at Lachlan,” interjected Duncan as he reached for the pitcher of wine.

“True,” agreed Angus. Holding out his mug to his brother, he watched as Alastair entered, Stephen following behind him. Angus could see by their stern looks that there was no news from the Fenian warriors. Each day, one of them would wait beside the ancient oak tree at the entrance. Conn had been precise in his orders. A Dragon Knight or kin to a Dragon Knight—a MacFhearguis should keep watch by the tree. Upon the arrival of a Fenian warrior, all the brothers would be called forth, and the veil opened between past and present.

However, the days slipped by and everyone grew restless, including the women.

Angus stood. “Who stands guard? ’Tis my time?”

“Nae,” replied Stephen, taking a seat next to him. “’Tis Patrick. Ye will take his place at dawn.”

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Angus sat back down. He had nae desire to be in the lists. Fear and dread were now his companions.

“Have ye all been drinking the morn away?” asked Alastair as he sniffed the contents of several jugs on the table.

“We saved ye the mead,” drawled Duncan, shoving the pitcher his way.

“Och, must not be that bad, if there is some drink left.” He chuckled as he poured some into a mug.

As they sat in silence, the doors to the Great Hall crashed opened. All men stood abruptly, causing some of their mugs to topple over.

“By the hounds, now what?” demanded Angus as all the women and babes entered inside.

Deirdre ignored his question, bringing forth a trencher and giving orders to the other women, including Delia their cook.

“Place the plums in wine sauce near my husband, Delia.” Pausing to blow him a kiss, she moved down the table.

“Are we having a feast?” barked Angus. His tone more curt than he intended and again, she ignored him.

“Of course,” replied Brigid, placing some bread in front of him. “Here, Aileen, let me take one of the babies. Soon, you won’t be able to carry both at once with the way they are growing.”

“Oh, for the love of the Goddess, stop squirming, Aidan.” Handing Margaret to Brigid, Aileen turned to her husband, Stephen. “Do you think you could hold your son for a moment while I finish bringing in all the food?”

Stephen patted his knee. “Aye,
leannan
. Give me the young warrior.”

Duncan stood and went to Brigid. Placing an arm around his wife, he kissed the top of Margaret’s head. “She is a bonny lass.”

“She’ll be a handful when all the boys come around,” giggled Brigid when the baby tugged at her curls.

“There will be nae talk of my daughter with any men,” shouted Stephen.

“Thank the Gods I dinnae have to worry about a daughter,” chided Alastair as he took his own son from his wife, Fiona. He lifted him in the air, and was rewarded with a smile from the wee babe.

Fiona smacked at her husband’s arm playfully. “Why do you have to do that each time I give him to you? Hugh MacKay is a tiny baby, not some plaything. And don’t be so sure of yourself. Our next child could be a girl.”

Alastair grabbed his wife around the waist and drew her to his side, while cradling his son. “Because the bairn loves it, and ye ken I would welcome a wee lass.” He kissed her soundly before she had a chance to utter a retort.

Nell came skipping into the hall with one arm carrying a basket, and in the other, a small kitten. “Mama, I have brought more bread.”

Brigid smiled and brushed her fingers over the kitten’s head. “Is this one of Whisker’s litter?”

“Aye,” she crooned, bringing it up to her face. “She is so verra soft.”

Duncan lifted both—Nell and the kitten and carried them to the table. “Do I smell Damson tarts, Nell?”

She laughed. “Aye, Father. Moira let me help bake them. ’Tis your favorite.”

He tweaked her nose playfully. “I think I need to sample a bite.”

She giggled and hopped down from the chair. “Ye are to wait until all the food is brought in.”

“I brought ye one, Father,” said Finn walking up alongside Duncan.

Nell narrowed her eyes at the lad. “Ye took one from the kitchens?”

Duncan glanced at Angus. “What can I do?” But he soon burst into laughter and embraced both his son and daughter.

Angus smiled as he watched the entire hall transform into a magical scene. Family. Love. Hearth and home. Reaching for Deirdre, he clasped her hand and brought it against his chest. “Are we celebrating Samhain early?”

Her eyes danced with mirth and much more—love. “Yes. We don’t know what tomorrow may bring, so we—the women and I felt it was necessary to have this family feast. To rejoice all life and love.”

Angus brushed his hand over her womb. “For the first time in my life, I have great fear.”

Deirdre cupped his face. “You’re
more
scared because you’ve just found out that you’re going to be a father. I firmly believe good will triumph over this evil, Angus.” Tears brimmed in her eyes. “I will fight to save this life I carry—
all
lives here at Urquhart. We must always have hope. So for tonight, my love,
my life
, let us honor those that have gone before us and welcome the lives yet to be born.”

He placed his head on her forehead and sighed heavily. After kissing her soundly, he whispered against her cheek, “My beautiful warrior lady, how much I love ye.”

“What are we feasting to?” asked Alex, reaching for some bread.

Smiling fully, Angus walked over to the man and placed a hand on his shoulder. “To family, life, and good friends.” He glanced around at the room full of love and his heart swelled. “Someone go and fetch Patrick. The Fenian warriors will ken where to find us by the merry-making. And at least we will all be in one place.”

“Ye are correct,” agreed Cathal, strolling into the room.

Angus roared with laughter. “Why am I not surprised to find ye here, my good druid friend? Did the birds send ye a message?”

Cathal shrugged. “The storm is gathering, so what better way than to feast before the looming battle, aye?” He leaned on his staff and glanced around the hall. “’Tis good the life ye and your brothers have made here.”

Pouring some wine into a mug, Angus held it out to the druid. “Drink, dine, and make merry with us on this night.”

Smiling, Cathal took the offered wine. “If ye are willing, I would ask that ye open your doors to the other druids, as well.”

“All are welcome this night.”

Cathal lifted his mug. “Long live the Order of the Dragon Knights!”

A resounding cheer echoed throughout the Great Hall as the feasting began.

Chapter Twenty

“Within the mighty fortress, the knight held the key to unlock the secrets inside her heart and mind. Yet the one item he forgot to bring was courage to see what was hidden.”

Leaning against the tree, Adam breathed deeply of the clean, brisk morning air. The sun greeted him, warming his face. However, his mind and soul grew more worried as another day dawned without Meggie recalling any of her memories. Each morn and night, he sent out the same prayer—let her remember.

Closing his eyes, Adam knelt on one knee. Placing his hand on the ground, he sighed. “Have ye cursed me because of my belief in the new religion, Fae? Can ye not help?”

Have patience, Dragon Knight.

Adam snapped open his eyes, glancing in all directions. “’Tis what I have been hearing each day. I ken ye walk with her. Do not fail her, I beg ye.”

“Is there another one present here?” asked Conn emerging from the trees.

He eyed the Fenian warrior skeptically and stood. “Only my thoughts spoken out loud.”

Conn sheathed his sword. “Has Margaret spoken of recalling anything?”

“’Tis the same. Are ye and the other warriors not troubled?”

He watched as Conn’s gaze drifted toward the mists now descending over the hills. “No. There’s always hope.” He turned back to Adam. “Have faith. Have patience. I will see you tomorrow for more training.” And with those last words vanished from sight.

Rubbing his hand vigorously over his face, Adam trudged back down the hill toward Aonach. With each step, he tried to find some spark of hope, but fear slithered inside and once again, he lost control of the shadows. He blinked, trying to focus. “Nae,” he muttered.