Dragon Knight's Ring (Order of the Dragon Knights Book 5) (22 page)

Halting his stride, he raised his fist into the air. “Evil will not win! Do ye hear me! I will fight until there is nae breath in me.” Clutching his cross, he calmed his breathing. When the first spark of hope entered his soul, Adam smiled.

“Thank ye for hearing my prayers.”

Upon entering the gates of Aonach, he went toward the stables. Surprised not to see Meggie inside, he greeted Ciar and then made his way through the bailey. Seeing Lucas striding toward him, he quickly walked the other way.

“I would not venture through the front. I came to warn you,” yelled Lucas.

“God’s blood,” Adam muttered. These MacKays were almost as annoying as Meggie’s brothers were. Halting his steps, he waited.

Lucas approached him. “I don’t know what you’ve done now, but Scott is behaving like he wants to remove your head from your shoulders.”

Adam placed a hand on his sword. “I dinnae fear any of you MacKays. And I have given him no cause.”

Rubbing a hand across his chin, Lucas then pointed to the sword. “Why
do
you leave each morn with the blade?”

“To train.”

“For what? Are we at war?”

“If ye have nae further questions, I shall take my leave. If I happen to encounter your cousin, I am positive I can take care of the man.”

“Why bother asking anymore. Obviously, you would not answer them.”

Giving Lucas a nod, Adam proceeded to walk inside the front entrance, only to be met by a scowling Scott. Again, he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and waited for whatever retort the man was going to spew out.

“Stay away from Meggie,” he growled.

Adam wanted to laugh at the man’s words. His hand itched to draw forth his sword. “Never.”

Scott’s eyes turned deadly. “You will only bring death to her.” Shoving Adam out of the way, he stormed out the front.

Adam stared at his retreating form. This time, Scott’s words shocked him. “What do ye mean?” he shouted.

“Let him go, Adam,” stated Archie from behind him.

Glancing over his shoulder, he demanded, “Why? Do ye ken his meaning?”

“His temper is fierce, especially with the knowledge you have bedded Meggie.”

Adam grimaced. “Nae his concern.”

“Remember, he’s a MacKay. Similar to the MacKays of Urquhart.”

“Overbearing,” countered Adam. “Quick to anger.”

“Aye.” Archie chuckled. He waved his hand outward. “Come inside the library. The corridor may have ears.”

Nodding, Adam followed Archie into the library. He saw the scrolls from earlier still strewn out on the table. They mentioned several battles at his home, Castle Leomhann. However, did it matter? If Meggie’s memories did not return, all would cease to be.

“Has Meggie mentioned anything to you?” asked Archie, moving some of the scrolls aside.

Adam groaned. “Is this why ye asked me in here? ’Tis bad enough that Conn asks daily, now ye, too?” He stretched his shoulders and went to the window. “Conn believes there is still hope.”

“He is a Fenian warrior for the Fae. They always believe in hope until the last moment. And then, they still carry on as if they shall win.”

Adam watched as Jamie played with Skye. His son’s laughter filled him. “Then there is naught we can do but wait. Until the verra last moment. Surely the Fae would not see an entire Order vanish.”

“I cannot answer for the Fae.”

“Humph! Ye are one of them. Ye may call yourself only a Bard, but you have the blood of the Fae flowing within your veins.” Adam placed his hands on the window ledge, continuing to watch his son’s playful behavior. “I wonder if the MacKays of the thirteenth century were as troubled by your words as I am. I am curious if they ken that I now belong to the Order of the Dragon Knights.”

“Great Goddess! What and
who
are ye?” demanded Meggie.

Adam whirled around, seeing the shocked look splayed across her face. Her hands were clenched by her side, and he feared to move toward her.

“Do come inside, Meggie,” uttered Archie softly.

She didn’t move. Adam swallowed. “Please. We can explain,” he pleaded.

She nodded slowly and walked inside, closing the doors behind her. Yet, she made no move to come any further. Adam longed to take her into his arms—to tell her all would be right.

“I’m waiting,” she stated.

Adam looked at Archie, and the man only shrugged. “Will ye take a seat, Meggie?”

She glared at him. “Nae. ’Tis bad enough I’m in a closed room with two demented men—one believes he’s Fae, the other, a Dragon Knight from another time.”

“I do not ken the word, but ’tis what we are. Archie is a Bard for the Fae, and…” Adam paused, unsure how to finish. His heart pounded, but he needed to tell her everything. He could not hold back any longer. “I am a Dragon Knight, born in the year of our Lord, eleven hundred and eight-four. I believe the Fae have sent me to this time to find ye. To help ye.”

“Why,” she whispered.

Adam rubbed a hand across his forehead. “Ye are not meant to be here, Meggie. This is not your time. The Fae sent ye here.” He took a step toward her. “Ye were born in the year, eleven hundred, and eight-five, and died in the year twelve hundred four. Your death came during a battle between your brothers and me at the standing stones. ’Tis why I believe ye fear them. The Fae, who ye do believe in, brought ye here.” He glanced at Archie. “Furthermore, I have only recently come upon some knowledge that there was a great evil present that night.”

“By the hounds! Ye are mad!” Meggie then pointed a finger at Archie. “And I let ye near my son! No wonder he lives in a fantasy world. Ye have filled his head with rubbish. I want ye both to leave this instant.”

“Nae,” countered Adam. “Ye wanted the truth and that is what I have spoken. Do not toss out harsh words.” He waved his hands about. “Listen to yourself, Meggie. Ye believe in magic, the Fae, Gods and Goddesses, but ye cannae fathom my story?”

She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut. Throwing open the doors, she glanced over her shoulder at him and the look she gave him shattered his soul. “I want ye gone from Aonach before I return.”

“I will not leave
our
son, Meggie.”

When she turned back around, Adam could see the hurt reflected in her eyes. “Ye knew?”

Adam moved toward her, and she placed a hand out to halt him from coming any nearer. “I have only recently learned he is my son. I did not ken.”

“I wish ye had never come here, Adam MacFhearguis. I’m more confused than ever.” She tapped her head. “And this knowledge has done naught to help me recall any memories. I had a good life—one where Jamie…” She choked on her son’s name.

“And I’ve had a life of misery and torment from the moment ye left me,” responded Adam.

Tears pooled in her eyes. “Not my fault.”

“Nae, but ’tis the truth.”

She shook her head. “I can’t be around ye right now.”

Adam watched as she quickly walked away from him.

“You have told her too much,” complained Archie. “She cannot understand everything.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “I grew tired of telling her untruths.”

“I can see patience is not a virtue with you.”

“It has never been,” grumbled Adam.

****

Throwing the mug across the room, Lachlan returned his gaze to the blaze in the hearth. Samhain was drawing near and his fury grew. The Dark One was unable to speak with him in this time, so he had to rely on the knowledge he passed on to him before he came to this time.

“One holds the key,” he spat out. Pounding his fists on the stone, he moved away from the hearth. “But who?”

His orders were clear. No life was to be taken. He had to obtain the power from the one who held the doors open to past and present. The most powerful. Lachlan had believed it to be the Great Dragon. His visits to the loch proved unsuccessful. The beast would not show herself to anyone unless called with the ancient words. Lachlan had hoped Meggie would provide him with the spell to summon the dragon. Yet, on several visits, his attempts to probe her mind were useless. Dark places dwelled within.

Even his brew did naught for her. He had claimed it was his version of tea, but it only made her dizzy. She was only a woman, not gifted like her brothers. Lachlan almost felt sorry for her—almost.

He should have taken her up on her kind offer of staying at Castle Aonach. Although, the thought of being around other MacKays made his gut sour. “They should all be dead.”

Absently, he clawed at the side of his face where he had been scarred. Seeing movement in the trees, he smiled. Quickly retrieving his mug off the floor, he placed it on the table and went to the door. “Welcome, Margaret,” he greeted her before she had a chance to knock.

“I was passing through and wanted to ask if you needed any supplies. Food? Wood?”

“Nae, I am good.”

“Umm…great.” She nodded.

Her expression seemed strained and Lachlan did the unthinkable. Taking her hand, he peered into her eyes. “What troubles ye?”

“’Tis naught.”

“Ye have been most kind to me. Please let me return the favor. I have water in the hearth for
tea
.”

She gave a slight smile. “I’ll stay for one cup.”

“Wonderful,” he replied. Guiding her into the cottage, he led her to a chair by the hearth.

“What’s with all the herbs strewn about?” she asked.

“I was attempting to make the same brew ye made for me,” he lied.

“’Tis a simple recipe. If ye want, I can show it to ye again.”

He waved her off. “Perchance on your next visit.” He crushed the herbs, pausing to consider adding foxglove. Yet, that did naught to help her memories the last time. Lachlan feared to add too much, since if given in large doses it could stop the heart.

Dumping the herbs into a mug, he lifted the kettle and poured the water over them. “Let the leaves steep,” he said, handing her the mug.

Meggie sniffed. “You’ve found chamomile.”

Lachlan shrugged. “I saw the flowers and thought of ye.”

Taking a sip, she closed her eyes briefly. “Thank ye.”

Lachlan took a seat next to her. “Would ye care to talk about what troubles ye?”

She sighed, cradling the mug in both hands. “Have ye ever thought ye knew someone, only to find out they were naught what ye expected?”

“Many times,” growled Lachlan. Seeing her startled expression, he tapped her knee with his hand. “Forgive me. I should not have snapped. Please continue.”

“Well, I wonder if they should even be around my son. The knowledge I learned today was frightening.” Meggie took another sip of her tea.

The woman had a son? Could he hold the knowledge? His patience had been rewarded with this information. “Ye should protect your son, if ye feel wary of this person.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Even if it’s his father?”

“Most certainly. There are times when one’s kin can turn against ye.”

“Do ye speak from experience, Lachlan?”

“Aye,” he spat out.

“And when was the last time ye spoke with your own kin?”

Images of the night his brother Cathal banished him from their home flashed before him. He had accused him of failing to follow the path of a druid. Lachlan had argued that there were many journeys to take as a druid—light and dark, but his brother would not listen, saying that dark magic should not be used. As always their arguments grew until Lachlan threw the first blast of power at Cathal, knocking him off his feet and across the cottage.

On that night, Lachlan walked away from everything his brother stood for. He began to search out other druids who followed the darkness. And on his path, he found the Dark Lord.

Meggie’s voice brought him back to the present. “Are ye all right, Lachlan?”

He rubbed a hand across his forehead. “Aye. Painful memories from long ago. I have not spoken with my kin for many moons.”

“Have the headaches returned?” Meggie stood and walked to the table. Placing her mug down, she glanced at all the herbs. “Ye must be careful not to mix some of these herbs. Why would ye need foxglove?”

“I require them from time to time,” he said gruffly.

“Use them wisely, Lachlan.” She frowned and turned to leave. “I shall try and return before the feast of Samhain.”

“’Tis soon?” He sensed the day drew near but did not ken the days.

“In four days.”

“I look forward to your next visit,” he replied. “If I may ask, what do ye call your son?”

“Jamie. A light in my life,” she uttered softly.

“After his father?”

Meggie sighed and kicked at a lone pebble. “Nae.”

Watching as she strolled down the path and stepped through the trees, Lachlan slammed his hand on the table. “A wee Dragon Knight. If I have to crush your mind to get the words to bring the Great Dragon to me, so be it!”

Chapter Twenty-One

“To hear the words of wisdom you must be silent.”

As Meggie entered the grove of pines, she stood at the entrance once again. The crisp, autumn wind slapped at her face, but she gave no care as her hair unraveled from its braid. Staring at the standing stones, she tried to listen with her heart and not her mind. Adam told her she died here. “Impossible,” she muttered. Yet, this was her mind speaking. She was angry, hurt, and more confused than ever before.

“Your words make no sense, Adam MacFhearguis!” she shouted to the wind. “How could I have been born over nine hundred years ago? Why?”

Meggie fought the battle of emotions within and stepped slowly inside the circle of stones. Fighting the dizziness, she kept moving forward until she stood in front of the tallest standing stone. “Is this why I fear this place?” Closing her eyes, her hand shook when she placed it on the cold surface. “Why did ye take my memories, Fae?”

Adam twisted her guts, and she despised him for knowing more about her own self than she did. “Does Adam speak the truth?” Although, Meggie knew the answer before she even spoke the question. The man was a medieval ancient—from his speech, clothing, and manners. She had tried to deny it, but it was her anger speaking.

The wind subsided to a gentle breeze, and Meggie leaned her head against the stone. A sense of calm washed over her. “Help me to understand, Fae. I cannae do this alone.”