Heart Of A Highland Warrior (21 page)

“Oh my God.”

“Tavis didn’t want to, but Anna told him she didn’t want to die and she didn’t want the guard doing it.”

“Poor Anna.”

“Poor buggers, both of them. Tavis is eaten up with guilt as if he
’d
raped her. I told him he did no such thing. The guard made them do it, and Anna told him to. What’s wrong? You look pale?”

She was twisting her ring, and she looked worried.

“I can’t believe this.”

“I know it’s a terrible thing.”

“No. It’s…she’s pregnant.”

Faelan’s jaw dropped. “Pregnant. How do you—bloody hell. Are you sure?”

“I think so.”

“She said? Isn’t it too early to tell?”

“By normal means.”

“You mean you…you saw it?”

“Unless I’m crazy. Which I could be.”

Usually she was right about her feelings. “Tavis is going to have a bairn?” A smile crept over his face.

“Not necessarily.” Bree’s green eyes darkened with worry. “Remember the hybrid Tavis said she was taken to?”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

T
AVIS CAUGHT SIGHT
of Faelan and Bree whispering and watching him from across the room. How long had they been standing there, he wondered, hoping they hadn’t seen him watching Anna. From the looks of pity on their faces, he figured they had.

They crossed the room, Faelan looking a bit nervous, and Bree’s green Isabel eyes so full of sympathy. “Is there a demon sitting on my head?”

“What?” Bree asked.

“You’re both looking at me strange.”

“Sorry,” Faelan said. “We found the letters you mentioned, that you and Ian left.”

“Aye. We wanted to make sure you knew what happened.”

“There was another letter too.”

“He wrote more? That sounds like Ian,” Tavis said.

“It’s addressed to both of us,” Faelan said. “I thought we would read it together.”

“Aye.” He needed something to get his mind off Anna. And Lachlan, who was watching her like he wanted to pull her off into a dark corner. “Is there something between Anna and Lachlan?”

Faelan looked over where Lachlan was leaning in to tell Anna something. “I don’t think so. Bree?”

“He likes her, I think,” Bree said. “She’s never said anything about him. She doesn’t really go out.…” She stopped and looked down at the floor as if she
’d
said something rude.

“Go out?”

“That means court,” Faelan said. “Anna’s not one for…for what they call dating. Seeing men.” Faelan looked away too. He knew Tavis’s secret. Tavis hoped the sympathy on his new sister’s face wasn’t because her husband had told her.

“Did you tell her?” he asked when they walked off to a quiet corner to read the letter after Bree said she had something to do.

“Tell her what?” Faelan’s avoided Tavis’s eyes.

“Shite. You told her what happened?”

“I couldn’t help it. I thought she already knew. I thought Anna had told her.”

“Damn it, Faelan.”

“I’m sorry. She won’t tell anyone. You can trust her.”

“She’ll think I’m a bloody rapist.”

“No she won’t. She understands. And she might be able to help Anna if she needs to talk about it.” Faelan looked uncomfortable. “Do you really think she was mated with this hybrid?”

“Why else would they have taken her to him? But she wouldn’t talk about it then, and now she’s avoiding me like I have the pox.”

“If we knew for sure, Bree might be able to help her with that too. Women like to talk about things that trouble them.”

Faelan wasn’t telling him something. Tavis didn’t know why he wanted to know about the hybrid, but it wasn’t just curiosity. That dug at his mind as they sat down and looked at the letter. It had been mailed to Isabel Belville.

Faelan and Tavis,

By now, I hope that you are both awake and well, and that you have stopped Druan. Many times I have regretted that it wasn’t me who came to help Faelan. But Tavis, you insisted that it must be you, and you can be bloody stubborn. I am terrified when I think what you both might wake to. Will the world even exist? I don’t know if you are alive or injured. No one but Ma knows the truth about you both. Frederick and Isabel know about Faelan, but not Tavis. I didn’t want to share more information than necessary in the event they were compromised. I knew that if they saw to it that the graveyard remained in their family, the chapel would be safe as well.

I told the clan that Tavis was buried at sea. I was going to tell them that Faelan had also died, until I could determine if
there were still traitors in our midst. However, the Seeker arrived before I did and told them about Faelan and the time vault. T
he clan was so horror-struck, and everyone wanted to know more. I was afraid if there was a traitor, the time vault would be discovered, and perhaps destroyed. I
regret that I had to silence the Seeker to make sure he didn’t tell where Faelan was hidden. Unfortunately, his death was in vain, for he had already told the Council. I regret his death every day, and I will until I face my own. I am still trying to find out where the threat comes from. I have not told the clan of my suspicions. I do not want to alert any traitors, if any still exist. I hope the threat died with Quinn, but there are troubling things.

Tavis, I have something personal I must tell you. I would put it in another letter, but I am out of paper, and I know how close you and Faelan are. He would find out anyway. Marna had a child. A son. Your son.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

M
ARNA
’
S FATHER CAME
to me just after she deliv
e
red the bairn. I wasn’t sure whether to believe her until I saw how she grieved over your death. And when I saw the bairn, he looked as much like you as a bairn can resemble anyone. Marna’s father was worried. She was not doing well, and his wife, Marna’s mother, was already dead. Alas, Marna did pass, so Bessie and I took the boy and raised him as our own. I know it will be heartbreaking to find that you had a son you did not know. But the good news is that you will have descendents. Your name will live on through him.

He is a brave boy and looks just like you. I did not tell Ma in the beginning. We did not want to tarnish your name or Marna’s. I had promised her father. But Ma guessed. He was so much like you. Sometimes when she spoke of you she would watch him with the saddest look on her face. Finally, Bessie convinced me to tell her. She cried and called him her little Tavis. I should have told her before. Bessie is with child now, twins, the doctor says, so your lad will have brothers or sisters. I am pleased, but I miss you and Faelan and Da.

One line was scratched out, and when Tavis looked closer he saw that it read.

It is a strange thing to think that when you read this I will be dead.

All my love to you both. I will see you again on the other side.

Ian

Tavis stared at the letter until the numbness in his chest turned to cold. It seemed only yesterday that he had given in to Marna’s persistent attention, and a kiss led to a fondle that led to something more. But a child? They had been careful.

“Tavis.”

He looked up and saw Faelan watching him.

“Are you all right? You look like a sick sheep.”

“I feel like a sick sheep.” Tavis rubbed his hands through his hair. “I have a son. Had. He’s dead. My son, a son I didn’t even know, is dead.”

Faelan gave his knee a sympathetic squeeze. “I’m sorry. But do you realize that some of the warriors walking around here may be descended from you?” Faelan looked thoughtful. “Let’s see. Ronan, Declan, Cam, and Duncan are descendants of Ian’s oldest son. Your son. Some of our finest warriors came from you.”

It was a fascinating thing, and surely it would mean more later, but right now all he could think was that he had a son who
’d
lived and died without Tavis even knowing it.

“Do you want to keep this quiet?”

Tavis shook his head. “He
’d
missed his son’s entire life. Acknowledging him now was all he had. “No. I don’t want to hide it.” Tavis swallowed. “You saw his grave?”

“I did. He lived a long life.”

“All the while I was sleeping in that damned time vault.”

“I am sorry, Tavis. I wish you hadn’t come. It’s a joy to have you here, but if you
’d
stayed…you could have known him. Raised him.”

“I couldn’t stay.”

Faelan’s mouth thinned. “You always watched out for me. Come with me. I think we could both use a drink.”

“You hardly ever drink,” Tavis said.

“I think this is the time.” He led Tavis to a room that resembled a tavern.

“You have a tavern?”

“It’s just a game room with a bar. We sometimes play billiards or a game of darts. But on a rare occasion a whisky or ale hits the spot.”

“Like when you’ve just discovered that your brother from another century isn’t dead?”

“That would about do it.” Faelan reached over the counter and pulled out a bottle of whisky. He poured a small measure into two glasses. They raised their glasses and took a drink.

“I know you’re sad now, but things will get better. It’s a hard thing to lose everyone in one blow. I still miss them, but it’s not as hard as it was.”

Tavis took another drink, feeling the burn in his throat. He didn’t drink often himself. “You’ve found happiness here.”

“I have. I wouldn’t go back even if I could. I miss them, but I belong here. And I’m bloody glad you’re here now.”

He picked up a knife and threw it at the wall. It hit just outside the bull’s-eye. “Remember that year we beat Wallace MacIntosh?”

“Aye. Stopped his bragging. Until the next year. What’s this?” Tavis asked, pointing to a table with rows of figures attached to bars.

“Foosball. And that’s air hockey. Want to have a go with the knives?”

“You won’t cheat?”

“Me?”

“As I recall, I won the last challenge. A horse race. But you kept the white stone.”

Faelan threw another knife. “I would’ve won if that branch hadn’t hit me in the face.”

Tavis took another drink. “But it did.” They threw knives, losing track of the score as the conversation turned to home and family and duty.

Faelan took another drink. “You want to talk about guilt,” he said as they discussed the atrocities their demons had been responsible for while the warriors slept. “I could’ve perhaps stopped the Civil War. Do you know how many people died?”

“Couldn’t have been more than I’m responsible for. At least the Civil War was about an honest fight. A disagreement between brothers. Not just one evil bastard’s attempt to control the world.”

“Sometimes I feel as if I were there in the war,” Faelan said. “I have dreams that feel more like memories, but they can’t be. I can almost smell the gunpowder. And the faces, Bree showed me a book on the war, and some of the soldiers look familiar. General Grant. I would swear I’ve met him.”

“General Grant? I know that name.”

“You can’t know that name. You were in the time vault and you haven’t seen the books.”

“That’s bloody strange. It’s happening to me too. Dreams of things I couldn’t possibly have done. Battles I never fought.” Tavis held up his glass. “And I hadn’t had any of this. What do you make of it? Just me wishing I hadn’t failed?”

“I passed it off as just dreams, but if it’s happened to you…” Faelan was frowning at his drink. “And it’s not just battles. I think I saw Bree when she was a lass. Perhaps I’m just recalling stories she’s told me, but some of them I don’t think she mentioned. And her grandmother. I think I talked to her before she died.”

“You think we were really sleeping in there?” Tavis asked.

“Damnation. It makes me wonder.” He took another drink. “Let’s talk about something else.” The talk moved to the advances of modern times. “You can’t go back,” Faelan said. “So you’ll have to learn to live with all this. With the bloody computers and machines and women. God, the women. You’ve never seen the like. And when you find your mate, you’ll burn for her like nothing you can imagine. Even now, I can’t stay away from Bree. It’s killing me now, not being with her.”

“You are with her.”

“I mean in bed. She’s had a lot of stress. I decided she needed to take some time off from sex. And now it’s all I can think about.” Faelan threw a knife that missed the board altogether. “I hope Coira doesn’t see that hole in the wall. I think I should have stopped after the second glass. I’m not a drinker.”

“Aye, I hear you. The room’s looking a little blurred to me.”

“Here you are.” Ronan and Lachlan entered the room. “We wondered where you
’d
gotten to,” Ronan said.

“We’re having a little competition and conversation,” Faelan said.

Lachlan picked up the bottle of whisky. “And a few drinks, I
’d
say.”

“I’ve heard how good Tavis was…is,” Ronan said. “Want to put it to the test?”

Faelan had told them about him. Tavis’s chest warmed. Or maybe it was the whisky. “Aye, I’ll take you on.”

“I’ll take on the winner,” Niall said, joining them, followed by Brodie, Shane, and Marcas.

“I’m second,” Brodie said. “I can beat this big ape of a man anytime.” He punched Niall, and Niall punched him back, sending him crashing into Marcas. “Easy there, Kong. I barely touched you.”

And the game was on. They threw knives for a long while, and Tavis felt warmer and warmer inside. It was partly the whisky, but he also felt like he was home.

“So this is where the party is,” Sean said, peeking in the door. “I thought we
’d
been invaded.”

“Sean, join us,” Niall said, holding up a knife.

“Ah, my knife-throwing days are over. I
’d
best get myself to bed. And don’t you chaps get too carried away. I think you’ve had a wee too much already.”

“One round with the knives,” Ronan said. “You need to forget about these demons for a while as much as we do.”

“One round it is, then.” Sean played three, beating them all. But then he hadn’t had any whisky.

“I think he cheated,” Lachlan said after Sean had left.

“Sean doesn’t cheat,” Brodie said. “I’ll cheat, but not Sean. Where’s Shane?”

“He crashed on the pool table,” Niall said.

“He doesn’t drink much either,” Faelan said to Tavis.

“I think I
’d
better get some rest myself,” Tavis said. “Where do I sleep?”

“I can show you where Anna’s room is,” Brodie said, chuckling.

Niall thumped him on the head.

“Why
’d
you do that?” Brodie complained.

Niall thumped him again. “I like thumping you on the head.”

“Don’t let me deprive you of your enjoyment at the expense of my brain.”

“We all need to turn in,” Marcas said. “It’s late.”

“Come on,” Faelan said to Tavis. “Bree and Shay got a room ready for you. I’ll show you where it is.” Faelan led Tavis upstairs to the second floor.

“This castle is just like home. Except the rugs are different and the stuff on the wall.”

Faelan put an arm around Tavis’s shoulder. “We’ll go back and visit after we get rid of Voltar and Tristol.”

Tavis patted Faelan’s hand. “Is this brotherly love, or are you feeling as unsteady as I am?”

“Some of both,” Faelan said with a laugh. “Here you go.” He opened a door, and he and Tavis stepped inside. Bree and Shay were standing near the bed.

“It’s plain as the nose on your face that Tavis and Anna—oh, Tavis, Faelan, we didn’t hear you,” Bree said, darting a quick glance at Shay.

“Obviously,” Faelan said. “What are you doing up? You should be resting.”

“I’m sick of resting,” Bree said. “Is this room OK?”

Tavis looked around. It was large, with a comfortable bed and the usual furnishings. “Aye, it’ll do fine. Thank you,” he said to Bree and Shay.

They both gave him a smile, and he thought again how lucky Faelan and Cody were. Tavis’s luck with bonny lasses had been poor. Almost deadly, in fact. But these two seemed to be as beautiful and kind as angels, in spite of the strange clothing and their boldness.

“Are you drunk?” Bree asked.

Faelan held up two fingers, measuring a pinch. “Just a wee bit.”

“We wondered where you
’d
disappeared to,” Shay said. “We were just coming to find you.”

“Was Cody looking for us?” Faelan asked.

“No, he’s with Declan doing something.”

“If you need anything, I’m three doors down on the left. Bree and I keep a room here.”

“The bathroom has toiletries. If you need anything else, just ask.” Shay surprised Tavis by wrapping her arms around him and hugging him hard. Her arms were as strong as a man’s. No woman in his time would have done such a thing unless she was family. He supposed she was.

“Thank you.”

Shay stepped away. “I’m going to find Cody. We’re still trying to decide what to do about this wedding. And Matilda. She’s driving both of us crazy. Night everyone.”

Bree stepped up to Tavis and also wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. “Welcome home again, Tavis. I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re here. I only wish your entire family were here.”

So did he.

She leaned back and put both hands on his cheeks, which pressed her stomach closer to his. It was still flat, but he thought about the child growing inside, and the child he
’d
lost. Bree’s eyes closed, and her hands traveled down his neck to his chest. Her forehead wrinkled, and she shook her head. He glanced up at Faelan, alarmed.

Faelan frowned and moved closer but didn’t speak, so Tavis didn’t speak either. Bree’s ey
es flew open, and she gasped.

“Bree?” Faelan touched her shoulder.

Bree stepped away from Tavis, but still watched him. “I’m sorry. I just get these weird…feelings.”

“Did you just read his damned battle marks?” Faelan asked.

Bree gave a guilty start. “What?”

“You heard me. Did you?”

“Maybe.”

“You read my battle marks,” Tavis said, fascinated, and more than a little alarmed.

“I might have.”

“Well,” Faelan said, after Bree didn’t speak.

“Uh…I’ll tell you later. I’m getting tired.”

Faelan gave her a disbelieving look. “I thought you didn’t want to rest.”

“I changed my mind.”

“What is she again?” Tavis asked.

“Sometimes she’s a bloody nuisance,” Faelan said, but love poured from his eyes.