Chapter Thirty-Two
DESPITE THE OVERWHELMINGloss of life at Dupplin Moor, enough seasoned warriors were left to get King David out of there before any harm befell him.
“’Twill be all right,” he assured wee David before they went their separate ways. “We will join up with ye again soon enough.” He gestured at Cray. “Until then, ye’ve the mighty MacLeod to watch over ye.”
David’s round eyes went to Cray before returning to Aidan and Chloe. “Thank ye for protecting me.”
“Of course.” Chloe embraced him, whispering in his ear, “What are half faeries for?”
King David was escorted off by one of his men as the retinue prepared to head north, their spirits trampled by the sound defeat. Nearly seventy percent of their army had been slain to the enemy’s mere thirty-three men. Now Balliol’s traitorous countrymen celebrated their victory and prepared to crown their false king despite another still reigning.
“Cousin.” For the first time since they were lads, Cray embraced Aidan. “You have my undying thanks for what you did for our country.” He pulled back and clasped Aidan’s shoulder, his tone grave. “And my apology for our long war over Maeve. May we, at last, put it behind us.”
He would like nothing more. It had been festering between them for far too long.
“Aye, Cousin.” He clasped Cray’s shoulder as well. “’Tis part of the past now.” He handed over the Viking sword, well aware it had, in addition to Chloe’s magic, allowed him to find her when she died. When her soul ended up at the Ring of Brodgar. “This blade served me well. Might it do the same for you, Cray.”
His cousin nodded, took the sword, and sheathed it. They eyed each other for a moment longer, finally at peace before Cray turned to Chloe.
“Whilst ‘tis hard,” he began then stopped, scowling as he searched for the right words. As he tried to let go.
“Whilst ‘tis hard to,” he began again only for Chloe to fling her arms around him and press her cheek to his chest.
“I’m so incredibly sorry,” she murmured. “You must know that. Please know that.”
When Cray glanced at Aidan, aloof for a moment, not sure what to do about his cousin’s lass embracing him, Aidan only nodded. All was well. This was what Chloe needed. So Cray tentatively embraced her, realizing he had to forgive her. Her heart, however much it had broken his, had been in the right place. She’d put his kin first, and that had to matter more than anything else.
“I accept your apology,” he said gruffly. “And I thank you for saving my life. ‘Twas...” he again struggled for the right words, “heroic and unexpected.”
“Anytime,” she murmured, going quiet for a moment. The sort of moment Aidan knew all too well. Her mind percolated, and her curiosity surfaced. “Was it reallysounexpected, though? That I would do something like that for you? That I would—”
“All right then, lass, ‘tis time to go,” he interrupted before more questions erupted, and she, however unintended, drew Cray’s foul mood back to the surface.
A mood his cousin was doing well to contain considering Madison. A point of contention Aidan and Tiernan would rather not address before they all said goodbye but knew they had to. Tiernan would be returning to MacLomain Castle to check on things, and Aidan fully intended to take his lass home at least for a little while.
Thankfully, Tiernan took the lead.
“As you well know, Cray,” he began, “’tis only a matter of time before your path crosses with Madison. A path that is verra important and—”
“Och, I know well enough,” Cray groused, his scowl back in place along with a little something else. A devious, resolute gleam in his eye that spelled trouble. “And I look forward to it indeed.”
Chloe and Julie narrowed their eyes.
“Do you really?” Julie frowned. “Because if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were out for revenge.”
“Revenge?” Cray’s expression seemed resolved in a way that most certainly meant Madison would have her hands full. “’Tis not revenge but mayhap a chance to finally...” He perked a brow. “Find peace betwixt us?”
“Do you think we should be worried?”Chloe said into Aidan’s mind.“Will he hurt her?”
“Nay, never,”he assured, glad he could still speak telepathically with her and his kin. He had not expected such.“Cray might be out of sorts, but he would never harm an innocent lass.”
“Are we sure Cray shouldn’t be heading to the future?” Chloe asked Julie and Tiernan after Cray bid farewell and left. “Or maybe I should head back?”
“No, not yet, if at all.” Julie glanced at her ley-lines. “Right now, we should stay put in Scotland and let Cray take over because he’s definitely next.”
When Aidan and Chloe looked at Julie curiously, she explained.
“He’s had a bright ley-line connected to him for a while now.” She thought about it. “Probably since around the time he connected with Madison.” She pointed west. “And it’s always heading in the direction of New Hampshire.”
