“Well, I guess that seals the deal then,” Chloe said.
“One would thinkbut,” Julie flinched, revealing a daunting tidbit, “there also happens to be another ley-line forking off in the direction of MacLomain Castle.”
“Bloody hell,” Aidan exclaimed. “’Tis where Ethyn is.”
“Yup.” Julie shook her head. “Honestly, I’m starting to feel for Cray. It looks like he might’ve moved on from one love triangle only to find himself in another.”
“I dinnae know, lass.” Tiernan shook his head as well. “I think we might want to be more concerned about Ethyn dealing with Cray, such as he is.”
“Do the two normally get along?” Chloe asked. “I don't recall.”
“Aye, well enough,” Aidan said. “Though out of all the cousins, they’re the most different. Ethyn tends to be upbeat, where Cray, well, need I say more?”
Everybody shook their heads, not needing him to elaborate. They had seen firsthand what Madison and quite possibly Ethyn would be dealing with.
“So, I guess no unicorn or Stone of Destiny on our adventure, then?” Chloe sighed. “I was really hoping to see them.”
“’Tis likely you will before all is said and done,” Aidan assured. “As Grant said, both the beastie and stone are still verra much a part of this.” He squeezed her hand and winked. “As to our journey? I much preferred the help of a faery.”
She offered a soft smile in return, her eyes not quite sparkling as she worried about him. She feared him coming across a faery to begin with had ultimately led to his sacrifice. But she need not think that because he wouldn't change meeting her for the world. Yes, losing his magic had been life-altering, but losing her would have been a thousand times worse.
“What Stonehenge do you think is next?” Chloe asked everyone. “Did Cray mention dreaming of any one in particular?”
Tiernan shook his head. “Nay, but then he’s been rather shut off of late.”
“Stonehenges aside, another regent will be appointed, though, right?”
Aidan nodded. “Aye, former King Robert the Bruce’s brother-in-law, Sir Andrew Murray of Bothwell will be next.”
“Speaking of Bruce’s.” Chloe frowned, referring to who they had been traveling with. “I hope Robert's not remembered for murdering Donald.” She shook her head, as sad as the rest of them over his loss. “It wasn’t his fault.”
“Nay, as far as we know, history does not remember such,” Tiernan said. “His name remains untarnished as does Donald’s.” He shook his head. “Even to wee King David, thanks to Chloe’s and Julie’s magic blinding him from it.”
“Right, my magic,” Chloe murmured, understanding Madison’s cryptic words now. “Magic that allowed the Disinherited to find King David so fast. That made me and David vulnerable because they could track it.”
That's what Madison had meant by Chloe being vulnerable when she made the possessed warriors vanish. Something that would no longer happen now that she had come into her fullest power. The ‘extra one’ Madison spoke of remained a mystery, though. Did she refer to the Claddagh ring? Stonehenge? Or perhaps something more? He suspected it was only a matter of time before they knew, and all truths were revealed.
“Your magic was also the reason I found you in death at Brodgar Stonehenge,” he reminded Chloe. “’Twas not just a beacon but let me see clearly what needed to be done. How I could save you and seal off the Stonehenge.”
He had been relieved to see Grant there, and eternally grateful he’d helped him through it. No doubt, he had eased the way for Aidan because God’s truth, losing one’s power near crippled the soul.
But then, luckily, his soul was already held up by another.
Stronger for its connection with Chloe.
So the experience though unsettling and difficult was made far easier by the peace Grant lent and knowing he would not lose his soulmate. He better understood why his battle skills had suffered along with his magic now too. As he had suspected, even cultivated, they had been so intricately tied in with his magic that when one suffered, so did the other. Now that his magic was gone, his skills as a warrior would no longer be affected.
When Grant declared the Stonehenge sealed, he also assured Chloe she was no longer vulnerable to the brotherhood. They had retracted, unable to connect with her anymore. As it had been when the Callanais Stones were closed off, they were temporarily weakened.
Yet, in turn, they were also growing more angry and desperate.
In this case, that didn’t mean they would act more spontaneously or radically in the future but be more wary and cautious. Something everybody would need to keep in mind as they moved forward. The enemy had possessed two regents now to no avail, so it was unlikely they would make the same mistake a third time. Not only were they not accomplishing their goal, but they had to assume the MacLomains would anticipate them repeating what they’d done before.
Therefore, it was best to expect the unexpected when the time came.
Until then, he wanted to take his lass home.
After everyone said their final goodbyes and Julie and Tiernan left, he pulled Chloe into his arms, glad to have her there, wanting her there always. “Are you finally ready to go home, lass? To begin writing about this? To chronical our journey and what comes next?” He traced her jawline. “To become my wife?”
