“Noway.” Riona glanced from her dog to Cian. “Luna and I are crazy close. Does that mean she’s my familiar?” Her eyes widened. “Better yet, does that mean I’m a druidess too?”
“Yes, all four of you are.” Without doubt. “Andta,” he glanced at the black and white wolf-like dog who cocked her head in return, “there's a chance Luna is your familiar, Riona.”
“Loveit.” Her smile faltered some when she looked at Madison and took stock of the conversation. “So you’re traveling back in time without me?”
“I have no choice.” Madison shook her head. “Cian needs me now, and someone has to be here for our sisters. Especially Shannon, but I’d say Constance too.” She rested her hand on Riona’s shoulder. “Even if I were the one who could stay, they'll take it better coming from you.”
“I don’t like this.” Riona sighed and looked between them before her gaze landed on Madison. “How am I supposed to keep an eye on you?”
“You’re not.” Madison gestured at Oran. “I think he is for now.”
“And me,” Cian made clear. “There may be no hope for us in the end, but that doesn’t mean I won’t protect you with my life, Madison. ‘Tis the least I can do.”
And all he would be capable of now that he had met her. Whether they could love or not, he was taken by her. Protective in a way he’d never felt about another. That said something considering there were several he was overly protective of. That he would die for.
Yet Madison was different.
Moresomehow.
She meant everything to him even though he had known her for such a short time. Or had he? Since he’d arrived, he had an overwhelming feeling that might not be true.
There was more here than met the eye.
More than a mere connection across time.
“Well, I’m glad to hear you have my sister’s back, Cian,” Riona said when Madison seemed unable to find her tongue. “Because you clearly know how to fight.”
He didn’t blame Madison for being speechless. Not when whatever this was between them only grew stronger by the moment. As though a delicate tether across the centuries became a sturdy rope. A bond he feared would make keeping each other at arm’s length a monumental task.
Why had the gods done this to him? Her? What were they thinking when they created such raw attraction between him and his druidess? Was there a design to it? A reason? Surely, because what cruelty it was already. Absolute torture soon enough, he suspected.
“Idohave your sister’s back,” he assured, using the modern-day slang to set Riona at ease. “Always.”
He could only be grateful they were taking all of this so well because most would not.
“So, what’s next?” Madison looked from him to the oak out front. “Do we travel back the way you came? Because even though women from the past time-traveled via the Stonehenge, I’m fairly certain you came through the tree...and not necessarily the one outside.”
He should have known she would sense King’s Heart.
“I came through a much-revered oak in Ireland.” He shook his head. “When we travel back, however, Aisling will bring us elsewhere as the oak, King’s Heart, is far too close to the enemy’s border.”
“Yet I’m supposed to go there eventually, aren’t I?”
“If you have dreamt of the tree, then without a doubt,” he confirmed. “Until then, I will bring you to my castle, and we’ll go from there.”
“Your castle,” she whispered almost sadly, her gaze a little lost.
He frowned. “What is it?”
She blinked as if snapping out of a reverie and shook her head. “Nothing.”
Yet it had been something. A glimpse into the future he imagined. One he wasn't ready for but had to be, so he insisted she share. They must remain honest in all things.
“It’s just....” She released a choppy sigh, clearly pained for him. Pained for the life it had once held. “It was never whole in any of my dreams. Only ever in ruins.”
He clenched his jaw. Ignored the tightening in his chest. Feeling emotional about what may come to pass would not serve his people nor Madison on her quest to help him and his country.
“Mayhap someday, but ‘tis not in ruins now.” Despite his best effort not to, he couldn’t stop from cupping her soft cheek in comfort. “Right now ‘tis whole and thriving and needs our help.”
