When fear flared in her eyes, he rested his hand over hers in comfort. “’Tis just a precaution now that we know they are likely Unnamed Ones as well.”
“Which meanswhat, exactly?” She frowned, seeing things clearly enough. “That their lives are in danger now more than ever? That Raghnall will want to take them out before they help you guys defeat him? I got enough sense of his magic off his dying warrior to know he’s a nasty sonofabitch.” Her brows bunched. “I need to go back, Cian.” She shook her head. “I can’t leave them alone.”
“They’re not alone,” he reminded. “They’re with Liam, and he will see them well protected.” He squeezed her hand. “More than that, I suspect their gifts will blossom right along with yours, and they will be able to protect themselves.”
“Powers they don’t understand!”
“But powers that will frighten them no more than what you sense growing inside you.” He searched her eyes. “Because youdofeel your power growing by the minute, do you not? Feel it easing the way for you no matter how foreign it may seem?”
“Well, yes,” she granted. “But I’ve had you helping me along...because you have. Your presence helps me where Liam’s presence?” Her eyes widened. “I can only imagine. And I can.” She shook her head. “He’s gonna be all over them, and trust me, that won’t go well. Especially with Shannon.”
She explained how her sister went through a difficult time with an Irishman of all people years ago and had sworn them off since.
“Whilst I feel for your sister, is that not ironic, all things considered?” he wondered.
“I’m sure she won’t think so.” She thought about it and shrugged a shoulder. “Though I see your point. What are the odds?”
While he didn’t say as much, it bore watching for no other reason than he suspected Madison and her sisters had, one way or another, been in his and his siblings’ lives longer than they realized. Not just that, but he had never been one to ignore coincidences. They always tended to point toward something.
He still wondered at what Madison said about being here when she was younger. How she believed they had kissed years ago. Shared a past.
Mainly because he had the feeling she was right.
Which made no sense for a variety of reasons. Namely, that he couldn’t imagine forgetting her. It would have been impossible, considering he was at his core a Keeper of Memories. Moreover, spell or no spell, he couldn’t envision not trying to bed her had he come across her before. Hell, based on how badly he wanted her now, he could only imagine how he’d felt being younger and less in control of his appetites.
“Liam may enjoy lasses,” he said, redirecting his thoughts before they got the better of him, “but he knows to behave considering what we face now. Your sisters are far too important to risk losing his focus flirting.”
Or so he could only hope.
Liam had taken issue when he first told him he needed to go to the twenty-first century but soon saw the logic in it. Could it be because her sisters were bound to be as lovely as Madison? Perhaps. But the level of determination he saw in his brother’s eyes when he left said otherwise. Liam was as angry at what happened to their men as the rest of them. He understood what was at stake. That getting the revenge they craved would only be possible with Madison’s sisters in their corner.
“A good assumption,” she said, following his thoughts more easily by the moment. “One I hope he heeds.”
She let the matter drop as the evening wore on and instead immersed herself in the experience of being here. Of sampling the food. Taking in his,their,people, and their customs. Listening to the pipes. Following the various conversations about what had happened on the border. Their fear over it. Their need for vengeance. In fact, people were so taken with her interest in their culture and what had happened in the latest skirmish that a more outspoken lass questioned Madison directly.
“How doyethink we should handle the beastie, Raghnall, and his devil spawn mistress, m’Lady?”
Rather than shy away from the question for fear of what they might think, Madison elaborated on the vision she’d had. How she believed King Declán was up to something, but trying to help them and it would work out in their favor. “As to what we should do next?” She glanced from Cian to the woman before her gaze swept over those who had grown quiet, waiting for her response. “I think it’s best left up to your king.”
While wise of her to say, he liked the idea of her voicing her opinion and said as much. “I, too, would like to hear what you think, for you are an Unnamed One, my lass.”
Cian warmed at the way his possessive words pinkened her cheeks. He had made it clear others would think them courting but realized it was fact rather than fiction. Theywerecourting, and she would soon be his in all ways possible. Or so he prayed. Because truly, he wanted no one else. Could not even imagine it.
“Well...” Madison thought about it before answering. “I think your king should escort me to King’s Heart so I can commune with your gods about what they feel should be our next step.” She gave it some more thought. “I also feel strongly that we should try to make contact with King Declán. To understand what he might be up to.”
She could not have responded more perfectly, and most of his people agreed based on their nods of approval. For any druid worth their salt would want to commune with the gods first, and all knew there was no better place to do that than King’s Heart.
“Whilst ‘tis sound advice, m’Lady,” one of his warriors said, in his cups but respectful enough, “’twas not that long ago we battled there. Would it not draw the enemy king’s attention back to our beloved tree?”
“A tree your king helped seal off if I understand correctly,” she countered, not gently but not too firmly either. “So it likely holds less appeal to King Raghnall. Yet still,” she looked at the others kindly, “it would be best for those without a blade in hand and a readiness to fight to put off worshipping there until the borders are more secure.”
He had already ordered such but was glad to hear her say it as well. To back him up, so they thought twice about going regardless. Most nodded, including the man who had voiced his opinion.
“You think and act much like a queen,” Cian praised when he eventually wrapped a cloak around her shoulders, and they headed outside to the bonfire.
“Do I?” She shook her head. “Because I feel like I’m only telling them what they want to hear despite the fact I can’t lie.”
“And you did not.” He took her hand as they headed down to the courtyard. “Everything you shared was true, Madison. You just need to trust that. Not fear the truth as you have these past few months.” He steered her a little closer. “We Irish are tough, lass, so worry naught about speaking plainly. For your words unto themselves bring hope however daunting your message.”
