“Sex in the woods?” she asked wryly because what else could she say? “Among the trees and nature? Because that doesn’t sound very comfortable.” She took a solid gulp or two from her mug. “More like a mosquito bite in the ass if I were to be honest.”
“Despite my powers fluctuating,” the corner of his lip twitched in amusement, “I’m fairly certain I can make the experience insect free.”
She bit back a small smile. “I didn’t know you had a sense of humor.”
Or did she?
“Neither did I.” His brows lowered, then inched up. “Yet I get the feeling I did...do...had.”
“So then, to your people, you don’t?”
“Not overly, I don’t think.” He shook his head. “Mayhap when I’m with my brother Declán but nay, there is rarely much to laugh about these days. Especially considering our ultimate fate.”
“It does sound pretty gloomy.” Her embarrassment faded, and she took his hand, just glad to be with him. Here. Even if she was destined to get tree bark in her butt if they ever took things where they wanted. “I’m sorry things haven’t been happier.”
“That I know of.” Obviously reading her mind, he issued a small smile, clearly trying to bite back a larger one. “Again, my magic might not be at its best, but do you think I would let you get splinters in your backside?” A naughty but amused gleam lit his eyes. “That I would drive you so hard against a tree without keeping your tender flesh wound free?”
At first, she burned with desire at the image, then swiftly saw the humor in it. The visual of him trying to protect her butt in the heat of the moment made her chuckle. When she did, it felt like all the stress she had felt over the past six months bubbled up and broke free. From failing at her career to wondering if she was suited to be around people again. To traveling back in time and realizing that somehow she had been here before.
Very much belonged here.
When she laughed, Cian did too. Fortunately, these Irish, his people,theirpeople, seemed to understand because several had been laughing throughout the night. As if all their pain just poured out of them into something better. A sense of both relief and release from all the sadness. The terror and fear.
The worry that came with living in this day and age.
In this country.
Worse yet for Cian, being who he was. An unknown king.
Their laughter faded with her sobering thoughts, but the moment had felt right. Much needed. More than that, it felt familiar. As though they might have done this for each other before. Might have found some levity in all the despair.
“Because we’ve known a lot of it, haven’t we?” She wrapped her fingers with his, certain she was right. “We’ve struggled our whole damn lives for....”
“What?” He narrowed his eyes as if he was on the verge of having an answer to that. As though he understood something just out of reach. He flexed his fingers, then wrapped them more tightly around hers as if trying to hold on to something.
“Because thereissomething just out of reach,” she managed on a strangled whisper, suddenly certain of...what? “Something we need to remember.”
He nodded once in agreement, then shook his head. “But not yet, it seems.”
She struggled to grab hold of whatever blossomed inside her, but it was gone as soon as she sensed it.
“Why?” She shook her head. “Why wouldn’t I see it? Feel it right away?”
He had no answer, and she couldn’t blame him for it.
Rather, the night wore on, and they made the best of what they had learned so far. Instead of running off into the night and finally being together, they joined everyone by the fire and spent the rest of the evening talking about the men lost at the border. Drank to their memory. Listened to ballads about their lives.
Madison tried not to drink too much. She really did. But everyone did a lot of toasting, and it would have been rude not to join them. To talk, mourn, dance, and even, if she recalled correctly, sing alongside the bard.
So when she found herself on Deirdre’s arm sometime later and safely brought to her chamber without seeming too intoxicated, she could only be grateful. Had she remained composed enough? Dignified? Someone that little girl would look up to? She had no idea because Cian had been right. The alcohol here was strong.
And probably those whiskey treats too.
“Deirdre,” she mumbled as her new friend helped her out of her dress into something suitable for sleeping. “Did I do anything I should regret tonight?”
“Nay, me’Lady.” She heard rather than saw the smile in the Irishwoman’s voice. “If anything, ye made lots of new friends.” Deirdre’s voice took on a motherly, caring tone as she tucked Madison into bed. “I do believe they expected to be bowing and worshiping ye all night but found themselves quite in love with ye instead in a non she-of-the-gods sort of way.”
“Oh, no, did I flirt? Did I—”
