“Good thing I can warm water with magic too,” she mentioned at another juncture. She shivered a little and winked. “Because cold baths take some getting used to...especially when you’re alone.”
That comment had earned her a long, promising kiss that said she shouldn’t expect to bathe alone very often.
Suffice it to say their wedding in front of a bonfire had been beautiful. She had been utterly lovely in her new dress, with her hair cascading over her shoulders. The music was lively, and the food to follow, plentiful. Most of it was served outside, so there was enough room for people from surrounding villages to eat and join in the celebration. They danced for hours and drank some.
Eventually, however, they snuck off and went for a walk.
He knew where she wanted,needed, to go without her saying a word, so he made sure Oran and Aisling saw to it ahead of time. The waning moon was still bright enough to light their way along the cliffs.
“I still can’t believe this is real,” Madison murmured as they strolled arm and arm. She glanced back at their torch-lit castle full of laughter and celebration, then met his eyes. “That I’m here with you, and the future doesn’t look so bleak anymore.”
It didn’t either. They had visited King’s Heart before the ceremony so Madison could touch base with Riona. It seemed her sister had not only connected with Declán again, but her most recent drawing had his brother Aodh in it as well. A drawing that hinted at him still being alive and watching Declán from behind enemy lines.
“She said he looked fierce and his eyes snake-like, but there was definitely a warrior standing in the shadows behind Declán,” Madison had said. “He was even larger than you, Liam and Declán.” She’d rolled her eyes. “According to Riona, between his raging expression and unnatural eyes, Constance took one look at him, made the sign of the cross over her chest, and swore he was the devil.”
“Bloody hell.” Yet he had chuckled. “That certainly describes Aodh on occasion. Especially when his dragon eyes come out.”
“Even though he’s not evil,” she’d reminded. “Something I get the feeling we’re going to have to keep reminding Constance of as time goes on.”
They were no closer to understanding why Madison had comforted Aodh by King’s Heart in a dream other than that she felt her inner druidess was helping to protect him from wherever fate took him. At least until another druidess stepped up, as she put it.
“Ta, we will keep reminding Constance Aodh isn’t evil.” He had shrugged. “She’s in New Hampshire now, aye?” He’d eyed her. “Because I get the sense there was some concern she might not come?”
“There was.” She had given him a relieved look. “But, she’s there and part of this now whether she wants to be or not.”
“A part made easier because of what you accomplished today,” he’d reminded.
“Weaccomplished,” she had corrected.
“So what do you make of this latest contact betwixt Riona and Declán?” he asked, back in the present. He lit a torch, and they headed down the tunnel he had so recently stumbled through when near death. “He doesn't seem to be taking no for an answer when it comes to this great secret he’s convinced she knows.”
“No, he doesn’t seem to want to take no for an answer.” Madison reflected on Declán and Riona’s connection. “I’m convinced he’s not there for Shannon but Riona.”
“I agree.” He made sure she watched her step. “Yet it seems both Riona and Liam have their reasons for thinking anything but.” He shook his head. “In Liam’s case, it could be he fears being drawn to Shannon. Drawn to just one lass when he's used to many.” He shook his head. “I cannot speak to Riona’s motives other than to say either she’s truly come to desire Liam or she’s wary of something when it comes to Declán.”
Madison nodded and slowed when they arrived at King’s Roar. Their fairies had done well making it into a magical oasis. It was set up much like the tree they had first lain under, including twinkling lights that drifted here and there.
“Thank you, Cian.” She spoke telepathically to Oran and Aisling.“And thank you as well, my friends.”
They didn’t respond, but they didn’t need to. She and Cian felt them in their minds. Happy for them and happy together as they flittered through the forest, enjoying love every bit as much as they were.
“You didn’t have to do this,” she murmured as he poured her a glass of mead. “I know you were looking forward to spending the night in the castle with me.” She chuckled and shook her head. “Funny, at the beginning, I was set on the castle and you, outdoors.”
“I’ve learned there’s something to be said for nature.” Cian grinned and filled his own glass. “Besides, I knew you wanted to come pay your respects here, so why not spend the eve? We’ve plenty of nights ahead in our castle.”
In truth, he knew how much her inner druidess needed to be around nature. It was her lifeblood. So he imagined making many more jaunts over the years to all sorts of locations outdoors made comfortable like this.
She read his thoughts because her smile only warmed as they sat on a fur overlooking the ocean. When her gaze locked on the waves and got a little different, he knew she sent her thanks out to King’s Roar as well.
After that, they simply cherished one another’s company. Sometimes in silence, as they enjoyed everything around them. Sometimes chatting away. If one thing were certain, he would never tire of conversing with her. They might come from remarkably different centuries, but that didn’t matter. They talked about their son. What he might be like. How they would raise him.
“It occurred to me you never answered whether or not you would stay,” he remarked at one point. “Perhaps you felt trapped once, but—”
“No.” Madison put a finger to his lips. “Baby or no, gods approval or not, if I intended to leave in the end, I’d already be gone.” She cupped his cheek and looked at him with her heart in her eyes. “Whatever I might have said, whatever I might have felt at the moment I told you I didn’t know if I could stay, that’s all gone now.” She shook her head. “As if it didn’t even exist.”
Her gaze drifted to the sea and returned to him before she continued. “It’s hard to explain, but I almost feel like I didn’t live that life back in the twenty-first century. Or if I did, it was only the parts that included you and my sisters.” She shook her head again. “I’ll go back if they need help, but that’s not my home anymore. Not my century.” She brushed her lips across his. “Youare my home. My century.”
She narrowed her eyes and went on. “Now, I can't help but wonder if it'll be the same for my sisters? If they'll call this their home too. What it will take to get to that point?”
