“Ye know nothing of what my dragon brethren is capable of, woman.” He flicked his wrist at her and hid his reaction to the dark peach linen dress more suitable to his era that manifested on her. How good she looked in it. “If ye mean to help Ireland, then ‘tis time to go.”
“You have some nerve.” Shannon scowled at her dress. “Who do you think you—”
“If you mean to help Aodh, it’s time to go, sis,” Riona said more firmly than gently. More firmly than she likely would have been capable of before embracing magic. “Now.”
“What about Constance?” Shannon shook her head. “We can’t just leave her.”
“I’m not going to.” Riona manifested a hooded cloak around Shannon’s shoulders and nudged her toward the door. “I’m staying with her. I’ll protect her.”
“Are you strong enough?”
“Stronger than you can imagine now.” She steered Shannon out the door behind him. “Stronger than Liam, so she’s better off with me at this point.”
“What about Declán?” Shannon frowned. “And where’s Luna?”
“Luna’s at my castle, and Declán's close enough.” Riona kept pushing her toward the oak tree. “Promise.” She finally stopped nudging her along and embraced her. “Be careful, sis,” she held her at arm’s length and nodded once, “because it's high time you finally touch your guy and get some answers.”
Before Shannon had a chance to respond, Riona pushed her hard enough that Liam had no choice but to catch her when she tripped. No choice but to realize what her other elusive longing was moments before they were swept back in time.
Chapter Three
Kingdom of Meath
Ireland, 1060
“OH,NO,” SHANNON groaned. She shoved Liam away, stumbled a few steps, then leaned over and nearly vomited.
“’Tis me,” Liam exclaimed, sounding far too smug. “Iam your elusive longing. Why you wept for days.” She heard the frown in his voice. “Despite how offensive your response just now.”
Thankfully, he sensed nothing about her inability to have children, but he was right. He seemed to be connected to what some other crazed part of her longed for, and it irritated her to no end.
“I have motion sickness.” Best to let him believe she agreed that he was at the heart of how awful she felt, though. “But yes, whatever that might have been between us for half a second most definitely led to this.” She fell to her knees and waited for the world to stop spinning. “One hundred percent responsible.”
She closed her eyes to the sensations still rolling through her despite her motion sickness. The brief but crippling blast of sadness she’d felt at his touch. The incredible arousal soon doused by queasiness.
Liam crouched beside her and offered a skin of who knows what. “Drink some water, lass.” He had the nerve to grin. “I promise ‘tis not tainted whiskey.”
Honestly, tainted whiskey didn’t sound half bad right now.
“Fine.” She drank a small, careful sip of the cool water, sat back, and waited for everything to right itself. And because shewasraised with some manners no matter who she dealt with. “Thanks.”
