Page 146 of Dark Rival

She looked at his fiercely tented leine. “I know. Take that off.”

He smiled and stood, dropping his belt and pulling off his boots. He tossed the plaid aside—and then the leine.

Allie breathed hard. He was the most magnificent man, and her heart soared. I am the luckiest woman on this earth, she thought. “I’m going to pleasure you, Royce,” she managed.

“I dinna think so,” he said roughly and tugged the thong off, pushed her dress up to her waist, then reached for the wrap top. Then he looked at her. “I love yer body, yer face, but I love yer kind heart the most,” he said.

Allie felt more tears gathering. “Royce.”

“I love ye, Ailios.”

She laid her hand on his thundering heart. She wanted to fly to the stars and then back again—a hundred times—but she fought to sense his guilt, his pain. And he knew, because as ready as he was, he waited for her now.

It took a long moment and she felt only a faint echo of the guilt that had consumed him for the past eight hundred years. She had at least five hundred and seventy-seven years to finish healing his heart.

He was lurking, because he smiled roughly and said, “Aye, I may not be called Black Royce for much longer.”

“Come to me, love,” Allie whispered.

He did.

TWO DAYS LATER, Allie stepped out of a steaming bath and wrapped herself in her favorite plaid, which she’d claimed possession of from Royce. She and Royce had definitely had a honeymoon. He’d barred the door, only opening it for food and drink. She was exhausted from the several days they’d just spent together, filled with passion that had been at times mindless and at other times amazingly gentle, peppered with conversation, cuddling, affection and intimacy. She was deliriously, ecstatically, joyfully in love.

She dried her hair with a linen towel and stepped into her jeans and a cashmere sweater she’d been given by Sam. She went to the mirror—no, looking glass—over the chest, thinking about how she’d have a servant nail it to the wall in a more convenient position. She’d taken a dozen lipsticks from Sam and Tabby before leaving, too. But before she could decide on a shade for her lips, Elasaid appeared in the mirror.

Allie tensed, stunned. She was afraid her mother would vanish the moment she turned. But she did turn, cautiously murmuring, “Mom?”

Her mother stood smiling at her, her eyes soft with love. Allie could see the bed through her figure and knew she was a spirit from the afterlife. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again!” she cried.

Elasaid whispered, “I am so happy for you, darling.”

This was goodbye, Allie thought. But before she could begin to barrage her mother with questions, a dark man appeared beside her—and he was the spitting image of her brother, Guy, except that he was in his forties and silver streaked his temples. And she knew she was looking at Guy’s father, William the Lion, the fifth baron of Blayde.

Her heart thundered. “William Monroe isn’t my father,” she whispered.

“No, darling, he’s not. I was afraid—I had you to guard and protect. I asked Lug to send me to the safest place. He sent me to Will Monroe.”

Allie trembled, staring at her father, a handsome man who reeked of mortal power, even being dead.

William Macleod smiled at her. “I am proud of you, daughter,” he said.

He took her mother’s hand and Allie saw the white light coursing between them, happiness and love. “Father,” she managed to say. She wanted to know this man.

“You will know me through your brother,” he said.

Allie smiled through her tears. It was a command. She nodded. “I sensed the truth the moment Royce told me about you and Mom.”

“I know.”

Allie started. “How much can you see from the other side?”

Elasaid’s beautiful smile played. “Darling, that is not a just question. The gods bless you and Ruari and your children and their children.” She blew a kiss.

Allie saw her and her father fade. She lifted her hand. They continued to smile at her, their love so evident and consuming. They slowly receded, until she was left standing alone in the room. She wiped her tears. They were together for eternity—and she would get to know her father through Guy, as he had ordered her to do.

Wow, Tabby was in for a huge ordeal. Allie bit back a smile. She’d manage. It would be worth it in the end.

She found Royce in the hall, in a deep conversation with his steward. But he instantly looked at her, his eyes warm with deep, undying love.