Page 117 of Dark Embrace

“I spent almost every moment of every day thinking of my father, praying for him to come. I also tried to escape. Every day I had a new plot to trick the guards, and as often, I was beaten soundly for my efforts.”

She hugged herself. His suffering had known no bounds. She did not want Aidan to ever know. “What happened after you were released? Malcolm and Royce must have taken you in.”

He laughed derisively again. “I made my way home from Elgin myself, on foot mostly. It took me two months, as it was a cold, snowy winter and I was no longer accustomed to the Highlands. In truth, I was neither a modern lad nor a medieval one. And I wasn’t nine years old when I reached Awe, Brianna.”

“Are you saying that once Moray’s spell was broken, you began to age?”

“I was a full-grown man when I reached Awe—only to find it in the hands of Argyll.” He nodded at the pamphlet she held, eyes flashing. “There’s mention there o’ how Argyll seized the opportunity. With my father hanged, he simply marched on Awe and added it to his Campbell holdings. I spent the next fifty years warrin’ with him, until I got it back,” he added harshly. “It’s been mine ever since.”

Brie reached for his hand, but he wouldn’t let her hold it. “I am sorry. You should know that your father is living with the pain of having lost you and it has been killing him.”

“My father is dead.”

This time, she seized his sleeve. “He isn’t dead. I just left him, very much alive—and grief-stricken over you, Ian. We have to go back in time! What if we can stop his execution?”

“Ye canna fix what is meant to be.” His eyes blazed. “Ye love him.” It was not a question. “Ye loved him then, an’ it must be why ye received my thoughts when I was tryin’ so hard to send them to him.”

“Yes, I love him. Are you a Master?”

His gaze flickered. “Ye ken a great many secret matters, Brianna.”

“I guess I just got my answer.” She took his hand. “I’m ready. I’d prefer you hold me really tightly, because I do not want to get lost in space and time.”

“He’s dead. I have spent my entire life living in the shadow of the legend—and truth—of the Wolf’s hangin’. Ye can’t change Fate.” He jerked free. “I willna try.”

“Do you hate your father? Is that why you won’t take me back to save him?” she cried furiously.

“What father fails his son?” Ian’s eyes flashed.

Brie felt raw despair. “He loves you so much.”

Ian made a harsh sound. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Brie!” Sam shouted from across the street, waving madly at her.

Brie was glad for the interruption. She had never dreamed, not in a million years, that she’d find Ian this way—a bitter, dark and modern man. Brie saw Sam in her high heels and a slinky jersey dress, hurrying across the street. Every single male pedestrian turned to look at her, and a sedan passing on the street in front of Brie rear-ended a hatchback as its driver rubber-necked her. Ian turned to see what the commotion was about. He stared, his gaze narrowing.

Brie watched Sam weave through the cars. She had stopped all the traffic on the busy thoroughfare.

“Tabby called,” Sam said, her smile faltering as she glanced at Ian. “Okay. He’s not Aidan, is he? What did I interrupt?”

Brie breathed hard. “Sam, this is Ian—Aidan’s son.”

Sam was as sharp as they came and she didn’t blink. Her gaze had locked with Ian’s. “If you can’t convince him to take you back, you can give me a shot.” But she wasn’t smiling, not at all. “Tabby has not found the spell, Brie.”

Ian’s mouth curved, just barely, and it was a moment before his gaze moved to Brie. “No one can change the past.”

Before Brie could respond, Sam said, “Not true. Sometimes mistakes are made. Sometimes Fate is denied, defied—interrupted. And then it can be restored. We happen to know firsthand, because our friend Allie went back in time to change the future, and succeeded.”

“Please, Ian,” Brie said. “Your father needs you. Take me to Urquhart—take me to the day they hang him in 1502!”

Ian looked back and forth between them. “Fine,” he said, looking damned unhappy about it.

“Wait—I’m coming, too!” Sam cried.

But Ian swept Brie close, ignoring Sam, and as they were flung across the slowly moving traffic and whirled upward, she screamed.

BRIE GASPED FROM THE IMPACT of landing, her face against Ian’s chest, still in his powerful arms. She was dizzy from the leap and the landing, but she knew she must get up.