Dragon Knight's Axe (34 page)

Questions that would never be answered, made her angry that she would think of them. Why did she care?
Because you love him. Accept it and move on
. “Easier said than done,” she muttered.

“If ye are going to crumble your food, I will gladly take if off your hands,” said Desmond, interrupting her thoughts.

“Not a chance,” she admonished and popped the last few bits into her mouth.

Standing, she shook out her cloak and with the help of her brother, mounted her horse. Patting Molly’s mane, she gathered the reins, and they all ambled slowly down the path.

Desmond kept them at an unhurried pace. Thick mud, leaves, and tree branches littered the trail making it difficult to travel. Twice, she had to sooth Molly as the horse’s steps faltered in deep slush. After several hours, Desmond held up his hand.

“What’s wrong?” she asked looking around in alarm.

“We will not be able to travel up over the ridge. The storm has brought down trees blocking our path. To go any further will only cause injury to the animals, or worse, us.”

Kevan dismounted and came forward. “There is another way, though it will take longer.”

Adjusting her cloak, she looked at the druid. “How much longer?”

“We’ll be there by morning.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Lead the way, Kevan.” Fiona saw the look her brother was giving her and ignored him. She realized her voice was harsh, but her nerves had frayed after only a few hours.

As Kevan walked back to his horse, she glanced at the sky. Still feeling her brother’s hard stare, she said, “Yes, I want to put as much distance between us and Urquhart as quickly as possible. If that makes me cranky, so be it.”

When she heard him move his horse next to hers, she finally looked at him. Confusion marred his face. “Will an ocean be enough distance, Fiona?”

His question shocked her and without forethought she replied, “No.”

His smile was sad as he turned away from her. “Then we are in for a rough journey.”

Chapter Forty-One

“In order to be reborn, you must first find the discarded pieces of your heart. Only then, will you uncover true love.”

“It is another beautiful morning that greets us, aye, Fiona?” smiled Kevan as he made his way to her holding out a water skin.

“And warmer than yesterday,” she responded. Taking the skin, she guzzled the cool water. Handing it back to him, she sent him a smile.

Desmond came strolling by, giving her a passing nod. He had kept quiet for the remainder of yesterday and well into the evening. Kevan made up for it by chatting nonstop about life in Navan. She knew her brother worried about her, but there was nothing she could do. Her heart ached one moment and the next, she was yelling at anyone who came passing by. Even the animals scampered past her yesterday, making her cringe with guilt.

Today would be a better day, she promised.

With a sigh, Fiona walked over to Desmond. Grasping his hand, she beamed up at him. “I’m happy to see that your arm has healed. Does it bother you at all?”

He chuckled softly. “Only when it is cold. I told ye, I have been hurt afore.”

“I can only imagine. Perhaps you can tell me more stories about our family today?”

Tweaking her nose gently, he answered, “With pleasure. ’Tis good to see ye smiling.”

Looking past the trees, she could hear the stream gurgling, and an idea struck her. “Do you think I could wash up before we leave?”

He arched a brow, and she saw his uncertainty.

“I’m not going to remove my clothes—only clean my feet and arms. I promise not to take long.”

Desmond placed a kiss along her brow. “Take as long as ye want.”

Jumping up, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thanks!”

Gathering her gown, she ran to her horse and pulled out the bar of soap Aileen had given her. Inhaling the scents of roses and lavender, she practically skipped down to the water with glee. Stripping off the leather boots Stephen had made for her, she then rolled up her sleeves as best she could. It didn’t matter that it was a spit bath, Fiona just longed to have some part of her body clean.

Choosing a spot in the sun with a small boulder next to the water, she sat down. As the icy water made contact with her feet, she grimaced. Yet, it didn’t deter her as she started to scrub, starting at her toes, and then moved up her legs. When she finished, she quickly doused her arms with water, followed by soap.

With her skin tingling, she stood, stepped back from the water, and shook out her limbs letting the sun dry them. In just those few moments, her body felt rejuvenated. Raking her fingers through her hair, she said, “What I wouldn’t give for a pitcher to wash my hair.”

“Would ye like me to help wash your hair, Fiona?”

Her heart beat rapidly against her chest, the sound of his voice a silken caress on the breeze.
Could it be?
Slowly turning around she let out a small gasp, her nails biting into the bar of soap. Her vision blurred, feeling the blood drain from her face.

“
Alastair
.” Her voice barely a whisper.

He took a step closer, and she held out her hand to stop him. “Don’t…” She would not behave like a lovesick fool in front of him.

“I take that to mean…
nae
?”

She studied his face, seeing the wariness and it matched her own. They were like two strangers, and she had no words for the man. “I…have to go,” she blurted out.

Her legs trembled as she started to walk away.

“Ye left your king.”

She froze. Glancing over her shoulder at his outstretched hand, she swallowed the lump in her throat when she saw the chess piece. Looking up into vivid green eyes, she stated, “
You
abandoned your queen.
You
had no faith.”

“Ye left with my…”

A great roar from the trees halted any further words from them as Desmond emerged, sword in hand. “Ye will move away from Fiona, now!”

Alastair made no move. “I have come for her, Desmond.”

“Ye failed in your vow. Do ye remember what I told ye?” Desmond stalked over to him placing himself between Fiona and Alastair.

“Aye. And I ken ye have every right to kill me where I stand. I did fail…miserably.”

Fiona’s mind whirled.
Alastair was willing to die because he failed
? She looked from one to the other, and when Desmond leveled the blade at Alastair’s heart, she took a step to her brother’s side. “Don’t, Desmond.”

“Why would ye have anything to do with
him
?” He snarled still keeping the blade leveled at Alastair’s chest.

Gently, Fiona placed her hand on his arm. “I would like to hear his explanation before we depart. I need closure.”

Looking down at her, his eyes flashed with anger, but he finally lowered his sword. “Speak,” he commanded.

Fiona squeezed his arm this time getting his full attention. “Alone, please.” She could see his jaw clenching as she released his arm and pointed to the trees.

“We are not finished, MacKay,” he growled and stormed off.

Her nerves frazzled, she turned toward Alastair. His expression was one of worry and for a moment, all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms. It took every ounce of strength to keep her distance.

“Dinnae be upset with your brother. He has every right to take my life. I told ye, I gave him my vow to protect ye.”

Her eyes flashed with outrage at him. “Well, events happen, and sometimes you can’t do everything in your power to protect someone. There are times when fate intercedes.”

He took a step closer, and she looked away.
Blast the man!
He was unraveling her just by breathing the same air.

“He made me swear as a Dragon Knight, Fiona,” he uttered low. “’Tis his right.”

Her chin went up. “Stop it! I
lived
!
So there won’t be any talk of killing anyone! Men and your bloody codes of honor. Where was your honor as I lay dying? Where was your honor when I woke up to find that you had left me alone?” Seeing the shocked look on Alastair’s face, she held up her hand. “Don’t answer. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Striding over to the stream, her eyes blurred. The man obviously wanted to give her his parting gift and trudge onward with his life.
Might as well finish this, Fiona
. “You started to say something before Desmond came charging through. Just finish, so I can leave.”

Alastair walked over to her. Reaching for her hand, he placed the king in her palm. Her fingers trembled as his brushed over hers. Feeling the warmth of the wood caress her skin, she slowly looked up at him. Giving her a smile that made her heart flutter, he said, “Ye left with my heart and soul, Fiona. Aye, I was wrong to have left your side. No better than a coward.” Taking another step closer, he stood mere inches in front of her. “Yet, I could not watch the woman I love fade from my eyes. I would have sacrificed my own life, so that ye may have lived. My belief in love was not strong enough to overcome my fear in letting ye go. I saw only madness.”

“Love? You love
me
?” she stammered.

“Och, Fiona, do ye ken how much I love ye?” he asked, his voice husky with emotion.

Her eyes welled up with tears, and she shook her head back and forth unable to give him an answer.

Cupping her face, he gazed into her eyes, wiping away a tear that had fallen. “It will take a lifetime to show ye. Will ye marry me, Fiona O’Quinlan? Can ye learn to love the
beast
and the man? Perchance, ye will forgive both in time.”

She choked back a sob. “Oh, Alastair,” and running her hand across his scar, she felt him shudder under her touch. She wanted to take away the hurt he carried inside of him. He wore it as a badge across his chest, and she couldn’t determine if it was to cause fear in others or to lock out his own emotions. “I love the beast as much as the man, for they are one and the same. You have been a man divided for so long, and it’s time to heal the wound.
Forgive
? I was more angry with you than anything else.” Placing his hand over her heart, she said, “I love you, Alastair. There were many times I wanted to tell you, and when I woke, my heart broke, realizing I would never say those words to you. I was afraid to say them sooner.”

Alastair clutched her to his chest. “Say them again,
leannan
.”

“I love you—all of you, totally, completely, head over heels in love with you, Alastair MacKay.
Yes
, I will marry you.”

With a shout of joy, Alastair lifted her in the air and twirled her around in his arms. After several turns, he lowered her and captured her laughter with a passionate kiss. She twined her fingers in his long hair as their tongues teased a sensual dance igniting a burning desire for more. His fingers edged along the outer edges of her breasts, and she moaned.

The snap of twigs brought their kiss to a halt. Alastair released her, but not before giving her one last kiss. “We are not finished,” he stated sending her a wink. Her mouth burned from his touch, and she let out a shaky breath before turning around to face her brother.

Desmond stood staring at them, his arms crossed over his chest. “Would ye care to explain?”

Alastair bravely took a step forward, placing a protective arm around her. “I have asked Fiona to be my wife, and she has accepted.” He glanced back down at her. “I love her.”

Desmond arched a brow in question. “Fiona?”

She peered into Alastair’s eyes, seeing the depth of his love reflected back to her. “I love him, too.”

Silence filled the air for a few moments.

“About bloody damn time ye both came to your senses.” Pointing a finger at Alastair, Desmond added, “Do ye ken what it was like being around my sister lately? If ye ever cause her anymore pain, your life is forfeit.”

Fiona and Alastair gaped open mouthed at Desmond as he continued with his rant. Finally, he yelled out for Kevan and the druid came running out of the trees with a dirk.

“For the love of Danu, what now?” demanded Kevan.

Desmond clapped the druid on the back. “My wee sister is going to marry the Dragon Knight.”

Kevan smiled broadly. “About bloody time!” He then embraced them both.

Alastair and Fiona roared with laughter. He picked her up again and twirled her around with joy. “Do ye think your brother would mind if we went for a walk?” His breath warm against her ear made her shiver all the way down to her toes.

She hugged her arms more tightly around his neck. Nipping his ear, she answered, “Not a chance in hell he’s going to let me out of his sight before we’re married.”

Placing her down, he looked at her retreating brother when he spoke, “As we have a wedding to plan, I believe we should take advantage of the day and ride hard back to Urquhart.”

“’Tis a three day journey, Alastair,” stated Desmond, moving through the trees. Sheathing his sword, he mounted his horse.

Fiona saw the look Alastair gave her brother. Almost as if he tossed down a challenge to see how quickly they could return to Urquhart. As Alastair helped her onto her horse, his hand slipped under her gown stroking her leg. “How fast can ye ride,
leannan
?”

She bent her head low to his. “Did I not tell you that I’m an expert horsewoman.” Giving him a wink, she sat forward.

With a wicked smile intended for her eyes only, he shouted, “I say we’ll be at Urquhart in two days.”

Neither heard Desmond’s argument as Alastair quickly mounted his horse and giving a quick nod to Fiona, they took off for home.

Chapter Forty-Two

“If we cease to believe in magic, the world will become a dismal shell of its former self.”

As the sun dipped, the falling rays sprinkled over the water of the loch. “Home,” he said quietly. True to his word, Alastair had pushed them relentlessly, arriving at Urquhart within two days. He expected Desmond to argue, yet the man only challenged him by riding faster.

Smiling, he had grown to like Fiona’s brother, though he would never admit that openly.

On the last part of their journey they had covered rough terrain, and he and Fiona were separated from Desmond and Kevan. Chuckling softly, his plan succeeded in spending some time briefly with his love. Most likely, Desmond would be shouting curses at him when he finally made it to the castle.