Dragon Knight's Ring (Order of the Dragon Knights Book 5) (9 page)

“I dinnae ken your meaning.”

Sighing, Archie took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Placing them back on his face, he leaned against the side of the desk. “This version—
story
states that after defeating the Irish knight Morholt, Tristan goes to Ireland to bring back the beauty Isolde for his uncle, King Mark, to marry. However, along the way they ingest a love potion, which results in them falling madly in love. Isolde does indeed marry the king, but she and Tristan become lovers once again. The king and his advisors endeavor to try the pair for adultery. One story has Tristan being felled by a poisoned arrow from the bow of King Mark, where he then dies. Another tale speaks of Isolde finding her wounded warrior and healing him with a magical herb. They flee and live in peaceful harmony in the Welsh mountains. There are many various accounts.

“The book you possess is the happier version—tale,” Archie told him.

Walking to the table, Adam placed the book back on the table. “I would like to learn more about the MacFhearguis clan of Leomhann.”

Archie nodded. He opened a large book, gently folding back the pages. “Castle Leomhann withstood many battles. They supported Robert the Bruce, survived the Black Death, and were allies to the kings. They fell out of favor when they supported the Stewart cause in hopes of seeing a free Scotland. As Jacobites, they were at the battle of Culloden. None survived and their lands were confiscated by England after the war. Castle Leomhann was destroyed.”

Adam stared at the writing. Too stunned to speak, he nodded slowly. “What was the year?” he rasped out.

“A true Scot would not ask the question.” Archie gave him a stern look. “However, I believe you are much different than an ordinary Highlander, aye?”

His mind refused to ken the importance of the man’s words. “The year,” he demanded.

“1745.”

Shadows clouded Adam’s vision, but only for a brief moment. “I would verra much like to see Leomhann. How many days journey?”

“By car, only a few hours. However, there are no roads that will lead up to the path of ruins. You could walk, though treacherous in places—”

“Nae.” Adam cut off his words with a dismissive hand. “By horse.”

“A day, though it would depend on the weather.”

“Good. I shall leave in the morn.” Seeing the man’s face cloud with uneasiness, he asked, “Will this be a problem?”

“You might want to speak with Meggie, since you are now an employee of the MacKays.”

Adam raked a hand through his hair. “I had forgotten. Perchance, she will allow me to start after I have returned.”

Archie laughed in a deep, jovial way. “You have only arrived and will be issuing demands?” He clamped a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Tread carefully, Adam MacFhearguis.”

Narrowing his gaze, he moved away from Archie’s grasp. “Should I feel threatened? I fear naught. Surely, Meggie will understand.”

Silence lengthened between them, and finally Archie shrugged. “Some would argue over who is the most stubborn—MacKay or MacFhearguis.”

“And I hold no quarrel with those that say MacKay.”

Archie crossed his arms over his chest, giving him a wry smile. “You sound like a man who has had dealings with the MacKays other than those here.”

“Aye. Ye could say that I have.”

Turning the book around to face Adam, Archie pointed to a place on the page. “Here is where you can read more on the MacFhearguis and their ties to Bonnie Prince Charlie.”

Staring at the strange words, they told him naught. “’Tis a language I am unfamiliar with.” He glanced around the room. “Perchance there is another in Latin or the old tongue?”

“There are a few ancient volumes, but they are before the 1700s, therefore they will not be of any help.” Archie closed the book and tapped his fingers across the binding. “Where did you study, if I may ask?”

“My brothers and I were schooled at…
home
,” he said uneasily while he backed away. The man asked too many questions.

“And they—your parents taught you Latin over English?” Archie uttered in amazement.

“Aye, they did. Has Scotland become a land filled with the English?” He ripped out the words impatiently.

Archie stared at Adam in astonishment and then blew out a curse. Stepping away from the table, he went to a cabinet and pulled forth a bottle and two glasses. Filling them both, he handed one to Adam. Raising his glass, he said, “
Sláinte mhath
. If you don’t mind, I’ll take a look at the trews Meggie left for you.”

“Aye, but I cannae fathom wearing a torturous garment.”

“There is a method to the garment, and they are called jeans.”

Adam only grunted in response. Bringing the glass to his nose, he inhaled the peaty scent and sighed. “
Uisge beatha
. By the saints, how I have missed the amber liquid.” Taking a sip, he savored the liquid on his tongue. Smiling, he downed the entire contents of his glass. “A mighty fine one. Did ye make it here?”

“Nae.” Archie pointed to the bottle. “It’s called, Glenferrin—made on the Isle of Islay.”

Curious, Adam asked, “Did one of the silver beasties—
airplane
bring this here?”

Leaning across the table, Archie poured them both another dram, and Adam could see the mirth within the man’s eyes. “Nae. I brought it back with me when I visited old friends there. I’m glad you enjoy the
uisge beatha
. If the others found out I was keeping a rare bottle of whisky in here, they would have finished it off eons ago.”

Adam lifted his glass. “I am honored that ye have offered to share the liquid amber with me.”

Taking a seat by the hearth, Archie peered into his glass. Adam could sense the man had more to ask of him. He had found an ally with Lena. Now, he hoped to secure another with Archie McKibben.

“Ask your questions,” stated Adam as he sat down across from the man.

When Archie lifted his head, the look he gave him pierced through Adam. “Why are you here, Adam MacFhearguis?”

Undecided on how he should answer the man, Adam drank the last from his glass and placed it on a side table. Clasping his hands together, he leaned forward and rested them on his knees. He could only fathom one reply. “To help Meggie restore her memories.”

Archie lifted a brow. “How do you come to know our Meggie so well? What is she to you?”

Images of Meggie from long ago brushed across his mind.
She is everything to me.
“Tales were whispered that she had died. Knowledge came to me that she lived, though she could not recall her other life. I felt it my duty to see what could be done.”

“I must warn you, Adam, her cousins are fiercely protective of her. If they sense she is in any harm, they won’t hesitate to
banish
you or cause you bodily harm.”

Adam snorted in disgust. “I have met Lucas and dinnae fear the man.”

Archie regarded him with a speculative gaze. “And yet, you have not met the other men. Do not think you can gain favors with Lena, either.”

“I would protect Meggie with my life,” proclaimed Adam. Standing, he gave the man a curt nod and proceeded to walk to the door.

“For someone who has stated he only met her once, you have remarkable feelings toward Meggie.”

Glancing over his shoulder, Adam frowned. “Once was all it took.”
And from the moment I saw her, my heart and soul craved to make Margaret MacKay mine.

Chapter Eight

“To grasp the concept of reality, you must first believe in the possibility of magic.”

“Oh, lady, you are fine indeed,” Meggie cooed to her horse as she continued to brush down the animal in soft strokes. She heard Adam’s horse snort several stalls away, and she glanced sideways. The great beast was bobbing its head up and down. Eyes as black as coal stared at her.

“So ye agree with me about Fion? Are ye shamelessly flirting with her?”

The horse let out a snort louder than the first, his great black mane shaking.

Meggie pointed her brush at Ciar. “There will be no talk of mating in here. Do ye hear me, you lecherous beast.” She tried to hold back the laughter, but her own horse shook in response to the animal.

She took a step back. “What? Since when did ye ever look at another? Ye prance around without giving the others a second glance.”

Both horses let out a whinny, and Meggie shook her head in amusement. Slipping the brush back in its holder, she muttered, “Traitor to your kind, Fion. I’ll never let the likes of him get near ye.”

“Ye have to admit their offspring would be mighty fine,” Adam commented in a deep, warm voice, startling Meggie.

She took in his stance as he leaned against the entrance, hands crossed over his chest. Great Goddess! The man radiated pure male sensuality. His eyes smoldered with fire, and the memory of him in the tub flashed before her eyes—Celtic spiral tattoos encircled his upper arms, a raw primal vision, and she yearned to trace the pattern across his skin with her fingers.

Closing her eyes briefly, she forced the image from her thoughts. Taking in his form and the new clothes, Meggie cursed inwardly. What was she thinking in picking out clothing that hugged every inch of his muscular body? And great Goddess! Could those jeans be any tighter?
Control the emotions! Ye cannae afford to be distracted by romantic notions.

Meggie moved without haste to the entrance and boldly looked him in the eyes, regardless of how flushed her face may have looked. “I’m not breeding Fion with
anyone
at the moment.”

His eyes crinkled with mischief. “Pray tell, when will the moment be? Must it be in a secluded part of the land?” He leaned in closer. “Or in a quiet alcove?”

Was the man meaning something else? She found a perverse pleasure in the challenge of his questions. Lifting her chin, she stated, “During a full moon and only when Fion is ready.”

Adam’s demeanor changed instantly. Lowering his hands, he moved away from her. “Ye honor the old ways,” he said brusquely.

Startled, Meggie reached for his arm meeting his accusing stare without flinching. “Aye, I do. If we are to get along working together, ye had best remember that in this place the old ways are revered, sacred. If ye deem this distasteful, then ye and your black beast can leave at once. Furthermore, I respect the new religion and would never insult ye and your beliefs.”

He glanced down to where her hand rested. When he placed his hand over hers, Meggie could feel the heat sear to her bones. “My apologies. I will honor your ways. Is it thus here—the old and new belief?”

Removing her hand from his arm, she reached for her coat. “Aye, though the land has gone through many battles. I have read many accounts on the fighting between the old and new religion. All in the name of God, Gods, and Goddesses.” She waved her hand about in frustration. “The Great Mother would fare better if we all would remember that at the core of these beliefs is love. Why must there always be bloodshed?”

Moving outside of the stables, Adam followed alongside her. “I have seen many battles between religions. Each striving to prove theirs is the one. It always ends in bloodshed, Meg—
Margaret
.”

She bit the inside of her cheek to keep the smile from forming. “Stop,” she protested. “Ye may call me Meggie.” She stole a glance at him sideways and saw his surprised expression. Kicking a small rock out of her path, she continued, “Margaret sounds too formal.”

He nodded once, and she saw the traces of a smile on his mouth.

“What battles have ye seen?”

Adam cleared his throat. “I have heard accounts of the Crusades. Pope Innocent decreed a solution to end the massacre—to make a pilgrimage. Although he may have believed this to be the answer, he was mistaken. More bloodshed followed. It was fraught with danger. In the end, too many lives were lost striving to cleanse the land with a new belief.”

“Ye talk as if ye were a witness to the atrocities, Adam,” she said, surprised again by this unpredictable man.

“Nae,” he uttered slowly, looking away.

“If ye want to read more about the Crusades, I’m sure Archie has a few books he could loan ye,” she stated softly.

“There are none in Latin or the old language.”

Now it was Meggie’s turn to be surprised. “Ye have met Archie? Been to the library?”

“Aye.”

She paused, trying to gather her thoughts. “When ye say the old language, do ye mean the Gaelic? Scots?”

“Aye.”

Blocking his path, Meggie gazed up into his face. “Ye cannae read the English?”

“Nae,” he clipped out.

“Well, well, well, Adam MacFhearguis. I can teach ye. I will share a secret with ye.” Her voice rose in excitement.

The man stepped closer and tucked a stray curl around her ear. “What secret would ye share with me?”

By the hounds! He sucked the breath from her lungs just by being near.
“Not only could I not recall my memories, but I could not read the English. My cousins sought out Archie McKibben to assist me in the learning of the words. Perhaps he could help ye, too.”

“Perchance, but I like the idea of ye teaching me,” he suggested with a smile that made her weak.

They resumed walking along the path, and Meggie could feel the heat from his words creep up into her face.

“Meggie,” he said, rolling the word off his tongue as if she were a treasure. “How many horses do ye keep here?”

“Twelve, but Scott and Bruce are purchasing more for the business. Nine of the twelve are our own—for personal use.”

“Who are Scott and Bruce?” demanded Adam.

Meggie burst out laughing watching him in smug delight. “More cousins and they are far worse than Lucas.”

Adam raked a hand through his hair. “God’s blood. Will they be working in the stables?”

“Have no fear, Adam. As much as we all love the animals, my cousins leave them all to me. Bruce has a way with the animals, plus a charming smile with the ladies. Whereas, Scott is the one who manages the accounts. He has a great mind for bartering. If we left the dealings to Bruce, he would return home without any horses. He’s more likely to start a fight with the men than barter a deal.” Meggie shielded her eyes when she spotted a hawk circling in the distance.