Dragon Knight's Sword (35 page)

His journey back home had been uneventful and frustrating. Urquhart was devoid of his brothers, and no one had seen, nor heard of them in over a year. The few that stayed at Urquhart were overjoyed to see him return, and he vowed to unite his brothers and bring them back. Making sure they had all they needed to survive the long winter, he set out to retrieve Finn and Nell. They were now part of his family—under his protection, a promise he had made to them both.

Brandubh tossed his head and snorted, puffs of air billowing in the icy air.

“Are ye anxious for a warm bed and food?” A sad smile spread across his face, and the ever-present ache lodged in his chest swelled just a bit more.

He reckoned it would be painful, returning to a place where memories of her would remind him of all he had lost. Rubbing his chest with his palm, he tried in vain to ease the ache. “It will be a verra long winter,” he muttered, as he gave the signal for Brandubh to continue onward.

When entering the bailey, he saw the usual activity of men, and one of the guards saluted him in welcome. Dogs ran past barking, and some of the lads followed along, wooden swords in hand. Laughter spilled forth, and as one of the women spotted him in passing, she greeted him with a wave.

This is what he wanted for Urquhart—warmth of family and friends, children playing about, life rich with people. How did he forget this? The yearning so great, he made a silent vow to the gods and goddesses that he would return Urquhart Castle to one such as this.

He would do it for his brothers and for
her
.

“
Duncan!
” A shrill scream echoed from the entrance, and Nell came bounding out toward him, Cuchulainn following closely.

He dismounted from Brandubh just in time for her to fling herself into his arms. Wrapping her arms around him, she gave him a fierce hug, burying her head into his shoulder.

“It’s good to see ye, too, Nell.”

Duncan spotted Tiernan approaching, with Finn running past and skidding to a halt in front of him. He ruffled the top of Finn’s head before taking one arm and embracing him in a hug.

“I’ll take your horse, Sir Duncan,” said Tiernan.

“Nae, I believe the task still belongs to the lad.” He glanced down at Finn’s hand, which was slightly bandaged. He would not treat him any differently.

Finn stepped back from Duncan his mouth gaped open. “Oh, thank ye, Duncan.” A huge smile broke out on Finn’s face as he proudly took the reins of Brandubh, leading him away.

“We still give him duties, but I believe ye have just given him the greatest one of all,” Tiernan said quietly.

Duncan nodded in agreement. He noticed Cormac near the entrance, arms across his chest, watching with a knowing smile.

“Nell, I swear ye are growing bigger each time I see ye.” He placed her down upon the ground where she eagerly put her hand into his. They ventured on over to where Cormac stood.

“Good to see ye, Duncan.” Cormac clamped a hand across his shoulder in welcome.

“I could use some of your whisky to warm myself.”

“Oh, and some plum tarts with honey, too,” Nell squeaked.

Duncan wiped a smidgen of the evidence off her cheek with his thumb. “My favorite...” His thoughts returning to happier times.

“We knew ye were coming, and that is why Moira made them.”

Duncan frowned slightly, looking back at Cormac. “Ye did?”

“Cathal,” replied Cormac. “He sensed your energy and suspected ye to be nearby.”

“I have to go and help Moira.” Nell gave him one more squeeze before she scampered off.

Duncan crossed his arms over his chest, giving Cormac a questioning look. “Nell is helping in the kitchens? Cathal is still here? Next, ye will be telling me Matilda has moved into the castle along with all of Nell’s family.”

“Well...” Cormac rubbed the back of his neck wincing at the stunned look Duncan was giving him.

“Ye have gone soft, Murray,” grunted Duncan.

“I could knock ye one for that, Mackay,” Cormac spat out before glancing around to make sure none of his men had heard Duncan’s words. “I had reasons for bringing Nell’s
family
into the castle, and as for Nell, Moira took her under her wing when we brought her back. She needed the woman’s touch after ye left. I think it may be difficult to pry her loose from the woman when ye plan to leave here with her.”

Duncan rubbed at the several days’ growth of beard. “Aye, could be.”

Walking along the corridor to the great hall, he glanced up the stairwell and stopped for a brief moment, remembering. Duncan angled his head back toward Cormac.

“And Matilda?”

“We needed the healer,” Cormac said softly.

“Cathal?” Duncan glanced back up again.

“To assist Matilda.”

“What are ye
not
telling me?” He shifted uneasily.

“Come, Duncan, take some food and drink. I will send someone to fetch Cathal.”

Duncan snapped, “Nae, tell me Cormac.” Then his thoughts reeled. “Ye have found one of my brothers?” His fists clenched.

The look on Cormac’s face told him all he needed. “Where?”

Cormac let out a long sigh, “If ye must know—in your chambers.”

Duncan made rapid strides across the hall taking flight up the stairway. His heart was pounding as he weaved his way along the circular steps and through the corridors.

Which brother would he find?

When he got to the oak door, he found his hand was shaking when he placed it on the latch. Lifting it, he shoved it open.

At first, his eyes had to adjust to the light streaming in through the open window. Sunlight had broken through and it danced off the snow, flooding the room with a dazzling effect.

Sitting on the bed was Matilda. She was speaking softly to someone. Cathal was standing next to her, making it difficult for him to see who was lying in his bed.

Cathal twisted to one side, giving Duncan a huge smile. “Welcome back, Duncan.”

Time stood still, and Duncan’s heart froze.

Matilda slowly eased up from the bed, so that he could see.

His world spun, and tilted; the ground opened beneath him.

“Brigid
?” he croaked.

“Yes, my love.” Tears of joy streaked her face. She held out her hand beckoning him to join her on the bed.

Cathal strolled over to Duncan giving him a nudge. “She’s real, my son. Go to her.”

He glanced incredulously at Cathal before snapping back to stare open-mouthed at Brigid.

“Damn it, Duncan!” she pleaded through choked sobs. “If I could, I would leap out of this bed and throw myself into your arms, but I can’t. Don’t make me wait another moment to touch you.”

He staggered forward, reaching out to touch her outstretched hands, weaving his fingers with hers. “My
leannan si
—ye are truly one of the fae,” he muttered, dropping down to the bed.

“Duncan...” Reaching up to touch his face, Brigid brushed at his lips with her fingers, and in one fell swoop, he gathered her in his arms crushing his mouth into hers for a soul-searing kiss, devouring her sobs with his own.

He finally broke free as they both gasped for air. Taking his hand, he cupped her cheek and held it gently, letting his gaze roam over her face. “I did not think to ever see ye again. How can this be,
leannan
?”

“The Guardian, Duncan. She gave me a choice on which path I wanted to call home.” Brigid saw the stunned look on Duncan’s face, and smiled. “It may be hard to believe, but she wanted to give this to me—to
us
.”

Bending and pressing his forehead against hers, he inhaled her scent, marveling at the gift he was given. Suddenly, he realized Cormac had said that Matilda and Cathal were needed. Casting his gaze down her body, he placed a hand gently on her abdomen.

“Yet, she did not heal your wound?” he questioned. The jubilation Duncan was feeling became overshadowed by the thought Brigid was unwell, or hiding something else.

Seeing her bite her lower lip, he whispered, “Tell me.”

“She was able to stop the bleeding, but since I chose to return to you and this time, I had to rely on healers in this century. I did not want to go back to my time, and I certainly did not want to stay in the land of
Tir na Og
!”

“Sweet Danu!” he groaned. “What have ye done?”

She grasped both of his hands, “I love you, Duncan. It was simple. I could not choose an existence in my time without you.” Duncan started to speak, but she placed a finger on his lips to silence him. “My body may have been healed, but my heart would always know the pain of loss, and that my love, is something no doctor, or healer could ever cure. Life without you would not be a life.”

Duncan heard the shuffling of feet, and remembered Cathal and Matilda were still in the room. Half twisting toward them, he saw that they both held grim looks. “I want the truth. Can she be healed?”

Matilda stepped forward, hands clasped together. “Aye, we can heal some of her wounds”—she took a deep sigh—“and some we cannot mend.”

Duncan’s head snapped back toward Brigid. His heart pounded within his chest, the blood rushing through his ears. This could not be happening again, he thought.

He heard the door to his chambers close softly, realizing they had left, leaving him alone with Brigid.

“What is she not telling me, Brigid?” His eyes bored into hers.

Brigid’s shoulders slumped. Here was the decisive moment, one where he would take her either as she was, or leave her. She had no idea how he would react. He was a medieval warrior, and the news she was about to give him, might just leave her entirely alone in this century. Could he love her as a damaged person? Was their love strong enough? Oh God, she thought, what have I done?

Looking up into his blue eyes, she gently brushed the ebony lock from his forehead, placing her palm on his cheek. “I cannot bear you any children, Duncan. The wound was too severe—the damage of my womb beyond the healing powers of Matilda.” She kept her gaze locked with his adding, “Will you take me as I am, unable to give you any sons or daughters?” Anxiety twisted her gut as she waited for him to respond.

He stared at her baffled. “Ye will not die?”

“No.” Hesitation filled her voice. “Not I pray, until I am very old and wrinkled.”

“Then,
wife
, I will take ye, be it wrinkled and old, for I cannae be without ye for another day.”

A cry of relief broke from her lips before he took them once more, leaving her mouth burning with the fire of his healing touch.

****

The hours passed as they lay in each other’s arms, whispering, laughing, and sharing their fears, hopes, and dreams. Dusk of twilight was settling in, the fading light ebbing from the windows. Brigid had told him how Conn had returned her to Castle Creag with a message to Duncan that all debts had been paid.

His eyes narrowed, but he would say no more.

“One of these days, you are going to have to tell me what it is about him you don’t like.”

“This is not one of them,” and he silenced her words with his mouth.

Moira had sent Nell and Sienna with supper for both of them, and Duncan made sure Brigid ate every last morsel.

“
Please
, no more, Duncan.” Brigid waved off his attempt at one more spoonful of meat broth. “I feel like I’m going to burst.”

“Humph! Ye must gain back your strength,” he stated with a determined look.

She cocked her head to the side and pointed to the tray. “I
will
take another plum tart.” She giggled as one sexy eyebrow rose in question. He reached for one, placing a portion into her mouth.

When he concluded she had enough, Duncan stretched out next to her. He played with a curl that had escaped from her braid, placing it against his lips. The lust for her blazed hot in his eyes, “I cannot wait until ye are healed,
leannan
. I want your silken tresses draped over my body.”

Giving him a slow sexy smile, Brigid crooked her finger to come closer. When he bent his head close to hers, she placed her hands on his face and whispered into his ear, “I can hardly wait for that day, too.” Then taking her teeth, she nipped at his ear sending shards of pleasure pulsating down his body.

Duncan sucked in a sharp breath, “Och, my lusty
leannan,
do not start something ye cannot finish.”

She chuckled low. “Who says I can’t finish?”

Uttering a growl, he took possession of her mouth, and sent their world colliding with the newly shone stars.

****

When Duncan felt the stirring of dawn’s first light, he woke to find his love cradled asleep next to his chest, softly snoring. Smiling, he sent a silent prayer of thanks to the Guardian for all she had given him. There was still much to do, and once again, he made a vow to bring together his brothers and restore life back into Urquhart Castle.

He mulled over the knowledge where to search for one of his brothers. Cathal had shared some news with him recently, explaining his brother Stephen was at Arbroath Abbey. He could not fathom why he was at the Abbey. Cathal had mentioned that perhaps it was possible Stephen was considering joining their order and becoming a monk.

“I will not let ye, brother,” he said quietly.

Then there was the matter with the children.

Brigid stirred in his arms. Her hand was on his chest playing with the dark curling hairs. “Good morning, my love,” she whispered.

Grasping her hand, he placed a warm kiss in her palm. “Aye, it is.”

She observed his slight frown and asked, “What is it?”

Duncan held her hand in his, fearing her reaction to his words. “I need to discuss the children with ye.”

Brigid’s heart slammed into her chest.
Oh God, he does want children
. She tried pushing away from him, but it was useless against his vast strength.

“Let. Me. Go,” Brigid said through gritted teeth.

“Brigid?” Duncan’s tone was wary.

“Children?” she hissed. Tears stung at her eyes. This could not be happening. Perhaps she had misunderstood, or did he?

She felt his hold loosen. Taking the opportunity to free herself, she pushed upright. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she kept her back to him. She couldn’t look at him.