Time of the Draig (36 page)

He winked at Boomer and smiled at his wife who needed peace to sleep and recover. Faolan said, “The clan needs to know the heir of the Draig clan has a fine strong baby brother.” The words felt right in his heart. His firstborn would be the heir to the Draig clan, and she had a fine strong brother to stand at her back. He looked forward to the years of watching them grow.

No victory grin crossed Samantha’s face, just a soft upturn of her lips. “Then take our son to the hall and bring him back to me.” Her eyes softened as she added, “I don’t want to fall asleep without you.”

Faolan leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to her mouth. “Never will you sleep without me by your side, my heart.” The simple truth filled their chamber. “I am yours and you are mine for all time.”

Post Epilogue

A flight over the Atlantic Ocean

March, 1981

“Laird Draig, is there anything else you require?” the stewardess asked as the captain announced the descent into Edinburgh airport.

Stuart glanced over at his wife, who shook her head, and said, “Thank you, no.”

“Did you enjoy the trip?” he asked his wife who still held sleep in her eyes from the nap during the long flight.

Her smile answered first. “The desert was beautiful. It was fine to have a holiday with only us.”

All three of their children were away at various universities, and it had been the first opportunity he’d had to steal away with his wife. After a long cold winter, the warmth of the desert felt like heaven. Even after twenty-nine years of marriage, though, the long winters were never truly cold in their home.

Her eyes twinkled, and her smile warmed his heart. He knew the question before she asked. Stuart invited her curiosity, “Are you going to ask?”

“I still don’t understand why you bought that piece of land. It’s not near anything and seems like a waste of money.” The humor left her face. “Please don’t tell me you want to build a home there.”

Stuart laughed at the idea. The thought of leaving his ancestral home had never and would never cross his mind. After three weeks of glorious desert air, he missed the smell of the sea. Their manor home, while several hundred years old, held every comfort a man could wish. The ancient keep still guarded the hilltop though none had occupied its walls after the manor had been completed in 1743, that was the date carved on the stone next to the front entryway.

“Nay, my love. I would never leave our home,” Stuart answered with a reassuring smile.

“Then, why?” she asked.

His wife knew the lore of his clan. She had devoured the written journals kept by his ancestors, some dating back to the 1500s. Most told of the clan legends passed down through the generations. In the early days of their marriage, she had suggested the older diaries be bequeathed to a museum. After reading them all, she had changed her mind. Some secrets were not for public or a historian’s consumption.

Stuart had long wondered if the tales were true. Fantastical and impossible to believe, the notion that his ancestors had written a continuing fiction seemed more likely. Most ancient clans were filled with nonsensical tales that spoke of mythical beasts, magic, and warriors whose strength and bravery could only be fantasy.

His eyes gazed down at the signet ring on his right hand. The two-headed dragon etched in the old item seemed to mock his disbelief. The symbol of his clan never left his skin, as was the way of his people.

Shaking out of the quiet thought, he answered, “I think it needed to be purchased.”

She sat back in her seat. “Well, purchased is one thing. A bidding war is another.”

Stuart laughed. “Can you believe I snatched that land right out of the United States government’s hand?”

“Snatched or overpaid?” The question held no cynicism.

He knew he had overpaid and thought little of the money spent. His investments were doing quite well, and wealth had seemingly never been an issue for his family.

How can I ever explain the true reasons behind the purchase?
His solitary walk over miles of barren land had been a whim while his wife enjoyed the pampering at the resort’s spa. She did love a fine pampering, and in his mind, she deserved every luxurious minute.

Something deep inside of him wanted to walk that area outside of Phoenix, to feel the ground beneath his feet that had been written of in journals across the sea, written before Europe had ever colonized the east coast of the New World. His body had felt the connection when stopping to admire the solitary setting. A vibration had coursed gently through his body and sparked the desire to own the land. The for-sale sign 100 meters to his left had been confirmation he was correct.

The US government also wanted the land. Too bad for them, he wanted it more. The bidding had been a rush of adrenaline, and he felt as if he had defeated an entire army upon hearing his final bid was accepted by the landowner.

They both jolted lightly as the plane landed on the tarmac. Stuart smiled at his wife and offered his hand to help her rise from the seat. He said, “The deal is done, and I am pleased to have done my duty.” The word
duty
seemed odd as it left his lips, yet felt strangely appropriate.

Stuart shook the thought away, which made room for another. “I think in the future I will inquire about donating the land to be used as a nature preserve, provided no building is ever done.”

His random thought earned him a kiss from the woman who stood always by his side. “I like the idea. I’ll contact our solicitor to see how we would go about arranging such a thing.”

“Thank you, love,” Stuart said as he pulled the carry-on bags from the overhead compartment.

Disembarking from the plane, peace filled him at the certainty he would sleep in his own bed that night. A sly smile crossed his lips as he thought of how he would make love with his wife before sleep. He would lie in his bed, his wife wrapped in his arms, and stare at the vision out the window before his eyes closed. The old keep was a beautiful sight in the moonlight, and he loved that he could watch it from the comfort of his bed.

Maybe tomorrow I will add a page to family lore and speak of how the clan now owns the land of legend.

If you like
TIME OF THE DRAIG
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THE DRAIG’S WOMAN

Rescuing the man tied to a tree seemed like a rational decision. Claire is a smart, capable bookkeeper who happens to work at a martial arts academy. She has no idea the door she walked through to save the bound man would leave her trapped in 13th century Scotland. She is unable to regret the night of passion shared with Ian, even though it happened with the threat of death just outside the door. She pretends to be content with Ian’s friendship, knowing his people must come first. Compelled by honor and tormented by desire, is being his woman, while he marries another, enough?

Ian, Laird of the Draig Clan, is a man trapped by fate. Forced by necessity to marry a woman he has never met, her dowry is essential to save his clan. However, he is in love with the woman who saved his life and then spent one night in his arms. Duty prevents Ian from being able to marry Claire as custom, honor, and his heart demand. Drawn to her, believing they share the same desires and dreams in life, he finally offers her the only option available, a place by his side and in his bed.

Claire and Ian are bound together in love and then ripped apart by deception and a plot to destroy the Draig clan. Facing the final battle alone and unarmed, Claire saves them all. The ultimate challenge is forgiving Ian for sending her away.

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