Dragon Knight's Ring (Order of the Dragon Knights Book 5) (19 page)

Why is Adam MacFhearguis here, Fae?

Meggie continued to watch Jamie sleep. His soft snores the only noise in the room. As the stars faded from the night sky, Meggie rose and placed a kiss along her son’s brow. Silently leaving the chamber, she made her way back to her own room, only to find Adam gone. Her heart heavy, she wandered over and clutched his pillow, inhaling his scent.

“What am I going to do with ye, Adam?” Tired and frustrated, she rubbed her temples. Where only hours before she had come to know such joy, she was now confused and wary. The revelation of Adam being Jamie’s father left her drained.

Heaving a sigh, she pushed aside her questions and made ready for the new dawn.

****

When Meggie stepped into the stables, she saw Adam brushing down one of the new horses. He spoke softly, his words in Gaelic. He wore no shirt and his muscles rippled with each stroke he gave the animal. The memory of their lovemaking flashed before her eyes. Shaking her head to rid the image, she walked forward and placed a mug of coffee on the bench beside him.

“I thought ye could use some caffeine.”

Adam glanced over his shoulder. He hadn’t bothered to shave, reminding her of one of those rakish novels her cousin read.
Sinfully delicious
, Lena had said one day.
Filled with Highlanders, pirates, and rakes.

“Good morn, Meggie,” he greeted her with a husky burr.

She turned so he couldn’t see the blush staining her cheeks.
Quit acting like a young lass.
Ye have already bedded the man
. Seeing the bottle of beer propped on top of the gate, she burst out laughing. “Ye can’t be serious? Some will believe ye have a drinking problem if ye continue to drink this stuff morn, noon, and night.”

Adam picked up the bottle and guzzled the rest. Giving her an odd look, he asked, “I have nae problem with drinking. I favor this ale.” He tipped the bottle at her. “And I do drink water. Furthermore, that slop ye call coffee is bitter tasting muck, and I dinnae ken the word,
caff…eene
”

Meggie rolled her eyes. “I happen to like the
muck
. And I’ll need plenty today.”

He wandered over to her and removed the cup from her hand. Placing it down on the bench, he cupped her face and covered her mouth with his. She opened fully, letting his tongue sweep inside. The kiss sent the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl. Slowly breaking free, she could see humor in his eyes.

“Aye. Now the muck tastes sweeter,” teased Adam.

Meggie shoved him away. “Get back to work.”

His laughter filled the stables, warm and rich, and she couldn’t help but smile as she went over to her horse. Greeting Fion, she filled her water trough. “If ye behave, I’ll take ye out to the meadow beyond the hills. Quit flirting with the great war beast.”

As they both continued to work, Meggie tried to push aside her questions, but one kept returning. “If ye don’t mind my asking, where do ye go in the early morn before dawn?”

“To train,” he replied casually.

“Ye are never seen in the lists,” she countered.

“I prefer the solitude.”

Of the trees? Ye are a complex man.
Meggie moved past him to tend to the sheep outside, but got no further as he reached for her hand and drew her to him.

“Do ye wonder because I left your bed?”

She shook her head, seeing the worry crease his features. “I was only curious.”

He rubbed his hands down her arms. “I am curious, as well. Where did ye flee? Are ye unsure of what we have done? I ken I pleased ye last night.”

Meggie swallowed. “I went to check on Jamie.”

“Yet, ye never returned.”

“I have a lot on my mind.” She gazed into his eyes, seeking, searching for something she couldn’t put her finger on. A fragment of familiarity weaved its way through her, but Meggie was not ready to share this with Adam.

“Do ye have regrets?” He leaned against the gate.

“Nae,” she answered quickly.

He reached for her, successfully disarming her with his smile. “Nor do I.” As he leaned forward, his lips no sooner touched hers than someone coughed behind them.

Scott stood at the entrance, his face a mask of stone, and Meggie was keenly aware of his scrutiny. She immediately stepped away from Adam.

“Is there something ye wanted?” she asked.

He gave a disgusted look to Adam. “Archie has found some scrolls in Latin. He thought Adam might want to take a look at them.”

“I shall seek Archie out after my work is finished.”

“What I’ve witnessed is certainly
not
work,” protested Scott.

When Adam made a motion to move toward her cousin, Meggie placed her hand on his chest. “We can finish this afternoon. I was planning on taking some of the horses to the meadow. Ye can help me later. Go see the scrolls.”

“I believe Fion and Ciar would enjoy the ride.” Giving her a wink, he strode out of the stables.

Refusing to discuss her relationship with her cousin, she gathered her gloves to tend to the sheep.

However, Scott blocked her exit by placing a hand across the doorway. “What the bloody hell is going on between you both?”

Insulted by his question, she glared at him. “’Tis none of your concern or business.”

“You barely know the man,” he snapped.

“I am not a young, foolish lass, and what gives ye the right to question me?” Her temper seething, she fought to control the anger.

“I am your kin.” He pounded his chest for emphasis.

“And it gives ye nae right to tell me who I can see.”

“Or take to your bed? What about Jamie? Did you not consider the lad? What if this man leaves you? He claims to know you. But he could have been a passing fancy. Now he returns to renew his sexual appetites.”

Her fury erupted. “How dare ye! Ye MacKay men are interfering imbeciles! Always hovering like medieval barbarians. I, alone, will take care of my son. Not ye! His concern always comes first and ye ken this. And if I want to take Adam to my bed, ’tis none of
your
concern.” Meggie gave him no time to utter a retort. Pushing with all her might, she shoved him out of the way and stormed away from the stables.

As Meggie hurriedly made her way away from the castle, she ignored the shouts from Lucas. She wanted naught to do with
any
MacKay men. They were dominating, insufferable men. The lot of them!

Tramping through the trees, she wanted to scream. Scott had always been overprotective, especially since he was the oldest. However, this was beyond him. Treating her like some young lass. “Ye have always acted like ye had a stick up your ass.” She picked up a branch and tossed it far.

Without realizing her direction, she came to the clearing of the standing stones. A tremor of unease coursed through her, and she halted. She took a hesitant step forward. The stones loomed large in the daylight. Silent guardians over the land. Yet, why did she dread being near them? Did not the Fae tell her that they had made them?

Meggie took another cautious step. Rubbing her arms to ward off the chill, she felt foolish for leaving the castle without a jacket. Taking in a deep breath, she sat down on one of the smaller boulders nearby. She refused to walk any further. Plucking some heather from the ground, she twirled the tiny flowers in her fingers.

“Why do I fear this place?”

A bluebird chirped his song from the tree next to her. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she tilted her head up. The sun warmed her face and soon, Meggie’s anger subsided.

“Will ye not answer my question, Mr. Bluebird?” When the bird went silent, she laughed. “Nae, I dinnae think ye would.”

“What is your question?”

Startled, Meggie almost fell off the boulder. Righting herself quickly, she stood. “Lachlan. I dinnae hear ye approach.”

“My pardons, once again. I wish no harm.”

She shook her head. “’Tis no worry. I was deep in my own thoughts, once again.” She brushed her hair away from her face. “Have ye come to look at the stones?”

For a moment, Meggie saw a flash of anger cross the man’s face. “Nae. I was searching for some betony and other herbs.” He held out his basket. “They are in abundance near the stones.”

Concerned, she stepped forward. “Are ye in pain?”

Lachlan rubbed a hand over his forehead. “I suffer from headaches.”

She bit the inside of her mouth, unsure on how to help without the man believing her to be a lunatic. “If ye allow me, I can ease the pain.”

“Unless ye have magic in your fingers, Mistress MacKay, I fear naught can be done.”

“Nae, not magic.”
Only a gift.
“I am quite good at preparing a tonic for pain as well.”

He eyed her skeptically, and then held out his arm. “Your help will be most welcomed.”

Taking Lachlan’s arm, they wandered away from the standing stones. As they made their way deeper into the trees, the forest became eerily quiet. Meggie reached out with her senses, trying to search for any bird or animal.

“Ye have not answered me.” His question breaking the silence within the trees.

Puzzled, she looked up at him. “Question?”

“When ye were sitting on the boulder.”

“Oh, aye. ’Tis the same question I ask when I visit. Ye may think me foolish.”

His laugh was low. “Never.”

“Well, my cousins do. But that’s another story. I have a sense of dread each time I get near the place.”

“They are naught but cold, dead stones,” he responded sharply. “Ye should not fear them. Nor should ye let your kin make ye feel foolish.”

Meggie didn’t want to disagree with the man, since she believed the stones were living, breathing ancients. “Yet, I do,” she muttered.

Ducking through the pines, they emerged at the cottage. Lachlan entered first, waving her into the place. The moment she stepped inside, Meggie saw the transformation of the room. Herbs were strung along the beams away from the blazing hearth. A pungent order of peppermint was the first to greet her senses as she gazed in all directions.

“Ye have been busy, Lachlan.”

“Aye,” he replied, placing the basket on the table.

Remembering why she came to the cottage, she pointed to the kettle. “Would ye like me to fetch some water?”

“Nae. I put some in before I left.”

“Perfect. Let me gather some of the herbs ye have, and I’ll make ye a tonic.” Meggie reached for some betony from the basket. Picking up some peppermint off the table, she snipped a few of those leaves off the stem.

“Tonic?” he asked frowning.

“Aye, ’tis only a healing tea,” she answered. She ground the leaves and looked around for a mug.

“What is tea?”

Grabbing the cup by the hearth, Meggie glanced over her shoulder. “Ye have the same problem with words as another I ken.” She chuckled. Placing the crushed leaves into the mug, she poured the hot water over them. Walking over to Lachlan, she handed him the mug. “Some would call this tea a medicinal brew.”

Taking the mug, he sniffed the contents.

“Sit and drink a few sips. Then, if ye permit me, I’ll massage your temples.”

Nodding, he complied and Meggie waited.

Rubbing her hands together, she closed her eyes. The warmth of her energy tingled down her arms and into her hands. Opening her eyes, she stood behind Lachlan and placed her fingers over his temples, rubbing in gentle circles. His breathing slowed, and his shoulders slumped forward. Meggie worked in silence until she felt the first stabbing pain in her head. Blinking several times, she tried to focus, but found it difficult as the ache increased. Dropping her hands, she walked over to the table.

Her hands shook as she picked up another mug and filled it with water. Drinking deeply, she refilled the mug and held it to her head, letting the coolness soothe the throbbing in her head. Never before had she experienced pain with a healing. It was as if she absorbed Lachlan’s own pain.

“Are ye unwell, Margaret?” His question snapped her out of her thoughts.

When she opened her eyes, she found him standing before her. Meggie had not heard his steps. “Nae, only a slight ache,” she whispered. “Ye must be in horrific pain, Lachlan.”

“Ye are truly a healer, Margaret.” He reached for her hand and placed a kiss over her knuckles. “I feel like a new man. The pain is no more.”

“I’m glad to have helped ye. If I may ask, how did ye come to have such horrific headaches?”

Hatred flashed briefly in his eyes. “I was attacked many moons ago by enemies.”

Snatching her hand back from his, she took a few steps back. “Oh, goodness. I hope they have been taken care of by the authorities and pose no threat to others.”

“They shall be dead soon.”

She smiled warily. “I must be leaving. I’ll bring ye some food tomorrow.”

“Ye are most kind.” He made a slight bow and walked her to the door. “I shall look forward to your next visit.”

Meggie quickly made her way out of the clearing. Peering back over her shoulder, she gave Lachlan a final wave before she stepped through the thick pines. The look he returned sent a chill through to her bones. Quickly pushing the branches aside, she made her way out of the forest.

By the time Meggie returned to Castle Aonach, the pounding in her head had eased, but questions about Lachlan started to surface. And one particular question had her nerves in jitters.

“Have I befriended a lunatic?” Meggie glanced over her shoulder half-expecting Lachlan to be standing there.

Shaking her head over the foolish thought, she pushed opened the doors to the stables, grateful to be home.

Chapter Eighteen

“The knight’s training consisted of learning the art of patience when the maiden ran away with his heart.”

Hushed voices came from the library, sounding to Adam as if two men were having a heated argument. One man’s voice remained calm, whereas the other—clipped and demanding. It had only been a few moments since he left Archie to check on Jamie, so he wondered if it was one of the MacKay cousins. He knew he should keep walking past the partially open doors, but when he heard his name mentioned, his steps halted. Why were they discussing him? As the argument continued, Adam recognized Archie’s voice.