Dragon Knight's Ring (Order of the Dragon Knights Book 5) (7 page)

Ciar nudged him from behind, and Adam let out a long sigh. “Aye, I should not be so angry. She lives. But she kens naught of us, my friend.” He placed a hand on the animal’s head and peered back up into the sky, trying to catch a glimpse of the silver beastie Meggie called an airplane. “Did ye ever fathom we would travel this far—into another realm of time? And now I shall be working for
her
.”

Adam moved away from Ciar and picked up some more rocks. “I must thank ye for keeping silent, too. We must be gentle in guiding her back to us, Ciar.” He tossed the rock and watched it ripple across the water. “By all that’s holy, I will do all to make her mine again. The love is there, only hidden.” He stood back and smiled. “I will have faith. God and the saints are on my side. If the Fae interfere this time, I vow to destroy them.”

Slowly making his way back through the trees with Ciar following, Adam glanced once more at the peaceful place. The light shimmered across the water and for a brief moment, memories of the past came unbidden to him.

“Kiss me here, Adam. Where the faeries dance and whisper of love.”

Adam traced a path across Meggie’s lower lip with his thumb. “If I kiss ye, I will want more.”

“Did ye think I would want only one?” She gasped as he cupped her breast with his other hand.

“Nae, my bonny leannan. Your passion—your fire shows in your eyes. Deep, dark, rich in the color of the lavender wands I pluck daily for ye.”

She swallowed. “How many kisses will ye grant me?”

“Until I strip the gown from your body,” he countered. Not giving her time to reply, Adam took her mouth in savage intensity, drawing the breath from her body and into his.

Slowly making his way on foot back to the castle, Adam shook off the shadows of the past. “I will make ye remember, Meggie. This is my pledge to ye—for us.”

When he approached the castle, he shook his head in dismay. A castle should always have a guard posted. Walking through the gate, he could see a man staring at him from the north tower. Could this be Meggie’s kin? The man nodded in greeting, and Adam gave him a curt nod before departing to the stables. Another person in Meggie’s life he must deal with and this bothered him immensely.
How many more must I encounter?
Her own brothers were infuriating enough.

“Aye, the MacKay brothers were as irritating as a hoard of wasps,” he uttered half out loud, as he entered the stables. Leading Ciar to his stall, he was surprised to find fresh food and water for the horse. Stripping the saddle and blanket from Ciar, Adam then gathered some clean straw and brushed down the animal.

“I see you have returned. What brings you back? Was there no tavern nearby? Could you not find a tree to sleep under?”

Adam peered over his shoulder to see Lucas leaning against the stall, arms crossed over his chest, and giving him a look his MacKay ancestors would be proud of—fierce. “I have returned at the request of Meggie.”

Lucas’s eyes darkened like angry thunderclouds. “What did you do to her?”

Tossing down the straw, Adam led Ciar over to the water trough. “Naught. It would seem you have been…hmm…what was the word she used?” He paused and then continued, “Harping to bring in help. I am here to assist with the horses.” Patting Ciar, Adam turned and brushed past Lucas, but the man reached out and grabbed his arm.

“Any harm comes to
Margaret
, and you’ll have more than just me to deal with. Do you understand my words?”

Adam glanced down at the man’s hand. “Unless ye want me to break all the bones in your hand, ye best release me.”

“Well, well, look at the lads battling for power.” A beautiful red-haired woman strolled up and smacked Lucas on the arm. “Go pick a fight with someone else.”

She turned fully toward Adam, and he saw the resemblance between her and the MacKay. Eyes the color of the ocean on a clear sunny day surveyed him kindly. She thrust out her hand. “Hello, I’m Lena, another cousin, if you haven’t guessed already.”

Taking her hand, he placed a feather light kiss across the knuckles. “’Tis an honor, Lena. I am Adam MacFhearguis.”

The blush started at her neck and flared to her cheeks. She turned to Lucas. “A true knight
and
gentleman. You could learn some manners from…” Lena turned back to Adam. “I’m sorry, did you say Adam MacFhearguis?”

“Aye.” Giving her a warm smile, he released her hand.

“Ahh…your Meggie’s new man. She mentioned something about a stranger needing a place to stay, but I found it difficult to follow what she was saying.”

“Why is that a problem?” demanded Lucas.

She flashed him a withering look. “Because she was babbling and we’ve never known our Meggie to babble.” Turning her attention back to Adam, she said, “Obviously, you have made an impression on her.”

“’Tis good?” asked Adam.

Lena grabbed his arm. “The best! Now, let me show you where you’ll be staying. Lucas can take care of the rest of the duties here today. You look like you could use a bath and clean clothes.”

Adam heard Lucas’ low growl, followed by a curse as they left the stables, and he smiled inwardly.
I deem I have found an ally among the MacKays.

And his heart soared with hope.

Chapter Six

“When the door of illumination opens, be wary of the path and choose only the brightest road.”

“Oh my stars,” whispered Lena, grabbing Meggie’s arm and leading her to the back of the kitchen. “You said nothing about how gorgeous Adam MacFhearguis is—he’s mega hot!”

Meggie rolled her eyes and eased out of Lena’s grasp. “I forgot,” she lied.

Lena blinked. “Are you blind?” She placed a hand on Meggie’s forehead. “Or do you have a fever? He’s the most gorgeous man to ever set foot inside Castle Aonach.”

“Is he? I hadn’t noticed,” she lied once again, flicking dog hair off her sweater.

“That’s the biggest crock of—”

Meggie clamped a hand over her cousin’s mouth. “Stop! He could walk in here and hear us.”

Lena shoved her hand aside. “Honestly? He doesn’t even know where the kitchen is, Meggie.”

She waved her cousin off and went to stand by the window. The leaves on the oak trees were turning, their autumn colors brilliant against the blue sky. What she needed was a long ride through the hills on her horse—to clear the fog in her mind and cool the heat in her body. All of which started the moment Adam MacFhearguis came to her door. Meggie kept her focus on the trees when she spoke. “Did ye know that he claims to have met me?”

“What?” Lena walked over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “When? Did it help to recall any of your memories?”

Meggie rubbed a hand over her forehead trying hard to bring back any forgotten thoughts. “He told me I was only fifteen the first and
only
time we met. Although, I find it hard to believe it was only once. I think he’s hiding more.”

“Why?” asked Lena, pulling a chair out to sit down.

She glanced sideways at her cousin. “Because he knew about my gifts.”

“Which ones?”

“Speaking with the animals and singing to soothe them. And he calls me Meggie,
not
Margaret.”

“This is great news, Meggie. If he knows a part of your past, then he could help you regain some or all of your memories. Furthermore, we call you Meggie, so why would it bother you if someone else does?”

She gave Lena an annoyed look. “You’re family. He’s a
stranger
. We’ve spoken and he’s shared information, but nothing inside here.” She tapped her finger to the side of her head. Irritated, Meggie moved to the pantry and grabbed a couple of biscuits for Skye. Stuffing them in her back pocket, she turned and faced her cousin. “Did it ever occur to any of ye that I may never remember my past?”

Lena stood and reached for her hands. “As frustrating as it sounds, it seems the Fates have brought this Adam MacFhearguis to your doorstep to help you. Also, the Fae might have a hand in this, too. Have you been to the stone circle?”

Meggie shook her head, the question causing her stomach to clench. “Ye know I don’t like that place.”

Releasing her hands, Lena smiled. “It’s a serene place, filled with the power of the Fae. With the special powers you have, you of all people should sense this.”

“But I don’t!” snapped Meggie. “Each time I come near the place, I tense, waiting for something to happen. I leave feeling suffocated.”

“You’ve never stepped inside the circle. One of these days, you’ll have to take a leap of faith. Maybe you should with this sexy new man you just hired.” She wagged her eyebrows in mischief. “Your brawn Highlander,” she teased. “By the way, I loved the leather pants on him, though they look old.”

“Enough! He’s not my
Highlander
, and he looks medieval. His hair is far too long. It hangs down his back. And ye should hear the way he speaks,” Meggie protested.

“Have you listened to yourself recently? When you’re angry or frustrated, you start spouting words that are positively ancient.”

“Humph! Maybe, but I want naught to do with him.”

Lena snorted and moved to the fridge, pulling out two beers. “Well, if that’s how you really feel, there’ll be more for me. I call dibs on the Highlander. Furthermore, you know I love a man with long, thick hair.”

Heat prickled inside of Meggie. She knew her cousin was teasing, but she didn’t like her words. Images of Lena with Adam made her green with envy. Her mind screamed to leave the castle and ride through the hills, but for reasons she couldn’t fathom, Meggie didn’t want to leave Lena alone with Adam. She may have argued that he wasn’t her man, but she didn’t want her cousin laying claim to MacFhearguis either.

Moving to block Lena’s path, she grabbed the two beers from her hands. “Yes, I have to admit he’s the most sexy, drop-dead gorgeous man to walk through these doors. But I don’t have time for a man in my life—any men.” Meggie turned and walked out of the kitchen.

“Hey, where are you taking my beers?” demanded Lena.

Meggie glanced over her shoulder and winked at her cousin. “Oh, I thought one was for me. I’ll make sure Adam gets his. Ye have a dinner to finish. At least Ann prepared most of the meal.”

Hearing Lena’s curse, she laughed and walked smack into the subject of her recent conversation.

Grasping her arms, Adam steadied her. Beer sloshed out of one of the bottles, and she absently lapped up the liquid on her hand. Seeing his shocked look, she shoved one of the bottles against his chest. “Here, I was bringing this to you. I hope your room is to your liking. It overlooks the stables.”

“Aye.”

He continued to stare at her, as if he knew all of her secrets. “What? Do I have something on my face?”

The man smiled slowly revealing those tempting dimples on his cheeks, and she swallowed—a couple of times. He radiated pure male. His massive bulk engulfed her, and the corridor was far too small for them both. “It’s warm in here. I think I’ll go for a ride.”

When he didn’t move, she arched a brow. Watching as he lifted the bottle of beer, his expression changed to one of curiosity. Slowly, he brought the bottle to his lips and took a sip. His lips pursed and then he downed the entire bottle. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he smiled fully. “By the saints, what do ye call this ale?”

Meggie almost swooned from watching him. “Iri…Irish stout, beer,” she stammered.

“’Tis the best I have tasted in some time. Do ye have more?”

Meggie blinked. “Um…yes, but don’t ye think ye should wait until ye have eaten? Lena is preparing stew and fresh-baked bread for dinner.”

“Aye, ye are correct.”

“Do ye have fresh clothes? I can show ye where to clean up before I leave.” Meggie took a sip of her beer to help steady her racing heart.

“Nae. I lost everything on my travels. I shall go down to the stream and wash there.”

Sputtering on her beer, she coughed. “Right.”
Definitely gypsy traveler.
“Let me see what I can find.”
That will fit your sinfully, muscular body.

His eyes sparked with humor as if he heard her thoughts. “I would be most grateful for a fresh tunic.”

Shaking her head, she moved past him, brushing against his arms. The mere sensation caused her to shiver. “We have no tunics like the one you’re wearing. I’ll find something else.”

As the corridor widened, Meggie breathed a sigh of relief. She opened the door to the bathroom. “Ye can wash in here. I will fetch ye some clothing.”

His presence loomed behind her. Adam lightly touched her shoulder, and Meggie almost jumped out of her skin. As he moved to enter the room, he peered around in confusion. “Where is the water?”

“Sweet Brigid,” she muttered, turning on one of the faucets. Meggie pointed to the running water.

Adam’s eyes went wide, and he took a few steps forward. “Sweet Mother Mary. How can I get my body in this?” His question filled with a wariness Meggie couldn’t fathom.

Frustration laced her words when she went over to the tub. “Ye can put your bulk in here. Though ye may find it a tight fit, seeing ye are…um…well, big.”

He looked at the tub and back to the sink. Twisting the knob on the other faucet, his face transformed to one of wonder as he continued to turn them on and off. “What a marvel!” Adam exclaimed. He looked at her, his face alight. “How much water can they bring forth?”

Meggie held her hand up. “Stop! Please dinnae tell me ye have never bathed with running water. In a tub? Sink?”
The man must have been raised in a croft.
She leaned against one of the walls and watched him.

“Never.” He laughed as he splashed his hands in the water. “I would take my baths in the loch near my home. Although, during the winter, I would bathe in the tub near the kitchens. Ye should have seen Anice’s face when she caught me one morn, hauling water with naught but the skin I came into this world with.”

“Was Anice your mother?”

“Nae, our cook,” he uttered sadly. As he turned off the faucets, Adam gazed up into the mirror. “By the hounds,” he whispered. He touched the mirror with his finger. “’Tis a wonder ye did not toss me out the first time ye saw me with all this muck.” He turned the faucet back on and splashed some water onto his face.