Page 14 of Connal

“My brother prefers dine alone in his chamber,” Shaw said, turning the full wattage of his gorgeous face toward her. “How fare you, Mistress?”

Oh, my. Handle with care, Valerie.

“I’m a bit confused about how I got here, but I’ve been sleeping better than I have in months. I think it’s the food.” She studied the enormous meal Duncan had assembled for her. “Dr. MacMar, do I look like an elephant to you?”

“I dinnae ken what ’tis elephant,” the healer admitted.

“You’re eligible for membership in my What the Heck club, then.” Valerie began transferring the excess back to the platters. “Anyway, I believe I caused a problem for your laird by landing here, so I would like to do whatever I can to settle that. Should I apologize to that, ah, being who tried to grab me in the water when I arrived?” When all three gave her blank looks, she added, “You know, the tall blonde man-shaped thing with the scales and the attitude problem?”

Nyall choked on tea he was sipping. Shaw laughed heartily. Duncan sighed.

“I didn’t intend to start a diplomatic incident between immortal whatever-you-ares.” She tested an unfamiliar round, flat cake that she’d never before seen, which tasted just like an apple oatmeal cookie. “My goodness. These are wonderful. I should mention that I also hate to apologize for things that aren’t my fault.”

“You neednae ask Merrick’s forgiveness, Mistress,” Shaw finally said. “We’ve a truce with the Finfolk. The laird shall sort out the disagreement with their king.”

Meg thumped a bowl of fruit on the table, looked at all the men, made a contemptuous sound, and stalked off.

“Looks like I’m not the only one she hates,” Valerie said to no one in particular.

“She’s Érieann, Mistress Baker,” the captain said, as if that explained everything. His gaze shifted to her hand. “Until ’tis settled, I’d ask you avoid the bay, the shores, and any of the sea lochs near the stronghold.”

Valerie glanced down at Joana’s ring. “I’ve tried using just about everything to remove it, including that slimy brown stuff you call soap, but it’s stuck. As soon as I can pry it off I’ll return it to the laird.”

“No,” Shaw said instantly, his smile vanishing. “Give the ring to me, lass.”

“Okay.” She wanted to ask about the original owner, but decided to wait until she could speak with Connal again. As she reached for the cup of brew Duncan had poured for her, her arm brushed Shaw’s.

She’s a pretty, kind lady. Mayhap she may bring my brother some pleasure if no’ peace.

Valerie regarded him. “I appreciate the compliments, but I don’t think I can entertain your laird the way you want me to.”

The chieftain’s gray eyes narrowed. “How can you ken such?”

“I can’t explain it, but since I got here I know what people are thinking when I touch them.” She grew amused when Duncan drew away from her side, and across the table Nyall visibly recoiled. “That’s how I learned about your father, the Fae Prince, and that you’re all half-human immortals, and Caladh is an enchanted island that he created to protect your clan from some terrible enemy. What was the name of that being… Demented? Dunderhead?”

“Derdrui,” the three of them said at the same time.

“That’s the one.” Valerie sniffed the brew before she sampled it. “Hmmm. Lavender, apple, honey, and something like allspice. I like this better than that licorice-tasting stuff we had yesterday. Is Derdrui like King Merrick, or worse?”

Nyall looked away, Duncan propped his head on his hand, and Shaw muttered, “Worse.”

The chieftain held out his hand to her, making Valerie smile before she took hold of it. For a moment an image of a much younger Shaw wailing alone at the top of a cliff flashed through her mind, and then his thoughts flooded into hers.

In ancient times a dark princess became obsessed with Prince Mar, a Fae water elemental. She was a powerful enchantress, and used her magic to murder his beloved wife, which forced the prince to flee from Elphyne and hide himself. Over the centuries here he married mortal wives, who bore his halfling sons. Those immortal lads became the Clan MacMar.

Derdrui didnae end her pursuit of the prince. No matter where he went, she chased after him, and threatened kill everyone he loved. He protected us by creating Caladh, which he enchanted to hide the clan and our vassals from the enchantress. He also made a truce with the Finfolk so he could conceal the island in their waters. Finally he returned to his beloved sea, and there died after casting his final enchantment, to ever protect the island and us.

The emotion that accompanied Shaw’s final thought made Valerie experience a few moments of unsteadiness. She ignored her own reaction to clasp his hand between both of hers, because now she knew why she had seen him crying as a boy. He’d watched his father die.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Chieftain,” she said. “I shouldn’t have spoken so lightly about the prince.”

Shaw’s easy smile didn’t chase the sadness from his eyes. “’Twas a long time ago, Mistress. We’ve safely dwelled a thousand years here on Caladh.” He took the cloak from the back of his chair and draped it over her lap. “Wear this when you walk outside. ’Tis growing cold.” He rose and walked quickly out of the hall.

Valerie noticed Nyall was watching her as if he were a cop and she’d just shoplifted something. “I didn’t force him to do that. You saw. He volunteered the hand.”

The captain muttered something under his breath, got up and left.

“Pay them no heed, Mistress Baker,” Duncan said. “We never easily entrust mortals with our secrets, and, truly, we’re but worried about the laird. Over the last season his melancholy, ’tis only grown darker and deeper. Shaw would never truly expect you to, ah, entertain our lord. ”