Page 103 of Dark Embrace

He wasn’t going to change his mind. “What about Ian? What about me?”

His face hardened. “This is fer Ian! Did ye think yer love would make me forget my vengeance? I have spent decades waitin’ to kill Moray. I’ll do so now—today.”

“I can see you will go to Urquhart no matter what I say. Please don’t go alone.” Brie began to tremble uncontrollably. “Please take Malcolm, Royce and Guy with you. Let me come with you. And Allie—she can heal you—and Tabby, so she can throw her spells at Moray until something works. Please. They love you! I love you.”

He reached for her. “Dinna cry fer me. Ye should be pleased. Yer love has healin’ power, because I have a care for all ye’ve mentioned. Malcolm has a son, an’ recently a daughter. Royce will wish fer children soon. The Macleod has many children. There’s nay need to bring them into this.”

“There’s every need,” she insisted, throwing her arms around him and burrowing against him. She held him hard, her face to his chest, and he wrapped his powerful arms around her and held her back as tightly. It crossed her treacherous mind that this could be the last moment she ever saw or held him.

“Please, dinna cry,” he said quietly, his mouth against her hair. “Yer tears willna change what I must do today.”

Fear stabbed through her. Grandma Sarah’s image flashed, and she twisted off her grandmother’s ring. “Take this.”

His eyes widened. “Ye give me a betrothal ring?”

She almost laughed. “No. My grandmother gave me this, and she was the wisest person I have ever known. She fought evil her entire life with spells and magic, like Tabby. I have always believed this ring has kept me safe. Maybe it will keep you safe.” She choked. “And it’s a token of my feelings for you.”

He unclasped his necklace and slipped her ring onto the chain, so it hanged beside the wolf’s fang. She decided then that the moment he left, she would follow. He would not face Moray alone.

“Brianna, in truth, I wish to wear yer ring near my heart,” he said softly, replacing the necklace around his neck. “Ye have warmed my lost soul.”

Brie felt the tears stream. “This is the beginning—our beginning. It is not the end. Remember that.”

His blue gaze kept searching hers, and she sensed he was memorizing every detail of her face. “Yer a fine, brave woman, Brianna Rose.” He tipped up her face and smiled. Then, although tears covered her face, he kissed her.

When he pulled away, Brie was sobbing.

Finally, she’d read his mind. He believed it was their last kiss.

He gave her a look, then vanished.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Urquhart Castle, 1502

HE LANDED IN THE MIDST of Urquhart’s inner ward. He leapt forward in time by mere moments. He wished to carry those new, passionate memories of Brianna with him, as he did her ring. He would take them to his grave if she was right about his hanging. He was becoming convinced that her predictions were correct. He knew with his sixth and seventh senses that this was, finally, his last confrontation with Moray, and he intended to be the victor. If he was accused of treason afterward, perhaps he wouldn’t dispute the charges. He was so tired of the hopelessness and grief.

He slowly sat up. The bailey was filled with royal troops, their women and servants—the former bloody and muddy, clearly having returned from a battle. It was chaotic within, and he had arrived mostly unnoticed. But two women must have seen him appear like an apparition out of the gray chill, for they stared at him, then rushed away across patches of melting ice, frantically crossing themselves.

He stood and marched to the front doors of the great hall, where the king’s favorite lieutenant would be. I am here. Show yourself.

Soft, cruel laughter sounded behind him—no, above him. I am waiting, my son.

The guards at the great doors stepped aside. Clearly, he was expected. Aidan stepped into a huge, raftered room, filled with English and Lowland noblemen, Highlanders and their servants as well as several beautiful, well-dressed courtesans. Lord Frasier stood before one of the three great hearths, hands clasped behind his back. He slowly turned as Aidan approached.

His dark eyes flamed blue and turned red. “Welcome to Urquhart.”

At the sound of that familiar, mocking tone, Aidan fought the profound rage he’d lived with for most of his life. This deamhan had forced him to destroy Innocence. He knew now that he’d live with the regret, the horror, for so long.

Too late, he blocked his thoughts.

“Blood tells,” Frasier snarled. “You dare to stand before me, filled with guilt? Then you are more like your mother, the saintly Lady Margaret!”

And now, by God, he hoped so. “Is my son dead or alive?” Aidan demanded. The words had formed themselves without premeditation.

Instantly he knew he had revealed his greatest weakness.

A cruel smile played over Frasier’s dark face. “You have defied me since you were a small boy. You defy me still. You defy me when you let Innocence live, you defy me by standing before me, in guilt, in shame. You defy me when you desire the fair Brianna and you defy me when you take her to bed. You belong to me. You are mine.”