Leaning forward, Latharn planted a kiss on her forehead and placed a loving hand across her womb. “Ye won’t need my help when it comes to kindness. Ye’ve not got a cruel shadow in your soul.”
Nessa hugged his arm close and ducked her head with an embarrassed glance around the table. Her cheeks warmed when she realized she’d dampened the mood by bringing up her troubled past. “Please forgive me, Brodie and Fiona. I didn’t mean to spoil your news.”
Fiona waved her words away and reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “There’s nothing to forgive. But there’s a great deal to be done if we’re to have a handfasting upon the next full moon. Since Latharn appears to be all-knowing, exactly how much time do we have to prepare?”
A rich chuckle rumbled from deep within his chest as Latharn hugged Nessa close to his side. “We’ve got but two weeks before the moon is fully waxed. Our ritual shall be at midnight on that night.”
Fiona propped her arms on the edge of the cluttered table, tracing a finger across the top of an empty glass. “Midnight? Are ye sure Latharn? This time of year ’twill be quite cold standing beneath the stars.”
With a mysterious smile, Latharn raised his glass to his lips. “Midnight upon the night of the autumnal equinox, the full moon shining in the sky. ’Twill allow all of our guests as well as the Auld One to gather with us to witness the joining of our souls.”
“Wouldn’t ye have more guests during the early evening, before the midnight hour?” Brodie motioned for the waitress to return to the table and refill their empty glasses.
Latharn drained his glass and settled it in the midst of the rest of the empties before fixing Brodie with a reproving look. “Before that night, we must start your training, Brodie. Ye must stop thinking as though nothing else exists other than the physical aspect of this world.”
Remaining silent, Nessa eased back in her chair, too much wine and too much news taking its toll on her mind and body. Her head pounded and her stomach rolled. She thought she understood what Latharn meant but decided to wait until another time to find out for sure. She’d had enough surprises sprung on her during dinner. Swallowing uneasily, she still grappled with the news of her possible future as the matriarch of the next MacKay herd.
Gnawing nervously on her lower lip, Nessa groaned as another problem sprouted to mind. “Who are we going to ask to perform the ceremony? Illegal handfasting isn’t exactly a job for the local priest.” With a worried look into Latharn’s green-eyed gaze, Nessa fidgeted in her seat. She didn’t feel well at all.
Raising her hand to his lips, Latharn winked as he kissed her palm. “Brodie and I have found a practicing druid who also happens to be a MacKay. In fact, he is a very special MacKay.”
Brodie piped up in agreement. “And one of our more, shall we say, infamous relatives is providing identification documents to ensure that once the year and a day have passed everything can be legally registered and filed for the official ceremony.” Leaning back in his chair, Brodie waggled a mischievous brow. “Lucky for us, he was paroled just last week and will be in town tomorrow.”
“Excuse me.” Standing, Trish rummaged through the silverware scattered on the table, found a spoon, and ting-tinged the edge of several glasses. “Since apparently you can’t swing a cat around here without hitting a member of the MacKay clan. I think it’s high time somebody introduced me to the one who finds redheads irresistible.”
Amidst the erupting laughter from everyone at the table, Latharn raised his glass high in the air. His rumbling chuckles drowned out them all as he toasted Trish’s health. “To irresistible redheads and their loyalty to their friends! If not for Trish’s persistence, I might still be trapped in that crystal hell.”
“Sláinte!”
Laughing as she raised her glass, Nessa happened to glance toward the window across the room. There was a face reflected through the dimpled panes.
Was that Gabriel standing outside the restaurant? Downing her drink, Nessa looked again once she’d lowered her glass but the scowling face was gone.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Nessa gnawed at her lower lip as she gripped the edges of the seat. She had her fingers clenched so deep in the cushions she knew her nails were going to shred the upholstery.
“Latharn, don’t you think it would be better if Brodie taught you how to drive?”
“’Tis no’ a matter of being taught, Nessa. I but need ye to tell me the basic functions of the gadgets and knobs. I assure ye, I am not some foolish young pup who has to practice until he gets it right.” Latharn sat in the driver’s seat of the car, his brow creased with a frown as he examined the gauges and knobs. He twisted to peer down around the wheel, studying the pedals she’d pointed out at his feet.
Nessa inhaled a deep, nerve calming breath, attempting to swallow her rising anxiety. She closed her eyes and searched for something positive about Latharn trying to learn to drive. At least this thing was an automatic. She would end up with whiplash trying to teach him to use a clutch.
Latharn sat bolt upright in the seat and swiveled to fix her with an icy glare. “My love, I would like to remind ye I have been reading your mind since ye were but a lass of eighteen years of age. I am now trying to withdraw and give ye your privacy. But when ye find yourself feeling particularly sarcastic, your thoughts are much louder than your words.”
Nessa’s cheeks heated up with this latest revelation. She narrowed her eyes and returned his glare. Her temper flared as she arched one brow and boldly spoke her mind. “Can you hear what I am thinking now, my love?”
His eyes widened. Latharn cocked his head and smirked. “Now why would I want to do that to myself when it’s much more satisfying to do it with you?”
Her teeth clenched; Nessa pointed to the keys. “Just start the car.”
Latharn stomped the gas pedal to the floor, turned the keys as far as the ignition would allow— and held them there. His face locked into a mask of concentration, he stared at the road ahead. The starter whined in painful protest as the engine roared with the fury of the wide-open gas.
“Now let them go! As soon as you hear the engine start, you’re supposed to let go of the keys.” Nessa slapped at his hand and tapped at his right knee currently locked in the straight position, the gas pedal pushed to the floorboard. “Let up on the pedal! You’re giving it too much gas. You’re going to burn up all the fuel before you even put it into gear.”
“Stop scolding me as though I’m an empty-headed bairn! Ye didna tell me that part when ye went through what each of these damn things do.” Latharn white-knuckled the steering wheel until it almost bent between his hands as he shifted in the seat.
Flattening her hands on the dashboard, Nessa tried to swallow her frustration. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to yell. I told you it would be better if Brodie did this. Now put your foot on the brake and ease the gearshift into drive. Right, the one with the D.” Scrubbing her face with her hands, Nessa glanced at the street, thankful that it appeared to be deserted. “Now before you pull out…”
