He lifted his head and eyed her as if trying to decide what to do with her.She took a little pride in that.At least she had succeeded in confusing him.
“Did Mairwen tell ye nothing of the Highland Veil or fated mates?”he asked with a weariness she completely felt, too.
“All Mairwen told me was how much her cottage cost for a month and that a massage and the healing springs would make me feel worlds better.Since she already hit mine and Emily’s credit cards, I know the first part to be true.But so far, she lied about the massage and Seven Cairns’ magical waters, because I do not feel better at all.”Jessa rubbed her puffy eyes and vowed not to cry anymore.And her nose was running.She pinched the end of it and glared at him.“I don’t suppose you know what a tissue is, either?”
He rose from the chair, strode over to a gorgeous antique dresser, and retrieved a handkerchief from the top drawer.His expression still grim, he returned and held it out to her.“Here—and no, I dinna ken what a feckin’tissueis, either.”
“Thank you.”She blew her nose and fisted the cloth to her chest, holding onto it as if it were a lifeline in this sea of madness.
“This is Mairwen’s doing, lass.The legends say that she and her kind track down fated mates and unite them.The bond between two souls fated to be one is rumored to be the strongest love of all, and that love strengthens the weave of the Highland Veil that keeps the worlds and planes of time separated as they should be.If the Veil ever weakens or tears, chaos would rule, and entire worlds would be lost to the darkness.”
“Chaos already rules this world.Have you not listened to the news or been on social media lately?”
“’Tis my understanding that if the Veil falls, the resulting chaos would be far worse than that which we have already experienced.”
He had an answer for everything, but crazy people usually did.Or at least that’s what Emily’s mom had always said, and as a psychiatrist, she should know.“You saidMairwen and her kind.Whatkindis that?A witch?You’ve called her that a couple of times.”
He pushed up from the chair and went to a cabinet on the other side of the room.“Shall ye have a whisky until Sawny decides to move his arse and bring up yer tea?”
“Just water, thank you.I’m not much on alcohol.”Besides, she needed to keep a clear head.Everything was muddled enough without adding adult beverages to the mix.“Answer my question.What is Mairwen?”
“Henry calls her a Divine Weaver or some such nonsense.”He paused, appearing to struggle with keeping his delusional facts straight.Then he nodded.“Aye.A Weaver.Henry could tell ye more.He’s a sworn Defender.’Tis his opinion that she is descended from the goddesses themselves.”
“Goddesses?”This fairy tale kept getting more complicated.Jessa wished she had her tablet so she could take notes and keep everything straight.“Which goddesses?”
“Bride and Cerridwen.”He handed her a glass of water before settling back into his chair with his whisky.“Benevolent goddesses until they decide to toy with ye, and then they can be a royal pain in the arse.”
“So Mairwen is a goddess?”The older woman had possessed an air of agelessness and wisdom, but a goddess?Really?Jessa shook her head to clear it.She had to stay sane.This was his delusion.Not hers.
Grant sipped the golden liquid in his glass.“Nay.Not a goddess.At least not according to Henry, but a daughter of theirs and just as powerful.”
“Of course.”Jessa didn’t attempt to veil her sarcasm.“She would have to be pretty powerful to rip me out of the twenty-first century and plop me into your time.”
“Ye dinna believe me.”
“I think you need help.”Maybe if she approached this situation from that angle, she could talk him off the proverbial ledge, and he would return her to Seven Cairns.
He gave her a somewhat lazy frown while slowly nodding.“I see.”After another sip, he asked, “And what sort of help might I be needing, lass?”
She wanted to say institutionalization, medication, and lots of therapy, but didn’t think that would go over well.“I think you need help in realizing that legends are just stories.They are not real.”
And then he finally smiled, making it impossible for her to breathe.How could something as simple as a smile completely transform a person?Her heart rate shifted into high gear, fluttering like the rapid beat of a hummingbird’s wings.Something deep inside her clicked, and then she bottomed out with sadness.Why did her Mr.MacSexy have to be insane?HerMr.MacSexy?Something indefinable within her nodded.Yes, Grant MacAlester would have beenhersif he had been right in the head.She forced that disturbing revelation aside.
“Why does that make you smile?”she asked, struggling to sound nonchalant.
“Somelegends are just stories, lass.Others are historical retellings, and a few are even warnings.”He set his glass on the table between the chairs and stretched, exhibiting a spectacular wingspan.
Jessa cleared her throat.“And you believe the stories about the Highland Veil to be true?”
“I once doubted them.”
“But not now?”
With a hint of amusement in his eyes, he slowly shook his head.“Here ye be,sionnach beag.A lass from the future.How can I deny them now?”
A knock on the door made her jump and shove as far back into the corner as she could get.
“Calm yerself.’Tis more than likely yer tea.”He went to the door and barely opened it.
