Lilias proceeded to say all the things one might say to a stranger who was moving in, pointing out various doorways in the great hall and telling me where they led. “I will, of course, give ye a more thorough tour when ‘tis appropriate.”
“Thank you,” I managed, trying to keep my emotions from my face because, despite only being here mere minutes, I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life here. It felt nothing like MacLeod Castle.
Nothing like home.
Lilias led me up a set of stairs that ran along the back of the great hall and down corridors that were narrower than those at MacLeod Castle, then up several more flights. The only relief I found in this place, other than Lilias, was Tavish’s lingering presence in my mind. Yet I feared once I shifted and became mated with Dugal, he would find a way to push Tavish out.
I wasn’t sure how, but I sensed once he became aware of another male dragon in my mind, he would be capable of anything. Especially since he considered Tavish his enemy, even though the pact was supposed to bring peace.
Lilias opened a door and ushered me into a sizeable room with a large, fur-covered bed, several ornate furnishings, and a breathtaking view of the ocean.
“This will be yer chamber.” Lilias’ expression was troubled and with good reason. “At least one of them.”
“And the other is?” I prompted as she shut the door behind us and visibly slumped with relief when we were out of earshot of others.
“Nowhere ye want be, sister, and ‘twill be far more often than ye’re in this one.” I felt Tavish tense right along with me as her eyes welled, and she shook her head. “I cannae tell ye how much I wish ye hadnae come because no one deserves the likes of Dugal.” She took my hand and squeezed it, looking at me with allthe love one might feel for their sister. “Yet ‘tissoverra nice to meet ye, Elowyn.”
“You as well, Lilias. Call me Ellie.” I looked at her with just as much compassion, unsure how much I should share. How much she actually knew. “I’m so incredibly sorry you’ve been trapped here for so long, forced to marry someone you don’t love.”
“It hasnae been easy,” she confessed. “But at least I have wee Marjorie.” Her voice went whisper-soft. “And I’ve always had Evan, even if only from afar, so that helped me feel less alone.” Her voice grew softer still. “And when I could slip away, I visited our father whenever he was in our era.”
My heart leapt into my throat. “So you’ve seen him over the years?”
She encouraged me to bathe in a basin that had been prepared for me, her voice growing sad. “I have seen him, and before you ask, aye, I was the one who banished him. I didnae want to, but Elspet gave me no choice.”
“So the rumors are true,” I said, still feeling Tavish right there in my mind as well as my sisters and their mates, always welcoming, comforting presences and most certainly interested in this conversation. “You reallyarethat powerful.”
“When it comes to animals, aye,” Lilias said as I undressed and climbed into the tub while she pulled clothes out of a trunk. “Or should I say a mutual trust in each other that makes them willing to do my bidding?”
“I don’t understand.” I shook my head. “What does that have to do with keeping someone as powerful as our father away?”
“At Elspet’s order, I had no choice but to command the animals not to let him near the castle until I say otherwise,” she murmured, almost as if it pained her to voice it. “As I am sure ye ken, too many animals can overwhelm a dragon, even one such as our father.” She laid out clothing and sighed. “And I cannae tell ye how heartbreaking it was to do that to him when all heever did was love this clan, yet ‘twas for the best because he and Mother couldnae stay.”
“So you know everything?” I said, my heart going out to her.
“I do,” Lilias confirmed, a soft, accepting smile curling her mouth. “And though ‘twas disheartening to know they would birth four more daughters destined to be part of this horrific pact, I took comfort in knowing I would someday meet ye all. ‘Twas also heartening to know my beloved mother would be safe and free from Elspet’s clutches.”
“Even as you suffered them,” I managed, biting back tears. “Again, I’m soverysorry.”
“Dinnae be.” Lilias sat beside me and offered a warm smile, her eyes lighting up when she continued talking. “As I said, ‘twas as it had to be.” She shook her head. “Otherwise, we wouldnae have our lovely wee Marjorie because she is a rare treasure. ‘Tis what our father calls her. Our wee rare treasure.”
“I don’t doubt she is, and I look forward to meeting her.” I cocked my head. “So she’s met Malcolm?”
“Aye.” Her voice grew especially soft now. “Ye see, after father claimed mother had died, I was ordered to cast him out of not only this castle but off Sutherland territory. And whilst far too dangerous for Mother to travel back to this era, our father could as long as he remained in areas hidden by MacLomain magic.”
A small, devious smile turned up the corner of her mouth as she continued. “Little did Elspet or her horrid son know the verra magic I was forced to use to banish my father was also the same magic that allowed me and my wee daughter to visit him over the years. For the animals of the forest are as much Marjorie’s as they are mine, and we are theirs.”
“That’s why he traveled back so often,” I realized, reflecting on my sisters' journey back to their mates, and Hazel seeing him. “And to areas hidden by MacLomain magic no less.” I shook myhead when it all became so clear. “Should I assume, then, Adlin knew about that? Knew so much more than he told me?”
“Och,” Lilias admonished, looking skyward and smiling. “Adlin always knows much more than he shares, but ‘tis half his charm, is it not?”
“I haven’t known him as long as I suspect you have, but I would say so if it makes you smile.” I met her smile with one of my own. “And if his clan’s powers had anything to do with these magical areas scattered throughout Scotland, which allowed you and Marjorie to spend time with our father and escape this castle, then he has my eternal thanks.” I eyed her curiously. “I can’t help but wonder, though, if you and Marjorie could break free of Elspet’s clutches, why not vanish into the future with Malcolm? Why not get away from your husband?”
“And risk leading them to our mother or worse yet, my sisters?” She shook her head. “Nay, it couldnae happen. ‘Twas far too dangerous, because no matter what, the sorcerer’s pact had to be fulfilled, and ye and our sisters were always going to be at the heart of that whilst I fulfilled my obligations here. Ye were necessary. Necessary for a peaceful future.” Pain filled her eyes again as she looked at me. “I just wish it wasnae at yer expense, Ellie.” She shook her head. “With all my heart, I wish it.”
“Do you know why it was me?” I wondered, hoping she could shed some insight. “Because somehow I always knew it would be. And if that isn’t daunting enough, Dugal is familiar to me and I can’t say why.”
“Nor I.” She shook her head again. “Our father never said why one of us would suffer more than the others, only that one of us would.”
