“Impossible unless, of course,” I went on, having to force my words because my inner beast was writhing just beneath the surface, “ye can prove it.”
I expected her to make an excuse for why she couldn’t, but she did no such thing. Instead, she nodded once. “Of course. Right away.” She looked from the tent opening, then back to me and Robert. “Just show me where, because I assume doing it here, near the encampment, wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Robert looked as dumbfounded as I did, only he found his tongue first. “To shift into a dragon?”
“Yes,” she replied, her voice remaining remarkably calm.
“So ye’ve shifted in the twenty-first century?” Robert assumed. “Without yer sisters knowing?”
“I have,” she confirmed. Though her gaze remained steady on Robert’s face, I had an overwhelming sense she was tempted to glance at me again, but was forcing herself not to. “I’ve only ever shifted in the twenty-first century.”
Somehow, her words didn’t ring true, but for the life of me, I couldn't understand why I felt that way.
Robert crossed his arms over his chest and eyed Ellie in that way he sometimes did when weighing a decision and its potential outcome, especially when it was something that could greatly affect his country and people.
I thought for sure there was only one decision he would make, but he surprised me when he did the exact opposite.
Chapter Three
–Ellie–
ICAN’T TRULY DESCRIBE how it felt to pass through my elm tree in the twenty-first century only to emerge into medieval Scotland. Only that I felt like I had come home, even though it wasn’t the home I remembered, and it never could be again.
Yet, as I gazed upon the woodland, caught forever between the past, present, and the Hereafter, I saw the subtle changes. Saw it in a way only I could, reminding me that I needed to do right by it and see the pact through.
The last thing I wanted was for the carnage I had foreseen to become Scotland’s fate, so I rallied my courage and stood strong as Adlin and I were escorted into King Robert’s encampment. More so, I wore a mask of indifference when we entered the king’s tent and discovered Tavish was there as well. A fact I suspected Adlin knew all along. Now I had no choice but to meet Tavish for the first time beyond the Hereafter.
Beyond scattered dreams and what we’d left behind in another life.
When our eyes connected for the first time, a jolt of electricity shot straight through me, and it almost took more than I was capable of not to react because all I wanted to do wasfly into his arms and never let go. But I couldn’t because he was no longer mine.
Not anymore.
Dressed in a léine, a black and red MacLeod plaid, and heavy boots, he was every bit as handsome as I knew he would be. His thick ebony hair and chiseled features drew my eye every bit as much as his deep-set, piercing sky blue eyes and tall, muscular, broad-shouldered build. Where he used to wear a never-ending smile and naturally drew people to him, now he was a scowling beast who probably saw trouble around every corner.
Or, for those like me who knew him best, he hid his heartbreak behind anger.
Yet, when our eyes met for the first time, and I felt his inner beast take notice of me, I knew nothing about this was going to be easy.
Even so, I had to push my feelings down because I wasn’t here for him but for King Robert.
Although not as tall as Tavish, the king was relatively tall, with graying, reddish-brown hair, a beard, and deep starbursts of lines around his eyes, speaking to a man who liked to laugh.
Not right now, though.
After introductions were made and I shared not just my tattoo but my intention to go straight to the Sutherlands, because of the gem over my dragon’s heart, he seemed dumbfounded.
And from the way he eyed me and scowled, I think my willingness to shift right here and now finally pushed him too far.
“Nay, and for two reasons,” the king said firmly. “I know enough about dragons and this blasted pact to know if ye shift and possess the gem as ye claim, ‘twill attract the Sutherlands, and I dinnae want them here causing strife amongst my men.” He gave me a pointed look. “Not just that, but gem or no gem, Ihave made myself clear about ye returning to MacLeod Castle to repay yer sister, Willow, for saving my life.” He shook his head. “And I know without question that willnae happen if ye shift now.”
“I will still honor your wish,” I lied. “Even if I shift.”
In truth, I fully intended to disobey him.
Now I was home, I had a feeling I might be able to elude Adlin, too, because my magic was even stronger here. It took being near Tavish to realize it, and I suspect it had everything to do with us loving each other, whether he realized it yet or not. He strengthened my dragon and, in turn, my inner witch.
“Aye, lass,” the king replied, drawing me back to the conversation, “but again, if ye shift ‘twill attract the Sutherlands, and I cannae imagine they will allow ye to stay with the MacLeods and not with them.” He gestured at Tavish, who sat stoically, even though deep down he probably knew I was about to wreak havoc on his life. Despite trying to keep his face devoid of emotion, the slightest twitch of his jaw gave him away, and his expression grew darker by the moment.
