Barra flitted to sit on Roderick’s shoulder. She held out her hand and said.
Water swift as the morning light
Be calm this day until the night.
Immediately the watercalmed so Roderick could walk swiftly across. He really thought that was strange but didn’t question his good fortune. Since he’d met Siena a lot of strange things had happened around him.
“My work here is done,” Barra said in her little voice, she giggled and was gone.
Roderick turned because he thought he’d heard somebody laugh, but no one was there so he figured it was the wind and nothing more. However, deep down he felt someone had been with him since he entered the woods and he was grateful. Lord, he needed some sleep since he was now hearing things. He shook his head and ran the short distance to the chapel.
A golden glow showed through the doorway and a small monk stood inside the door with his back to Roderick.
Nicene watched as Siena reached for the chalice. Immediately, she was surrounded by the soft golden glow as she and the chalice rose into the air.
“What goes on here?” Roderick demanded.
Nicene turned to him. “Ah, I see you have come. Lady Siena wants to rid herself of the black mark on her arm. She feels she is evil, and she wants the magic of the chalice to remove the mark, but she also feels unloved and she worries that her husband hasn’t come for her, so perhaps he doesn’t love her. And she isn’t sure she has much to live for.”
“But I’m here now. And I do love her.”
“Then you must convince her to come back before you lose her forever.”
“No!” Roderick shouted. In three strides he was underneath where Siena floated in the air. He reached up and grabbed her ankle.
“Dinna leave me, lass,” Roderick begged. “I need ye. Michael needs ye. I canna bear to live without ye.” A tear slipped down his cheek and he knew it was the first time he’d cried since finding his wife dead and his son missing. “I love ye, Siena
“Please stay with me. Ye’re not evil for if ye were you could never have touched the chalice.” He pulled her down to where he could see her face.
Siena was drifting in such a peaceful place, and she was very content. The light was bright and warm as it welcomed her. But then she heard someone calling her name. Slowly, she turned and glanced down to see Roderick.
He had come. He was calling her. But did he want her? It sounded like it. She must return. As she drifted down, she heard the words she’d longed to hear ever since meeting the man. Roderick loved her. He really loved her.
The next thing she knew she was in his arms hugging him. “Wait,” she said, and then she placed the Holy Grail back where she found it.
She turned and jumped back into Roderick’s arms, kissing him with all the passion that burned in her soul. She heard his growl as he tightened his arms around her. The sweetness of his embrace intoxicated her. The smell of him--that masculine scent drove her crazy. His magnificent kisses were firm and demanding as he ruthlessly plundered her mouth, leaving her breathless. But they were still in a church and needed to come to their senses, so she pulled back.
“You came for me,” Siena said with a smile.
“Of course, I came for you. Ye are my wife and I love you.” Roderick looked around. “Where is Lord Malcolm? I have unfinished business with him.”
“He chose poorly,” Nicene said.
Siena had forgotten about the hermit. “I’m sorry. This is Laird Scott, my husband. And this is Nicene keeper of the Grail.”
“I should hope so.” The hermit laughed. “Since you have been kissing him.”
Siena blushed.
Roderick nodded then repeated his question. “What do you mean he chose poorly?”
Siena answered. “Malcolm turned to dust when he touched the wrong cup. A gust of wind came in and carried the dust to who knows where.”
Roderick's eyes widened as chills ran all over him. “That could have happened to you. Were ye crazy to take a chance like that?”
“But I chose wisely.” She peeked down at her left arm and saw that her birthmark was still on her wrist, so she glanced at Nicene for answers. “Why?”
“You cannot change who you are, milady.”
