“It was put back together,” Brianna explained. “And the lines—the Celtic symbol on it—was glowing.”
Chloe sat down hard in the chair next to Evie, as though her knees buckled and gave out. Brianna placed her piece on the table in front of her. Evie and Chloe did the same. Evie nudged them together but kept them apart, just enough to see the connecting lines across the three stones. All three pieces were silent and unlit.
“Yes. It looked like that,” she said.
Brianna glanced between her sisters’ shocked faces.
“What does it mean?” she asked.
Evie shook her head slowly. “I don’t know. The only one who would know is Moira.”
“I heard a voice in my head, too,” Brianna said. “A woman’s. She said to use the power of the stone to stop the coming war or all would be lost.”
The silence hung thick in the air between them. None of them moved or said a word. Evie looked perplexed, trying to work out the meaning. Chloe looked terrified, her face ashen.
“We need to know more about this prophecy,” Chloe said. “There has to be more than what we’ve been told.”
“Maybe Jamie or Malcolm will know,” Evie said.
“Will ken what, lass?” Jamie’s voice lilted over them as he entered the great hall.
He stopped short when he saw Brianna with her bandaged hand still resting on the top of the table. His disapproving gaze flickered between all three of them.
“Och, lass, what did ye do?”
Evie jumped to her feet. “We needed to see if the blood magic would work for her, too.”
He scraped a hand over his face as the blood drained from his cheeks. His lips formed a thin line. Distress flickered through his eyes.
“And did it?” he asked.
“Yes,” Brianna replied, her voice quiet. It took a monumental effort to push to her feet. “And you’re right, Evie. I need to rest.”
“I’ve prepared a room—”
“I’ll see to her needs,” Jamie interrupted. He stepped closer and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. “The two of ye have done enough.”
Brianna sensed a bit of anger against them as he led her away. Truthfully, she was grateful for his strength as she leaned on him. Once they were at the curved stone staircase, though, he nudged her in the lead. She took the steps slowly, her legs burning as she ascended. At the top, she leaned on the wall, trying to catch her breath. It was a testament to just how outof shape she was.
Without a word, Jamie was at her side, wrapping his arm around her shoulders once again. Then, before she realized what he was doing, he swept her into his arms and stomped the rest of the way down the hall.
“I don’t need you to carry me.” It was a weak protest.
He kept his gaze firmly ahead. “Aye, ye do, lass.”
He kicked open the door to a bedchamber. When he was inside, he used the heel of his boot to shove it closed. Then he walked to the oversized bed and lowered her down. She expelled a sigh once her tired body hit the feather mattress. He pulled the blanket up to cover her and then went to stoke the dying fire. Moments later, he had a blaze going.
“Why did you come back to the great hall after Evie shooed you away?” she asked, unable to squash her curiosity.
“I had a feeling she was up to no good. I was right.”
“She’s just determined,” she said around a yawn.
“Aye, at your expense. Rest, lass.”
Brianna, still fully dressed, snuggled under the warmth of the blankets. A dreamy sensation came over her and before too long, she was fast asleep.
Chapter Thirteen
