“I dinnae ken what to do.” His voice was soft, shaking. And he hated that.
Most of his life, he had known what to do. He’d never backed down from a fight. But now, apprehension shifted through him. Aye, he knew he had to find Brianna—and he knew where to start. He had to get her away from the MacDonalds. But at what cost? Would he have to trade the keystone to do it?
Deep down, he knew he absolutely would trade the keystone for her life. He wanted her safe. He wanted her away from them. If it were the only way to save her, so be it.
“Yes, you do.” Evie gave him a smile, her eyes shimmering with tears. “You have to go after her.”
“I cannae give them the stone,” he said.
“If that’s the only way to save her, then maybe you do.” She sounded so strong, so sure. She closed his fingers, making his hand into a fist. “I’m not sure what the brand in your palm means, but I suspect it has something to do with the power of the stone.”
As if it heard her, the stone hummed in his sporran. Her brows lifted. She heard it, too.
“It’s calling,” she said.
“What does that mean?” he asked.
“It means, I think, you need to find Brianna.”
“And then what?” His gut clenched with uncertainty.
“And then…” She paused, dragging her lower lip through her teeth. “And then you stop them from opening the Realm of Chaos. I think it’s up to the two of you now.”
She glanced back at the tapestry. The one wherehe reached for Brianna. Their hands were almost touching.
“What about ye and Chloe? My brothers?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think we matter so much now.”
“How do ye ken this, lass?”
Contemplation crossed her face as she turned her head and gazed back at the woven wall hangings. “I can’t be sure,” she said at last. “But something changed when she gave you the keystone. Some twist of fate or destiny that formed between the two of you, altering the prophecy. As though a bond formed. We know she has the power to shift the timeline.” Her gaze flickered back to him. “But I believe you have the power to help her do that.”
“How?” he asked.
“Blood magic,” she whispered. “It’s your blood and hers the keystone needs. Two bloodlines. One destiny.” She clutched his hand in hers, squeezed, and gave him a small smile. “Go to her, Jamie. Stop the chaos.”
He wasn’t sure if Evie was right. Was she suggesting it was his blood and Brianna’s that would help stop the coming war?
All he was sure of was that he needed to get to Brianna. He needed to find her before something happened to her. Before MacDonald realized she didn’t have the keystone.
He squeezed her hands back and gave her a nod. He was going to find her and then they would do whatever was necessary to stop MacDonald from opening the Realm of Chaos.
“Tell the others,” he said.
She nodded and released his hand. He started to turn away, to head for the door, but something stopped him. He turned back, leaned toward her and kissed her cheek.
“Ye keep my nephew safe, aye?” He glanced at the swell of her belly.
She flushed, her cheeks turning a pale pink as she cast her eyes downward. “I will. But, Jamie, how do you know it’s going to be a boy?”
He flashed a wicked, charming smile. “I just do.”
And then he hurried out of the tapestry room. He crossed the great hall, trying hard not to notice the destruction. Because if he did, it would tear his heart in two. This was his home. It hurt him to know that there was a gaping hole in the roof, charred ceiling beams and furniture, and a door that had been splintered by a battering ram.
He headed out the door into the early morning light and halted. He stared across the bailey where the men of their rival clan had set up camp and left behind a mess. He clenched his fists, hating they were on his land. Hating they invaded his home. The only home he had ever known.
He shoved aside those feelings and hurried toward the stables.
