Chapter 9 #2
“I shall think long and carefully on what you’ve said.” The armorer picked up a small dagger and brought it to her. “Here, ’tis for you.”
She took the blade he handed to her and gave him an uncertain smile. “I don’t need a knife, do I? I’ve got that sling.”
“You may want more than one weapon with the ongoing alterations of the enchantment.” He looked as if he wanted to say more, and then lifted his hands. “Would you permit me to touch your face for a moment, my lady?”
“Okay.” She waited as he gently pressed his palms to the sides of her head, and then moved them to her cheeks before lowering his arms. It seemed like a very odd thing to do, and at the same time reminded her of being checked by a doctor. “Am I all right?”
He nodded. “You’re no’ enchanted with Fae magic, and our bloodlines differ. Yours, ’tis quite ancient.”
Ava had mentioned that Rory could use magic in a limited sense, which now intrigued her. “Is all of that a good thing?”
“Aye. ’Tis likely why the enchantment gave you the dream of the melia.” He looked away.
Since he didn’t seem to want to talk about the weirdness of dreaming here, Esme asked, “What else can you tell me about my bloodline?”
“Your tribe lived beside an enormous lake, with an island of caves from which the first of your line came,” the armorer said, his expression softening.
“’Twas a beautiful place, with many birds and fish, and tremendous floating gardens of veg tended by dozens of gardeners.
Your people thrived there for a long time.
They protected their lands so passionately that only the very foolish would attack—and none prevailed. ”
She smiled, delighted by his description. “That sounds like my kind of people. Was that lake in Mexico, then?”
“I dinnae ken the name of your homeland,” Rory said. “Your tribe flourished there until a battle that slew many of their chieftains, and rendered their lands barren. To survive they had to journey south to find a new home.”
“There’s an old legend among my people that we originally came from the American southwest,” Esme murmured, fascinated. “When they migrated to Mexico they became the Aztecs—and you could tell all this from my head?”
“When I touch someone, I see but a limited vision of their bloodline,” he murmured.
“Some prove harder to read than others, as they share many bloodlines, and they become tangled and confused over time. Your tribe, they’re proud, fearless warriors who kept to their own kind, so yours is more pure and easier to envision.
’Tis also why you had the courage to do this to me. ” He touched the back of his head.
“Can I ask you something about magic?” She saw him tense and quickly said, “Not about you, but Chieftain Darro. Is he under a spell that makes him afraid of me?”
“Tell me why you’d reckon such,” the armorer murmured, and when she hesitated, added, “I shallnae repeat to anyone what you say to me, my lady.”
She related the odd things she’d noticed whenever she was with the chieftain.
“I’m outgoing, and a bit cheeky, and I might have startled him a little by what I said and did the first time.
But the second time I was in his arms, I know I scared him, at least, most of the time.
There was a moment when he seemed to overcome it for a little while.
But what would make Darro frightened of me? ”
“Only he may tell you thus,” Rory said, looking sympathetic. “’Tis unlikely anyone bespelled him, as we McKeran cannae wield magic, nor can mortals. If you wish to ken the truth, you must ask Darro.” He looked as if he wanted to say more, but didn’t.
“There’s another way, isn’t there?” Esme asked.
“Think on what you did just before he overcame the fear, my lady,” he said. “Then do thus again.”
Olivia knew Alec would be busy for most of the night, or day now that the time had slipped again.
After checking with Eachann to assure he didn’t need any help in the garden, she decided to take her journal up to the solar.
Of course the sky darkened again as she went up to the rooftop, but Olivia didn’t mind.
Hardly anyone used the glass-walled structure, especially after dark, so they didn’t know what a breath-taking view of the stars it afforded.
She also needed time to catch up on her notes about the golden spider that had briefly come into the spell trap.
If she could find out if the other enchanted creatures had possibly been carried in by a newcomer like Esme Martinez, then they might set up a decontamination process for everyone upon their arrival.
Too bad we don’t have a magic detector.
Inside the solar she took out the fire steel her husband had given her, and used it to light one of the lamps.
As soon as she did she saw the laird’s younger brother standing at the back wall, where he looked out through the glass panels at the forest illusion.
Darro’s back and shoulders were so stiff he appeared like a statue of himself.
The fact that he was so obviously upset made Olivia grimace; too often no one paid any attention to Tasgall’s second.
When she took a step toward him without thinking the flame inside her lantern flickered sideways and grew brighter, as if it wanted to jump through the glass at him.
“If you’d leave the lantern over there, my lady, I’d be grateful,” Darro said.
“I didn’t know you were in here, Chieftain,” Olivia said, turning to leave. “I won’t disturb you.”
“Please stay, my lady. You’re the reason I came.” When she glanced back at him he sighed. “I went to the great hall, but you had already left. Alec, he’s busy with changing the patrols to suit the time slippage, and I ken you often come here at night.”
She set the lantern on one of the tables by the door, wondering what troubled him.
She knew Darro was more watchful than anyone in the clan except Alec, but she had no idea that he was tracking her movements.
A small shadow moved behind him, making her realize that someone else had come to the solar as well.
Now Olivia wondered if she should leave anyway, but then decided that talking with the chieftain might help to clear the air.
“Did I do something wrong?” she asked, and then thought of how she’d lost it when Una had come to apologize. “Is it about that maid I yelled at, the one that Elspeth brought back from the stables? Because you weren’t there, and you didn’t hear what she said about Grace. It was awful.”
“No, my lady. I but need advice about Mistress Martinez, and my own troubles,” Darro admitted, looking sheepish now.
“I cannae confide in any member of the clan. My brother’s wife might repeat what I say to Tasgall, and Farlan’s lady, while kind, doesnae inspire me to confide in her.
You and I, we’ve ever been easy with each other.
You also helped Alec overcome much. May I burden you? ”
“It’s no trouble at all.” Olivia went over to join him. “How can I help?” As Darro looked as if he didn’t know how to begin, she added, “Is it something about our newcomer?”
“Aye.” He seemed to struggle another long moment before he said, “Mayhap you heard that Mistress Martinez attacked Rory while we were sparring.”
“Alec mentioned it, yes.” Her husband had thought it was hilarious that the tiny woman had clubbed the largest McKeran over the head and knocked him out cold, but obviously Darro didn’t. “If you’re wondering why she did that, from her point of view the situation probably looked like an assault.”
“’Tisnae that she chose to do thus,” he said, looking very uncomfortable now. “’Twas why upon seeing us sparring that she reckoned I needed her aid. Rory hadnae yet prevailed over me. Men from your time, they’re weak and need aid from females when attacked, mayhap?”
Now Olivia winced. “Ah, no. Most of the men from the modern world are somewhat similar to you and the clan. Those who are soldiers go through physical training so they’re ready for combat situations.
Police officers do as well. Other men who aren’t in protective services work out at gyms to stay strong and fit for health reasons. ”
“Then why should she…” He stopped, rubbed a hand over his face, and muttered a soft “Fack me” under his breath.
“Yes, I think she likes you,” Olivia confirmed for him.
“Women in my time are very protective of the people they care for, and we will fight for them. Esme was probably acting on her emotions as well as the assumption that you were in trouble. She seems a bit impulsive, and she has that spectacular temper, but I’m sure she meant well. ”
“You dinnae ken the half of such, my lady.” Darro’s face reddened slightly. “I wouldnae blacken Mistress Martinez’s reputation. She’s lovely and kind, and doubtless fiercely loyal to her kin and friends. ’Tis only I’ve no notion how I should respond to her, ah, impulses.”
Olivia remembered how it had been the first time Alec had kissed her after they’d had an argument about her ability to protect herself. That kiss had been so hot and passionate they’d nearly ended up having sex on the spot.
“Do you mean impulses like romantic overtures?” When he gave her a brief appalled look she had her answer. “Can you tell me more about that?”
“She kissed my hand, and asked me to kiss her back. Later she bid me become her friend with benefits—I cannae fash what she meant—and then behaved, ah, in a surprising manner.” He said the latter as if pained to admit even that much.
Esme had jumped him more than once, she decided, and poor Darro had no idea how to respond to that kind of forthright behavior. He was also very uncomfortable speaking with her about it. Yet why hadn’t he talked to the laird about the newcomer?
Don’t ask. That’s between him and Tasgall.
“This isn’t your fault, Chieftain.” Olivia noticed someone else standing outside the solar and nearly sighed. “Do you remember how Alec was with me when I first got here? It sounds like she’s the same way with you.”
He shook his head. “I refused her. Indeed, refusing her, ’tis all I’ve done.”
“Maybe she can see that despite your refusals that you’re attracted to her, too.” Olivia knew Tasgall’s brother to be reserved, but he’d never been shy or fearful around women. “When Ms. Martinez came through the barrier, did she do or say something that shocked you specifically?”
“I worried a wee bit about my size with her, but ’twasnae until I saw the old bastart later on the other side and spoke of…
” He stopped and frowned. “Bodach attempted to cast a spell through the barrier, I reckon to cause me to fear him and run away. Only I was thinking of Mistress Martinez in that moment. Could I fear her instead because of his magic?”
“He used his power to move an entire castle into an eternal time loop,” she reminded him. “So, anything is possible. But maybe we’re jumping the gun to blame it on that. Before you saw Bodach, was there a particular reason you didn’t want to become involved with Ms. Martinez?”
“Look at me,” he said, his shoulders slumping. “I’m three times her size, and so much stronger. Indeed, I could snap her bones with two fingers.”
“Honestly, Chieftain, the only way you can injure her is by what you’re doing now.
” Olivia smiled at his incredulous reaction.
“It hurts when someone that you like pushes you away. Alec tried to do that with me, remember? He thought he was too dangerous for me to handle. I had to beat him up in the lists to get him to see that I’m not helpless. ”
For a moment Darro looked confused, and then his brows drew together. “I’m too busy attending to my duties to spare time for the lady. Mistress Martinez doesnae wish remain here, either. We’ve no future together.”
“Then just have some fun,” she said. “You don’t have to fall in love with Esme, become a couple or even marry her. You can just have a fling.”
“A fling.” He shuddered as if she’d suggested he infect himself with leprosy.
“It means to spend time together and become lovers but without any commitment.” Olivia tried to think of how to better explain it. “You fling away your inhibitions but you don’t worry about making it permanent. That’s what she meant by wanting to become friends with benefits.”
“I cannae do thus with her. She’s too small, too delicate to risk such.” Darro bowed to her. “My thanks, my lady.”
Olivia watched him stride out of the solar, and then walked over to where the love of her life stood silently in the shadows.
“He’s so upset he didn’t notice you slip inside.” She spoke slower now so he could read her lips more easily.
“Aye.” Alec took her into his arms. “You yelled at one of the maids this morn?”
“Una. Elspeth wanted to bring her back to work in the stronghold.” Olivia sighed. “It’s okay. I know a lot of the maids have been teasing her since she got stable duty, and it’s not really the kind of work she can do. I just can’t forgive her for what she said about Grace after she was burned.”
“Ever you struggle with forgiveness, as do I.” He kissed her brow. “If the maid causes trouble again, I’ll bid Farlan send her to the laundry. As for Darro, he’s too distracted by that wee beauty. I shall speak with him on the morrow when my hearing returns.”
“Then he’ll think that I told you,” she countered. “Let your brother and the journalist work this out themselves. Even if he was enchanted by Bodach, I don’t think the spell will stick much longer.”
He tipped up her chin and rubbed his thumb over her lips before he asked, “And how do you ken such, Wife?”
“You weren’t the only one listening, my darling.” She grinned and stood on her toes to kiss him.