Chapter 23 #2
She shrugged and watched her water darken slightly as the herbs brewed.
“I don’t know yet. I’d like to see more of the isle in daylight.
Hearing about the Fairy Pools and the Fairy Glen made me want to visit and try to find where battles have taken place.
I’d also like to see where the earth and air pillars are. ”
The corners of his eyes crinkled as he asked, “Are you perhaps a water dancer?”
“Sorry,” she said with a twist of her lips. “My gift is the plants.”
“That’s too bad. It would be nice if they could find that final pillar.”
“It has to be one of them, doesn’t it?”
Mason shrugged and widened his stance before crossing his arms over his chest. “You would think they would’ve had everyone tested after Sabryn’s surprise at being the air pillar.”
“What did Bronwyn call them? She used Gaelic, I believe.”
Mason shook his head. “I’m not the one to ask about that. I don’t know any Gaelic.”
They fell into silence, each looking away at their tea.
They had spent the last few days together, but she wasn’t asleep now, and he wasn’t fighting the pain of his injuries.
They were two strangers learning about each other and their surroundings, who just so happened to be staying in the same cottage.
If she were watching a movie, she’d expect one of them to make a move on the other. Or maybe that was just her demented mind since she couldn’t stop looking at Mason. The man was drop-dead gorgeous. And she was very aware that they were adults alone in a house.
Even as she contemplated the idea of a hook-up, Rowen shoved it aside. There were certain lines she wouldn’t cross, despite how tempting Mason was. “How long are you staying on the isle?” she asked before she did something stupid.
He leaned back against the counter. “I won’t return home until Thomas and everyone connected to him is gone.”
“That could take years.”
His lips thinned into a flat line. “It could. What about you? How long do you think you’ll remain?”
She removed the tea strainer and set it aside before wrapping her hands around the hot mug until her skin couldn’t handle the heat anymore.
“That’s a good question, and one Mom asked me multiple times.
The answer is that I’m not sure. I’ve said I want to help, and it would be wrong to leave before things are solved.
Unfortunately, I have no idea how long that could take.
I have to factor in my lodgings and how to pay for things. ”
“You don’t need to worry about that. You saved my life, remember?”
“That doesn’t mean you have to pay my way. I’m not supposed to be in Scotland. I don’t know what I’d need to do to find a job.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I have money. Please let me contribute to your expenses. I’ve no doubt you’re resilient enough to find a way to earn money, and if you’re adamant, then I’ll relent. But before you make a decision, think about my offer.”
Rowen did have a bit of money saved, but should she use it if Mason was offering? She didn’t want to be a charity case. Then again, he wasn’t treating her as one. “Let’s see how things go.”
“You mentioned wanting to see Skye. I’d like to look myself. Why don’t I drive us around tomorrow?” he suggested. “I can ask Ferne to come so she can point out locations.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather be alone with your sister?”
He took a sip of his tea. “I’m just happy that she’s not looking at me with doubt anymore. I haven’t won her over completely, and I think having you around will help.”
“Okay, then,” Rowen said as she slid off the stool. She put a little sugar in her tea before turning to Mason. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“Of course. You still need to catch-up on the hours of sleep you lost. Goodnight,” he said softly, his gray eyes watching her thoughtfully.
She almost stayed, but at the last minute decided to go to her room. “Goodnight.”
Once the door had closed behind her, Rowen set down the mug and removed her clothes to get into the comfy sleep shirt she had found. She curled up on the bed and leaned against a stack of pillows and the headboard, then reached for her tea as she thought about the day.
She tried to remember everyone’s names and put them with faces, along with their stories.
Some, like Rhona, were easy to remember.
Though there had been a mention of Rhona’s husband, Balladyn.
Rowen didn’t remember meeting him, which meant he must not have been there.
Rhona had glossed over her story about becoming the Druid leader, but Rowen couldn’t help but think it was important, nonetheless.
If she were there long enough, she might even learn what it was.
Her family would want to be caught up on everything daily. Perhaps she should’ve taken notes. It was doubtful she would remember all the details, but she got the gist. Rowen released a long sigh and let the soothing tea fill her body. It had been an exhaustive day, but she had met the Skye Druids.
While she couldn’t say they were friends, they were friendly. Which was much more than what London had been. She hadn’t met any Edinburgh Druids, but if they had aligned with London, then she could guess how they would be.
She looked at the time. Her exhausted brain took a moment to realize that it was only one in the afternoon at home.
She could call and fill her family in, but that would be another long call, and she was physically and mentally drained.
No doubt her aunts and a few cousins would be with her mom, and Rowen needed to be on top of her game to handle all the questions they would undoubtedly throw at her.
Her eyes grew too heavy to keep open. She set aside the rest of the tea and slid down onto her back under the covers.
As she drifted to sleep, she heard Mason quietly moving about in the kitchen.
A real-life earl. Should she be calling him lord?
She’d have to remember to ask him that in the morning.
Sleep beckoned, and she eagerly went into its waiting arms. The deeper she sank into slumber, the more she melted into the cushy mattress.
“Hello, Rowen. We’ve been waiting for you.”