Chapter 9 #2
Dylan let his eyes adjust to the dimness of the room and searched for the source of the voice.
What he saw shocked him so much that he couldn’t speak.
There, standing in front of him, with a plaid clutched to his chest was Alec, but it wasn’t really Alec.
The clothing he had been wearing was pooled at his feet and with the cap and cape gone, Dylan could see for the first time that this was Maggie.
His Maggie. He went to her and putting his hands on her upper arms, looked deep into her eyes.
“It’s you,” was all he could manage to say.
“Aye. ’Tis me,” was Maggie’s soft response.
He didn’t know whether to kiss her or kill her. “You’ve been disguising yourself as Alec this whole time?” His voice registered the incredulity he felt. “Why? Why were you hiding from me? And who is that other woman who’s obviously pretending to be you?”
“I wasnae hiding from ye, Dylan. I have a job to do and up until this moment, it has been best that I remain disguised. And in answer to your question, that woman is an evil witch who wants to harm the MacKenzies and you.” Maggie shifted uncomfortably in his grip.
Dylan was suddenly aware of the fact that a very naked Maggie stood before him, trying to cover herself with a thin piece of fabric clutched to her chest and that he was perhaps holding onto her arms a little too tightly.
He was also aware of the fact that for the first time in weeks, he felt that spark he’d been missing.
He tenderly dipped his head and placed a soft kiss on Maggie’s lips.
“It is you,” he whispered. “All this time I thought she was you and I couldn’t understand why I didn’t feel anything for her.
Now, in these few short minutes that I’ve known it’s really you, my body is responding in a way it never did with her.
” He pulled her into his embrace and hugged her tightly to his chest. Letting go was not an option.
***
“Dylan, I cannae breathe, but please dinnae stop holding me,” Maggie said into his chest.
“I’m sorry.” He loosened his grip just a bit.
Maggie held onto him, not wanting this moment to end, the plaid slowly slipping from her grasp.
She could feel something firm, poking her in the belly.
Maggie had an idea of what it might be, but she had so little experience with men, she truly couldn’t be sure.
She only knew what she’d been told by the other girls in the village.
She tipped her head back, looked up into his soft brown eyes and forgot for a moment that she was angry with him.
Angry for the way he’d kissed Brielle yesterday.
She stiffened in his embrace, remembering her disappointment at seeing them together, how it had been like a punch to the gut.
Pushing him away, she quickly scooped up the plaid and covered herself.
“I was just about to take a bath. Perhaps we can talk about this later, when I’m done.
My water’s cooling.” Maggie was torn, she wanted him to stay, but she knew it was wrong for him to do so, especially when his true feelings were not clear.
She walked to the door and waited for him to walk through.
“We have a lot to discuss. I willnae keep ye waiting long.” She closed the door in his face.
***
Dylan slumped to the floor outside Maggie’s room.
He sat with his back against the door, confusing thoughts swirling through his brain.
So there are two Maggies. One who is Maggie and Alec and one who is Maggie and an evil witch.
How could he be sure that this Maggie was the real one?
Wasn’t it possible that he was being fooled once again?
No. He had felt something very different with this Maggie.
The real Maggie. That spark was definitely still there.
No denying it. He hadn’t felt anything at all when he kissed the other Maggie.
In fact, it had been as if he was kissing someone very unappealing.
Then he remembered the image that had flashed before his eyes last night.
The image of a haggard old woman. He nearly gagged at the memory of kissing her.
He’d be forced to wait for Maggie to explain everything to him, and he decided he wasn’t going anywhere until she did.
A short while later, Dylan heard footsteps coming up the stairs and as he waited, Angus stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of him.
“What are ye waiting here for, lad?” Angus asked. He was carrying a plate of food that Dylan assumed must be for Maggie.
“I know,” was all that Dylan said.
“I’m sorry, what do ye ken?”
“I know that Maggie is Alec. I walked in on her as she was getting ready for her bath and saw her with my own two eyes.” Dylan realized a moment too late that he probably shouldn’t have told Angus that he’d just walked in on his naked niece.
The look on Angus’ face was a mixture of anger and amusement. “I see,” was all he said in response.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was her. I came to speak with Alec and I didn’t want to disturb him if he was sleeping—”
Angus held up a hand to stop him from speaking. “So why are ye sitting out here?”
“She showed me out of the room and said we’d talk later. I’m waiting right here, until that happens.”
“Alright, then.” Angus knocked on the door and Maggie opened it, clothed once again as Alec. Dylan was disappointed, but now that he knew, he could see the girl who had sparked his interest and been on his mind since he left her back in Glendaloch. “Join us, Dylan. We’ve much to share.”
Dylan rose and entered the room, not taking his eyes off Maggie for a second. She sat on the edge of the bed and took a bite of the food Angus had brought for her. “Thank ye, Uncle,” she said politely. Her eyes swept from Angus to Dylan and back again.
“I understand that Dylan walked in on ye earlier,” Angus said. “I’m here to protect ye from all threats.” He made a point of catching Dylan’s eye. Dylan lowered his gaze appropriately.
“Nothing happened,” Maggie explained hastily. “I sent him out as quickly as I could. Ye ken we were both shocked to see each other.”
Dylan nodded his head in agreement, feeling as if he was twelve years old again, being reprimanded for kissing one of the girls behind the school auditorium. “I’m sorry, sir. If I’d known it was Maggie in here, I wouldn’t have just walked in.” Of course he would, who was he trying to kid?
“See that ye behave as a gentleman with my niece,” Angus ordered in a very stern voice.
“I will. Always,” Dylan stammered.
“We have much to discuss,” Maggie said and then told Dylan everything, from the vision Edna had experienced, right up to this very moment.
“Is there a plan?” Dylan asked. He had listened intently to everything both Angus and Maggie had to say and not once did he hear what the ultimate goal was, or how they were going to achieve it.
“No,” Maggie appeared ashamed. “We havenae been told what the plan is or even why this is happening.”
“Then how are you supposed to stop her? We need a plan,” Dylan stated firmly.
“We?” Maggie asked. “Aunt Edna never said that ye were supposed to be involved.”
“Aye. She’s right,” Angus added.
“I’m already involved. I’ve been spending a lot of time with Brielle and I don’t like the fact that she was trying to use me for whatever her purpose is. I’m helping and you can’t stop me.” Dylan put his foot down and was quietly pleased when he got no argument from anyone.
“Okay,” Maggie agreed. “Ye can help.”
“I think the first thing you should do, is let the others know who you really are,” Dylan announced.
“I dinnae believe that would be wise,” Maggie said. Angus however, seemed to be giving the suggestion some serious thought.
“He could be right,” Angus said. “If ye tell everyone who ye really are, that could force Brielle’s hand. She cannae continue to do damage here, if everyone is on to her.”
“But Auntie Edna hasnae told us it’s alright to do so,” Maggie said, worry furrowing her brow.
“Maggie, I think it’s time for ye to be in charge of yer own destiny. Edna isnae here, but I believe she’d agree with whatever decision you come to,” Angus offered.
“Okay. Let’s say we do that. What’s the outcome? Does she just leave? Or, does she stay here and become angry and try to destroy everyone and everything?” Maggie was frightened by that prospect.
“We won’t know unless we try. And you’ve done a good job of thwarting her at every turn so far. I have faith that you can do this, Maggie.” Dylan stood and walked over to her. He held out his hand for Maggie to take and when she did, he knelt in front of her. “I will protect you, I promise.”
Angus cleared his throat and came to Maggie’s side. He laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll do the same, lass. Ye’ve no need to fear.”
“And I’ll protect ye both. Whenever we need to be anywhere near Brielle, I will cover us all with a spell of protection.
Her witchcraft willnae be able to penetrate it.
Aunt Edna taught me well.” Dylan could see the confidence rising in Maggie.
It showed in the way she stood a little taller, head held high and a sparkle in her eyes.
They would do this together. The three of them.