CHAPTER FOUR #5
She had climbed into one of the two thronelike chairs, the arms and back carved ebony wood, the seat red velvet. The chair dwarfed her. She was heartbreaking in her beauty and if he did not know better, he’d think her fragile. But she wasn’t fragile; she was fierce, with enough courage for ten men.
She glared at him.
He realized that Blackwood was staring at her, and so was Aidan.
Both men had admiring and speculative looks in their eyes.
He lurked, even though it was the height of rudeness to do so to another Master, and he saw both men thinking about her naked and in their beds.
His temper exploded; he saw red. “The woman is mine,” he said softly.
And he could not regret his words, no matter how he knew he must somehow do so.
“T’is obvious.” Blackwood shrugged, as if indifferent. “She’s too bold an’ conversant for my tastes. Of course, if you change your mind, I’ll change mine.”
“The lass is in love with Royce,” Aidan said firmly.
“She loves the future Royce,” Blackwood corrected. “I don’t think she cares very much for Royce now.” He smiled with vast amusement. “Don’t you wish to take back your cold, heartless words?” He laughed again. “Most men would greatly wish for such a woman’s love.”
Royce happened to know he was speaking to one of the most conscienceless Masters when it came to seduction and women. “Yearn for her love, go ahead,” he said dangerously. “But go near her an’ suffer my will—an’ my blade.”
Blackwood chuckled. “I won’t steal your woman, Royce, upon my vows. But I will happily escort her to Iona.”
“She stays here until I say otherwise,” Royce snapped, aware that Blackwood was playing him. “Moffat hunts Ailios, but whether to hurt me or have her, I dinna ken.”
“The bishop,” Aidan said softly, referring to Moffat, “was the one who attacked us at Carrick in her time. He killed ye, Royce. He put his dagger right through yer heart when ye were tryin’ to keep Lady Allie safe.
” He added, “He seemed to be from the future, too, for he was dressed in that fashion.”
Royce stared, refusing to have any feelings about his own death. But was it possible that his enemy had vanquished him—six centuries from now? Was it possible they would war this way for what felt like a near eternity?
Blackwood’s amusement had vanished. “I’ll send for my spies—an’ place new ones in the cathedral an’ town. I’ll learn what Moffat intends.”
“If he thinks to use her,” Royce said quietly, the idea enraging and terrifying, “she must never fall into his hands.”
Both men became silent and he knew they were both thinking of the rumor that long ago, he’d had a wife who’d been destroyed by the deamhanain.
He would not discuss Brigdhe with them or anyone else, and he would not confirm that the rumor was partly right.
His stomach sickened with dread. Ailios must never be put in such a position.
Ever. He dearly hoped Moffat still sought revenge for Kaz’s death and that it was nothing more.
Blackwood knew Moffat well, considering the proximity of their lands, and he said, “The deamhan is clever. T’is rumored he has discovered pages of the holy Book of Healing. If so, he would want to capture a great Healer an’ have her use her powers with the Book.”
Royce had heard the whispers that Moffat had procured parts of the Cladich, the Book of Healing, stolen long ago from its shrine.
That might explain why his armies kept growing.
A deamhan with some healing ability would be a terrible thing.
“Find out if he has parts of the Book. If so, he must die now.”
Aidan spoke grimly. “An’ how will he die now, if he lives to hunt an’ fight in the twenty-first century?” He was referring to the part of the Code that specified no Master could change what was written in the past or the future.
“I’ll see what I can discover,” Blackwood said, standing. Then he grinned, his severe expression gone. “So you will protect the innocent Healer until this war passes?”
Royce scowled as Aidan also stood, speaking. “MacNeil asked Royce to protect her for his great reasons, which I dinna ken. But he sees the future, when the Ancients allow it. This is written.” His face was oddly bland and he shrugged.
Blackwood shook his head. “Aidan, the woman is wasted on Royce. He won’t find comfort in his black soul with any woman—even this one. The only comfort he’ll have is in a bed.” He gave Royce a slanted glance and languidly strolled from the hall, pausing only to nod at Ailios with an engaging smile.
She nodded back at Blackwood, smiling just a little, and then glanced hesitantly in Royce’s direction.
He thought about the fact that it would soon be dark and that he was sitting there, as hot as a man could be, because of her. But that could be changed. He rose.
Aidan clasped his shoulder. “Dinna play the fool.”
Royce shook him off. “Ceit, a chamber for Lady Ailios,” he told a passing maid as he started across the hall. As he passed Ailios, she jumped to her feet, wide-eyed.
“Where are you going?” Ailios asked, appearing stricken.
He didn’t answer. She wouldn’t be pleased if she knew.