Shoulder the Skye, page 29
“I wish I could say we were. It’s still around, so everyone needs to be vigilant. What about George? What’s going to happen to her?”
“She’s being charged with filing a false report and perverting the course of justice.”
Elias felt some relief about that. “What about the accusations against me for the murders in Edinburgh?”
“That’s out of my jurisdiction. I know she went to the authorities in Edinburgh. Has anyone contacted you?”
He shook his head. “I didna even know about any of it until she came here.”
Frasier ran a hand down his face and leaned back in the chair once more. “I’ll see what I can find out. George has made some enemies on Skye, no’ the least of which is Rhona. However, she did make some friends.”
“In other words, people who are demanding my head.”
“In a manner of speaking.” Frasier blew out a breath. “The coroner has ruled the death of the man found at your home as natural.”
Elias was taken aback. “Natural?”
“Heart attack, it appears.”
Elias remembered that Bronwyn’s father had died of something similar—though it had come from Sydney, which meant there was nothing natural about it.
“You’re no longer a suspect in the murder here. I can no’ say the same for anywhere else,” Frasier said, breaking into Elias’s thoughts.
He rubbed his hands on his thighs. “I’m no’ a murderer.”
“Let’s keep it that way, shall we?” Frasier stood and extended his hand.
Elias rose and shook it, a weight falling from him that he never thought to dislodge.
“Your family and friends are waiting in the lobby,” Frasier told him.
Elias smiled and walked from the office a free man. He wouldn’t have been able to say that if it hadn’t been for the Knights, who had ensured he was proven innocent. When he exited the station’s locked door and entered the lobby, Elodie was the first to fly into his arms. He held her, more grateful than ever to have his family back.
“Are you really free?” she asked as she stepped back.
He nodded and looked at Edie. “It seems the security camera outside showed everything.”
“I should’ve thought of that,” Edie said with a frown. “I’m sorry, Elias. I’ve had so much on my mind that I didn’t think about it.”
He waved away her words. “None of us did. It all came out in the end.”
“It’s time to celebrate,” Finn said as he clapped his hands together once and rubbed them vigorously.
Carlyle nodded. “I second that. We’ve earned it.”
Scott put an arm around Elodie and grinned. “We didna doubt you for a moment, Elias.”
“We can talk at the pub. I need a drink or three,” Sabryn said.
Edie’s face wrinkled. “I can’t, guys. Sorry.”
“Just one drink,” Elodie begged.
Edie shook her head. “I’ve got an appointment I can’t miss. I’ll be there in spirit.”
Elias pulled Edie against him for a hug. He kissed the side of her face. “How about dinner on Thursday? I miss my niece and nephew.”
“I’ll make it happen.” Edie rubbed her hands up and down his arms as she leaned back. “I’m glad you’re free. Have fun tonight.”
Elias watched her hurry from the station.
“Something isn’t right at her house,” Elodie whispered as she leaned close.
Elias’s brows drew together as he looked at her. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll explain later. Right now, we’re celebrating.”
“Finally,” Finn stated and turned to walk out.
When he got to the door, Elias heard him greet someone, but Scott was talking, so Elias didn’t hear who it was. It wasn’t until Sabryn walked out and Carlyle stepped aside that Elias got a look.
“Bronwyn,” he said as a smile pulled at his lips.
She returned his grin. He closed the distance between them in a few strides and wound his arms around her. She felt so good against him. He closed his eyes, grateful for how everything had turned out.
Then he kissed her. A long, slow kiss filled with all the love and hunger he possessed for her. He no longer wanted to go for that drink. He wanted to return to Carwood with Bronwyn so he could tell her how he felt. And make love to her all night.
The catcalls had him and Bronwyn giggling, which ended the kiss. He gazed down at her and sighed, his heart fuller than it had ever been.
“I hear you’re no longer a suspect,” Bronwyn said.
He moved aside a lock of her beautiful, brunette tresses. “Aye.”
“We’re going to celebrate,” Carlyle said.
Elias lifted his head to tell them he had changed his mind when Bronwyn put a finger over his mouth.
“Nay,” she said with a smile. “We’re going. We can talk later.”
Scott chuckled. “I like her.”
Elodie playfully slapped his chest. “Behave. Hey, Bronwyn. Let me introduce you to Scott.”
“The guy who stole her heart,” Scott said as he winked at Elodie.
Bronwyn smiled as she nodded at Scott. “I think she might have been the one to steal yours.”
“She most definitely did.”
Finn yelled from outside the open door. “Can we go now? I’m freezing my bollocks off.”
“Aye, let’s go,” Elias said as he and Bronwyn walked hand in hand from the station.
The cloud over him wasn’t completely lifted. It was still possible that the authorities in Edinburgh would come for him, but if and when they did, he’d face it head-on. He didn’t have anything to hide. He wasn’t the murderer George sought, and he could prove it if it came down to it.
He hadn’t just exonerated himself from a murder on Skye. He had also faced his past in many ways. His anger toward his father would probably come up unexpectedly, but he wouldn’t ignore it any longer. Nor would he run from things anymore.
Because he had something to hold on to—Bronwyn.
Even though he knew their time was short, he planned to savor every second they had. Because his other option was not having her in his life, and he simply couldn’t handle that.
The celebration at the pub was loud, the conversation abundant, and the laughter boisterous. Drinks flowed, toasts were given, and memories made. He was surrounded by his closest friends, family—minus Edie and her crew—and the love of his life.
Yet he was more than ready to call it a night after a few hours. He sighed in contentment when he and Bronwyn finally returned to the manor.
She leaned against the closed door. “It’s good to be home. I wasn’t sure I’d get to return here.”
“You thought Rhona would ask you to leave?”
Bronwyn nodded. “I did.”
“How did that conversation go?”
“Good. Different than I thought.”
Bronwyn took him into the library and explained her conversation with Rhona, and Elias was just as surprised.
“What are you going to do?” he asked when she finished.
She tucked her legs against her on the sofa and leaned into his side. “I think it’s a great idea to teach the Druids more than we know. I have two concerns, though. One is that I don’t have the book as proof. They’ll have to take my word for things, and we both know how I’ve been treated.”
“You have a point. Perhaps we can search Sydney’s things for the tome.”
“Maybe. But that brings me to my second issue.” She looked up at him.
Elias saw her worried expression and knew immediately what bothered her. “You’re thinking about how much time you have left.”
“I am. It’s hard not to, after all.” She looked toward the fire and shrugged. “I want to teach what I’ve learned. I want others to know that being drough doesn’t necessarily make someone evil.”
He squeezed her against him. “I agree.”
“But there’s one thing I want more than that.” Her hazel eyes reflected the dancing flames in the hearth. “I want you.”
“You have me.”
She shook her head and shifted to the other side, pulling away from him. “But we won’t have a future. Not the kind I want or that you deserve.”
“I doona care if I get one hour, one year, or a lifetime. The fact that I’ll be with you is enough.”
“Users of blood magic have violent deaths, Elias. I don’t want you to witness what’s coming for me.”
“And I doona want to be anywhere else but beside you. I…” The words clogged in his throat again. He shoved aside his worry about becoming his father and focused on the man he was. Then he faced her and swallowed. “I love you.”
As soon as the words were out, he smiled, relief rushing through him. Nothing had ever sounded so right. He had no idea why those words had been so hard to say, but now that he had said them when she could hear it, he would never hesitate again.
“I love your stubbornness and your strength. I love how you dribble honey into your tea. I love the way your eyes change color with your emotions. I love that you never give half measures on anything. I love that you follow your heart no matter where it might lead you.” He smiled. “I love that you talk to the house and that it somehow communicates with you and protects you. I love that you’ll move Heaven and Earth for those you care about.”
Tears welled in her eyes before dropping onto her cheeks. “Stop. Please,” she whispered.
He shook his head and moved closer. “I can no’. You said I had your heart and soul. I know the feeling of your love, Bronwyn. It’s bright and warm and all-encompassing. I found myself again. With you.”
She wiped at her face and sniffed as she glanced away. “Those are beautiful words. The kind a woman longs to hear.”
“I mean every one of them.” He took her hand and rubbed his thumb across her skin. “Look me in the eye and tell me you doona love me.”
“I cannot,” she said as more tears fell.
Elias wiped them away. “Everyone and everything dies. It is the cycle of life. I’d rather spend what time we have enjoying each other than worrying about when and how one of us will go. That would be squandering the gift we’ve been given. What we have, this love between us, is special.”
She dashed her tears away with her free hand and sniffed. “When I was unconscious, I dreamed of us and our future. I dreamed of our children.”
Elias smiled. “Sounds like a verra nice dream.”
“It was amazing. Then I woke to reality, still craving that which will never be in my grasp.”
“I’m here now. I’m yours.”
She turned to him. “You have no idea how much I yearn to take everything you’re offering.”
“You already have. You felt the same things between us that I did. I told you that you are no’ alone anymore, and I meant that. If you’re hesitating because you worry for me, doona. I’ve made my decision. I willna change my mind. I’m no’ going anywhere.”
Her face crumpled as her shoulders shook. She covered her face with her hands and sobbed. Elias sat frozen, unsure what he had done to cause such suffering—and wondering how the hell to fix it. He looked around helplessly.
Suddenly, Bronwyn threw her arms around him, her body colliding with his and sending him backward onto the cushions. He held her with a grin as she kissed along his neck and cheek until she reached his mouth.
Then she lifted her head and smiled through her tears. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
“Och, lass,” he murmured. “You scared me.”
“I don’t want you to go anywhere, but I needed to know that you understand what’s coming.”
He smoothed her hair from her face and felt his eyes blur with unshed tears. “I’ll say it every day we’re together. I doona want to be anywhere but with you. My heart. My soul.”
“My heart,” she whispered and gave him a soft kiss. “My soul,” she said and kissed him again, this time letting her lips linger.
Elias deepened the kiss as desire shot through him. He held Bronwyn tightly and heard her answering moan when he ground his arousal against her. As they gave in to desire, he could’ve sworn he heard the manor sigh with happiness.
Epilogue
A week later…
It was the smell of delicious food that pulled her away from her computer. She closed the laptop and set it aside, her gaze roaming the parlor. She’d moved her things into the master bedroom, where Elias had added his. The sofa bed was tucked away now, and the parlor was as it should be once more.
A lot had changed in a week. Every day was a different adventure with Elias. His interest in the manor had sent them exploring every part of it, opening rooms long shut and finding furniture that had been stored from generations before. They had begun to put the house back as it had once been.
They’d even found some old family portraits that had been tucked away. Once the walls were newly painted, they would hang them. In addition to her ancestral finds, there were new items, including a beautiful vase that was a gift from Carlyle. Not to be outdone, Finn gave them a box of books, some first editions to add to the semi-bare library.
Then there was the shipment of silver that graced the dining room. It wasn’t until Sabryn arrived that they learned Sabertooth had tracked it down. And she didn’t come empty-handed, either. She had used Saber to locate the buyers of two paintings as well as the blue and white ginger jars that had been Bronwyn’s mum’s favorites.
With the house now open, cleaned, and slowly being repaired, the structure had a new lightness about it. Though it might have to do with the laughter that was an everyday occurrence between Elias and her.
A sound at the door drew Bronwyn’s attention. She grinned when she found Elias leaning against the doorframe, smiling at her. He straightened and made his way to her as she stood.
“You looked deep in thought,” he said as he approached.
She twisted her lips as she wound her arms around his neck at the same time he wrapped her in an embrace. “I was thinking about all the work we’ve done to the manor.”
“There will be more soon. I’ve got some savings set aside that we can use.”
Bronwyn grinned. He’d already offered twice, and while she wanted the house restored, she didn’t want to use all of his money. “I told you I’d think about it. I got some good news today.”
“Oh?” he asked, his brows raised in interest.
“The romance author I just finished the cover for has booked me for two more.”
Elias’s face split into a wide grin. “I never had any doubt.”
Bronwyn pressed her lips together, barely able to contain her excitement. “There’s more.”
“Doona keep me waiting,” he said as he squeezed her.
“When she revealed the cover on social media, some authors asked who had designed it. She gave them my information, and I just finished booking two of them with a third possible.”
Elias’s eyes widened as he grinned. “Oh, baby. That’s wonderful news.”
“I just sent off the invoices for the deposits. Which means I’m booked for the next two months.”
He lifted her and twirled her around. “I never had any doubt. I’m so proud of you.”
“If this keeps up, I can use the funds to repair the manor.” She wanted to get it back to its former glory before she died. Though Bronwyn tried not to think about that day too much.
Elias gave her a quick kiss. “How do you feel?”
Something in his eyes caught her attention. “Fine. Why? You’re looking at me funny.”
“I had a dream last night.”
It was her turn to nudge him. “About what?”
“The house.” He glanced to the side, a slight frown marring his forehead. “I saw you using blood magic.”
She didn’t like to be reminded of it, but what was done was done. There was no changing it. “Because I did,” Bronwyn replied, some of her joy dissipating.
Elias caught her gaze and smiled. “Aye. It was exactly like the first time I saw you doing it, the night Sydney attacked. Except I didna walk away this time. It was as if I were being shown something. The wood absorbed the blood.”
“The magic is absorbed, but not the blood. I’ve seen traces of it after I’ve used it.”
“I did, too. When you used it on the front door the night of the battle, did you wipe away the blood?”
She shook her head. “I thought you must have.”
“I asked the Knights, Rhona, Balladyn, and the healers who were here. None of them saw any blood on the door.”
Bronwyn frowned as she thought back to that night. “Sydney and his gang were here. They must have done it. They tried to get into the house while we were away.”
“That’s what I thought, too. But I doona think that’s what happened.”
“What do you think occurred?”
“The house.” Elias shrugged. “The manor did more than protect us from the mist that night. In the dream, I saw us, both of us together in old age, surrounded by kids and grandkids.”
Bronwyn smoothed her hands through his hair. “I had that same dream when I was unconscious.”
“I think the manor is trying to tell us something, love. I think it’s trying to let us know that you willna die from using blood magic.”
“That…that isn’t possible.” She stepped back and put her hand on her forehead. “I admit, the house is special, but it can’t stop something like that.”
“Just like it can no’ protect others from a killing mist?” Elias asked pointedly. He shrugged. “The manor was built with magic on an isle that is known for its magic. I think anything is possible.”
Bronwyn didn’t want to hope for the impossible.
Elias reached for her, drawing her back into his arms. “The house showed you how it stopped the mist. If anyone can get an answer from it, it’s you. So, ask it.”
Her heart thudded against her ribs as she slowly walked from Elias to the nearest wall and put her hand on it. She took a deep breath and released it as she closed her eyes. “Is what Elias said possible? After everything I’ve done?”
