Echoes of Magic Page 13

  He met her gaze, unblinking for several moments before he sighed. “You’ve the right of it.”

  She thanked the saints for Grayson as he leaned toward her and cupped her head as he gave her a gentle kiss before he pulled her into his arms.

  Ever since she’d found Grayson, her life had been anything but normal. And she loved it. She refused to think about what the morrow meant and how close Nigel was to finding them. Grayson was a superb warrior, and she was going to make sure he won.

  * * * * *

  Grayson cracked open his eyes to find he’d slept without one nightmare. He glanced down at Adrianna to see her still sleeping. He thought of the day ahead and briefly wondered about putting their journey off for a day or so. They could spend the time in the inn making love all day.

  But as wonderful as that sounded, Grayson knew Nigel wouldn’t wait. Nigel was coming for him, and Grayson wanted to be prepared.

  Grayson moved a lock of hair from Adrianna’s face and smiled. Not only had she given him the peace he had long sought, but she drove him wild with need. No woman had ever done either to him. He had made love to many women, but all of them he could leave behind without a second thought.

  Adrianna was going to be a different story.

  At least he had pulled out of her last night. It had been close, but he’d done it. If he had his way, she would return to the inn before nightfall without him.

  His plan had been to wait out Nigel at Hawksbridge while Adrianna was safe at in the inn. But knowing he might never see her again if he carried out his plan made his chest ache as if a dagger had been thrust in his heart.

  He had never been one to run away from anything, and Nigel and answers to his mother awaited him. It was time to face the day, regardless of what he really wanted.

  “It’s time, isn’t it?” Adrianna’s pale blue gaze met his.

  “Aye.”

  She nodded and rose from the bed. He missed her warmth instantly. He watched as she combed her hair. It didn’t surprise him that she stared out the window. “Is he closer?”

  “Aye.” She lowered the comb and faced him. “I’d like to look into the future before we leave.”

  Grayson rose with a sigh and walked to her. “Just as you said, we cannot run from our fate, the future cannot be changed, Drina.”

  “It can. Why do you think I was given the gift if not to help people?”

  The morning sun drenched her in red‐orange light, giving her the appearance that magic surrounded her. It was obvious it was important to her that she peer into his future and, though he knew it would change nothing, he nodded.

  “I’ll gather us some food to break our fast.”

  She smiled, relief shining in her eyes. “Thank you.”

  Grayson hurried to dress and left their chamber. He didn’t know what was wrong with him. Ever since he had woken, he had wanted to forget his quest for answers, forget Nigel.

  That’s because you sense there is a future for you and Adrianna.

  He snorted. She was cursed, and he was destined to die at Hawksbridge. What kind of future could they have?

  None.

  Adrianna waited until Grayson closed the door behind him before she lowered herself to the floor. She knew she wouldn’t have much time, and she was determined to see as much as she could before he returned.

  She closed her eyes and focused all the magic on Grayson. The world faded into nothing as her magic began to rush around her and everything went black. Flashes of Grayson blazed in her mind. She concentrated on Hawksbridge and saw Grayson standing in the bailey, his sword drawn and hanging at his side as blood dripped from the tip.

  His long, black hair whipped in the wind while his silver eyes flashed savagely and his face was thunderous in his anger.

  As quickly as that insight came, it vanished, leaving Adrianna to search for more. Almost instantly another image appeared. This one was of Grayson standing on the battlements as he watched someone ride away. When he turned, the grief on his face was enough to knock the wind from her lungs.

  Her eyes flew open as Grayson walked into their chamber. He glanced at her before moving to the table and laying out the food he had purchased. Adrianna rose to her feet and padded to the table. Her stomach rumbled in hunger as she reached for the food. They ate briefly in silence before he raised his gaze to her.

  “You saw something.”

  It wasn’t a question. She nodded. “Not much, but something. I don’t think I can see much of your future now because I’m involved.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I’ve never wanted to see my own future, so I think that fear hinders me from seeing yours clearly.”

  He chewed and swallowed. “What did you see?”

  “You in the bailey of Hawksbridge with blood on your sword.”

  He lifted a brow. “Was I fighting Nigel?”

  “I didn’t see anyone else, just you, but, by the sheer anger of your gaze, I’d say you were looking at someone you detested.”

  “What else?”

  She shrugged. “I only saw one more image, and that was of you standing on the battlements waving farewell to someone.”

  That got his attention. He sat forward. “What battlements?”

  “I’m assuming Hawksbridge, but I suppose it could have been Wolfglynn. I didn’t get to see enough,” she hurried to say when he sat back.

  “You know what we’ll be facing there, Drina,” he said softly. “Why do you want to make things worse by seeing the future?”

  “So I can help you.”

  One corner of his mouth pulled up into a smile. “You are helping.”

  She felt more like a hindrance than anything else. “Give us another day. You can scout more of the area and the castle.”

  “While you dig into the future?”

  She nodded.

  “Nay, Drina. I must go. I’ve waited too long to find answers.”

  Adrianna wanted to argue with him, to bed him for just one more day, but she knew it would be futile. Grayson had a destiny, and he was rushing toward it.

  Chapter Twenty‐One

  Adrianna smoothed down her green skirts. Her new gown felt heavenly. The material was more costly than she’d ever worn, and she understood how a woman could become spoiled to such clothes.

  The gown wasn’t as dark as the green velvet she wanted, but it was a beautiful dark moss green. The trim on the hem, neck and the elongated sleeves was a lighter shade with a matching moss green floral print. Even her girdle was decorated to match, a luxury she’d never had.

  She whirled around as the door opened and Grayson stepped in the chamber. “How is my hair?” She ran her hands down the two plaits bound with matching leather that fell down her front.

  When Grayson didn’t respond, she met his gaze. “That awful?”

  “Nay, Drina. You look...stunning, as if you were born to those clothes.”

  She licked her lips and lowered her gaze. She was embarrassed with herself for being so pleased with his comment. Yet, pleased she was.

  “Thank you,” she murmured and forced herself to meet his gaze.

  She then got her first look at him in his new finery. The black tunic with silver thread molded to his body perfectly. The new black breeches and boots only added to his handsomeness and, though she loved when his hair was loose, he had it pulled back in a queue.

  With her brow raised, she walked slowly around Grayson, letting her eyes take in the beautiful warrior before her.

  “Well?” he prompted.

  Adrianna waited until she was once more standing before him. “I’ve never seen a man more handsome. The black gives you a sinister air, though, which could give you an advantage.”

  “Sinister, aye?” he asked with a twinkle in his silver eyes.

  “You always carry an air of power about you, but I have to admit, these new clothes do give you quite the advantage.”

  “Really?”

  He reached for her, and Adrianna duc
ked his grasp and laughed as she tried to run from him. His arms were long, and he easily caught her, pushing her against the wall as he molded his body to hers.

  “The way that gown fits your body makes me want to rip it off you,” he murmured in her ear.

  Adrianna sighed with pleasure. “I’d like nothing more than to take it off.”

  He kissed her neck, sending shivers of delight racing along her skin. “I wish we had time for me to take you again.”

  “We’ll have tonight.”

  He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and took her hand. “Of course.”

  There was something in his tone that told her he had no intentions of spending another night with her. She gathered her bag and let him lead her from the inn as she tried to see past the hurt that threatened to swallow her.

  It wasn’t until he had helped her mount her mare and she saw the way his gaze sizzled when he caught a glimpse of her leg that she decided not to give up so easily on him. There might not be a future for them, but they could have a few days or weeks. That wasn’t asking a lot.

  “Are you ready?” she asked as they rode from the village.

  “Aye. Nay.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I’ve been waiting for this for so long, it almost seems unreal.”

  “I wish I could have seen into your past to give you some help.”

  “You’ve given me more than I could ask for already.”

  Adrianna swallowed and shifted her gaze away from his heated one. “What do you think happened to your mother?”

  “I’ve thought about this so many times that it’s hard to say. There are many things that could have happened to her.”

  “But how many of them involved leaving her child behind?”

  He clenched his jaw. “Not many. I think she was taken, but I’m not sure why.”

  Adrianna worried her lower lip with her teeth as she thought over his words. “Do you remember if she was common or nobility?”

  Grayson barked with laughter. “I have no idea. I have to assume we were common.”

  “You are anything but common, Grayson of Wolfglynn.”

  He winked at her, his smile infectious.

  About an hour into the ride, Adrianna noticed a change in Grayson. He became more alert, his hand on his sword.

  “What is it?”

  “We’re being followed,” he answered.

  She had the desire to look behind her but stopped herself just in time. “Where?”

  “To the side. It’s just one man.”

  “One of Nigel’s knights?”

  Grayson shook his head slightly. “I don’t think so. Do you smell any evil?”

  “From the castle and Nigel himself, but other than that nay.”

  “Do they have distinct scents?”

  She nodded. “Hawksbridge has a stale smell of evil, almost like the smell a wet dog leaves behind.”

  “And Nigel?”

  “He’s pure evil. He smells of rotting flesh and decaying bones.”

  Grayson glanced at her. “Are you going to be all right?”

  “The spell and herbs will stay with me for several days.”

  “Good.” He moved his mount closer to her. “If we’re attacked, move away from me. If you can, ride back to the village.”

  She grabbed his hand. “I’d rather stay. I’m safer with you.”

  “That’s debatable, Drina,” he said with a smile. “I think you’re in more danger being near me.”

  “No one can protect me like you can, but I’ll do as you ask. I will keep out of the way.”

  “If there are more of them, some will attack me while others will try for you. They will capture you in an attempt to halt my blade.”

  “Don’t worry,” she assured him. “I won’t let them get me.”

  “I hope not.”

  For the next few hours, they rode in silence. Try as she might to see into the future, she couldn’t, not without falling off the horse in the process.

  It was nearing noon when they crested a small hill and the towers of Hawksbridge came into view. Grayson pulled his mount to a halt, and Adrianna followed suit.

  “It’s heavily guarded,” he warned her. “We might not get entrance.”

  “They’ll give us entrance. To them, we’re nobility, and nobility isn’t turned away.”

  He sighed loudly. “I hope you’re right.”

  “I am.”

  They started forward. The giant gray stone of the castle loomed ever closer. Just as Grayson had said, guards patrolled the battlement, keeping a wary eye on the horizon. She knew the instant they were spotted.

  “They know we’re coming,” Grayson mumbled.

  “It’ll be all right.” At least she hoped it would.

  On the long road to Hawksbridge two knights on horseback raced from the castle toward them.

  “Adrianna?”

  “They smell of the castle, not of the knights we fought.”

  He nodded.

  “And the man who followed us?” she prompted.

  Grayson met her gaze. “Still there.”

  They weren’t able to speak more as the knights reached them. They looked first at Grayson before turning to her.

  “Do you have business at Hawksbridge, my lord?” the knight nearest her asked.

  Grayson inclined his head but a fraction, his gaze never wavering from the men. Adrianna waited for Grayson to say something, but the way he and the knights stared at each other, she knew they would more than likely withdraw their swords than speak.

  “We’ve been traveling,” she said. “Might we take a rest at Hawksbridge for a spell to refresh ourselves and our horses?”

  The knights exchanged a glance before the one who had spoken earlier said, “Follow me, my lady.”

  Grayson took her hand as they trailed the knights at a slower pace. She found it difficult to think straight while his thumb rubbed slow circles on the back of her hand.

  “Tread carefully, Drina,” he cautioned. “We’re walking into a viper’s nest.”

  She mentally shook herself. “I will. We just need to gather information today. We shouldn’t be there more than a few hours.”

  “Aye. Taking our noon meal here will give us reason to have a look around. I’ll be sure to visit the stables. I want to see what kind of horseflesh they have.”

  Adrianna grinned. “I suppose you want an accounting of servants.”

  “Oh, aye. As much information as you can get. Everything is pertinent. Remember that.”

  As she looked at him, she longed to wipe the frown from his face, to see him smile and his eyes light up with laughter. She had been given a glimpse of what he would have been like last night. The easy way he smiled and shared his body with her had told her more than words ever could.

  His hand squeezed hers.

  “What is it?” she whispered.

  When he didn’t answer, she glanced around as they neared the massive gate that was being raised. All eyes were on her, as if they weren’t used to seeing many women, especially ladies.

  “I shouldn’t have brought you,” she heard Grayson mumble beneath his breath.

  At the moment, she happened to agree with him. The men made her uncomfortable and, if it weren’t for Grayson, she would have turned her horse around and rode back to the inn. As it was, she refused to let anyone, even Grayson, know how uneasy she was. She raised her chin a notch and kept her gaze forward.

  As the gate slowly rose, she looked into the bailey. The size of the bailey was larger than she had ever seen before. Several more knights stood on either side of the gate’s entrance, watching them.

  She glanced at Grayson before they followed the knights through the gatehouse. A shiver raced down her spine when her mount’s hoof touched the stones of the bailey. She just prayed her herbs and magic would hold off the evil until she and Grayson had departed Hawksbridge.

  Adrianna swallowed past the lump of fear that clogged her throat. She began to doubt venturing inside the castl
e walls, especially when the gate banged closed.

  “It’ll be fine,” Grayson whispered.

  How she hoped he was right, but as she looked around the bailey she wasn’t so sure. People stood in rags, many with no shoes on their feet. Their eyes were lifeless, as if all hope had vanished from their lives.

  She passed a young girl, who sat on the ground and looked up at Adrianna with sad dark eyes. Adrianna wanted to pick the child up and run. The child needed laughter and joy, but she would get none of that at Hawksbridge.

  And then Adrianna was awash in warmth, as if tiny bubbles popped over her skin. She knew that feeling. It alerted her another bana‐bhuidseach was near.

  She searched for the source of the magic so strong, Adrianna felt as if she were drowning in it. Her horse halted the same time Grayson released her hand. She scanned the bailey as Grayson dismounted and walked to her.

  “What is it?” he asked as he lowered her to the ground.

  She opened her mouth to tell him when she spotted the woman on the steps of the castle. Her long black hair streaked with gray blew in the breeze.

  Adrianna’s gaze snapped to Grayson.

  His brow furrowed as he watched her. “Drina?”

  How could she tell him everything he sought stood not twenty paces from him?

  Then his head turned. He caught sight of the woman and stiffened.

  Chapter Twenty‐Two

  Grayson couldn’t believe his eyes. It couldn’t be.

  But it was.

  “Grayson?” Adrianna said as she gripped his arms.

  He wanted to answer her, to tell her he was fine, but the truth was, he was far from it. He felt as if he had been kicked in the stomach. His gaze met his mother’s. In all his years of dreaming of finding her, he had imagined all sorts of scenarios, all with her running into his arms, telling him how much she loved and missed him.

  But in none of his dreams had he ever imagined his mother so stricken to see him.

  Adrianna’s soft hand touched his arm again, and he latched on to her as if she were the only thing keeping him afloat. Her presence was comforting, shouldering him as he struggled to accept what his eyes had already seen.