Page 54 of The Best of Madeline Grant

He’d brought her to the loch to wash off her wounds, the ones her own brother had inflicted on her. Although they’d had many sweeter moments, this one was etched into his mind as one of the most important moments of his life because it was then he’d made his mind up. It was then he’d decided Madeline would be his wife. He remembered wondering if she’d give him a son or perhaps lassies.

“Alex?”

“Aye, I’d be pleased to help you, but you may wish to turn around. I must remove my plaid as ’tis the only one I have.”He’d said it to guard her tender sensibilities, her innocence, as he waded into the water behind her. But when he took the soap from her hand, preparing to wash her, she said his name again.

“Alex?”

“Aye, Maddie?”

“You must push yourself to remember other things,” she said, her tone turning urgent. “There is something you must recall. I know ’tis there in your mind, and you must pull it out. Things are not as they seem.”

“Maddie? You’re confusing me. I’m here to help you wash your back.”

“Alex, ’tis a memory of our time together that you chose to revisit so I could come to you. Please don’t forget that I can only be here for a short time. ’Tis verra difficult for me to appear to you.”

“Why did you come this time?” he whispered, turning her around so he could gaze into her glorious blue eyes. “Can I not join you? I think I’m ready. ’Tis my time, nay?”

“Nay, Alex,” she said, her tone intent. “Not yet. Don’t you see? The spectral swords aren’t only intended to protect John—they need you. You are the one who’ll guide your bairns and grandbairns through this terrible time in Scotland. Your clan and your country need you. Not yet, but do not worry. When your time comes, I’ll be here waiting for you. Just a few more years.”

“Maddie, I’m tiring…”

Her fingers came up to his lips to silence him. “It’s not as you think. Busby is not out to get you. Hamish is.”

“Hamish? But why?”

“Hamish wanted me, and I rejected him. Now he wants revenge. He’ll try to get it through Dyna. Go!”

Maddie kissed him and walked off into the distance, giving him a small wave as she disappeared.

“You have to save Dyna,” she said, her words pounding through his head.

He opened his eyes, driven by Maddie’s last sentence, savoring her presence but forcing himself to search his surroundings.

He watched as Hamish and Busby entered the hut, Hamish behind the sheriff.

Hamish carried a large boulder. He lifted it and brought it down upon Busby’s skull.

Killing him instantly.

Epilogue

Alex longs to be reunited with his true love, but she has other news.

Alex Grant sat on a stool overlooking his land, taking in the sweet breeze and the smell of pines. The parapets were still his favorite place, although he could no longer come up on his own. The young people helped him get up the many steps.

He closed his eyes, overtired from his long day. “Maddie, is it no’ my time yet?”

Maddie came to him and said, “It won’t be long now, but you have one more task. You must help Logan Ramsay pass the sapphire sword along to its next owner. He and Lina will be along soon.”

“But to whom?”

“You’ll know,” she said, kissing him deeply before she disappeared.

Alex opened his eyes, staring out over his lands. He searched for Maddie, the vision of her so real he swore he could smell her scent.

The clouds overhead began to swirl, bolts of lightning striking different spots in the landscape. A ferocious storm was on its way, so he moved to the door as quickly as he could. The door opened as he approached it. Derric and Dyna stood on the other side, Alick behind them.

“Grandsire, we’ve come to bring you back down,” Alick said. “This storm will be nasty.”