Page 68 of Dark Rival

Allie jerked. “Why would you worry about Aidan?”

Claire was surprised. “No one told you? Malcolm and Aidan share the same mother, but not the same father. He is Moray’s son.”

Allie could not believe that Aidan was the son of a demon. “He’s a Master.”

“Yes, he is. But in case you haven’t noticed, he is a bit of a renegade. I worry about him. That charming facade hides a lot of conflict,” Claire said. “On the surface he seems like a playboy who can’t help gratifying himself, but he will always come through for the gods, for Innocence. He is afraid, Allie, afraid of what his father’s legacy to him might be.”

Allie absorbed that. “Well, his aura isn’t evil and if it’s even slightly tainted, I haven’t noticed.” She was firm. But his power was different—she’d sensed that, but hadn’t really understood it. She let it go. It didn’t matter—he was her Knight of Swords.

“If you worship the gods,” Claire said, “then you believe in Fate.”

Allie knew where she was leading. “I do. But it is not Royce’s Fate to die in 2007. That was a mistake.”

Claire was silent, clearly not believing her.

“I know all about the dumb Code,” Allie added. “I’m not a Master and I have no intention of following the rules.”

Claire smiled. “I’m not a Master, either, just the daughter of one. How can I help?”

Allie leaned forward eagerly. “Just think about how to best vanquish Moffat now, so he can’t murder Royce in 2007. He was dressed in modern clothes—he might have been a modern man, too.” And the only reason she couldn’t be certain was that the medieval Aidan ran around in Levi’s when he chose.

“Let’s hope he was from the future,” Claire said softly, “so we can destroy him now and save Royce then.”

Allie was so relieved to have an ally. “I hate to ask you, but maybe you shouldn’t mention this to your husband. I have no idea what happens when a Master breaks the rules, but he might not be on our side.”

Claire laughed. “He’s always on my side, but don’t worry, I won’t say anything until I have to.”

Allie hesitated. She’d come to Dunroch for assistance, which she was getting, but she also needed answers. “Royce was afraid of your relationship with Malcolm at first.”

“He told you that?”

“Yeah, he did.”

Claire said, “Royce is a very hardened soldier, Allie. He’s lived through centuries, and he’s seen it all.”

“Is that a warning?”

“You could have picked someone easier to love.”

Allie almost smiled. “No kidding.” Then she spoke seriously. “Maybe the reason Royce is so hard and cold—and so alone—is his past and his wife.”

“I know he was married, but it was long ago, and I don’t know any details.”

Their gazes met. “Damn,” Allie said. “I know that something terrible happened to his wife and he is still suffering because of it.”

Claire said softly, “Ask Malcolm.”

ALLIE FOUND MALCOLM outside with Royce, standing on the ramparts looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. She paused. The two men, standing above her in their leines and plaids, with the sun trying to emerge from the windswept, gray skies, were a magnificent sight. Her heart turned over a dozen times as she stared at Royce. Why didn’t he want to be healed? And she wondered if his pain had something to do with his willingness to die in the future. It was a startling and dismal thought.

He turned and glanced down at her.

Allie hurried up the stone steps. “Hi.” She smiled at both men. “Am I interrupting?”

Malcolm seemed bemused, but Royce looked wary. “Lady Allie, we have finished our conversation.” He clasped Royce’s arm. “Yer woman wishes a word with me, I think.”

Royce’s gaze slid over Allie’s top and jeans. “Dinna think to seduce him to yer cause. He’s very fond o’ his wife.”

Allie smiled at him. “You’re my cause. And the only man I wish to seduce,” she added.