Page 99 of Entangled With You

How many times had she wiped my tears and helped me get my act together?

I didn’t need help though.

This was me being a hero.

66 - KAITLYN

The longest walk of my life: through the doors, across the foyer, down the halls, past the ornate and lavish walls, the sweeping high ceilings. The only difference between this time and twenty years after was less furniture. I headed toward the Great Hall. Groups of men and women were bustling around, traveling in and out of doors and stairwells. The entire place smelled of baking bread. And everyone seemed busy and as if they had been celebrating, which was perfect. They weren’t inclined to notice me much. It was evening and yet, so bright. Another thing I had counted on. Happy residents, in case I was cornered and questioned, and plenty of light in case I needed to flee.

At the last wall, missing the tapestry that I usually admired just before going in to eat, I took a deep breath — a group of rowdy men and women bustled out of the room. I stepped back and shielded my face until they passed. I took another deep breath and entered.

There were easily a hundred people in the room. Sitting and eating. Bagpipes played at the far end and it was loud as hell, though quietly loud, because I was in that thing again: darkness clouding around my sight, my breath echoing in my ears. I scanned the room, but all I could see were indiscernible faces looming in and out of the darkness, forward and back as I focused. I checked a group of men, not him. I scanned toward one of the tables. It was less lavish than the one I was used to, the chairs were blockier, less comfortable. There was a group of men and women who were holding onto each other and I remembered the time I saw the girl — what had been her name — touching Magnus’s shoulder.

He wasn’t there, I scanned and wove through the crowd. I saw a back that looked close, but not tall enough, and when I drew near I saw he was mostly toothless and — I kept walking because I thought if I stopped someone might want to talk to me. But now here I was at the end of the hall near the bagpipes and I hadn’t found him yet.

I turned and took in the room behind me and then —

Magnus.

Unmistakable except almost unrecognizable. He had a beard, not a scruffy bit of beard like he hadn’t shaved for a while, this was a long beard, a full beard, like a⁠—

He was in conversation with a group of men and suddenly his eyes swept the room and landed on. Me.

I smiled.

Yes.

Aye.

He pushed through the crowd to me. His linen shirt stretched across his wide shoulders, his kilt draped around his legs in a deep blue and green plaid. He wore a dirk at his hip, and a sporran. It had been a long time since he looked like he truly belonged here in Scotland, but he looked at home, rough and ancient, a little barbaric. Except in his eyes — leveled on me. Wanting me. Those eyes were the eyes of my husband, carrying the whole history of us⁠—

It felt like it might take forever but then he was right there and I threw my arms around him and he lifted me from the floor. His face pressed against my neck, his first word, simply my name, spoken into my skin. I wrapped around the back of his head and held on. And I didn't think he would ever let me down — he rocked me back and forth.

“How?”

I turned to speak into his ear. “You didn’t come home. So I came to find you. You aren’t old, you don’t look that much older at all.”

“I feel a lifetime has passed, mo reul-iuil.” He nudged my cheek with his and met my lips with a kiss and we kissed long and delicious my lips and tongue exploring his mouth. He carried that familiar smell the one of dust and incense and⁠—

“I love you, where have you been?”

“I daena ken, I dinna think it at the time, but now I see ye, I think I must have been lost.”

I ran my fingers down his long hair and brushed it behind his ear and gave him a sad smile, “Well, you did just what you’re supposed to do, sit tight and wait for someone to come find you.”

He dropped my feet to the floor. Then led me through the crowds to the edge of the hall, to a small table, and leaned against it. I stood between his legs. His arms around. “How long was I gone?”

“Three days.”

His eyes looked deep into mine.

I ran my hand down his beard, long and bushy and a bit tangled. Growing up toward his cheekbones, accentuating the crinkle under his eyes — the one that came from smiling. “How long have you been gone, Magnus?”

“Och.” He winced as if the words were painful. He shook his head. “It has been some verra long years.”

“Years, my love?” He nodded, his eyes full of sadness. I kissed the ridge of his nose and pulled his head down to my shoulder and held him huddled, mouth to ear, my eyes closed. I didn’t need to see, just hear... “But you beat Samuel?”

“Aye, Kaitlyn, and I have been tryin’ tae come home. Every few days I travelled tae see ye but there is a man — remember the men who fought us on the banks of the spring? I have learned they are led by a General Reyes, I have been in a personal war with him, and it haena ended... He kens how tae track m’movements over Florida, and is always waitin’ for me when I arrive. He has threatened your life; he kens ye are there.” He shook his head and winced. “I have been wantin’ tae send ye a message, but I couldna figure out how tae. I dinna want tae go tae our past again; Chef Zach said I shouldna and I dinna ken what else tae do. I had just decided tae change the date I would come home. I kent ye would be worried, but twas the only thing I hadna tried yet.”