Page 99 of Dark Victory

“You would.”

They smiled at each other.

But the prickling of worry came back. “Where’s Macleod?”

Allie sat back, apparently finished, the radiant light diminishing. “He brought us here and then he left. He was very upset.”

Tabby thought that she recalled his absolute and abject fear for her. Had she hallucinated his making a pact with the gods? Had she heard him swear he would take their vows and give up his vengeance? “How did he find you?”

Allie seemed puzzled. “He found me at Carrick, Tabby, in the fifteenth century. Since we don’t know each other—yet—I assume you sent him to me.”

“I did.” Tabby wet her lips. “But he can’t leap.”

Allie slowly smiled. “Uh, honey, he can leap, and if he’s said otherwise, he’s telling a big fat lie, although I cannot imagine why.”

Tabby collapsed back onto the pillows, tears forming. He had made a pact with the gods and they had given him the power to leap. He was going to take his vows and become a Master, giving up the dark and bloody life he lived. She was thrilled.

“What is going on?” Allie cried. “Those are tears of happiness, aren’t they?”

“He has been suffering so,” Tabby whispered unsteadily. “And, yes, I’m happy, considering all that has happened.”

“Welcome to the world of big, bad and oh-so-sexy medieval men.” Allie grinned. “Oh, and did I forget to mention how superstubborn they are?”

Tabby looked at her, her tears falling. She had survived Criosaidh. She wasn’t sure how that had happened. Criosaidh had been far more powerful than she, Tabby, had been. Had she simply decided to leave, with the plan of coming back again to finish what she’d started?

But she was supposed to die at An Tùir-Tara. Tabby tensed in dread.

“What is it?” Allie asked quickly.

No, she told herself. Macleod had made a pact with the gods. He would not go to An Tùir-Tara to change history and defy them another time. But she cringed inwardly, because he was so reckless and arrogant. She didn’t think his character would change overnight. When he made up his mind to do something, nothing would stand in his way—not even a god.

She turned to smile grimly at Allie. “So they’re all impossible?”

“Honey, they’re medieval.”

“No kidding. The first time I met Macleod, he beheaded a sub—while I was in that boy’s arms.”

Allie winced. “Ow. I bet that did a ton for your romantic relationship.”

Tabby started to laugh. Allie grinned with her. Automatically they both reached out and held hands, clinging. “I love it,” Allie said softly. “You are the gentlest soul I know. And he’s one of the hardest of souls. Life with him won’t be easy,” she warned.

“I never said we were going to make a life together,” she began, then stopped. Her heart shrieked at her.

Allie gave her an “are-you-crazy” look. “So you’re going to walk away and leave him hanging around here without you? When another woman looks at Royce, my claws come out!”

Tabby sat up straighter. “I can’t stand the idea of him with another woman.”

“Good!”

“Why are you cheering for us?”

“Because you love him. Because he obviously loves you.”

Tabby stared.

Allie’s brows lifted. “I am meant to be with Royce. He is my other half. I couldn’t live without him—and he certainly couldn’t live without me. We are a team, Tabby, in every way, even the silly ways, and certainly in the life-altering ones. It is meant to be.”

Tabby nodded, wondering if she and Macleod could ever get past their differences and become partners and soul mates like that. She sobered. He was giving up his vengeance and taking his vows. It was a step in the right direction.