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She leveled her gaze on him, “He wants tae kill ye. What would ye do, hide? I found ye as soon as I decided tae. The only reason he hasna found ye here is because he hasna the brains tae think on it well. But he will find ye. He will kill ye and Kaitlyn will be taken tae the future and punished as the murderer of Donnan. You would never be safe from it.”
A growl came from Magnus’s throat.
She continued, “Since ye have abandoned me tae deal with the troubles ye left, I have kept him from findin’ ye. When I realized he sent men tae attack my brother’s castle Balloch, I proved tae him that ye were nae there and encouraged them tae withdraw. I have kept your home here in the New World a secret from him. It has been a dreadful amount of work tae accomplish this.”
She paused and watched him for a moment.
I could hear the faint beat of a Katy Perry song through the door. It was incongruous to have a party in the other room, and a meeting like this about futures and battles and death and ‘no where to hide,’ happening here.
“I daena have control of the situation as I did with Donnan. With Donnan in power I simply had tae deliver ye and the throne was yours. Now I must accomplish a great deal more.”
“Twas nae so simple. I had tae fight. I almost lost my life.”
She shrugged, “In comparison our current troubles make those battles seem easy.”
“Ye are speakin’ using ‘we’ and ‘our’. I am nae a part of it.”
“Ye have a death wish. It pains me tae hear ye say it.” She stared into space for a moment. It didn’t seem like she was listening to the songs, but she asked, “Magnus, have ye become accustomed tae the music?”
“Tis still verra loud, but I have grown used tae it.”
“I have as well, twas Chef Zach that started us on it, you remember. I haena gotten used tae the images though. The lights bother me greatly. I greatly prefer the turn of the twentieth century, twas verra civilized and nae quite so loud.”
They both sat quietly for a moment.
Why the hell didn’t I wear a dirk under my dress? I could spring on her, stab her through the heart, become a double murderer. I might of course not survive the trauma.
She said, “Since ye seem intent tae break your vow tae me, Magnus, I have been considering my paths forward. As I see it, I have two. Samuel is married, but she is a ridiculous woman. I should bed him I think, become his mistress, then his wife. He is verra stupid and I could easily convince him of my worth.”
“Ye wouldna do it.”
“Oh I would. He has a son. I could throw my wisdom and protection behind his bloodline and ascend tae power in this way. Twould be comforting, I suppose, tae use my skills in service of someone who would be grateful for them. I wouldna have tae listen tae them say they daena want the throne.”
She shifted in her seat, irritated at the thought. “The problem with this scenario is my own son would be an enemy of the throne. Samuel wouldna trust ye tae remain uninterested. He would want tae kill ye and if I protected ye twould be my death warrant. This path for me, taking Samuel’s side, guarding his bloodline, would mean I canna protect ye as I have been accustomed tae do and ye would have tae remain hidden for all your days without my help.”
Magnus scowled.
“The second path before me is one where ye accompany me tae the future. Ye secure your throne. And ye protect your own bloodline and mine.”
Magnus said, “But—”
“Before ye speak on it, Magnus, I want ye tae understand, ye arna only speakin’ for yourself. Tis easy for ye tae hide. Ye could even hide Kaitlyn if ye could keep her under control. But there is the matter of your child.”
Magnus stared down at his hands. “I will protect my family.”
“Will ye? Because if ye and I choose tae allow Samuel’s bloodline tae take the throne, your son will be a direct threat to Samuel’s son. I daena ken how Samuel would allow your son tae live. Bella is in hiding, but—”
My heart dropped to my feet.
Oh god.
Magnus’s head shot up, his eyes focused. “What are ye...?”
She smiled, nodding her head as if pleased. “Ah yes. And have ye told your wife about your mistress?”
I drew in air and my back went completely straight. I stiffened. I stiffened so much I might never relax again.
“She was nae my mistress.”
