TWO DAYS LATER, Pepper stood in Jonesy’s stall and ran a brush over his withers. “It’s a big day today, boy. We’re going to get on a plane and fly across the ocean, all the way to Scotland. I don’t know much about it, other than they have a sexy accent.” She dropped her head onto his back and giggled. “I suppose that doesn’t really matter to you, though, huh?”
Jonesy let out a quiet whinny and nodded his head up and down.
“I knew you’d understand,” she retorted.
He’s going to be fine, love.
What about me?
“You will be as well,” Connall said as he poked his head over the stall door. “Are you ready? The trailer’s hitched up.”
She nodded and attached Jonesy’s lead to his halter. Connall opened the stall and Pepper led her horse out of the barn and toward the trailer on loan from Karen. When Jonesy figured out where he was going, he began to fight against the lead and Pepper was having a difficult time calming him. Her anxiety probably wasn’t helping things either.
Connall reached out and grasped the halter. “Let me do this, love. You can wait for him at the other end.”
“Okay.” Pepper climbed into the trailer and watched nervously as Connall stood with Jonesy, speaking low and quiet. She bit her lip, concerned Jonesy would freak, but then Connall guided him into the trailer without incident and Pepper was a little shocked at how calm he was.
Max closed and secured the back doors and Connall tied Jonesy’s lead off.
“How did you do that?” she asked.
Connall patted Jonesy’s neck. “I simply explained to him how this was going to go and what would happen if he didn’t cooperate.”
Pepper chuckled. “I do that all the time… he just doesn’t usually listen.”
Connall smiled. “Do you feel comfortable enough to leave the trailer?”
“Is that a loaded question?”
“He’ll be fine.”
Pepper gave Jonesy a peppermint and kissed his cheek and then let herself out the side door and waited while Connall made sure everything was secure. Karen was driving the pickup, while Max rode shotgun and Pepper and Connall would follow behind in the rental.
“Ready?” Max asked.
Connall slapped his palm against the trailer and nodded.
“Maybe I should check him one more time,” Pepper countered.
“He’ll be fine, Pepper.” Connall waved to Max. “We’ll see you there, Max.”
Max nodded and climbed into the truck.
Connall wrapped an arm around Pepper’s waist and guided… no, dragged… her to the car. Pepper bit the inside of her cheek to keep from yelling for Karen to stop the truck.
“The sooner you get in the car, the sooner we can catch up,” Connall said.
“Right.” She glanced up at him. “You have to let me go in order for me to get in the car.”
He did with a laugh and she jumped into the car and put her seatbelt on, waving for Connall to hurry.
“I’m coming, love.” He slid into the car and started it, securing his seatbelt as he pulled the door closed. “The plane won’t leave without us, you know.”
Pepper snorted. “You’re a laugh a minute today.”
Connall caught up to the truck and Pepper felt her heartbeat start to regulate. He reached over and linked his fingers with hers, which calmed her further.
She turned her head to watch him and smiled. “Thank you for this.”
He glanced at her and then back at the road. “For what?”
“Being patient with me.”
“What reason would I have to be impatient?”
“Oh, I don’t know. My general mistrust and freak-outery over the last few days,” she retorted.
Connall laughed. “Freak-outery?”
She grinned. “It’s a new word I’m trying out.”
“I like it.”
“Anyway, you’ve been amazing, and I appreciate it.”
He squeezed her hand. “I love you, Pepper. I’m enjoying every minute. No patience required.”
She stared at his profile for several minutes as they continued to follow the truck and Pepper realized he was right, she did base every relationship on time. But if she was being honest, she knew the moment she met Sam that they’d be friends forever and they had been so far. She also knew the moment she met Connall that there wasn’t anyone else for her. He knew it too.
The question was whether or not she was willing to put her feelings into words. Saying them out loud was hard. It meant she was making a commitment and would look like a fool if she was wrong.
Before she could dwell on this any further, Connall released her hand and shifted gears in order to turn onto a private road. Karen pulled the trailer off to the right and Pepper realized they were arriving at an airstrip not far from Savannah’s International Airport. A large plane came into view and Pepper was drawn to the immensity of the aircraft. “Gunnach Stables” was painted on the side amidst blue and green tartan, and a container with matching design was ready and waiting for Jonesy.
Connall pulled the car to a stop and set the brake. “Ready, love?”
“I think so. What about the bags?”
“The crew will get your bags. You just have to focus on Jonesy.”
“Thanks.”
He smiled and slid from the car, jogging to her side to open the door for her. “Do you want to load him, or would you like me to?”
Pepper climbed out of the car and tented her hand over her eyes in an effort to block out the sun. “Would you mind? I’m a little nervous and I think he’ll pick up on it.”
“Not at all.” He took her hand. “You can supervise.”
As they made their way to the trailer, Connall threw his keys to a young man in an orange vest. Max opened the side door of the trailer and then unlatched the back. “I’ll open this when you’re in.”
“Aye,” Connall said and climbed inside.
Pepper chose to stand with Max and watch as Connall led Jonesy out of the trailer and over to the large containers without any problems. Although Pepper was impressed with the large square container, she was concerned there was a roof.
“Why is the top closed?”
“We don’t want him to rear. It’s open enough for us to lean inside if we need to, but Jonesy won’t be able to poke his head out or hurt himself by rearing.”
“Oh. Makes sense.” As Connall guided the horse inside, Pepper wrinkled her nose. “I think he likes Con more than me.”
Max chuckled. “I highly doubt that.”
Connall stepped back out and secured the door and then made his way to Pepper so Jonesy could be lifted into the plane.
It wasn’t long before all hell broke loose.
As the container started to rise in the air, Jonesy began to whinny. Pepper grabbed for Connall. “He’s going to freak.”
“Give it a second.”
Jonesy started to scream and kick at the walls.
“Crap. Con, he’s scared.” She started toward the crate, but Connall pulled her back.
Max managed to jump and haul himself up onto the ledge of the container, making his way to Jonesy.
“Watch,” Connall instructed.
Max laid his hand on Jonesy’s forehead. Max’s lips were moving, but Pepper couldn’t hear what he was saying, due to the noise of the hydraulics. Within seconds, Max had Jonesy calm and almost asleep by the look of it.
Pepper let out the breath she’d been holding and grasped Connall’s arm. “How did he do that?”
Connall shrugged. “Magic.”
Pepper rolled her eyes. “Is he going to stay with Jonesy the whole time?”
He nodded. “If you want him to.”
“Really?”
“Really. Come on, I’ll show you.”
Taking her hand, Connall led Pepper to the opposite end of the plane and up the stairs. They were greeted by two flight attendants dressed in the same blues and greens as the plane’s decoration. Connall stood back so that Pepper could enter the compartment first. The cabin was huge and set up much like a living room rather than an airplane. It almost looked like a tour bus.
Six rows on the left provided comfortable seating for twelve. A long set of cabinets with a granite countertop was secured to the right side of the plane.
Pepper let out a squeal of excitement when she caught sight of Sam and Kade sitting by the window. Pepper rushed toward her as Sam stood and wrapped her arms around Pepper. “Surprised?”
“Yes!” Pepper exclaimed. “I thought you were leaving with everyone else.”
“We kind of let you believe that, but there was no way I was going to let you arrive in Scotland without me.”
Pepper smiled. “Thank you.”
“Let’s check on Jonesy, love, then we can visit once we take off,” Connall suggested.
She faced him. “I forgot the peppermints. They’re in my bag.”
“Are they now?” He pulled his hand out from behind his back. He was holding a jumbo tub of Starlights.
My word, I love you.
His eyes widened and Pepper bit her lip.
Sorry. I really wanted to say that in private and out loud, then give you a really hot kiss, but I couldn’t wait.
He grinned. “Let’s go see Jonesy.”
He pointed out a door to a private bathroom and then two other doors that led to separate bedrooms as they made their way toward the back of the plane. They arrived at a wall where the plane seemed to stop, but then Connall pushed a semi-hidden door open, and Pepper was surprised to see a huge open space where four containers, big enough for two horses each, were secured in the middle. Seating was set up, bench-style, near the windows, and Max was working with the airport crew to lock down Jonesy’s box.
“Wow,” Pepper said, and giggled when Jonesy started whinnying. She headed to his stall and stroked his muzzle. “Oh, so you do remember me.”
Connall unwrapped a peppermint and handed it to Jonesy and then left Pepper briefly to speak with Max. Pepper took a few precious moments to slip inside and look Jonesy over. He seemed perfectly content and happy to see her when he slid his head over her shoulder and “hugged” her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed. “Aw, buddy, I love you too. You’re such a good boy.”
She handed him another peppermint and double-checked his blanket. She’d chosen the thick one, unsure how cold the plane would be. She was glad she did. It was freezing.
“Wheels up in fifteen minutes, love.” Connall leaned over the wall. “Do you want to stay here or go back to the main cabin?”
She let herself out of the container. “Will Max be here or in the cabin?”
Connall smiled. “Wherever you’d like him.”
She frowned. “If I say back here, will he be okay with that?”
“Yes.” Connall chuckled.
Pepper glanced at Jonesy and then at Max. Jonesy seemed perfectly content where he was, but she was still nervous.
“If there are any issues, Max will find you,” Connall promised.
She bit her lip. “Jonesy seems calm and Max was great with him earlier…”
Connall stroked her cheek. “He’ll be fine. I’d like a minute alone with you before we take off.”
She widened her eyes. “Do we have time?”
“If we sneak out now, yes.”
“Lead on.”
He grinned and led her back through the cabin door and into one of the bedrooms. Pepper only had a few seconds to appreciate the queen-sized bed nestled between two ornate side tables before she was pulled into Connall’s arms and kissed until she couldn’t breathe.
“You’re killing me,” he rasped between kisses as he pushed her gently onto the bed and laid his body over hers.
“Back atya,” she retorted as she slid her hands under his shirt. “I want more.”
“I know.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats and secure your seatbelts,” the captain said over the P.A.
Connall kissed Pepper again, this time quickly, and rolled onto his back. “Saved by the bell, so to speak.”
Pepper licked her lips and took a deep breath. “Stupid bell.”
He turned his head toward her and smiled sadly. “Aye.”
“We have a few minutes, right? It’s not like they’ll leave without us being buckled.”
He rolled over to face her, cradling his head in his hand. “You’re not making this easy.”
“I know.” She sighed and faced him, mimicking his actions. “But you’re gorgeous and sweet and I love you, even if you’re turning me into a hussy.”
He laughed. “I love you too.” He pulled her from the bed. “Come on, hussy of mine. Let’s take our seats.”
“Can we talk once we take off?” Pepper asked.
Connall nodded. “Of course.”
“About everything?”
“If you like.”
She frowned. “Why do you sound apprehensive?”
“Honestly?” He sighed. “I’m afraid you’ll run.”
“Probably a good idea to tell me all your secrets when the doors are locked and we’re in the air, then.”
He shook his head and chuckled. “Damn, I love you.”
She grinned. “I love you too.”
“Let’s buckle up.”
He led her back to the main cabin where Sam and Kade were buckling up while the flight crew secured cabinet doors and discarded trash.
“How’s Jonesy?” Sam asked.
“He’s good,” Pepper said. “Max has magical powers.”
“Good.” Sam glanced at Connall and then back at Pepper and smiled. “The crew turned two of the seats so we could sit and talk together.”
“Fun,” Pepper said and sat in the seat across from Sam.
Why do I feel like I’m out of the loop on a really big secret?
Connall squeezed her hand. I’m sorry, love. You’ll know soon enough.
Pepper nodded and tightened her seatbelt before taking Connall’s hand again, desperately needing his calming influence.
“Attendants, prepare for takeoff,” the pilot’s voice came over the speaker.
Pepper smiled at Sam, who was wrapped around Kade’s arm and taking deep breaths in an effort not to panic.
Sam shook her head and Kade lifted her chin. “Let me in.”
“Sam, you better do it before the engines start,” Pepper pointed out.
Sam scowled. “Not helping.”
Kade kissed her and Sam relaxed.
Pepper gaped. “Wow, Sam. No valium needed, huh?”
Sam laughed. “Nope. Kade’s the only drug I need.”
The engines whirred to life and Pepper leaned against Connall as the plane began to taxi. She wasn’t afraid to fly, enjoyed it really, but she did get a little nervous during take-off. Connall kissed her temple and wove his fingers with hers.
They’d been in the air for almost an hour when Connall unbuckled his belt and stood. “I’m going to steal Pepper away for a bit.”
Pepper unbuckled as well.
Sam gave Connall a concerned glance. “Now?”
He nodded and grabbed Pepper’s hand. “I promised.”
Sam grasped Pepper’s other hand. “I’m here if you have any questions.”
“Thanks… I think,” Pepper said nervously.
Connall gave her hand a gentle tug and led her down the aisle way back to the room they’d been in before takeoff. He opened the door and stood aside to let her precede him. Pepper chose to sit in the chair by the bed and bit her lip as Connall followed her inside and closed the door. “Should I be worried?” she asked.
He smiled and sat on the edge of the mattress facing her. “How about we talk and then you can make that call?”
Pepper nodded. “Okay.”
“Are you sure you want to do this now?”
She nodded again. “Definitely. And I want you to tell me everything.”
“Everything?”
“Yes.” She gripped the arms of the chair. “You mentioned fate or something.”
“Aye. We are fated to be bound.”
“Like tied up?”
He shook his head. “The process starts with words.”
“Words.”
“Aye.”
“Like?” she asked.
“Þú verður mín að eilífu.”
She felt the shiver she’d felt at the wedding. “You said that at the wedding, yes?”
“Aye.”
“What does it mean?”
“It means, you will be mine forever.”
Pepper raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? I’m that much of a given, am I?”
“They are some of the first words we speak to our mates.”
“What?”
“You’re my mate, Pepper.”
“Which means what, exactly?” She shifted in her seat. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Spit it out, Con. Really. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.
“I’m not what you think I am,” he said.
“Don’t you mean who?”
“No,” he said. “I’m not human, Pepper.”
“What?” She stood and then sat right back down.
“I am Cauld Ane.”
“Cauld Ane.”
“Aye.”
“Which means… what?”
“It means that I live longer than humans and have certain… abilities that humans don’t have. It also means that when I met you, I was destined to love you forever.”
Pepper took a deep breath. “How much longer?”
“Answer or back story?”
She pressed her lips together and then licked them. “Back story then answer.”
“Iceland was under Norwegian rule until 1380. That’s when we came under the control of the Danish Crown. We were forced to give everything to Denmark, including our autonomy. The Danes didn’t see us as worth protecting, so they didn’t try to stop pirates from attacking our coastlines. In 1420, my father discovered that my mother was having an affair, and that Fiona was the product of that affair. He chose to use the attacks as an excuse to take my mother away from her lover, and we sailed here.”
“In 1420.”
He nodded. “I was born in 1413 and I sailed here with my family in 1420.”
Pepper shook her head.
“It’s true, love.”
“I need Sam.” Pepper swallowed. “Can you get Sam for me?”
Connall stood and stepped out of the room.
Pepper sat shaking in the chair until Sam stepped inside. “Hey.”
“Is it true?” Pepper asked.
Sam sat on the bed and took her hands. “Yes.”
“You don’t even know what I was going to ask.”
Sam smiled. “It wouldn’t matter, Pepper. Connall would never lie to you, so the answer is the same. Whatever he’s told you is true.”
“They’re immortal?”
“Sort of. We will die eventu—”
“We?”
Sam nodded. “I’m Cauld Ane now.”
Pepper pulled her hands out of Sam’s grip. “How?”
“It happened when Kade bound me.”
“Is that why you look different?”
“I don’t know. Probably. I didn’t realize I looked different.”
Pepper looked to where Connall stood with his arms crossed in the corner of the room. “Are you a vampire?”
He shook his head.
“Werewolf?”
He shook his head again.
She focused back on Sam. “Some kind of fairy?”
Sam let out a quiet snort and Pepper glanced at Connall again. His expression was one of repugnance. Pepper smiled. “Okay, not a fairy.”
“Can I leave you now?” Sam asked.
Pepper nodded.
“Everything he tells you will be the truth, Pep. You don’t need me, okay? You’ll know if he’s lying. I promise.” Sam stood to leave.
Pepper took a deep breath and studied her friend. Sam never lied to her. Never. Even when she had to tell her something she knew Pepper wouldn’t want to hear. Pepper nodded and leaned back in the chair. Sam left the room and Connall sat back on the bed.
Pepper licked her lips. She didn’t quite know what to think. She knew she trusted him, but wasn’t quite sure how much of this information she could process and stay sane. She was once again glad she’d insisted on him telling her everything only after they’d been in the air for a little while. She’d never been particularly interested in skydiving.