Chapter Five

“Reilly’s upgraded his lawn furniture, I see.”

The next day, Gwen grinned as she rubbed her hands over the smooth teak chair that matched the one in which Ellie sat. “No kidding. He’s had those plastic things for much too long. I think the weather finally did them in.”

“Colin told me it was one of Reilly’s visitors who said something about it.” Ellie sipped her iced tea thoughtfully. “From what I gathered, it was a visitor who had never encountered plastic before, and took a sword to it as a form of investigation.”

Gwen’s eyes widened, and a giggle escaped her. “Well, I can’t say I blame him. They were pretty awful.”

“These are as gorgeous as the rest of the furniture in the house.”

Gwen nodded in agreement. “Reilly makes it all. He’s very talented.”

Ellie stirred her beverage with her straw without looking at Gwen, and said carefully, “So…you’re sure you’re over Reilly, Gwen?”

She choked on her own iced tea. “Et tu, Brute?”

Ellie grinned. “Excellent Shakespeare reference! Color me impressed!”

Gwen rolled her eyes. “I had to suffer through it in high school just like everyone else.”

“Suffer?” Ellie gasped. “Julius Caesar was an amazing foray into—”

“Oh please, let’s not discuss literature,” Gwen implored, cutting her off. “I can’t do it today!”

“Then let’s discuss your love life. I admit that I’m a little surprised you agreed to marry Anthony. Not that you’re unable to commit,” Ellie hurried on, noticing her friend’s color rising. “But you barely spoke about him. You worked with him a lot and have a respect for him, certainly. But when you talk about him, you don’t have that joy.”

Gwen laughed uncomfortably. “Not everyone wears their heart on their sleeve, El.”

Ellie leveled a stare at her. “You do. And I know you, Gwen. I’ve known you all our lives. And while I wasn’t privy to meeting your Reilly until last year, whenever you spoke of him, your eyes got almost starry. Your face lit up, and you became more animated.”

Gwen swallowed hard, the stabbing pain in her chest almost unbearable. “That was before.”

“Before Anthony?”

Gwen considered lying. She thought about how easy it would be to pretend, to let her best friend think that.

But Ellie would figure it out. She always did; she was so attuned to other people’s thoughts and feelings that sometimes she almost knew Gwen better than Gwen knew herself.

She opted for the truth.

She took a deep breath, then opened her mouth. She promptly shut it, trying to form the right words, then opened it again.

Then shut it.

“I’ve got all day, but Colin and Reilly will be back from their run eventually. I suggest you simply spit it out.”

Gwen chewed her lip for a moment longer. “I loved Reilly from almost the minute I met him. Obviously, he is gorgeous, and he was then, too. But there was something I recognized in him right away, like my soul settled into place when we first spoke. I thought we were destined to be together, you know? Even though I was so young, my heart just knew it’d found its other half. But he rejected me. And he did it in such a way that I was bruised, but I didn’t give up hope. He offered me his friendship, and I took it.”

Ellie nodded encouragingly, and Gwen focused her gaze on the tree line in the distance. “He always treated me as more than a sister, but less than a girlfriend. Best friend, I guess, which is what we are. I always wanted more, and I never made a secret of it. Good God, I made advances a lot, Ellie. A lot.” She huffed out an embarrassed laugh. “More than any dignified woman should, for sure. But my pride never mattered. I just kept thinking, He’ll see it. He’ll see that we are meant to be together, and it will all be worth it. But then the years passed, and he didn’t see it. He kept me at arm’s length, and like a dog starved for attention, I was willing to take what he offered. Pathetic, I know. But I never cared about that, because just being near him, being part of his life, was enough for me.”

“But you dated other guys.”

“I did. And they were all right. But I kept holding them up to Reilly, and none compared. I mean, how could they? I was in love with someone totally out of my reach. They never stood a chance.”

“But then Anthony came along, right?”

She adjusted her position and tightened her sweater around herself. “Not exactly. A few months ago, when Reilly was visiting me, I remember sitting with him on the couch, fighting over the Doritos bag. We wrestled it back and forth a bit, and there was a moment when my mouth was close enough to his that if I was brave enough, I could kiss him. I could lay one on him and really feel if he was into me. But before I could, he handed me the bag, gave me a smile, then continued to watch the movie. He never felt the charge I did.” Gwen paused a moment, pushing the lump in her throat down.

“So that was the moment you realized it was time to let go?”

Gwen swallowed hard. “I wish. But I couldn’t. I physically couldn’t handle the pain every time I thought about never seeing him again, because that’s what I’d have to do in order to really move on. And I wasn’t ready.”

“What made you ready?” Ellie asked.

Gwen buried her head in her hands. “Last summer, when we fell into the Middle Ages, and after Colin saved you from the other laird, I saw Reilly covered in blood. It wasn’t his, but it freaked me out. Before you fell asleep that night, you said something that struck a chord. You told me you had to try one more time.” She paused, fighting the tears that threatened. “I left the chamber and went to Reilly’s. He was awake. I’ll never forget the picture of him, sitting by that fire, sharpening his sword. His hair was damp, and he smelled like soap. The blood was gone, but I had to say something right then.”

Ellie’s eyes were huge. “What did you say?”

Gwen pinched the bridge of her nose as she remembered.

“Ry?”

He looked up from his task. “You should be abed, lass.”

“I couldn’t sleep. I needed to see you.”

He didn’t smile, but he did shift over on the bench and went back to his task.

She gingerly sat down. “Are you okay?”

“I’m always okay after these things,” he replied. His tense shoulders told a different story.

She laid a hand on his arm. “Reilly…”

He froze. “Gwen, do you know what battle does to a man?” She remained silent, and his gaze dropped to her hand on his arm. “It makes him…desirous.”

“Too much testosterone flowing?” she tried to joke, but the words died on her lips when his eyes met hers.

“If you don’t leave, I can’t promise you’ll be safe here.”

Gwen searched his face. “You wouldn’t hurt me.”

He let out a humorless laugh. “Not intentionally. I beg of you, Gwendolyn. Leave me.”

She gently cupped his face, knowing he needed her at that moment possibly more than she needed him. “I’ll never leave you.”

Slowly, he leaned toward her. “I’ve done terrible things in my life, Gwen, but I’ve never lost my honor.”

Her voice barely above a whisper, she replied, “There’s nothing you could do to stop me from loving you.”

The admission shocked him; she could see it in his flared nostrils, his widened eyes. But then his mouth was on hers, devouring her, and her heart exploded with such love, she swore she’d somehow entered into heaven.

He said her name over and over again, through his kisses down her neck, across her cheeks, and into her mouth. His sword clattered to the floor, and he swept her into his arms, his lips never leaving hers. He tossed her onto the bed, and she watched him come close almost immediately. His hands traveled down her sides, to her hips; his fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress, and he began tugging it up. She lifted her hips to aid him, and he kissed her deeply, searing her soul. His hands were everywhere, and with them, he lit a trail of fire unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

She pulled at his tunic, and he whipped it off with one hand. Her breath whooshed out, as she took in the perfection of his chest. Enormous muscles, dusted with dark hair, flexed as he shifted himself over her.

“You’re my light,” he whispered feverishly.

“You’re my life,” she whispered back.

Their lips met again, slower this time, but with more intensity. He began to unlace her, and he revealed her inch by inch, until her breasts were free and her bodice at her waist.

“Perfection,” he murmured, tracing her gently.

A knock at the door had him looking up, annoyed. He called out something in Gaelic, and a woman’s voice replied. His face changed, and he looked down in horror at Gwen.

She sat up quickly, pulling her dress up. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Dear God…I almost ruined you.”

“What?” she half-laughed, a feeling of dread replacing the beautiful butterflies she had a moment ago.

“You must leave. Immediately.” He launched himself off the bed and pulled his tunic on.

“I don’t understand—”

“You’re not a whore, and I won’t use you as one,” he said sharply. He shot her a glare. “I told you to leave. After a battle, I can’t help myself. I’ve needs, Gwendolyn. And you’re not the woman to see to them.”

The sting of tears was instantaneous, and she didn’t bother trying to stem them. “How could you say something like that? I love you!”

“Nay, you do not. You think you do. But you mistake it. We’ve naught but friendship. I will not use you in such a way, to slake my lust after tonight’s events.” He turned his back to her and picked up his sword from where it lay by the hearth. “Go, Gwendolyn. Do not return to my chamber.”

Ellie gripped Gwen’s hand when she fell silent. “That was a horrible thing to do.”

“The woman outside the door was coming to his room to relieve his stress,” Gwen said, this time without inflection.

“I don’t remember any tensions the next day,” Ellie replied thoughtfully. “Though, to be honest, I had a lot going on.”

“There was tension. I spoke about Claire MacWilliam being the next time traveler, just to irritate him. I know he does love her like a sister and the thought of her in danger would put him over the edge, so to speak. And I wouldn’t let it go, either.”

“When did you two talk about what happened?”

Gwen sighed. “The day we got back. He apologized, blamed it on the heat of the moment. He also swore up and down that he didn’t allow the woman who interrupted us that night into his bedchamber.”

“Do you believe him?”

“Not that it’s relevant, but I do. And then we agreed to leave it in the past, and we made a promise to continue to be each other’s best friend.”

“How’s that working out for you?”

Gwen used some colorful language that made Ellie grimace.

“I guess I never understood why he wouldn’t choose me. I just don’t get why I can’t let him go.”

“Can’t, as in, still can’t?”

“Couldn’t,” Gwen hastily replied. “Couldn’t. Because I have. It’s why I barely spoke to him over the last year. When I left for the States, I didn’t call him or text him or anything. I video chatted with him when I was in Venezuela. When I realized things were a little off there, I think I needed someone to know where I was.”

“Reilly’s a good guy to have around for a rescue,” Ellie agreed.

“Yeah.” Gwen traced the rim of her glass before placing it on the small table between them. “That’s probably the reason why I called him and not my parents or you.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “God. I wish I could just understand why he rejected me. Every spurned woman’s wish, I guess…”

“Has he ever told you about the soul mate thing?”

Gwen blinked. “The what?”

Ellie tucked her legs underneath herself. “The soul mate. No?” At Gwen’s blank look, Ellie continued, “So, as I understand it, the Protectors are each destined for one woman. I can only assume it works for Reilly, too, as he’s the leader of them. Once a Protector claims his mate, as she’s called, he’s bound to her forever. No matter how many lifetimes go by, he will only find happiness with his mate. But she has to return the claim.”

“What happens if she doesn’t?”

Ellie frowned. “The Protector is doomed to live half a life, never finding true happiness.”

Gwen’s heart felt heavy. “Well. There’s my answer, I guess. All these years, I’ve offered myself to him over and over and over.” Her voice caught on the lump in her throat as the realization hit her with full force. “That’s the reason why he’s never accepted my advances. I’m not his mate.”

“I’m sorry,” Ellie said softly, reaching over to squeeze Gwen’s hand. “But Anthony…it just seems so sudden, Gwen.”

Gwen explained with a shrug, “I think, deep down, I knew something like this was at play, that maybe Ry and I weren’t meant to be. But I was excited that his secret was out. I thought that must’ve been the thing holding him back. I mean, if there was any perfect time to tell me, that would’ve been it, right? But I realized, that day we got back from our adventure, that it wasn’t ever going to happen. So I accepted his apology, and made the conscious choice to move on with my life.”

“And so you came back, met Anthony, and fell in love?” Ellie asked skeptically.

Gwen grasped Ellie’s hand, her eyes intense. “Ellie, I want what you have with Colin. I want the happiness, and the security of knowing that someone loves me. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Of course not.”

“Anthony can give me that. I can be content with him. He’s enough for me. I might not have that fairy-tale love, but I like him. I respect him. And I’m not getting any younger, to be truthful. I’m thirty-two. I want children, and a dog, and a messy house.”

“Gwen…you’re settling,” Ellie whispered, shocked. “Please don’t settle. You deserve more than that.”

“I don’t deserve a damn thing,” Gwen retorted. “Don’t feel badly for me, Eleanor. Don’t you dare. I’ve made my bed, and I’m perfectly willing to lie in it. Not everyone can get what they want all the time.”

“What if Reilly were to walk through that door and tell you that you were making a mistake? That you belonged with him, and he wanted to marry you?”

Gwen felt a bubble of anger. “Why would you even say that?”

Ellie’s mouth twisted into a sad smile. “Because I think you still love him. Answer the question.”

Gwen shook her head. “You’re wrong, El. I don’t. I can’t. I used to be blind with love, but I’m no longer that deep that I wouldn’t see it for what it was. If, after all this time, Reilly were to declare his undying love for me, I’d know it was his pride speaking, not his heart. He’s made it abundantly clear, over and over again. My pride can only handle so much.”

“I wish it was different.” Ellie’s sadness darkened her whole face, and Gwen knew they wore matching expressions.

“He can't push me away, then expect me to be there when he’s decided he’s ready,” Gwen said, her voice showing more resolve than she felt. “I’ve moved on. And I’ll be happy with Anthony.”

“Then I’ll have to be happy with that,” Ellie replied loyally. She offered her a small smile. “It’ll all work out in the end. It always does.”

“So says the glowing bride,” Gwen smirked, relieved that Ellie was letting it lie.

Ellie began talking about the latest first copy of some book she received in her bookshop recently, but Gwen’s mind was elsewhere. She wished she could feel the same way about Anthony that Ellie did about Colin.

• • •

Reilly stood just inside the kitchen, the conversation outside leaving him dazed.

“I’d know it was his pride speaking, not his heart.”

“You can’t push someone away and expect them to be there when you’re ready.”

“I’ll be happy with Anthony.”

The words played on an endless reel, making him dizzy and slightly nauseous. He couldn’t breathe.

Gwen had moved on.

He was too late.

“Come on,” Colin murmured, physically pushing Reilly up the stairs. They were both covered in sweat, their run being more of a race. His win against Colin was a hollow victory.

Colin steered Reilly into the bedroom, then carefully shut the door as Reilly leaned heavily on his bureau and dropped his head onto his arm with a curse.

“How are you going to fix this?”

Reilly’s incredulous gaze snapped up to Colin’s calm one. “Fix it?” he scoffed. “You heard her. She’s moved on. By her own words, she’s happy with Anthony, and she wouldn’t believe me if I told her how I felt. Explain to me how I’m to fix that? Especially as she’s made up her mind.”

Colin grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. “She’s your soul mate, Ry. She’s loved you for as long as she’s known you.”

“And I’ve pushed her away for just as long,” he snapped. “By the saints, I am the worst kind of fool.”

“You won’t find me arguing the point. But you can’t let her marry another man.”

Reilly glared at Colin for a full minute before barking out his next words. “If your love wanted to be with someone else, would you force her unhappiness by separating them?”

Colin pressed his lips in a tight line.

Reilly carefully blew out a breath. “Exactly. You should go, cousin. I’m unfit company at the moment.”

“We could go to the lists,” Colin suggested.

Stonily, Reilly shook his head. “Not today. Take your love, and Gwen too, and leave me to my misery. Have a safe flight, and I’ll see you closer to the wedding”

Colin ran a hand through his dark blond hair, unsure. “I don’t think you should be alone.”

Reilly barked out a humorless laugh. “Oh, trust me, nothing untoward would happen to me. The Fates would make sure of it. No, I’m just destined to continue on as I’ve been.”

He didn’t say the word, but it hung in the air, as tangible as the floor beneath his feet.

Lonely.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll do it. But first—” Colin waited until Reilly met his eyes “—think on this.” At Reilly’s continued silence, Colin continued, “For years, I’ve listened to, and taken, your advice. Even when I didn’t want it. Especially when I didn’t want it. But now we’re in my territory, Ry. I’m the professional here, and so here’s some free matchmaking advice. Show her you love her. Don’t use the words, as you know she won’t believe them. Actions only.”

A long moment passed before Reilly finally admitted quietly, “I don’t know how.”

He frowned. “You’ve never had problems romancing a woman before, Ry.”

“Aye,” he agreed darkly. “But this time, I would need to romance a wife.”

Colin’s expression turned thoughtful. “Ah. That is a different beast altogether, isn’t it?”

Reilly let out a frustrated growl in response.

“All right, mate. It won’t be easy. But, as the saying goes, with great risk comes great reward. You have to make her feel special. Make her see that there is no one more important to you than she. It’s in the little things. Put her first in all things, and she will start to see what you don’t say.”

“What if it isn’t enough?” Reilly asked roughly. He slammed his hands on the bureau and pushed off it. “She’s given up on me! By all that’s holy, she’s marrying someone she doesn’t love!”

“And why is that?” Colin finally snapped. At Reilly’s surly glare, Colin rolled his eyes. “To be free of you, you fool.”

“Aye. And free of me she will be, but never I of her.”

Quietly, Colin turned the door handle. “If she truly wants to be free of you, though, with everything she’s gone through…and perhaps you might think a bit on the answer to this one…why, in her greatest moment of need, has your mate come running to you?”

Reilly had no answer, not that Colin seemed to expect one.

The door closed behind him softly, and Reilly sat down heavily on his bed. He’d never been so confused in his life. His mistakes were numerous and unforgivable. He didn’t have to tell the world the name of his soul mate; as it was fully imprinted upon his heart, he’d already claimed her as his own. And now, he was destined to love only Gwen for all time, and she was pledging herself to another man, all because he fully convinced her he was nothing more than a friend.

A friend!

He dropped back, his arm over his eyes, and took measured breaths. She claimed happiness with Anthony, though her eyes told a different story. He knew she would be forced to choose between the two of them, by either Anthony or her loyalty to her husband.

How could he walk away from her?

How could he not?

Colin’s words were like a dagger in his chest. From her reaction in the car park yesterday, she must be suffering some degree of post-traumatic stress. Perhaps also survivor’s guilt, if he knew her as well as he thought he did.

Colin was right. Gwen did come running to him. At the airport, she lost all sense of decorum and leapt into his arms, which he hadn’t been expecting. And she hadn’t been obvious about it, but since the moment she came into his home, she’d been keeping close to him, rarely more than a room away.

However, she’d promised herself to another man. He felt his anger at himself bubble to the surface.

A tentative tap on the door revealed a concerned Gwen, her beautiful face drawn with worry lines.

“Hey,” she said softly. “Colin told me you weren’t feeling well. I’ll bring you some chicken soup, if you want?”

“I want nothing,” he snapped. He sighed. “Sorry.”

She blinked. “Okay, grumpy pants. I was just offering. I’ll be back in a while; we’re going to grab some dinner.”

“Stay at Winifred’s,” Reilly replied darkly, placing his arm back over his eyes so he wouldn’t have to look at her. He didn’t want his eyes or his expression to give away any of his turbulent thoughts.

“If you want me to,” she replied, her voice soft. “But I’ve been able to sleep through the night when I’m here.”

He shrugged. “Fine. I’m going to shower. Have a nice dinner.”

“I’ll be back after I drop them at the airport,” she said as he shut the door to the master bathroom behind him, cursing himself for his curtness, but wishing all the same she’d stay home.

Home, he scoffed silently. Her home was back in the States with her fiancé.

A few moments later, he heard Colin’s car start, then head away from the house.

He swore when he realized he was out of towels, and headed toward the stairs to grab some from his dryer. On the way, he passed Gwen’s room, and her scent wafted out of it.

Gritting his teeth, he blasted down the stairs, determined to ignore any more thoughts of her.

In the living room, her sweater lay across the couch. He turned his back on it, nearly grinding his teeth into powder, only to encounter a note on the kitchen table.

I forgive you, you big grumpy bear. And I’m bringing you chicken noodle soup, and you’re going to eat all of it because that stuff fixes everything. Get some sleep, Grumplestiltskin. -G

A reluctant smile tugged, and Reilly knew he couldn’t watch her marry someone else.

Feeling as though he was struggling for air, Reilly discarded the idea of a shower. He needed to be outside, to get some air and ground himself. He needed to get control over himself. And, he admitted, slipping her note into his pocket, he needed to make amends with Gwen. She didn’t deserve his black mood.

• • •

“Do you ever think, sometimes, that the Fates are just messing with you?”

Reilly choked on his beer mid-pull. When he could breathe again, he gave Gwen an incredulous look. “What?”

She shrugged, toying with her fork. They sat in the middle of a nearly empty pub, a fire giving off a pleasant warmth in the hearth nearby. The rain outside came down just hard enough to give the world outside the windows a fuzzy facade.

“I wonder if those Fates that you know are always pulling the strings just because they’re bored, as though they see someone swimming along in life and think, Hey! Let’s make her life suck a little bit, just for giggles.”

He shook his head. “They’re too self-absorbed for that.”

She sipped her soda, nonplussed. “How can they be self-absorbed if their entire purpose is to ensure the life span of others?”

Reilly pinched the bridge of his nose. “I dislike speaking of them.”

“Why?”

He looked at her through his fingers. “Because it feels like giving them an open invitation to my life.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I thought you said they dictate your every move?”

“If I said such a thing, it was said with contempt and distrust, and a bit tongue-in-cheek. They don’t control everything.”

“So what part of your life is destiny, and which part is fate?” she wondered.

He finished his meal and pushed the plate away. “They’re the same thing.”

Gwen studied him for a moment. He looked tired and a little stressed. How unlike him. She’d never seen him as anything but composed.

Well…except for the time he almost took her to bed. He was quite the opposite of composed then.

Rationally, she knew perfection didn’t exist. Reilly had his faults as much as the next guy. But he was always self-assured, never seeming to doubt his actions or decisions, and always looked as though he was as fresh as the day was long.

The exhaustion lines on his face were concerning. “They’re not, not at all. Did you have trouble sleeping last night?”

“Your illogical line of questioning has once again muddled my inept brain.”

She rolled her eyes. “Stop fishing for compliments. Your brain is the furthest thing from inept. You look tired.”

He rubbed his face. “Aye, I am. A temporary thing, that. I’m still able to best anyone in a sword fight.”

“Always thinking of steel.” She finished her soda and slowly swirled the straw in the ice. “So why do you think fate and destiny are the same?”

The gold flecks in Reilly’s eyes sparked with interest. “Perhaps you ought to tell me why you think they’re not.”

“Nice evasion,” she said, then promptly ignored his question and pressed, “But why do you think they’re the same? And did you come to this conclusion on your own?”

“Are you a shrink now?” He pulled out his wallet and began counting bills. He shot her a dirty look when she reached for her purse.

“I can pay my own way,” she protested, though she put her hands up in immediate surrender.

“We have this conversation at least every other meal,” he replied patiently, placing the money on the table. “Consider it a blight to my honor.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Reilly raised a mock-supercilious brow. “Calling my honor into question, my lady?”

Gwen shook her head, wondering why she even bothered to attempt to pay. In all the years of trying to sneak the bill, she’d won only once. He’d been so distraught, she actually felt badly about paying. But she still felt the need to offer. “You know I hate feeling indebted to you.”

“Gwendolyn.” His suddenly serious tone had her looking up in surprise; the sincerity in his eyes was intense. “Believe me when I tell you that your presence is more than enough in return for a simple meal. To be honest, each time you deign to share your time with me, I am struck anew with how honored I am to be there, with you, in that moment. So no, you are not indebted to me, ever. The truth is, I am indebted to you.”

Her heart melted into a puddle at her feet.

This. This is why you can never have a normal relationship. You’ve been spoiled by honest-to-God chivalry by an honest-to-God medieval warrior.

If she was anyone else, she’d be jealous of herself.

He didn’t seem to expect her to say anything as he continued, “Aye, I came to the conclusion on my own. Fate and destiny are interchangeable terms, no matter the language.”

She leaned forward. “It’s hard for me to remember that English is your second language.”

“Fourth.”

She blinked. “Come again?”

“Old Gaelic, modern Gaelic, French, then English.”

“You know French?” she exclaimed.

“Oui, mademoiselle. J'ai apprécié le son, alors j'ai appris cela.”

She had no idea what he said, but she didn’t really care. Reilly speaking French was doing inexplicable things to her insides.

He gave her a slow, seductive smile. “Et cela en valait la peine, pour voir votre visage ce moment.”

Reilly was giving her a seductive smile? No way. Imagination overdrive. Apparently, the smooth sounds of a romance language addled her brain into seeing things.

She glanced at him from under her eyelashes, noted his smile again, and shivered.

For the first time in a very long time, hope flared to life in her heart. Before she could process that strange turn of events, he (unfortunately) switched back to English.

“I interrupted you. You were saying ’tis hard for you to remember that English is not my first language. Why does that matter?”

She shook her head to clear it. “Right. Well, in English, those terms—fate and destiny—aren’t interchangeable.”

He smiled, a bit indulgently. “Perhaps interchangeable is the wrong word. In Celtic lore, we’ve two distinct deities for them. The Fates, of course, and from ancient times, the Morrígan. Goddess of destiny. Her legend didn’t last very long.”

“Is she a real thing?”

He scoffed. “Nay, she is just a made-up story, told to frighten children at bedtime. Back to what you were saying, about what you think fate and destiny are. Enlighten me.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, and he rumbled out a laugh. “Well,” she said slowly, “fate is more the idea that someone else is, for lack of a better term, pulling the strings.”

He rolled his eyes.

She chuckled. “Well, with fate, there’s nothing you can do about it. Something—or someone—else is controlling your life. All the choices you make have already been decided for you. But destiny, that’s controlled by you.”

He sat forward a little, his shoulders bunching as he leaned his forearms on the table. “Lass, ’tis madness.” He lowered his voice so that only she could hear him. “I know the Fates. I have lived with them. They, unfortunately, are not a made-up tale.”

“I know, I know. Hear me out,” she insisted. “Destiny is when we have control. Full control, as in, every decision we make results in an action, and that action directly results in another decision, and so on and so forth. Everything is decided by us; every choice is made with free will.”

“Fate allows for free will,” he argued. “But the end result is the same. You’ll get to where you’re going, regardless of the path.”

She nodded her head. “Sure, to a point. But if the path always leads to the same place, what does it matter what the choice is?”

He opened his mouth to respond, but halted. Gwen watched, fascinated, as he internally debated some point with himself.

She’d seen him do so on only a few occasions prior. Normally, he was so convinced in his thoughts that trying to sway him to a different opinion was a waste of time. He called it experience; she called it stubbornness.

But when she did manage to give him food for thought, watching him war it out with himself always proved captivating.

Finally, he inclined his head. “You make a valid point. But I find it hard to come up with any example of your definition of destiny. I have plenty of them for fate.”

“There isn’t anything in your vast repertoire where you made a decision you knew would displease the Fates?” she asked skeptically.

“You remember Emmaline, from Celtic Connections, aye?”

“Of course. She’s married to Aidan.”

Reilly nodded wearily. “Aye, she is. A while back, Emma had her own adventure in the past. You know Aidan is Laird Nioclas’s brother. When Emma returned to the future, Aidan remained in the past, as was his fate. And, as he’s not a Protector, he had no way to return to her.”

She knew her eyes probably looked like saucers, but she couldn’t help it. “But he’s in the future now! How did he get there?”

Reilly frowned. “I went back and got him, of course.”

“Of course,” she echoed. “That would be destiny, Reilly. You changed fate’s plan for them. You helped them to create their own destiny.”

In the second before the mask of indifference slipped back over his features, she saw a flash of vulnerability in his eyes. “I’m not so romantic as all that, Gwendolyn.”

Yes, you are, she almost said, but held her tongue. Her point had been made; he either accepted it, or he didn’t.