Raudrich hadn’t lied. While the tavern was nearly empty upon our arrival, it didn’t take long for word to spread that Laird Peyton, as he was known here—I still didn’t know why—was back. Before long, everyone in the village arrived. Raudrich was met with more greetings and hugs than I could count. Within a few minutes, he was pulled away from me.

I didn’t mind. The people of the village were more than accommodating and I wasn’t alone for a moment. As the hours went by, I danced, talked, and drank with nearly everyone in the village. By the time Raudrich came to collect me, I was dizzy from dancing, stuffed full of food, and had just enough ale in me to make my cheeks rosy and my tongue a little looser than normal. I was in a better humor than I’d been in ages.

I wished Marcus and Kate were here to see it. I wasn’t sure either of them would recognize this version of me.

“There ye are. I promise ye ’twas not my intention to abandon ye here on yer own. I knew my arrival would be a festive occasion, but I dinna know just how many people would wish to speak with me. I am verra sorry, Laurel.”

He stood next to me but leaned in close as he spoke.

I reached out and gave his arm a gentle squeeze as I smiled at him.

“It’s okay. Really, it is. I had a great time.”

He smiled back and surprised me by placing a protective hand on the lower part of my back.

“I can see that, lass, but do ye mind if we leave now? ’Twas ye I wished to spend my time with, and I havena seen ye at all.”

“I don’t mind at all. I don’t think my feet could take anymore dancing anyway.”

He smiled and slowly laced his hand with mine. The gesture surprised me. I wouldn’t have expected him to want to do anything that gave the impression that I was with him, not when Raudrich and I, while undeniably attracted to one another, were still no more than friendly acquaintances. What surprised me even more was that no one in the tavern seemed surprised in the least.

“Not even with me, lass? I spent the whole night watching ye, and I envied every man that held ye in his arms.”

The admission sent an anticipatory thrill down my spine, but I waited until we stepped out into the cool Scottish air to answer him.

“I might have one more dance in me, but if you were watching, you know how bad I am at it. Everyone was so nice, but I know I stepped on every single one of my partners’ toes.”

The biggest full moon I’d ever seen hung in the sky, making it easy for us to see our way back to Raudrich’s horse.

He helped me up first then deftly mounted the beast behind me. I was settled into him even more closely than I’d been on the way down to the village, and I didn’t miss how easily he rested his hands on my thighs.

“Raudrich?”

“Hmm?” He leaned his chest into my back as he reached for the reins. His face was pressed against my own, and I thought I felt his lips brush against my cheek for the briefest moment, but I couldn’t say for sure.

“Why do they call you Laird Peyton?”

“Ah. I forget that ye still know so little about me, lass. Most of The Eight came from humble families, so they were free to use their true names when they pledged their loyalty to Nicol and this Isle. My family owns a large portion of Northern Scotland. My brother was laird there for many years. If it were ever to be known that I abandoned my familial clan and pledged my loyalty to another, it would’ve caused many problems for my brother when he was alive, so I took another name when I came here.

“While we dinna know it at the time, ’twas good that I did so. When my brother and his wife were murdered, his land was passed to me. I became laird of Allen territory. ’Twas not truly mine by right, as I broke my vows to my familial clan long ago, but because I hid my true name, it allowed me to see my brother’s people settled after his death and to take the time I needed to sign the land over to someone I knew to be trustworthy.”

“I’m so sorry, Raudrich.”

He sighed and straightened himself just a little.

“Thank ye. I dinna know my brother as well as I wish I had. Though, the loss of him was painful, all the same.”

His tone made it clear it wasn’t something he liked to speak about. I hurried to change the subject.

“I’ve realized something, Raudrich. I think it is time that I make my peace with being here. I don’t think I’ll ever be going home.”

He was quiet a long moment. When he did speak, his voice was thoughtful.

“How do ye feel about that? There must be much that ye left behind. It canna be easy.”

It was a short ride to the castle gates. I could already see them in front of us.

“Not the way I should feel about it, probably. I’ll miss my sister dreadfully, but…I don’t know. Would you believe me if I told you that even though I’ve only been here a few days, I feel as if I’m meant to be here? As if this time was meant to be my real home all along?”

Raudrich pulled on the horse’s reins as we reached the gate. He dismounted quickly and turned to offer me his hands. I allowed him to pull me off and into his arms. Our bodies rubbed against one another as he slowly set me to my feet. He didn’t step away. He stood there with his hands on either side of my ribs as he looked down into my eyes.

“I told ye last night, lass. ’Tis not only this time I think yer meant for, but this verra castle, as well. I believe ye shall find yer heart here. Mayhap, the love ye’ve always wished for.” Whether it was the tavern ale or my determination to be bold, I didn’t know, but for once in my life, I allowed myself to say the exact thing that was on my mind.

“And you think you might be that love?”

He smiled and moved his right hand to the side of my face, cupping it gently as his thumb trailed back and forth across my cheek.

“I doona believe either of us can say that yet, but whomever captures yer heart shall be lucky to have it. If time shows us that I am that man, I shall wake up every blessed day grateful for it.”

I was shaking again, and my cheeks were warm from more than just ale.

“Kiss me then, not because you’re trying to save me from some jealous faerie, but simply because you want to.”

“What makes ye think that I do want to kiss ye, lass?”

There was a test in his question. He wanted my certainty, none of the doubt I’d shown him the night before.

“Oh, you don’t, huh?” I smiled at him so he’d know I wasn’t upset by his question. “I guess I’ll just…” I brushed past him and started to walk away, but he quickly reached for my hand and spun me back toward him.

“There ye are, lass—a woman who doesna doubt what she does to a man. How long have ye kept her locked away?”

I answered honestly. “Forever, I think.”

He leaned in until his lips were nearly touching my own.

“Please doona ever lock her away again. Allow me to show ye just how powerful she is.”

His kiss was hungry and demanding as he pulled me against him. I reached for his hair as I leaned into him. I cried out into his mouth as he gently nipped at my lip.

“The distance to the castle shall seem like an eternity, lass. Best we get the horse to his stable before I doona have the strength to pull away from ye.”

Just as he broke our kiss, the sound of horses approached and a very American voice spoke out through the darkness.

“Raudrich, I am going to freaking kill you. Do you know how long it’s taken me to find you?”