Page 138 of The Empire and the Wolf King

She narrowed her eyes.

I stopped smiling. “I had a dream that I called myself a Wolf King?—”

“Ye did. Ye howled at the sky and ye lived in exile and ye gathered men around ye tae battle for yer kingdom. Ye died raising yer sword alongside William Wallace.”

“Cool.”

Grandmother grinned. “Aye, verra cool, I am impressed at what ye accomplished. They sing songs tae yer heroics. I join in the song whenever I hear it, I want ye tae ken.”

I nodded, then said, “Thanks, Grandmother, I don’t remember any of it but... why did I tell you to get married?”

“Because ye thought I was lonely and so ye were looking after me. I consider that a great trait in ye, and so I did as ye asked. Therefore I consider our alliance a success. We hae each done our parts tae save the family. Ye lived up tae the name the Wolf King, well done.”

I said, “Yes, Grandmother, well done.”

She said, “Ye may run off and join yer games once more.”

I threw my arms around her middle, giving her a fast hug and ran off, over my shoulder, calling, “Arhoooooo!”

And Lady Mairead called back, “Arhooo!”

CHAPTER 64 - KAITLYN

That evening Magnus and I had gone to bed right after dinner. In spite of the early hour, it was going dark. We had been up since the previous day in Florida, and we were exhausted.

The kids had melted down and were now in the outer chamber snoring on their little beds near the fireplace.

Magnus and I stealthily made love, and now we were whispering, as we talked over the day. We had learned a great deal since the dinner on the deck in Florida. I asked, “So we’re in a do-over, not of our own making. And we sang a song tonight that was written about our son, living four centuries ago.”

“Aye, he fought alongside Wallace. Somehow I hae heard that song many times, I ken all the words, and yet dinna ken twas about Archibald. When did that memory enter my mind? Yesterday? Yet my Uncle Baldie would sing it when we were on our long rides tae Kilchurn for our summer visits. He always acted as if the song was about him.”

I said, “That is wild, but also saddens me. I guess I’m glad you finally know the meaning of the song.”

“Aye, apparently we did a great many things in the thirteenth century. I canna remember the recent memories. I was a king there long ago, but those older memories hae faded. Tis an odd feeling.”

I said, “For me too, to know that so many tragic things happened to us… did you note when Lady Mairead saideverytime she visits us ‘unannounced’ we ought to assume it’s a do-over?”

“Aye, she called it a ‘Master Reset’. I am telling myself she was exaggeratin’ tae irritate us. Tis the only way I can keep from imprisonin’ her and tossin’ the key in the gong pit.”

I giggled. “If only we could do something like that, it would solve half our problems, but instead we’re nice. We witnessed her wedding and I actually felt sorry for her when she was so frightened about Sean.”

“Me as well. She seemed human for once, and I am grateful for all she’s done for us, so it daena hurt tae help her get married and rejoice in it at the time. All the good feelings are certain tae wear off verra soon. Hopefully twill be about the time she is on vacation, visiting Manhattan.”

I had my ear on his chest, hearing the comforting thrum-thrum of his regular heartbeat, the deep low breaths as he grew closer to sleep.

My thigh, stretched across his waist, was comfortably warm under his large, heavy hand. I raised my head and looked up at his chin, at the beard that was there because he hadn’t shaved in a while.

“I love you. I love lying in bed talking things over with you.”

“Aye, me as well. Tis especially good after ye hae bed me well.”

“I was very good, wasn’t I? Even trying to be quiet, I still rocked your world. I could tell, you don’t have to say.”

He chuckled, making my head shake on his chest.

I asked, “And Lizbeth and Sean are really going to go live in Riaghalbane?”

“Aye, there are big changes afoot. We ought tae live there for a bit, while they grow used tae it.”

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