Majesty,” Ewan urged, and then turned to face Jamie. “Laird, as ye said, we must go. There’ll be time for makin’ cow eyes later.”
Jamie tore his gaze away and gave a quick nod before he began to scramble down the tree. I followed and when I reached the lowest branch, dangled several feet from the ground. Before I could drop, hands encased my waist. “Let go, I’ve got ye.”
I released my grip and fell, my stomach jumping into my throat before I felt Jamie take my weight. He lowered me down the strong plains of his body, and despite being in the lee of a cursed castle with enchanted guards on their way to find us, sparks skittered over my skin, leaving me breathless. Could a witch-created Jamie do that?
There was an easy way to find out. My hands settled on the back of his broad neck and I stared up into his face as my feet touched the earth. “What’s your favorite food?”
The corner of his mouth lifted and he answered without hesitation. “Churros from the mall in Indianapolis.”
I blinked at him in awe; only my Jamie had traveled to America and fallen in love with all forms of junk food.
His eyes still guarded, he asked, “What did I give ye before your last coronation ceremony?”
“Handfasting ribbons.” I lowered my right arm and pulled up my sleeve to show him the scarlet ribbon, the one that signified strength, tied to my wrist.
“Verranica.” His voice broke on my name. “I . . .” He raised his hand to my throat, brushing a thumb over my bruised skin. “I hurt ye . . . almost killed—”
“Stop, okay? You’re alive, that’s all that matters.”
He swallowed and his tortured gaze cut straight to my soul. “I’m so verra sorry.”
Blinking tears from my eyes, I squeezed his hand. “You thought I was the witch, didn’t you?”
His lips parted in wonder and he nodded before he crushed me to his chest and buried his face in my hair. And the link I thought forever broken snapped into place between us. The Calling’s indescribable bond that made us part of one another.
This was my Jamie.
I’d heard once that everyone gets one miracle in their lifetime. A whimper vibrated my chest, and I was unable to draw air as I clung to mine. From the first moment Jamie MacCrae had appeared to me in the modern world, my life had been one marvel after another. But holding him in my arms again topped them all.
He murmured something about honeyed berries before releasing me and turning to Ewan. “I assume ye arrived in that.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “Will the boat hold us all?”
“With Oliver, just barely.” Ewan took off toward the trees where we’d left our injured friend.
I turned to follow and felt large, warm fingers link through mine. Fresh tears prickled the backs of my eyes and I gently pulled my hand from Jamie’s. An emotional breakdown was a luxury I couldn’t afford at the moment. And if he touched me again, I might curl into him and never want to move.
Focusing on the task at hand—getting us and the elixir safely away from the castle—I jogged after Ewan’s retreating shadow. Jamie followed and we broke through the stand of pines, just as shouts rose from the castle gates. Oliver, only half conscious, staggered to his feet. “Is that you, MacCrae?”
“Aye.” Jamie’s eyes narrowed on the ragged flesh of the older man’s arm before ducking under his shoulder. Ewan did the same on Oliver’s other side, and they half carried him out of the forest.
“I’ll get the boat in the water,” I called as I rushed to the muddy edge of the lake. The steady tattoo of booted feet echoed through the night air, but mist hung heavy on the loch. If we could just make it onto the water, the guards would never catch us.
I pushed with all my might. My feet slipping and sliding in the muck, I only moved the craft a few inches. The odd shuffle of the guys approaching grew louder and I doubled my efforts, anchoring my heels. The prow sank into the lapping current as a cry sounded from the castle. “The intruders are entering the loch on the east side!”
My arms shook as I pushed. Part of me knew that one of the men could get the boat in the water with a single shove, but the thought only made me more determined. I gathered