. . .” I pulled Kenna back into my arms and stroked her hair, concerned that the deep hurt behind the look she’d given Duncan indicated more than a passing annoyance. “You’re home now. You can explain everything later.”
My own eyes were strangely dry, even as my heart felt full to bursting. I lifted a hand to wave at Eòran, who returned my greeting with a rare smile and a bow. Perhaps my reticence was due to the old man standing at the mouth of the bridge watching us all with tender affection. He looked so . . . proprietary, as if he had a right to stand on Doon’s soil and share our intensely personal moment. He shifted his gaze to meet mine. Keen blue-gray eyes, a roadmap of wrinkles over his weathered face, and his animated countenance brought to mind a scene from long ago . . . a low-beamed ceiling coated with smoke and grime, the bitter taste of ale on my tongue, and the anticipation that my life would never be the same.
Slowly, I extricated myself from Kenna’s arms.
The man nodded at me, and I remembered. “This tale is not for the faint of heart, lasses.” The Tam O’Shanter Inn. He’d told us the real story of the Brig o’ Doon at the request of Ally—the pierced and glittery fashionista who’d later transformed into the Witch of Doon before my eyes.
“What did you do?” I asked Kenna before rushing toward the old man. “You’re not welcome here!” I grabbed his sleeve and began to tug him back toward the mouth of the bridge, which was already fading into a ruin. I’d toss him over the edge if necessary. No way would I allow another traitor into our midst.
“Lass, I’m no’ who ye think I am.”
“Don’t call me lass!” I snapped at the old storyteller and raised my chin. “I’m the queen of Doon, and your time here is over.”
“One way or another,” Jamie threatened as he clutched the old man’s other arm and pressed a short blade into his back.
Eòran appeared between us and the bridge, his arms crossed over his boulder-like chest, and shook his head emphatically.
“Get out of my way,” Jamie growled as he rammed a shoulder into my guard. Eòran stumbled back before turning an irate scowl on Jamie and yanking a knife from his belt.
“Wait, it’s okay!” Kenna shouted as she and Duncan rushed toward us.
Dark rage flashed across Jamie’s face as he smashed his fist into Eòran’s mouth, snapping the guard’s head back.
“Whoa!” Duncan rushed in between the two of them, bracing a hand on each of their chests to keep them apart. “I can explain.”
Kenna stepped up and placed her hands on the old man’s thin shoulders, halting my attempt to drag the betrayer back to the bridge.
I released his jacket and whirled toward Duncan. “Start talking.”
After ordering Eòran to stand down, Duncan took Jamie by the arm and turned him to face the old man. “This is Alasdair MacCrae, our kinsman.”
Jamie crossed his arms over his chest and leaned into Alasdair’s face with narrowed eyes. “I dinna care if ye’re the sainted Bruce himself. Why does the queen no’ trust ye?”
“ ’Tis quite the tale, Jamie,” Duncan said. “We can explain on our way—”
The old man’s eyes warmed. “So this is yer brother. He’s alive!”
Jamie pulled back, but his posture remained tense and he turned to me with brows raised in question.
“It’s not so difficult to explain. I met Alasdair through Ally, who turned out to be the witch in disguise.”
A muscle in Jamie’s jaw jumped as he turned to Duncan. “Ye’ll explain now.”
And so they did. A crazy tale about how Alasdair, fearing for his life, had fled across the Brig o’ Doon at the exact moment the Miracle shielded the kingdom. He’d been trapped on the bridge and the Protector had given him a choice—go back to Doon or leave forever. But before young Alasdair could make up his mind, the witch had snatched him into the modern world.
As Duncan finished speaking, his brows drew together, telling me he had reservations of his own. I would just have to trust he had a good reason for bringing the man with him through the portal.
“You’re the Suspended man.” Jamie’s arms dropped to his sides as his mouth opened in astonishment.
Alasdair gave a tight nod, clearly not proud of his legacy. “I’m also the brother to King Angus, makin’ me yer many times removed grandfather.”
I shook my head. “But