Dragon Knight's Ring (Order of the Dragon Knights Book 5) Read Free Page B

face Patrick, he replied, “To close the door on the past—to forge a new life away from the pain. A final pilgrimage.”
    Patrick unclasped his hands and went to Adam. “Ye will always carry the pain of losing her. Ye cannae think that in another land away from Scotland ye would fare better. This is your home.”
    Adam realized part of his brother’s words rang true. “Aye, the pain traveled with me—even to the distant lands I journeyed during my time away, but here”—he waved his hand about—“she dwelt and her spirit lingers. ’Tis stronger, the pain of her loss.”
    “There is much we need to discuss before ye depart once again.” Patrick’s tone waxed curt.
    “Aye, like how our brother, Michael, died by the hand of a MacKay—the verra one who still lives! Pray tell me why, Patrick? Have ye and Alex gone soft?”
    “ We —your new laird and I, will account all that has happened in your absence. Then, if ye deem ye need to depart, I will open the gates myself. Ye return two years later, not the man who left. Where did your travels take ye that harden your heart and tongue further?”
    “To the Holy Lands with the Templar Knights,” stated Adam, seeing the shock mar his brother’s face.
    Patrick grasped his shoulders. “By the hounds! Your travels took ye that far? Why would ye take up with them ? They are with the new religion.”
    “I believe in the new religion, and the pilgrimage was an attempt to wash the blood of Meggie’s death from my soul. In truth, I will never find peace, and the Crusades are one I dinnae wish to discuss.”
    Releasing him, Patrick stared in obvious alarm. “I do not ken who ye are.” He turned and started for the door, but hesitated. “The tub has been filled— again . When ye have bathed, seek us out in the laird’s chambers.”
    When the door closed, Adam rubbed the heels of his palms against his eyes. The weight of his travels crushed him body and soul. He gave no care for Patrick’s outburst, nor did he worry what Alex thought about his beliefs. He would hear their account and then he would leave. “One last journey,” he whispered.
    ****
    An hour later, Adam entered Alex’s chambers without knocking. Patrick turned from the window and gave him a pointed look, but Alex walked forward and embraced him.
    “Ye have been sorely missed, Adam. ’Tis good to see ye have returned home.”
    Adam felt like an outsider, unable to welcome the greeting from his brother.
    Alex took a step back. “So ye have traveled far and with the Templars. I would like to hear of your time across these vast lands.”
    His brothers could not begin to fathom. “The road was filled with blood. Naught to share.”
    Shrugging, Alex went and poured some ale into several mugs. He handed one to Patrick and the other to Adam. Holding his cup high, he said, “Regardless of the past, ye have ventured back home—”
    As Adam started to object and let his brother know his stay was not a long one, Alex held up his hand to halt his words.
    “It does not matter how long. We shall embrace this time.” He motioned for Adam to take a chair.
    Nodding slowly, Adam sat and took a sip of the ale.
    “Have ye broken your fast?” asked Alex, as he moved to his desk.
    “Aye. Anice made sure I ate all before leaving the hall.”
    Patrick snorted, and Alex rubbed his hand across his face in an attempt to hide the smile.
    “Ye do look like ye could add a stone or two on ye,” stated his older brother. “Travels can make a man thin.”
    Adam looked at Alex across the rim of his cup for a few moments. He would make a far better laird for the clan than Michael. Setting his mug down, he folded his arms across his chest. “What happened to Michael?”
    “Our brother—our laird had slowly been losing his wits. Do ye remember the druid, Lachlan?” Alex refilled his mug and took a deep swallow.
    “Aye. I never cared for the man. There was something odd about him, and Michael always listened to his