A cold sensation curled around her throat and yanked her from her father’s iron grip.
“Nay,” he cried.
The world spun, giving her snatches of images of the sky, the woods, her father’s flashing blade.
A howl broke through the air and Evina was released to where she fell hard to the forest floor. Her father lay on the ground there. Blood streaked the blade at his side, but it also dripped from the corner of his mouth. He had been injured. Her brave da had been injured protecting her.
Evina whimpered and crawled over to him. The skin on her upper arm burned. She had been wounded, she knew, but none of that mattered. All that mattered was her father.
“Da?” She touched his chest, seeking a wound.
His breath came in ragged gasps. He looked at her once in a long slow regard. “I’m sorry, lass, I canna protect ye.” His jaw clenched as a spasm of obvious pain wracked his body. “I love ye so verra much.” Then his eyes clenched shut and his body flexed beneath her hands as he screamed out her mother’s name.
The shriek of The Shadows sounded overhead, ravenous for more of her blood. Evina should run. She should at least pull her gaze from her father to search the surrounding woods, or overhead. They were playing with her in the same way a cat bats about a wounded mouse. She should try to flee.
But her da was dying. She had seen death in the pools often enough to know its presence. Mayhap someone was up in the pools now watching her impending death. And yet she could not leave.
“Da.”
“Morrigan, protect her,” her da’s voice gritted through his teeth. Blood flecked his mouth and turned his spittle pink. “I canna get her to ye in time. Save her. Make her forget who she is.”
“Nay,” Evina cried. “I’d rather die.”
And truly she would. She did not want to forget her strong, loving father, her beautiful and loving mother, the magnificence of her home or the affection of all her sisters.
Her father’s blue gaze fastened on hers. “Forgive me, my daughter. I loved ye too greatly.”
Another shriek sounded. Now overhead, but it did not mask the long exhale of her father’s last breath. His eyes fell half-lidded and his focus gazed to the nothingness of death.
A scream came from inches over her head. The chilled breath of The Shadows fanned over her hair and shoulders. Then, darkness fell over Evina and her world went black.
Brilliant sunlight filled Evina’s vision to where she held a single crow feather pinched between her fingers.
“Evina?” Fear edged Duncan’s voice.
“My da…” Evina’s voice cut off with the ache in her throat. “He died fighting The Shadows. He made my mother have me forget so they would not know me for a daughter of Morrigan. He did it to save me.”
“He was the man laying next to ye?”
Evina nodded. “The reason for my loss of memory was because my parents loved me so much, and because I loved them.” A warmth blossomed in her chest. She lifted the feather. “But at least I know I was loved.”
Duncan caressed her cheek. “Ye’ve always been loved, wife.”
Evina could not stop the smile from spreading over her lips even if she’d wanted to. “As ye’ve always been loved by me, husband.”
“And now yer sacrifice for having done so is lessened.” Indeed the expression on his face was one of gratitude.
“Yer feather wasna the only gift this day.” Gillespie rose from where he crouched to speak with Phoebe.
She held the feather in her fist and her eyes shone with joy. Gillespie ruffled her hair with one hand, leaving her black curls tousled. “Morrigan has blessed yer daughter.”
Duncan gave a soft exhale, as Evina’s own heart blossomed in her chest. “Our daughter, blessed by a goddess,” she breathed. “We have been given so much.”
“Aye, that we have.” Duncan slipped a strong arm around Evina’s shoulders and drew her closer to him as they watched their daughter twirl through the golden lit grass with a feather of Morrigan in her hand.
Evina lay her head on Duncan’s chest and reveled in the steady thump of his heartbeat against her skin, a sensation she never stopped appreciating. In fact, her very life was appreciated. Duncan, Phoebe, Gillespie and even the enchanted servants, all of whom she’d come to love.
For two souls once cursed, she and Duncan had been destined for misery, loneliness and death. In each other they’d found not only life, but love. Now, the daughter of two cursed parents had the blessing of a goddess.
Aye, Evina had much to be grateful for, and never let a day go by that she did not thank her mother and cherish all the love in her beautiful life.
ABOUT MADELINE MARTIN
Madeline Martin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author of Scottish set historical romance novels filled with twists and turns, adventure, steamy romance, empowered heroines and the men who are strong enough to love them.
She lives a glitter-filled life in Jacksonville, Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions) and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. All shenanigans are detailed regularly on Twitter and on Facebook.
Madeline loves animals in sweaters, cat videos, and working out (to support her love of wine and Nutella). As she is unable to have pets herself due to allergies, she has acquired a plastic Halloween skeleton named Nick and a small robot named Meccano - both of whom are dressed up regularly by the minions.
She loves connecting with her readers, so feel free to follow her on any one of her social media platforms, or send her a message :)
ALSO BY MADELINE MARTIN
Wicked Earls Club
EARL OF BENTON
Highland Passions
GHOSTLY TALE OF FORBIDDEN LOVE
THE MADAM’S HIGHLANDER
THE HIGHLANDER’S UNTAMED LADY
Heart of the Highlands
DECEPTION
