Page 34 of Love Beyond Reach (Morna’s Legacy #11)

J erry

G rier’s arrival at Conall Castle didn’t surprise me.

I knew the day I learned she still lived that I would see her again, and I spent the days and months leading up to her return reflecting on my time spent with her.

I said nothing to Morna, not because I wished to keep the events of that time from her, but because I saw no need to burden her with emotions that were not hers to work through.

She was so much like her brother—they both felt the need to carry the pain of others.

Falling in love with Morna taught me much. Sure, I’d fancied a few lassies back in my own time, bedded more than my fair share, but I’d never loved another outside of the love one has for family or the platonic love one has for friends.

The moment I realized the depth of my feelings for Morna was the moment I could see something I should’ve seen from the start—Grier was in love with me. While my affection for her had been true, she’d only ever been my friend, but that had never been her feelings for me.

I’d not seen it at the time. It was clear to me now. Knowing the truth of Grier’s affections allowed me to forgive the year of my life she stole from me.

After all, had it been I that held the key to sending Morna away from me, I couldn’t say that I wouldn’t have lied, as well. In truth, I knew I would’ve. There was nothing I wouldn’t have done to keep her close to me.

What frightened me was the thought that perhaps Grier felt the same way—that she might still be willing to do anything to keep me close. The power of Morna’s magic was pure. Everything she did or sought to do was from a place of love.

Grier had goodness within her, but her purity was buried deep, and her spells didn’t always serve the greater good.

Her lack of family and the loneliness I suspected she’d experienced most of her life had changed the way she thought of magic.

She didn’t see her magic as a duty to help.

She saw it as a burden that cast her apart.

If those around her couldn’t accept the magic within her, she would use her powers to force the result she desired.

Grier rarely spoke of her life, but she’d said just enough in our time together to make me understand why she often didn’t hesitate to force someone’s hand with her magic.

The evil she’d had to endure at the hands of frightened, ignorant people over and over throughout her life was enough to send anyone into madness.

I didn’t know what I would say to her, but I knew there was a delicate line I would have to balance.

My heart could never belong to her, and I had to make sure she understood that.

Doing so put me at great risk for upsetting her.

If I did—if she believed that I’d somehow betrayed her—there was no telling what Grier might do.

Every step toward my cottage was filled with a silent prayer that all would be well.

I had no confidence it would be.

M orna

T he instant I mentioned Grier’s name to him, Jerry no longer heard anything else I said. He was distracted, lost in his own thoughts, determined to make his peace with her in whatever way he could.

It pained me to let him go to her, but I knew he was deserving of my trust.

I stood at the edge of the village and watched Jerry walk toward his cottage until I could no longer see him. Once he was out of sight, I took a deep breath. It was time to proceed to the next dreadfully difficult task of the day, breaking my engagement to Henry.

I saw no one on my short walk back to the castle.

Inside its walls, Henry was nowhere to be found.

Alasdair was the first person I found. He sat relaxing in Father’s old chair by the fire.

With the room draped in the afternoon’s shadow, Alasdair looked so much like Father that my chest squeezed painfully at the sight of him.

“I told everyone they needn’t work today. Elspeth and Eoin are abed resting. I couldna sleep.”

“Where’s Henry? ’Tis time for me to speak to him.”

Alasdair shook his head and yawned. Even if he couldn’t sleep, he was exhausted.

“He’s asleep, as well. Doona wake him just to break his heart. Ye can tell him before dinner.”

I didn’t argue. While I knew it needed to be done, I was in no hurry to witness his reaction.

“Mayhap, I should wait until morning. Then, he could leave right away should he wish it.”

“Ach, he will wish it, lass. No man wants to stay in the home of the lass who has jilted him. Morning then. ’Twill be best…” Alasdair’s words slowly faltered as I watched him drift to sleep, his head slumped over against his shoulder.

I must’ve fallen asleep shortly after, for when my eyes flickered open, Alasdair was gone and only a sliver of sunlight shone into the room.

Evening was upon us, and Jerry would most certainly be wanting to know how everything had gone with Henry.

If I left now, I could reach and return from his cottage before I was expected for dinner.

He wouldn’t be pleased, but what was one more evening of waiting when we would have our whole lives to spend together?

If only I’d known how much could change in an evening.