Page 184 of The Ranger
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The next day,Shona and Dallan prepared to take Markhel and Maida to the Muiraran palace. They were waiting for Makama and Vale to arrive, then they would leave.
“The palace is nice; you’ll like it,” Shona said. “I visit my adoptive parents as often as I can, and sometimes they come to see me.”
Maida glanced at her grandparents. They didn’t drink Kwaku’s elixir last night, but that was okay. It was their decision, and if they needed more time so be it.
Shona put an arm around Maida. “You’ll be fine, and you’ll have family there as well as friends.” She nodded at Irene as she lectured Markhel about not giving her pot roast recipe out. She’d just written it down for him.
“I’m nervous,” Maida said.
“It’s okay, I was too when I met the king. And he’smy father.”
Dallan joined them and nodded at Vale and Makama as they rode into the barnyard and dismounted. He turned to Major and Honoria. “We’ll bring them back in seven days. She’ll have Jeffery, Thackary and their mates with her at the palace.
“Pa,” Maida said. “Shona told me they have a replica of Clear Creek in the palace library.”
Major gave them a weak smile. “I’m not ready to see that.”
Maida kissed her father on the cheek. “Everything will be okay. And... thank you. I...”
“It’s all right, dear,” Honoria said. “We’ll talk about it when you get back. Enjoy your time with Markhel at the palace.” She grabbed Maida into a fierce hug then released her.
“Sorry we’re late,” Vale said. “But Erwin put in a request to visit the palace one day.”
“Again?” Dallan sighed. “I’ll see what I can do but I’m no making any promises.”
Shona looked around. “Are we ready?” Kwaku and Zara had already taken Jefferson, Thackary, Lorelei and Pepper back. She wanted to return and spend a little more time with Kitty before she was sent home as well.
They hadn’t made any headway on the time disruption and needed to keep working on it. That is, unless they were given another assignment. She noticed Kwaku talking a lot with Duncan and Cozette last night and wondered if they were privy to anything. The king had kept her and Dallan busy during this one, and okay, he was worried about them coming to harm.Both of them, which was a big step. She wondered if Dallan had figured it out yet.
“Shona,” Dallan called. “Come here, Flower.”
She did and smiled up at him. It was time to go. He took her into his arms and kissed her.
“Okay, brace yourselves,” Vale said.
Major looked at the others. “For what?”
Vale cackled. “Oh, you’ll see! I fainted the first time I saw this. Who do you think will faint, darling?” He pulled Makama close.
She smacked him on the chest. “No one.”
His smile faded. “Oh, well, that’s disappointing. Makes me look the sissy, doesn’t it?”
“Oh, quiet you.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Go ahead, Dallan.”
He smiled, kissed Shona again, then spoke to her in Gaelic. “Thoir dhachaigh sinn, a nighean. Take us home lass.”
THE END
EPILOGUE
The Muiraran palace, 3698…
“And then what happened?” Melvale entwined his fingers together and rested his chin on them.
Maida sat across a low table from him. Muirarans weren’t ones for chairs, and was seated on a large cushion next to Markhel. They’d just left Thackary, Jefferson, Lorelei, and Pepper, and were now having dinner with Markhel’s family. She’d never been so nervous in her life. They hadn’t been presented to the king yet, which was fine with her. Meeting Markhel’s parents was enough to deal with.