“You asked for my help.” Russell wiped his sword on a soldier’s uniform. “You got it.” He vanished.
With a muttered curse, Angus headed back to the three tranquilized soldiers.
J.L. sighed. “Russell’s been living among the enemy for too long.”
Dougal nodded as he trudged back with J.L. He understood how harsh a person could get when just trying to survive. During his four years of slavery, he’d seen so many other slaves whipped and tortured that he’d grown cold and unfeeling inside. Only his music had kept his soul alive. And his music had brought Li Lei into his life. If she hadn’t saved him, he probably would have died a slave. But it had been Li Lei who had died young.
Forgive me. He would earn her forgiveness by keeping Leah safe and happy for centuries to come.
Kyo dashed over at vampire speed. “We had to kill one, but we have three knocked out.”
“Let’s get them back to the school,” Angus said.
In a few minutes they were dropping the captive soldiers on stretchers in the clinic. Abby and Laszlo quickly put them into stasis, while Gregori reported that all had remained quiet at the school.
Dougal was eager to see Leah, but first they had to teleport back all the supplies left hidden on the ridge. They didn’t want to leave any clues as to what had happened. Even the three dead soldiers were teleported to the island, where they would be given a proper burial.
Finally done with the mission, Dougal showered and changed into a kilt and white shirt. Then he grabbed his Uilleann pipes. He’d keep his promise to the Grand Tiger, then spend the rest of the night with Leah.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Leah clapped along with the pounding drums while Howard and Phil attempted the Tiger Dance. They’d resisted for the first hour of the celebration, but after a few cups of Tiger Town’s homemade liquor, they were raring to go.
Most all of Tiger Town and the guests from the zombie village were in the courtyard celebrating. Torches lined the perimeter, and a half-full moon glowed in the starry sky. Each end of the courtyard was lined with tables bearing grilled fish, rice, fruit, and what Rajiv called Tiger Juice.
In front of the palace, large drums were being pounded in a compelling rhythm that was almost hypnotic. It certainly made everyone want to dance. That and the homemade liquor. After drinking half a cup, Leah was feeling much less nervous about Dougal. Then when she heard the news from Rajiv that the Vamps had safely completed their part of the mission, she jumped for joy and tried the Tiger Dance, too.
It was simple enough to do. Face a partner, pound your right foot four times, crouch and leap with a half spin in the air, then repeat facing another partner. Then link elbows and spin, ending with a hiss and fake showing of claws. Of course, the were-tiger men were trying to outdo each other by leaping the highest. Other men donned giant tiger masks and were leaping so high that they sailed over people’s heads. Every now and then there was a drunken collision, but everyone laughed it off and went back to the table for more Tiger Juice.
“Is that Howard dancing?” J.L. yelled over the noise. “And Phil?”
Leah looked up to see that J.L. and Angus had arrived. Her heart lurched but quickly settled down when she didn’t see Dougal with them.
J.L. set down an ice chest. “Whoa, they just hissed at me.”
With a grin, Angus handed J.L. a Bleer from the ice chest. “Ye did a great job,” he told her.
“Thank you. I heard everything went well for you guys, too.”
Angus nodded and helped himself to a Bleer. “We have six more prisoners in stasis.”
Leah couldn’t wait any longer. “Where is Dougal?”
“He had to keep a promise to the Grand Tiger.” J.L. took a sip of Bleer. “He promised to wear a skirt and play the pipes for him. You’ll find him in the palace.”
“Okay, thanks.” Leah dashed up the steps to the palace.
Once she closed the thick double doors behind her, the pounding noise outside quieted to a dull throb. Instead, the air was filled with the plaintive, lyrical sound of pipes.
The guard nodded at her, allowing her to enter the throne room. She eased forward, keeping to the side, behind the columns. And then she saw them. Dougal was sitting on the edge of the dais, his head bowed as he concentrated on a slow, sad melody. Rajiv’s grandfather was sitting on his throne, his eyes closed, his body swaying to the music.
Tears filled her eyes. How could she not spend the rest of her life with Dougal?
When the music ended, she stepped out from behind a column.
Dougal set his pipes down and stood. “Leah.”
Her heart squeezed at the expression on his face. So much tenderness and love.
“Ah.” The Grand Tiger watched them closely. “Have you found love again, Dou Gal?”
“Yes, Your Eminence,” he said, never taking his eyes off Leah.
She glanced at Rajiv’s grandfather, wondering what he meant by again.
“True love,” the Grand Tiger whispered, his eyes glistening with tears.
Dougal bowed. “I apologize, Your Eminence. I did not mean to make you sad. I can play only slow music now.”
“It was beautiful.” The Grand Tiger waved toward the door. “You may go now. I wish to be alone with the memories of my wife, who passed before me.”
“Yes, Your Eminence.” Dougal grabbed Leah’s hand and led her toward the double door.
She glanced back to see a tear running down the Grand Tiger’s face. He must have loved his wife dearly.
Dougal pushed open the doors, and immediately the pounding drums filled her ears. The courtyard was teeming with life, people laughing and dancing. Tears crowded her eyes as she realized how blessed she was.
“Life is an adventure, lass,” her grandfather had told her. “Live it to the fullest, and never look back.”
I will, Grandpa. She blinked back her tears and smiled at Dougal. “Did you want to dance?”
He pulled her to the edge of the courtyard. “I have another activity in mind.”
She followed him down an alleyway between two buildings. “Where are we going?”
“I have a room in the guesthouse.”
“Wait.” She dug in her heels.
He pressed her up against a stone wall. “Why should I wait? I’ve hungered for you every night.”
“I have something to say.”
He nuzzled her neck. “Then say it before I rip this pretty robe off you.”
“It is pretty, isn’t it? Rajiv’s cousin, Jia, lent it to me. She’s a lovely girl.”
Dougal leaned back to give her an impatient look. “Is that what ye wanted to say?”
“No.” The pounding noise from the courtyard grew louder, and her heart thundered along with it. “I was really worried about you.”
“I was worried about you, too.” He grabbed her hand to take her toward his room.
“Wait.” She halted. “I was so worried that it made me realize something really important.”
“What? That ye worry too much?”
“No. That I don’t want to live without you.” She touched his cheek. “I’m all yours, Dougal. One hundred percent.”
His eyes glowed red. In a matter of seconds, he had swept her up in his arms and carried her to his room. In a few more seconds, he had lit the candle from the lantern hanging outside the door. She took the bedding off the dresser and spread it on the floor.
His shoes, socks, and sporran hit the floor.
“Wait,” she said as he flung off his shirt.
“What now?”
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do. Actually a few things.”
“Aye, me, too.” He unfastened his kilt.
“No, wait!” She motioned to the bedding. “Lie down.”