Accepting their Destiny: Destiny Trilogy, #2

By Miranda Lynn

Book 2 in the Destiny Trilogy, start the journey with the first in the series Discovering their Destiny.

My sister Blair is being held in the dungeons below the keep, waiting for a prophecy to steal her last breath. Not if I can help it. 

It all started with wanting a little adventure and trying to save Iona, Devlin's sister, on my own. I freed Blair from her cell, but the Fae King caught us and has his own devious needs for us. We have a plan to trick the Fae King, and I've got a little bit of magic on my side, but will it be enough to get home before Devlin does? 

With the help of a raven, the Oracle, Green Jack, and my strong devoted Highland Warrior, We are on a mission to banish the Fae King, save my sister, and the land of Faery. No biggie. I've got this. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Miranda Lynn
• Release date: Sep 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386657439

Book preview

Accepting their Destiny

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Miranda Lynn

Copyright © Miranda Lynn

This book is copyright under the Berne Convention

No reproduction without permission

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-1537157986

ISBN-10: 1537157981

The Destiny Series

Book Two

THE RIGHT OF MIRANDA Lynn to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead or events is entirely coincidental.

Cover

By

Wicked by Design

Edited

By

Leanore Elliott

Formatting By Imagine Ink Designs

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Preview Book Three: Fulfilling their Destiny

About the Author

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Acknowledgments

This is always one of the hardest parts for me when I have completed a novel. Narrowing down whom I want to thank. First and foremost, I want to thank my readers and fans for sticking with me through this long process of fleshing out this novel. I know many of you have been waiting so patiently to find out what the next chapter in the Destiny series would entail.

I want to thank my husband Ryan and my kiddos for allowing me to be absent at times, to write and commune with my characters. I want to thank my best friend Tiffany for allowing me to escape to her house to write when needed.

I want to thank all my author friends I have made along the way, for your support and critique when needed and for being blunt when things just didn’t mesh. Especially Tawnya Coulter and Terry Maggert, love you both!

I want to thank my editor, Lenore for teaching me how to write more smoothly as we worked through the edits. You Rock! I also need to thank Michel Prince for introducing me to her. I think it’s the best connection I have made so far in my writing career.

Chapter 1

17th Century Scotland

IT HAD BEEN THREE DAYS since I watched Devlin ride away to find his sister. Two of those I slept, recouping from the energy I had exerted during the battle, then the last day I spent with Emily and her seamstresses being fitted for a new wardrobe. Now I was ready to get out and just get some fresh air. I opened my chamber door to find Christan standing guard. What are you doing here?

Guarding ye of course, just as I promised Devlin I would.

I think you are taking it a bit extreme Christan. Shouldn’t you be keeping an eye on the men left here? Keeping them alert?

Bram has that well in hand. I am free to keep ye safe. Devlin would have my head if anything happened to ye.

Nothing is going to happen to me Christan. I sighed and walked past him, heading towards the front door

Christan fell into step next to me, then stopped me at the door. I do naugh think it wise ta be outside of the Keep, Lady Jami.

Christan, if I don’t get some fresh air and some peace I am going to explode. I won’t go outside the walls, but I must go outside. I stomped my foot.

With a heavy sigh, Christan acquiesced, Then may I suggest the back gardens, we can go through the kitchens ta reach them. I would feel better if ye were naugh anywhere near the front gates.

Fine, if that is the only way I am allowed, then the gardens it is.

Walking through the Keep with Christan on my heels was frustrating but I understood why. We’d just been attacked and now it seems that Devlin’s sister had been abducted. I was no longer in the 21st century. I missed Todd terribly; he would say something funny to make me laugh and relax me. Thinking about Todd made me remember all the other things I missed. Like my coffee pot, my shower, central heat and air, the list goes on and on. I only had to picture Devlin’s face though to remember why I chose to stay.

Ye look deep in thought Lady Jami, is everything all right?

Christan, I have told you over and over, it’s just Jami please. I was just missing an old friend, who coincidently looks a lot like you. I pondered the resemblance...Could Todd be a descendant of Christan’s? I would have to see if I could work that out. With this thought, I decided to try and reach back to Todd once I got comfortable in the garden. I’d been getting better at my meditating but hadn’t tried to travel through dreams since the last time I saw Todd.

Christan grabbed a tray of food and a flagon of wine on our way through the kitchens.

I focused on locating just the right spot, quickly finding it within a grove of small trees at the back of the garden near the wall.

Jami, may I suggest we move closer ta the Keep. I am uncomfortable with you being so near to the walls.

I should be fine, I have you with me. You can stand guard while I picnic and meditate.

He scowled but curtly nodded and moved off to patrol the small grove.

I settled in, nibbled, and proceeded to fall into a meditative state.

Chapter 2

IT TOOK ME LONGER THAN normal knowing Christan stood right there, but I finally found my zone. Focusing on Todd, I sent myself out into the dream world.

Todd isn’t who I found.

I walked in a forest I’d never seen before, the glow of a fire a short distance away, and the sound of horses munching close on my right. I crept towards what I thought was a camp to find Devlin, Donovan and who I assumed to be Darrick gathered around the campfire.

Having to hunt ye down has put us a good day’s ride behind, Devlin said glaring at Darrick. For once, ye should have used yer head and come to us before running off into the night, half-clothed on a manhunt.

Darrick hung his head as Donovan paced.

We have no clue as ta where Iona could be; the lass is naugh at our Aunt’s house that is the only sure thing we do know. Donovan stopped behind Darrick. Have ye had any correspondence from her?

Darrick looked up with weary eyes. She wrote ta me two weeks ago saying that she would make it ta the celebration no matter what anyone said and begged me naugh ta tell. Ye know how Iona is when she sets her mind ta something. Nothing will change it. I expected her ta be here days ago though. I just figured Auntie had caught her and kept her there.

I snorted.

Devlin’s head snapped up at the sound. He searched the trees, but not finding anything out of the ordinary, he turned back to his brothers. Well, she didn’t make it, so we can only assume the worst, and that is someone has her. I pray that it’s naugh the Mulligans. They are out fer blood now, and I dun know what they would do to her.

All three brothers fell silent as they stared into the fire.

I moved closer, wanting to get a good look at Devlin. Three days separation had me starved to see his face.

Again, he turned towards me at the sound of my movement.

Do ye hear something Devlin? Donovan asked.

Aye. With that, he got up and left the safety of the fire.

I followed him as he moved, wondering if he could hear me. Devlin, I whispered, trying it out.

He turned quickly. Jami, is that ye lass?

Yes.

Where are ye and what the hell are ye doing here?

I am right next to you; I am not actually here. I am—well, dream walking I guess, only without the dream. I’m not sure. I was trying to visit an old friend back home and ended up here.

I can’t see ye lass.

I walked up to him and placed my hand on his face.

With a quick intake of breath, he leaned into my touch. He could hear and feel me, but not see me. I wish I could see ye. Three days is already too many without yer touch.

I know, I feel the same way. But if I can find you this way, maybe I can be of help. Maybe I can find Iona as well.

Nay lass, dun naugh go endangering yerself.

It’s no danger; my body is at the Keep and Christan is watching over me. With Emily and Drea as well, I can try to find her and report back to you.

Ye think you can find her? Lass, we need all the help we can get right now.

Are there any pictures of Iona at the Keep, I need to see what she looks like to focus.

Aye, there is a family portrait in the hall with her, she is much younger but it’s the only likeness we have.

I will find it. And Devlin, please be safe. I need you back in one piece and soon. My bed is empty without you. I stood on tiptoe and brushed a kiss against his lips. I’ll return as soon as I can.

Chapter 3

I WOKE UP ON THE GROUND with Christan holding my head.

Lass, ye scared me. One minute ye are sitting there all peaceful and the next, you fainted dead away. Are ye all right?

Yes, I am fine.

Did ye see yer friend?

No, but I did see Devlin and his brothers. I am learning more each day about what I can do, but for now I need to find the family portrait with Iona. Then I need to eat and finally, I need to summon Emily and Drea to my chambers.

Whatever ye need. I will locate Emily and Drea while you eat in the kitchens. Emily can show you the portrait and then I will stand guard while you do what you need to.

I nodded in agreement, and he helped me back to the Keep. He bellowed at the first servant he saw. Get her a bowl of stew this time and a tankard of wine.

The servant bowed and scurried away.

Ye sit right here, eat and I will be back for you. Christan took off at a fast pace in search of the girls.

I attacked my food with relish, not realizing how famished I’d been. Dream walking took a lot out of me, and I needed the fuel if I wanted to do it again so soon. I felt amazed at how well I’d adapted to my new powers. I should have thought myself crazy by now, proud of how I was taking it all in stride. I don’t even think Todd would recognize me now.

I finished my wine as Christan returned. I have sent two grooms to fetch Emily and Drea. They are just returning from their morning ride. We will meet them in the front hall. He took my arm as I stood, and we walked together to wait for them at the bottom of the stairs.

It only took a minute for the door to burst open, with Emily and Drea rushing inside. They stopped when they saw me, both speaking at once.

I raised my hand. I’ll explain soon, right now I need to see the portrait with Iona in it.

Emily looked to Drea, and she nodded her head. They were both eerily quiet as she led the way down the darkened hall.

Christan found a torch and followed us, lighting the sconces on the wall as we went.

We don’t light this hallway much. Donovan does not like to remember he had to send his sister away. After a few more steps, Emily stopped. Here we are, I think Iona to be about 13 when this was painted. She went to live with our Aunt shortly afterward.

I stood next to Emily staring up at the painting into the big wide eyes of a young girl on the verge of womanhood. She had long eyelashes, with her hair pinned neatly back from her face, but hung wild and loose down her back. Iona looked like her father, with light brown hair and blue eyes, all the boys took after their mother with her amber eyes and chestnut hair. I studied Iona for a long while, then turned to Drea. Alright, let’s go to my chambers, and I will explain what has happened and what I need to do.

We headed up the stairs and down the hall to my room in silence. Christan stopping to stand guard at the door while Drea and Emily followed me inside.

A’right, we have given ye time. Now explain what is going on, Emily stated, matter of fact.

It took the next half hour to explain to them my day so far.

Drea nodded. Yer mind is thinking of Todd, but your heart is with Devlin. What ye did is something my father calls Spirit walking. He has done it many times and taken me with him when the need arises.

So you can help me on this? I need to see if I can find Iona and I’m not sure that I can. If my heart leads the way, I may only go back to Devlin.

I can help guide us, Drea agreed. Ye will have to focus all you have on searching out Iona though. I can only lend what little power I have and some guidance.

I could feel the excitement and the adrenaline rising in my body. Let’s try

Drea came to sit with me on the bed, holding my hands she started breathing slow. We first must calm ourselves, try to get to that meditative state again.

I closed my eyes and followed her breathing, trying to calm the blood rushing through my veins. It seemed harder this time, I slowly became aware of trees surrounding us again.

Jami, open yer eyes. We need to start searching.

I looked around to find we were near another castle. Where are we?

It looks like her Aunt’s holdings. A good place to start I think, but I need ye to focus. Remember something from her portrait. Empty your mind of everything but her. Hopefully, it will take us closer to her. And no matter what, do NOT let go of my hand.

I squeezed her hand and took a moment to clear my mind. Picturing Iona’s eyes, I reached out to find them. Instantly, I felt light as air. The feeling shook me up a bit, and I staggered when I opened my eyes again.

Chapter 4

I TRIED TO GET MY BEARINGS. I found myself in a part of the forest I’d never been before. I felt a sizzle in the air and the hairs on my arms stood up. I slowly realized I no longer had Drea at my side. Spinning in a circle, I searched for her. Drea? I whispered, not knowing if the things in this forest could hear me.

She is not here, dearling.

I jumped at the sound; I knew that voice. I didn’t want to face him. I searched for Iona, and hoped I hadn’t found her.