“Give her peace and tranquility when wrapped inside the cloth you see. If the Ancients will it so, give us a sign so we will know.”
They all held their breath and waited. Just when Helen didn’t think she’d see anything of importance the air in the center of the circle warmed and blew her hair behind her shoulders. Like any time in the past when her own gift led her to what she wanted to find, her skin tingled and a deep sense of knowing she’d find what she looked for settled over her.
As the air swirled and heated, the cloak drifted from the floor and stretched itself out taut. A blast of light spun with the heat, streaking amber and silver flecks that looked a lot like pixie dust Helen had seen in animated films. S
onofabitch this is gonna work
. No sooner did the thought leave her head the cloak drifted slowly to the floor and settled between them.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“In this day and in this hour, we thank the Ancient’s for our power.” Lizzy tilted her head to the side and with slow measured movement, Helen felt her backside touch the floor. The flames on the candles made a small snapping noise and all blew out at the same time. The light cast by the fire was the only glow in the room.
Lizzy let go of Helen
’s hand and patted her knee. “You did well.”
“I didn
’t do anything.”
“Yeah, I think you did.” Tara stood and helped Myra from the floor. “We
’ve been doing this for a while and I don’t ever remember feeling my skin sizzle as much.”
“Oh, aye, I felt it, too.” Myra rubbed her bottom as she spoke.
“We all add to the circle. We can do some things solo, but together we’re just better. Don’t know why, we just are.”
The door behind them clicked as Cian left the room without saying a word.
“What’s up with him lately?” Tara asked.
“Wish I knew,” Myra said.
“Is he acting odd?” Helen thought it was his stoic personality and not a new behavior. He seldom smiled or even acknowledged her presence, let alone tried to talk. He only really said something when it was important. No chitchat from that one. He embodied the textbook Highland warrior image.
“He isn
’t himself.”
Tara moved the candles around the room while Lizzy picked up the cloak. “Whatever
’s eating at him is getting worse. I wish he’d talk to someone. He used to open up to Simon.”
Lizzy folded the cloak over her arm. “He needs a girlfriend to knock him out of his funk.”
Helen smiled. “Is there such a thing these days? From what I see, people are either married or flirting.” She’d seen a fair number of sideway glances and raised eyebrows from the huge men downstairs but nothing else.
“There isn
’t a club scene or a movie to go to if that’s what you mean, but courting in this time isn’t a whole lot different than in the twenty-first century,” Tara said.
“We don
’t call it courting.”
“And casual sex isn
’t all that acceptable here either,” Lizzy explained. “But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. With all the extra girls running around, you’d think Cian would find someone to hook up with, even if it’s temporary.”
Helen shrugged her shoulders and said, “Privacy is at a premium around here. Kinda hard to find a secluded place for a quiet thought let alone an intimate moment.”
The words no sooner left her mouth, then she realized what she’d said. And to whom she’d said them. Heat filled her cheeks, and she was certain they turned a deep shade of scarlet. Holy cow, she’d just told Simon’s mother about her desire to steal a few minutes alone with Simon. Talk about awkward.
“And on that note,” Tara chuckled. “Let
’s get this to Amber and see if it works.”
Lizzy lent her a smile as they left the room. The woman really was a gem. Too bad she and the rest of his clan lived so far in the past. They
’d be a lot of fun to hang out with in the future. A future Helen was having a hard time picturing going back to as they walked down the long candle lit hall connecting the bedrooms, or chambers, as the maids called them.
Myra knocked softly on Amber
’s door before they walked in. More pale than Helen had seen her, Amber sat by the small fire burning in the hearth with a wan smile as they approached.
“We have something for you to try.” Lizzy unfolded the cloak from her arm for Amber to see.
Amber glanced at each of their faces. “You’re all so hopeful.”
“We think it
’s going to work.”
“If flashing lights and a breeze coming out of nowhere is any indicator, something happened.” Helen sat on the edge of the bed as she spoke.
“Try it on,” Myra said.
Amber lifted herself out of the chair much like a woman three times her age. “Even if it doesn
’t, thank you all for trying.”
“If it doesn
’t, we’ll go back and try again.”
Amber turned away and presented her back to Lizzy.
Lizzy shook out the garment and hesitated for a moment before placing it over Amber’s shoulders.
Amber drew in a deep cleansing breath and blew it out with a sigh. Her frame started to tremble and Lizzy placed her hands on Amber
’s arms. “Are you okay?”
“Aye.” When Amber turned around the tired lines that had etched her face since Helen had met her started to fade. A tear ran down her cheek. “Aye.” She took a step and nearly fell.
Helen shot to her feet.
Lizzy caught her and Myra rushed forward. Tara reached Amber first. “What
’s wrong?”
“Something didn
’t work.”
“Nay, I
’m fine.” They assisted Amber back into the chair. “’Tis like the weight of Scotland has lifted is all. I’m a wee bit dizzy.”
“Do you want to take it off?” Lizzy asked.
Amber pulled the edges of the cloak further around her. “Nay. ’Tis working. The images from the minds below are fading, slowly...but they
are
fading.”
“It worked. Thank God it worked,” Myra latched onto Amber
’s arm and smiled when Amber didn’t pull away in pain.
Helen watched the sisters fuss over Amber. One offered her water while the other placed another log on the fire.
Such a loving family.
Not
her
family.
This was a family Helen was destined to leave. Temporary, like everything in her life had always been.
“I’ll go find Simon and let him know what’s happening.”
Lizzy spared her a glance as she left the room. The others hardly realized when she left.
Outside the chamber door, the hall was relatively quiet. A low rumbling of voices drifted from below. Somewhere in the past hour, her head started to pound, and now the pain edged toward migraine status.
Helen tugged out the binding from her hair and let it loose, removing some of the pressure. A couple of aspirin would be helpful, but she doubted there was anything like that available. She pushed away from the door in search of Simon.
More than one set of eyes followed her as she entered the main hall. Men clustered in groups. Some sat before the fire to keep warm while others dozed on blankets. It was strange seeing so many men in one place. Helen knew the men protected the Keep in shifts. Most likely those who slept had kept long hours during the day while the rest of them found their rest.
The kitchens never seemed to cool. It wasn
’t yet dinnertime and a large group of people were outside in the courtyard. Helen ignored their stares the best she could as she searched the room for a familiar face. Seeing none, she pivoted in the direction of Ian’s study.
Shadows played on the wall of the dimly lit hall en route to Ian
’s study. Helen knew instantly that someone followed her.
“What a bonny lass ye are. Where
’ve the MacCoinnichs been hiding ye I wonder?”
Helen turned and nearly ran into the huge chest of the man behind her. He must have been six four on a bad day, his body sheer steel. A body that hadn
’t seen fresh water in a very long time. She took a step back to let the man know he was way too far into her personal space. The warrior’s hard features were covered by a short beard and a scar that ran down the left side of his face.
“I
’m looking for Laird Ian,” she told him. Best to name-drop the biggest one of the house to avoid any unwanted attention. The way this man’s eyes rounded over the curves of her body made her skin itch.
“Are ye a MacCoinnich?”
“No,” she answered without thought.
“Ye
’re dressed too fine to be a servant.” Scarface stepped forward and touched the edges of her hair.
Helen stepped back and felt the wall on her back.
“I’m not a servant, and I’m not interested.” Even with a castle full of warriors, Helen felt more vulnerable than she did walking in Hollywood after midnight without a friend.
“Yet ye speak like a woman.”
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
He reached for her hair again and she batted his hand away. “What part of
not interested
did you misunderstand?”
“Feisty. I like that in a woman.” As the man reached for her again, Helen lifted her hands to push him away. Her hands never made contact.
Scarface flew across the hall in a blur of movement.
Simon stood between Helen and her unwanted admirer with a set jaw and a hand resting on his sword. “Is this man bothering you, Helen lass?”
She wasn’t sure how to answer the question. Tension in the hall filled every crack as both men squared off on each other. Simon looked like he wanted to kill the guy. Fighting when a war simmered outside their doors seemed ridiculous.
“I didn
’t know she was yours, Lord Simon.”
Lord Simon? What is that all about?
“Now ye know.”
Scarface relaxed his stance and tilted his head toward Helen. “My apologies, my lady.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Scarface turned and left.
“So, I’m yours, am I?”
Simon removed his hand from his weapon and pivoted her way. “
’Tis best they all believe you’re under my protection.”
“And I don
’t have a say in this?”
Simon
’s brow pitched together. “Do you want the attention of Geer, or any of the others?”
“That
’s not the point.” Her voice hitched higher as the energy from the confrontation with Geer started to seep from her pores.
“It is while you
’re here.” And apparently that was the end of the discussion. At least according to Simon. “What are you doing down here anyway?”
“I was looking for you. Amber is….” Helen glanced beyond Simon to the empty hall. “It worked. She
’s doing better.”
He nodded. “I
’ll tell the others.”
“Fine.”
Neither of them moved.
“You should return above stairs.
’Tis safer. Next time bring another woman with you.”
“I need an escort?”
“For now.”
“This is crazy,” she said as she brushed passed him, pissed at the inequality of the times. She wasn
’t a women’s libber, but an escort? Please!
She made it to the opening of the main hall when Simon
’s voice stopped her.
“Helen,” he all but barked.
“What?” She turned, ran into his big, yummy chest. She tried to push him away but his arm snuck around her waist and captured her close. He kissed her firmly and all too quickly, and then set her aside. “Tell Amber to be well. I’ll tell the others.”
Someone nearby chuckled, and Helen realized they had a large and attentive audience. Good God, Simon had marked his territory right there in front of an army.
“Of all the stupid, crazy—”
He kissed her again and shut her up.
This time when he released her, his hands spun her around and he patted her ass. “Go, lass. You’re distracting me.”
She spun on him and gave him a hard shove. “You
’ll pay for that.” Then she marched up the stairs, leaving behind the laughter and boasting of men.
Chapter Sixteen
Simon watched the sway of her ass as she stormed up the stairs. She was pissed, but she
’d get over it. He knew his testosterone-charged display would push her twenty-first century buttons, but it couldn’t be helped. There would be many more Geers before they could safely return to her time, her world. Best they all know now she was
not available
.
And she wasn
’t.
He didn
’t dwell on the thought longer than thirty seconds before he found Todd and Ian huddled over a map in the study.
They offered him only a glance before returning to the map. “If I were hiding out I
’d want shelter, water, and food. Only two places we’ve not looked meet those needs. Here and here.”
“Sounds like you have my night planned,” Simon said as he walked into the room.
“Only if you’re ready. You’ve had a long day.”
He
’d flown over fifty miles in three days. He was exhausted.
Still, his family needed him, and he wasn
’t about to let them down. “I’ll eat and rest. I’ll be ready.”
Ian nodded and patted his back. “Don
’t overextend. You’re of no use to anyone ill…or worse.”
“I
’ll be fine.” Simon ignored the look between Ian and Todd and added, “Speaking of ill, the women’s plan worked. Amber is feeling better apparently.”
“You
’ve seen her?”
“No. Helen came down to tell me.”
Ian sunk into his chair and lowered his head. “Thank, God.”
Just watching Ian melt into his seat brought to light how grave Amber
’s health had been. Simon kicked himself for not paying more attention. He knew when the Keep filled with people her gift plagued her unless she kept above stairs where she could put some barrier between her and all the emotions swimming below.
Still, he didn
’t realize the impact on Ian. The man held the weight of a huge family, a village, and a crush of knights on his shoulders, but concern for his youngest daughter brought him down. Simon knew if Amber were married, settled, Ian wouldn’t have all those parental emotions tearing at his heart. But Amber’s gift had become her curse.
When she and Simon were younger, after the fall of Grainna, she started to feel the changes in her abilities. At that time, Simon spent many hours with her, talking, contemplating life. As the years took their toll on Amber, she became more distant. Suitors offered their attention, but she couldn
’t stand their touch.
There was nothing the family could do. They
’d tried to block her gifts. They’d asked the Ancients to show pity and take back some of her empathic abilities—all of them, if they could—to offer her peace.
Nothing happened.
Now, with Helen’s suggestion, a different tactic was taken, and Amber was afforded some relief.
The Ancients had a plan. Who knows, perhaps the Ancients were Angels of God working with him to keep his precious world from falling apart because of human nature.
“This can wait, Papa.” Simon used his childhood title for Ian, a title the older man adored when Simon used it. “Let’s visit Amber while the powers hold.”
Ian
’s glossy eyes met Simon’s. “Aye. You’re right, lad. Winning a war means little if I can’t help my own child.”
Simon knew Ian didn
’t completely believe that. He’d fight to the death for the villagers, their children.
Todd rolled up the map and placed it under his arm before following them out the door.
By the time they’d made it to Amber’s room, Duncan, Fin, and Lora had arrived. Helen sat beside Amber and barely acknowledged Simon’s presence in the room.
“Da!” she said and held out her arms.
The room stilled as Ian embraced his daughter for the first time in years. The room went silent. Tears flowed down several cheeks, some of the men blinked watery eyes.
Simon choked on a breath and swallowed hard.
“’Tis better. So much better.”
“She
’s been dizzy, Ian. Let her sit,” Lora told her husband.
Ian shot a concerned glance at his wife and helped his daughter back to her chair. “Dizzy?”
“A little,” she confessed.
“Even that is easing,” Myra told him.
“Is the gift gone?”
Amber shook her head. “Not gone. Darkened. When I touch you,” she placed a hand aside her father
’s cheek. “I know you’re concerned, relieved, but the emotion doesn’t choke me. I don’t feel everyone in the room at once, and nothing below.”
Tara kissed her husband on the cheek. “I
’ll talk to the children, let them know they can visit later.”
Duncan placed a hand around her waist. “I
’ll go with you.”
“We should leave, too,” Todd announced. “I
’m glad you’re feeling better, Amber.”
“Thank you.”
Everyone but Simon, Helen, Ian, and Lora left Amber’s side. Lora sat holding her daughter’s hand, and Helen flanked her other side.
“There is light behind your smile again,” Lora said.
“I fear I’ll have to bathe in this cloak. Still, ’tis better than the weight of everyone’s emotions.”
Simon knelt beside Amber. “It might be possible to find other suitable clothing to help.”
“This will work for now.” She snuggled into the garment as if it were a blanket on the coldest day of the year. Amber hid a yawn behind her hand. “I could sleep for days.”
Ian nodded in Simon
’s direction. “Then we’ll leave you to it. Simon, you should find your rest now, too. You’ve a long night ahead of you.”
“What is happening?” Amber had been kept from most of the activities of the Keep in an effort to help her condition.
“Nothing for you to worry about. Simon will scout again tonight is all.”
“Didn
’t you just get back?” Helen asked.
“A few hours ago. I
’m fine.” But he was tired and knew a few hours sleep would help him later.
Helen narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.
“Go, sleep. I’ll have food sent to your chamber,” Lora directed. “And you, my husband, when was the last time food met your lips?”
Ian winked at his wife. “I could eat.”
“Out with both of you. Helen, would you mind staying with Amber a while?”
“I
’m not a child,” Amber told Lora.
“I know, but you
’re
my
child and I worry. We’ve no idea what to expect with this.” Lora fingered the edges of the cloak. “Until we do, you should have company.”
Amber lowered her head and accepted her mother
’s sound advice.
Simon left the room with his adopted grandparents, all the while feeling the weight of Helen
’s stare on his back.
* * * *
Perched mid branch with nothing but the moon as light, Simon listened to the murmurs of the men below. Most, like any war party, spoke of their conquests, their desire to see the enemy fall. What puzzled Simon was the disdain these men had for the MacCoinnich family. From what Simon could tell, none of them had ever had any contact with Ian’s family or with Simon’s family. Still, they talked of capturing them to abuse and torture. That too was odd. Why?
“We remove all obstacles and take the women.”
“Aye, they’re a prize to hold.”
Helen.
They were after the women?
There was a leader somewhere in the throng of these men, and Simon was determined to find out the man
’s name. The name McNeil hadn’t been used once.
Something wasn
’t adding up. A siege didn’t often result in hostages.
Simon flew through the trees, keeping his falcon self hidden from any eyes below. The word
prize
and phrase
take the women
were echoed throughout. The flat tone of their voices bothered Simon even more than their words.
He waited for over an hour, watching, listening. No clear leader manifested. However, one name was uttered. Malcolm.
Simon didn’t know the name, nor the man behind it.
Men shifted into comfortable positions under the stars to sleep while others took watch. Simon soared into the night breeze for the long journey home.
God’s teeth, he was tired. He’d spent more time in falcon form than human. He was half-tempted to hunt for a wild rabbit, something he avoided when he shifted. But shifting always made him famished. Not to mention tired. And since Helen had entered his life, horny.
Helen
. Just thinking her name sped up the beat of his heart. Human or bird. He supposed he owed her an apology for embarrassing her in front of the men. But with him away from the Keep as much as he was, he didn’t like the thought of the others hitting on her. Simon wasn’t a Viking, wasn’t about to toss her over his shoulder and claim her as his, but being a warrior in the Highlands had a few advantages over being a mere man of the twenty-first century.
He knew she watched him in the courtyard when he sparred with the other men. Felt her eyes as he walked across the room. And her taste, sweet lord he could live with it forever. Under all her spirit there was an innocence he didn
’t expect. She’d lived the exact opposite of his life. Alone and without a family to bring her up when she was low, or take her down when she needed to learn a lesson. The MacCoinnichs had been a blessing to him and his mother. Fin and Lizzy’s love and commitment to each other was something Simon wanted for himself.
Was Helen for him? So what if she lived in the future. He had too at one point in his life. Who knew, maybe she
’d choose to stay in the past? Or maybe a higher power intended a different plan for them altogether.
If there was one thing in life Simon knew, it was that tomorrow could hold his unexpected future. A future with magic, family, even death. He remembered his days in Mr. Price
’s algebra class wondering if he’d ever use the crap they taught him. Wondering if he’d ever make it through junior high school without getting his ass kicked or kissing a girl. And then his Aunt Tara disappeared, and his mom lost it.
Okay, maybe lost it wasn
’t quite the way it all happened. But she poured every minute she wasn’t working into searching for Tara. Then Myra appeared from nowhere talking about time travel and magic. Simon reflected back on how he thought his mom had hooked up with a bunch of quacks. In amongst the craziness that followed, Simon found one resounding theme.
Family.
How he’d craved a normal family as a child. How he wanted a father who gave a rat’s-ass about his well-being. Fin fell into his mother’s arms, and Simon’s entire life changed.
So yeah, tomorrow might be the first day of the rest of his life. He was a living testament to that cliché.
Simon caught the first flickering light of the Keep just as a few drops of rain started falling from the sky. He bent his beaked-head toward the fresh scent and willed his massive wings to hold on a little longer.
Dawn broke and from the distance he could see the activity of Ian
’s men beginning their day’s preparations. A crow announced the end of the night or the beginning of the day, however you looked at it.
The closer to the Keep he flew, the more tired he became. Simon was ready for bed. Needed a few hours sleep before reporting to Ian. He was beyond taxed.
On the highest turret, he found the open shutter and aimed directly home.
A
s his falcon talons reached for the floor, Simon pictured human feet touching the cold, stone surface. His entire body reached toward his human form with one long, electrifying snap. Every muscle stretched, every bone crushed and elongated into a man.
It hurt like hell.
Before his feet touched the floor, he knew this morph would be like none other. He’d pushed himself too far and his body was going to let him know how pissed it was. When this had happened one time before, he’d fallen into a deep sleep and lost hours of his life.
Simon willed the shift to complete, knowing it would be better to be found as a naked man in the Keep than a wounded falcon.
His last viable thought as he hit the ground was
Who left the blankets on the floor?
* * * *
Helen no sooner lifted her head from the pillow before Simon, in all his naked splendor, fell into a heap at her feet. His elbow met with her cheek with a sound crack. She reached her hands out and barely managed to keep his head from splitting open on the stone below.
“Simon?”
Nothing. She didn’t hear a thing.
Her heart leaped inside the small cavity of her chest, and she scrambled onto the balls of her feet. She ran her hands over his arms and chest. “Simon?” her voice rose in a rushed whisper. “Please, answer me.”