As if she heard him, Aileen opened her eyes and their gazes locked as one.
Stephen swept her up in his arms and carried her to his horse. He set her atop Grian’s back and mounted behind her.
Giving Grian a nudge, they moved onward.
His hand brushed against her thigh, and she trembled under his touch. “Why do ye choose to wear this type of clothing, fae?” he asked hoarsely.
She eyed him askance. “It is what we wear in my time.”
Why does he keep calling me fae
?
“Humph!” Grumbling something else under his breath.
“Oh my...” She tried twisting around to marvel at her surroundings.
“Is there a problem?”
She waved a hand about. “No...it’s just that the landscape is vastly different. The trees are more lush and green.”
Aileen did something she rarely did without permission. Letting the gentle rhythm of the horse soothe her senses, she closed her eyes and let go. Breathing deeply, she let her power sweep out and inside the man behind her.
It only took a moment for the first wave of emotions to sweep into her. Searing pain… Distrust… Wariness… Emptiness… Lust.
Lust?
Her eyes flew open. Lust for who?
Her
?
Stephen brought the horse to an abrupt halt. “I ken what ye are, and if ye ever try that again, I’ll give ye a demonstration of the last one.”
She cringed. “How do you know?”
His breath was hot against her ear. “Part fae, remember?”
She gave him a terse nod.
With a click to his horse, they resumed their ascent into the hills, moving along the edge of the trees and stream over the crest of the hill. Gently maneuvering down the path, Stephen dismounted. Grabbing an ale skin from his pouch, he went down to the water’s edge.
A shocked Aileen watched in mortified silence as he walked away. How could she have forgotten he was part fae? “Damn, damn,” she sputtered out. It was one thing to probe another’s emotions, but to have one aware of it...“Blast it all!”
She chewed on her bottom lip in frustration. How could this have happened? Is this what Liam meant by the
veil of time
? Of all the magical beliefs in her world, she never envisioned this one. Why was she here?
She looked down at her garments and blew out a long breath. “At least I’m wearing a dress that goes to my knees and my long coat. What would you have thought if I was in shorts, and a tank, Stephen MacKay?”
Her gaze traveled back to watch as he splashed water on his face. His muscles seem to ripple with the water he sprayed himself with. She pondered what he would look like without any clothes. Heat dotted her skin, and her palms tingled. Primal thoughts invaded her senses, and for one split second, she was sorely tempted to find out for herself.
Shaking her head, she muttered, “Not in this lifetime.” Sealing off her emotions, she watched as Stephen stood back up and returned.
“Here, drink this.” His words were as clear and cool as ice, squashing the last tendrils of her emotions.
Taking the skin, Aileen nodded her thanks and took a swig. “Holy crap!” she gasped, spitting out the foul tasting liquid. “What the hell is this?”
“’Tis ale,” he replied incredulously.
She shoved the ale skin back at him. “Well, no thank you. That’s just nasty. I think I’ll go get some water.”
Before she could even get down, he was holding out another skin. “This one is water, though I ken no other who would choose water over ale.”
“Well, I do, and I think I’m going to need more than what’s in this,” she stated.
Stephen shook his head slowly. “Water over ale? We were always told the fae loved their amber liquid...in
any
form.”
Aileen gave him a queer look. “Do they? I haven’t asked them lately.”
She saw something flash in his eyes, but only briefly.
“I will fetch ye some more.”
Watching as he went back down to the water, Aileen stared up at the sky. “Oh Goddess, how am I going to get away from this place and gorgeous man?”
****
Osgar stood still, eyes closed...searching. Stephen had not returned after two days, and the air hummed with uneasiness. The men had already started discussing who would venture back to the abbey to search for him. Donal and Fergus were by far the strongest, yet their strength was required here in the hills. He could hear the voices of the women, countering what some of the men were saying. As always, Betha’s voice carried over the rest.
He opened his eyes, and took in the last rays of light descending over the trees, saying a small blessing of thanks for their continued safety.
“Stephen is a trained warrior. We should only send one man,” said Osgar, moving toward the small enclosure.
Betha’s gaze grew troubled. “What about Lachlan? Is Stephen strong enough to face a powerful druid?”
Her question was greeted with grunts and nods, and Osgar held up his hand to silence them. “True, Lachlan is among them; however, we must all remember
Sir
Stephen is on a quest. I ken that it is all part of his journey. We must trust in the gods and goddesses.”
“We trust in your wisdom, Osgar,” uttered a small voice in the back of the crowd.
Osgar tilted his head, as the people parted to see who had spoken. “Thank you, Ian.”
Ian smiled back at him and closed his eyes. “He comes and he is not alone.” Snapping his eyes back open, he glanced at his mother. “May I go and greet Sir Stephen and his lady?”
“He brings another?” asked an astounded Betha. She looked around in disbelief at the others. “I thought we were all here?”
Cesan stepped forward. “We are. None were left behind.”
“Ian?” Betha waiting for him to explain.
Ian just shrugged. “His lady is not from this land. It is all I ken. May I go now?”
“Aye, but only to the ridge,” sighed his mother.
Osgar watched the lad run off, then caught Betha’s gaze. “He will need guidance and soon. Will ye be taking him to the council gathering?”
Betha’s focus was on her departing son. “My heart cannot answer that question, Osgar. Ian’s wisdom is growing every day. There is no more I can teach him. In truth, he is now teaching me.”
Donal quietly stepped forward and put his arm around her shoulder. “But we ken what is best for the lad.”
“Aye, we will be taking him to the gathering. There, we will put him in the care of the druid council,” she uttered softly, tears misting her eyes.
Osgar only nodded. “Donal, I believe Betha has stood far too long. Ye may want to take her back to the fires for some rest.”
“Do not start to tell my man what to do with me.” Her eyes blazed with fury.
“Your foot is still swollen, and our journey has just begun,” said Osgar, grateful he was able to focus her back to the present and not on her son.
“Humph!” She smacked Donal’s hand away when he tried to attempt to help her.
****
Ian tried waiting patiently on the ridge, tapping one foot then another. Something crept silently across his path and stopped in front of him. “Greetings, my friend. Are ye here to welcome Sir Stephen, too?” Silence ensued between Ian and the red fox.
“Well, if ye are not here for him, ye are welcome to join me.”
The fox angled his head at Ian as if he understood his words. He padded over to him and sat down. “Aye, I thought as much.”
They both sat still. The first stars winked at them in the early gloaming. Trees rustled with the arrival of the nocturnal creatures.
Ian bolted upright. “They’re here.”
The red fox sniffed the air, prancing twice around Ian before dashing off through the pine trees.
“Over here, Sir Stephen,” waved Ian.
“Hold, Grian.” Stephen dismounted quickly, and grasped Ian. “Greetings, young Ian. Are ye out here alone?”
“Aye. Dinnae worry, I had protection. May I see your lady?” his voice thrummed with anticipation.
Stephen went pale for a moment. Turning to help the fae down from his horse, he nearly collided with her. She glared at him, but managed to give a smile to the lad.
“Hello.”
Ian’s smile was wide. “Greetings, my lady.” He held out his hand to her. “May I?”
“Of course,” she replied eyeing him warily.
He grasped her hand firmly, noting a slight frown on her face. “Ye feel it, too? I ken who ye are, my lady.” Giving her a slight bow. “My name is Ian.”
She managed another smile, although weaker than the first. “Please just call me Aileen.”
Tugging her gently along the trees, he maneuvered them through the thick pines. Hearing a slight gasp, he looked over his shoulder. “It is all right, my lady. I will not let ye fall. And Sir Stephen is behind ye.”
When he made it to the small clearing, he released her hand. “Ye can rest by the fires and take shelter in one of the caves.”
“They are a warm beacon in the night,” she uttered softly.
A gasp came forth from a woman sitting on a boulder near the fire. “Sweet Danu!”
All activity ceased, and the people just stared at her. Ian saw her hugging her cloak more protectively around her.
“This is Sir Stephen’s lady,” pronounced Ian.
Betha stood with the help of a staff and Donal. “Does the
lady
have a name, Ian?”
“Yes. My name is Aileen,” she interjected.
“And I am called Betha. This is my husband, Donal.”
“Beautiful fae,” murmured someone in the crowd. They all started to come forth and greet Aileen, with a bow or nod.
Stephen snorted and moved away from the gathering.
Ian ambled over to Osgar who was standing in the back away from the group. “So the Guardian has sent us a fae.”
Osgar smiled slowly. Lifting his head to the mass of stars, he said softly, “We are honored and blessed, though, I ken Stephen will not see the light of your plan. In time, yes,
in time
.”
Chapter Fourteen
“The faeries spread a wreath of foxgloves, roses, and jasmine on their path, but they were blinded by their stench of nonbelief.”
The evening was spent in constant chatter about what else but
her
. Aileen try as she might, there was no avoiding the persistent questions. They asked about her land, why her speech was strange, and her clothing. They wanted to know if all the women wore such flimsy material. One of the children tugged at her hand and asked if there were any fae children.
Then there was the vast amount of food they kept trying to get her to eat. When she insisted she was full, they would sit back and wait, until she would nibble a piece of bread, cake, or fruits. Afterwards, they would take it away only to catch one of the small children actually burying her half-finished oatcake. Suppressing a giggle in her hand, Aileen shook her head.
“I believe I have something for ye, Aileen,” said Betha.
She held up her hand to wave off any more food. “Thank you, but I don’t think I can eat another bite.”
“Nae, not food,” she chuckled, moving from the boulder. “I have a gown that might fit, though it will not be long enough to cover. Ye may find the
Cailleach
still has her iron grip here in the hills, and the nights are cold.”
“Yes. I’m grateful that I had my coat when...” She let the last trail off, remembering that Betha didn’t know where she came from.
Betha disappeared deep into the cave. In a moment or two, she returned and handed it to Aileen. “’Tis a beautiful chemise ye have on, but this will keep ye warmer.”
Aileen smiled. “Thank you, Betha. It’s lovely.”
“I’ll leave ye to change. Then come and sit with me by the fire.”
“More questions of my land?” she asked twirling the material between her fingers.
Betha squeezed her hand. “Nae, only the one that has not been asked.” Turning aside, she ducked and left Aileen wondering what question it would be.
Quickly changing and putting on the gown, she felt instantly warmer. Moving outside, she found Betha and sat down next to her.
“Here, drink this.”
Aileen took the cup hesitantly. “What is it?” She sniffed the contents and then smiled. In her time they would have called it peppermint tea, but now, “Mint brew with other herbs?”
“Aye. I noticed ye are not drinking the ale, and Sir Stephen mentioned that ye prefer water. It is one of my own mixtures.”
Aileen let the warm liquid permeate her body, and watched the flames dance within the fire. “So, what is your question?”
Betha angled her head to the side, as if studying her. “How did ye meet Sir Stephen?”
“That’s it?” she blurted out. She saw the look of alarm on Betha’s face and reached out a hand. “I’m sorry, it’s just everyone keeps asking me about my land, the colors of everything, how long I’m staying, that I expected something else.”
“’Tis a simple question, I thought.”
She only nodded. “I found
Sir
Stephen in a tunnel near the abbey. He appeared to be unconscious and in pain.”
“He must have had a vision. Why were ye in the passage?”
“Passage?” Aileen frowned. “Oh, the tunnel or burrow?”
“Aye,” said Betha shifting slightly.
How much to reveal, Aileen thought. “I was trying to get away from someone. I had overheard some disturbing news and got lost within the abbey tunnels.” There, at least that wasn’t a lie.
“Did he speak of the vision with ye?”
Aileen snorted. “Heavens, no! He told me to go away, after I tried to help him. I told him I was a healer, but he refused my touch.”
Betha’s eyes went wide. “A healer? Now I grasp why ye were sent.”
Before Aileen could respond, she could sense him standing behind her. His power swept over and through her. She started to tremble, and clenched her hands in the folds of her gown.
“Then pray tell us all, Betha.” His tone held a challenge.
She eyed him narrowly. “Ye ken Aileen is a healer. She might have been sent to help ye with your visions.”
“No
fae healer
will be touching me. I will seek out Osgar if I require healing,” he snapped.
Aileen’s mouth dropped open, and all she could do was stare at the retreating beast. How dare he! “Of all the idiotic beings I’ve encountered in my life,” she hissed out. Standing, she looked down at Betha. “Thank you for the kindness you’ve shown me, but I think I’d like to rest for the night. Is there anywhere I can lie down?”