Within the dream realm, Annella flew through the darkened skies, although barely any stars blazed being that so very few slept this early in the afternoon. She spied the smallest, littlest twinkle, one single soul, not Father’s by any means, but that of a newborn babe whose essence flickered so very close to where Father, Ronan, and Alec’s stars usually glowed when they rested. The star’s essence called to her and she clutched ahold of it, drew inward and blinked within the sweetly innocent dreams of a heavenly new life. The newborn babe, only a few days old, held a soul that shone like a beacon of hope. Beautiful. Peaceful. Fully at rest.

She allowed her solidified body to emerge and touched a hand to her chest as she crouched next to the wee babe swaddled in white cloths and lying in a crude wooden crate on the dusty floor of a small thatch-roofed house with walls of brown mud. A fire burned in a pit in the center, smoke curling from it and drifting through the vented cone-shaped roof above. A young lass of mayhap eight and ten lay asleep on a straw pallet beside the babe, her MacKenzie tartan covering her and her damp brown locks tangled about her face.

“Ariel, Muirin sent some healing herbs to aid you in your birthing recovery.” An older woman with an ample bust and wide hips hustled through the door, her kirtle’s russet skirts swishing about her legs and a basket hooked over one arm.

Annella dissolved her form and wisped upward before the woman could see her.

“Och, child.” The woman smiled at the sleeping lass and in a whisper continued, “’Tis good to see you’re finally resting. The herbs can wait until after you’ve awoken.”

Muirin again, and this woman knew the fae sorceress. “I’m getting closer to where I need to be, Alec.”

“You’ve found your Father?”

“He does no’ rest at the moment, although a wee babe’s essence drew me toward the child. Muirin’s name has been mentioned here in this hut. I need to take a look around.”

“Be careful, and keep your mind fully open to mine. I’ll follow your every move, and ensure I see what you see.”

“Aye, of course.” A mere wisp of white, she breezed out the door and drifted over the village of houses cloistered so tightly together. On the forested mountain across the loch, a waterfall cascaded over a high ledge and crashed into a stony ravine a hundred feet below. “I have no’ traveled far, just to the village across the other side of the loch. I’m near the junction where Loch Carron meets Loch Kishorn. I can see the waterfall from here.”

“Don’t draw any attention to yourself as you look around.”

“Aye, Captain.” She kept her mind fully open to his, withholding naught as she glided over the thatched rooftops while below a central fire blazed in the middle of the village and two flush-faced women in brown kirtles and aprons tended blackened pots bubbling over the flames. The heavenly scent of seafood stew wafted upward and several villagers ambled toward the fire as they gathered together in chattering groups for the coming evening meal. ’Twould be dark soon, although as yet, the sun still hovered above the far horizon.

Farther she coasted, past goats baying and munching on the thistly grass sprouting alongside a short stone wall near the shoreline. Two lively children squealed as they tore barefoot under a hemp rope strung between two trees, drying clothes and several lengths of the MacKenzie plaid flapping in the breeze. The children’s giggles made the corralled horses within a wooden-beamed enclosure near them, whinny and stomp. Dust floated into the air and she breezed through it toward a lad with a woolen cap, his grass-stained tunic’s sleeves rolled to his elbows as he brushed one of the animals tethered to a post.

She soared along the sandy shoreline of the loch, searching for even the minutest sign of Duncan and his men. Such a group of warriors would be hard to miss if they were somewhere here.

Out in the loch’s bay, an elderly fisherman in his skiff tossed his nets out, while perched on a boulder along the grassy embankment, a lad of mayhap six and ten wearing brown breeches and a frayed shirt whittled away on a long length of yew as he fashioned a bow. He picked up a length of cord lying across his lap and slotted it between the notches he’d made at each end of the wood, then he stood and with his bow in hand and a pouch of arrows slung over one shoulder, cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled, “Papa, I’ll go join the laird’s warriors as they hunt.”

“Take care and obey Duncan MacKenzie’s orders.”

“I shall.” With a jaunty whistle the lad followed the worn pathway running alongside the shoreline and disappeared into the forest beyond the grazing cattle.

“Did you catch that, Alec?”

“I did. Stay on the lad’s tail. The laird he speaks of is clearly Duncan.” He shared his movements with her as he scooped her physical body up, now fully clothed, and cradling her in his arms, he jogged back to the waterfall where Cherub and Kirk watched over the trail weaving downward toward the village. To Kirk, he called out, “Annella’s at the village, is following a lad who’s on his way to see Duncan.”

“Then we follow the lad too.” Kirk, dressed in a faded blue shirt and brown pants with his black war coat donned overtop and claymore fastened at his side, nabbed Cherub’s hand. “Take us to the skies.”

Alec nabbed Cherub’s arm. “As fast as you can.”

“Wait, Alec. You need to leave my physical body somewhere safe if we’re heading directly toward Duncan’s lair.” She whizzed after the lad, weaved through the towering trees in fast pursuit. “Should there be a battle to get Father back, then I’m safest remaining like this in my spiritual form.”

“There is no safer place for your true body than in my arms.”

“I agree, but we are only four compared to however many warriors Duncan has and you will need both your arms free if there’s to be a fight.” She pursued the boy with his dark hair flopping forward over his brow. “Take me somewhere safe.”

“Not yet. We’re following you first.”

She streamed higher, broke free of the treetops just as the lad too dashed out of the woods and hurried along the winding upward cliff side trail overlooking the rocky shoreline. The waves rolled in and hit the rock wall, splashed high and sprayed the blackened surface. She breezed alongside the boy as he climbed the silt and stone pathway then soared ahead of him, made the top of the cliff’s peak and gasped. Down the other side within a secluded bay at the base sat a protected garrison with a powerful war galley bobbing in the water from its mooring at the end of a stone landing. A second MacKenzie stronghold, this one sitting on Loch Kishorn and also hidden well out of sight. “Duncan and his brother appear to be amassing an army along these shores.”

“Along with procuring a battle-skilled fae, your father.”

“They’ll not have him for long, although something still bothers me. When I visited Ronan, he said he sensed something was amiss, that ’twas as if Duncan was his enemy, yet also no’.”

“Things definitely aren’t quite as they seem. We must be prepared for anything.”

“Cherub also told me she understood only what she’d sensed that night I’d been taken, that like me, my father and brother too had a journey ahead of them, one that she was forbidden to halt. Her exact words, ‘The mated bond is a very sacred union and I’m no’ permitted to breach its creation or completion.’”

“And now we’ve discovered Ronan has found his mate, just as you and I have found each other.”

“Duncan’s also aligned himself with a fae sorceress, and I’ve never known any of the fae to make a stand against their own kind. Ask Cherub what she thinks about all of this.” She streaked down the shingled side of the cliff, wisped over the curtain wall and into the bailey. A good thirty men trained in battle leathers, gritty dust pluming at their feet in the waning afternoon light, their claymores clashing and each strike ringing loud in her ears. Slowly, she circled the main tower as she searched for an open window or door.

“Cherub has Kirk and I cloaked and we’re not far behind. She said Muirin must be from beyond the veil, one of the full-blooded fae. She’s never come across her before. She’s also unsure what we’ll find within Duncan’s lair, but to be prepared for anything.”

“If Father is here in this stronghold, then he’s being kept only a mere hour or two’s ride from Ronan.”

“We ride out now for Carron Castle.” Duncan stepped out from under the eaves of the front door with two warriors at his side. He slapped both men on the shoulders. “I have a proposition to put to Ronan and it cannae wait any longer.” He clomped toward a stone shack tucked against the curtain wall, an iron rod in one hand and his short dark hair glinting blue on the ends. Wearing his battle leathers, he bellowed to a lad at the stables. “Ready my horse.”

“Duncan is leaving for Carron Castle, said he had a proposition to put to Ronan. At least we now know the name of his brother’s holding.”

“I caught what he said through our link. Keep sharing, love.”

In his thick black boots, Duncan entered the shack and she waited with bated breath. Moments later, he stepped back out, the iron rod he’d been carrying dispensed with. He bounded onto his war horse, snatched the reins being held by the stable-hand, the two warriors who’d been with him already mounted on their own destriers. Heavily armed, the three men rode out the main gate under the arch, their horses galloping hard.

“I dinnae know if this proposition he has for Ronan is good or bad, but regardless, we’re running out of time, and I’ve still yet to find Father.”

“I’m coming. I’ll help you search for him.”

“No’ until after you’ve taken my body somewhere safe.” Underneath the chunky wooden door of the shack, she snuck and into the gloomy recesses lit only by a fire burning in one corner, the hot coals glowing and the iron rod Duncan had been carrying now protruding from one side. The fire’s glow flickered over the blackened walls of mud and stone as well as the unclothed back of a seasoned warrior standing in his kilt in the center of the room, his feet planted wide and his blond-haired head with its streak of silver on one side, bowed in supplication. Her heart clenched in on itself. Father. She streamed down and glided around him, brushed a kiss across his cheek, her heartbeat a thumping mess as she whispered in his ear, “I’m here, Father.”

“I can sense your presence,” he breathed back as he lifted his head a notch, tipped it toward a woman dressed in an exquisite silver gown with long draping sleeves who stood near the far wall. She’d not noticed the woman before, but now the elegantly clothed woman crossed the room, a torque necklace of fine gold encircling her neck and her iridescent eyes shimmering as she scrutinized Father.

“My father is here, in the shack.” She floated toward the ceiling. “There’s a woman with him, and by her unusual eyes, I’d say one of the fae. She must be Muirin.”

“Stay hidden, and that’s an order.”

“You’ve gone quiet all of a sudden, Niall.” The woman’s eyes reflected the colors of the rainbow, her gaze both breathtaking and fearsome to behold, her beauty undeniable. Flawless skin, high cheeks and rich red hair. Her locks were twisted high upon her head, the odd strand clinging to the long column of her neck. The woman’s face remained untouched by age yet her gaze held centuries of knowledge.

“She’s definitely full-blooded, an immortal for certain.” The half-blooded fae of the village lived longer lives than mere humans alone, but they weren’t immortals as the full-blooded fae beyond the veil usually were.

“What do you wish for me to say, Muirin?” Father’s bare torso gleamed with sweat from the intense heat churning from the fire, his Matheson plaid fastened at his waist with a leather girdle and his sword sheathed at his side.

“Father remains armed, Alec.”

“Then he remains there willingly.”

“Aye, it appears so.” With a blade in his hand, her father could so easily have left.

“I have sworn my allegiance to you and Duncan in order to ensure my son’s freedom.” Father glared at Muirin. “Now Duncan leaves and it better damn well be to free my son as we agreed upon.”

“Father would never swear his allegiance to another, not when doing so would break his oath to our chief and our clan. There is far more than just a little amiss here. There’s a damn lot.”

“I agree.”

Gently, Muirin touched her fingertips to Father’s cheek then swished down to his neck. She brushed against him, her breasts pressed to his chest.

“Oh goodness. Father allows her touch, as if they are far better acquainted than they should be.” They had a problem, a very big problem.

“I completed the bond with you, Muirin. Honor your word to me, just as I’ve honored mine to you.” Father grasped Muirin’s trailing fingers, pressed her palm firm over his chest and leaned in. “Allow me to go to Carron Castle and ensure Duncan does as he has promised me he’ll do.”

“You need to show Duncan more trust. His proposition for Ronan is one that expresses his coming intentions, of accepting the fae to the deepest degree.”

“Father completed the bond with her.” Shock coursed through her. “They’re mated, soul bound as you and I are.”

“Keep sharing with me.”

“My parents, even though they loved each other, were never soul bound. They chose to wed when neither sensed a bond forming with another. That is why Mother ascended. She loved Father dearly, but ’twas no’ enough to keep her to this Earth. Neither believed they’d ever find their chosen ones. I cannae believe Father now has.”

“It’s more like Muirin has found him. We’re passing over the forest now.”

“The tension in this shack is so thick and even though Father and Muirin are soul bound, she clearly willnae allow him to leave, no’ even to ride to Ronan.”

“We’re coming down the shingled cliff side. I see the stronghold and the war galley moored at the landing.” He opened his mind further to her, her physical body held tight within his arms as he soared, cloaked and unseen, through the skies with Cherub and Kirk.

“When two are soul bound, Niall, neither can leave the other for long, and I’ve no wish to travel to Carron Castle at this moment.” The sorceress dug her fingers into Father’s arm, lightened her touch then scraped downward. “You also hold the battle skill, my mate, an ability coveted by our fae kind, an ability you have yet to fully utilize. Your half-blooded kind within the fae village hold such a wealth of skills, yet there is more you can do to grow your abilities to their complete fullness and I shall be the one to show you how, particularly now I’ve spelled your soul to mine and you too are now an immortal as I am.” She stepped back, bent before the hearth, grasped the iron rod and returned to him. “Should your son agree to Duncan’s proposition, then I shall train him too so he might fight at your side and mine as well. Are you ready to accept your destiny?”

“My destiny has always been set, to protect Ronan, Annella, and my people. I will never allow any harm to come to them, which means if I must remain at your side to see that done, then so be it. Certainly if my children were here, then they’d understand and accept my decision to remain.” He raised his arm, slapped his bulging bicep. “Brand me and be done with it, woman.”

“As it is my destiny to protect those who are mine, which now includes you and your son and daughter. We are in quite the quandary, my chosen one, for you dinnae believe I have only the best intentions toward you and yours. Hopefully you will learn that is so within time, of which we now have a great deal ahead of us.” Muirin raised the rod, the iron burning red and hot as she shoved it hard into Father’s bicep. Skin sizzled and the acrid odor of burning flesh pervaded the air. Muirin pulled the rod away and the brand blazed bright on Father’s arm, an insignia depicting the ancient Celtic woven circle for infinity. The symbol of their Matheson fae village. “We are of fae blood, Niall, and from this moment forth, the fae village you are one of the leaders of is now one I too shall guard, whether you wish to fully believe me or no’.”

Muirin lifted her sleeve and exposed her own arm. The same brand that now lay upon Father’s skin also lay stamped upon Muirin’s flesh. “The fae have lived for thousands of years beyond the veil, but I intend to remain here and walk this Earth with you. I am no’ asking you to fight alongside the Chief of MacKenzie or his youngest son, Jeremiah, who are both menaces, but alongside Duncan and Coll who have now both successfully broken away from their father and intend to fight the good fight. ’Tis time for the fae to live.”

* * * *

Alec cradled Annella’s physical body to his chest as Cherub swept them toward a small copse of trees near the shoreline just beyond the guardsmen’s sight and set them down. He’d repeated all he’d seen and heard within Annella’s mind with both Cherub and Kirk and now he turned all the new information over in his mind, tried to process it all. “Niall has now been placed in a very unique position.”

“Most definitely.” Arms folded, Cherub paced back and forth. “Not only is he now mated to Muirin, but he has also agreed to fight alongside Duncan, yet from what they’ve said, on the side of the fae. That better be the truth.”

“Yet what on earth would suddenly cause Duncan and his brother to align themselves with the fae? I’ve never known a MacKenzie to do anything that didn’t benefit themselves in some way.” Kirk shoved a hand through his hair. “At least Niall is here.”

“Aye, Niall’s loyalty to his people will never sway and since he’s here, he can most definitely keep an eye on things.” Alec brushed his lips across Annella’s forehead, tucked her limp hand between them and murmured in her mind, “You understand, don’t you? We can’t take your father from this place, not now we’re aware he’s soul bound to Muirin.”

“Aye, ’tis as Cherub said, the mated bond is a very sacred union and neither her or any of us are permitted to breach its creation or completion. Clearly my father has completed the bond with her, and chosen his path in doing so. I dinnae wish to say farewell to him. He is my only parent.”

“You’ll never be far from him, not with your skill.” Alec let out a long breath as he eyed Cherub and Kirk. “We leave Niall here.”

“Aye, Niall can oversee all Duncan does, until we too discover why he and his brother have chosen to side with the fae.” Cherub pressed two fingers to Annella’s neck. “Her pulse is strong. Ask her if she’d like me to take her to her chamber at the House of Clan Matheson where her kin can guard her body, or somewhere else?”

“Not my chamber. Tell Cherub to take me to your chamber at Ivanson. That is the only place where I wish to be.” Her desire to remain with her father for a few more minutes barreled through to him, time he’d never deny her.

“Will do. Be waiting for me when we return. I won’t be long.” He sent a blast of warmth and love down their merged link and she sent the same wave of love and devotion right back. To Cherub, he murmured, “Annella wishes to be taken to my chamber at Ivanson.” He’d place her safely in his bed and ensure Megan, his chief’s wife, watched over her. Not only would Megan be able to ensure Annella’s physical body came to no harm, but so too she was a highly qualified nurse and would be able to offer a level of care none other could. “Megan can guard her.”

“Megan is the perfect choice.” Cherub linked her arm through his and Annella’s floppy arm as Kirk wrapped his hands around Cherub’s waist from behind. With a swish of her fingers, Cherub opened a portal and the four of them fell away into the dark abyss.

Through the endless streams of time, they traveled and mere minutes later arrived in his chamber.

Gently, he set Annella down on his bed and tucked his fur bedcover over her, sat next to her and leaned in, nuzzled her neck and nibbled on her ear. Leaving her here would be difficult, particularly now they’d finally joined together as one. All he wished to do was remain right by her side.

“I’ll go and fetch Megan.” Cherub opened the door then dashed out in a flurry of olive skirts.

“I’ll be but a moment too.” Kirk swung his satchel and Cherub’s from his shoulders. “I’ll just drop these off in my chamber, give you a little more time with your chosen one.”

“Thank you.” Any time was appreciated.

Kirk disappeared down the hallway.

Holding Annella’s hand, he kissed her fingertips. “From the first night you visited me in my dreams, you enthralled me, made me crave each following visit, and far more than I was prepared to admit at the time. I won’t accept anything less than forever with you.” He now lived and breathed for his chosen one and always would. With one hand pressed over her heart, he counted several strong and steady beats. With a soft sigh, he dropped a kiss on her lips and savored the soft breaths she emitted against his own. “No getting into any trouble while I’m gone,” he whispered to the one woman he could never survive without. “Or I’ll hunt you down, no matter where you might go.”

He rose, eased his satchel and hers from his shoulders, pulled the remainder of his chocolate bar from his bag and set it on the pillow beside his wife-to-be. He ached to remain with her, to shake her and demand her spiritual form’s return, to keep her safely locked away right here in his room, only he’d been gifted with a warrior mate, a lass who’d always be in the thick of things, just as he always was. A smile lifted his lips. Aye, he’d been given the perfect woman, his chosen one matching him in every single way, and he’d never wish to change that about her, or anything else.

“I’m here.” Megan rushed into the room in a wine-colored woolen skirt and white blouse with a ruffled neckline, her dark wavy hair bobbing on her shoulders and Cherub and Kirk one step behind her. “Cherub updated me.”

“Don’t leave my woman alone.” He gripped Megan’s shoulders, pulled her into a hug. “Not even for one moment. She holds my very heart and soul in her hands.”

“I understand and I promise I’ll remain right here until you return.” Megan hugged him then swept Cherub and Kirk into her arms. “Be safe, all of you.”

“Always.” Cherub held out her arms for him and Kirk to take. “Let’s leave.”

They still had such a perilous mission ahead of them, of finding and freeing Ronan. Even though Duncan had aligned himself with the fae, he’d still kept Ronan heavily restrained within his dungeons, which meant stealth would be needed this night in order to free his mate’s brother.

He grasped Cherub’s arm and she opened a portal with one flick of her fingers then with them all connected together as one, they fell away and soared back through time.