MacQuin Castle 2017

“I’ve already told you that I love Gwen and will do what is necessary to find her,” Kyle said to Beatha. “If what you implied is true and she is in danger, we are wasting time talking—precious time Gwen might not have.” He dragged his fingers through his hair and released a heavy sigh. “Hell, I don’t even know if you can do what you claim, if you have the ability to send someone back in time, or are just a delusional woman living in a fantasy world.” He wondered which one of them was crazy. Her for suggesting she had the power, or him for believing it. But right now, he’d do or say whatever it took to have Gwen in his arms where she belonged.

“Dinna fash, I have the ability to send you back if I so choose, along with many other things.” Beatha stroked her chin and her brow furrowed. “Confessing your love and willingness to risk all is the first step, but the declaration must be sincere and come from the heart, na empty words to get what you desire.”

Frustrated, Kyle thumped his fist against his chest. “I don’t know how I can prove it, short of lopping off an arm, but Gwen and I were destined to be together and I won’t stop searching until I find her.”

“Admitting you believe that fate brought the two of you together is a good start in proving your devotion,” Beatha said. “However, if I do sent you back, there are things you need to know before you journey to the fourteenth century.”

“Tell me.”

“If you choose to do this, there is no guarantee you will arrive exactly where or when you want,” Beatha explained. “I can aim for a date, and usually am successful, but you could arrive a few days earlier or later than you wish, even weeks or years. It has been known to happen.”

“Then you can just bring me back to the twenty-first century and we can try again,” Kyle blurted.

“There are other things I must explain about time travel.” Beatha shifted her weight from one foot to the other, then continued. “Once you’ve traveled through time, it is na always possible to return from whence you came.”

“Are you saying I could end up in the wrong time period, or if it is the right time, that I might arrive too late to save Gwen?” He had no qualms about going back to rescue the woman he loved, but had no desire to be lost in a different era and never cross paths with her again.

“Many factors determine the success of time travel, and there is always a chance you willna end up in the right place,” Beatha said. “Or, you could arrive early and what you do could avert the danger Gwen faces before it happens.” Beatha inclined her chin. “I have been around for many seasons—too many to count—and am good at what I do. Naught is guaranteed in life.”

“How can you be certain where she is?”

I know where Gwen is because fate sent her there when she stepped into the fairy ring on Samhain Eve, and once set in motion, there is no turning back on what has been preordained. I also spoke to her briefly when she arrived in the fourteenth century.”

“The fourteenth century?” Things were sounding more far-fetched by the minute, but no matter what he thought, Gwen was gone and Beatha was adamant about her whereabouts and how she got there. Kyle was familiar with this sort of fable and lore, because his grandparents had insisted he learn about his Scottish heritage—something else that he and Gwen shared. “You said it was not easy to go back and forth in time, but you claim to have spoken to Gwen in the thirteen hundreds and are here now, so it is obviously possible. What did you mean when you said one must face what was preordained?”

“I am an ancient, and can come and go as I please. You, however are a mortal man, so there is a difference,” Beatha explained. “This isna the first time Gweneth traveled through time on Samhain Eve, but it is the first she will remember. She was born on that night eight hundred years ago and has gone back to face her destiny. Unless you do something to intervene.”

“If you are an ancient and have the power you say, why can’t you just bring her back to this century, where she will be safe?”

“I can do many things, but interfering in Gwen’s destiny is na one of them. Now she has gone back, her life will proceed the way it would have if she’d never left. That is why I revealed myself to you, Kyle MacKay. Her fate was preordained but you can change things.”

Kyle gave his head a shake. “Let me see if I have this straight. Gwen was born in the past, grew up in the future, and has now gone back? How? Why?”

Beatha nodded. “I know it is difficult to understand now, but all will become clear in the past, if you decide to go after her. There are also things about your own life that will be uncovered as well,” she said. “If you are going to do this, we need to do it soon. The time when the veil closes between this world and the next will close come and it will be too late.”

“Will you be there when I arrive, to point me in the right direction?” Kyle was prepared to go if it would help Gwen, but once he got there he wasn’t sure what to do.

“I will try. Follow me and make haste.” Beatha headed into a small clearing, halting in the center of a ring formed by plant and rocks. “Stand here.”

Kyle did as the old woman requested, glanced at his surroundings, then at Beatha. “I never noticed this when I passed by here earlier.”

“That doesna surprise me. The ring only appears for those who believe and when needed.” She stepped away, leaving Kyle standing by himself. “Are you certain you want to make the journey?”

Still not convinced this woman was who she claimed to be, and unsure what to expect next, Kyle clenched his fists, drew in a deep breath, and nodded. “Let’s do this.”

~ * ~

MacQuin Castle 1305

Before she had time to rethink her decision to go to Gower Castle, Gwen left Lilith’s chamber and went directly to the main floor of the keep, where Damen was waiting with four burly warriors she assumed were the men sent to escort her to her new home.

“I was about to come looking for you,” Damen said, then grabbed Gwen by the upper arm and presented her to the warriors. “My sister, Lady Gweneth.”

“We heard your father suffered a spell and isna well. Please accept our good wishes for his speedy recovery, m’lady.” One of the guards stepped forward and bowed.

“Thank you,” Damen said before she could answer, then thrust Gwen in their direction. “I know Laird Gower was expecting to wed my cousin Ainsley, but when my sister returned to the keep, we thought she would make a more suitable offering to seal our alliance. Hopefully, your laird will na be disappointed.” He didn’t bother to mention that upon hearing she was to marry Duncan Gower, his cousin ran off with her lover.

The guard studied Gwen from head to toe before he answered. “She’s a comely enough and I am sure my laird will accept the change. Rutting with one lass is the same as the next, and her only tasks will be to provide him with an heir and sate his lordship’s carnal needs.”

Gwen’s stomach did a quick flip when she heard the man’s words, but rather than show the fear and disgust she really felt, she inclined her chin and looked the guard in the eye. “Are you going to stand here talking or are we going to leave?” She fought to keep her voice from quivering when she spoke.

“She’s a feisty one and the laird will be pleased. I hear tell he enjoys a challenge beneath the pelts.” The guard chuckled.

“She’d best do our clan proud.” Damen glared at Gwen with a scowl that sent a shiver up her spine.

Mara entered the room and bobbed a curtsy. “Lady Lilith said Lady Gweneth was leaving for Gower castle and bid me go with her. She doesna think it proper for her daughter to be traveling alone with the Gower’s men. She also thought that Lady Gweneth might need me to serve her on the journey and at her new home.” She handed Gwen a canvas sack. “My mistress asked me to give you this.”

When Gwen peered into the bag, she saw a comb, two gowns, some slippers, and a night rail. The idea of Mara going along pleased her immensely. Having a friend during this stressful time would be a blessing, but her hopes were dashed when Damen addressed the maid.

“Lady Gweneth doesna require anyone to accompany her. I’m sure her new husband will provide her with servants as he sees fit. You will stay here and tend to my mother’s needs as you have always done.” After dealing with Mara, Damen returned his attention to the guards. “I trust these men will see my sister arrives at her new home safely and untouched. If I learn otherwise, they will answer to me.” He took a menacing step toward the guards. “Have I made myself clear?”

The head guard stepped forward. “You have my word. I will personally see to it. The lady may ride with me if she canna sit her own horse.”

Gwen spoke up before Damen could respond. “I have been riding on my own since I was old enough to walk, so I don’t need your help.” The thought of sitting atop a horse with one of these barbarians held no appeal, and at this moment, she was grateful she’d grown up on a horse ranch. “May I have a moment to say goodbye to Mara?”

“One minute, and make it fast,” Damen said, then spoke to the head guard. “Would you like a tankard of ale before you leave?”

Three of the men rushed forward, grinning, but halted when the head guard held up his hand and shot them a disparaging glance. “Nay. We appreciate your kindness, m’lord, but we’d best be on our way. I promised the laird we would return quickly, and if we wish to make it to the coast before nightfall, we’d be wise to keep our wits about us.”

While the men conversed, Gwen escorted Mara to the corner and out of Damen’s hearing. “Thank you for offering to come with me.” She pulled the maid into a quick embrace, then held her at arm’s length. “I appreciate the gesture and all you’ve done for me while I’ve been here. Take care of old Agnes and do what you can for the children. But please be careful.”

Mara wiped a tear from her cheek, her expression grim. “I canna believe you are being forced to marry the Gower. He has a horrible reputation of being a womanizing fiend.”

Accompanying these men was the last thing Gwen wanted to do—digging in her heels and refusing to go looked more appealing by the minute. The idea of being touched by a stranger, let alone married to one, was unfathomable, but after Damen’s threats to harm Lilith, she saw no other option but to comply with his demands. However, if he thought she would go through with the wedding once she arrived on the Orkneys, he was sorely mistaken. She just needed to come up with a plan.

“Dinna fret, Mara. With any luck I won’t have to marry him and will be back before you know it.”

Mara kept her voice low so only Gwen could hear what she had to say. “How will you stop it? Once Laird Gower takes you from the mainland, I doubt he will let you return. You’ll be stranded on the islands with no place to run. Can you na beg your brother to reconsider?”

Gwen glanced over her shoulder at Damen and immediately recalled the vow he made to find her if she ran and his threat to kill Lilith if she defied him. Given what she’d learned about the monster during her short stay at MacQuin Castle, she didn’t doubt for an instant he’d honor his word. Most likely he saw this as the perfect opportunity to get her out of the way, somewhere she could offer no threat to his identity, so he wasn’t about to change his mind. “Damen has spoken and, while the laird is ill, he is in charge of the clan. I have no choice but to go.”

“You’ve dallied long enough. It is time for you to leave,” Damen bellowed.

Gwen hugged Mara again and whispered in her ear. “Take care of yourself, and tell Lilith I said goodbye and to hurry.”

“Hurry, m’lady?” Mara looked puzzled.

“She’ll know what I mean.” Gwen released the maid and faced Damen. “I’m ready, let’s go.” She followed him to the door, then paused to take one more look around. If all went well and Lilith found Beatha in time, she might not be returning to MacQuin Castle, instead, going back to her own time. After committing the keep and the people she’d met to memory, she followed the guards out the door.