It wasn’t ideal, but it was the only agreement they could come to.

Marcus’ magic was now bound, but it would take months for him to learn to harness the powers that were still his own. He would have to be trained as soon as possible.

Marcus wasn’t the only pressing matter. Finding Calder was just as important.

So, after much discussion and many an argument, a plan was set.

All would leave the castle, save him. He would stay to keep an eye on Machara and to see that Laurel was safe. They couldn’t risk Laurel leaving with the men who would go in search of Calder, and Marcus wouldn’t hear of having her near him.

Even Nicol would leave with the other men—something he’d not done in over a decade.

Paton, Quinn, Ludo, and Marcus would leave for the Isle’s furthest corner, far away from the castle where they would spend the following fortnight training The Eight’s newest member and helping him to adjust to his new life among them. Such training couldn’t be done near the castle grounds where Machara could listen in. She would only look for ways to exploit Marcus’ weaknesses if they remained close to her.

The others—Harry, Maddock, and Nicol would leave for the Scottish mainland where they would begin to search and inquire into Calder’s whereabouts. He couldn’t have gotten far in the span of only a few days. Once they found him, they would hold him prisoner until Marcus’ training was complete. Then as a group, they would decide what was to be done with him.

If his only trespass had been his thoughtless words about Laurel, forgiveness would’ve been the only possibility. They all knew just how easily Machara’s power could strike fear into their hearts. Fear could make a fool of any man. What was less easily decided was whether his abandonment was enough to cast him out. If so, it would be a heartbreaking decision for them all.

“What should I do while the rest of ye are away? Is there some task undone, some measure I could take to further assure our safety that was neglected while I was gone?”

Raudrich felt rather useless standing there, watching every other man in the castle ready their horses for their journey. Not that he wished to leave. It was clear that someone must stay and tend to the castle, and there was no possibility of him allowing another man to stay here with Laurel alone.

Harry walked over and roughly punched his arm.

“Come now, Raudrich. We all know that even if I were to tell ye something ye could do, ye are unlikely to do it, not with Laurel about. Ye think of nothing else even when we are here. When we are away, it shall only be the two of ye—possibly for some time.”

The anticipation of such extended time with her both delighted and filled him with dread. It was important that he tread carefully with the lass even if it was the last thing he wanted to do.

“Aye, I know. I shall be in need of a distraction.”

“I’ll not be the one to give ye one. Ye must know that every last one of us would gladly take yer place if we could. To have a lassie as lovely as Laurel, one that clearly likes ye, is a gift I’ll not let ye waste. This life we lead here has denied each of us happiness that all men should know. If ye have a chance at finding love, lad, take it. Besides.” Harry laughed and clasped his arm. “I know we give ye a hard time for leaving us these past two years, but we all know ye dinna have a choice. And I’d reckon ye worked far harder in those two years than the rest of us have in a decade. Think of this time here as a respite for ye. ’Tis likely we’ve some tough choices ahead, so find some joy in the days ahead while ye can.”

If they did decide to remove Calder from The Eight, the decision would weigh on no one as much as Harry. Harry had been like a father to Calder for most of his life. It pained Raudrich to know how difficult all of this must be for him.

“I’m sorry, Harry. I know that all this with Calder has been difficult for ye.”

Harry cleared his throat and looked to the ground.

“Aye, and I canna help but bear some responsibility for it. I’ve known for some time Calder was struggling. I should’ve paid him more mind. There is no true evil in Calder’s heart. I’ve hope still that if we find him, his reason for this all will be clear. Doona give up on him yet.”

Raudrich nodded. Even with the anger he had for Calder, it wasn’t an easy thing to give up on family.

“I shan’t. Safe travels, friend. May he be safe and well when ye find him.”

Harry walked away from him and mounted his horse with ease as the rest of the men waved and took off toward the gate. He called back to him as he took his place at the tail end of the group.

“Enjoy yerself, Raudrich. Doona squander time that the rest of us would cherish. Farewell for now, my friend.”

He waited until he could no longer see them before turning toward the castle.

He didn’t care for Laurel’s tears. The pain in her eyes as Marcus screamed at her had made him hurt all over.

If it was just to be the two of them there for weeks, he would see to it that her smile was returned to her as quickly as possible.

---

I didn’t call Kate right away. I knew that before I spoke to her I needed to gather myself. I needed to reflect on how I felt about being stuck in this time for the rest of my life, and I needed to decide what I would tell her.

What surprised me more than anything was that the panic I expected to set in never did, neither did the heartbreak or fear. The truth was, I wasn’t upset about staying here.

It wasn’t that I was ignorant. I knew that with time, there would be many things I would miss. But deep down, if Marcus was destined to be here, then I knew I was destined to be here, too. We were family. Neither of us had ever functioned very well without the other. Boston just wouldn’t suit me without him. And I knew—even as angry as he was with me now—seventeenth century Scotland wouldn’t suit him without me, either.

There was only one person and one ornery cat that I would miss immeasurably—Kate and Mr. Crinkles. But for some reason I couldn’t quite explain, Kate’s distance didn’t overwhelm me with pain. It didn’t feel permanent, even though I knew it most likely was. At least, I would be able to speak to her. That was no small blessing.

I didn’t hear Raudrich open the unbolted door. I was too busy turning Morna’s magical phone over and over in my hands as I tried to decide how to tell Kate that I would never be returning home.

“Come, lass. Ye’ve been in this room for far too long today. How would ye like to venture out of this castle and meet some of the people of the village?”

As curious as I was to meet even more people from this time, it was the last thing I wanted to do tonight. My mind was much too occupied.

“It’s all right, Raudrich. I don’t want to run the risk of bumping into Marcus, and I’m exhausted anyway.”

He laughed and came to crouch down in front of me as he placed his hands on my knees.

“From what, lass? Sitting by the fire all day? ’Tis not good for anyone to sit all day. And ye needn’t worry about crossing paths with yer friend. He’s gone.”

I started and pulled back in my seat.

“Gone? What do you mean, he’s gone?”

“I’ll not lie to ye and tell ye he’s pleased with any of this, but as we spoke with him and tested his powers, he couldna deny their existence. He agreed to join us. He became one of The Eight this afternoon. He’s gone with half the men to train and learn how to use his magic. He willna be back for weeks.”

Perhaps, I shouldn’t have felt so relieved at Raudrich’s news, but I was. Confrontation had never been my thing, and confrontation with those I loved most was definitely something I shied away from. With Marcus gone, I could move about freely without worrying about his angry glances, and I couldn’t help but be glad about it.

“Oh. Well, that’s good, I suppose. What’s everyone else doing? There was so much noise earlier, but it’s quiet now.”

He smiled rather guiltily.

“They’re gone as well, lass—on their way to the mainland to search for Calder. ’Tis only ye and I,” he hesitated, “and Machara and poor Freya in all of the castle. While I’ve much to worry over, I doona wish to do it this night.”

He moved his hands from my knees and gathered my hands in his own.

“Do ye know how long it has been since I’ve had time without duty or obligation, Laurel? I havena had a day to myself in over two years. Please doona make me celebrate this time of freedom all on my own.”

His excitement made him look much younger than he was—like the young boy inside him was finally getting a chance to peek out for the first time in ages. How could I possibly say no?

For the first time all day, I smiled.

“I…I look like a bit of a mess. I’ve been crying, and I’ve worn this same dress for days. It smells of horse.”

“Not to worry about that, lass. I’ve laid out four of Freya’s gowns for ye. They may be a wee bit short on ye, but no one shall notice that, I assure ye. I’ve also prepared a bath for ye in Marcus’ room.”

While I knew Freya had no real use for her dresses anymore, it still seemed rather intrusive for me to wear one of them.

“Is it okay for me to wear one of Freya’s dresses? Do you think she would mind?”

He smiled and shook his head.

“No, lass. I asked her. With Nicol gone, I spent some time with her just as soon as the sun went down. I know she will be lonely without him. ’Twas she who suggested it.”

What a strange life I was living—to be offered up dresses by a ghost.

“Okay, then. I’ll um…I’ll meet you downstairs when I’m ready.”

I stood and walked toward the hallway when I heard him call after me.

“I canna wait, lass. I hope ye know how to dance. The people of this village havena seen me in years. I suspect they’ll throw quite the party in the tavern for me.”

I didn’t—like, at all. I was far too excited to care.