Dunvegan Castle, 1605

“Push!”

She tilted her head back and tried, but she was exhausted. Her pains had started hours ago and the bairn was being as stubborn as his father. She feared what would happen if she could push no more.

“You are doing well, m’lady. But I need you to really bear down. Can you do that?”

The midwife was new, a replacement for the one she could not save at Bracadale but a year ago. She meant well, but she lacked experience and Sheona prayed she knew what she was doing.

“Aye, I will try.”

When the pressure started for her to push, she gave it everything she had. She held her knees and pushed with every fibre in her body. But the bairn did not budge.

“I cannot push much anymore. I cannot do it.”

“Aye, you can and you must.”

Sheona let her head fall back. She closed her eyes for a moment, waiting for the next contraction. When it came would she have any strength?

A wave came over her the like she had not felt in a long time. A year, in fact. Her skin quivered. Whispers started all around her. She opened her eyes. There was no one else in the room except for her and the midwife.

The next contraction hit, the pressure harder this time. Pain raced up her spine as she tried to bear down, but it hurt so much it took her breath away.

“Push, m’lady!”

“I cannot!”

The contraction passed with her panting through it. Her eyes burned. She had always found strength when she needed it most, but felt like she was about to fail in the worst possible way at the most important moment of her life.

“You are weary, I know. But your wee one needs you. We will let the next contraction pass with you breathing through it, but on the one after that you must push.”

Sheona didn’t know if she could even draw a full breath, much less push again. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on her body. She took deep steady breaths and envisioned drawing strength from Malcolm.

The past year had brought much change with the peace treaty between the clans in full force. Her husband had proved so effective in his handling of the negotiations that his father had promptly handed over the chiefship to him early.

Though they lived at Knock Castle, she had insisted she deliver her first child in her family home at Dunvegan.

Now in her old chamber, Sheona’s shoulders slumped as she questioned whether or not she could continue. For the bairn’s sake she would give her dying breath to bring the babe into the world. But she was becoming more and more concerned she would not live out the night.

“Soon, my lady. On the next contraction you must push. Can you do it?”

Sheona got into position; sweat dripping down her brow and onto her shift. She’d sent the maids away ages ago, not wanting anyone to witness her like this. Malcolm had wanted to be with her, but she’d sent him away too. If she was going to get through this, she needed to focus, and she couldn’t do that with so many people milling about and whispering their doubts about her.

A great shudder moved through her body. All the hair on her arms raised at once and her mind hummed. Not now. She could not handle contact from a spirit at this time. It always sapped her strength and she had little enough as it was from the labour. She could have wept right then and there.

Sheona, you can do it, love.

She squeezed her eyes shut tight. Perhaps if she ignored the voice it would go away.

I can help you, love, if you will let me.

“No!”

“You must push, my lady!”

Sheona grabbed her knees harder and tilted her head back, trying to push but getting nowhere once again. Her back ached and her resolve cracked. She felt like she was slipping away.

Sheona! Listen to me. You can draw your strength from me. Just listen to my voice and do as I say.

“I cannot do it.”

You can and you will. I love you my darling wee lassie. I have missed you so much.

“Mama?”

“Aye, you will be a mama, if you push harder next time. I can see the head, my lady. You made progress last time.”

The next contraction came fast and hard and was upon her before she could prepare. All she could do was pant through it. Fresh hot tears streamed down her face. She had never failed so miserably in her life and her heart filled with despair. Did hearing her mother’s voice after all this time mean she was nearing the end?

You must bring your head to your chest, Sheona. When the next wave comes, bring your head forward.

She could scarce understand what the voice was telling her. Yet, when the next pressure came, she did as she was told and brought her head forward when she pushed and focused on the midwife’s face.

“Aye! Your bairn has crowned, my lady. You’re doing it!”

That’s my brave lassie. You can do this, love. Listen to my voice and I will bring you through this.

On the next contraction, Sheona panted. Her arms could barely hold her knees any longer and she sobbed.

Almost there, Sheona. One more push and the hardest part will be over. You will love your new wee one. I have already met her and she is a rare beauty.

A lass? Somehow knowing she was about to meet her daughter increased her resolve. When the next wave hit, she was already in position.

“Push!”

Chin down and push!

Sheona squeezed her eyes tight and put every last ounce of strength into it. Stars formed behind her eyes as she felt the baby’s head emerging.

“Wait, my lady. Just a second, and now! One more little push.”

The bairn slid slick from her body and with it a great release of pressure and pain. The sound of her cry was the most glorious thing she’d ever heard.

“A wee lassie, my lady!”

Sheona looked down and watched the midwife tie the cord and wrap her daughter in linens before passing her back.

Sheona had no strength to hold her and so was lying on her side when the door burst open and Malcolm entered.

“My lord, she is not clean yet.”

“I care not,” he said. “I have been in my own form of agony on the other side of that door for the last day and I want to see her. How does she fare?”

“She is exhausted, but all is well. The wee lassie appears healthy, but they have both put in a hellish night and will need their rest.”

“Bring in the maids and have them both cleaned up. I will stay with her until you fetch them.”

Sheona stared at the beauty before her. With puffy eyes and a puckered little mouth, she would surely melt the coldest heart. The bed dipped behind her and strong arms encircled them both.

Malcolm pressed his lips to her temple. “How do you fare my love?”

“Am tired,” she whispered.

“Aye. Save your strength. You did well, lass. You have brought our first child into this world and you are both safe.”

“She gave me a hard time.”

“She?”

“Aye.”

Sheona was bone tired, but she could not stop staring at the wonderful bundle lying by her side. She recalled the voice with tears forming in her eyes. The enchantress had said her mother would only contact her if she wanted to. All the years of contact from other spirits, and her mother never had. Until today.

Some of us only have so much time with you, love. I can hear your thoughts. I knew my time with you would be short and so I waited until the time would come when you would need me the most—when you couldn’t find any more of the strength you carry inside. Then I would give you mine. And now it is depleted. I cannot come to you again. But know I will always love you with all of my heart.

Sheona sobbed. She missed her mother so much. Now she was a mother herself. She prayed that her little one would not have to suffer without the parents who loved her so very much on this day.

“We will have to find a name that suits her. Something that shows her stubbornness—”

“Like her father.”

“—and her strength—”

“Like her father.”

“—and her beauty. Like her mother.”

Sheona smiled.

“We should call her after our mothers.”

“Aye, I will not challenge you on that. What was yours called?”

“Lair. And yours?”

“Moira.”

“Moira Lair MacDonald. What a beautiful name for a beautiful wee lass.”

“Aye, that she is. Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For letting me abduct you and giving me such a gift as Moira Lair.”

Sheona laughed. “She will have many brothers and sisters I hope. Though I do not look forward to labouring with them.”

The maids returned and ushered Malcolm from the room again. A wet nurse took the babe and the others washed Sheona from head to toe and changed the linens on her bed. She felt much better once the sweat and grime from the birth was washed away. Her whole being felt lighter, as though this one child would make a difference in all things to come.

After they were finished, Malcolm was allowed to return. The wet nurse had finished with little Moira and Sheona was sitting up in bed with renewed strength. Hearing from her mother had filled her well of courage. She would need to be abed for a time after the birth, but she was certain they would both come through healthy and she couldn’t be happier.

The wet nurse passed the baby to her. Wide blue eyes looked around to focus on something and when her eyes met her mother’s she locked onto her. Sheona was transfixed.

“What is this?” Malcolm asked.

Sheona did not look up; she was too mesmerized by the colours passing through her daughter’s eyes; colours she’d seen before, but couldn’t quite recall.

“This pouch. It feels like there’s something inside. Stones maybe.”

That comment drew Sheona’s attention away from little Moira. “Show me.”

Malcolm passed the leather pouch to Sheona and as soon as it hit her hands she knew what was inside. She hadn’t thought about the stones or the enchantress in many years. But how did the colours pass through her daughter’s eyes?

And where had the pouch come from? The enchantress had said she couldn’t keep the stones.

The stones and the child come from another realm. You could not take them then because they tied this child to you. She was always meant to be yours and will share your gifts.

Sheona recognized the enchantress’s voice straight away.

Your mother could not contact you earlier because she was being prepared to re-enter this world. She has become your wee one, Sheona. Your mother’s spirit will be with you always as you are both bound in this world and the other. Any human or otherworldly form cannot break your bond. You will remain together forever.

“Where did the stones come from?” Malcolm asked.

“They are a gift from my mother,” she said. She was grateful Malcolm did not ask any further questions. For the next few minutes she watched the brilliant colours fade from her bairn’s eyes as her spirit emerged into this world.

The child blinked, then her eyes turned blue.