Bree sat on a bench in the hospital remembrance garden and stared up at the trellis archway. Who would have thought such a mundane thing would hold such secrets? Such power? It was a cold, blustery day with gray clouds scudding across the sky above and a biting wind that made her wrap her coat tighter around herself. She’d been sitting here for over half an hour, a cup of coffee cupped in both hands that had long since gone cold.

Irene MacAskill’s words kept going round and around in her head. There is always a choice. It seems ye have made yers, lass.

Bree checked her watch. A wry smile twitched her lips. It was so strange to have a watch again, to be able to check the time in an instant. It was even stranger to have a cell phone, a TV, the internet. She’d gotten so used to life in the sixteenth century that now it was the twenty-first century gadgets that seemed alien, out of place. When she’d first traveled in time she’d been so sure she’d miss all her mod-cons and comforts but now she had them back she realized that none of that brought her any joy. Being with Alex did that. It was being around him that made her feel alive and it really didn’t matter where or when they were, as long as he was by her side.

She straightened suddenly, her decision becoming clear.

It doesn’t matter where or when. So what am I waiting for? she asked herself.

She grabbed a pebble from the ground and hefted it. Then, taking aim, she threw it at the archway. There was a tiny flash of light and the pebble disappeared. Bree glanced around, checking nobody else had seen but nobody was paying her any attention. She had the remembrance garden to herself.

“There you are!” said a voice.

She turned to see Gretchen and Ewan approaching. They had both changed into modern clothes—paid for by Bree’s credit card—and it was impossible to tell that they weren’t anything but regular twenty-first century folk. Gretchen wore a pencil skirt and blouse under her long jacket and Ewan had donned jeans and a shirt that pulled tight over his muscular frame. He looked like a retired football player or something rather than the Highland warrior he really was.

“I’ve found the perfect dress! You are gonna love it, I know you are!” Gretchen perched on the bench next to Bree and pulled something out of her purse.

It was a bridal magazine. Another one. Since she and Alex had told Gretchen and Ewan of their engagement Gretchen had gone into wedding-planning overdrive. Ewan met Bree’s gaze over his wife’s head and gave her a sympathetic smile before taking a sip from the coffee cup he held in one hand. Like his wife, Ewan had soon developed a love for the drink.

Gretchen flipped through the pages. “Here it is. It’s ivory rather than white which I think will go with your coloring better anyway with your skin being so pale.”

Bree smiled. “That’s great, Gretchen. Thanks. How about we discuss it later? I think the physio should be done with Alex by now. How about we go and see?”

They made their way back into the hospital and up to Alex’s room. They found him sitting in a chair by the window, flipping through a magazine and looking irritable. He’d been out of bed for several days now and it turned out that Alexander Murray was a terrible patient. He’d wanted to discharge himself the second he could get out of bed and kept insisting that he was fully healed. Only a very stern talking to from both Bree and his parents kept him in the hospital at all.

He glanced up as the door opened and his irritated expression changed into that radiant smile that so took her breath away. His eyes found hers and heat flooded her body. She could still barely believe that he was hers. That this beautiful, amazing man loved her and that she was going to spend the rest of her life with him.

Bree hung back as Gretchen and Ewan approached Alex. Gretchen fussed over him as though he was still five years old, checking his pillow was plumped enough, putting a hand against his forehead to check his temperature, asking if he’d had enough to eat. Alex suffered this in silence. Ewan raised an eyebrow and shared a look with his son that suggested he’d experienced the very same from Gretchen himself.

Bree watched them together. It was clear that despite the problems they’d had, that despite the difficulties between them, they were building bridges and enjoying each other’s company immensely. And of course, there were all those back at Dun Carrick who would be missing them. Amy. Jenna. Connail. David. How would they feel if Alex, Gretchen and Ewan never returned? How would Alex feel if he never got to see any of them again? She couldn’t deny him the chance to be with his family. What kind of a person would that make her?

And, she realized, she missed them too. She missed her chats with Amy. She missed the evenings in the great hall playing games and listening to stories. God help her, she even missed teaching the village children with Jenna.

Isn’t that what I’ve always wanted? she asked herself. To belong somewhere? To be surrounded by people who love me?

Nobody here would miss her. Her father had his own family now. Her mother barely knew she existed. So what was holding her here?

“I’ve got something to say,” she announced. They all turned to look at her.

Concern flashed across Alex’s face. “What is it, love? Ye do seem troubled.”

“I’ve been thinking long and hard. It’s all I’ve been doing for the last week.” She took a deep breath. “I think we should go back. Back to Dun Carrick.  Back to the sixteenth century.”

Gretchen and Ewan shared a meaningful glance but said nothing. Alex stared straight at Bree.

“We’ve talked about this, love,” he said at last. “I’m staying here, with ye. My parents have chosen to stay with us. Yer happiness is what’s important. The matter is closed.”

“It’s not just about my happiness,” Bree answered. “It’s about yours too. It’s about all of us. I told you I’ve been thinking about this and I feel it deep in my bones. We have to go back.”

A frown creased Alex’s brow. “I dinna understand. Why would ye want to go back there? After everything that happened? Ye were ripped from yer time against yer will, ye were kidnapped, imprisoned, attacked. Here ye are safe. Why would ye choose to return?”

Bree walked towards him and knelt by his chair. “Everything you said is true. Some bad things happened in your time. But some good things happened too and they outweighed the bad. If I hadn’t gone back there I’d never had found you. I’d never have made friends with Gretchen or Amy or Jenna. Don’t you get it? I wouldn’t change any of it. Not a single moment. Because the bad moments were the price of being with you and I’d pay it a hundred times over.”

Alex reached out and traced her cheek with the back of his hand. “Are ye sure this is what ye want, love?”

She nodded, laying her hand over his. “I’m sure.”

Gretchen cleared her throat. “Do we even know if it’s possible? Irene never said anything about a return journey.”

“It’s possible. I’ve tested the archway. It’s still active,” Bree replied.

Gretchen shared a long look with Ewan. “Well, husband, it appears we’re going home after all. Alex, the doctors reckon you’ll be fit for discharge tomorrow so that only leaves me twenty four hours.”

Ewan frowned at Gretchen. “Ye have that look in yer eye, wife. Ye are up to something. Twenty four hours for what?”

Gretchen pulled Bree’s credit card from her pocket and brandished it like a weapon. “To go shopping of course! If we are going back to the sixteenth century we are going to be taking some supplies with us. We’ll need medicines and foodstuffs. And chocolate of course. Lots and lots of chocolate!”

***

Alex stared straight ahead as Dun Carrick came into view in the distance. Something passed through him and he wasn’t sure whether it was excitement or fear.

“Are you okay?” Bree asked by his side.

She rode a small dun mare that they’d purchased along with three others in the village where Irene MacAskill had been staying. Although the archway had worked as well as Bree had said it would, bringing them back to the Highlands in exactly the same place they’d left, there’d been no sign of Irene MacAskill at the village. The local people said she’d left soon after the battle with Lord Donald and they didn’t know where she was or if she’d be back. This was quite normal behaviour for her, it seemed.

He smiled at Bree. “I’m fine, love.”

She returned his smile and Alex’s breath caught. He still found it difficult to believe that she was his, that they would soon be married and he would spend the rest of his life by this woman’s side. He would suffer a thousand wounds, endure a thousand banishments for such good fortune.

“There it is,” Ewan said, pulling up his horse beside Alex. “We’ll be there by noon if we keep up the pace.”

“I wonder if they know we’re coming?” Gretchen said.

Her saddlebags were bulging with all the supplies she’d insisted on bringing back with her from the twenty-first century. She still wore those clinging trews she called jeans—as was Bree—and he had to admit, he liked them on his future wife.

“Perhaps,” Ewan replied. “Either way, the guards on the battlements will note our approach as soon as we come near the village. Merith will have time to prepare our welcome.”

A look passed between Ewan and Gretchen and Alex knew exactly what it meant. They had no way of knowing what Merith’s welcome might be. She might still banish Alex or worse. He glanced at Bree and she gave him an encouraging smile. His cares evaporated at the sight of it. None of his troubles mattered as long as she was with him. They’d talked it through. If things didn’t go well with Merith he and Bree would ride north, to the Isle of Skye where Laird Andrew Harris ruled. He was an old friend of Ewan’s and Alex had known him since he was a boy. He would take him and Bree in, offer Alex a place in his garrison.

“Come,” Alex said, clucking to his horse. “The sooner we get moving the sooner we arrive.”

He led the way, Bree to his right, and his parents following behind. They soon found themselves entering the village. People stopped to look as they rode past and many called out greetings. Ewan and Gretchen replied jovially, exchanging banter with their friends from the village but Alex remained silent. He found apprehension growing in his belly.

They reached the castle and rode through the gates unchallenged. Alex half-expected a contingent of guards to block their way into the courtyard but it stood empty. Stable hands came running to take their horses as they dismounted, staring wide-eyed at the new arrivals, brimming with questions they daren’t ask. Alex tossed them all a coin each and then took Bree’s arm.

“Ready?” he asked, gazing around at his companions.

“Aye, son. We are ready,” Ewan rumbled.

Hand in hand, Alex led Bree up the steps towards the main doors and then into the cool interior of the castle. The great hall lay ahead and Alex could hear the murmur of many voices within. At the threshold he paused, his courage deserting him for a second but Bree’s grip on his hand anchored him, and he pushed the fear away. Straightening he lifted his chin, pushed back his shoulders and strode into the great hall.

Just as he’d suspected, it was filled with people. It seemed almost the whole clan had huddled inside. Ewan had been right—Merith must have discerned their approach and sent word for everyone to gather. Alex swallowed. He wasn’t sure that was a good sign. As they stepped inside a hush fell over the gathering and everyone turned to look, some whispering to their neighbors. Alex and Bree walked hand in hand down an aisle that opened in the crowd towards the high table at the far end. He saw figures seated at the table: Amy, Jenna, David, and Connail. They were all smiling at his approach and tears shone in Jenna’s eyes. But one figure wasn’t smiling: Laird Merith.

She stood alone before the table, her hands clasped in front of her. She wore a chain-mail hauberk and her father’s sword was strapped to her side. The Murray medallion gleamed from where it hung around her neck. Her eyes were fixed on Alex as he approached, looking like the eyes of a hawk as it spots a mouse. Her mouth was set in a tight, flat line and the skin of her forehead was furrowed into a frown. Disapproval radiated from her like a wave but Alex forced himself to meet her gaze as he approached the high table and halted a few paces in front of her.

He gave a low bow and Bree gave a curtsey. “My laird.”

Merith didn’t say anything for a long moment. It had fallen so still in the great hall that the only sound was that of breathing. Then Merith spoke, her voice cracking out like a whip.

“Ye have some nerve coming back here, Alexander Murray. What is it with ye and yer family? Yer father was the same. Neither of ye seem able to obey commands given by yer laird. The last time ye left this hall I told ye if ye returned ye would face the gallows.”

An audible gasp filled the air and muttering broke out around the hall. Merith held up a hand to silence it. “However, I am not so rigid that I canna bend when the situation calls for it. And perhaps this situation does. Things are not as they were. My son has told me what happened, that ye were not in league with Lord Donald after all and that ye took a grievous wound to stop him.” Alex glanced gratefully at David who gave him the barest nod.

“He has also told me that ye saved his life, the life of my only son and heir. For that ye have my thanks.” She inclined her head and Alex did the same.

Merith cocked her head and regarded him. “It seems there is only one course open to me. Alexander Murray, son of Ewan and Gretchen Murray, I hereby lift the sentence of banishment. Ye will return to yer place in the clan and resume yer duties as part of my son’s garrison. Welcome home.”

Alex’s heart thudded in his chest. Had he just heard that right or was he dreaming? Would he wake up in a moment? But one look at Bree’s beaming face said he wasn’t dreaming at all.

“Furthermore,” Merith said, holding up a hand for silence. “It seems that Lady Jenna and Lady Amy have guessed right if that ring on Lady Breanne’s finger is any indication. It seems ye have become betrothed whilst ye were away and that means only one thing.” For the first time she smiled and it lit up her face, making her appear much younger. “It means we have a wedding to prepare!”

Alex grinned and pulled Bree into a tight embrace. Cheering filled the hall.

***

“There,” Gretchen said, stepping back. “You look amazing.”

“Do I?” Bree asked. “I don’t feel it. I’m so nervous I think I might throw up.”

Jenna stepped forward and took her hands. “That’s perfectly normal, my dear. When I married Malcolm I thought I’d never make it down the aisle without fainting. All those people staring at me! It was enough to make my knees shake!”

“Now there’s a sight I would have like to have seen,” put in Amy. “My mother being carried down the aisle on her wedding day. I bet it would have made quite a sight!” She grinned at Bree who couldn’t help but smile.

“Get on with ye!” Jenna said to her daughter. “I’ll have none of yer teasing today, my lass!”

Bree felt a warm swell of affection for these women as she listened to their banter. It had been a month since they’d returned to Dun Carrick and in that month much had happened. Alex and David had led a scouting mission around Murray borders to check the last of Lord Donald’s men had left Murray lands, Ewan and Connail had ridden to all outlying crofts to check on their safety and word had been sent to the king in Edinburgh informing him of the commuting of Alex’s sentence and of the death of Lord Donald Sinclair.

Bree herself had been busy, sequestered with Gretchen, Amy and Jenna making preparations for the wedding. Even Merith herself had sometimes joined in. It was like they’d never been away. She and Alex had been welcomed back into the clan with open arms and it was her life in the twenty-first century that was beginning to fade. It felt like a precursor, a trial for her real life that started here, now, today.

“Are we ready, ladies?” Gretchen asked. “Then let’s go.”

She opened the door and Bree led the way out. They reached the doors to the great hall and paused outside whilst Amy and Jenna fussed with the train of her dress—a beautiful thing that they’d spent hours making—and Gretchen spent a few seconds arranging Bree’s hair so it fell over her shoulders in just the right way.

Bree took a deep breath, pushing away the nerves that wriggled in her stomach and stepped inside, Gretchen at her side as her ‘best woman’ and Amy and Jenna coming behind with Amy’s children acting as flower-girl and pageboy.

The great hall had been done out in all its splendor. Ribbons decorated the backs of the chairs and great bunches of flowers sat in holders up the aisle that led to the main table. The guests stood as she entered, a hush falling across the room. She’d never seen the hall so full but she barely paid the guests any attention. Her eyes flew to the figure standing at the end of the aisle, watching her.

Alex shone. There was no other word for it. His golden hair and skin made him stand out like a ray of sunlight. He was wearing his Murray plaid, his father and cousin standing by his side. His eyes sought and held hers and Bree felt a swell of love so fierce it almost made her stumble. An idiotic grin spread across her face as she and her entourage made their way down the aisle towards him. She didn’t try to stifle it and found and equally idiotic grin on his face as she came abreast of him.

Everyone around them seemed to fade away until there was just him filling her vision. Just him. Her Alex. Her love.

“Here we are, love,” he breathed, so low only she could hear it. There was an undercurrent of disbelief in his voice.

“Here we are,” she murmured, holding his gaze. “We made it.”

“Aye, love. We made it.”

Merith cleared her throat and Bree and Alex turned to face her. She beamed down at them, seeming the happiest she had since Bree had met her. She raised her chin and called out in a strident voice, “I think we all know why we are here. It brings me joy unbridled to be officiating on such a happy occasion!”

There were cheers to this then Merith began the ceremony in earnest. The words washed over Bree, each one binding her closer and closer to Alex. They held hands, staring into each other’s eyes as the words were said, the promises made, until finally Merith announced in a loud voice.

“It is done! Ye are one! Ye are husband and wife!”

There was more cheering. Alex stepped close and pressed his forehead against hers. “I am yers, love,” he whispered.  “Always. I will spend every moment making ye happy.”

Then he kissed her deeply enough to make her toes curl and for a round of cheering that almost took the roof off.

***

Highland weddings, it turned out, were a huge affair. After the ceremony the party began. And boy, what a party it was. They all spilled outside into the castle grounds where the training field had been turned into one big party field. There were bales of straw for seats, long tables brimming with food and drink, a group of musicians playing violins and other instruments Bree didn’t recognize.

First there were games—contests of strength, of skill, of initiative and cunning. There was a tug of war and Bree caused a stir by joining in with her husband’s team, despite wearing a wedding dress. There was a game of tag where children zoomed around, pulling the adults into the game whether they wanted to or not.

Then came the dancing, the drinking, the eating, the singing. Bree lost count of the number of people she danced with or the number of songs she sung, but she always found herself back in Alex’s arms.

The celebrations lasted long into the night. She was talking to Amy when she looked up and realized she hadn’t seen Alex in a while. Glancing around she couldn’t see him anywhere. David and Ewan were gathered with a group of men and seemed to be engaged in a drinking contest but Alex wasn’t with them.

She excused herself from Amy and slipped quietly away from the proceedings and into the bailey. It was much quieter here but she could still hear the commotion from the party field. She paused, wondering where Alex might have gone. Then it came to her and she made her way into the stable.

Sure enough, she found Alex in Shadow’s stall, brushing him down. She leaned against the stable door and crossed her arms. “Would you two like to be alone?”

Alex looked up and grinned. In two strides he’d crossed the stall and pulled her into his arms, kissing her long and deeply. When he straightened Bree was quite breathless.

“I wanted a bit of quiet,” Alex replied. “And ye seemed to be enjoying yerself so much I didnae want to drag ye away.” His eyes settled on her, looking her up and down with undisguised desire.

Heat rushed through Bree and her breathing quickened.

“What say we go for a ride?” Alex said. “Just the two of us?”

“I say let’s do it.”

They quickly saddled Shadow and were riding out of the gates before anyone noticed they were gone. It felt good to be in the saddle with Alex again, his arms around her, his chest pressing against her back. This was how it had all started, after all.

They rode down through the village and then along the riverbank. It was a beautiful, still night. A full moon bathed the land in a powdery glow and made the river seem like a silver ribbon flowing along beside them. Alex pulled Shadow to a halt then slid from the saddle, quickly tying him to a branch and pulling a blanket from the saddlebag which he carried down to the water’s edge and spread out. He returned to where Bree waited atop the horse and gave a flourishing bow.

“If ye would allow me to help ye down, my lady?”

Bree put on a haughty expression. “Very well, you be careful of my dress though, my good man.”

“Oh, always, my lady.”

He reached up and Bree took his arms. As he lifted her down her dress tangled around her legs and she fell awkwardly out of the saddle, sliding into Alex’s arms like an ungainly sack of potatoes. The two of them broke into laughter.

“Well there goes any pretense that I’m a lady.”

“I wouldnae have it any other way,” Alex replied.

He took her hand and led her down to the blanket where they both sat, Bree snugged against her husband, his arm around her. For a while they sat in silence, enjoying the simplicity of just being together on such a beautiful night. The only sound was the gurgle of the water and the cry of an owl as it glided over the river, searching for prey.

Bree let out a long sigh.

“What is it, love?” Alex asked.

She turned to look at him. His eyes gleamed with reflected moonlight. “I never thought it was possible to be this happy.”

He smiled. “To coin one of yer phrases, ‘tell me about it.’ Never in my wildest dreams did I dare to hope I might one day be sat here like this. With ye. Sometimes I think I will wake up and realize none of it was real.”

“Does this feel real?” Bree asked. She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.

He frowned. “I’m nay sure. Mayhap ye’ll need to do it again so I can check.”

Bree grinned and kissed him again. This time Alex cupped her face in his hands and kissed her back, his lips moving insistently over hers. Arousal flashed through Bree. Her eyes slid closed, her arms going around his neck as their kiss deepened, becoming more passionate.

Alex scooted closer, wrapping his arms around her and crushing her against him. A low groan escaped him and then his lips were traveling down her chin to her neck, sending goose bumps riding along her skin. She bent her head back, tangling her fingers in his luscious hair as he kissed her neck and her shoulders, planting tingles all over her skin.

His hands slid over her body, tracing the contours of her hips, her belly, her breasts. A fire lit inside her. She wanted to feel his skin against hers. She needed it.

He seemed to sense her unspoken desire and he was suddenly tugging at the ribbons that held her dress, untying them with deft movements of his hands, all the while kissing her neck, her ears, her shoulders. The dress came undone and Bree pushed it off her shoulders, the cool night air against her skin making her shiver.

But the cold lasted only a moment because Alex’s lips and hands were suddenly everywhere, each brush of his skin against hers sending searing heat racing along her nerves. His hands pushed the dress lower and she wriggled out of it just as Alex went to his knees and yanked his plaid roughly over his head and tossed it away.

He towered above her, naked, the moonlight catching the contours of his muscles, turning his scars to silver. She reached up and gently traced those scars, so much a part of him that to her they were utterly beautiful.

“Wife,” he breathed, his voice low and husky, full of male dominance. “I must have ye.”

“Then take me,” Bree found herself breathing. “I’m yours.”

With a growl he pressed her back onto the blanket. Above her the stars glittered as Alex laid his weight down atop her, his mouth finding hers and kissing her with a desperation she easily matched.

She ran her hands up his back, feeling the hardness of his muscles as he held himself above her for a moment then he shifted his hips, nudged her knees apart and dropped down onto her, entering her in one swift, deep thrust.

Bree arched her back as he filled her. Something like electricity spread out from her abdomen, making her cry out with the force of the sensation. Alex began to move. Slowly at first, he made love to her, his eyes shining as he watched her. Bree moved with him, shifting her hips to meet him, losing herself in this wondrous joining of their bodies. It felt wonderful. It felt like nothing she could describe. She realized then that she had been waiting her whole life for this moment. Alex was her destiny just as she was his and here they were, sealing the pact, sealing their future.

Alex groaned and his movements became more urgent, moving atop her and in her more forcefully, driving Bree wild with desire. She couldn’t stand it. It was too much. As Alex’s rhythm became faster, deeper, stronger, Bree found wildfire beginning to spread along her nerves. Ecstasy sizzled through her. She screwed her eyes shut as it consumed her, sweeping her away on a tide of pure euphoria.

She screamed Alex’s name as her climax took her and he responded in kind, their mingled voices echoing up into the star-strewn sky. After an eternal moment when Bree lost all sense of who she was, she finally came back to herself. Alex was gazing down at her, his hair shading his face and tickling her nose. His eyes were full of stars.

“Ye are mine, Breanne Murray. I am yers. Always,” he leaned down and kissed her nose.

“Always,” she whispered, sudden emotion closing her throat.

Alex rolled away from her, pulling her into the crook of his arm and throwing a blanket over them both. Bree was sure she didn’t need it. She had everything she needed right here. Her husband would keep her warm. This night and for all the nights to come.

THE END

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What do you do when destiny comes knocking?

Irene Buchanan is running from hers. Gifted with fae blood, she is fated to become the Guardian of the Highlands.

But Irene wants none of it. Soon to be married to her childhood sweetheart, she has everything she ever dreamed of. Why would she risk that for a bargain with the fae?

But Irene can’t run forever. When a terrifying act of violence rips all she loves from her, she realizes she must confront her destiny. If she doesn’t, she risks the destruction of all she holds dear.

The fate of the Highlands lies in her hands.