Kara stood stock-still, studying her fellow time traveler from head to toe.

On the surface, Fiona Macleay looked like a fourteenth-century noblewoman in the fine green gown she wore, but the way she spoke was pure twenty-first century American. Fiona took her in with an equal measure of astonishment, and Kara suspected she was thinking the same thing about her.

She had come to the castle with Eadan and Ronan after they’d revealed to him she was a time traveler. Eadan had looked only mildly astonished; given that he'd already encountered—and married—a time traveler. Kara guessed it would take much more to surprise him at this point. Ronan and Eadan were meeting with the nobles in the great hall, and Ronan had brought her to Fiona’s private chamber to introduce her, leaving them alone with a cryptic, ye both have much tae discuss.

“So. Should I go first?” Fiona asked with a wry grin, and Kara took an instant liking to her.

They sat on two chairs by the window as Fiona told her how she’d come to this time—discovering Tairseach, spotting a woman among the ruins, the tug of wind, her falling in love with Eadan, and her decision to stay.

Kara told her everything that happened since discovering Alice’s letter in her attic. When Kara finished, Fiona slowly shook her head.

“I know you’re probably wondering if I’ve any clue of how this all works, but I don’t. If a druid witch performed some sort of spell, if it was Tairseach itself . . . I don’t know. I wish I had answers. I’ve been here for months now, but sometimes I feel the need to pinch myself when I wake up,” Fiona said.

“But . . . you chose to stay,” Kara said. “Do you miss the twenty-first century? Indoor plumbing?” she added with a small smile.

“You get used to things here a lot quicker than you realize,” Fiona said. “And for Eadan, I was happy to give up all those things. As strange as this was at first . . . I feel like I’ve always belonged here. He’s the love of my life. Once I realized that, it made the decision easy.”

Kara studied her with envy. She loved Ronan but held no illusions he felt the same. He cared about her more than any of his other mistresses, and he desired her, but that was the extent of his feelings for her.

And even if he did love her, could she give up her life in the present day?

What life? she wondered. The life where you’re a jobless lonely journalist with no close family and few friends, where the man you love lives centuries in the past and is long dead?

“It’s not an easy decision,” Fiona said gently, noticing the turbulence in Kara’s eyes. “But if I could go back . . . I would have tried to get here sooner. My life was so empty and I didn’t realize it. I was searching for something in my own time, and I didn’t realize for what. Not until I met him. Traveling through time—its course corrected my path . . . and now I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

Fiona’s words echoed Kara’s past feelings. Hadn’t she felt the same in her own life? A gnawing emptiness she tried to fill with her job?

“Well, I’m not going anywhere until I find my family,” Kara said finally, getting to her feet. “I haven’t made any progress. I wonder about causality—did the fact that they died in my own time mean I’ve already failed?”

“I tried thinking about causality, but it made my brain hurt,” Fiona said with a chuckle. “Especially considering there may be magic involved in all this. I’ve just come to the conclusion that things are the way they were meant to be.”

“Which means . . . my family will die and there’s nothing I can do,” Kara said, alarm coursing through her.

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. But I do think your presence in this time means something,” Fiona said. “From what you’ve told me, just you being here has helped Ronan figure out who's behind the threats to the clan. Maybe you’ve already put events into motion that will stop the conflict that kills them.”

Kara moved to the window, looking out at the bustling castle grounds. She hoped Fiona was right, but she couldn’t rely on guesswork. There had to be something more she could do.

“What if I’m missing something?” Kara mused aloud. “What if I’ve been looking in the wrong place? None of the land deeds or the rents mention a Suibhne or Orla. And Ronan’s sent messengers to nearby villages.”

Kara froze as a thought suddenly struck her. She whirled to face Fiona.

“What if they’re not in any of the villages? I know there isn’t much fertile ground around here, but are there isolated farms nearby?”

“From what I’ve seen, most people live in villages,” Fiona hedged. “Isolated farms are few and far between. But there are some.”

Kara’s heart picked up its pace; hope swelled in her chest.

“Maybe I haven’t found my family because I’ve been looking in the wrong places.”

* * *

She didn’t get a chance to talk to Ronan about her revelation right away. He, Eadan, and many of the nobles left the castle after their meeting. Luag told her they were gathering men from surrounding villages to head up north, and he wanted her to remain at the castle rather than return to the manor, there was more protection here.

So she spent most the day with Fiona, whom she grew to like even more. She realized that if she’d met Fiona in her own time, they would have become fast friends. They shared details of their lives in the future; Fiona told her about her friend Isabelle, that she hoped she’d received her letter and knew she was safe. Kara told her she hadn't seen a letter when she'd arrived at the castle in Tairseach; hopefully someone had discovered the letter and sent it to Isabelle. Fiona's eyes glistened at this, a relieved smile tugging at her lips.

When Ronan returned to the castle, it wasn’t until after supper, and she found him in his guest chamber. She approached, eager to tell him her new plan for finding her family, but froze at the dark look in Ronan’s eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“We couldnae gather many men for the march north on such short notice. I’m a feared we willnae have the numbers tae remove Tarag’s men from our lands. Kara . . . ye need tae return tae yer own time.”

A stab of hurt pierced her. She squared her shoulders, her mouth tight.

“I’m not leaving until I find my family. I was going to tell you—I think I’ve been looking in the wrong places for them. I want to check the farms in this area.”

“Ye can take Luag with ye, and then have him escort ye to Tairseach.”

“Ronan—”

“’Tis for yer safety, Kara. Tarag kens what ye look like; ye’ll be a target if I fall in battle.”

Pain spiraled through her at the thought of Ronan’s death. She took a breath and stepped forward, holding his gaze.

“Fiona stayed with Eadan. She’s staying now—I assume he’s not sending her away.”

Ask me to stay, Kara pleaded silently. Give me a reason to stay.

Something shifted in Ronan’s eyes, and he looked away.

“’Tis different with Eadan and Fiona,” he muttered. “They love each other and are bound through marriage.”

Kara blinked back a wave of tears, trying not to show how much his words gutted her. He couldn’t have made his lack of feelings for her more clear. She’d been foolish to hope he felt anything more.

“I’ve told Eadan and my men tae escort ye back tae Tairseach, with or without yer agreement, tae get ye back tae yer own time should I fall in battle,” he continued, still not looking at her. “And my men ken tae look for yer family. I’m keeping men in this area while we march tae prevent Tarag’s men from doing harm tae the locals. Once we’re gone, my men will make sure yer family is safe, and they’ll not give up the search until they’re found.”

“And—and what if the battle is a success?” she asked. She didn’t know why she was twisting the knife in her own heart, but she recklessly continued, “Will you still want me to return to my own time?”

“’Tis not yer time, Kara,” he said, his tone wavering. “And ye told me yerself . . . ye’re here for one thing.”

He searched her eyes, as if daring her to challenge his words. That was before I knew I loved you, she wanted to shout, but pride kept her silent.

“We’ll spend the night in the castle—there’s more protection for ye here. Tomorrow, while I march north, Luag will escort ye tae the farms. And then . . . and then ye’re tae return tae yer time.”

He hesitated before turning, but she reached out to grip his hand. If he was determined to send her away, she wouldn’t stop him. After she searched the farms and her family wasn’t there, what more could she do? She trusted that Ronan wouldn’t give up the search; Eadan and Fiona would help as well.

But she could have one last night with him. One last night to savor every part of him, to burn onto her memory, something she could hold on to across the chasm of time.

“Stay with me tonight,” she whispered.

He stilled, and for several taut moments she feared her would refuse her. But Ronan reached out to pull her against his chest, his eyes a storm of emotion as he lowered his mouth to seize hers. His kiss was fierce, his tongue probing her mouth as he stripped her of her clothes, only releasing her to remove his tunic and kilt.

He carried her to the bed, and even as sparks of pleasure raced through her, she kept her eyes open and on him, wanting to relish every moment of their last moments together. He kept his eyes trained on hers as well as he suckled on her breasts, before peppering kisses down her abdomen to taste her, moaning as she twisted and writhed on the bed, as if his tongue was a conductor and her body the orchestra, reacting to its every move. His mouth remained on her center even as she climaxed, keeping his golden eyes trained on her face, as if he too was memorizing and taking in every detail of her pleasure.

Only then did he lift her so that she straddled him, sinking her down onto his erection. She began to undulate on him as he reached up to grab her breasts, his breath coming fast and hard between clenched teeth.

“My witch; my Kara,” he gasped, as she rode him, reaching down to grip his broad shoulders, the movement of their bodies building to a crescendo of pleasure.

She cried out as her orgasm tore through her, and he reached up to grip her waist as his own climax roiled through him. Their bodies remained locked as they shook and trembled their mutual release.

She sank down onto the bed next to him, breathless, remnant love and desire coursing through her.

Ronan pulled her close, burying his face in her hair, whispering words that broke her heart.

“I’m only sending ye away for yer safety. Live yer life, my Kara. I’ll never forget ye.”

“And I’ll never forget you,” she whispered, her voice breaking as she looked up to meet his eyes.

I love you, Ronan of Clan Macleay. Always.