by ML Guida
Someone timidly knocked on his door.
“Yes?”
The door peeked open. Elspeth slipped inside. “I need to talk to you.”
He propped himself up on the back of his forearms. “Talk to me about what?”
She closed the door and leaned against it. “If I mate with ye or whatever ye call it, ye’ll be able to save Arya.”
He cocked his eyebrow. “I thought we went over this earlier.”
She lifted her chin high. “I canna lose my sister.”
“Elspeth, once done, the mating can’t be undone.”
“Marriage has never been important to me. I’m a warrior, na a lady.”
“Meaning?”
She held up a single finger. “I’ll lie with ye once and then ye’ll get yer power back.”
He leaned his head back. “Elspeth, sleeping with ye once won’t completely replenish my healing ability. When I heal people, I’m drained.”
She frowned. “So, once isn’t enough?”
He plopped back down on the bed. “No, it isn’t. Go back to your sister, Elspeth. She needs you.”
“I canna. She’s getting worse. Ye and I are the only ones who can save her.”
“Are you a virgin?”
Her face turned beat red and she turned away, then she slowly faded away.
He gasped. “Elspeth, you’re an invisible I am.”
“Why do I keep doing this?” Fear crept into her voice.
“Take a deep breath and calm down. I think you turn invisible when you experience a strong emotion.”
He could someone taking long deep breaths. A faint glimpse of Elspeth fluttered and then she appeared.
She looked at her hands and smiled. “I’m back.”
She must terrified of mating. He couldn’t do this and wouldn’t let her do this. “Elspeth, please go back to your sister. I just need to rest for a few minutes.”
“What good will that do?”
He sighed. He so didn’t want to have this argument with her and closed his eyes.
“I’m na leaving.”
He stilled and opened one eye. “Excuse me?”
She sat on the edge of the bed. “I want to save my sisters. The only way I can keep them safe is to lay with ye.” She unbuttoned her skirt.
He grabbed her wrist. “What are you doing?”
“I want to save my sisters.”
“I can’t let you sacrifice yourself.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Arya could die.”
“This isn’t how this is supposed to happen.”
She lowered her gaze. “Do ye find me unattractive?” Her voice trailed off.
He smiled. “Hardly. You’re a beautiful woman. I’m not sure if you want to hear this, but ever since I saw you sleeping, I’ve dreamed of you.”
“You have?”
“Yes, I have.” He squeezed her shaking hand.
She leaned closer. “Then take me.”
Her warm breath washed over him. Desire filled him, but he refused to take such a vulnerable girl. There had to be another way to keep his power from killing him. He looked at her parted lips. “Will you settle for just a kiss?”
“Will it make ye stronger?”
He slipped his hand around her neck. “It might. Shall we try?”
She kissed him hard. The minute their lips touched, something sparked inside him. Tingles shot through him. Sweetness filled him, squashing the pulsing agony. The stinging ants biting his flesh ceased. His dizziness fled.
Her hands squeezed his shoulders and he wrapped his arm around her slender waist. He wanted so much more, but his honor wouldn’t allow it.
She moaned beneath him. Her kiss turned demanding, branding him, stealing his breath, and making his toes curl. He allowed her to take the lead, but his dragon had other ideas.
Chapter 4
Elspeth had never kissed a man, but something about Fergus made her want to throw caution out the window. His spicy masculine taste made her heart beat fiercer, creating a warm sensation in her gut. His long hair brushed over her fingers, sending tingles down her arms. She never thought kissing a man would feel like this. Was it because he was a man or an alien?
Fergus broke off the kiss and nuzzled her ear. “I feel stronger.”
She jumped off the bed. “Ye do?” She smiled and clapped her hands. Her heart did back flips. He could save Arya!
For a moment, she thought she saw disappointment in his eyes.
He nodded. “Yes, I do. The agony’s subsided…for now.” He grinned. “By the way, you’re invisible again.”
Elspeth gritted her teeth. “Na again.”
“Take deep breaths like you did last time.”
Elspeth inhaled and exhaled deeply. Tingles softly pattered over her flesh. She put her hand in front of her face, praying it would re-appear.
“Keep concentrating,” Fergus said.
Elspeth nodded and took two more deep breaths. Her hand slowly reappeared.
“Good.” She sighed and put her arm down. “I’m back.”
Fergus slid his long legs off the bed and stretched his arms. “Yes, you are.” He headed toward the door. “Now, let’s go see your sister.”
She clasped his arm. “Are you strong enough to healer?”
He shrugged. “Let’s go find out.”
She followed him down the hall to Arya’s room. Disappointment stabbed Elspeth’s gut. Arya’s eyes were still closed and her face was gray. Faye sat next to Arya holding her hand. Lauchlan stood behind her with his hands resting on her shoulders. Rory clutched Arya’s hand between his two hands. Tears glistened in his eyes.
Elspeth covered her mouth with her hand and blinked back tears threatening to leak down her cheeks.
“Fergus.” Mirren beamed and hugged him. “You look much better.”
“I feel better, Mom.”
She gestured toward Arya. “Do you think you can heal her?” She hoped kissing him was enough to strengthen his healing power. She braced her shoulders ready to the next step necessary if it would save Arya’s life.
Fergus released his mother. “I can try.”
He put his hand on Arya’s forehead. Elspeth held her breath, glancing between Arya and Fergus. Fergus’s face turned pinched as if he were in pain, but Arya’s ashen face turned rosier. Her eyes fluttered and then opened.
“Arya.” Rory’s voice cracked.
Faye skidded next to her bed. “Yer back.”
Fergus dropped his arm. “Welcome back, Arya.” His tone sounded tired.
“Thank ye,” Arya said.
“You’re welcome.”
Elspeth couldn’t speak, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Fergus. She wanted to run over and kiss him again and again, but she stayed rooted in her spot, too afraid to move. He’d saved her older sister. Something she could never repay him for, but she wanted to do something for him.
Lauchlan wrapped his arm around Fergus’s shoulder. “You look like you could use a drink.”
Fergus nodded. “I think you’re right.”
The two of them left the bedroom together. Fergus leaned more on Lauchlan. No one probably noticed, but Elspeth had. He was willing to risk his own life to save the people he cared about. She hadn’t met many men who would do such a thing.
“Now that you’re on the mend,” Mirren said. “I think you’ll need something to eat, dearie.”
“That would be nice,” Arya muttered.
Rory turned toward his mother. “Maybe some of your chicken soup.”
Mirren smiled. “Of course.”
Elspeth followed Mirren out the door. “Excuse me.”
Mirren stopped. “Yes, child?”
“I want to do something––”
“For Arya.”
Elspeth shook her head. “No. For Fergus. I want to repay him for saving my sister.”
Mirren gave her a strange look. “Meaning?”
Heat burned Elspeth cheeks. “No, nothing like that. I would like to make or bak
e something for him. What is his favorite food?”
“Ah, that’s sweet, dearie. I think he would like that. His favorite dinner is Shepherd’s Pie. I have a special recipe that they all love.”
“Ye do?” She looped her arm through Mirren’s. “Will ye na teach me?”
Mirren laughed and patted Elspeth’s hand. “I would be delighted. Chicken soup and Shepard’s Pie will be a fine meal tonight.”
She and Mirren hurried to the Great Hall. Fergus and Lauchlan sat at the table, each drinking a pint. Hers and Fergus’s eyes locked and she could feel his lips on hers again. Warmth sped from her cheeks all the way down to her toes.
Lauchlan slapped Fergus on the back. “You old sly, dog.”
Fergus glared. “Lauchlan.”
Lauchlan laughed and winked at Elspeth who quickly turned away. Her heart pumped rapidly. She patted her hair and straightened her tartan. Did he suspect that she had given herself to Fergus?
“Don’t mind Lauchlan.” Mirren flicked her hand. “I love him dearly, but he’s a big tease.” She opened the door into her grand kitchen with a long kitchen counter
Elspeth blinked. “This is huge.”
Mirren unwound herself from Elspeth. “Let me show you my fine kitchen.” She gestured toward a square metal door built into the wall. “This is my oven.” She opened the door that revealed two metal racks and red coils on the top and bottom. “This little beauty is my pride and joy. You’ll love backing the Shepherd’s Pie in here.”
She motioned toward a tall metal rectangular box with two double doors. She opened a side door. “This is my refrigerator. I have milk, vegetables, and frozen lamb in the bottom freezer drawer.”
“That thing keeps everything cold?”
Mirren nodded it does. She lifted up a milk carton and pointed to the crease. “Yes, it does. It’s a little bit different from your time. This is the expiration date.” She pointed to a blue print date on the carton. “This date means to discard the milk two weeks from now.” She opened the door again and gestured with her arm. “Everything has a different expiration date except for fresh vegetables and fruit, which are in these plastic drawers.”
Mirren pulled open the bottom drawer. “This is my freezer. I have a bigger one, but to make Fergus’s pie, this pound of ground lamb will be enough.”
“That’s lamb in that strange package? Ye donna have to slaughter the lamb?”
Mirren laughed and patted Elspeth’s back. “Yes, dearie.”
“Do ye have potatoes?”
“Yes, all the vegetables are in the plastic pins in the refrigerator.”
Elspeth opened the doors and opened the bins. A bag of mini carrots, a bag of potatoes, and a bunch of celery were in the bins. This was so much easier than having to go to market or pulling out of the garden. She was glad she didn’t have to slaughter a lamb with their huge, pitiful brown eyes.
Mirren gestured toward four white ceramic canisters on the counter. Thistles were painted on each canister. “The biggest one contains flour. If you open the drawer beneath them, you’ll find measuring cups and spoons, and a vegetable peeler. Bowls are in the cupboard beneath the drawer.”
Elspeth frowned. “Peeler?”
“Yes.” Mirren opened the drawer and pulled out a small stainless device with a handle and an oblong shape at the end.
“Ye peel with this?”
“Yes, it’s much easier than a knife.” She took a potato out of a plastic bag, then washed it under the faucet. She took the peeler and ran it down a potato, slicing the skin off.
Elspeth smiled. “Can I try?”
“Why, of course.”
Elspeth picked up the potato and did as Mirren had done. “This is so much easier than a knife.” Within a few minutes, she had peeled a pound and half of potatoes. She found a cutting board and chopped up the potatoes.
Mirren filled up a pot with water and put it on the stove. “You’ll find we have more conveniences than you did in your time.” She sighed. “But with the modern conveniences we also have created problems you don’t have.”
“Like what?”
“Pollution and litter. You had fresh air in your time, but we don’t.” She smiled. “Enough with that. Let’s get back to backing Fergus’s Shepherd pie.”
Mirren’s words intrigued Elspeth and she wanted to find out more about this strange time, but first she had a job to do. She put the potatoes in the boiling pot, then went back to cutting up the celery, onions, and carrots.
Something dinged. Mirren took out the frozen package of lamb then she took what looked like a clear sheet off.
“What did ye do?”
“The microwave defrosted the lamb.”
“What’s a microwave?”
“It’s an electric oven that defrosts or cooks food by electromagnetic radiation. Radiation are powerful rays.”
“It’s magical?”
“No, just modern technology.”
“This is a strange time, but if ye donna mind, I’ll finish making the pie. I used to make it all the time.”
“Good. The frozen peas are in the freezer. I put the butter and half-half on the counter. The chicken broth is in the box and Worcestershire sauce is in the bottle.”
Elspeth didn’t know what Worcestershire sauce was but Fergus must like it in his pie. “Thank ye.”
She picked up the bottle. “How much do ye put in?”
“Only a teaspoon.”
She pointed to the oven. “I set the oven at four hundred degrees. You seem to know what you’re doing, so I’ll leave you alone. I’ll be out in the dining room, setting the table. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
Elspeth returned to mashing the boiled potatoes and hummed. She sat the potatoes aside and put oil into a frying pan. She sautéed the onions, celery, and carrots. Mirren had put all the seasonings she needed on the counter. She added chopped garlic to the saluting vegetables. Her stomach growled at the tantalizing smell.
She added the lamb to the vegetables and put a dash of salt and pepper to it.
She broke out in a cooking song her mother taught her as a small child.
“Do you always sing when you cook?”
She spun around to see Fergus leaning against the doorway with his arms folded and a silly grin on his face.
She wiped her hands on a nearby towel. “Cooking always relaxes me. I wanted to do something special for ye for saving my sister.”
“So, Mother told me. I couldn’t resist the delightful smells coming from the kitchen. Can I help you?”
She frowned. “She told ye? It was supposed to be a surprise.”
“Don’t be mad at her. I pestered her to tell me.”
She browned the lamb. “I see yer na a patient man.”
He grinned slowly faded. “Only when it comes to you.”
“Meaning?”
He lifted her chin. “Meaning, I would like to help you.” His husky voice cast a spell over her.
She parted her lips and he lightly kissed her. Tingles swept down her neck and she shivered. He slipped his fingers through her hair and whispered in her ear, “You sing like an angel.”
“Yer quite the silver-tongue devil,” she murmured.
He dropped his hands. “Only around you.” He quickly grabbed the pan and lifted it off the burner. “Don’t want to burn the lamb.”
She put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, no.”
“It’s fine. Now tell me what can I do?”
“Na distract me,” she said as she gently moved from him.
“I won’t.” He crossed his heart. “I promise.”
Elspeth gestured toward the mashed potatoes. “Do ye know how to make the topping?”
“I’ve done it many times.” He glanced at the pan. “That’s just mashed potatoes, correct?”
“Aye.” She added chicken stock to the lamb and the mysterious Worcestershire sauce.
He grabbed another glass bowl out of the cupboard. He put the cre
am and butter inside, then put it in the microwave.
“That needs tomato paste,” he said. He grabbed a tiny can out of the cupboard and used an electric device to open it.
“What is that?”
“An electric can opener.” He dumped two teaspoons of tomato paste into her lamb.
“Tell me,” she said. “Did ye only kiss me because I make yer powers stronger?”
He shook his head. “No. I kissed you, because I wanted to. Did I offend you?”
“No. I donna why, but ye didna.” She smiled shyly. “I find l like kissing ye.”
“And I you.”
She cleared her dry throat. “I think we better finish making this pie.”
He sighed. “Of course, you’re right.” He finished adding the butter and cream to the mashed potatoes on the stove. He stirred them into a creamy silky texture.
Elspeth chopped up rosemary and thyme leaves. The fragrant smell helped relax her. With Fergus in the kitchen, she found herself on the edge. Not because he made her nervous, but she felt a definite attraction to him that she hadn’t experienced with any other man.
He came up behind her and she jumped, her heart nearly flying out of her throat.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” he said as he opened two bags of frozen vegetables. “It just looks like you’re ready to add the corn and peas to the lamb.”
She put her hand on her chest. “Ye just scared me.”
He grinned. “You’re invisible again.”
“What?” She looked down and groaned. “Na again.”
“You need to be calm, remember?” He removed the lamb off the stove. “I’ll finish making the pie.”
Elspeth took deep breaths as Fergus finished making the lamb. He poured the lamb in a metal oblong pan and then slowly spread the creamy potatoes on top.
She looked down at her shaking hands. “I’m visible.”
“And such a lovely sight, too.” He skirted around her with the pan and stuck it in the oven. “As I recall, it’s for twenty-five minutes.”
“That would be just enough time to clean up this mess.” She tossed him a dish towel. “Ye can dry.”
“You’ll find I’m an expert drier.”
“Ah, huh.” She clogged up the sink with warm water, then added a dish soap from a green bottle. Bubbles formed immediately.
