A Heartbeat Back to the Highlands

by Deborah R Stigall

  “Harley…ye must tell me. I can read your emotions and ye’re fair shouting at me that ye’re worried about something. There’s nothing we canna face together.” Lifting her chin, Ronan stared deeply into her eyes, green depths merging with gold.

  Biting her lower lip, Harley finally made her decision. She’d never been good at keeping secrets. “I saw something…in Emrys’ Mirror. I think I saw something from the future.”

  Pursing his lips, Ronan inhaled deeply. He’d expected anything but this. “What did ye see?”

  Her brows knotting into a worried frown, Harley shrugged her shoulders as she shook her head. “I’m not sure. Aveline was there….and there was a couple I couldn’t see and a really angry woman. Well…I thought she was a woman…but then she…well, she…sort of… changed.”

  “Changed?” Ronan’s brows shot to his hairline as a deep foreboding stirred in his gut. “How did she change?”

  Throwing her hands up in the air, Harley struggled to explain. “She sort of….morphed into a dark shrouded figure. Like the Grim Reaper or something.”

  Closing his eyes, Ronan shook his head. Harley’s description was just confusing him more. “Harley…I’d like to try something. It might frighten ye….but it would show me exactly what ye saw.”

  Taking a step back, Harley eyed him with a wary frown. “What are you wanting to do?”

  With a look of grim determination, Ronan took her hands in his. “I promise ye. Ye will be in no danger. But I’d like to join with your mind…to see what ye saw.”

  “Join my mind?” Harley’s eyes narrowed as visions of Star Trek reruns flashed thru her head.

  Doing his best to calm her, Ronan pulled her closer, gentling her with his touch. “Aye…if ye will open your mind to me, then I will be able to see the vision…exactly as ye saw it. I promise…I will go no further into your thoughts then what ye saw in the Mirrors of Time.”

  Reading the sincerity in his face and trusting him to keep his word, Harley finally placed her hands in his as she silently nodded in agreement.

  Placing his hands on either side of her face, Ronan gently cradled her head in his palms. Lightly touching his thumbs to her temples, he fixed her with an unblinking stare then uttered the word to complete the spell.

  “Associo.”

  As soon as she heard the deep command rumble from his chest, Harley felt as though she were floating on air. As she stared into the deep green depths of his gaze, she could almost feel herself soaring into his eyes. She saw herself taking him by the hand and pointing at the vision once again displayed on the mirror. The figures were there just as they had been the first time she’d seen them. She watched as Ronan studied the vision, his face growing darker the longer he watched. His jaw muscles rippling as he clenched his teeth, Ronan vanquished the image with a wave of his hand. Turning to face Harley, he gently closed her eyes as he brushed his palm across her face. The next thing she knew, Harley was looking up into Ronan’s face as he loomed over her in the bed.

  “Ye see, Love? That wasn’t so bad….having me in for a bit of a visit?” Smiling, he gently stroked her cheek as he brushed his lips across hers.

  Struggling to ignore the quickly mounting heat his touch always stirred, Harley placed a restraining hand against his chest. “So, what does it mean? Is Aveline going to be all right?”

  Heaving a great sigh, Ronan slowly shook his head as he stared off into the distance at nothing at all. He replayed the vision over in his head, committing even the tiniest detail to memory. “I’m not sure. I’m going to discuss it with Emrys and Mother. It may be Aveline receiving her punishment from the Fates.”

  “But who was the couple? The two people we couldn’t quite see? It seemed as though Aveline was trying to shield them.” Rolling over to her stomach, Harley propped herself up on her elbows and cradled her chin in her hands. Staring out the great bay window, she watched the rise and fall of the horizon as the ship gently rode the waves. She could live like this forever. Completely at peace on the open sea….but not before she resolved the troubling vision.

  Rising from the bed, to pace across the floor, Ronan clasped his hands behind his back. “I believe the woman…or the Grim Reaper as ye called her….is actually the Goddess Bheara. What I don’t understand is what part she plays in Aveline’s punishment and what exactly she’s attempting to do.”

  His eyes narrowing as he stared out the window at the waves, Ronan couldn’t ignore the growing sense of unease as he kept replaying the vision in his head. Bheara had been furious….but not as furious as she was capable of being. Ronan had seen her destroy mighty cargo ships with the slightest nod of her head. It was almost as if she were merely pretending to be angry, her calculated motions almost theatrical. No…there was definitely more to this vision then there seemed and acting upon such visions was always risky indeed.

  “When we dock, we must consult Mother. Share the vision with her. If she’s unable to untangle the mystery….then we’ll just have to stay vigilant for when the time actually comes.”

  Rising from the bed to join him at the window, Harley linked her arms with his as she snuggled into his side. “I hope your family’s magic is strong enough to protect her…from whatever Bheara is trying to do.”

  Kissing the top of Harley’s head, Ronan pulled her closer against his chest.

  “So do I.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  The day dawned crisp and clear, the breeze having just enough bite in its gusts to remind everyone that winter was but a few weeks away. The azure blue of the sky was laced with wispy white clouds. The gulls circled and cried above Ronan’s ship, occasionally swooping down to pluck at the clusters of ivy and dried heather beribboned about the deck. Harley and Ronan’s wedding ceremony was to be upon Ronan’s ship. It was only fitting for their vows to be witnessed upon the sea.

  Amazingly enough, crotchety old Emrys had once again won out over a mere physical ailment and risen from his sickbed in time to perform the ceremony. He was garbed in his finest druid’s robes, dark and flowing with every step he took. For once, his wild mane of grey was somewhat tamed and braided away from his face. His beard had also been untangled and smoothed, lying shining upon his chest. Idly staring out at the water, Emrys seemed years younger as he leaned against his staff.

  Caelan was garbed befitting a Laird. His best plaid hung from his broad chest, while his ceremonial knives were strapped to his narrow waist. Rachel’s heart fluttered as she eyed her husband’s fine form. With a meaningful wink, he still had the power to ignite her smoldering passion even after twenty eight years of marriage.

  “Have ye told them?” Caelan breathed into her hair as he brushed his lips to her cheek.

  Her lips thinning into a determined line, Rachel swallowed hard as she shook her head.

  “No. I thought it best to let the pieces fall where they may since we know how the scene will play out.”

  “Are ye ready?” Caelan drew her closer to his side, his arm possessively around her waist.

  Her eyes bright with unshed tears, Rachel forced a smile upon her face. “I have to be.” Smoothing her hair away from her face, Rachel fretted at the thick braids coiled about her head.

  “Brid has shown me that it was always meant to be. There’s no denying destiny.”

  Hugging her to him, Caelan pressed his forehead against hers as he tenderly kissed the tip of her nose. Today was to be a day filled with both joy and sorrow….and none of his warrior’s skills could make a bit of difference in what was to be.

  Glancing up, he inhaled deeply as he proudly took in the sight of his people gathering to see his middle son wed. The MacKay clan was out in full force, gathered on the dock and along the beach. They gazed up expectantly at the wedding party, beginning to grow restless and ready for the ceremony to begin.

  Nervously flitting about the captain’s quarters, Harley couldn’t seem to stand in one spot longer than a minute at a time. Moving once more to the window, she glanced worriedly up at
the sky, then back to a fuming Ellen standing beside the bed.

  “You don’t think it’s going to rain, do you? Do you think it’ll be too chilly for everyone as the sun starts to set?”

  Impatiently tapping her foot, as she held several yards of lace in her hands, Ellen firmly shook her head. “I think that no matter what the weather, ye will never be wed this day because ye willna’ stand in one spot long enough for me to finish dressing ye!”

  Glancing down at the still loosened ties of her bodice, Harley bit her lip in dismay. “Oh…sorry. It’s just that I’m a little…I just want everything….It’s just that I need for today to be…”

  “Shush now. I know what ye want and what ye need. Now stand still and let me finish lacing your stays, and then we’ll braid your lovely long hair.” Ellen effectively silenced Harley by yanking so hard on the ties of her bodice that she pushed all the air from her lungs.

  “I can’t breath!” Harley gasped, grabbing the tall post of the bed.

  “It’s no that tight.” Ellen scolded as she pulled the gown over Harley’s head.

  Smiling, she clapped her hands under her chin as the heavy golden silk fell into place around Harley’s curves. The color of the gown mirrored her whiskey colored eyes and accentuated her golden skin.

  “You don’t think it’s bad luck that my gown’s not white?” Harley nervously smoothed at the fitted waist of the gown. Wondering if she looked all right.

  Rounding Harley with a brush in her hand, Ellen clucked her tongue as she shook her head. “Ye look an absolute vision and I’ve never seen Master Ronan so besotted. A MacKay doesna’ count on luck to make his life right. A MacKay believes in fulfilling his destiny.”

  She soon had Harley’s hair plaited into a shining braid coiled about her head. Then gently placing the delicate lace about Harley’s face, she secured it with intricately carved hair pins fashioned from richly yellowed ivory.

  “Now ye must wait here until the Laird comes for ye.” Glancing out the window at the position of the sun, Ellen shook her finger in Harley’s face. “Twon’t be much longer, Lass.” Then hurrying out the door, she closed it softly behind her, leaving Harley to face the butterflies in her stomach alone.

  Nervously rubbing her sweating palms together, Harley took a deep breath…or tried to but was quickly stopped by the tightly laced stays. “Geez…I’m going to pass out from lack of oxygen.”

  Grabbing the bodice at the neckline, she vainly attempted to gain a little breathing room by giving the corset a frustrated yank. But Ellen’s knot work was better than any ship’s bosun. So, Harley resigned herself to filling her lungs one tiny breath at a time.

  She jumped as the creaking door announced Caelan’s entry. Her heart sprang to her throat as she realized it was time. She’d only gotten this close to marrying one time before and that one time had quickly turned into a disaster.

  “Ye look lovely, Lass. My son has chosen well.” Caelan gifted Harley with a fatherly smile as he gallantly extended his arm. “Are ye ready?”

  Chewing her lower lip, Harley drew a shaky breath as she laid a trembling hand on Caelan’s outstretched arm. “I’m ready.”

  Standing at the bow of the ship in front of an arch entwined with ivy, Ronan stood impatiently awaiting his bride. As Harley and Caelan walked thru the doorway, Harley stopped in her tracks as she eyed the handsome man awaiting her. Ronan’s dark looks were even more enigmatic as he awaited his bride in his finest captain’s clothes. His black breeches were tucked into his thigh high leather boots that were polished to an ebony luster. His snowy white tunic was open at his tanned throat, his black cloak pinned with his clan’s crest at his shoulders.

  Harley felt like she’d escaped into an historical romance, as the butterflies in her stomach changed into flames of desire. She wanted this man. Both body and soul…and wouldn’t rest until they were united for all to see.

  His eyes narrowing as he saw Harley’s steps falter, Ronan’s worried frown was quickly replaced by a smug satisfied smile. He’d read her emotions and found that his woman wanted him just as much as he desired her.

  Rachel, Aveline, Latharn and Faolan, all stood to the side, witnessing the couple’s union. Emrys stood wreathed by the archway as he waited for Harley to join Ronan and speak their vows.

  Caelan joined their hands, gave his nod of approval, then turned to stand at Rachel’s side. No one seemed to notice when he pulled his wife closer, as though shielding her from harm.

  Pulling a golden braided rope from the depths of his robe, Emrys loosely wrapped it and tied it around the couple’s joined hands. No sooner had he finished looping the last knot, then the skies became dark with gathering clouds.

  As Ronan and Harley glanced up into the sky, the dark thunderheads began swirling just above the ship where they stood. With a sinking feeling, Ronan suddenly realized the vision from the Mirror of Time was about to unfold. No sooner had the thought kindled in his mind, then a great wave washed across the deck. As the water receded, in its place stood a woman….it was Bheara…and she wasn’t happy.

  “’Tis time, Aveline. Cast your wee spell. ‘Tis time for ye to fulfill your pact.” Pointing a pale shining hand in Harley’s direction, Bheara turned to Aveline with a menacing glare.

  Her eyes widening in fear, Aveline slowly stepped forward as she defiantly shook her head. “I canna do this. I willna’ take away my brother’s true love. I will not complete the pact.”

  As soon as the words left Aveline’s mouth, Bheara’s form grew not only in size but grew darker as well. “Ye would defy me? Ye’re not but a mere mortal! For that, I will take both their lives!”

  Whirling to point a black shining claw at the couple, Bheara roared as lightening filled the air. Raising her other hand up to the sky, her fingers coaxed and gathered the crackling energy from the clouds. Her eyes narrowed as she drew the energy into a ball and grew in size as she raised it above her head. Just as she released it at the awestruck Harley and Ronan, they were surrounded by a blinding aura of blue white light.

  “Enough Bheara!” A firm voice ordered from the sky, drowning out the thunder rumbling through the clouds.

  “The accord was broken!” Bheara hissed as she pointed at Aveline with an accusing hand.

  “Then Aveline will be punished.” Brid replied, her shining form materializing upon the deck. Her flaming tresses flowed about her face as her green eyes snapped in anger. Her shapely form was surrounded in the same blue white aura that had protected Harley and Ronan from a painful death.

  Gathering more thunderbolts in her hands, Bheara leered at Aveline’s paling face. No sooner had she gathered them, then they immediately disappeared with a nod of Goddess Brid’s royal head.

  “Ye said she would be punished! It is my right!” Bheara roared in frustrated rage.

  Her head slightly tilting to one side, Brid crossed her arms calmly across her chest. “I think ye’d best remember that I know of all that ye did when ye were making the pact with this child.”

  Her nostrils flaring, Bheara threw her hands in the air and awashed the deck with another wave as she returned to the sea. Brid shielded the MacKays from being doused by the Sea Goddess’ tantrum with the slightest wave of her hand.

  “Mannanan Mac Lir.” Brid called to the shore, her deep green eyes searching the beach. “Come forward out of your human form. Come forward to claim your bride.”

  MacCallen stepped forward from the throng huddling on the dock. His face calm as he boarded the ship. Walking slowly to Aveline’s side, he took her hands in his. Watching her closely, his form seemed to shimmer as he carefully chose his words.

  “Ye were born an immortal. But ‘twas forbidden to tell ye until this place and time. I have loved ye since before the moment ye were created. I watched your soul before it came down from the stars. Your punishment is to be bound to me for eternity…..for I am the God of the Seas of Time. My hope is that ye will someday come to love me….as I have always loved you.”

&n
bsp; Snatching her hands from his, Aveline ran to Caelan and Rachel, wrapping her arms around her mother’s waist. “No! Mother…tell them no! I don’t want to leave here…leave my clan…all that I love. Please…just tell them to take away my magic. Please….don’t make me go.”

  “Goddess Brid…please….is there any other way?” Caelan pleaded as Rachel buried her face in his chest and weakly pushed Aveline away.

  “Ye know the answer to that Laird MacKay. The elemental laws are there for a reason…to protect both Gods and Man. She must go. But Mannanan Mac Lir loves her and has sworn to be her guardian. Trust me. All will be well.” Brid shook her head sadly, as she placed her hand on Aveline’s shoulder and gently pulled her away from her parent’s side.

  “Join hands with him, Aveline. I will meld ye for all time. The punishment could’ve been much worse.” Brid nodded toward the god in his human form of the man Aveline had always known as MacCallen.

  Sniffing and shaking as the tears coursed down her face, Aveline reluctantly held out her hands. As MacCallen gently cradled her hands in his own, a subtle glow seemed to emanate from them. Placing her hands on theirs, Brid bowed her head and their auras immediately merged.

  Smiling as she released their hands, Brid turned to Harley and Ronan. “Be at peace. Aveline will be happy once again. It will just take a little time.”

  Placing her hand on theirs, the golden rope immediately changed into two glowing rings, one on Ronan’s finger and a matching one on Harley’s hand. As the Goddess continued to hold their hands, they were surrounded in a blue white haze.

  “Thru time and space these two are joined. There union was destined to be. Their souls are now one. Completely intertwined, for all eternity.”

  As she spoke the last of the rite, her form disappeared and the blue white haze shot up into the sky, clearing the horizon of every cloud. The clan members gathered on the docks and the beach were blinded by the shaft of light.

  Her form already shimmering and growing difficult to see, Aveline bathed Ronan and Harley in a loving white light. “I’ll learn how to watch over ye whenever ye travel the seas. I promise…when ye need me…I’ll be there.”