10 Timeless Heroes; A Time Travel Romance Boxed Set
Page 13
Ceara rushed in. “Can I hold the baby, Mama?”
Engai looked questioningly at Fiona.
“You can if you sit down and stay down while you hold her—no moving around.”
Ceara grabbed a little stool and plunked down, holding out her arms. Engai gently laid the baby in Ceara’s arms and, like all little mothers before her, Ceara rocked the baby and cooed to her little face. She crooned a wordless lullaby to the baby, gleaned from some long forgotten memory, no doubt.
“What is the baby’s name?”
From the bed, Mei Mei spoke. “Her name will be Fiona.” They turned to her and she grinned. “For you, woman of Kellach.” She clumsily tried to sit up, but a spasm of pain left her gasping. Fiona moved quickly to her side, and helped her to a sitting position.
“Thank you,” she said. “We owe you much.”
“No, you don’t. You needed the help. I could do nothing else.”
“We will repay you, somehow.” Mei Mei’s soft gaze rested on the baby.
“I know you will,” Fiona soothed. “You need to get well first, though.”
Assured that Engai and Ceara would stay with Mei Mei and the baby for awhile, Fiona returned to the big house and hurriedly grabbed her bathing things and headed to the bathhouse as well. Life was good this day!
Xio Li, Mei Mei and baby Fi, as everyone called her, settled into the small hut and life was good. Xio Li showed promise of being an excellent gardener and Fiona was happy to leave that job to her. Early every day, after making sure Mei Mei and the baby were fed and made comfortable, she showed up at the big house ready to work. She loved her daily trips to the bathhouse and, as a result, her hygiene was greatly improved. The little hut was kept spotless by Mei Mei and the baby thrived in the new surroundings. Mei Mei showed an aptitude for cooking and cleaning and Fiona envisioned her as a housekeeper some day. The little family had found a niche in this pitiless world.
Nineteen
Tempers were short in the Council chambers. Among other things, nomadic raiders had been sighted moving south and would soon be at their very doors. Livestock had been disappearing on a regular basis and it was unknown if they were being stolen or if wild animals were preying heavily on the herds. Discussions surfaced and arguments ensued. Kellach watched and listened. An elder man, Rodan stepped forward. He was high on the hierarchy of the Council, having served for many years, and his dignity, wisdom and knowledge were well respected. The room slowly calmed.
“Patrols must be increased and more guards assigned to the perimeters of the settlement.” Heads nodded in agreement. Rodan continued. “Training will be increased, and new recruits must be found. We lost many to the raiders last year and we’re ill-prepared. Too many have left for other pursuits.” Again, concurrence spread round the room. “A new group of warriors is needed.”
“Who will lead this new group?” a voice asked.
Heads turned and Kellach found himself the center of attention—not to his liking!
“I have just returned and there are others who would be better prepared than I. I do not seek to lead,” he said, “I have held the reins of leadership too long. I but want to follow.”
Siran snorted, his blue eyes sparkling. “You would never ‘follow’ anyone, Kellach.”
Laughter spread through the room. All knew Kellach too well. Kellach grinned at Siran’s teasing. “You would do well to follow me. I at least can find my own head should the need arise.”
“You have been speaking with Tanith again,” Siran laughed. “I know her voice too well.”
Rodan cleared his throat and the crowd quieted. “I have no objection to Kellach taking charge of this new army. Do all agree?”
Few disagreed and those who did were held in low esteem by the rest. They were followers of Voadicia and her minions. Word had it that Voadicia was secretly offering human sacrifices to the Gods but proof had yet to be established. She sought to bring back the old ways and to ensure her position as head priestess. Investigations into her practices had been light thus far, as the suspected sacrifices were criminals and felons and their loss affected none. It was even whispered that she did a favor to all and was a convenient way to dispose of such. Kellach did not agree but until he had proof that such was the case, he would hold his tongue.
“Then it is decided. Kellach will head this new army. Everyone will work together to see that this is accomplished as fast as possible.”
Kellach stood. “I will need men to assist me, men who I can trust and who are willing to work together. If you can meet my requirements, I will welcome you.”
Several men stepped forward, Siran amongst them. “I knew I could count on you, old friend,” Kellach said and slapped him on the back.
Of the others that stepped forward, only one was unknown to Kellach. He introduced himself as Sealgair. There was a familiarity about him that gave Kellach pause, but he appeared competent and eager to assist. He would bear watching and if he proved adept, he would be embraced into the group.
The Council chambers emptied and all left to return to their individual pursuits. Kellach and Siran walked along the street, the heat of the day pounding down on them, keeping most inside.
“It seems your little family is growing,” Siran commented.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean two young girls and a new baby have joined your household.”
“They have not joined my household, I am taking care of them until they are able to fend for themselves,” Kellach protested.
“It is the same.”
“It’s not the same, I but took the responsibility to get Fiona to come home.”
“Ah, yes, Fiona! She has become important to you, has she not?”
“She is important to my household. She keeps things orderly. I am pleased by her efficiency.”
“You do not fool me, old friend! She is more than that to you.”
Kellach’s face grew warm. “Is it so apparent?”
“To me perhaps. To her, not so much I think.”
Kellach was relieved. He didn’t want Fiona to get the impression he was languishing for her. She did not seem to appreciate his company, in any event, and the last thing he wanted her to feel was that he was harboring an interest in her. He was, but she needn’t be aware of it. It would complicate matters. She continually made it clear that she wanted to return home, wherever that was, and soon if at all possible. Such a thought caused his throat to constrict. How would he deal with the loss of her? Thus far, he had managed to evade her repeated requests to assist her in leaving, but he was not deceived that someday she would find others to help her. He knew about her secret hoard of money and knew its purpose.
“I am not unaware of Tanith’s schemes. I know of no other household with a servant having Fiona’s beauty. She haunts my dreams.”
Siran nodded his sympathy. “Tanith would make Fiona your wife, but that would not be a bad thing, do you think?”
They strolled companionably along, each in their own thoughts. Machar burst out of the house and ran to them, Conan at his heels.
“I saw you coming,” he panted, “and Conan and I thought we should greet you.” Siran chuckled and lifted him to his shoulders. Conan jumped and nipped and it was a jovial group that came up the road.
Fiona and Tanith were outside sitting in the shade of Kellach’s home and watched the little group approach. The men were such a handsome sight that both sighed in unison.
Tanith laughed. “We act like the very young!”
“Why is that?” She knew what Tanith meant, but was not willing to admit it.
“A handsome man walks by and we see nothing but him.”
“Two handsome men!” Fiona laughed. “And both with a full set of teeth.”
Choking with laughter, Tanith managed to say. “You put overmuch weight on the inside of a mouth.”
“Well, where I come from, it’s a pretty important beauty feature. I have never seen so many bad or missing teeth than I ha
ve since I’ve been here.”
Tanith immediately sobered. “Tell me about your home. Where do you come from?”
Fiona mulled over Tanith’s request. “It will be hard to explain to you, but I’ll try. My home is in a land far, far away.” Sounds like the beginning of Star Wars. “We couldn’t travel over land to get there. We would have to cross a great sea.”
Tanith’s eyes rounded. “I have heard there is a great sea to the east of the land of the yellows. Is this the sea?”
“Yes, that’s the one. Anyway, it’s a huge land and lots of people live there. We don’t ride horses very much. We use other means of travel.”
“What other means is there?”
“Well, you will think I am crazy, but we actually fly through the air.”
Tanith snorted, amused. “Do you think I am so foolish that I would believe such a thing? Only birds fly.”
“I knew you would find it hard to believe, but things are very different there. People drive cars or ride in buses. No one walks unless they have to. Everything is very fast, not like here. I could not even begin to really make you understand.”
Tanith rested her chin on her hand. “I should like to see such a place.”
“I would, too, but unless some miracle happens, I think I’m stuck here. I have this idea if I could just get back to where I was found, perhaps I can find my way home.”
“There is nothing where you were found. I was there.”
“Tell me what happened.” Perhaps there would be a clue to follow.
“Kellach said he first found a place where you had been laying, blood spots were all over there, but nothing else. It was as if you dropped out of the sky. He found sign all that day and the next morning. Maybe you flew here!” Tanith exclaimed excitedly.
“No, I was not flying before I came here, at least I don’t think I was.”
“Anyway, Kellach thought it was perhaps a child, the prints were so small and he thought you were not very smart.”
“Why would he think that?”
“Your tracks were all over, never in a straight line, and no effort was made to cover your footprints. Anyone could have followed you.”
“Well, I had no reason to believe I needed to hide. In fact, I was doing everything I could to be found! Go on.”
“And then the next day, we spotted you in the distance and when we got to you, we thought you were an ugly old woman.” Tanith’s eyes twinkled. Fiona imagined the scene in her mind. She remembered bits and pieces, but a lot of her memories of that day were clouded.
“Did you see anything, any sort of building, or anything like that around.”
“No, nothing. As I said, it was if you had dropped from the sky. There was nothing and no one around but you.”
Fiona sighed heavily. Maybe if she could at least get to the spot they first found her, she might recognize something. It was her only hope. Nothing else sounded even remotely logical. She was going to drive herself crazy trying to figure this out.
Conan jumped up and licked her face. Their brief respite was over. It was time to start dinner. Kellach stood in front of her and regarded her thoughtfully. He seemed to do a lot of that lately. She had the feeling he wanted to say something, but never quite got around to it. Probably one of those guy things that she was never good at figuring out. He looked very handsome today. His hair was pulled back and held with a leather thong, and the blue tunic he was wearing was one of her favorites. A gold torque surrounded his neck and gold armbands were at his wrists. The bird of prey tattooed on his face still startled her at times, but given that tattoos were so commonplace, she was probably the only adult in this place without one. Even little Ceara sported a few lines on her chin. She wondered how she would look with just a small one. She brushed a hand through her hair. She probably looked a mess and he was noticing that.
“How fared you today?” he asked.
“We have been well.” Nervously she brushed at her clothing. “Busy as always.” He still stood there and did not appear in a big hurry to move away.
“Do you need something?”
“There are many things I require, but none that you would be willing to give.”
Fiona choked and her mouth dropped open. What kind of a response was that? Her eyes flew to his face. His eyes were smoldering with intensity and a slight smile wreathed his lips. He was waiting for a response, but she didn’t seem to have an intelligent one. Siran was openly laughing. Big help he was.
“If you were anyone other than my brother, I would think you were courting Fiona,” Tanith interjected.
This whole conversation had taken a turn for the worse. Fiona’s face flamed, but Kellach seemed undisturbed by Tanith’s nonsense.
“And if I were,” he said, “would that please you?” His eyes never wavered from her face.
“Since you aren’t and it won’t happen, I am not going to answer.” Fiona stood up. Time to make her escape before she made a fool of herself. They were banding against her and she couldn’t hold her own against all three of them. Striving for a measure of dignity, she turned to enter the house, certain that the conversation was over. She was startled to find Kellach had entered and was standing behind her.
“You didn’t answer me. Would you find my attention distasteful?”
She fidgeted with her hair, her thoughts in turmoil. What was she supposed to say? “I don’t know what you want me to say or do. I don’t know what you mean by ‘attention’.”
He reached out and cupped her face, and slowly leaned down until mere inches separated their mouths. She was rooted to the spot, unable to move. Time seemed to stand still. He nibbled softly at her lips, tempting her to open to him. “Yield to me,” he breathed as he wrapped her in his arms. Liquid heat raced through her as his lips settled firmly on her own.
All those lonely nights listening to him moving around in his sleep and wanting to go to him culminated in this moment. The need to be close to him blotted out all other thoughts and her arms moved to circle him and draw him even closer. She returned the kiss, her mouth opening to welcome him, their tongues dancing. Her mind reeled, never had she felt so alive and on fire. His kiss deepened and she was lost. A small moan escaped her lips and he pressed the attack. Sensations moved down, her breasts ached for his touch and dampness wet the insides of her thighs.
Reason deserted her and only her need for him remained. Hot hands lifted her skirt and moved sensuously up her thighs moving to rub deliciously at her core. On finger slid inside and kept the rhythm of his tongue, her tension increasing with every thrust. He captured a nipple with his mouth, the hard nub peaking as he suckled. Of their own volition, her hands moved to the bulge at the front of his trousers. She gasped at the size of him. He pressed into her hands and she frantically worked at his belt, eagerly anticipating the feel of his bare skin.
Like a splash of cold water, Cyrnon’s voice brought her back to reality.
“Kellach, a great storm is gathering and Elochad sent me to fetch you. The herds need to be penned or we will lose them,” he gasped as he burst through the door.
Dodging for cover, Fiona hastily straightened her clothing, embarrassment flooding her face. Cursing softly, Kellach turned to confront Cyrnon, covering her movements with his body.
“How many herdsmen are in attendance,” he questioned in a ragged voice.
“Besides Elochad, there are four others,” Cyrnon replied.
“Hurry back and tell Elochad I will be there shortly.”
Cyrnan darted out as fast as he came in, his footsteps pounding in the distance.
Kellach turned back to her, his eyes reflecting his regret. “We never seem to finish what we start,” he said carefully. “I would not leave if it were not so important.” He leaned over and kissed her soundly. “I will return late. Will you be here?”
Her face flaming, Fiona was rendered speechless and could only nod. Amazingly, Kellach seemed pleased by her assent, and added another kiss before hurrying out. She hear
d his voice calling Siran and, by the time she reached the door, they were gone. Oh Lord. What have I done? She knew that he meant more than just being here when he returned. He certainly wouldn’t be expecting just dinner.
Tanith wandered in, flashing a knowing smile at Fiona’s disarray. “I tried to stop Cyrnon, but he is faster than I.”
“It’s probably best that he did interrupt.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean things could have gotten out of hand and I have no use for a relationship right now. I won’t be here that long.”
Disappointment shadowed Tanith’s face. “Kellach would be a good husband for you and I would welcome you as a sister. He is wealthy and generous with his gifts. You could do no better.”
“I know that more than you realize,” she admitted. “But it’s unfair to let him think otherwise. I have to leave here, and it would be harder on him if I allowed things to go farther than they already have. Do you understand?”
“I understand that Kellach cares for you whether or not you return his feelings, and he will be deeply hurt by your leaving.”
“Please don’t say that,” she pleaded. “I have to leave, this isn’t where I belong, and I have family at home and they need me.”
“I know this to be true.” Tanith’s mouth turned down. “But what if you can never return home? You would need a home here and Kellach would offer—I know he would! He has never shown real interest in anyone before and now that he has, I can only hope that you return his feelings.”
Sadness engulfed Fiona. It was a difficult situation at best. Part of her very much wanted to join with Kellach, but the other part yearned for her family and her real life. She had to at least try to get home. How could she forgive herself and accept if she didn’t at least try?
“I think you put too much hope on what Kellach feels for me.”
“Siran said Kellach has spoken to him about you, but he won’t say exactly what.”
“I suspect it’s because he knows you would run straight to me with the tale,” Fiona smiled. “Your schemes do not go unnoticed.”