Nice gruesome thought.
"Ronat Castle," Murdo answered.
We're leaving? For good? "But--" What about the wedding? What about friends? What about
family? "But--"
Everybody stared at me as if waiting for me to complete the statement.
"She isn't ready to leave," Murdo said.
"Is anyone ever ready to face the river's cataracts?" Iona smiled. "Look at our Murdo." She pointed toward him. "He wasn't ready to come here. But the Stones of Destiny dumped him at your door, Katie. This is your future. You chance to make a mark on history for whatever reason, you've been chosen to ride the rings. Take hold of your husband's arm, and meet your destiny."
Huh?
Uncle John nodded.
Can everything Iona said be true? Is anything true? Heck, how many people could time travel? Alter history. Alter everything. And what is here for me anyway? And if Cousin John's body is found in the morning, Murdo will be in trouble. I turned to Murdo's straight-lipped smile. "Okay. If the authorities are after us, we're going. But I'm starting to feel like Dorothy, and that this isn't Kansas anymore."
"Who knows how many times you'll set foot on Kansas before you meet your maker?" Uncle John asked.
With tornadoes. I'd rather be with Murdo somewhere else. "I guess somebody's got to take care of you." But what of Auntie Iona and Uncle John?
The smiling couple cuddled on the couch.
I'm going with Murdo to find a place to cuddle. Yes. I am.
"Oh what a grand adventure!" Iona lilted. "If I were younger, I'd make John take me along with you just so I could see marvelous things." She stood and grabbed me into a strong auntie hug. "Such marvels await you, lass."
My heart sank.
What would life be like without an Auntie Iona? "But, I'll miss you."
"Och!" Iona pushed me out at arms' length. "I'll not hear another word of such silliness. You're off to honeymoon. And maybe a child waits in your future." Her dancing eyebrows made Murdo straighten his spine.
Wife. Child. Time traveler. Mystery. Well, what am I complaining about? I have my very own family now.
****
Banging on Duke Ronat's massive wooden door for the third time seemed futile. But I'm a Time Guardian. Three knocks should be lucky. Especially since my fist stings from pounding on the dark hatch. Pain and lucky numbers should work wonders.
Night still cloaked the surrounding scene. Would anyone answer the door. Surely, everyone snored peacefully in their bedchambers. But the Seal has to answer. I pounded upon the hard wood again.
"What if no one answers?" Katie squeezed my elbow.
I'd stand here for days. Beating at the door. To get answers. The man had answers. "Someone will come to the door. 'Tis too coincidental that Black Liam, the duke, and you have fallen onto my journey's path. Bloody threes!"
The last vestige of the hum of Big John's car died in the distance.
Gone. Left to finish our journey. If Ronat could mend the sword. Katie would probably mourn the loss of her aunt and uncle. But I had to learn what became of my students and why the Gods left me here. Is Katie destined for more than retrieval from history? Especially when time travelers are left marooned in time.
"What of threes?" Katie suddenly asked. "I can't think of anything that would mean."
A bit of metal squeaked.
The door swung inward.
A man wearing a white nightshirt wrapped in a length of tartan held a candle in the dark hall. His aged wrinkled face broke the wee dome of amber light created by the candle's steady flame. "It's late," he rasped.
Blessed Gods, let there be Truth in there are no coincidences. "Is the duke here?"
"Tucked away in his chamber. Snug as a mouse." The old man smacked his lips. "Why do you inquire?"
"May we wait for him?" Katie asked. "Speak to him when he rises?"
"Lady Innis?" The man leaned a long nose toward Katie, pushing the candle out to scrutinize her features with the soft glow of light. "Why are you rapping at my door in the middle of the night?"
"Hello, Mr. Brown," Katie lilted. "We need to speak to Duke Ronat."
"Come in. Come in." Mr. Brown stepped backward, allowing our passage. "I've always lodging for those seeking shelter."
We crossed the castle's threshold.
Katie proved as helpful as a Druid. "We are grateful for this kindness, Mr. Brown." No telling how soon the authorities would wonder where young John Innis had disappeared to. The sword needed to be repaired so we could escape this time.
Mr. Brown guided us through the bowels of dark castle to a bedchamber.
The lush velvets and brocades draping the windows and bed in the shadowy guest chamber were an interesting distraction at the end of our awkward journey. But I'd almost come full circle on this mission. Almost made it back to through time to complete my mission. Mission? Rather, whatever this jaunt turned out to be.
Katie stepped close to the crouching housekeeper who retracted his burning candle from the chamber's hearth. Flames sputtered up from the kindling piled beneath two logs.
"Thank you, Mr. Brown." Amber light gilded the smile she offered the servant.
Mr. Brown rose in his tartan wrap. "Breakfast will be ready when you join the duke in his dining hall." He nodded. "Shall I send someone to wake you for breakfast?"
"Please," Katie nodded.
The man retreated and closed the door.
Sighing, Katie collapsed on the floor and unlaced her boots. "I'm exhausted."
Who wouldn't be after a round of one-sided parrying and a sleepless night? I unfastened the bent claymore from my waist.
Katie glanced over her shoulder at the crimson bed, then turned back to Murdo. "What a honeymoon?" She blatantly grinned, revealing her innermost thoughts.
Wantonly. A honeymoon she could have. I leaned my sword against the wall and swooped my laughing maiden into my arms, crossed the squeaking wooden planks, and tossed her curves onto the tall squawking bedstead.
The bed bounced a squeaky prelude to our imminent kiss as her limbs spread, searching for a handhold on the argumentative bed.
Oh. Aye. Splayed for night games.
All my blood raced to my groin where reality swelled with delightful agony.
Because I'd steady her. With naught more than a bit of flesh fashioned to connect with her in mystic union. I canted over her lean curves, pressing into those soft mounding breasts, until her shoulder blades pushed into the bedclothes. "There's no escape, Katie McEwen." I closed in more to touch the tips of our noses together. "Tonight I'll love you long. Love you slowly."
She expelled a warm gusty breath.
Of obvious expectation. Shadow fingered her face into a mask of need. What thoughts whirled through her mind?
She clenched her brow. "Hurry."
Not that bloody magic word. By the Gods, she thwarted my plans time and time again.
We pulled at her blue jeans, yanked at her T-shirt, and uncloaked my chest to the dark room's cool air.
Need wouldn't win this time. I backed off the heat of her body and trailed a finger along her velvety cheek. "I'm going to do it right this time."
A sinister smile danced upon her lips.
Soft lips. Aye, warm hungry lips. But hunger won't beat me. I just need to start with a slow kiss.
"And when I'm finished with you, you're going to do it over and over again." She winked.
Gods' jest! Would she never relinquish control? I'd show her who is in charge. I pressed a thigh against her groin to lean over and plant a kiss on her sweet mouth.
She matched my move, hungrily rubbing that groin against my leg, her mouth sucking on my lips.
My manhood swelled to concrete stage.
Not good. She'd wriggled her hips purposely. So, she wants to play chess? I'd win. I trailed kisses along her cheek to the pulse in her sleek warm neck.
Her tight little body arched into mine.
Maybe or maybe not attempting to torment me.
She grabbed a fistful of my hair. "I will surely die," she groaned. "If you don't do something about how I ache for you."
The blinding Holy Light of Union flicked on with white intensity.
Shrouding her from view. And so goes the way of the Universe. Better to bend to the power of Destiny's river than fight the cataracts. I chuckled, marching my lips down to her pea of a nipple.
She gasped and groaned, throwing her head back. "Murdo."
The need in her voice is enough to keep me in Destiny's raft. I swallowed a chuckle and slid my fingers down to her moist slick heat.
Therein laid the true test of a man. A trap. Destiny's bait. A wickedly sinister treasure found deep inside a maiden's begging hips. My maiden's hips. Now to claim my reward for duty. I wrapped my hand around my aching shaft, slid the head along the seam of the doorway to her soul, and found the notch she gyrated at me.
"Murdo," she moaned, wiggled, and flinched.
There's nothing like a soul mate wanting you as much as you want her. Anam cara magic or not, there is no greater gift than the heart of a soul mate. I searched her half-shuttered eyes for Truth and thrust into the tight clenching channel of her wet heat.
The Holy Light of Union blinded everything from my view as her muscles squeezed around my aching rod, preventing blood flow to my brain. Snuffed my vision. But she fit me perfectly inside the Light as I stroked her spirit.
Slowly.
She arched her curves to dance with me, tossing her head left and right upon the crimson bedding. Those soft thighs wrapped tightly around my waist. The silken bedding bunched around us like a silken kiss from the universe. Everything faded away except the sounds of our breathing, moans of satisfaction, and the squeaking bedstead.
To spill my seed. To end the need.
Need. I needed…To. Pound. Home. Not until Katie climaxed. I gritted my teeth and thrust into the squeezing pressure of magma.
The intensity of the movement of her body increased with her groans that shifted into cries.
Bless the Gods for small favors. I plunged into her moist vise. Again. And again.
She screamed, clawing at my back.
The white light exploded with yellow flashing fireworks.
"Dear God!" she barked out.
More like Gods. My stiff shaft jolted.
Once. Twice. I couldn't move. Could only press up at arm's length while casting seed to merge our souls as one.
My whole essence throbbed with release.
Her grip on my shoulders slipped away.
Palms slowly sliding down my chest. Across my thrashing heart. Somehow imbuing me with a second wind until her fingertips trailed down my belly to slide around my waist. Holding me where she wanted me.
I needed to pump. Thrust along her slick fisting channel. Sawing. Shorter erratic strokes that seemed long and fulfilling. But one's body had a way of moving perfectly when melding souls. And this is so perfect I could lie down and sleep after working every muscle in my body. Sleep. Aye. With her in my arms at long last.
And then our bodies refused to move another inch. I somehow toppled onto her heaving breasts.
"I would have never dreamed sex was so amazing until I met you." She sighed and hooked her fingers into my ass. "Hurry up. Let's do that again."
****
Chewing the last bite of salty ham plucked from his empty plate, Murdo smiled across the wide banquet table at his soul mate while eating breakfast. We'd be gone soon, he thought. None too soon. Katie sat next to the duke at the head of the table. Like the lady of the castle seated next to her pompous spouse dressed in his green and purple plaid. And after the duke insisted Katie don a frivolous dark green silk medieval gown that glistened in the morning sunlight filtering across the room from a large bay window, the two matched too well. No reason for jealousy, though, after last night's round of honeymooning. Shaking the duke's hand before breakfast had lead to the Freemason's handshake. A blessed sign--from a man in tartan--was worth all the trouble that occurred to experience it. Aye. The end was near. The sword will be straightened soon. And Katie will be safe in the future.
"And have you had your fill, Mrs. McEwen?" The Seal waved at the servants from where he perched himself at the head of the table.
"Oh yes, thank you." Katie dabbed the tip of a white napkin at her lips. Stray sunlight wafted through the huge dark wooden-paneled room's tall windows to dance upon her long glistening sleeves.
She looked a fair sight in the gown. "Aye."
The single golden braid. The twinkling Druid-blue eyes. She'd fit in perfectly once we reached the thirty-first century. I'd buy her every historical costume she desired. And how the Universe knew the Gaels were notorious for their infatuation with cultural reconstruction and historical reenactment.
The Seal eyed Murdo. "Since you've brought your sword to breakfast, I'd say we've work to do." He pushed off the arms of his chair.
Did a hint of the duke knowing me future linger in the air? Perhaps fate visited The Seal by astral-projecting shamanic seers too. I shoved up and, Katie strode at my side, followed the kilted man down the hall and outside into a large patch of shade skirting Ronat Castle and on into warm sunlight.
The Seal's shiny black loafers clipped along the concrete path. He shot me a glance. "If the stones don't correct the problem, we'll sing up fey."
The same damned Stones of Destiny found in every stone circle? Aren't we going to pound out the kink in the sword first? "Stones?"
"Aye. They should tell Ring Masters to try bent swords in rings before attempting repairs."
Gods' jest. Damned the bloody fey and Duke. The Seal knew all along to try the sword. The War Fury Morganna could have said something. I focused on a high stone wall separating the towering wood beyond the boundary from the castle courtyard.
Katie squeezed my elbow.
My wife. Discovered on this jaunt through Time. I'd never have gotten to know Katie otherwise. One thing holds true: all things are interconnected. Just like The Seal was here to see me back to the thirty-first century.
"You're quiet, Murdo McEwen," The Seal boomed.
Wouldn't anyone be when forced to deal with Destiny? "A wise man knows when to bite his tongue."
"You are Learned, indeed."
Not entirely. There were many things left to learn. "And how do you fit into the fabric of history?"
"I was born into power." The Seal stepped around the pillar that ended the wall, casting a crooked smile at me. "Come now, Murdo McEwen. Let us see what Spirit has in store for you."
Interesting point. "You don't know?" Like I'd believe the crafty fellow. But I had to follow the man around the end of the wall like a sheep and its shepherd.
Craggy arthritic stone fingers jutted skyward from the green breast of Scotland in a ringlet of massive gray rocks.
Stony surfaces blotched with lichens. Alas, a stone circle on the Mother World. Salvation? Or a nemesis?
"I know more than I want to know." The Seal's loafers clopped against hard concrete, then whispered through the grass.
"Would you two stop yammering like you've got sinister secrets. Tell me what in the hell is going on?" Katie growled.
I'd chew the man a new asshole too but we needed Ronat to activate the ring.
The Seal spun. His feet took root squarely beneath him. He stared at us. "'Tis time for you to depart."
Good to hear.
"So much for an answer," Katie snapped.
Chapter 23
I grabbed my feisty maiden's small waist and drew her beneath my arm to try to stop her from snarling at the one person who could send us back to my time. Although she had every right to demand and explanation. "Then you knew about me and my plight? About Katie?" I tried not to sound accusing.
"You cannot return to your time." The duke's voice was stern, yet apologetic. "The world has changed then. You must go backward instead. There's a place for you among the ranks of my ancestors." He thrust his fingers through his dark hair,
scrutinizing the heather beneath his feet. "She has a place. But you can't go home, lad."
What?
My gut twisted.
What happened? What of the Keep? The Orders? What of my cadets? I stared into my maiden's Druid-blue eyes.
She's all I have now. My purpose. Would the duke share more information? "What has happened?"
"An off-world invasion. You cannot return. The stones were toppled."
Who would know to disrupt the wormhole through space by disturbing the singular stone circle on planet Scotia Major? And strand me in Time? How many others? "And what of my cadets? They were separated from me." I studied The Seal's piercing stare.
"It is written that all was done to ensure as many Ring Masters and Druids were placed in Time as possible. Before their loss of control in the future."
So that's why I'm here. Possibly marooned. To save as many Time Guardians as possible.
Katie's arms squeezed at Murdo's waist. "I'm sorry, Murdo."
Time to take care of Katie and find out what comes next. But I'd bonded with her outside of the traditional Order marriage ceremony. Albeit, she is no Druid. Do I dare risk her safety traveling through the stone circle with no guarantee of safety? Black Liam and Duke Ronat won't be sending us into the Time stream if we are at risk.
"What's wrong?" Katie asked.
"Macha owes me a favor," The Seal said.
The War Fury, Macha, and Ronat have a pact? What alliance did the man and the Goddess have?
The Seal's insistent stare didn't offer any answers. "Come on Ring Master. My grandfather's expecting you." The Seal spun, his kilt flaring. He waved toward the craggy stones.
The grip on my arm tugged. "Whatever happens in this circus act, I'm going with you," she said.
Good to hear. I'm not leaving her behind. "Let's go then." I ushered her through the circle's perimeter.
Electricity prickled the hairs on my neck with an eerie welcoming caress.
Imminent departure through the ring.
"Try your sword, lad," The Seal prodded beside the central menhir.
Wasting Time wasn't wise. I pulled the sword's hilt.
10 Timeless Heroes; A Time Travel Romance Boxed Set Page 106
