“Don’t get up, lass,” Thane said when Beth moved to do so.
“I can’t imagine what I can do, but if there’s anything, will you please let me know?” Beth asked. “Officer Smith has my information.”
Sydney nodded and led Thane out of the room. She didn’t speak much as she read over and signed the charges against Zach, and she didn’t speak much as Thane took her home. By the time they walked into the apartment, she was emotionally shattered. “I’m going to lie down for a little bit.”
“Hey.” Thane pulled her against him. “You okay?”
She nodded. “I just need to process.”
“Okay, baby. You process. I’ll check on you in a little bit.”
“’K.” She pulled away and headed to their bedroom, stretching out on the bed and quickly falling asleep.
* * *
Thane checked in with Sydney every few minutes. He felt her lose her battle with sleep, so he knew he could relax for a little while at least. He decided to make a call.
“Sir?”
“Wallace, I need you to do some background on Mei Wu and her daughter Beth.”
“No problem.”
“As soon as possible, aye?”
“Aye, sir.”
“Thank you.” Thane hung up and set his phone on the counter. He felt Sydney’s fear and heard her scream a few seconds later, but he was already in their bedroom.
She was sitting up, breathing heavily until she caught sight of him and then she calmed. “Sorry.”
He slid onto the bed beside her and pulled her onto his chest. “Don’t apologize, love. It’s been a tough day.”
“You can say that again.” She kissed his chest. “I liked Beth.”
“I did too.”
“I did not like her mother.”
Thane chuckled. “You’re entitled to feel that way, love. She was the woman who stole your dad.”
“I don’t know if I can believe she didn’t know.”
“Well, I can’t imagine you can know. Only she and your dad really know what happened.”
“Do you think I’m a bitch for not liking her?”
He lifted her chin. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to like her. You met with her. You treated her with respect. No one can expect any more than that from you.”
“My mom would,” she whispered.
“I don’t know that she would, love.”
“I just don’t want her to be disappointed in me. I don’t know where my allegiance is supposed to lie.”
Thane gave her a gentle squeeze. “Your allegiance lies with you and me now, love, and I’ve got you. I was so proud of you today. You were calm and sweet, and you didn’t jump to any conclusions. You let Beth have her say, which was gracious of you.”
“She doesn’t look well, honey.”
“I know.”
“I think we need to help her.”
He smiled. “I know that too.”
“You already called Wallace.”
“I already called Wallace.”
“Man, I love you.”
He laughed. “Love you too, baby.”
“Can we go home now?”
“Aye, love, we can go home. How long do you need to plan a ceremony?”
“A week.”
He lifted her chin again. “Are you serious?”
“Yep. We’ll get Elspie on it and it’ll be done in two days.”
“You’re probably right about that.”
Sydney giggled. “One week.”
“Aye, lass, one week.”
He kissed her gently. “I’m starving. How about you?”
She sat up and straddled his hips. “Yes, but not for food.”
“Let’s feed you then.”
“Good plan.” She leaned down and kissed him, and Thane fed her until she was stuffed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
SYDNEY STOOD IN front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom she shared with Thane and studied herself in the brand-new wedding gown he’d insisted on buying her. He had a small obsession with dressing her in lace she’d discovered, and this gown didn’t disappoint. The entire bodice was lace, embellished with tiny pearls and beading, and the cap sleeves were removable. A draped skirt flared out the back into a sweep train that could be pinned up to avoid tripping.
“You look amazing,” Lucy said as she joined Sydney at the mirror.
“So do you.”
Any bruises Lucy had left on her body were covered by her bridesmaid dress, and the ones on her face were light enough now to hide with makeup, so she looked like herself again.
“I have something for you from Thane.” Lucy handed her a velvet box.
What did you do?
Nothing less than you did, sweetheart. Thank you for the flask.
Sydney grinned. Thought you might need one to calm your nerves.
Cheeky.
She opened the box to find the most exquisite necklace. A simple, but elegant white gold chain with a teardrop diamond that matched her earrings perfectly. Honey, it’s beautiful. Thank you.
I love you, sweetheart. I’ll see you in a few minutes.
I love you too.
“Ohmigod, Sid, it’s gorgeous.”
“Help me put it on, will you?”
Lucy grinned and helped her with the clasp while Sydney held her hair up. The stylist had suggested she sweep it into a side bun on the left side of her neck and, rather than a veil, she wore a lace flower embellished just like her dress. It was the perfect accessory to a perfect gown.
Elspie and Lucy were Sydney’s attendants and Elspie joined them with a gift from her parents. “This was Mum’s mum’s mum’s,” Elspie said with a giggle and handed her a beautifully carved wooden box. “Us girls all got something from Mummy on our wedding day, and this is yours. I haven’t seen it, so will you please open it right now?”
Sydney laughed. “You’re so impatient.”
“Aye, love, I am. Now open it.”
She did, and the three of them put their heads together and let out a collective, “Ahh.”
Inside sat an intricate silver bracelet that appeared to have been handmade.
“Och, lassie,” Elspie said, excitedly. “It’s Great-granny’s bracelet. Her mate, um, husband hand-forged it before they sailed from Iceland. He gave it to her after their first son was born.”
Sydney gasped. “It’s stunning.”
“Aye, ’tis. And it’s almost a thousand years old.”
“I thought you said it was your great-granny’s,” Lucy said.
“Give or take a few greats,” Elspie improvised.
“Oh, wow,” Lucy said. “You’ve saved things that old?”
“Aye.” Elspie smiled as Sydney slipped it on her wrist. “It sits nicely next to the one Thane gave you, eh?”
Sydney blinked back tears. “It’s perfect.”
“No crying, cuz,” Lucy ordered even as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “None. Stop right now.”
The ladies laughed and then Clara poked her head in. “How’s my favorite niece?”
“I’m great, Auntie.”
“Your man’s ready for you, love.”
Sydney nodded and followed her family downstairs and to the doors that opened onto their back garden. Her uncle waited by the door, and despite his tension with Aunt Clara (they were working it out), he was the man who loved her like a father. She couldn’t have imagined anyone else walking her down the aisle.
He kissed her cheek and smiled. “You look beautiful, love.”
“Thanks, Uncle Cary.”
“Ready?”
She nodded, took her flowers from her aunt, and looped her hand through his arm. Niall led Aunt Clara to her seat and then it was time.
Sydney kept her eyes on Thane as she walked down the aisle and forced herself not to cry even though he was. They might already be technically married, but the day was still just as special and as they said their vows again, she sent up a silent prayer of thanks.
&
nbsp; Thane had brought light into the darkest part of her life, and she couldn’t have been more grateful. She was safe in the peace that their life together would be more than she could ever hope for.
“You may now kiss your bride.”
Sydney grinned and raised her head as Thane stroked her cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Their kiss sealed their vows and his love healed her pain. Life was finally perfect.
EPILOGUE
Three years later...
SYDNEY CRADLED HER one-year-old son, Ryder, to her chest as he tried to fight sleep. “You’re just like your Mama, huh?”
She rocked him as she walked down the hall to the nursery and settled him in his crib. He tried to fuss, but she laid her hand on his chest and smiled. “No, baby. It’s time for you to sleep. Sleep now, little man.”
Sydney had perfected Thane’s ability to “suggest,” and she giggled quietly as Ryder’s hands fell to the side and his eyes closed.
I’ve created a monster.
Oh my word, honey, this is the best power ever.
Not the telekinesis?
Sydney slid the blanket over her son using said power and bit her lip. Okay, maybe it’s the telekinesis.
Thane’s chuckle sounded in her mind. I’m almost home. You best have my supper on the table, wench.
She sneaked out of Ryder’s room and pulled the door closed. You’re hilarious, mister movie star.
She arrived downstairs just as Thane walked through the front door, pulling her into his arms and lifting her off her feet before she’d even stepped off the last stair.
“Och, love, I’ve missed you.”
Sydney giggled, sliding her fingers through his hair. “It’s been two hours.”
“Aye, lass. Two long hours.”
He lowered her to her feet and laid his hand on her belly. “How’s our wee girl?”
“Right now she’s doing cartwheels because she knows her daddy’s close.”
“Are you tired?” He frowned. “You should rest, love. I wish you’d let me hire someone to help.”
“Thane,” she admonished. “I’m two months away from delivery. I’m fine. Beth arrives in six weeks and with Elspie and your mom here every day, I’m flush with help.”
Samantha had informed Sydney that because she shared a blood bond with Beth, she’d have the ability to heal her now that she was Cauld Ane. Sydney had met with Beth once more before she left for the States and Beth had let her know a few weeks later that the cancer had disappeared. It had been a medical mystery as far as the doctors were concerned.
Beth and Sydney had forged a tentative bond at first, one that had gradually grown into a sweet friendship that the sisters found to be greatly satisfying. They didn’t talk about their moms or the sadness they had both suffered because of their father.
Zach had been sentenced to life without parole for the murder, plus twenty years for the kidnapping of Lucy. He’d been extradited to the United States, which meant his mother could visit. No one could rejoice in it, but it was at least some form of closure.
The man who’d killed Sydney’s mother had never woken up from his coma, dying a few weeks after Zach’s trial. Another sad end to a sad situation.
Thane wrapped his arm around Sydney’s waist. “Well, come and put yer feet up now and I’ll make supper.”
“And fill me in on the council meeting?”
He smiled. “Aye, love. I’ll fill you in on the council meeting.”
Sydney folded herself onto the large suede sectional in the great room and watched Thane move around their kitchen as though he was born in it. “Why aren’t you a celebrity chef?”
He laughed, setting steaks on the counter. “We’re supposed to be lowering our profile, love, not starting new careers that will add to the fame.”
“Oh, right. Stupid immortality, it screws everything up.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he countered. “I quite like the fact I’m going to see you every morning for the next several hundred years.”
“Or thousand.”
“Aye, lass. That would be better.” He pulled open the fridge and brought a bottled water to Sydney. “Hydrate, please.”
“Aye, bossy,” she retorted.
He leaned down and kissed her gently. “More and more practice as the years go on, baby, remember that.”
She grinned. “You never let me forget it.”
“Well, that’s true.” He headed back to the kitchen and started his masterpiece.
“So, what was the final decision?” she prompted as she checked to make sure the baby monitor was on, setting it back on the table next to the sofa.
“We’re all going underground for a bit. Everyone in Fallen Crown was ready to anyway, now that Ollie’s found his mate, so we’re all settled. I don’t think we’re going to make a big deal about it to the media. My people have told the press I’m focused on my family right now, but if I want to do another movie in the future I can. It’s not unprecedented that someone who’s in their “fifties” can’t still be an action hero.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Well, provided you age like Jason Statham, not John Travolta.”
Thane laughed. “Sure, we’ll go with that.”
“What will we tell my family? Lucy’s going to notice if I don’t age.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, eh?”
“Okay,” Sydney said. “So what are we going to do with ourselves?”
“We’re going to raise our children, run our charities, travel. Anything we want to.”
She sighed. “It all sounds too good to be true.”
“Does it?”
“Yep. Little bit.”
“Don’t fret, my wee worrier, our children will keep us plenty busy, especially considering you’re going to give me six more.”
She choked on her water. “You want me to have eight?”
“Over time, lass. Not all at once.”
“Oh, that makes me feel so much better. Thanks, honey.”
He grinned, walking out onto the patio and throwing the steaks on the grill. Leaving the door open, he walked back in and set the plate in the sink.
“So if the Cauld Ane are officially going underground a bit, what does that mean for us in general?”
Thane settled himself on the sofa next to her. “Not a whole lot, to be honest. We’ll still have our parties and our celebrations; we’ll just do it away from the public eye. Samantha’s thrilled, let me tell you.”
“I bet.” Sydney giggled. “What about you? Will you miss the lights of the marquee with your name big enough for everyone to see?”
“I’ve never cared much about that, baby.”
She smiled just as the timer sounded and Thane stood and headed back out to the patio to flip the steaks. “Are you worried about the decision?” he asked, sitting beside her again.
“Not unless it’s going to rob you of your joy not to do movies for a while.”
He squeezed her knee. “You’re my joy, love. Ryder’s my joy. And when she comes, Gertrude will be my joy.”
Sydney choked on her water again. “Stop doing that to me,” she demanded. “We’re not naming her Gertrude.”
“Well, we need to come up with something if you’re not going to name her after your mother.”
“Linda, honey. We can’t name her Linda. It’s an old person’s name.”
“I happen to know several people named Linda who aren’t old,” he countered.
“Well, maybe old’s not the right word. But it was my mother’s name, and it just doesn’t fit with us, you know?” Sydney sighed. “I’m fine with it being a middle name, but I want something awesome for our daughter. Something as cool as Ryder.”
“All right, lass. We’ve got time.”
“Yep.” She smiled. “We have two months.”
“Aye, love, two months.” He rose to his feet again. “Salad?”
“Yes, but can I make it?”
&nbs
p; “You don’t like my salad?”
She slid off the sofa. “Thane, your idea of a salad is lettuce and croutons.”
“That’s a salad.”
“That’s a lazy person’s salad,” she corrected.
He grinned. “I’ll give you that.”
“I know you will, because you love avocado and everything else I put in there just as much, you just don’t want to cut it up.”
“No, I’m better with meat.”
She shivered, biting her lip. “Oh, yeah, baby, you are so much better with meat.”
He kissed her quickly and gently smacked her bottom. “I’ll show you what I can really do with meat later.”
“Can’t wait.”
Sydney giggled as she made a non-lazy person’s salad and Thane tended to the grill. She watched him doing something so incredibly manly and, dare she say, American, and she felt her mother smiling down on her. Thane was right. Her mother would be happy for her. Sydney had been blessed with a life far more wonderful than she deserved and she once again found herself sending up another prayer. Carrying the plates onto the patio, she kissed her mate and they sat down to enjoy a perfectly wonderful evening while their perfectly wonderful baby slept upstairs.
Life really was perfect.
About Tracey
I was born and raised in New Zealand. With an American father, Scottish grandmother, and Kiwi mother, it’s no doubt I have a unique personality.
After pursuing my American roots and disappearing into my time travel series, The Civil War Brides, I thought I’d explore the Scottish side of my family. I have loved delving into the Cauld Ane’s and all their abilities… I hope you do too.
I’ve been happily married and gooey in love with my husband for more than twenty years. We live in the Pacific Northwest with our two sons.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Bound by Light
For other titles in the Cauld Ane Series,
or to learn about The Civil War Brides Series, please visit:
www.traceyjanejackson.com
Find me on Facebook, too!
http://www.facebook.com/traceyjanejackson
If you’d like to read the book Thane and Charlotte’s movie was based on, The Bride Price, it’s free for download pretty much everywhere, head to my website for links!
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