by Candace Sams
"Tearach, there's a fifty percent chance that I'm not..."
"You are pregnant, Kathy. The Sorceress has never been wrong about such a thing. But even the Sorceress of the Ancients doesn't have the power to save a life when there's no apparent cause for the death."
"All right, let's say, just for the sake of argument, she can predict such things and that I'm pregnant. Why would she seem so sure about the safety of your child?"
"I don't know. Perhaps it's because that's what she wants to believe. But my child doesn't have any better chance than the others, and they all died. In this case, I believe only science can give us the answers we need. It has something to do with Exmoor. The Sorceress and her people should be concentrating on looking for the source of the medical or environmental problem."
Kathy listened to his contradictory words in amazement. On the one hand, he accepted there was enough magic to predict a pregnancy, but not enough to predict a healthy birth. Kathy was completely confused, but his logic in looking for another source of the problem was inescapable. Mixing her blood and his wouldn't ensure a healthy baby. She turned and mounted the staircase.
"Where are you going?"
"To my room. I'm tired and I've had enough commotion for one day."
He mounted the stairs two at a time until he caught up with her. “That might be best. Come along."
Kathy followed, expecting to be led to her room. He took her arm and urged her straight toward his. She balked, staring at him as if he were insane. “What do you think you're doing?"
"From now on, you'll stay in my room where I can keep an eye on you.” When she gasped in surprise and tried to back away, he took her arm and gently pushed her through the door. “I'll sleep on the floor if it makes you feel any better. But my bed is bigger than yours. You'll be more comfortable there, especially when the baby begins to grow."
"You're too bloody much! If you think I'm staying in here with you, then..."
"Enough!” Tearach slammed his fist into a small table. It crumbled beneath the blow. “Between you and the Sorceress, I've had all I can take. After last night, we both need uninterrupted rest. Now, sleep there...” He pointed toward the massive bed. “...or, by Herne, I'll pick you up and tie you in the damned bed. It makes no difference to me."
She raised her hands in a mock gesture of defeat. “Fine, have it your way. For now. But, if you think this is going to go on, you'd better stock up on furniture.” She pointed to the shattered wood on the floor.
Tearach angrily pulled a blanket from a chest, threw it on the floor, and then proceeded to undress. Kathy turned her back, sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off her tall, doeskin boots. That was the extent to which she'd undress. She fell back against the pillows, pulled half the forest green spread over her and faced the other side of the room.
She now understood what it meant when people said there was a deafening silence. Over an hour later, she laid rigidly still, waiting for some sign Tearach was resting. When she couldn't stand it any longer, she carefully slipped from beneath the covers and reached for her boots.
"Planning on a walk?” Tearach asked, without changing his position.
"I have to go to the washroom, if you don't mind."
"You don't need your boots for that, Kathy."
"Fine! The floor is cold. I'll just get pneumonia or something. I'm sure you don't care."
His only response was to pull the blanket further up around his granitelike shoulders. He was facing away from her when Kathy saw the vase. It, like everything else in the huge room, was heavy and large. A man's room to be sure, the place was beautifully decorated with geodes, crystal collections and pottery. Rugs were scattered about the floor and warmed the otherwise cold, oak space. There was a wall-sized fireplace at one end of the room surrounded by a marble mantle and frame. It was really lovely. And she hated that she was going to have to break what looked like a hand-cast, pottery vase. But break it she would. Right over Tearach's head.
She padded toward the doorway, making enough noise to appear as if she couldn't care less what he thought or if she disturbed him. Any furtive or suspicious movements would immediately alert him. She picked up the vase, and before she could change her mind, threw it. It flew toward the back of Tearach's skull.
The moment it left her hand, Kathy felt so much guilt that she almost cried out. But as Tearach had told her, he was three times stronger than a human. It would take three times the force to overcome him. The vase struck him, and she watched him attempt to push himself up. Then he landed against the floor with a resounding thud. His arms were stretched out, away from his sides and there was no other movement.
"Don't let him be dead. Please!” Kathy uttered as she rushed toward him. She quickly knelt and checked his pulse and the rising lump on the back of his head. He'd live. But she didn't want to be here when he woke up. There would never be another chance to get away.
She grabbed her boots, pulled them on and glanced at Tearach's still form once more. She'd have never gotten away with this if it wasn't for his arrogant belief that he was better and more agile than a human. That was a weakness she'd counted upon.
"I'm sorry,” she whispered, “but the games are over. You people can play house without me."
She quickly made her way downstairs, took a deep breath and plotted how she'd get out of the forest. Any direction would do. The only way she'd pull off this next part was to act as if she belonged exactly where she was.
Kathy walked outside and stretched as if she were getting up from a morning sleep. She ambled slowly through the garden, knowing she was being watched. The sun was well up and it would make her flight all the more difficult. That couldn't be helped. She stopped and pretended to study some of the flowers and herbs while moving ever closer to the trees. Tearach wouldn't stay unconscious forever. She had to make a run for it. Speed had always been an asset while running. She had outdistanced men in every firefighter competition and during training. Kathy had always loved to run. Now it wasn't a hobby or a way to keep fit. It was a way to freedom and away from this crazy fantasy world. She waited until talk high up in the trees told her that whoever kept watch had begun a conversation and were off their guard. She bolted like the very hounds of hell were after her. There wasn't a time in her entire life she'd ever moved faster.
Chapter Seven
Tearach felt as if the pounding in his skull would never stop. It seemed to be coming from everywhere and was gradually accompanied by voices. He sat up and tried to keep the room from spinning.
"There you are, we've been looking ... By the stars, man, what's happened?” Lore pushed the bedroom door wide open and rushed in to help his friend.
"Some demon hit me,” Tearach groused as he tried to stand. He was only able to do so with the Fairy Leader's help.
"Would that demon have a name?"
"She certainly would! The little..."
"Uncle Tearach!” Cairna charged into the room and helped Lore lead Tearach to the bed. “What's happened? Where's Kathy?"
"I believe Kathy is what happened,” Lore explained. “She's bludgeoned your uncle and run."
Cairna shook her head until her long hair swirled. “No, that's not possible. Kathy promised me she wouldn't leave."
"Darling, when are you going to realize that she's an outsider and a promise means nothing to them,” Tearach said as he rubbed the back of his throbbing head.
"But she knew the Sorceress would punish you."
Tearach could forgive Kathy for hurting him, even admire her ingenuity. She was, after all, a captive. If he were in the same situation, it would be his duty to try to escape. Hurting Cairna with a lie, however, was unforgivable.
"Quit fussing about, you two. I'll be all right. Where is the Sorceress? Kathy's made a run for it and Shayla should be told."
"She knows, Tearach. Shayla and I were in the woods when we saw her running. Men have been sent to fetch her back, but the Sorceress is angry over how Kathy was able to get past y
ou and out the door. Of course, no one had any idea you'd been knocked unconscious,” Lore explained.
"Kathy wouldn't do this. She just wouldn't,” Cairna softly denied as she gently probed her uncle's injury until she found the fist-size lump on his head.
"Stop defending her, girl,” Tearach reprimanded. “This might have been you."
"I thought, she ... that she ... w-would never do such a thing,” Cairna burst into tears and hugged Tearach.
"There, there, darling. It's all right.” Tearach hugged her and swore Kathy would cry next. “Why don't you go fix me some of that herb tea? You know, the stuff for headaches."
Cairna sniffed, swallowed hard and nodded. She left the room just as the Sorceress barged in.
"Damned, my room is seeing a lot of traffic today,” Tearach muttered more to himself than anyone else. He saw Lore smile, but there was nothing funny about this situation. When Kathy was retrieved, he intended to have the first fifteen minutes alone with her. Anything the Sorceress would plan would pale in comparison to what an angry Goblin could do.
"What have we here,” Shayla walked forward and inspected his injury. “Ahhhhh, so that's how she did it. She just pummeled you when your back was turned. Really, Tearach! That's incredibly clumsy of you, though I was ready to throttle you myself for letting Kathy run off.” She turned to Lore. “Leave us. I'll have a word alone with Tearach.
After the other man left, Tearach voiced his anger. “Where have you got her? Just let me have her before you do anything."
"Kathy isn't here."
Tearach looked up, forgetting about nursing his injury for a moment. “What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that she's probably on her way to London by now."
"What?” He stood up so abruptly that his head began to spin again. Shayla pushed him back to the bed and then sat beside him.
"I'm saying she got away and she'll be left alone for now."
Tearach stared at the older woman, dumbstruck. “She could bring the entire outside world down on us."
"Yes, she could, but she won't. In fact, we won't have to lift a finger. Once she accepts that she's pregnant, she'll be back on her own."
"What makes you think that? She may run even farther, and it's my child she's carrying."
"The child is yours and Kathy's. And she will come back. I forbid you to go after her or to send any of your people to get her. Is that clear?"
"You can't expect ... after what she's done ... I can't just sit here and let her get away with it."
"Come, man. The injury is painful, but you'll recover. You've had much worse."
"It isn't what she's done to me. It's what she's done to Cairna. My niece trusted her and Kathy took advantage of that trust."
"Cairna's young. I'll speak with her. But I want your word on this, Tearach. You're to leave Kathy alone. My people are already keeping track of her every move. If we need her back before she discovers her pregnancy, I'll have her retrieved. Do you understand?"
"This is a dangerous game you're playing, Shayla. She could destroy us all."
"That's my wish ... my command. And I will have it obeyed. Do you understand?"
"Fine! But I'd like to be kept informed of everything she does.” I've a score to settle with that she-cat, he added silently.
It occurred to him that this was the first time Kathy had shown one of those outbursts he'd so wanted to see. The lesson he'd learned was to never turn his back on her again.
* * * *
Kathy couldn't believe her luck. It was almost too convenient. Having exited the forest with a band of guards on her heels, she was able to flag down a passing farmer and hitch a ride into London. The man had conversed with her very little and hadn't commented on her medieval style, leather clothing. He hadn't even asked about her sudden appearance on an abandoned farm road. The more she thought about it, the more opportune it all seemed. Had Shayla been behind it? If so, why not bring her back?
She went straight to her apartment and found everything just as she'd left it. No one seemed to have even noticed her absence. But she didn't stay long. Shayla knew where she lived and would send someone after her.
Grabbing what clothing and belongings she needed, she made a resolution to keep moving. The Sorceress was bound to consider her a threat and would never leave her alone.
Days later, Kathy was in her fifth hotel room when a wall calendar reminded her to count back. She was definitely late. She purchased a pregnancy test and waited nervously for the results. When she finally looked down at the test stick in her hand, a lump formed in her throat. It was positive. There was no need to guess about the accuracy. Something in her heart told her the truth even if she wanted to deny the evidence.
She stood up and looked out the window. The scenery consisted of an alley where cats fought over stray garbage scraps. It was a lonely, forlorn sight. Here she was, in a seedy hotel with a pregnancy test kit. There wasn't a single person she could go to. No one to tell who'd believe her or help. More than likely, repeating her story would only get her locked away. And what would happen to the baby then?
"Oh, my God! A baby,” she whispered. Kathy sat and stared at a wall resplendent with tacky, rust-red paint. Tears formed in her eyes and she began to sob. She finally decided it was time to stop wallowing in self-pity and think rationally. An abortion would solve the problem. She wouldn't have to answer any questions. But could she live with that? If she decided to have the baby, what would it look like? Her or Tearach? There would be no way to explain a small, green infant. There was no birth defect or condition that could possibly cause such a thing.
Keep it or not. Those were her only choices. Abort the baby and run. Keep it and she'd have to return to that forest. A half-human, half-Goblin baby wouldn't have a chance in her world. If Tearach was to be believed, the baby wouldn't survive anyway. At least, in his forest, the baby would know some measure of peace, however long it lived.
She lay upon the hotel bed and thought for hours. That evening it occurred to her that she hadn't been afraid in that magic forest. There she'd resolved herself to the possibility of having and loving a child, no matter what color it might be. Why, then, was it so difficult here? Was it because of the utter loneliness she felt? Was there something about that enchanted woods that took away fear and let a person think clearly? Was she so changed by that environment that any place else seemed frightening? Or was it not so much a place as the person involved?
Tearach. He'd promised to be there no matter what. Why? Why would he give a damn when he thought the baby wouldn't survive? And where was the control she so desperately depended upon? Thoughts filled her mind, crowded and pushed. Kathy got up off the bed, looked into the cracked mirror that occupied one wall and shook her head.
"You idiot!” she said to her reflection. “This baby is going to have a chance. How could you even remotely consider giving up? That might be all right for someone else. Not for you."
Her hand protectively covered her abdomen. Once the decision was made, her fears fled. To have even considered any other course of action made her ashamed of herself. She was no coward. The baby she carried was an innocent life, a life she wanted to bring into the world. But not just any world. Her child needed a clean, quiet place of magic and beauty, not some back alley hotel room, or somewhere in some city that could breed fear and loneliness. That kind of place had taken away all the people she'd ever loved. It wasn't going to have her baby as well.
* * * *
Tearach stalked toward the edge of the forest. Since being told Kathy had returned, all he could think about was finding the witch and avenging his niece. Cairna had cried herself to sleep almost every night during the weeks Kathy had been gone. The younger girl had actually convinced herself that Kathy would stay, would be a part of their family. Her gentle little heart had been wounded by Kathy's betrayal.
Before Exmoor, his race had been the gentlest creatures on the planet. They loved life and all living things. Their world was one
of peace and quiet grace. Angered, however, they were incomparable warriors. Only beings of peace knew the necessity of ending a conflict decisively to avoid further discord and violence. He intended to end this conflict with Kathy for good, though she had now provoked him to warrior behavior. He tried to hold onto the last of his patience and vowed to make her understand. Whatever it took, his baby needed the chance to eventually die without having any more conflict and turmoil in her unborn life. But his temper was almost out of control. He had Cairna to think of, too, and the hurt Kathy had inflicted on her was unforgivable. For that, Kathy would answer.
He entered the last clearing before reaching the forest's edge. Shayla, Lore and several others stood there. In their midst was a tall, wraithlike beauty with long blond hair. It surprised him that not only had Kathy reappeared, but that she was wearing the traditional leather clothing in which she'd escaped. It didn't matter how she'd come back or why. She was forever his enemy. Seeing Tearach's grim expression, Shayla stepped forward before he could reach Kathy. But Kathy put her hand on Shayla's arm and stepped around her.
"This is between us. Please, leave us alone,” Kathy pleaded.
It might not be safe, Kathleen,” Shayla warned. “He's quite angry with you."
"He won't hurt me."
Tearach stopped just beneath a huge oak. He glared at Kathy “She's right. This is between us."
"Tearach Bruce, you have the ability to start a new future or throw it away. Keep that in mind when you speak. Don't let your anger destroy something that could be very precious.” With that, Shayla motioned those around her to follow and they all left.
Tearach kept his eyes on Kathy and ignored the Sorceress. He waited until his keen senses told him the others were far away. To her credit, Kathy's gaze never fell. She didn't show any fear, but neither did she show remorse. She stepped boldly toward him.
"Will you give me a chance to explain?"
"I can't wait to hear it,” he drawled sarcastically.
Kathy took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy. “I left because I was afraid."
