“What is this place?” Sam asked, her grip tightening on my hand.
“This is the sea between worlds,” Cal answered. “Ye cannot travel among realms without sailing or swimming.”
“We sailed the river to Atlantis,” I recalled.
“Ye’d be on a boat for a very long time, should ye try to reach Atlantis from here.” Cal chuckled. “The Otherworld is a strange place. It is formed much like our own, with cities and lands, separated by great bodies of water. Some are further away, while others, like the Dark Isles, Tír na nÓg, and Avalon, are grouped close together.”
“So, it’s an alternate dimension, is what you’re saying.” Thoughtful, Sam pushed hard on Randall as he stopped in front of her.
The villain growled, opening his mouth to reply, but Cal held hushed him.
“There.” Cal Gestured to the swirling mist growing in front of us and I squinted, attempting to find what he was pointing out.
Then, as if by magic, a ship appeared, her hull old and worn. The sails were tied and anchor weighed, not a soul in sight to sail her.
“Is that . . .” Sam paused, staring at the boat with her head cocked to the side. “The Adelina?”
“Well spotted, lass.” Callaghan grinned at her, impressed. “I wondered if any of ye’d recognize it. She appeared to me not long ago, aiding me in my escape from the Dark Isles. We have been together ever since.”
“She’s not scorched,” I remarked in surprise. “When I saw her last, she was ablaze and going to her home at the bottom of the sea, courtesy of this rat, here.” I motioned toward Randall, who smirked.
“My pleasure,” he replied bitterly. He regarded the vessel with trepidation, reluctance evident in his posture.
“What’s the matter?” Samantha ribbed him. “Afraid to go on the ship you destroyed?”
“More like disgusted to have a reminder of my servitude to your husband,” he replied coldly. “The Adelina should’ve been mine, not his.”
“Ye appear to be alone in yer thinking,” I replied, smugly.
A strange sound went off behind us—a distant hunting horn. It sent chills down my spine and I glanced at Cal for an explanation.
“Children of Darkness,” he muttered, casting a nervous glance in the direction the sound came from. “They’ll close in soon, if we aren’t careful. We’d best get on the ship before they arrive.” Motioning for me to go ahead, he continued to scan the horizon carefully in the dim light.
Sloshing across the water, I walked toward the very first vessel I’d captained, excited in spite of myself. This was where Samantha and I fell in love, where I’d learned to earn the loyalty of my crew, and the home that had served me for several years. It was strange, seeing her here, but the sight warmed me anyway.
Despite the shallowness of the water, the Adelina stayed afloat, an unknown magic allowing me to walk right to her. Jacob’s ladder hung down her side, waiting for me to climb aboard. Grasping the rope, I hauled myself up, climbing onto the main deck.
Sam emerged after me, happiness exuding from her. “It’s exactly the same,” she noted.
“Wonderful.” Randall struggled over the side next, his lack of a hand giving him a harder time.
“We should bind him again,” Sam remarked, glancing at me.
“What am I going to do?” he demanded. “Fling myself overboard? Get lost here? Become the plaything of these ‘Children of Darkness’ we keep talking about? I don’t think so.”
“Leave him,” I coaxed her, shrugging. “He’s right. There isn’t anything he can do, except wait and see what will happen.”
Cal appeared at last, bringing in the ladder behind him. Then, moving to the lantern on board, he took the light and spread its warmth to additional torches and lamps, creating a glow that eased the shivering mist. “The Children of Darkness hate the light,” he stated simply. “It is the only way to keep them at bay for any amount of time.”
Climbing the stairs to the helm, he undid a on tie on the bannister, every sail releasing at once and a wind I didn’t feel pulling us forward. We surged ahead with such strength I almost fell, catching Sam as she tumbled toward the ground.
“Ye want to find the Red Javelin?” Cal called down to me, his expression fierce as he directed the ship across the mysterious waters.
“Aye!” I shouted, in awe as we traveled faster than I ever had. It was like sailing through glass, not a single wave or bump causing us to rock.
“Then we must locate the Lady of the Lake,” Cal responded, glancing at me. “And I will tell ye what happened when the demon took me. We must get there before our foes, though, or we will have to fight them without any aid.”
He hesitated, biting his lower lip and then went on. “I apologize, Tristan. The Red Javelin should have been returned to Avalon, where it would be protected. I failed to rescue it from the Children.”
Surprised, I released Sam and climbed the steps to stand beside him, reveling in our first private conversation since his reappearance. “Ye’d the chance to take it?”
He nodded, glowering as he answered. “I did. The instant I could have achieved its obtaining, though, I chose to flee the Dark Isles as a whole. I wasn’t aware we’d have to return.”
Cal frowned, weariness overcoming him. “I was stuck in the Dark Isles for four hundred and fifty years.” He spoke so quietly, I was forced to lean in to hear what he was sharing. “Centuries spent battling the Children of Darkness, fighting for my very soul. This isn’t just the land of never-ending youth, Tristan. It’s Hell. So many times, I wished for death, to be free of the suffering and pain they caused me. But, I was taken. Sequestered here to be disciplined. Unless the gods give me permission to die, I must live. Forever.”
He shook his head, his spirits falling even further. “I was being chastised for attempting to use the Red Javelin for my own desires.” He regarded me seriously, a touch of fear on his features. “That weapon is not meant to be used outside the land of the gods, Tristan. The punishment for activating it away the Otherworld is a soul—my soul, in this case. I have paid the price for Thomas’s plans every day for almost half a millennium.”
He sucked in a shaky breath, his glare giving away just how angry he was with Randall. His gaze burned whenever he caught sight of the traitor. For the first time since I’d conceived my plan to murder my enemy, I considered another soul might be more deserving and suited to do it.
“He knew,” Cal whispered. “He knew one of us would be taken. That’s why he insisted ye be part of it. I am sure of it. The memory of what happened has plagued me.” He paused, staring at me. “Thomas didn’t intend to aid King James. He wanted the spear for himself, for another plan of his. I only lack the knowledge of what that plan was.”
I wasn’t aware if Callaghan had any proof of his findings, but I believed him. Randall was the type of person who’d sacrifice anything for his own means. I’d seen him do it. Hearing Cal accuse him so made me want to run the bastard through right then.
“He can’t be killed now,” I whispered, watching the villain as he stood at the bow of the ship. “Not without the spear.”
“I know.” Cal grimaced, regarding the sky. “That is why we must go to the Lady of the Lake and beg her to release Retaliator to us.”
“Excalibur?” Surprised, I considered the implications of such a request. “What power does the blade have over our enemies?”
He smiled, the expression fatigued, but determined. “It is filled with pure light. The Children of Darkness won’t stand a chance of overcoming us.” Hopeful, he met my gaze. “We will destroy my enemies, and then we will destroy yours. Together.”
He broke, moisture in his eyes. “Then we will sail to Avalon, free her from the Black Knights, and the gods will grant me the freedom to return home.”
My heart skipped a beat, hope filling me in an instant.
“We can be together, like we were,” he continued. “I will accept the consequences of my actions and explain myself to t
he Masters. With any luck, life will return to what it should have been.”
His expression softened and he paused, as if debating what to say next. “Grandfather—is he terribly angry with me? I can only imagine what everyone must have thought when I disappeared.”
Dread filled me. Of course he didn’t know Grandfather had passed. He’d been battling demons in the Otherworld.
Grabbing his shoulder, I looked at him, sadly. “Grandfather has been with the angels for many years.”
“Oh.” His shoulders slumped, sadness taking him. “And Gran?”
“She lives.”
“She is cared for?” he asked, desperate for information.
“Remarried and happily living on the African coast.” Smiling, I squeezed his shoulder. “All is well with her.”
“Good.” He cleared his throat, nodding, and squared his shoulders. “Will ye help me return to her, Tristan?”
Grinning, hope grew within me. “Take me to the Lady of the Lake and I will bring ye home.”
The island slowly appeared out of the mist, a small and circular mass, but Cal assured me the first sight was very deceiving.
“A man could be lost on that island for eternity, if he’s not careful,” he stated, gaze narrowing as he beheld the slip of land from the helm.
“Wonderful,” Randall replied, leaning in the entryway of the captain’s quarters, flicking dirt from under his fingernails toward the starboard side of the ship.
“Shut up,” Samantha ordered for the millionth time. “We don’t need your commentary on every single little thing.” Muttering to me, she shook her head, annoyed. “We should have at least kept the ether from Mark. Whenever he opens his damn mouth, I want to shoot him in the face.”
“Do it,” Randall dared her. “You won’t get your peace otherwise.”
“Have ye been to this place?” I asked Cal, speaking over the two of them.
He bobbed his head. “Once. I was here for a year before I mapped my way to the coast.”
The statement didn’t give me any piece of mind.
Reaching into his shirt, he procured a worn piece of rolled leather, passing it to me. “I’ve focused on creating this since I escaped the Dark Isles. It’s everything I know about this place.”
I released the tie, rolling the map open and examining at it with an appreciative gaze. “This is well done, Cal,” I remarked, impressed. “And a gift in our current situation. I thank ye for yer forward thinking.”
We slowed, the island within walking distance, and came to a halt. Torches burned brightly on the deck, the only true light in the dim settings. I hadn’t heard the horn sound since we set off and was hopeful we’d put enough distance between ourselves and the monsters hunting Cal.
“The lake is in the center,” Cal continued. “The Lady will know when ye arrive.”
Confused, I glanced at him. “Ye’re not coming?”
Exhaling, he motioned in denial. “Allow me to offer ye another piece of forward thinking.” Glaring at Randall, he frowned, clearly annoyed. “I’ll stay here with him and make sure ye aren’t set upon by anything from the Dark Isles while ye’re here. Ye can focus on what needs to be done.”
“I agree.” Sam cut me off before I could reply. “Cal knows our enemies. He should stay here, to watch for them. Taking him along is a risk and will only slow your progress.”
“Which is why I also suggest ye leave yer wife here with me, too.” Cal grinned wolfishly, amused when Samantha loudly protested the idea.
“Where Tristan goes, so do I,” she insisted.
“Does yer unborn child follow that same mantra?” Cal asked her. “This is a dangerous place, lass. I don’t doubt ye have the ability to go with yer husband, but I do doubt it’s a safe place for a woman with child.”
Her hands went to her stomach, uncertainty sparkling in her stare. Cal had touched upon—possibly unknowingly—the one thing Sam always worried about. If the safety and health of our child was at stake, she’d not budge on the matter, insisting the bairn come first, always.
Nodding, she sighed. “Fine. I’ll stay.” Peering toward me, a glimpse of worry flashed in her eyes. “Be safe,” she whispered. “And hurry back. I’ll be very upset if you’re gone for a year.”
Chuckling, I pulled her toward me and kissed her forehead. “I will go as quickly as possible,” I promised her. “Ye won’t even know I left.”
“I’m sure we will.”
Randall’s voice grated my nerves and I shot him an annoyed glance.
“Go. I can handle the wee shite.” Cal grinned, his normal demeanor returning. It warmed my heart to see him relaxing with us, hopeful he’d soon be able to return home.
He’d put much faith in me.
Acknowledging his authority, I exchanged grasps with him and kissed Sam farewell. Then, tucking the map into my waistband, I made my way to the main deck and threw Jacob’s ladder over the edge. Giving my family one last glance, I raised a hand in farewell and then departed.
As soon as my feet touched the water, I saw the fairies on the shore of the island. They stared at me with red and golden eyes, hiding in the bushes and the branches of the tall pine trees. Wading toward them, I felt a sense of trepidation, wondering if I’d have to battle anything while I was here. The weight of the blade in my boot was comforting, but I didn’t believe it’d be enough to conquer an entire island of hostiles.
Surprisingly, when I reached the shore, the creatures faded from view, leaving me to my business. The sudden lack of fairies made me nervous, though, and I glanced around, expecting an attack. A quiet scene was laid out before me, however, the area abandoned.
The sandy beach led into the dark forest, my ship barely visible in the mist offshore. A starry sky twinkled overhead, the silence almost maddening. It was as if cotton were pressed into my ears, dampening all sound.
Pulling the map from my pants, I studied it, searching for the path Cal had marked on it. With my trail decided, I banished all hesitation and strode into the forest, doing my best to appear confident and unbothered by my surroundings.
Paying close attention to my guide, I moved as quickly as I dared, ignoring any creatures who arrived to stare at me for a beat. The forest closed in, the path disappearing in several places. If not for the map, I’d have had no idea where I was. At times, I wondered if the writings were correct, the directions seeming to lead in to nothing. As long as I pressed forward, though, the way always revealed itself eventually.
The air cooled as I traveled deeper into the island, my breath leaving me in misty puffs. Skin prickling, I rubbed my arms, trying to regain some of the warmth I’d had. To my amazement, as I continued on, carefully picking my way through the tick underbrush, snow began to fall. The huge, white flakes stuck to my hair and clothes, sending shivers through me.
Journeying farther, I soon found myself slogging across several feet of the stuff, my breeches soaked and boots slipping every few steps. I began to believe I’d freeze to death before I arrived at my destination, my teeth chattering and hands trembling as I religiously kept to the path on the map.
Then, instantly, there was water. My feet splashed into it, the snow melting off my pants as the warm liquid rushed to my knees. Surprised, I surveyed the area, realizing the snow had been replaced by a lake. The trees grew out of it, towering above me, their thick trunks bearing signs of having thrived in the water for a goodly amount of time.
Fairy eyes watched me from every side and I froze, unsure of what to do. However, the water felt nice, and I took a second to shake away the snow from my tresses, sighing in relief.
Studying Cal’s map, I saw the lake was huge, spreading across the center of the island. He’d guessed it was several miles wide, many markings I didn’t understand made across the area.
Rolling the leather, I stowed it in my waistband. There was no sign of the Lady of the Lake, or a sword in a stone, as the legends claimed.
Shrugging to myself, I waded into the water, looking f
or anything that would point me in the correct direction. My trek through the woods had tired me, however, and my eyes grew heavier the longer I pressed forward.
My legs gave out from under me and I splashed into the water, shocked. I was so exhausted, I couldn’t hold myself up, my arms quivering as I attempted to rise.
The fairies observed me from all around, unmoving and silent as I struggled to right myself. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get my feet under me. Blackness closed in on all sides, and I slipped under the water, fading into nothing.
Samantha laughed, her hair blowing in the wind as she plucked our daughter from the ground, anchoring her on her hip, her pregnant belly sticking out so far I thought she’d surely deliver the baby within the next couple days.
“Hello,” I cooed to the child, leaning in and tickling her nose.
The baby giggled, reaching for me, making nonsense noises, and I stole her from her mother, spinning with her on the grassy hill. Ocean waves crashed on the rocks below, the salty scent of the air filling me. Behind us, our home rested, nestled at the foot of the hill. Curtains billowed in the windows, chickens strutting by the front door. Sam’s garden was overflowing with herbs and flowers, offsetting the cluttered pile of fishing equipment I’d stacked along the side of the house.
The warm rays of the sun caressed my skin and I grinned, kissing the little girl’s forehead.
“Dada,” she twitted sweetly, wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me tightly.
“Did ye hear that?” I asked Sam, elated. “She said Dada!”
“She did,” Sam agreed, walking over and caressing the back of the girl’s head. “She adores you.”
Taking the baby, she grinned, the picture of pure contentment. “And you have your dada at your beck and call, don’t you?”
Chuckling, I stared at the both of them, filled with such joy I couldn’t even think of words to describe it.
“What?” Sam asked, noticing my look.
“Nothing,” I replied, shaking my head. “It’s just . . . I have everything I could ever want.”
Stolen Away : A Time Travel Romance (The Swept Away Saga Book 4) Page 24
