by Patty Taylor
Icy fear gripped Keara’s chest. She glanced quickly at her new friends and faithful pet. Unfortunately, they’d now become the newest victims of Gabrielle’s zealous wrath. She straightened, stepping in front of them and facing the witch. Her fingernails cut into her palms from clenching her hands so tightly.
“Go ahead, Gabrielle. Get it over with. I’m the one you want, not them.” Keara straightened and placed her hands on her hips. “Oh, that’s right, the amulet. You can’t touch me as long as I’m wearing it. Here, I’ll even help you.”
Keara clutched the cord holding her grandmother’s necklace and yanked it from around her neck. Figuring on Gabrielle believing it was the golden amulet, she tossed it to the ground next to Darby. She watched his fingers grasp the locket and place it inside the dragon-skin pouch.
Gabrielle smirked, and raised her bow, aiming the arrow directly at her. Keara froze. She inhaled a deep breath, waiting to feel the sharp piercing pain of the golden tip in her chest. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Colin rushing in front of her.
“Colin! No!” she screamed.
Colin tumbled in front of her. His head hit her feet. The arrow shaft and feathers were sticking out of the center of his back.
Samson scampered to Colin’s side and cried. Keara hovered over Colin’s body like a protective lioness shielding her cub. Hot tears ran down the sides of her face. She glanced up, meeting Gabrielle’s beady eyes and snickering stare. “Griselda was right. You’re nothing but pure evil. It’s too late for you. I hope you rot in that dungeon for eternity.”
“She will, if I have anything to do with it. Are ye lookin’ for this?”
Duncan’s voice made her jump. Startled, she turned her head and saw him dangling the amulet wrapped around his fingers.
A stunning tall woman with long reddish blonde braids hanging down to her waist, stood next to Duncan. She gripped a warrior’s lance in her right hand with a bow draped over her shoulder. At first glance, the stranger reminded her of one of the fearless amazon women she’d watched on television.
“Duncan, watch out.” Keara yelled out a warning as Gabrielle aimed another arrow at her. Duncan darted in front of the hissing arrow, missing its intended mark, as it landed in his chest. Keara hardly recognized her own screams as they reverberated in her ears.
Keara glanced up in time to see the strange woman toss the bow and fancy quiver toward her. She caught it in her hands and grabbed an arrow. Quickly mounting in on the string and guide, she pulled it back and aimed. Gabrielle being her first human target. Terrified, her fingers began shaking. Thoughts of harming another person raced through her mind. Especially when the other person resembled Beth. By the Goddess, please help me make the right choice.
Darby bellowed out a warning and pointed to the sky. The sun was starting to set, twilight casting it’s spell, as it molded a shadow over Duncan. Gabrielle’s malicious laughter echoed overhead, sending chills through Keara’s spine. Her heart seared with pain watching his transformation, feeling everything he did from the unique connection they shared.
“You both lost. It’s Samhain Eve. The night I’ve been waiting for. Prepare yourself, little witch. Finally, it’s your time to die. And time to make Duncan mine, once and for all.” Gabrielle threw her head back and laughed.
Duncan’s beast stood wavering between her and Gabrielle. She lowered the arrow, watching his gaze drop, finding Colin sprawled on the ground. Her chest tightened, feeling his pain. He reared his head back and roared.
A piercing screech sounded overhead. Another arrow zoomed, whistling toward Keara. Duncan’s beast reached out and grabbed the shaft in midair. Gabrielle dropped her bow to the ground and clutched her robe, draping it over the top of her head.
Darby screamed, “Her cloak! Ye must get it away from her and destroy it.”
The strange woman ran toward Gabrielle, clutched the long, flowing wrap with her fingers, and threw it on the ground. Taken off guard, Gabrielle hurled herself at the stranger, but missed, and fell to her knees. The young woman stabbed the center of the cape with her spear and started walking it back to Darby.
The beast staggered, making his way to Gabrielle, the arrow still in his grasp. Keara spied blood dripping from between the beast’s talons. His hooves stopped inches away from the sorceress. He glanced down at her face and raised the arrow above his head. Within seconds, he plunged the golden sharp tip intended for Keara into the middle of Gabrielle’s chest.
The sorceress screamed, her shrill cries filled with pain. Keara stared in disbelief, watching the beast fall to his knees, his body crumbling to the ground in front of the witch.
Keara darted toward them both and stopped in her tracks. Gabrielle’s pale face began turning a slate-gray color and her skin was covered with wrinkles and boils. The evil inside of her surfaced, leaving her ugly and old. Gabrielle opened her eyes and stared over at Duncan, placing her shaking hand on his face. She smiled, and opened her mouth to speak. Her harsh, cruel tone was gone and replaced with a soft, barely audible whisper. “Thank you, Duncan. Griselda can rest in peace now. I hope you can forgive me.”
Keara glanced over her shoulder, spotting the stranger light the enchanted cloak on fire right before tending to Darby’s wounds. The night sky ignited with fireworks directly over Duncan and Gabrielle. Fiery fingers of flame gripped the frosty night air. The glowing sparks sizzled and hissed when they touched the cold ground.
Keara knelt, catching the faint sound of Gabrielle’s last breath escape her withered, cracked lips. Hot tears streamed down Keara’s cheeks as she rolled the beast on his back and peered down at his face. His eyes flickered, his breathing slowed, and he gasped for air. He was dying.
“Don’t you dare leave me, Duncan McCord.” Her fingers ran across his lips and down the sides of his face. She leaned over and kissed him. His hairy fingers gripped her wrist, wrapping around her hand.
He leaned his head on her lap and closed his eyes right before he stopped breathing.
“No! You can’t die!” Keara screamed. Her eyes filled with tears, she could hardly see his face. A horrendous sense of loss ravished her soul. Grief ripped through her chest like a knife plunged in the center of her heart. She hammered her hands on his chest and yelled at him. “You can’t leave me, Duncan. I love you more than life itself. I was certain there wasn’t a caring and compassionate man alive in this world, and then I met you. You must stay with me. You may try to act tough, but beneath that grumpy exterior lies a courageous, sensitive, and passionate romantic that wouldn’t think twice about sacrificing himself in a heartbeat to save another’s life. You have to hear me! You’re part of my soul now, Duncan McCloud. I beg you, please don’t die. I swear, I will never love another man as much as I love you.”
With the help of the stranger, Darby hobbled alongside her, dragging his leg while the woman carried an unconscious Colin in her arms as they made their way to her and Duncan. Keara began wiping her eyes with the back of her hand and straightened. She proceeded to help Darby sit down.
“Oriana is my given name.” The impressive, stunning young woman standing in front of Keara nodded her head and extended her hand. From the appearance of her clothes and the strange markings on her arm, she reminded Keara of an Amazon warrior princess from one of her sketches.
She removed a long, narrow bracelet from her wrist, exposing the identical symbol Keara assumed was only a birthmark after all these years. “You bear a strong resemblance to your grandmother. Brighid left her rightful place with our clan to bequeath her powers to her granddaughter. You were chosen and fortunate to have inherited her unique gift.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand why my grandmother’s gifts have anything to do with what’s happening right now.” Keara motioned to her companions’ battered bodies lying on the ground. “If these powers are so extraordinary, why can’
t I do something to help my friends?”
“Ye need to listen to Oriana, Keara. She’s here to help,” Darby scolded lightly as he reached up and gripped her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “If ye want to help save Colin and Duncan, ye must try to heed her every word.”
“Ye have the power within to heal. There’s no power greater than yer love and trustin’ in yerself that ye can help save another. It all comes from right here.” Oriana placed her hand over her own heart. “Ye must have the faith and believe, if these men are to survive.”
Keara glanced at the beast, to Colin and back to Darby. She stooped down in front of the whimsical man and held out her hand. “I think it’s time I took my gift now.”
Chapter 26
Keara wrapped her hands around the dragon-skin pouch, and a rippling sensation pulsed in her palm. She spotted the dagger in a sheath wrapped around Oriana’s lower leg and asked if she could borrow it.
Stepping back from the others, she glanced at the moon and raised her arms high in the air. Trusting her gut instinct, she chanted her plea.
“Blessings to those who come to my aid, and my gifts grant me favor on this hallowed Samhain Eve. May the gift from the dragon breathe life in the flames, and the hairs from the unicorns bring purity and fresh rains.”
Keara knelt, using the sharp tip of the dagger blade to make a hole in the ground big enough to cover the roots of a willow seedling.
“May the roots from this plant be fertile and replenish the earth, and the pearl from the depth of the ocean breathe eternal life in the seas.”
Keara covered the small bark and rose to her feet, holding the dragon pouch close to her chest.
“Like my mothers before me and my true destiny’s calling, merge our faith and paths together, never to part. I ask the Goddess to show favor, grant me the strength, and release the magical seed of knowledge implanted deep within my heart. So mote it be.”
Darby wiped a few tears with his sleeves and sniffled. “Aye, Keara. ‘Twas a beautiful ritual to witness, indeed.”
Keara knelt beside the beast’s still body and laid her hand over his heart. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Images of her mother and Beth flooded her mind. Griselda’s wrinkled, gentle face popped in her mind. A slight movement came from her mother’s necklace, clutched tightly inside her hand, and made her open her fingers. Like the first time Griselda handed it to her, the golden locket sprung open and exposed the miniature yellow rosebud layered on a tiny bed of dried baby’s breath.
It had always been one of her mother’s favorite flowers. As a symbol of her parents’ everlasting love, every week her father brought home a single yellow rose nestled inside a sprig of fresh baby’s breath. Keara would squeal with delight when her father handed her and Beth a baby rosebud to keep for themselves. Her beloved mother made a miniature clay rose with bits of the petals. That would be the last rosebud gift from her father before he passed away.
She carefully removed the delicate, petite flowers and laid them on Duncan’s chest, her hand pressing down over top of them. Her eyes brimmed with tears, she leaned up and kissed his cheek and laid her head on his chest.
Keara’s heart raced against her chest. The beast’s torso moved beneath her head. She felt the bond they shared once again. She jerked and sat up, staring at his face. His face muscles contracted, and his vast ram horns began to shrink. The hair on the sides of his face, arms, and legs slowly withered and disappeared. Duncan’s features became normal again. He gasped, sucking in a huge breath of air. His gaze met hers and locked. Her heart pounded in her chest, matching the rhythm of his—their—connection more powerful than ever.
Keara didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She screamed with joy and threw her arms around his neck.
Duncan’s arms wrapped around her and clutched her tightly to his chest. He showered her face with kisses and covered her mouth with his.
“The lad’s breathin’ is gettin’ worse. Can’t ye do something to help him?”
Darby’s voice broke her concentration. The shock of witnessing Duncan’s return to the living in human form made her momentarily forget about the others.
Duncan slipped his hand over hers as they both raced to Colin’s side. The teen’s breathing became worse and ragged. The color drained from his face.
“Please, ye must save him. Ye can do that CPR like ye did before.” His face drawn, he gazed at her with despair.
Keara shook her head and frowned. “I’m sorry, Duncan. I’m afraid that won’t work this time. Colin needs a surgeon and a hospital.” Keara rubbed her hand across Colin’s forehead.
“A surgeon? A hospital? Please, Keara, where can I find these things?” Duncan rose, ready to go in search for items he didn’t even know existed.
“‘Tis one other way.” Oriana’s voice broke the silence. “If the lad is to live, ye must make a decision.”
“Please, help him. Anythin’. I’ll give me own life to save the lad.” A glimmer of hope crossed Duncan’s face.
“’Tis not yer life that I’m after, Duncan. Nor yer choice. The decision must be made by Keara alone,” Oriana replied to all, her concentration focused entirely on Keara.
Darby’s battered face clouded with uneasiness as he glanced over at Keara, his eyes questioning hers.
Stunned, Keara’s body stiffened. A solid lump was stuck in her throat.
“Keara’s birthright automatically entitles her recognition as a sister of the Ban-Gaisgedaig clan. ‘Tis her decision alone to come back with me and resume her grandmother’s rightful position.” Oriana removed one of the golden armbands from her wrist and handed it to Keara.
Keara raked her fingers through her hair and stared at the impressive bracelet. “But I can’t. I still need to go back and bring Beth here, where she rightfully belongs.”
“Do ye mean Elizabeth? The twin sister of Gabrielle prophesied to be a healer?”
“Yes, I was only little when my parents adopted Beth into our family. I was told our families somehow went way back together and never questioned the relation. Griselda told me it’s my destiny to bring her back here.” Keara shook her head, staring down at Colin. Even the pale color was starting to drain from his face. She spotted the arrow still stuck in his back.
“Wait. What about a trade? As Darby tells me, isn’t this supposed to be the time when you return to seek young volunteers to help train as skilled warriors? Colin’s already excellent with the bow and will make a fine hunter and marksman. I’ve even overheard Duncan remark how he knew Colin was going to win at the upcoming games.” Keara’s confidence spiraled, waiting for Oriana’s response.
“‘Tis true. I’ve watched the lad practice. His aim is precise. He has a verra good chance to win at the trials.” Duncan nodded in agreement and stared down at his nephew.
Oriana glanced down at the boy and rubbed her chin with her hand. She glanced back at Keara and grinned. “I will respect yer wishes and take young Colin with me. In exchange for his life, he must stay with me for the next seven years. After that time, he will have the choice to return if he so pleases.”
Keara peered at Duncan, anxiously awaiting his reaction. He nodded and kneeled by his nephew. “His mother will thank you for his life, as do I. Will I get to say goodbye and bid him well before ye leave with him?”
“Aye.” Oriana knelt, placing one hand on her forehead and the other on Colin’s chest. Within minutes, Colin’s eyes fluttered open and he started to cough.
Keara spied a symbol of a dragon on the back of Oriana’s arm.
“Are ye all right, lad?” Duncan fell to his knees beside the boy.
“Aye, Uncle. I’m fine.” Colin glanced over at Keara and smiled.
Darby clutched the side of his pants leg and hobbled over to Colin’s side. Samson scampered ahead, jumping on Colin’s chest
. Darby gripped the boy’s shoulder. “Ye had us all scared, lad. Ye should never have put yerself at risk to save me. I canna be killed verra easily. Remember, I’m not only a brownie but part Fae. But I thank ye, lad, and I’m proud of what ye did for Keara.”
“Yer mother will be proud.” Duncan leaned over and helped Colin to his feet and wrapped his arms around him. “As am I.”
“Are ye all right, Miss Keara?” Colin reached out and Keara grabbed his hand.
“I’m fine. Thank you.” She swallowed, tears streaming down her face. “You’ve grown into a fine young man right in front of my eyes. I don’t know what I would have done without you, Colin.”
Colin’s attention diverted to Oriana. Duncan asked for a few moments alone with the boy before introducing them. She spied Duncan handing Colin one of her parchments before turning around. Both Highlanders smiled as they strolled back toward a patiently waiting Oriana.
“Take him and train him well. He will make a fine apprentice and a great warrior.” Duncan smacked his hand on Colin’s back and gripped his shoulder one last time as he straightened and watched Colin head off with Oriana.
Duncan stood next to Keara and clasped her hand. “’Twas a fine thing ye just did for the lad. Ye were quick to think of an answer the way ye did.”
Keara struggled to hold back the tears watching Colin walk away, while trying to settle a restless Samson, squirming in her arms. Glancing down, she noticed her beloved pet’s eyes following the tall teenager. She hugged the impatient feline and kissed his head before kneeling and placing him on the ground. “Go on, boy. I know you’ve grown fond of Colin as much as I have, if not more. You make sure you come back in seven years, okay?”
