by Patty Taylor
“I canna find the bag with the herb books ye promised to show me,” Darby called, fumbling with the strange-looking bags piled on the ground. “Dinna be forgettin’ those certain packages ye made me fetch from upstairs for Keara.”
Beth beamed, strolling over to her belongings and picking up a large bag. She draped it over her arm before handing it to Keara. “Just in case, I had Evelyn make another dress similar to the one you had your eye on. I understand that first one got destroyed.”
Keara clutched the dress to her chest, entwining her arm inside Beth’s, and proceeded to stroll toward the fire, while Darby fumbled inside the bags piled on the ground.
Duncan couldn’t help overhearing Beth say something meant for Keara’s ears.
“By the Goddess, sis. You came pretty damn close sketching those warriors you showed me that night. And speaking of which . . . Here. I thought you might want these.” Beth handed Keara a bulky leather case. “There still might be hope for me yet, especially if Duncan has a brother that looks like that other handsome hunk.”
Keara squealed, opened the case and pulled out sheets of parchment with drawings of Highlanders on them. One of them reminded her of someone.
Keara nudged Beth in the rib and they both laughed.
Duncan strolled over to Darby, still rummaging through the bags, and picked him up by the back of his coat and set his feet on the ground.
“Ye’ve known all along, haven’t ye?” Duncan asked.
“Let’s just say I had some help.” Darby spied a book sticking out of one of the cases and grinned. His stubby hands gripped the cover and he tucked it inside his jacket. “Just dinna sit there, Duncan. Ye have four hungry mouths to feed now.”
After a long day and a tasty grouse dinner, Darby invited Beth for an early-morning stroll on the beach to gather seaweed from the night’s tide. Keara leaned back and settled in Duncan’s arms as they rested in front of the fire. She gazed at the orange sun starting to lower behind the edge of the ocean in the far distance.
Duncan pulled a sheepskin over her legs and tucked it at her sides. Content and happy, she smiled. Darby and Beth were quite absorbed discussing herbs in Beth’s new herbal encyclopedia. She was glad the two seemed to be enjoying each other’s company.
Keara clutched her mother’s locket in one hand. The dragon pouch was cradled safely in her other hand, with the golden amulet tucked safely inside. Her sketchpad and pencils propped on her knees, she sighed. Tomorrow she would make a drawing of Griselda to give to Beth.
“Darby, there’s still something I don’t understand.”
Her short friend rose and hobbled over, standing in front of her. “What is it, lass?”
“I understand the meaning of the double arrows crossing through the letter ‘W’ now. The ‘W’ stands for warrior women, and the arrows symbolize my family’s archery skills, but I still can’t decipher what the double initials ‘MM’ stand for. I never got the chance to ask Oriana before she left.” Keara ran her fingers across the raised, embossed letters before handing the amulet to Darby.
Darby turned his head and grinned at Beth while her sister made her way over and knelt down beside the little man. His gaze focused first on the amulet and then Duncan before he glimpsed back at Keara. “Aye, lass, ‘MM’ is what saved the lot of us. I think ‘tis best if Duncan explains the rest to ye.”
Duncan stood, winking at Darby, and offered his hand down to her, helping her to her feet. “I think ‘tis time we take a wee donner and stretch our legs.”
Hand in hand, they strolled down the beach, leaving their friends out of sight. Laugher echoed over the sounds of the waves lapping against the rocks.
Duncan stopped and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. She rested her head on his chest and they watched the sunset.
“For the first time, I dinna have to worry about nightfall.” Duncan pointed to the stars.
“I can’t imagine all those years wandering all alone at night. You must have hated the first sign of twilight.” Keara leaned back, comforted by his arms around her. “I’m glad you have your life back, Duncan.”
She hesitated before asking him the question she feared she may not like his answer to. “What are your plans now? Have you decided where you’re going from here?”
“I must return home, near Dunvegan Castle, and reclaim my rightful title.” He straightened, his arm muscles tensed.
“I imagine you left someone important behind.” She bit her lower lip, holding her breath.
“Aye, I dinna look forward to explainin’ to me sister what happened to Colin. She’ll be needin’ another man around to help her. I’m sure me cousin did his best to take care of me family’s clan while I was gone.”
She breathed a sigh of relief, reassured now there wasn’t another woman waiting for his return.
“And ye, lass? Are ye still a mind to go back to yer own time? I guess ye plan on teachin’ again and claimin’ yer house as yer own since Beth is here now.” The muscles in his neck tensed as he peered at the ocean.
“I guess that all depends.” She sighed and closed her eyes. Waiting for him to ask her what she so desperately wanted to hear. Her fingers stroked his hand. “More than ever, I want to be where I’m most needed and wanted.”
“Do ye think ye can ever by happy living here without yer fancy gadgets like yer phones and the metal-horse cabs? I could nev’r give ye those fancy things ye’re used to.”
“I know that if I did go back, I’d miss something more valuable than I could ever have living in the twenty-first century.” She turned and faced him.
“Do ye really mean that, Keara?”
“Duncan McCord. I swear, you’re making this hard for me on purpose, aren’t you?” She laced her fingers around the back of his neck. “I’m trying my hardest to be a patient woman and wait for you to pop the question.”
“Pop the question?” He grinned and lowered his mouth, kissing her on the lips before raising his head, his eyes locked with hers. The boyish grin she’d learned to love appeared. “I believe ‘tis one question I be needin’ to ask ye. I guess now would be the proper time.”
“You can ask me anything.” She smiled up at him.
“That wee chastity device ye were wearin’ when I found ye. Did it pain ye much?”
“Duncan McCord! I hope you realize you never cease to amaze me. I take it you mean my thong?” She laughed, rubbing her fingers over his lips. “I always did wonder what happened to it. That wasn’t a chastity device, it was my underwear.”
Duncan drew her closer. His demeanor grew serious as he gazed in her eyes. His touch set off fireworks in her veins. “Keara, my beloved. I’ve wanted ye since the first time I laid eyes on ye, woman. I knew in me heart I’d finally met me kindred spirit but feared it wasna’ meant to be. Never have I met a more brave, selfless and tenderhearted lass than yerself. The warmth, kindness and sincerity inside yer soul glows from you like a nurturin’ beam of sunlight. I didna’ know what I would do without ye being by me side for the rest of our lives. If ye’ll agree, I’d be honored if ye’d accept my proposal and become me wife.”
“My beloved, invincible Highlander. Yes. I’ll be your wife. I love you, too, Duncan McCord.” Her eyes filled with tears. She pulled his head close to hers, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. She whispered in his ear. “I tried to deny that people couldn’t fall in love at first sight. I’m glad I was proven wrong. My life is nothing without you in it. I would surely die of loneliness if I returned home now. I never knew such a beautiful magick could exist deep within.”
Duncan scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the ground before wrapping an arm tightly around her. They gazed at the stars in silence, a light mist from the sea tickling their faces. His fingers combed through her curls, and her hands weaved through his thick hair. He low
ered his head closer to her face.
“Wait, Duncan. What about Darby and Beth?”
“Dinna fret about them, my love. Darby will keep a good eye on yer sister, and I dinna believe either one of them will be lookin’ for us ‘til tomorrow morning.” He grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He bent his head toward hers and showered her face with kisses.
Oblivious to the rising tide, slowly whooshing over their bodies, Duncan made glorious love to her many times through the night. The invigorating water washed them and replenished their bodies’ hunger for more. They lay wrapped in each other’s arms and watched the sunrise.
“I need to know something,” she said, sitting up. “I still haven’t figured out what the letters ‘MM’ stand for. Darby said you would tell me.”
Duncan laced his fingers through hers and gave a light squeeze. His face lay against hers as she turned and gazed into his eyes. By his expression, she realized he must have figured it out. Duncan grasped her shoulders. Drawing her inside his arms, he whispered in her ear, “It could only stand for one thing, my beloved. ‘Twas your love all along that was needed to break both the curse and the evil prophecy, savin’ us all.”
The heat rushed from her neck to her face. Still puzzled by the letters, she bit her lower lip. Anxious to finally learn the meaning of the mysterious initials, she kissed his cheeks and asked. “Please Duncan, the letters ‘MM.’ What do they really stand for?”
Duncan guided her forefinger and helped her scratch two words deep in the sand as he said, “Mortal Magick.”
