by B. J. Scott
“Why would you ask me such a thing?” She looked up at him, frowning. “Surely you know the legend.”
“Of course I do,” he replied. Though he only knew what Blair had told him. None of this had ever been recorded in historical documentation.
“Then you know that the winter hag was able to drink from the sacred well on Imbolc and have a season of youth as long as the talisman remained in the water. And you are also aware that changed when the gem disappeared twenty-one years ago.”
He felt like he’d been gut-kicked. Could the amulet he had hidden in his chamber be the sacred talisman she spoke of? Was this why he was sent back in time, to return the gem to the well and set things to right? To save Ciara’s life? “Damn.” he cursed beneath his breath, wishing he hadn’t left it behind. He couldn’t be certain if it was the sacred stone, but once he knew she was safe, he’d have to go back for it. “It disappeared so long ago, yet the hag has waited until now to demand another maiden?”
“There was enough water stored to appease her while we searched for the talisman, but it was never found. Now the only way for her to gain the youth she desires is to work her magic and she needs young woman for that. An oldest daughter or a youngest daughter, a virgin, who has lived no less than eighteen and no more than twenty-one summers, a lass who offers herself willingly. The young woman must be sacrificed in the sacred well just after midnight on Imbolc allowing the Cailleach to steal her youth. One full year for each year of the girl’s life.”
“It makes no sense why anyone would ever agree to such a thing.”
“The very reason Cailleach leveled her threat. If she doesna get what she wants, she will keep the land in her icy grip, preventing spring from coming and locking us in eternal winter.”
“But that still doesn’t explain why you? Why now?”
“The store of water is gone, I’m an oldest daughter, and I’ve seen twenty-one summers, m’lord. It is my duty, nay, my destiny, to do this for the good of the clan,” she answered.
“Is that why you never married?”
She nodded. “When the talisman disappeared and the hag threatened to resume the sacrifices, a search was made throughout the land for maidens who would be the right age when the time came. Over the years some of the chosen died. Other clans, including your own, made certain their women failed to remain pure. Soon, only a few suitable lasses remained.” She cocked her head and looked at Alex. “But you already know how the custom works. Why do you ask me to explain what has always been done.”
He needed to bluff. “I may know about the ritual, but I know nothing about you or your family. You mentioned your younger sister. Do you have any others?” he asked, hoping not only to learn more about her, but to change the subject if possible.
“I am one of nine. Three lassies and six lads.”
“And you’re the oldest?”
“Nay. I was the fifth bairn born. There were three brothers who came before me and a sister.” Ciara bowed her head and closed her eyes for a moment, a tear tracked her cheek. “Ila died when she was but eight summers. She caught the fever and there was nothing anyone could do to save her. The village seer said it was because she wasna worthy and pure of heart. She went as far as to say that Ila died so I could take her place.” She shook her head and swiped the back of her hand across her face. “I dinna believe my sister was a bad person. She was my dearest friend and I still miss her.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Alex caressed the back of her hand. He’d never had any brothers or sisters, but if he did, he was sure it would hurt like hell to lose one.
“When Ila died, I became the oldest daughter and it was my duty to take her place.” Ciara rose and stood before the hearth, staring into the flames. “If I dinna go back, my sister, Mairi will be forced to give up her life. She is the youngest daughter, has lived eighteen summers, and she too is pure of heart and soul. I couldna bear knowing I was the cause of her death. I wish you understood.”
“I do understand the reason you think you need to go back.” Alex approached Ciara from behind and slid his arms around her waist, resting his chin atop her head. “You couldn’t bear to see Mairi die, knowing you might have stopped it, any more than I could stand seeing you perish, knowing I could have prevented it from happening.” He blew out a heavy sigh. “You’re not responsible for Mairi’s fate or happiness, only for your own.”
“That is what my mam told me. She said, in spite of your father’s orders, other parents ensured their daughters wouldna be eligible. She wanted to hide us both away, but my father refused to hear of it. He actually believed it was an honor to be chosen. Despite how much our mother begged, he refused to listen, saying it would bring disgrace upon our family. That is another reason why I must go back.” Ciara released a shuddered breath and relaxed against his chest as if she belonged in his arms.
“Your mother is wise. Nothing and no one should require her to make such a sacrifice. You should listen to her and allow me to see you safely hidden.” Alex inhaled deeply, the delicate scent of lavender and heather filling his nostrils. His heart quickened and his groin stirred. All he could think about was scooping her up in his arms and carrying her to the bed. Were they to make love, she’d no longer be a virgin and Cailleach would have to choose another. But first he had to convince her to stay.
Alex gently turned Ciara in his arms and gazed down at her. “Come away with me, Ciara. Let me hide you, then I’ll go back for Mairi as I promised I would. She can live with us until she meets a man, marries and has many babes. She’ll die an old woman surrounded by her grandchildren. As will you.”
“I always wanted bairns, but never harbored hopes of having any. Nor did I think about the prospects of growing old.”
“Believe, sweetheart, it can all be yours someday if that’s what you want.” He gazed into emerald eyes a man could lose himself in and trailed his knuckle along her cheek. “Was there ever a man you loved and thought you might like to marry?”
She shook her head. “I was na allowed to associate with the men of my village. My father forbade it. I had never been kissed until today in the cave.” She touched her lips and blushed. My father told me kissing would lead to temptation and sin.”
“Then let me tempt you, lass.” He lowered his head and lightly brushed his lips across her mouth. Pleased when she didn’t pull away, he repeated the act a little more zealously, this time tickling the seam of her lips with his tongue.
Ciara stiffened and placed her palms on his chest. “This is wrong. We must stop.”
“When a man and woman share a kiss, it’s the most natural thing in the world. But if you want me to stop, I will.” Saying those words gutted him, but he’d abide by her wishes, no matter what they were. He eased his hold on her, giving her some space and a chance to decide. But when she furled her finger in the fabric of his tunic and tugged him closer, he knew they’d only just begun.
Chapter Eight
Alex awakened and glanced down at Ciara. Tucked snuggly at his side, she slept like she didn’t have a care in the world. He swept a lock of hair from her brow and replaced it with his lips. While Ciara was so exhausted she nodded off before he had a chance to make love to her, Alex was content knowing there was a chance they had a future together.
He closed his eyes and drew in a slow deep breath. “I must be a saint or out of my ever-loving mind,” he mumbled, remembering the events of last evening and how it had taken every ounce of self-control he could muster not to ravage her body and make her his own. After an intense interlude of kissing and petting, he’d convinced her to join him on the bed. He promised if she agreed, he be a gentleman and not make inappropriate advances unless it was what she wanted. Not an easy task, given the way his body reacted to her presence.
Alex smiled. Perhaps when she awakened, they could pick up where they left off. “A man can hope,” he chuckled.
The door to the croft opened, hitting the wall behind it with a crash.
“What the
hell!” Alex shot up in bed, his eyes focused on the intruder. “Cailleach,” he gasped. The old hag was the last person he wanted to see.
“I warned you na to interfere in things that you canna possibly understand,” Cailleach hissed. “I told you to go back where you belong. Now you must pay the price.”
Ciara sat up, hugging the pelt beneath her chin. “You two know each other?”
“We’ve met,” Alex replied, his gaze focused on the hag.
“And you dinna see fit to tell me?” Ciara climbed off the bed, taking the pelt with her, and backed away. “I trusted you, but you obviously deceived me. You promised to protect me from Cailleach, not lead me into her grasp, like a lamb to slaughter. I was even beginning to think that you truly cared for me.”
“I do care about you and at no time meant to deceive you. Please hear me out.” He sprang from the bed and moved in her direction. “I didn’t say anything about meeting Cailleach because I hoped never to cross paths with her again,” Alex explained. “If I’d known she’d show up here, I would never have stopped.”
“This is my croft. Where else would I be?” Cailleach asked. “You took something that belongs to me and I want it back.”
“Ciara does not belong to you and never will,” Alex countered. He held his hand out in Ciara’s direction, but she backed away. If he had it all to do again, he’d have told her about his encounter with Cailleach. Now, he had to convince her.
“I should have known better than to trust the son of my enemy. You played me for a fool, Alex, and I let my people down.” Tears welling in her eyes, Ciara lowered her gaze. “I’m so ashamed.”
“You can trust me. And you’ve done nothing wrong, Ciara. I’ve never met a woman so brave and selfless in my entire life.” Alex advanced, but she continued to back away until her spine rested against the wall and she could go no farther.
Cailleach inched closer, scowled, and pointed a boney finger at Alex. “Lies. He isna who he claims to be and was duly warned to go back from whence he came.”
“I am Alex Innes. You mustn’t listen to her, Ciara. She’s only trying to confuse you,” Alex said. “Cailleach is the one who can’t be trusted. She means to kill you for her own selfish pleasure, and would say anything to get you to believe her and not me.”
“He may bear the name Alex Innes, but isna who he claims to be,” the hag snapped. “He is na from this time or place.”
“What does she mean?” Ciara inclined her head, pinning Alex with her stare.
“I can explain,” he said, unable to control the hint of desperation in his voice.
“And as for selfish pleasure,” Cailleach cut in. “He lured you into this bed and meant to defile you, to take your maidenhead so you’d no longer be a worthy offering. He cared na if he disgraced you before your clan or forced your sister to take your place. He told me he had a task to complete before he could return to his own realm. Perhaps tricking you was part of his plan all along.”
“Maybe I was sent to save Ciara, not betray her.” He suddenly realized why he was here. He had been sent to save her, he was certain of it.”
“If what she says is true, and you are na who you claim to be, then who are you?” Ciara asked. “I sensed something different in the way you spoke and behaved from the moment we met. But you assured me it was because you’d traveled a great deal and fostered in the south of Scotland for several years when you were a lad.”
“Is that what he told you?” Cailleach cackled. “I gave you more credit than that, Alex. Actually, I thought you might prove a worthy match for me, and a wee bit of a challenge. I am so tired of the subservient, simpering fools who serve me for a season then turn tail as I age again.” She held out her hand to Ciara. “Come, Imbolc is upon us and we have a ritual to perform at the sacred well.”
While the hag was momentarily focused on Ciara, Alex grabbed his sword from the pile of garments on the floor and stepped between them, shielding Ciara with his body. “She’s not going anywhere with you. Not while I still have a breath in my body.” He quickly glanced over his shoulder at Ciara. “Don’t listen to her. I can explain everything if given the chance.”
“Come now. You dinna think I can be so easily subdued. If that were so, I’d have been defeated centuries ago.” The hag focused on the weapon in Alex’s hand and mumbled an incantation in an ancient Gaelic tongue. One he’d never learned.
The blade began to glow, changing color from silver to crimson red, unbearable heat emanating along its length, and swiftly moving to the hilt. Unable to hold on to weapon any longer, Alex dropped it. “These are but magic tricks, meant to baffle and confuse,” he said. “But I’ll not be easily thwarted by your witchcraft. Ciara is not going with you.”
“I am far more skilled than any witch and grow tired of this game.” Cailleach raised her hands in the air, sparks shooting from her fingertips and striking Alex in the chest. “I’ll no longer tolerate your interference in what is an ancient tradition. Things you know naught about and canna possibly understand.”
A sudden wave of excruciating pain caused Alex to crumple to his knees in agony. Gasping for air, he clutched at his chest. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear he was having a heart attack. But he’d not surrender. He gritted his teeth and glared up at Cailleach. “Is that the best you can do?”
“Stop, you’re killing him.” Ciara rushed to Alex and knelt at his side. “Dinna try to fight her. She possesses powers no mortal man can challenge.” Tears running down her cheeks, she peered up at the hag. “Do with me as you will, but spare Alex.”
“She is wiser than I thought,” Cailleach said. “If I were you, I’d listen to the lass. Her willingness to forgive your deception and offer her life for yours proves she is a suitable choice for the Imbolc Ceremony.” She lowered her arm.
As the pain subsided, Alex clasped Ciara’s forearm. “It doesn’t matter what she spell she casts, don’t go with her, Ciara. Promise me.”
Ciara wrenched free of his grasp and rose. “I’m afraid I canna let her kill you, Alex. She will do with me as she pleases, regardless of whether you live or die. Just like night will always turn to day. You taught me that. I was a fool for coming with you in the first place.” She lowered her gaze. “I am the chosen one, the one she wants, and there is no point in you giving up your life for naught.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way, Ciara. Alone neither of us may be her match, but together, I believe we can defeat her.” Alex tried to stand, but his legs gave way and he slumped to the ground. In addition to inflicting pain, the hag had drained the strength from his body.
“You defied your father and I have disgraced myself and my clan. I can never go home and neither can you,” Ciara said. “I have no choice but to do as she commands. It is destined, and so it must be done.”
“No. I’ll not accept your defeat or mine. There must be a way I can take you back with me.”
“Back to where?”
The words slipped out before Alex could stop them. It was too late to rescind them, and judging by the shocked expression on Ciara’s face, he had to continue.
“I did not come to Scotland to interfere with the ancient customs of my ancestors or to disturb the past. I came to study them,” Alex said. But it was clear he was making things worse not better, when Ciara cupped her hand over her mouth and stared at him as if in shock. “I also came to replace an amulet to its rightful resting place.”
“An amulet? Do you mean the Talisman of Light?”
“It’s just a ruby pendant.”
Cailleach waved her hand over Alex’s face, staring at him as if viewing the contents of his thoughts. “You do have the Druid talisman? I can see it.” She held out her hand. “Give it to me. Now. It is mine.”
“I don’t have it with me. But I can get it,” Alex said. Perhaps he had a bargaining chip after all. “You obviously seem interested, but how do I know it was meant for you?”
“It is mine. It was stolen from my well and I demand you
give it to me at once,” Cailleach reiterated harshly.
“Alex, if you have the Talisman of Light, and return it to the well, Cailleach will be able to drink the water to gain her season of youth instead of taking a life.”
“Nay. It belongs to me and I will choose whether it is returned to the well or not. Cailleach hissed.
“But the amulet was stolen and we’ve searched for it for years,” Ciara blurted, then addressed Alex. “Did you steal the talisman from the well?”
“Of course not. I wasn’t even born yet. Not until centuries later.” The last part of his statement he mumbled under his breath. “It was unearthed by a peer of my father’s and taken from Scotland. I don’t know where he found it, but my dad wanted me to return it.”
Scotland was a country deep rooted in superstition and rituals. So it was possible that not everything in history was recorded accurately or even recorded at all. Was the story of the amulet one of those legends that slipped through the cracks? If so, it would explain a lot, including why he’d never heard of it until now and why things were not as they were historically documented. He’d often heard that if past is changed, the future is also affected. Perhaps the removal of the talisman by his father’s colleague changed the course of history.
Ciara glared at him. “You said the talisman was taken from Scotland and your father bid you return it. That means Laird Innes has known all along where it was and lied to his people. He’d have seen me sacrificed in order to keep his secret,” Ciara blurted. “That also means you lied to me and let me go on about the legend and my family. You’ve had it all along and could have returned it and ended all of this, but—”
“I know this will all seem hard to grasp, but I beg you to listen to what I have to say before passing judgment,” Alex pleaded. “I didn’t steal the amulet and neither did Laird Innes. But I was asked to return it. I fully intended to do that as soon as I found out where it belonged. But the plane crashed and I ended up here in the twelfth century. Then I met you, Ciara, and it was like we’d known each other forever. When I found out you were to be offered to the hag, I couldn’t stand by and watch you die because of archaic superstition. I didn’t know about the power of the amulet until you told me legend last night. Once I made sure you were safe, I planned to retrieve it and give it Cailleach in exchange for your life. You must believe me.”
