by Hazel Hunter
The ropes binding my arms and legs flared bright blue, and then disintegrated. I picked up a big rock as I got to my feet, and raised it to smash the chains.
“Please, dinnae bother.” His body glowed, and the links slid off him and fell apart like my ropes.
“Nice work, kid.” I reached for the blindfold, but he grabbed my wrist. “What? You want to be blind?”
“I wish you were,” he said. “Dinnae look upon me. I’ve the same power as Olivia.”
Which meant I’d fall in love with him at first sight. Damn druids were nothing but trouble. “Can you turn it off?”
“No.” His shoulders hunched. “If the calpa discover my power, they’ll end me.”
I had to get him out of here. “Stay right where you are.”
I jumped on the rock, and did a right punch up. That knocked a hole in the cave roof big enough to us to climb through. I reached down and grabbed Teague, tucking him against my side.
“Hold onto my neck,” I told him as I crouched down and then performed a touch up jump. That let me grab the sides of the hold I’d made and hoisted us through to the surface. We were a few yards away from the shore, and when I turned around I could see the lights of the village on the horizon. The sound of splashing behind me made me run with Teague for the nearest trees, where we hid in a pine thicket.
“They’ve escaped, you fools,” a woman said, her tone furious. “Find them, and bring the druid to me. Kill the slut.”
That voice belonged to Deb, who had been my best friend since kindergarten. I loved her, but I also knew her. She could be mean, and even cruel sometimes, but no way would she turn traitor. The shifters had done this to her with their twisted magic, and I was going to kick their asses for it.
“Stay here,” I muttered to Teague.
He yanked me down to whisper, “You cannae free her yet. A dark spirit possesses her.”
I drew back. “You knew about this?”
“We suspected.” He turned his head to the side. “Kendric comes.”
The chill of the night air faded, and the damp ground began to steam. I glanced around the pine to see K-Pop walking out of the forest. Deb appeared at the top of a dune surrounded by big, wet horses with shark teeth. She wore dark robes and a tiara made of gleaming black pearls.
“Such bravery,” Deb said. “I want my son, Iloren. Bring him to me.”
“He’s no’ yours, Ruith,” Kendric told her. “Release the mortal and begone, or you shall be cast to the grove of stars.”
Now I understood why Teague had gotten himself abducted. He was K-pop’s bait for this meet and greet.
“You little weasel.” I shoved him aside and yelled, “Hey, Wardrobe Challenged. Get out of my–”
Teague knocked me to the ground, which started to shake. The sound of a bunch of horses thundering toward us told me that the clan was coming to the rescue. Only the kid tugged his blindfold down, and then…holy Toledo, I didn’t care about the calvary anymore.
How could I have not realized how perfect and handsome he was? My heart melted. Forget Griogair. Teague was everything I’d ever wanted, and I’d happily spend the rest of my life adoring him.
“I will love you forever,” I told him.
Teague kissed my brow. “No, you willnae.”
The last thing I remembered was his glowing fist coming at my face.
I woke up in my own bed with a sore jaw, a horrible headache, and my husband’s arms around me. I remembered that magnificent druid boy’s face, but then everything about Deb came back, too.
“We saved the druids,” Griogair told me, “but your friend and the shifters escaped. Master Teague asked if you’d forgive him. I’d ken why, love.”
“The little snot used his power on me.” I explained what had happened before I admitted, “I hate that it happened, but he probably saved my life.”
My husband smiled. “For that I shall thank him every day of mine.”
Chapter 21
Topline
There’s no such thing as sleeping in late for an equine vet who got drop-kicked via unsolicited time travel to medieval Scotland. Sure, I was fine with joining the immortal McGillean Clan and caring for their horses. I’d fallen for Conor, their big, surly stablemaster, who looked a bit like James McAvoy and was a marshmallow. With the horse-control superpower we shared we’d even caught a herd of runaways, and discovered their alpha stallion, Velvet, was a half-human shape shifter.
Only problem? Twenty-eight of the runaways were very pregnant.
“We don’t need more guards,” I told Conor after I finished my dawn rounds. “We need two dozen extra stable hands—by tonight.”
He handed me some morning brew. “How ken you ’twill happen so soon, Jamie?”
“Besides all the milk-filled udders, swollen teats, and tailheads in my face? Call it a hunch.” I also had to bring up something we avoided discussing. “The foals’ topline isn’t horse. They’ll be one-quarter human and calpa. We need some druid help.”
In the great hall we found the laird and the druid headman standing and glaring at each other while Coach and Doc Ivers talked to them in low voices.
“Uh-oh. The bill for the last rescue mission just came due,” I murmured to Conor.
“’Tisnae your affair,” Kendric told the laird. “We shall deal with Ruith.”
“Your facking demon druidess took over our angel, and meant to kill another,” Gill said flatly. “She’s ours.”
Gayla came over to us. “Everyone’s v salty this morning, guys.”
At Conor’s look of puzzlement, I added, “Very salty. They’re all pretty upset.”
“You should maybe come back later,” Gayla suggested.
“Can’t.” I glanced at Conor, who went to the laird while I braced Kendric. “Hey, Master Gowan. Our mares are ready to deliver, and their offspring won’t be entirely horse. Can your people help us?”
“Aye.” He stopped looking like he wanted to turn Gill into a toad. “Shall you permit the halfling to attend the foaling?”
“The herd loves Velvet,” I admitted. “But he’s lived wild, and his stallion instincts are to protect. He probably wouldn’t let us near the mares.”
“Maybe you could ask the stallion,” a testy voice said.
I turned to see Lacey glaring at me, and Velvet in human form beside her. “Does he speak enough English now to understand?”
“Help sisters. Stay man. No be jerk.” The halfling eyed Kendric, who had been teaching him druid stuff. “Say yas, K-poppa?”
The headman smiled. “Aye, lad. You may help.”
After acquiring our new stable hands and instructing them, Conor and I went to take a nap (okay, we had some afternoon delight first.) Delivering so many foals would be a marathon, plus after we’d have to monitor the new mothers and the little ones for twenty-four hours. We woke and dressed in our oldest clothes and boots before we walked out to the breeding pasture, where our new hands, Kendric and a dozen druids stood in the big foaling pen we’d built. They had torches ready, and had spread plenty of hay.
“They’ve no’ made a sound for hours,” Kendric told us.
The entire herd stood near Lacey and Velvet, who knelt by a pair of mares who lay on their sides. From the puddles on the ground they must have ruptured their membranes, so they’d deliver in about twenty minutes. Then gushes of fluid began splashing from all the other mares as their water broke simultaneously, and the whole herd went down.
Conor met my gaze. “Ready, love?”
“As we’ll ever be. Everyone, go to your assigned mare,” I told the men. “If she’s in any trouble, raise a fist.” I met Velvet’s pale gaze. “You’re about to become a father. You still okay?”
He frowned, but then his mares began to push out their foals, and he turned away.
Conor’s power merged with mine, but we used it only to calm and reassure the dams. As the foals started arriving they appeared all horse. Then the first pair opened their water-colored eyes a
nd made strange keening sounds.
“Call demons,” Velvet said, and jumped out of the pen, where he stripped.
“Help him,” Lacey said to everyone around her. “We have to protect the foals from their sires.”
“He’s not the father?” I saw Velvet shift into stallion form, and Kendric jump on his back as bright blue lights began streaking toward us. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“He just told me.” She went to the next laboring mare.
Conor let out a sharp whistle, and clansmen with swords rushed out of the castle toward us. As hundreds of calpa galloped in our direction our guys circled the pen like a living wall, but there were too many shifters.
“Hey,” I said to Conor. “They’re still horses, right?”
Together we shifted our power toward the attacking calpa herd. We couldn’t compel them to fall or run back into the water, but we managed to halt them.
Velvet raced toward the shifters, stopping to rear up. Kendric raised his hands and released a burst of orange-red magic that set the pasture grass between them on fire. That sent the calpa running for the loch.
“Back to birthing,” I told my guy.
A day later Conor and I dragged ourselves up to the castle.
“All of the dams and foals survived,” he told Gill. “The lad’s helped greatly with the wee ones.”
The laird walked back to the stables with us, halting when he saw Velvet surrounded by a half-dozen foals with pale eyes. Their bodies glowed as they shifted, their hides changing to all the colors of loch water.
“Fack me,” Gill said. “They dinnae turn human.”
“They’re very sweet-natured,” I assured him. “None seem to have a taste for living flesh, either. But in water they’ll be basically invisible.”
As the laird went into the pen to meet the foals, Conor tucked his arm around me. “Come to bed with me, love. We’ll stay there a week.”
“I’m not that tired,” I murmured.
He kissed me. “You’ll no’ be sleeping all the time.”
Chapter 22
Unbound
Living with Ruiseart had never troubled me. Before he fell while battling the Romans we had shared everything as twin brothers. After his death our battle spirit drew his soul to mine. Dwelling in one body proved no challenge; I occupied it by day, and he did the same by night.
Ruiseart wished to leave me when I lost my heart to Caroline, but we could not be separated. The gods smiled on us by inspiring our angel to accept us both as mates.
At dawn and twilight my brother and I had a brief time to share our thoughts before we exchanged places. At one such awakening Ruiseart showed me his memories of the latest attack by the shape-shifting calpa, and how the halfling and Kendric Gowan had repelled them. I forgot it soon after when Caroline awoke and welcomed me with a sweet kiss. How could I resist the love in her doe-brown eyes, and the silken brush of her fiery golden hair against my chest?
In truth, I near forgot to report for duty. Thankfully I didn’t, for the laird and the druid headman stood waiting for me at my post.
I bowed. “Fair day, my lord. Master Gowan. How may I serve?”
The McGillean gave the druid a narrow glance before he said, “If you’re willing, Raibeart, Kendric would test your spirit bond. To recover our stolen angel, he must first part her from Ruith.”
Since Lady Deb had been taken by the dark druidess, worry for her had plagued us all. “Aye, if ’twill aid.”
I followed them to the chamber set aside for Kendric’s use, where he had drawn a large circle on the floor. As he beckoned me stand in it with him, I felt the air growing warmer, and saw his eyes light up with spellshine.
“Dinnae resist, Raibeart,” the druid murmured as he walked around me.
“I’m no’ fighting you, Master,” I assured him. “You ken that Ruiseart doesnae possess me. The Brothers chose us.”
“Aye, but the magic of Pritani spirits, ’tisnae greatly different from that of druid possession.” Kendric used his blade to slit open the front of my tunic. “Be still now, lad.”
I glanced down at my ink as the druid drew his finger down it, and felt Ruiseart awaken as the circle split in half. In my chest a red-hot dagger cleaved through my heart. As I roared in pain it felt as if a fiery wind passed through me, and the ghostly image of my brother appeared.
“What did you to him?” I heard the laird demand.
“He unbound us,” Ruiseart said, his voice faraway. “Mayhap ’tis better, Brother. Caroline loves you, no’ me.”
The last thing I saw was my brother floating out of the room, and then all went black.
Once Kendric had torn me from Raibeart I drifted from the chamber and through the passages until I saw Caroline carrying in a basket filled with greenery. I loved her, so I could not resist one last, long look.
She in turn stopped, dropped her basket and stared back at me. “Ru?”
“’Dinnae fear,” I said as I drew closer. “The druid parted me from Raibeart. He shall be yours alone now. I must continue on–”
“Oh, the hell you will.” Caroline reached out and grabbed at me.
Wind tore through me and into her. I fell down, but when I pushed myself up I saw her hands and arms instead of my own. As I stood I felt the unfamiliar weight of breasts as well as the absence of other weight elsewhere south of them, and saw I now occupied her lovely body.
I’m going to strangle that stupid druid, she shrieked inside my head.
“Stay calm, my lady.” Hearing my words spoken with her voice made it only too obvious what had happened. “Master Gowan shall part me from you.”
He’s not putting another magical finger on you, Mister, Caroline said. Take us back to him—now.
With reluctance I returned to the chamber, where I found the druid and the laird trying to revive my brother.
“My lord, Master Gowan.” As both men stared at me I added, “I meant to leave, but Caroline captured my spirit.”
Kendric stood and peered at me. “Ruiseart?”
My lady used me to grab him by his robe. She then took control of her body as she said, “Yes, Ru is inside me now, you moron. Put him back with Bear.”
He shook his head. “I didnae part them, lass. My spell failed.”
She made an exasperated sound. “Then how did he end up jumping into me?”
The laird pointed at our chest. “You’re glowing, my lady.”
I pulled out the edge of Caroline’s bodice and saw two inked circles sparkling just above her breasts. The curved sides overlapped, and Raibeart opened his eyes.
“She loves us both, Brother,” he said as he lumbered to his feet. “’Twas why our battle spirit marked her twice, and sent you to her when you tore yourself from me. Come back to us.”
Stay inside me and you’ll have to pee sitting down, Caroline added inside our shared mind. Not to mention making love to, uh, your brother with my body.
“For you I would, my lady,” I said.
Warmth suddenly enveloped me. If you’re with him, I can have you both. We need you, Ru. Please don’t leave us.
I reached out with my spirit for Raibeart, and merged into his flesh. For a moment I felt his loving relief, and then I slept.
The laird relieved me of my duties for the day, and Caroline insisted we retreat to our chamber. I told her of the terrible pain I’d felt being unbound from my brother.
“Deb and the dark druidess aren’t like us, Bear,” she said. “Love is what holds our threesome together.”
“Then what could bind them?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she said, and kissed me. “But we’d better find out.”
Chapter 23
New Iloren
Morven write my words on scroll for you, K-poppa. You give healer Ivers, yas? She keep Lacey safe.
I cannae tell her. Much shame.
My dama, she druidess, no’ demon. Day I born she die. Demons hate me, drive me from sea. I live wild long time here,
hide from demons, men. I herd sisters after demons breed. I guard them.
Try guard my lady Lacey, sisters, foals, Angels and McGillean from demons. But before Velvet Iloren. Iloren no’ man, no’ horse, no’ demon.
Demons bad. Iloren death for Lacey.
Help, yas? Save her.
Kendric waited until I rolled up the scroll before he said, “Morven brought this to me last night, Andrea. I cannae fathom what the lad meant, but ’tis obvious he’s terrified of something harming the lass.”
Unlike my guy I understood exactly what Velvet meant, thanks to something Lola had told me. “Not something. Himself.”
“Why should you reckon thus?” Kendric demanded. “Velvet’s only fought calpa when they’ve attacked us.”
Sometimes I really wished I wasn’t a doctor. “Not that kind of harm, sweetheart. Before I say anything more, I need to speak to Lacey.”
I found the halfling’s girlfriend in the great hall, where she and Conor appeared to be looking for something. I discovered why when Lacey grabbed hold of some water that seemed to be floating through the air, and a squealing foal suddenly appeared in her arms.
“This stinker thought he could sneak inside and steal some apples,” she said as the stablemaster took the little horse from her.
“My thanks, my lady.” Conor tucked the foal under his strong arm and nodded to me before he departed.
Rather than blurt out Velvet’s confession by scroll, I asked Lacey to take a walk with me. I stopped when we reached the big pasture where the mares and foals grazed during the day so we could admire the herd.
“Gorgeous, aren’t they?” Lacey reached through the fence to stroke the nose of an inquisitive filly.
“All babies are.” I watched the foal change from a gleaming chestnut to an almost transparent blue as she nuzzled the girl’s fingers. “Immortality rendered the clan sterile, so most of the Angels won’t be having children. Only those who mate with villagers or druids have to deal with childbirth.”