by Unknown
Kaelyn wanted to run her hands over his body, see how it felt, but she resisted, holding her hands next to her sides. She was still mad at him. “Don’t ever leave me again.”
“Ye have my word. If I do leave ye, ‘twill be because I die.” Alexander smiled a small smile. “And we both ken that will never happen.”
Kaelyn went to turn her head, but he put his hands on her chin and made her look back at him. “I ken I dinna deserve it, but I want to taste your sweet mouth once more.” He bent down to her lips, pausing a hairbreadth away, and waited for her consent.
Breathlessly, Kaelyn nodded. His lips covered her mouth as her hands crept up around his torso. He felt so hard, strong…right. Kaelyn mewed as his kiss grew deeper. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, exploring her sweet nectar. Alexander’s hands drifted over her breasts and down to the hem of her tunic, where he inched it up, bit by bit.
Her smooth, heated skin felt like silk under his hands. He pulled the tunic up over her head, leaving her arms trapped in the sleeves above her. “You’re so beautiful,” he said in-between kissing the cleavage that popped out above her bra. Eager for more, Alexander reached his hands around and under her, and unlatched the hook on her bra.
Kaelyn arched a brow. “I see you’re familiar with twenty-first century undergarments,” she said smirking.
Alexander smiled. “You’ll be glad I am.” With that, Alexander leaned down, pushing up her loosened bra, exposing her plump breasts. Alexander surrounded one fleshy orb with his mouth and suckled as Kaelyn closed her eyes and moaned.
Alexander leaned up, switching to the next, but abruptly stopped. Kaelyn smiled, her eyes still closed. “The suspense is killing me, Alexander…please.”
“Shh,” he said seriously, all desire gone from his voice.
“What-“ Kaelyn opened her eyes. Alexander leaned over her, but he glanced at all sides of the tent. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.
Alexander looked down at her. “The crystal is glowing.”
“Cain is close,” she whispered, righting her clothes. A cold chill crawled along her spine. Would the necklace continue to keep Cain at a distance? Kaelyn snuggled closer to Alexander. In return, he pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her, staying alert. “He found us,” Kaelyn said as her stomach rolled.
Without warning, an eerie scratching sounded outside the wall of the tent like someone scratched their nails across the canvas.
“I ken you’re in there. Did ye think ye could hide from me by jumping through time?” A long laugh sounded. Kaelyn gripped Alexander’s hand as he tightened it around her waist. Everything went silent except for Kaelyn’s ragged breathing. “I ken I canna touch ye tonight,” Cain whispered. “I’m patient. I will get ye. Ye will eventually kneel down to my power. It grows stronger every day. That crystal ye covet will soon be useless.” Another long scratch went down the side of the tent followed by laughter. Within minutes, the dead silence was no more. The crystal stopped glowing and the hushed conversations of fellow campers returned. An owl hooted its night call, and a low glow returned from the huge bonfire outside. It was as if everything had froze for a brief moment, only to come alive again once Cain had left.
He was right.
Cain was powerful, indeed.
Kaelyn turned in Alexander’s safe arms. She chewed on her lip. If Alexander always stayed with her when Cain arrived, he’d never catch him. “Why didn’t you go out after him?” she asked Alexander quietly.
“I’ll never catch him that way,” he said studying Kaelyn. “Besides, if what he says is true and the crystal will soon lose its power over him, you’ll need me by your side.” Their gazes met and both stared until Kaelyn glanced away, feeling too vulnerable under his stare. “The only way I’ll catch Cain is when we find the Sacred Door. Whatever is hiding behind it, I can use as leverage.”
“So, I take it we’re still on our way to the field?”
“Aye, the field close to Inverness might be something…or nothing. But we need to start somewhere. We’ll leave first thing in the morning.” Alexander turned and began plumping up the furs and arranging them into a nice soft bed. “Here. Sleep. We have a long way to go on the morrow.”
Kaelyn glanced at Alexander. Slowly, she leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips. “Night,” she said breathlessly. Kaelyn snuggled under the fur he held open for her. He tucked it over her and began to turn around. “You’re not leaving are you?” Kaelyn asked, panic lacing her voice.
“Nay. I’m no leaving. I like to sit by the door. No one that’s uninvited will get in.” And I’ll have some control, when it comes to touching you, Alexander thought. Alexander positioned himself by the door and as if Kaelyn was a magnet, his gaze kept returning to her. This time, he noticed she faced him and watched him in return with her big blue eyes. Magical looking eyes that could enchant the devil himself.
* * * * *
“She’s not going with you!” Hunter roared in Alexander’s face. “She’ll end up dead!”
“Perhaps,” Alexander said quietly, “but she’s guaranteed dead if she stays with ye.”
Kaelyn rolled her eyes. The three of them argued in the middle of camp as an audience began to grow. Kaelyn stood in between Alexander and Hunter. “Listen,” she yelled placing a hand on each man’s chest, trying to hold them apart, yet afraid they’d forget she was there and squish her flat like a pancake. “Stop!” she yelled again hoping to get their attention. Both men stopped cursing and looked down at the woman in front of them. When she had their attention, she slowly lowered her hands. “I’m a grownup, just in case you forgot. I’m making my decision on where I’m going today. No one else, but me!”
“Sorry,” a silky woman’s voice purred from a few feet behind them, “but looks like I’ll have the final say.”
Alexander turned, finding a sparkly eyed Rowena staring at them. She smiled. He recognized that smile. It meant someone was going to die.
* * * * *
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The campsite resembled a hen house containing a fox. Gypsies scattered everywhere, some making the sign of the cross, others running and hiding. Within seconds, only Alexander, Hunter and Kaelyn remained with Rowena.
Rowena walked a few steps closer until she stood about four yards away. She stared at Hunter. “I’ll give you a choice human. This little tête-à-tête doesn’t concern you. Leave on your own, or you won’t ever leave.”
Hunter cursed at Rowena and was about to charge her, when Kaelyn quickly placed her hand on his chest. “Hunter, if you care for me as much as you say you do, please go. Don’t let me see my best friend die…for real this time.”
“What! And let you die!” he yelled incredulously. “My people know the legend of her kind. She’s cold, ruthless…she’s death! I won’t leave you here with her alone!”
Kaelyn shook her head. “I’m not alone,” she said quietly. Hunter’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Alexander over Kaelyn’s shoulder.
A sigh sounded. “I’m losing patience human,” Rowena purred. “You have three seconds.”
“Go. Please,” Kaelyn urged, giving him a light shove. Hunter clenched his jaw. Recklessly, he covered Kaelyn’s mouth in a hard, fast kiss. Before she knew what had happened, Hunter ran off into the woods with the rest of the gypsies. As Kaelyn turned to look at Rowena, she noticed the angry expression on Alexander’s face.
“How touching,” Rowena said sarcastically. “You know, I just love the stories about a damsel in distress. I’m a true romantic at heart.” She smiled a wicked smile that promised unsightly things.
“Ye have no heart,” Alexander growled.
“And you,” Rowena said turning her gaze toward Alexander, “have been a very naughty boy.” She tsked. “I kept my promise. I haven’t bothered her. Yet you ran back here as soon as I disappeared.” Rowena moved closer. “I always thought you were a stickler for following rules, yet…this human,” she spat, “provokes rule breaking in you.”
“And you stand there and lie,” Kaelyn interrupted. “We’ve met before,” she sneered, “or have you forgotten our little girl’s chat by the lake?”
Rowena smiled, showing pointy glistening teeth. “You know, you’ll have to pay for your insolence.”
“Dinna come any closer! I’m warning ye,” Alexander said taking a menacing step toward Rowena.
Rowena raised her eyebrows in disbelief and then laughed a long throaty laugh. “You, think you can destroy me?” She continued laughing.
Kaelyn glanced at Alexander and noticed the furious shade of red on his cheeks. His hands were clenched in tight fists. He looked ready to pounce.
Rowena’s laugh died and she wiped at her eyes. “Well, now if you’re done making me laugh, I’d really like to do what I came here to do.” Before either knew what she was doing, Rowena jumped forward and clenched the sides of Kaelyn’s head. Alexander immediately buckled to his knees, grabbing his head in agony.
Abruptly, icy cold needles pierced Kaelyn’s skull. Kaelyn squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t want to die, not like this. A fire began in her belly and continued to grow, stretching to her limbs. Kaelyn screamed. It felt as though a lightning bolt flowed through her.
A loud screech sounded. Kaelyn opened her eyes, and saw Rowena flat on her back, half-way across the camp. No longer in pain, but completely confused, Alexander glanced back and forth at Rowena and Kaelyn. Kaelyn was about to say she had no idea how that happened, when another horrible screech sounded from where Rowena had landed.
Kaelyn glanced over and found the most hideous sight she’d ever seen. Rowena’s eyes glowed a luminescent blue color while her teeth formed sharp, jagged points. She flew toward Kaelyn, livid with rage.
Alexander impulsively jumped up and wrapped his arms around Kaelyn. He squeezed her crystal with one hand and quickly thought of a place to warp to.
The only place he knew that was safe.
* * * * *
“Are ye alright?” Alexander asked as he looked down at Kaelyn whom he covered with his body on the hard ground.
“I think so,” she said out of breath. She reached up and rubbed the side of her head. “I think I must have hit my head. I’m a little dizzy.”
“Sorry,” he said, lightly pushing her hand away and studying her head. He applied slight pressure on her head and she winced. “’Tis just bruised. We landed pretty hard.”
“I’d say,” Kaelyn mumbled as she avoided looking into Alexander’s gaze. He still covered her in an intimate way with his body while they sprawled over her. He must have realized his position and promptly rose. He reached out and helped her up, making sure she was steady before he let go.
Kaelyn dusted of her pants and then glanced around. “Where are we?”
“The better question is when.”
“Okay,” Kaelyn said slowly. “So, ‘when’ are we?”
“We’re close to a couple of my fellow Immortals. Well…they’re no longer immortal. Both of them are married and have bairns. We’re on Cameron’s lands. ‘Tis fifteen hundred and seven.” Alexander looked ruefully over to Kaelyn. “This was the only place I could think of that I knew was safe from Rowena. At least, until she realizes where we went, but I plan to already be gone.”
“That’s comforting,” Kaelyn said, blowing a loose piece of hair out of her face.
Alexander sighed. There was something special about Kaelyn. He knew that, now. How did she fling Rowena across the camp without touching her? Was that why Rowena was afraid of her or was it something else? Did Kaelyn keep information from him or did she really not have a clue what was going on? Either way, he’d get to the bottom of it.
“Come on, ‘tis almost night fall. Merrick’s home is a short distance away.”
* * * * *
“Do I look okay?” Kaelyn asked as she nervously tucked her hair behind her ears and did a quick sniff under her arms. She knew she must look and smell something awful. Alexander’s “short distance” was really a three hour hike through rolling hills and woods.
“Ye look fine,” Alexander said gruffly. He turned back to the large, wooden, arched door and pounded his fist again.
“Shouldn’t we come back later? They’re probably all sleeping.” It was late evening after all, Kaelyn thought.
“Nay, Merrick will be happy to see us.”
Kaelyn was about to disagree, when the door swung open. “Who the bloody hell-.”
Kaelyn stumbled closer to Alexander when the handsome, dark haired man answered the door. He wore an untied tunic with breeches and bare feet. His hair was disarrayed, but Kaelyn didn’t think from sleep. He didn’t seem happy.
“Merrick?” Alexander said with a grim smile. “I thought ye always said I’d be welcome.”
“Good God! Alexander? Is that ye?” Merrick said in awe.
“I should ask the same question,” Alexander said. “Ye have gray hairs!”
Merrick ran his hand through his thick hair. “Weel, when ye aren’t Immortal, ye tend to age.” He stepped back and held the door open. “Come in, Jillian will be so excited to see ye.” Alexander walked in and gave his friend a manly hug with a hefty slap on the back. Merrick glanced past him to Kaelyn. “And what do ye have here?”
Alexander glanced at Kaelyn. “She’s a friend…who needs our help.”
Merrick looked at Alexander and realized the seriousness of his tone. He gave a quick nod. “Why dinna ye come in. I have a feeling ye have a story to tell.”
“Merrick? What’s going on?” a woman’s voice asked.
Kaelyn glanced down the hallway, finding a beautiful auburn haired woman with concern written all over her delicate features.
Merrick shut the door and walked over to his wife. “Love…Alexander’s here…and he brought a lass in need of our help.”
Jillian dropped her husbands hand and walked over to Alexander. “It’s been so many years,” she whispered. “We didn’t think we’d ever see you again.” With that said, she reached out and gave him a big hug. She pulled away and glanced up in his face. She lightly brushed the hair out of his eyes. “You look exactly the same,” she said in a sad voice.
“And ye look more beautiful than I remember,” Alexander said, placing a light, friendly kiss on Jillian’s cheek.
“As much as I like to see my wife get along with my friends, I’ll kindly ask ye to stop pawing at her,” Merrick added with a grin.
Alexander and Jillian looked at Merrick with smiles. Alexander released Jillian and she walked over to Kaelyn. “And who is this lovely creature?”
Kaelyn felt her cheeks blush. She had never had a woman complement her before. Growing up, she only got cold, harsh remarks from the females in her life. She slowly stuck out her hand to shake Jillian’s. “I’m Kaelyn.”
Jillian didn’t take her hand, but gave her one of her big hugs. “Any friend of Alexander’s, is a friend of mine. Welcome to our home!” Jillian let go of Kaelyn and glanced back at Merrick, raising her eyebrows along with a devilish smile.
Merrick rolled his eyes. He knew that look of his wife’s. Jillian wanted to play matchmaker.
Merrick cleared his throat. “I think Kaelyn might want to relax. Why dinna ye show her to her room, Jilly?”
Jillian turned and Kaelyn realized she talked to a servant hidden in the dark corner. After a moment, the servant walked away and Jillian turned back around. “Kaelyn, if you come with me I’ll show you to your room and get you a hot bath. You must be in need of one the way Alexander probably made you walk to kingdom come!”
Kaelyn glanced at Alexander and he made a tight nod for her to go with Jillian. She followed Jillian and they disappeared down the darkened corridor.
Merrick watched until his wife and guest had disappeared. He turned back to Alexander. “Old friend, I think ‘tis time ye tell me what’s going on.”
* * * * *
“That’s a beautiful crystal,” Jillian said as she studied Kaelyn.
Kaelyn apprehensively covered the
crystal and shoved it back under her tunic. “Thanks. This is a beautiful room,” she said changing the subject.
“Oh, thank you. I decorated it myself.” Jillian watched Kaelyn walk over and run her hand over the blue brocade bedding. “You’re not from around here, are you?” Kaelyn’s hand paused over the fabric. She glanced up at Jillian. “It’s okay,” Jillian continued. “I came here from the twenty-first century, too.”
“You did?” Kaelyn asked, feeling a rush of relief. How nice it would be to talk to a woman from her own time.
Jillian smiled brightly. “I did, and coming here was the best thing to ever happen to me. I found my soul mate and have a beautiful family- oh, which reminds me the kids will love to meet you tomorrow!”
“H-how many do you have?”
“Four lovely children. Our oldest is twelve…going on sixteen…and our youngest will actually be turning one in another month.” A sly smile crossed Jillian’s face. “So, it seems like you and Alexander get along….”
Kaelyn glanced out the corner of her eye. “Yeah. We get along.”
“Hmmm,” was all Jillian said as she walked to the door. “Your bath will be up in a moment. Have a good night’s sleep.”
“J-Jillian?“ Kaelyn quickly rushed out.
“Yes?”
“Where is Alexander sleeping?”
Jillian arched a questioning brow. “He’ll be in the room next to yours.” Jillian leaned forward as if she confided a secret. “I believe there’s a door through your closet to his, you know…if you should need anything through the night.” With that Jillian quietly shut the door smiling to herself.