HIDDEN IN TIME

by Longley, Barbara

  His pulse racing, Brian stood. The clearing reverberated with cheering and whistles. He turned to face his clan, overwhelmed by the moment. Ceann Carraig held up a hand once more, and the clan quieted, all except for a startled infant, who let his displeasure be known by wailing like a wee banshee. A ripple of laughter went through the gathering, as the mother and father comforted the little one.

  “One of the reasons we hold a tournament when a young woman comes to us is to test a man’s character as well as his fitness. Both are important in becoming a husband and a father. In this way we protect the integrity of our society. During this particular competition, we also sought a worthy chieftain for na Sráidbhaile Meán. Before we have ye bring your markers and medallions forward, I have glad tidings to share. Grayce MacCarthy and Brian MacSloan O’Braedan would like the clan to know they are betrothed. Let us all wish them well.

  Brian helped Grayce to stand and twined his fingers with hers. A lovely flush filled her face as she moved closer to his side. This time the air filled with shouts of good wishes, blessings spoken in Irish, and hoots of glee. He glanced at Dylan and James. Both nodded. When he’d spoken to them about Rebecca, he’d also hinted at the strong possibility that Grayce would choose him.

  They’d teased him about how glad they were that they would not have to compete with him in future competitions for a mate. Their turns would come, they assured him. Neill he knew not at all, but he seemed to take the news in stride.

  “Laddies, bring forth your markers and medallions,” the druid said. Each of them in turn, beginning with Neill, placed their markers upon the stone altar and their medallions in a row on top or beneath their identifying symbol. Brian went last. He held the most firsts, but that didn’t mean he’d be chosen as chieftain. He had no right to expect he’d be chosen. Besides, he’d already won the greatest prize. He returned to take his place beside Grayce. Even her brief smile quickened his pulse.

  Brian knew the choice had already been made, but still, the druids, elders and chieftains walked around the altar, studying the display of markers and medallions set upon the stone surface. The new moon hung low over the eastern horizon, and it seemed to him the very ground he stood upon drew in and held its breath. The role of chieftain was not a contest win, but a heavy responsibility. He reached for Grayce’s hand, and she took it in both hers.

  The council bent their heads together and conferred, all to heighten the drama and stoke the tension of the moment. Finally, Ceann Carraig stepped forward. “The decision has been made.” He paused, looking out over their gathered clan, and then to Neill, Dylan, James and himself. “Brian MacSloan O’Braedan, come forward,” he bellowed.

  All the breath left him, and his knees nearly buckled. He’d heard his name, but his feet refused to carry him forward. Grayce nudged him, and he stumbled his way to the altar.

  “Here stands our new village chieftain.” Ceann Carraig placed his hand upon Brian’s shoulder and turned him to face their people. “Do ye swear to uphold our laws and to lead our people honestly, with honor and respect, Brian MacSloan O’Braedan?”

  “I do.”

  “Louder, lad,” Ceann Carraig whispered.

  Brian cleared his throat. “I do,” he shouted. Cheers erupted, but his da’s troubled expression brought back all that had befallen his family at the hands of Aiden’s family. His mother beamed at him, as did Beth and Grandda. Rather than looking at him, Grayce seemed to be searching the crowd for someone.

  “Ye must present yourself at the grove at sunup two days hence. There ye will meet with the elders, the other two chieftains and myself. Ye’ll begin your training as chieftain,” Ceann Carraig told him.

  “I will.”

  “Brian, the council has the utmost confidence in ye, and we could not be more pleased that ye shall step into the role of leadership for our village.” The druid gripped Brian’s forearm for a moment.

  “I vow to do my best for our clan.”

  “Aye, we know ye will. Go rejoin your kin, lad.”

  In a daze, he returned to his seat and attempted to pull himself together. “Who were you looking for a moment ago?” he asked Grayce.

  “Just keeping an eye on the crowd in case Aiden should pop out with a weapon or two aimed your way.”

  He nodded as dread slithered down his spine. What would she have done if Aiden had appeared? He wanted to ask, but Ceann Carraig began to speak again.

  “When last we gathered, we druids shared our concerns regarding the magic protecting our valleys,” Ceann Carraig began. “We have determined the problem lies with the interweaving of druid magic with the magic of the Tuatha dé Danann. The council has met every day since, and we have come to a consensus on the matter. It has been many centuries since we druids have been called upon to use what magic we possess. Sadly, much of what we knew of spell-weaving has been lost to us, for we’ve had no need to use those ancient skills.”

  Murmurs of concern trickled through the crowd, gathering force as it spread. Ceann Carraig held up both hands. “We ask that ye be patient. We are pooling our collective knowledge, and research has begun with what records have been left to us. Fortunately, we possess texts written by those druids who recognized the need to record such things. We will work diligently to resurrect our magical arts, so that we might reinforce the original spells cast by our forebears. ’Tis our hope doing so will stop the separation between the fae magic and that of our druid ancestors.”

  Brian let go of the breath he’d been holding. The druids had a plan, a good one. Life would go on as it had. Nothing would change, except he would now lead his people, and he’d soon be a husband. The problem was, he was no longer certain life without change was a good thing after all.

  Chapter Nine

  * * *

  The celebratory feast was nearly over, and he’d had his fill of backslaps, well-wishing, and petty complaints being poured into his ear. Brian searched the crowd for Grayce, finding her in a group including his parents. He brought his attention back to the man speaking to him, nodding solemnly as Dan complained about his neighbor’s pigs.

  “They’re wreaking havoc on our vegetable garden, I tell ye,” Dan said. “My wife and I have tried talking to Thomas and his wife, but our words fall on deaf ears. We’ve better things to do than chase their pigs out of our garden. With our son on the way, we’ll need all the vegetables we can grow and preserve for the coming winter.”

  “I’ll have a word with them, and I’ll take a look to see how his hog pen might be reinforced.”

  “’Tis glad we all are that ye’ve stepped into the role your da never should have been forced to relinquish.” Dan glanced around at their clan. “We’re all breathing a wee bit easier now that Aiden has been dealt with.”

  Brian cringed inwardly at the mentioned name. He shuddered to think what Aiden might be up to these days, holed up on his farm with his ma as he was.

  “What do ye think about setting up a specific time and place for bringing concerns and grievances to the council?” He’d be besieged night and day if he didn’t implement the system that had fallen by the wayside after Blaine had taken over.

  “’Tis well past time we did so.”

  “I agree. Once I speak with the elders, I’ll let ye know. Can I count on ye to spread the word once everything is set?” His father had always told him how important it was to include those he governed in the decision-making process. His father had viewed his role as a facilitator, a force for bringing people together to solve problems. Brian meant to follow his example, and he’d seek his advice as oft as he could.

  “Aye. I’d be glad to help.” Dan puffed up a bit, clearly pleased to be given a role to play in the upcoming change. “Ye’d best be getting back to your lassie. I’ve taken up enough of your time.”

  “I’m glad ye came to me, Dan.” He clasped the man’s forearm. “Good eve to ye.” Brian kept his eye on Grayce as he set out to join her. Someone bumped into his side with enough force to bring him to a h
alt. He reached out to steady the stumbling woman, and by the time he realized who it was, she’d latched onto him.

  “Oh, excuse me,” Rebecca said, her voice breathy and insincere. “I might’ve had one too many pints.” She giggled and batted her lashes at him.

  “No harm done.” He peeled her hands from his arm and put some distance between them. “Perhaps ye might wish to call it a night and return home.”

  “Perhaps I should.” She gazed suggestively his way and sidled closer, making sure her breasts brushed against his arm as she made another grab for him “Will you escort me then?”

  “Nay.” Brian stepped out of her grasp again. “I’m to rejoin Grayce and my kin.”

  “Why did you pick that mousy, skinny Yank anyway? You should’ve chosen me.” She pouted and placed her hands on her hips. “You and I would’ve been perfect together.”

  “I don’t believe we would have gotten on well.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Ye’re not without options, aye? Dylan’s a good man from a good family.”

  “Hmm.” Her gaze slid to Grayce. Rebecca’s expression hardened, and her eyes narrowed. “You’re all a bunch of bloody fecking idiots.” She cast him a glare and walked away, not in the least unsteady from one too many pints.

  James was right. Rebecca would not change, and he’d best talk to Dylan before his friend set himself up for a lifetime of misery. Shaking his head, he continued on.

  “What did Rebecca have to say?” Grayce asked.

  “Nothing but the ramblings of a malcontent. People like her, Helen, and Aiden are never satisfied, are they?”

  “No, they aren’t. Rebecca is sucking on the same sour grapes as Aiden’s mother did when your father rejected her,” Grayce remarked.

  “Aye. Let us forget about them and think on more pleasant things this eve.” He leaned in close to whisper into her ear. “Will ye spend the night with me, Grayce of my heart?”

  A tiny gasp escaped her slightly parted lips, and she nodded. In that moment, everything and everyone else faded into a background of muted hues and muffled sound. The gray of Grayce’s eyes, the rosy shade of her lips … everything about her stood out in vivid contrast.

  “Won’t that be awkward with your parents?” she whispered back.

  “Nay. We are betrothed. You could move into our cottage this very eve, and it would not cause anyone one whit of concern.” He grinned and put his arm around her shoulders. “Grayce and I are heading home,” he said to his parents.

  “All right,” his father said. “Will ye be joining us for breakfast tomorrow?”

  “We’re both expected at the druid’s grove at the crack of dawn to begin our training.” Which would leave his da to deal with all the chores by himself. “Which reminds me, will ye be all right without me for a few days, Da?”

  “Aye, lad. I’ll employ the help of one of the older boys from the village if need be.”

  “I’ll have breakfast ready,” his ma added. “Stop by on your way.”

  Grayce slid her arm around his waist. “We will, thanks,” she said.

  Brian turned Grayce toward the path leading home, and they walked along in silence for several minutes.

  “This is all so surreal,” Grayce murmured.

  “I’m not familiar with the word. What does surreal mean?”

  “It means strange and unusual in a bizarre way.” Grayce glanced at him. “Five weeks ago, I was in Tennessee, preparing for a two-week trip to Ireland to attend my nephew’s christening. I lived a typical twenty-first-century life. I own a car. I have an apartment, a job, and all the perks and conveniences of modern life, including an entire kitchen drawer filled with takeout menus.” She flashed him a grin, one eyebrow raised. “I’m aware you have no clue what a takeout menu is, which only proves my point that this is all very surreal.”

  “And all of that was taken from ye by magic cast nearly two thousand years ago. I am sorry, Grayce.”

  “I know you are.” She moved closer to his side. “Before falling into this valley, I’d resigned myself to living alone for the rest of my life. I was never going to marry or have a family.”

  He couldn’t imagine why a woman with such a generous heart would choose that path. “Why is that?”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “Trying to forge lasting relationships while able to read emotions and having visions of things to come caused me nothing but grief. You accept me for who I am. Not only that, but you appreciate who I am, and you’re loyal to a fault.” She flashed him a grin. “Then one day, I went on a hike and fell through time and space. Just like that, everything changed.” Grayce slid her hand into his. “I’m not alone anymore.”

  They’d reached the trees in front of his cottage—not just his home anymore, but theirs. He drew her into his arms. “Grayce, I know ye don’t believe fate brought us together, but it seems my entire life I’ve been waiting for the other half of my heart to find me. Now, here ye are in my arms, and I can scarce trust in my own good fortune.”

  Grayce went up on her toes and kissed him. A long pent-up groan escaped, and he deepened the kiss. Having her pressed against him brought his desire to a boiling point. Her scent filled his senses, and he lost himself in the feel of her feminine curves. He scooped her up into his arms and headed for his door.

  Her eyes sparkling, she laughed and tightened her arms around his neck. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d meet someone as wonderful as you.”

  “Then you understand how I feel.” A fraction anyway, for what he felt for her was too large and all-encompassing for mere words. He’d known the minute he’d laid eyes on her they were meant for each other.

  He managed a one-handed reach for the latch and pushed the door open. He set her on her feet and kicked the door closed behind them. “Alone at last,” he whispered, drawing her into his arms again. “I want ye, fair Grayce, like I’ve never wanted anything else in my entire life.”

  “Ditto,” she said, her voice raspy. She reached for the hem of his tunic and tugged it up.

  He helped by pulling it off over his head. Then she attacked his shirt, belt and trews. His boots thwarted her efforts, and she growled her frustration. Once again she tapped into that well of joy only she could reach. “Impatient?”

  “Very.”

  He shuffled to a chair with his trews down around his ankles, which elicited a burst of laughter from Grayce. Perching on the edge, he removed his boots and trews. By the time he’d gotten everything off, Grayce had slipped out of her clothing. She stood gloriously naked before him.

  He sucked in a breath and gaped. Her breasts were not overlarge, but perfectly proportioned to her size, and her nipples were an enticing, dusky shade of pink. As he stared appreciatively, they puckered and hardened. Her slender waist led his gaze to the flare of her hips, her well-toned legs, and the thatch of dark curls between her thighs. Everything about her drove him wild. “Perfection,” he rasped out. “I’m the luckiest of men.”

  Smiling, she sauntered to their bed and settled herself atop the blankets as he suffered a moment of insecurity. Did she find their rope-framed, goose-down mattress comfortable? What about the woolen blankets and linen sheets? Perhaps after spending her life with all the luxuries the outer world had to offer, she might find their simple cottage inadequate. But then Grayce laid on her side, propped herself up on her elbow and beckoned to him, and all such thoughts vanished.

  “Are you planning to sit there all night?”

  “Gods, nay!” He made a dash for the bed and stretched out beside her. Brian ran his palm down her side. Her skin was so warm and soft he worried his work-roughened hands might cause her discomfort. “I plan to explore every inch of ye. Will ye let me?”

  “I will.” Grayce tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him to her for a kiss.

  Her hands roamed over him, and currents of arousal shot straight to his groin. He loved her boldness, her open nature. He loved her. Brian cupped one of her perfect breasts and ran his thumb over the ha
rdened nipple. His breathing came fast and hard as he kissed his way down her neck, along her collar bone and finally to her other breast. There he teased her with nibbles and licks.

  Grayce arched into him and moaned as he took her into his mouth and suckled. She pressed her pelvis against his engorged member. Her hand slipped downward between them. She fondled his balls, and he lost all control. Brian made good on his promise to explore every inch of her delectable curves, touching, tasting and nipping, until their bodies joined together in a frenzy of mutual want.

  Never before had he experienced such a feeling of completeness, of rightness. He thrust into her slick heat over and over, not wanting the moment to end.

  Crying out, Grayce shuddered and gripped his shoulders. He watched her beloved face as she reached fulfillment. Seeing her in the throes of passion sent him hurtling over the edge. Pulse after pulse of pleasure coursed through him until he was spent.

  Brian collapsed to his side and drew Grayce into his arms. Brushing the damp hair from her face, he kissed her cheeks, her eyelids, chin and finally her mouth.

  She wrapped her arms around him, and their kiss turned into something tender, precious. Their lust sated, the moment became intensely intimate in a different way. Their very souls spoke to one another, forming an everlasting bond. His eyes stung. Drawing her closer, he wrapped her in his arms and legs and whispered Irish words of love into her ear. Grayce sighed. A half-smile lighting her features, she closed her eyes.

  Until it grew too dark to do so, he watched her sleep. Every now and then, little pops of air came through her lips, making him chuckle softly. Deep contentment settled over him as he drew the covers over their nakedness. Finally, with his arm around Grayce’s waist, he let sleep take him.

  Grayce woke with a start. Her mouth went dry and her pulse raced. Staring into the darkness, she listened and reached out with her senses. The sound of Brian’s steady breathing and the warmth radiating from him had not awakened her. What had? Perhaps an animal outside, foraging around the cottage for food?