Merrick glared at me out of the corner of his eye. “Nay, ye could say I got the short end of the stick,” he sneered. Okay, so he was still mad at me. “Where are ye going?” Merrick quickly asked when I rose and walked toward the door.
I stopped with my back facing him. “I need to do my…thing,” I gritted out.
“Dinna stray too far.”
“Don’t worry,” I said swirling around, “I have protection or did you forget.” I held up my dagger. Before I could blink, Merrick stood next to me and grabbed the dagger out of my hand. “Hey, give that back!”
He turned on me. “Where’d ye get this, lass!” he demanded, staring at me with cold blue eyes.
I jumped to grab the dagger, but he held it high above my reach. “It’s mine! I found it back in the twenty-first century.”
“’Tis no ye’res,” he said harshly. “This dagger belongs ta me. The blood from my verra heart stains the tip.” He turned and stalked back to the fire. “I’ll hold on ta it now. ‘Tis more valuable than ye’re wee life.”
Un-freaking-believable! I huffed, stomping out the door, slamming it behind me not caring if the decayed door crumbled to pieces and I ventured into the woods. I glanced back toward the cottage when I came upon a nice area with an abundance of bushes making sure I was private. As I turned to take another step, I ran smack into a hard chest. “Weel, weel, weel, wot ha’ we here. It looks like our wee bird returned ta us after all.”
I knew that gravely voice. I glared up into cold, black beady eyes surrounded by a weathered face. It was one of the men that had given me trouble when I first arrived here from the twenty-first century. My hand, by habit, moved for my dagger when I remembered Merrick held on to it. I opened my mouth to scream, but the man quickly pulled me into his arms wrapping an arm around my waist and a large meaty hand over my mouth.
“That wouldna be too wise, lass. Besides, ye owe Robbie something for all the trouble ye caused him, ‘tis only fair.” I squirmed as his hand began to lower from my waist and bunch up my skirts. “Maybe, I should take a look ta make sure ye’re no armed this time.” The man’s rank breath made my eyes water while his coarse gray beard scratched my cheek. I tried to elbow him in the chest when his hand painfully grabbed the back of my bare thigh. He leaned close to my ear laughing. “Ye’re feisty and a bonnie one at that. I think I’ll warm ye up for Robbie. Let’s get ye out o’ ye’re clothes.” His hurtful hands began to rip the front of my dress. “I promise we’ll ha’ a lot o’ fun together.”
“I ha’ ta disagree,” Merrick said calmly from a tree where he leaned up against a few yards away. He had one foot resting up against the trunk while he casually picked his nails with the ruby eyed dagger’s blade.
“Leave us be,” the man yelled over my shoulder. “Ye can ha’ her back when I’m done…unless ye’d want ta fight me for her? Although, I must warn ye, I dinna think ye’ll be the victor.” Suddenly, Robbie and the other man made themselves visible from their hiding places. I finally got a good look at the men who attacked me before.
Bright red hair covered Robbie’s head and a dirty leather vest concealed his bare torso. The other barrel-shaped man had dark brown curly hair and a full beard which appeared to have remains of his last meal. The buttons on his jacket looked like they’d burst at any moment. Both men wore sinister grins and anxiously palmed their weapons.
“Tell ye what,” Merrick said with a disturbing smile as he pushed away from the tree, “I’ll let ye live, if ye hand o’er the lass and walk away.” The men glanced at each other and loud rumbles of laughter filled the forest.
“And why would we do that?” the fat man asked with a laugh. “We ha’ ye outnumbered!” The three men laughed again.
Merrick gripped the dagger smiling wickedly. “Dinna say I didna warn ye.” Before the fat man had his axe raised, Merrick was behind him slitting his throat with the dagger and letting the body fall to the ground.
“Ye bastard!” Robbie yelled. He unsheathed his broadsword and charged Merrick with a savage roar.
“I believe that’s our cue ta leave, lass,” the man holding me tight said. He spun me around and painfully grabbed my hand pulling me deeper into the woods. The fight behind me grew quieter as my keeper hastily made his way toward his horse waiting for us up ahead through the brush. I tried to pull my hand out of his grip, but he squeezed hard, sending a biting pain up my arm. I dug in my heels, anything that would stall us. Before I knew what the man had in store, he twirled around and backhanded me, sending a burning pain across my cheek. “Ye’ll stop that at once. Ye’re mon is most likely gutted now anyways.” He tugged me making my arm feel like it pulled out of the socket. I stumbled forward as my tongue darted out tasting blood on my lip.
Just then the ruby eyed dagger whizzed past my head and sunk into the trunk of the tree I was about to pass. I reached out pulling with all my might. “Quit ye’re stallin!” the man hissed as he cruelly jerked me forward. I yelled out in pain as my knuckles scraped across the rough bark grabbing hold of the dagger. Glancing back, I saw Merrick running after us. Squeezing the familiar dagger in my hand, I quickly slashed away at the man’s wrist.
“Och! Ye bitch!” the man spat spinning around grabbing hold of his wrist and releasing me. The man raised his fist in a blow I knew I wouldn’t survive. I stood frozen in place as a loud war cry roared behind me. Merrick suddenly leapt past me and jumped on the man tackling him to the ground. Merrick straddled the man and seconds later, a sick gurgling noise sounded. I turned away as my stomach heaved. I didn’t see any weapon in Merrick’s hand. I knew he just ripped the man’s throat out with his bare hands. Merrick pushed off the body and walked toward me with a disconcerting look crossing his face.
“Come, breakfast should be ready,” Merrick said sounding a little too calm as he walked up next to me.
“H-here,” I said handing him the ruby eyed dagger with shaky hands.
Merrick walked past my hand. “Keep it.” I stopped, watching him stride ahead with his bloody hands hanging by his sides.
When we made it back to the cottage, Merrick pulled a leather skinned sack out of his bag and poured water from it over his hands, leaving a pink tinge on his skin and under his nails. He dried his hands and began eating the meat. Wordlessly, he offered a piece to me. I shook my head. As hungry as I was, I couldn’t help picturing the deaths I just witnessed. How did he carry on so easily? It seemed killing was as natural as breathing for Merrick. I didn’t know if that bothered me or not.
* * * * *
“I can walk,” I said crossing my arms as Merrick held his hand out to me from high above on his horse.
“If ye walk, we willna get back ta the castle till the morrow. Take my hand, or I’ll toss ye o’er my lap and ye can greet everyone we come across with ye’re bonnie arse in the air,” Merrick said sternly. I let out a sigh of defeat and reached out grabbing hold of his hand. Merrick effortlessly pulled me up in one easy move and nestled me in front of him between his hard thighs.
“It’s more comfortable if ye lean back against me,” he said after a short while of me sitting with my back ram rod straight trying to touch the least amount of him as I could.
“I’m fine,” I said. I heard a low growl and abruptly, Merrick wrapped one arm around my waist and jerked me back so I leaned against his hard chest. His earthy scent with a hint of manly sweat filled my senses creating warmth beginning to branch out from my core. His warm breath tickled the hairs by my ear while his strong muscular arms enveloped me.
As we rode at a steady pace, I stared up at the trees and the gray sky above. Slowly, my eyes drifted shut and I felt myself relax completely against Merrick and the rhythmic sway of the horse. Somehow, deep down, I knew I could trust him. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.
I was about to open my eyes from the long peaceful nap I took, when I felt Merrick’s knuckles run across my swollen cheek and bloody lip the man had slapped. I tried to keep my breathing even and kept my eyes closed. “Ye foolish, foolish las
s,” he mumbled against my hair line. His warm lips gently pressed against my temple in a delicate kiss. He lingered for a moment causing the warm sensation to grow inside of me reaching out to my extremities. How could this man who killed three people so easily be so gentle? I waited a while after he pulled away from me to open my eyes.
“We’re nearly home,” Merrick said in a cool tone as I sat up from his chest. Home. This wasn’t home, at least not for me.
As we rode through the portcullis I noticed Angus glaring at me. He must have ratted me out. Now, he positively knew I had lied to him. We rode through the entrance to the upper bailey. I immediately saw Cameron standing at the doorway of the keep. He wore a furious expression while his hands rested on his hips.
Merrick stopped Dante’ and jumped down. Reaching up to me, I placed my hands in his and he helped me down. His hands tightened on my waist for a brief moment as he stared into my face.
“Thank you,” I said breathlessly, “for saving me.” Merrick glared at me for a split second and brushed past me.
“Jillian,” Cameron said sternly, “come with me.” I followed Cameron feeling like a scorned child. We ended up in a small office room with an ornate desk and two stools. Once I walked past Cameron into the room, he closed the door. “Have a seat.” I took a seat on one of the wooden stools in front of the large wooden desk as Cameron sat on the corner on top of the desk. He ran his hand through his hair and turned on me. “What the hell were you thinking!” he demanded. “You could have been killed. If Merrick hadn’t been so quick to discover you missing and realize you ran off, we’d most likely be bringing back your corpse!” My mouth dropped open as I stared up at Cameron. Merrick wanted to find me? Cameron stood up towering over me. “Did you even know where you were going?”
I nodded. “I was going back to the McDougals,” I said softly.
“Too bad you were headed in the wrong direction. Much further and you would have been lost in Ferguson lands. That area is filled with criminals and the lowest scum around.”
“Did you want to find me?” I asked quietly. “I don’t blame you if you don’t want me here.”
Cameron stared at me with his mouth tight lipped. He ran a hand through his hair again. “So, you heard us talking in the library the other night,” he said softly. Cameron stood up and began to pace the small room. “Dammit Jillian, I’ve come to love you as a sister, but you have no idea what it’s like to be Immortal. I’ve seen things you can only dream of.” He let out a sigh and sat back down on the edge of his desk. “You could’ve jeopardized what I have with Elise. You know she’s my soul mate. There’s no other woman for me. I’m so close to becoming mortal. I can feel it.” He reached out caressing my sore cheek as his lips tightened. “I said those things because I was mad. I want you here, in my home, at least until we figure a way to get you back to your century. Even if we don’t find a way…then think of this as your permanent residence.”
Cameron smiled and gently squeezed my shoulder. I smiled a tight smile. “Thanks Cameron. I won’t run off again, I promise.”
“I hope not. And by the way, who ever hurt you,” he said turning my chin side to side inspecting my swollen face, “I’ll have tracked down and punished.”
“You don’t need to. Merrick killed them,” I said quietly.
Cameron’s hand stilled. “Merrick?” he asked with a confused look.
“What?”
Cameron shrugged. “He never fights over a woman,” he said quietly. He shook his head. “Come,” he said walking over to the door, “you must be tired and you desperately need a bath.” I regarded my filthy torn skirts. I could only imagine what I looked like. “I’ll have a bath sent up,” he said opening the door. “I’ll see you at dinner, Jillian.” I left the small room and slowly made my way to my chamber aching with every step.
* * * * *
I left my bedchamber after soaking in a hot bath and taking a long, much needed nap. I smoothed the skirts of the light blue muslin dress I wore and pushed my hair, which tumbled down my back, out of my face. I lightly rubbed the side of my head where a throbbing ache pierced my skull. What I wouldn’t do for some Tylenol!
I walked down the hall hesitating when I passed an open door leading to a beautiful solar. A settee along with two arm chairs in a gold filigree pattern with large carved legs, which resembled tiger’s claws, graced the elegant room. I decided to take a quick look before proceeding down to dinner.
As I entered the room, I noticed a huge stone fireplace with a roaring fire and the painting of Cameron, the one I had found in my gram’s attic, hanging above the large stone mantle. The only window in the solar was a huge stained-glass window with a hundred different glass panes in an array of color.
I figured it wouldn’t hurt to peek inside the bedroom. I stuck my head around the door frame and froze. My forehead creased with confusion as I tried to rationalize the sight before me.
* * * * *
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Elise stood next to her dressing table with what appeared to be a twenty-first century prescription bottle in her hand. She lightly tapped the side of the container against her palm rolling out two capsules. Pausing with her hand half-way to her mouth, she glanced over at me.
“Oh, Elise,” I said moving a step back, “I’m sorry…the door…your solar is beautiful…I—“
“Oh no, Jilly!” she said taking a step closer, reaching out to my cheek. She paused and threw her hands to her mouth as her eyes grew wide with horror. I didn’t have a mirror in my chamber, but I knew by how tender my cheek felt that there had to be an awful looking bruise from the reaction I was getting.
“I’m fine, really. I should probably be going—“
“Och, dinna fasch yerself, Jilly. Ye can come in me room and visit anytime. Weel, until I marry Cameron, then ye might want ta knock,” she said with a wicked grin. Elise put the lid on the container and threw back her head popping in the capsules. Next, she grabbed a goblet from her dressing table and took a big drink. “All better now. Are ye really all right? Cameron told me what happened.” Elise looked away as her cheeks turned bright pink. “Sorry, ‘tis just ye’re cheek is quite colorful. Does it hurt badly?” She set the goblet back down while she dabbed her mouth with the corner of a handkerchief.
“I’m sorry, what?” I said staring at the prescription container. Watching Elise take a prescription seemed so strange. How did she get the prescription? Why did she need one?
“Oh! Jillian, these are from Cameron,” she said picking up the prescription bottle after following my stare. “I would’ve died two days ago if Cameron hadna brought these back with him.”
“W-What?”
“He never told ye the story did he? Follow me to the solar, I’ll tell ye aboot what happened.” Elise made a wide grin. “I have tea and fruit in there.”
Once we both took a seat on the settee, she handed me a full cup of tea and dished up a small plate which she placed in front of me on a low wooden coffee table.
“Ye see,” she began, “Cameron told me, back in the 15th century—this being the 15th century before Cameron came back—that we had just confessed our love for each other. I became betrothed to him.” Elise smiled brightly. “Cameron wanted ta get married as soon as possible, so he could become mortal and we could start a family. He wants children verra badly.
“He told me how a sennight ago, in the old 15th century, I started ta feel verra weak. I slept all the time and couldna stop coughing. Our healer fixed an elixir for me, but the draught wasna verra good and didna help. I became bed ridden within a few days. He said I always felt so verra tired wanting ta sleep all day and all night. I eventually caught a fever, passing away shortly after, nothing had worked.
“He said to me, before I had breathed my last breath, that he came over ta me as I lay in bed. He held my hand and brushed the hair from my forehead promising me he’d find a way ta see me again, alive and well. He vowed we’d be two souls together once more. And then…I d
ied,” she said sadly. I paused holding a strawberry to my mouth. No wonder Cameron was so mad at me coming here, Elise and him loved each other with all their hearts. To think I could’ve ruined everything for them. Maybe, I still had.
“Cameron told me when he came back,” Elise continued, “the only way he survived and lived his life was kenning he’d come back ta me. He’s immortal after all, weel not for long.” Elise laughed and took a sip of tea. “He studied every medical book he put his hands on o’er the years and asked every healer he stumbled upon for information. He did say one thing the twenty-first century was verra good for, the medicines and cures. He became a healer in every century he lived through, always learning, finding better, faster cures.
“Dinna forget,” Elise said looking over at me, catching me stuff a berry into my mouth, “he did all this while he endlessly searched for the belt and daggers so he could come back ta me. That’s where ye come in, so thank ye, Jilly, or I’d ne’er see my true love again.”
I swallowed the berry. “So…Cameron’s a doctor?” I asked confused. I mean really, a Highland Warrior Doctor!
“Aye, he’s brilliant. Do ye remember when ye came back in time, Cameron carried a huge…I think ye call the sack a doofle bag,” Elise said looking at me for reassurance.
“Um, a duffle bag?”
“Aye, du-ff-le bag,” she said slowly. “Cameron stuffed the bag full of potions, tools, and….” Elise paused rolling her eyes upward as she tapped her chin with her index finger. “Och, shots! Lots o’ shots for sicknesses we could die from in this century. The sickness I had turned out to be…pneu-mon-ia,” she said with a smile. I guessed she knew she pronounced the illness correctly. “So, that’s why I’m taking those wee pills. Cameron came back the day before I should ha’ started ta feel ill, so he could catch the sickness in time. He searched books for the symptoms I had acquired and brought back everything he thought would help ta cure me and our future family too. It must ha’ been a shock ta see me take medicine from ye’re time.”
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