by Zarik
“I’m Trystan Fraser.” Trystan spoke as he reached out to firmly shake the officer’s hand that approached him. Were they called officers in Scotland? He gave himself a mental shrug. It didn’t matter. Tsarina did. “I’ve been speaking with several people in your department about my sister, Tsarina Fraser. She went missing about a year ago.”
“Are you certain it happened in Scotland?” The officer asked, obviously trying to hurry Trystan on.
“I’m positive. We’ve pulled all flight records. Her return ticket was never used.” Trystan held up a hand to stop the man from speaking. “And even if she had purchased a different ticket, there are no travel records of an Tsarina Fraser being on any flights since the initial one she left to come to Scotland on. This has been an investigation in the United States for a year now.”
“What has this office told you?”
“That you’re looking.”
“Well, then, we’re doing what we can.” The officer turned to walk away.
Trystan grabbed his arm. “Look, this is my sister. She’s my family. I want her home.”
“Maybe she decided to stay here. Maybe she liked Scotland. Since you're here, I'm guessing the United States closed her file.”
“Not closed, but not completely active. They say there's nothing state side. So it has to be here. Tsarina would have called. Disappearing isn’t something she’d ever do.”
“People do things that no one expects them to do every day, lad. Do you think a murderer’s brother would say they expected them to kill someone?”
Trystan shot the officer a glare.
“Maybe check the hotel she was staying at?” The officer hurried to lighten the conversation, seeing that he’d clearly annoyed the overly large man. “It's been a long time, but maybe someone will remember something.”
“I have. I’ve called them numerous times and they all say she never checked out and never returned to get the rest of her stuff.” That got the officer’s attention.
“So, there’s proof that she may have disappeared from here? She didn’t stay for her full reservation?”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell everyone I’ve spoken to here. She didn’t finish her stay, she never checked out, she never got her stuff and she never used her ticket, or even a new one, to fly home. Someone has my sister.”
“Come fill out some paperwork and let’s get you and your sister all the way in our system with all the details written by you. We’ll see if we can’t figure out what happened.”
Trystan sad down and contently filled out paperwork and went through four interviews. Six hours later, he was on his way to the hotel. The same hotel Tsarina had stayed at.
****
Scotland 1650’s
As Zarik and his friends made their way to the hall, he instantly saw Tor and Tsarina sitting by the fire. They were talking and laughing. Happy. It should be him with her. Instant rage took over. Why couldn't he make her laugh like that?
“Zarik,” Drostan placed a hand on his shoulder. “Ye cannae run yer brother through and ye ken it. This is yer fault, not his or hers.”
“Now I want to run ye through with my sword as well. It’s no my fault. Tsarina’s impossible. Besides, we barely speak, yet she has laughs and giggles for him.”
“Love doesnae need words. It’s clear in the way the two of ye look at each other. Sometimes ‘tis just the way of it.” Drostan shrugged.
“Ye’ll both be sorry if ye dunnae come to yer senses. Tor would be good to her, but they aren’t the match that was to have been made. She's to be yers. See it done.” Caelan said as he watched Tor and Tsarina almost as intently as Zarik did.
Drostan shook his head. “Have ye even tried speaking to the lass?” Zarik went to speak and Drostan hushed him with a raise of his hand. “Nay, ye need to hear me well. Ye blame everyone around ye for what happens between the two of ye. I’ve never known ye to pass blame. Ye’ve always accepted things and fixed what ye could.” Drostan saw more rage begin to fill Zarik’s eyes and decided to get back on topic. “Ahh, anyway, have ye ever really talked to her? I mean really. Not when ye’re trying to force her to marry ye or walking her to her room to see to it that no one else might be tempted to join her there. Do ye ken? What is her favorite flower? Her favorite color? Favorite food? Of the dresses she has, which does she cherish the most? Does she have a favorite fabric?” Drostan paused to study the lost look on his friends face and had to stop himself from laughing. His friend was blessed with a gift of battle and leading, but had no knowledge at all when it came to love or any matters of the heart that might involve affection. Letting out a sigh, he continued. “Exactly as I thought. And ye know what? I’d bet me best sword Tor could tell you each.”
“Then Tor should start wearing skirts. It’s woman’s talk. What do we care of flowers and fabric? Food? Eat it for nourishment and go on. Ye do not have to like it or have a favorite. It simply serves a purpose.” Zarik felt his control slipping away with each word he spoke.
“Zarik, ye have much to learn of love. I do hope ye see the way of it before it’s too late. Women need some form of tenderness. I ken it's not much in our nature, but for the right woman, we learn to do it to make her happy.”
Deciding not to murder his best friend just yet, Zarik, shaking his head, made his way over to the soon to be married pair.
****
Tsarina’s smile faded as she saw Zarik make his way over to them. She’d not seen him in at least a week. He was still handsome, though looked in desperate need of rest. And a shave.
“What is it?” Tor asked as he noticed Tsarina stiffen.
“Your brother is making an appearance. And, from the looks of it, he’s heading straight for us.” Tsarina suddenly felt as though she couldn’t breathe.
“Zarik.” Tor gave a short acknowledgment to his brother. He was in no mood to fight with him today. He’d been behaving like an arse since Tsarina’s arrival, well, more of an arse than he’d always been. But it was noticeable. Now that Tor was marrying Tsarina it had gotten ten times worse.
“I see ye’re still trying to take me lass.” Zarik stated as he looked from Tor to Tsarina and back. He didn’t like how pale and stiff she looked. “What has her frightened?”
Without hesitation or even a blink of an eye, Tor met Zarik’s gaze and told him. “You, brother. Ye have her looking pale as death and filled with fright. Why did ye show up today?”
“Me?” Zarik couldn’t believe the nerve of his brother.
“Aye, tis you. She was fine until your approach. Tell me what it is I can do for ye so that ye may take yer leave.”
“You dismiss me, Tor?”
“Aye, that I do when ye cause my soon to be wife distress.” Tor knew he had stressed the word my more than was necessary. Zarik had to learn he was the one that let Tsarina go. Tor was simply righting the wrong his brother had done.
“Do ye love her?”
“Love grows with time, Zarik. I will love her and I’m sure she’ll learn to love me as well. Father’s already speaking of bairns and his desire to be a grandda.” Tor straightened to stand slightly taller, with pride. Even though he wasn’t the eldest son it was looking like he’d be the first to give his Da the grandchildren he’d been wishing for.
****
Tsarina tuned out the men as soon as it seemed they were about ready to whip their cocks out to see whose was bigger. Actually, that might solve the issue between the two a lot faster. Sighing, Tsarina tried to fight what she envisioned as her future. A lifetime of Tor and his brother fighting. All because of her. She just wondered how long it would take everyone to hate her because of her being the cause of the split in the family.
Would Zarik find indirect ways to punish her and Tor once he became laird? The MacKinnon’s didn’t have a council of elders as her research had shown most others did. Right now, decisions were made between Niall and Argus. Who would be Zarik’s right hand once he took over?
“Why won’t you try
to send me home, Argus?” Tsarina spoke, but was ignored. If she left, all matters would be solved. She’d not have to marry anyone and could go back and share her research. All the MacKinnon's could go back to how it was before her arrival. They had struggles with other clans, but not within their own. Not before her.
But, would she even still have a job? She’d been gone forever. How would she explain her absence and not calling anyone? Did she still have a home? It seemed no matter the time period she was in; she had some sort of issue. How had her life become so complicated?
Trying to push her thoughts away from further trouble, she blocked out the voices and pictured herself at the loch, in her favorite spot. She always seemed to find shells there, though nowhere else.
In her daydream she was lying on the MacKinnon plaid. There was a soft breeze and the air smelled so fresh. She must have dozed off because suddenly she felt someone over her, kissing her neck. She moved slightly to get closer to him, but left her eyes closed.
Tsarina would enjoy the moment, even if it was only a daydream.
In her mind, he continued to kiss her. He ventured down her neck and between her breasts. When he freed one and locked his mouth around the nipple to suck, she opened her eyes in pleasure as she wrapped her hand in his hair.
Tsarina let out a real gasp when she realized her seducer had been Zarik and not Tor. Her mind was trying to tell her something. Or was it simply because, once again, she hadn't gotten laid in forever?
****
Not missing the fact that Niall approached, Zarik quickly turned on him. “Impatient for grandchildren, are ye, Da?” He asked coldly.
“I am getting no younger. I wish to have a few and watch them grow before my time is done.” Niall spoke apologetic.
“Why not just make Tor laird soon too? Ye ken I’ve no desire for it. I’d rather lead the battles; keep my station as captain of the guard.”
“Tor’s responsibility is not to be laird. That fell on yer shoulders the moment ye took breath.” Niall sighed as though the weight of the world had been placed on his shoulders. How had things become so complicated? “Yer choice not to work out the issues with Tsarina has no bearing on who will become Laird.”
“I’ve no desire to lead clan MacKinnon. Nor any desire to take a wife.”
“Aye, perhaps not. But ye’ll have no choice in the matter when the time comes.”
Tor and Tsarina continued to watch the exchange. Tor in stunned silence. Tsarina even more distressed, wringing her skirts with her hands.
Looking to Tor, Zarik asked, “Ye’ll love her?”
Tor nodded.
“Ye’ll care for her and see that she’s happy and always well protected?”
Again Tor nodded.
Zarik turned to Argus. “I need ye to promise to do something for me.” He walked over and whispered in the old man’s ear.
“But why don’t ye just…”
Zarik quickly cut him off. “Because. Ye’ll ken soon. Now, do I have yer word?”
“Aye, ye have it if it’s what ye wish.” Argus nodded.
Zarik nodded his appreciation and moved his attention back to his brother.
“Then I wish ye well, brother.” Tor took a step back to take hold of Tsarina’s hand. “I wish ye both well.” He placed a gentle kiss on her hand. Zarik took a deep breath and gave a longing look toward Tsarina as he still held her hand in his. A look that spoke louder than any words he could have spoken to her. Looking to his father, he finally spoke again as he released her hand. “I’m leaving at first light and I’ll no be returning. Tor will need to be molded into the new laird, like it or not. My choices will not be made for me.” With that, Zarik turned and left the hall while shocked faces stared after him.
Chapter Eight
1650’s Scotland
“What just happened? He’s leaving?” Caelan, who had come late into the conversation, was the first to find his voice.
“Where would he go?” Drostan chimed in, rubbing a hand across his jaw in confusion.
“Stop him.” Tsarina pleaded to no one specific.
Letting out a huge sigh and looking as though he’d aged twenty years in mere minutes, Niall threw his hands into the air, turned, and walked toward his solar. The others were able to hear the slight sound of the lock and knew he wouldn’t be speaking to anyone for now.
Caelan was unable to hold his tongue. “Ye plead for someone to stop him, Tsarina? Yet ye are the one to drive him away. You stop him. Yer the only one that holds a chance.”
“Caelan,” Drostan warned.
“Nay, the lass needs to hear. She and Zarik are two of the most stubborn people I’ve ever run across. But now their actions are starting to affect us all. The clan will suffer. Lass, why do ye push him? I ken he’s no the easiest person to be around and he likes to believe he’s never wrong. But he did try to make up with ye for the insult in front of the clan. It wasnae ye that he was rejecting; it was the idea of being married. It’s something he’s never wanted, ye ken?” Caelan paused to see Argus’ nod of approval.
“It sure seemed like it was me he was rejecting.” Tsarina crossed her arms in front of her chest. “It’s how I took it and clearly how everyone else did as well.” She shook her head and continued in a quieter voice. “I hear the whispers, Caelan. And you know you do as well.”
Drostan felt terrible for her, but he knew Caelan just wanted everyone to get their heads out of their arses so the clan could go back to normal. Zarik and Tsarina were causing the majority of the issues. If the two of them could simply find some sort of balance...
“Lass, go after him. Talk to him. Tell him ye’ll marry him.” Argus placed a gentle hand on her arm. “Ye ken that ye do love him, even though ye'd not want to admit it to yerself or anyone else. Don’t fight it. One of ye needs to stop being stubborn. Unfortunately, it will never be him. So, ye’ll need to learn to be the one to bend. But he’ll love ye and care for ye as no one else would. True love makes all the difference. Trust me, lass.”
“What about me?” Tor could no longer listen to the conversation go on as though he wasn’t there. He was, after all, the one who stepped up and offered her marriage and care.
“Now, lad, do not act as though the two of ye are in love. It’s clear that ye arenae in love. Ye’re a good friend to her, Tor and love may grow for ye. But it isnae there now.” Argus almost felt bad for Tor. “I know ‘tis ye that may suffer in this, but ye ken she belongs with yer brother.”
Tor said nothing, but managed a nod.
“Now, lass. Go to him. Ye need to catch him before he leaves.” Argus let go of her arm and sat down. “It’s up to you now.”
“I’m not going to chase after him and beg him to marry me. I’m marrying Tor. If Zarik chooses to leave, well then, that’s on him. He’s a grown man and can make his own choices.” Tsarina excused herself and grabbed her cloak so that she could go to the loch. She needed some peace. Peace that she felt would never belong to her. Had she just made the worst decision of her life?
****
Current day
Trystan had been to the police station every day for the last week. He wanted them to know he wasn’t going anywhere. Well, at least not until he had to get back for football season. He definitely couldn’t lose his job. That wouldn’t do Tsarina any good.
Finally, this morning a call came. They had some information for him. It wasn’t mentioned if it was minor or serious, but with the way it was going, Trystan would take it. It was still something and more news than he’d had on her in months.
Trystan all but ran into the station.
“Slow down, lad.” The officer he’d met the first day he was in town greeted him.
Chuckling, Trystan told him, “This is the first real bit of news on Tsarina for months. I need to hear it.”
“Well, it’s not a lot, but it’s something. She had a guide set up to show her around and to help her out. Evidently he has some old manuscripts and potential historical facts on cla
n Campbell. From what we’ve uncovered on various calls that is the clan she was researching. He evidently is the main descendant. So the castle she stayed in belonged to him.”
Trystan kept fidgeting, willing himself not to choke the life out of the short stocky officer that wouldn’t get to the point.
Sensing his mood change, the officer rambled on. “Anyway, Ms. Fraser’s guide was Galen Campbell. Now, wait.” He help up his hand. “Before you fly off about Campbell taking her you need to know some things. His father and great-grandfather both worked here. He’s clean as a whistle and always has been. So, I really believe he only helped her.”
“Where did she go? Does he know? When did he last see her?” Trystan was out of patience. Campbell could have taken her and the department would overlook it because of his family and his lineage.
“He doesn’t know. He said the last time he saw her she was safe and happy.”
“That’s not good enough for me. I want to talk to him.”
“I told him you’d probably want to. He gave me permission to give you his address.”
Trystan placed the small piece of paper with the address in his pocket and hurriedly jotted down directions to Galen Campbell’s house.
Today Trystan would find Tsarina.
****
1650’s Scotland
Tsarina spent the rest of the afternoon at the loch. It was chilly, but she didn’t seem to notice. Her daydream about Zarik had her out of sorts and then being told to chase after him felt like the last straw.
Her mother taught her better than to chase a man. Especially a stubborn one. Nadine always told her you can’t change a man. You need to be positive you can handle the person he is long before you agree to spend your life with him. Life with Zarik would be difficult. He was difficult. But still, Tsarina couldn't deny her thoughts of what it would be like to be in his arms. To have him kiss more than her hand, to make love to her.
Tom & Nadine, her parents had been married since out of high school. Tsarina wanted the same thing. Well, getting married out of high school hadn’t been her plan, but she had no plans for divorcing. She’d take her wedding vows seriously. Just as they had. Divorce was simply too easy in her time.