by C. A. Szarek
Claire watched his iridescent wings flex with the movement. They looked so fragile, but she’d witnessed firsthand they were not.
He was tall and broad, almost equal to Duncan. The shiny armor on his chest and arms was dark green.
Was it metal?
How do you get green metal?
His hair was blond and tightly braided in a long plait that fell to his waist. It was lighter in color than her own—white-blond. His eyes were violet. More purple than blue.
“Xander.”
“What?”
“My name is Xander. A member of the royal guard. Specifically, sworn to protect Princess Alana.”
Claire paused. “You guard Alana?”
He nodded, his long braid shifting with the movement. His chest plate caught the sunlight, making her squint.
“Why did you snatch me?” Claire glared, even though it was crazy. He had a sword as big as Duncan’s sheathed at his waist. Her husband had warned her of the Fae Warriors’ skill, so she should be shaking in her borrowed deer skin boots.
“I want to help you.”
“What?” she faltered, staring up into his violet eyes.
“You’re here to rescue Princess Alana.”
“No. We’re here to rescue Alex MacLeod.” Claire crossed her arms over her breasts.
“Laird Alex will not leave without his wife.”
“You know they’re married?”
“Yes.”
“And…you’re okay with it?”
The Fae Warrior tilted his head to one side, studying her like Duncan did when he didn’t understand her words. But Claire didn’t sense that was the case with Xander. He was gorgeous, but his face was almost too perfect. His pale skin flawless, beardless.
“Fae don’t have hair anywhere but on top of our heads.”
Claire frowned. “You’re doing it again.”
“I’m sorry, my lady. You’re not afraid of me, despite the fact you’re not from my time, and regardless of the fact I kidnapped you.”
“Glad you’re fascinated.” She pointed at his chest, sarcasm gone as quickly as it’d been born. “Look, Xander. You need to take me back to my husband before he finds you and kills you.”
He smirked. “To answer your question, yes I am okay, as you say, with Princess Alana being wed to Laird Alex MacLeod. I was witness to their wedding. She loves him. Has given him a son.”
“You know about Angus?” Claire flushed to her toes.
Was her nephew in danger from this…man?
“I watch over him in the human realm from time to time. He knows me. The lad is not in danger. His parents are.” For the first time, the Fae Warrior’s voice was urgent. “You have to help me convince Duncan MacLeod I will help.”
Chapter Seventeen
Of all the possibilities Duncan had run through his mind before entering the Fae Realm, his wife being carried off by a Fae Warrior was not one of them.
Anger and helplessness washed over him as he lost sight of them over the oddly colored treetops. His sword felt heavy in his hands.
Duncan had heard tales of Fae men coming to the human realm to rape and impregnate women.
He growled, flexing his grip on the hilt of his claymore. He’d chop off the Fae bastard’s bollocks and feed them to him if he touched Claire.
Is he hurting her now?
His heart took a dive for his stomach.
Nay.
Duncan ran away from Riley’s men fighting the Fae Warriors at the edge of the forest.
He had to find Claire.
Save her.
Kill the solider.
Then he’d find Alex.
He couldn’t worry that the palace had disappeared. It was here somewhere, despite being invisible to prying human eyes. When he retrieved his wife, they’d head that direction and get what he’d come for. Duncan would figure out how to enter when he arrived.
Maybe Riley O’Malley and Bridei had already found the palace. Damn the greedy bastard pirates who had tricked him for six months. Let the Fae decimate them.
Duncan used his claymore to whack his way through the thick pink, purple and blue underbrush, following the direction on the ground the Fae Warrior had taken his wife in the air.
It was the best he could do.
“Duncan!” her shout made his heart thump and he whirled toward a clearing to his left.
The Fae Warrior landed, flexing his wings, and released Claire from his arms. She jogged toward Duncan, arms out as if to embrace him.
He ran forward, grabbing her wrist and whipping his wife behind him. Duncan brandished his claymore at the thieving Fae bastard.
“Wait!” Claire tugged his arm.
The other soldier dropped his stance, but made no move to draw the weapon sheathed at his waist.
He gave the Fae Warrior an ounce of grudging respect. He could’ve taken to the air instead of facing him sword-less.
Duncan stilled, looking from Fae to his wife and back.
Claire slid between them, holding her palms up. “Wait, Duncan.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“This is Xander. He’s one of Princess Alana’s guards. He wants to help us.”
The other man’s white-blond braid was long, and whipped over his shoulder as he tensed to see what Duncan would do.
He must’ve been a soldier for years. As Duncan understood it, the longer the braid, the more powerful and esteemed the Fae Warrior. His eyes were familiar, as was the color of his pale locks.
“Ye’ve the look of her.” Duncan didn’t relax his shoulders or loosen his grip on the sword. He’d only seen his brother’s wife a handful of times, but he’d recognize those eyes anywhere. Deeply hued and unusual.
“I do.” The warrior nodded. “She’s my cousin. My mother is sister to her father.”
“Ye are King Fillan’s nephew?”
Xander snorted and crossed his arms over his broad chest.
The warrior wasn’t going to harm them, and Duncan needed to trust his wife’s words. Hear what the Fae man had to say.
He forced himself to breathe deeply and sheathed his claymore. Duncan wrapped his arm around Claire’s shoulders and pinned her to his side.
She smiled and leaned into him.
“My mother wed down. My father is the captain of the king’s guard, hence my wings. A man of great respect in King Fillan’s eyes, but not good enough for a Fae princess. My uncle does not acknowledge the blood we share. I am soldier. No more.”
Claire frowned. “Wow. Angus, too because of who his father is. I don’t think I like the Fae.”
“Classes my lady. Not unlike the human world. Unfortunately, most Fae see humans even lower than our lowest caste.” Xander bowed to his wife and Duncan’s respect for the Fae warrior slid up another notch.
“So not all Fae have wings?”
“No, my lady. There are many kinds of Fae. Our magic and appearance vary. Royals do not have wings.”
“Just call me Claire.”
Xander smiled.
Duncan frowned.
“What?” Claire shrugged under his arm. “Don’t be a grouch. Thank the man. He’s going to help us.”
Xander wore a smirk when Duncan met his violet eyes again, but squared his shoulders. “I’ll help you get them out.”
“Them? I came for my brother.”
“My laird,” Xander bowed again. “I’ve been in contact with Laird Alex MacLeod. He won’t leave the realm without the Princess.”
Duncan swore.
Things were already complicated. Now they were supposed to abduct a Fae Princess?
The palace was leagues from the Faery Stones and the beach of Skye.
By God, how would they get away?
“I’ve an answer for you.”
Surprise washed over Duncan, and his back stiffened.
“He can read minds,” Claire said. She slid her arm around his middle and squeezed.
Duncan frowned. “What?”
“It’s my mag
ic.” The Fae warrior shrugged and his iridescent wings glistened in the sunlight.
“So, how are we doing this?” Duncan demanded.
“I have a plan, my laird.”
Chapter Eighteen
“No. Absolutely no’.” Duncan’s tone was hard. He crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. His dark hair shifted in the wind.
“Duncan, listen to reason. He can’t get you into the palace. He can get me in. Even you agreed I could pass for Fae, if I have on a maid’s robe and wear the hood.”
“I’m not leaving ye.”
Xander watched them like a tennis match, but Claire ignored him. The Fae Warrior’s plan made sense.
The only way they had a chance was if Duncan went after Alex in the dungeons and if Xander and she went to get Alana out of the tower at the same time.
They had mere minutes.
“My laird, you have the physical size of a Fae castle guard, as well as no wings as my soldiers have.”
Duncan growled at Xander, taking a step toward him. He narrowed his eyes and leaned in, trying to intimidate the Fae Warrior. “My wife. My task.”
Claire slipped between the two males. “Oh my God. You need to back up and take a breath. Seriously.”
Her husband turned his glare to her, but after a moment, his hard expression softened. “I just want ye safe, mo gradh.”
She sighed and stood tiptoed to brush her lips to his. Claire settled her hands on his chest when they parted, and Duncan cupped her shoulders. The barest touch of her mouth to his wasn’t nearly enough, but it wasn’t like now was the time for that.
“I need to go with Xander if we have any chance at getting them both out. Think about it. See reason. It’s a double assault. A smash and grab, my sister would say. Then meet up here, and get the hell to the Faery Stones. Hopefully Riley’s greedy ass and his guys will keep Xander’s men busy.”
Duncan said nothing, but those sapphire eyes bored into her.
Claire bit back I love you, because it was on the tip of her tongue. Her heart stuttered and she fought the urge to close her eyes.
They were in danger, right?
She should tell him, right?
What if I lose the chance?
No.
Besides, there’s always my scroll.
They’d get Alex and Alana and bring them back to their son. Safely.
“Lass,” her husband whispered.
“I know, Duncan. But I have faith in you. I just met Xander, but I have faith in him, too. We’ll get what we came for and go home.”
Duncan offered a curt nod. “I married a strong lass, mo gradh.”
“Damn straight.” Claire grinned even though he wouldn’t have a clue what her phrase meant.
He flashed a smile and dipped low, kissing her hard and fast. It wasn’t long or deep, but it still curled her toes.
When he released her, he put his index finger in Xander’s face. “Anything happens to my wife, I hunt ye down. Tear those wings off and run ye through.”
Both men ignored her admonition, but a smile played at Xander’s lips. He nodded curtly.
Claire groaned and threw her hands up.
Men.
At least they seemed to have a mutual respect for each other.
Maybe.
Xander explained the palace layout, and Claire watched the intense look on her husband’s face as he committed everything to memory.
The Fae Warrior told Duncan he would cast a spell that would disguise him and Claire as Fae. Their human blood would be rendered temporarily invisible by all Fae.
He’d take them both to castle grounds and help Duncan stun a guard so he could get a uniform.
Then her husband would go into the dungeons and get his brother.
She shuddered but told herself not to worry. The man she loved would be fine. He had to be. And so would Alex.
Claire and Xander would head to the kitchens, get a tray of food and go to the tower for Alana. Getting a maid’s robe wouldn’t be a problem, according to the soldier. The stores were near the kitchens.
Her only worry was she didn’t speak the language of the Fae—which was close to Gaelic as both Duncan and Xander had explained.
Xander had taught her a common gesture indicating I’m new here, and I’m a mute, in case her presence was challenged, but nerves roiled her stomach.
Claire’s words to Duncan had been confident. She’d believed what she’d said. Needed to cling to the sentiment.
Fake it ‘til you make it, she chanted.
She didn’t ask what would happen if they got caught, but considering Fae commonly shunned their own people for being different, it couldn’t be good.
Probably involved dungeons, magic and an unpleasant death.
The king had his own daughter imprisoned.
A shiver sprinted down her spine, but she looked at her husband when he whispered the Gaelic endearment.
Duncan kissed her one last time, until her stomach fluttered and her legs wobbled. Like he was letting Xander know he’d claimed her, but her brain was too scrambled by desire and love to be irritated or scold him when he let her go.
Claire wanted to belong to Duncan MacLeod…forever.
No.
You still have to go home.
That’s the plan.
Right?
As soon as Alex and Alana were safely in the human realm, Duncan had promised he would ask the Fae princess to open the gate to the future. Neither of them wanted to count on the pirate seer.
I’ll go home.
Her heart skipped.
Wasn’t home Dunvegan Castle?
No.
Home is my little house. In Texas.
Right?
“My lady, we must go.” Xander’s urgent voice made her jump, and she met his violet eyes. His iridescent wings flexed, and he held his arms open for her to step into his embrace.
His gaze told Claire he’d read her mind. He knew of her inner struggle, but she read no judgment there.
Heat burned her neck anyway, but she shook herself and moved to the Fae Warrior.
Duncan made a noise in his throat.
“You, too, my laird. Flight is most efficient.”
Her husband frowned. “Nay.”
Irritation crossed Xander’s handsome expression. “You’re not the first choice of whom I prefer to hold, either.”
“Do no’ read my mind, Fae.”
Claire smirked.
“Come and wrap your arms around your wife. Then I will lift you both.”
Doubt crossed Duncan’s expression, but he tugged Claire into his arms and she snuggled close.
“Yes, I am strong enough to carry you both. When we are airborne, I will cast an invisibility bubble, and we should be at the palace in moments.”
Duncan grunted, but pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Claire smiled. “I have no issue with this plan,” she whispered. I love you still hovered on her tongue, especially since she could feel Duncan’s heart beating steadily against hers. Claire chided herself to concentrate on the Fae wrapping himself around them.
She gasped as they started to rise into the air, squeezing her arms around her husband.
Besides Xander’s chest plate against her shoulder, she wasn’t holding on to the Fae Warrior at all.
Her alarm settled as his flight smoothed out.
“There’s magic around us. Making us invisible and holding us together. We won’t separate until it’s time.”
Xander’s voice calmed Claire even more, and she rested her head on Duncan’s chest.
“Mo gradh,” he whispered, but when their eyes met, Duncan just smiled.
Claire’s heart slid into overdrive. The dangers of their situation fell away. The fact they were in the air in the arms of a huge man with wings became a blip in the back of her mind.
There was only Duncan MacLeod.
The man she’d married after knowing for eight days.
The man who’d melted h
er heart and touched her body better than any man before him.
She loved him with her whole being. Her soul belonged to a man born four hundred years before her.
It didn’t matter that there was no technology.
Not even indoor plumping or running water.
Archaic roles for women.
Duncan was here, and it was all Claire needed.
I can’t leave him.
How could she walk away?
If he didn’t love her back, how could she stay?
Chapter Nineteen
The palace was huge.
As Xander flew overhead its protection spell no longer hid it from human view.
Claire lost count of raised embattlements, turrets and towers. The stone looked like marble, but swirled colors in the air, like a magical mist.
There were armed guards everywhere, with wings and without—she lost count of those, too.
They landed not far from the kitchens servants’ entrance. Claire waited—literally biting her nails—for Xander to come back and get her after the soldier took Duncan to the dungeons.
She shoved her hand in the pocket of her trews, turning the small parchment scroll in her palm. Her other pocket contained her MP3 player.
I can’t leave it here. Broken or not, it could mess something up.
Claire had written out everything that’d happened to her—how she’d got to 1672, met and married Duncan. It was her story as best she could tell it.
She’d signed it I love you.
Intended to leave it for her husband. So he would know after she left how she felt about him, even if she couldn’t stay.
Couldn’t be with him. Would never see him again.
Before they’d left Dunvegan, she’d dashed back into Duncan’s room and grabbed it out of his desk. Impulsively buried it in her pocket. Somehow having her hand on it made her feel better—for now.
She’d give it to him when the portal to the future was open.
“It’s done.” The Fae Warrior strode to her, taking her upper arm in a large hand, turning her body towards the wooden double doors without another word.
“What? What’s done? Is Duncan okay?”
Xander paused. “Yes. The Fae guard we attacked will wake naked, with no more than a headache. The laird should blend in well, and get his brother without difficulty. He can speak a passable Fae-Gaelic if challenged. He gained keys. I managed to disable the charms and spells on the doors and locks throughout the dungeon, but it’s temporary. I’ve told your husband to hurry. We’ll meet in the forest when we’ve seized the princess.”