Myra stood and started to pace. Her overburdened belly filled with a new life led the way. “I wonder how Gavin and those in his clan police others. Certainly, tragedy must occur in the lives of those who time travel. The desire to alter the outcome would be difficult to overcome.”
“I’ve thought about that,” Lizzy said. “What would any of us do if something awful happened? Would we be tempted to go back and change the results?”
“We have to believe there are reasons for our journeys in life. To alter them, no matter how painful, could prove more tragic.”
“Isn’t that what Gavin does all the time. Changes the course of time?” Myra asked.
“Not entirely,” Amber said. “There are gifted Druids who guide the travelers to where their premonitions tell them to go.”
“The Ancients must be guiding them.” Myra rubbed her back as she talked.
“As they did us,” Lora said.
“Still, there have to be rogue warriors. Those who desire personal gain, love and power.”
“There are, Lizzy. According to Gavin, men and women throughout time have simply disappeared. Some band together, others stay apart from their own. Many want to be the next Grainna. They collect power, as she did, and fight against Gavin and his men.”
“For not knowing Gavin for very long, you certainly understand his cause.”
Amber smiled. “Before we bonded the only thoughts in my head were his and mine. The peace of only him being in here,” she tapped her head, “was a blessing. Escaping the pain wasn’t something I ever imagined happening in my life.”
“Is that why you bonded with him?”
“Nay, Myra. I bonded with him because he saved my life… twice. I couldn’t let him die.” Just the thought of him laying there lifeless, or nearly so, chilled her core.
“How did he save your life twice?”
She wasn’t proud of her weak moments, but talking about her fears with the women in the room wasn’t something she would have the luxury of repeating often in her life. “I was dying. I felt my body weakening, my will to live with the world crushing in was simply too much to bear.” She turned away from her mother’s watering eyes and stared out the window. “In a moment of weakness I prepared myself to return here. I didn’t want to die without seeing all of you again.” She paused.
“What happened?”
“I collapsed before I could shift time. When I woke, Gavin was beside me holding my hand, and the world had gone silent. His gift surrounded us both and pushed everyone else out.”
“That’s one hell of a gift,” Lizzy said with a weak laugh.
“What happened when he let go?”
Amber’s eyes drifted to her mother briefly, then back to the green landscape. “He couldn’t, not without everything rushing back in. We learned that quite by accident. Giles searched feverishly for a cure, a way to use Gavin’s gift to seal everything out, or at least control it, but all we found was talk of bonding and marrying our gifts.”
“So you had to bond. That or die,” Tara said.
Amber pushed away from the window and moved to her sister’s side.
“I chose to die. I couldn’t ask Gavin to bond to me. His loyalty to us, his honor would have forced him to bond. I couldn’t let him.”
“But you didn’t die.”
“No. I left his side one night but only made it as far as the attic. I’m told when they found me I was on my last breath. Gavin took hold and spoke the vows.”
Lora sucked in a breath. “To a dying woman?”
“Aye, mother. My gift crippled him while I slowly began to heal. So you see, when I woke I had to save him. I couldn’t let him die—not after all he sacrificed for me.”
Lora stood and walked to her side. She lifted a hand to her cheek and pulled her into her arms with a sob. “I’m so sorry for your pain.”
Her mother’s sorrow struck her gut as the emotion leaked through Gavin’s shield. Instead of fighting it, Amber let the feeling in. “I’m well now. We simply need to determine how we will live our life together.”
“At least he’s cute,” Lizzy said evoking a laugh from all of them. Lora and Amber pulled away from their hug and the grief in her mother’s heart started to mend.
“He is handsome, isn’t he?” Amber asked with heat filling her cheeks.
“I’m happily married,” Tara said. “But I’m not blind. He’s hot.”
Myra started laughing while holding her belly. “You’re going to make me wet myself.”
Lizzy curled her legs under her skirt and leaned her elbows on her knees. “So if he couldn’t let you go until after you bonded…that means you guys slept together…bathed together?”
Tara’s eyes widened. “Oh, yeah, how did that go?”
Amber gauged her mother’s reaction to the question before answering. “We didn’t have a choice.”
“I’ll bet that was scary.”
“At first.”
“Didn’t you say the two of you haven’t been intimate?” Myra asked.
“We haven’t.” If she didn’t take into account the moments in the bathtub, they had very little knowledge of each other.
“Do you want to?” Lizzy asked.
Amber blinked several times, not sure how to answer the question. She moved her gaze to her mother and chewed on her bottom lip.
“Don’t hold back for me. Intimacy is part of a marriage.”
“I never thought I could stand the touch of anyone, let alone—”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Lizzy said with a laugh.
Tara stood and arranged her skirts. “Well if Gavin is as considerate with your body as he was with your life, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“She has a point,” Lora said. “But if you have any questions—”
“Nay, Mother. I’ve heard all of you speaking of intimacy, and dare I admit when I couldn’t control everyone’s emotions from taking root in my brain, I have more knowledge than I probably should.”
Lizzy giggled. “Our own little voyeur. Who knew?”
“The men are back,” Tara said. “Duncan is suggesting we make ready for dinner.” Tara and Duncan’s bond was as seamless as walking. She was obviously speaking to him in her head where Amber felt the need to pause her thoughts before connecting to Gavin.
“I think we should dress you as a bride.” Lora played with a strand of Amber’s hair as she spoke.
“What a grand idea. I know just the gown.” Myra waddled toward the door, and Amber trailed behind with Lizzy at her side.
“Uhm, Lizzy?”
“Yeah?”
“What does the word voyeur mean?”
****
Please tell me you’re on your way down. Kincaid pushed the words into Amber’s head long after he had returned to the Keep with all the MacCoinnich men. Well, again, Cian wouldn’t join them, but Duncan, Finlay, Todd, and Ian had insisted on spending time with him away from the Keep and away from the women.
Kincaid wasn’t a father, and could only imagine how difficult it was for a medieval man to meet his daughter’s husband after they’d already wed. If not for the fact that Kincaid’s gift saved Amber’s life, he thought Ian would have forced an annulment and banished him from his home.
Their ride in the Highlands had been a testing ground. Apparently, Kincaid passed the riding test, and the sparring, because at one point Duncan suggested a friendly fight. There was not one word of praise or acceptance, just a nod before they returned to the Keep.
Todd seemed the most accepting and offered words of encouragement.
“At least you married his daughter before sleeping with her.”
“You didn’t?”
“I’m sure Amber will tell you the story. But no. And without any powers, I was completely out armed when I ended up here.”
The hall was filled with family, servants, and knights. Many an eye followed Gavin as he and Todd spoke.
Kincaid drank ale from the goblet one of
the servants gave him.
“If Ian didn’t approve, you’d already know it. It killed him to leave her with Simon and Helen.”
“Seems he’s testing me to see if I can keep her safe.”
Todd nodded. “Wouldn’t you? If you had a daughter?”
“I guess I would.”
Todd nudged his arm and said something, but he didn’t catch it because Amber’s words filled his head.
Is my father being difficult?
Kincaid caught Ian’s eyes on him before looking away.
I believe I’ve passed all his tests. Are you on your way?
We’re nearly done.
“You’d think I’d be used to this thing by now,” Todd said as he scratched his knee under his kilt.
Kincaid wore one identical to Todd’s and since there wasn’t a threat looming, no sword accompanied the costume. Not that Kincaid didn’t have one of his modern weapons hidden in the layers of the plaid. He was a warrior, and being unarmed was against his nature. “I’ll be sure and tell Jake about your distaste for a kilt.”
The grin on Todd’s face fell. “Do you think he’s okay? His kids?”
“When we go back, I’ll try and return close to the time we left,” he said under his breath to avoid anyone overhearing him. “If there’s something I can do, I will.”
Todd patted him on the shoulder. “I appreciate it.”
A hush went over the room, and Kincaid followed the collective gazes to the stairway.
From the first moment he set eyes on the portrait in that very hall, he always knew Amber was lovely. But the woman standing at the top of the stairs staring down meeting his gaze was stunning. Dressed in layers of white and gold fabric, she stood in contrast to nearly everything in the room. Her dark hair was partially piled on her head with much of it draping down her back and over her shoulder.
Without realizing he moved, Kincaid found himself at the base of the stairs, while someone took the goblet from his hand.
Everyone is staring at me.
You’re amazing. Your beauty makes everyone else pale.
Her smile grew wider as his words sunk in.
When Amber reached the bottom step, she extended her hand and placed it in his and he kissed her fingertips. “I’m a lucky man,” he told her. Her dark eyes stared into his.
I’m the one who is lucky you found me.
He kissed the back of her hand again and rested it on his cheek. He knew the gesture was one that laid claim to her. But more than that, he felt the need to be close—to keep her at his side. There were too many warriors in the room watching her who weren’t her kin.
Her gaze moved to the floor and her color rose. My father will expect you to take me to his side so he can introduce us.
Following her instruction, he walked alongside her in a direct path to her father. You know, this talking in our head thing is coming in handy. I really don’t want to tick off your dad.
She released a silent laugh.
Should I say something when we get to him?
Nay. My father will talk for both of us.
Kincaid wasn’t sure if that was better or not.
With such a mix of family and non Druids who knew little or nothing of the family’s true power, he was anxious to see how Ian would spin Kincaid’s presence at Amber’s side.
Ian signaled for someone to take his cup as the two of them approached. The man’s stoic expression matched every portrait Kincaid had ever seen. He was nearly impossible to read. His family appeared relaxed at his side, giving Kincaid some assurance the man wasn’t angry. Truthfully, it was difficult to tell.
The massive hall grew silent, one voice at a time. Even the youngest children didn’t shuffle their feet. Amber squeezed his hand. He squeezed back and met his father-in-law’s stare.
“I am but a humble servant of God who has been blessed with strong, healthy sons and beautiful daughters. In all the trials of parenthood, none is more difficult than giving the hand of my youngest daughter.”
Some of the voices in the crowd mumbled.
“Especially when her hand will follow her husband far away from the hearth of this home.”
Ian reached a hand to his wife and beckoned her to his side. She moved beside him and placed her palm in his. “Yet I remember the day I asked for my lovely woman’s hand and knew I too would take her from all she knew.”
Ian released Lora and stepped toward Amber and Kincaid. Ian gathered their joined hands in his, and Kincaid swore he felt an electrical snap.
“You have brought back the smile to my daughter’s face. I trust, Gavin Kincaid you will continue to make her happy and keep her safe. That you will sacrifice your life for hers, if need be.”
Kincaid met Ian’s stare. “My promise to you.”
Ian nodded and turned to his daughter. “As his wife, you will honor him all your days.”
Amber turned to Kincaid. “My promise to you.”
Their words sealed something inside him and made him stand taller.
Ian reached toward Lora. She handed him a cord and stood back. With slow care, Ian wrapped the cord around both Kincaid and Amber’s hands, binding them together. “As laird of this land, I join you both in handfasting, giving blessing to this union until a man of the church can be summoned to give your vows before God.”
A cheer went up and Ian stood back.
Kincaid couldn’t say he’d ever watched a handfasting ceremony, but he’d been to enough weddings to know what was expected next. And even if it wasn’t, he didn’t want this moment to end.
With their hands joined, he stepped into Amber’s space, pulled her closer with his free arm, and lowered his lips to hers. She softened and leaned into his kiss and, for one brief instant, it was only the two of them in the room.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Every time Amber looked at her husband, she found him watching her. His adoring gaze made her feel as if she were the only one in the room…or at least the only female in the room.
She sat between Gavin and her oldest brother, Duncan, while they dined. Tables lined the great hall and timber filled the hearths, which would keep the hall warm for hours. So many familiar faces offered their congratulations, shook Gavin’s hand, and called him a lucky man.
Once again, Amber felt his eyes and turned toward him.
Why are you staring at me?
We’re married.
Was this something he just now realized? Aye, we are.
You didn’t flinch.
Amber sipped wine from her glass and tried to understand the meaning behind his words.
When I kissed you…you didn’t flinch.
The wine caught in her throat with a cough. Gavin placed a hand on her back and rubbed. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “I didn’t mean for you to hear that thought.”
After catching her breath, she laughed and leaned into her husband’s arm. The joy of the moment, her family surrounding her and truly happy for her union, filled the moment, especially when she turned her head and kissed the man holding her without an invitation to do so.
She didn’t have to ask if he welcomed her bold move, his hand moved to embrace her head and his lips parted to accept the tiny swipe of her tongue.
Someone in the crush of guests called notice to them and Amber reminded herself that her family watched.
Gavin broke the kiss and tucked her head in his arm.
She should have been embarrassed, and perhaps a part of her was, but she couldn’t keep that emotion inside her for long. The joy of the hearts around them seeped through Gavin’s gift in small degrees. Amber closed her eyes and tried to sense her parents—her father. He was there, slightly detached, but accepting and at peace.
Amber sought out her father and found him smiling. Beside him, her mother watched her with a silent tear streaming down her cheek.
Amber caught both their eyes and mouthed the words thank you.
Lora leaned into her husband with a smile.
; Ian offered a nod.
Pushing her plate aside, Amber waited for the inevitable. Her sisters didn’t make her wait long before they pulled her from her chair and away from Gavin.
What’s going on? Gavin asked as the girls swept her away from the hall and up the stairs.
It felt good to be in her element, her life, without the crushing intensity of everyone around her. Instead of answering her husband’s question, she offered. You’re a smart man, Gavin Kincaid. You’ll figure it out.
Amber peeked over her shoulder to see Gavin’s brow narrow before Duncan and Fin moved in and clasped him on the back.
“C’mon, Amber. Move it,” Lizzy slapped her bottom through her dress to move up the stairs faster.
The tradition of escorting the bride to her chambers before her husband followed wasn’t something many of the MacCoinnich marriages had the privilege to experience.
Instead of tucking Amber in the chamber she called her own for the past half dozen years, they took her to the room she and Myra often shared as children. The larger room already had a fire burning and the shades were drawn. Candles lit the walls and the coverings of the bed had been turned down…inviting.
Tara, Lizzy, and Myra pushed Amber into the room.
Amber turned full circle and laughed.
Tara and Lizzy stared at her, and started to bust out laughing while Myra held her belly and laughed along with them.
“This has to be the most absurd tradition of this time,” Tara said.
Escorting the bride to her room to dress and get her ready for her husband so they could consummate their vows would have terrified Amber to death if she hadn’t already shared some intimacies with Gavin.
“The first time is scary enough without everyone downstairs thinking you’re upstairs going at it.” Lizzy must have realized what she said and promptly closed her mouth. “Not that you should be worried.”
Amber waved a hand in the air. “Don’t fret. I’m not at all frightened.” She wasn’t, which surprised her.
Myra moved behind Amber to help her unlace her gown. “I know it sounds strange, but I’m happy you’re here so we can share this with you.”
“I am, too,” Tara agreed.
A knock sounded on the door before Lora tucked inside to join them.
Highland Protector (MacCoinnich Time Travels Book Five) Page 23