Warmth spread through him at her words, and she gave him a reassuring smile.
“I know about the loss you suffered. I’m not supposed to tell you this, but I know it’s worried you. No other plague will come to Skye in your lifetime. Now that Lila has destroyed Malmuira, Lila will be safe here with you. Now . . . you just have to call her back to where she belongs.”
With one last smile she moved past him to the door.
Gawen sat back down at Lila’s side, taking her hand, hope skittering through him at Siobhan’s words. He turned to thank her, but she’d already vanished. He recalled how Lila had told him that Seers such as Siobhan could rarely travel; they needed to remain in the time they were born to monitor time’s flow. It must have been a risk for Siobhan to come to this time, even if it was a brief visit.
He turned his focus back to Lila. While he’d held vigil, he’d not said a word, just listened to the calm, steady hum of her breathing, his fear for her strangling any words that would come. Siobhan’s words echoed in his mind. You just have to call her back to where she belongs.
He took a breath and began to speak.
He told her everything he could recall about his childhood; petty arguments with Gordana, his intimidation of his father’s power and influence, his mother’s fierce love for both him and Gordana. He told her of his friendship with Aonghus, how he quickly became the brother he never had, how they would sneak off to the Highlands to shirk their duties, only to be scolded by his father when they returned to Skye. He told her of his sense of growing responsibility as he became a man, knowing that Carraig Castle and Clan MacRaild would one day be his. He told her, only briefly, of his grief over his family’s deaths, of his guilt over his survival. But he didn’t want to dwell too much on the loss that had once consumed him; he wanted to focus on the light she’d brought into his life.
He delved into everything he’d felt since the moment she arrived in the grove. His instant desire for her, his growing feelings, how he’d foolishly tried to shutter them away. He kept talking, even as Coira and the healer came to check on Lila, even as servants brought him his meals, even as the sky grew dark and his eyes grew heavy with fatigue.
“When ye come back tae me, sweet Lila, I will worship ye for the rest of our days. I will be a good husband tae ye, tae our bairn, tae all the bairns we’ll have. I want ye tae marry me, my love. I want ye at my side for always. I love ye. I love ye . . .”
His voice broke, and he closed his eyes, feeling the hot sting of tears. He should never have taken her for granted, never should have tried to push her away. He should have welcomed the love he felt for her for the gift it was.
Gawen stilled when he felt Lila’s hand squeeze his. His eyes flew open. Lila’s beautiful blue eyes were open and trained on his.
“Lila,” he gasped.
She smiled; it was the most glorious sight he’d ever seen. Relief flooded his body: relief and love.
“I heard what you said . . .” Lila’s voice was hoarse with misuse. He climbed onto the bed next to her, reaching out to touch her face, hardly believing she was awake again, awake and speaking to him. “I held on to every word. Your words pulled me out of that darkness. I thought . . ." Her voice broke, tears shining in her eyes. “I thought I was dead. I thought I’d never see you again.”
“No,” Gawen said, his heart constricting at the thought. “I caught you before you fell. I’ll always be there tae catch ye—tae pull ye out of any darkness that seeks tae claim ye,” he vowed. “I love ye, sweet Lila. I vow tae spend the rest of my days worshipping ye. I want ye tae be my bride, my lady, the mother of all my bairns. I’ll never leave yer side. I understand ye need more time tae heal, but I didnae want another moment tae pass without letting ye ken how I feel.”
Lila entwined her hands with his, giving him a tremulous smile.
“I don’t need more time to know that my answer is yes. It was the thought of your death at her hands that gave me that last burst of strength to defeat her. I love you, Gawen. I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you.”
A torrent of joy spread over him, and he leaned forward to press his mouth to hers in a searing kiss; a kiss that promised forever.
Chapter 27
Six Weeks Later
Carraig Castle
“I always thought,” Avery observed wryly, “that we’d be preparing you for your wedding day in some fancy hotel suite in Raleigh—or New York. I’d never have guessed a fourteenth-century castle chamber. But . . . I suppose it'll do.”
Lila laughed at her sister’s quip, trying to hold still as her mother carefully helped her into the sapphire-blue gown that would serve as her wedding dress. Her sister stood opposite her in a period-appropriate, rose gown, clutching a goblet of sweet wine, her blonde hair shining in the midday sunlight that shone in through the chamber window. Though this time period wasn’t her favorite, Avery had made herself quite at home.
Lila's family had arrived the same day she’d emerged from her coma, only hours after she’d accepted Gawen’s marriage proposal. Avery and her mother had embraced her, grateful tears in their eyes, even as Lila had reassured them she was fine. Her father had been more stoic with his joy, but she’d glimpsed tears in his eyes as he’d held her.
Their reaction to Gawen had been what she’d expected. Avery had dramatically fanned herself and winked after Gawen left the chamber; he’d introduced himself and extended an offer for them to stay in the castle’s guest chambers for as long as they wished. Her parents had expressed their admiration at Gawen’s kindness and honor, but most importantly, his devotion to Lila. Her family had all been vocal of their approval of her and Gawen’s engagement, and expressed genuine joy over Lila’s pregnancy.
After awakening from her coma, Lila only took another couple of days to restore her strength, thanks to healing drafts from Coira, along with Healing spells from her mother and Avery. She’d filled her family in on everything that had happened since she’d arrived, worried that her protective parents would insist that she return to the present to have her child, but they’d told her they could see how much Gawen loved her; she was in good hands.
“You didn’t have to defeat Malmuira for us to know how strong you are,” her father had said, when she’d told them about her hunt for Malmuira and her reasons for doing so. “We’ve always known that. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel otherwise.”
“I know that now,” she’d said, giving her father a reassuring smile.
She’d banished that insecurity ever since she’d confronted Malmuira; never would she doubt herself again.
Gawen had played the attentive host to her family during these past few weeks, showing them around the castle and his lands, taking her father out for a hunt, showing Avery and her mother the grove where Lila had arrived, and where the ancient druids had once practiced their rituals.
But he spent most of his time at Lila's side, holding her close in her chamber, or taking walks with her to get air as his hand rested protectively on her belly.
Ysenda and Kudan had paid her a brief visit after her recovery, Ysenda tearfully thanking her for stopping Malmuira. They’d left Skye the previous week, bidding both Gawen and Lila farewell.
Her thoughts returned to the present as Avery set down her wine, her eyes suddenly filling with tears.
“What?” Lila asked, panicked, looking between Avery and her mother. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” Avery sniffed. “You just—you look amazing, little sis.”
Lila smiled, relaxing. Usually, annoyance would flicker through her for Avery’s use of her childhood nickname, but now the endearment filled her with warmth. She met her mother’s eyes; they were also filled with tears.
Joy sprang to her heart; she was fortunate that her family had the ability to travel through time, that they could be with her on her wedding day. Not every stiuireadh or traveler had that luxury.
Lila moved over to the mirror, taking in her reflection with qui
et awe. The deep blue of the gown enhanced the color of her eyes; it was high waisted with a low-cut bodice, flattering the curves that the early stages of her pregnancy had already produced. Though it was common for women of this time to wear their hair braided or veiled, she wore her hair loose at Gawen’s request. I want tae wind my hands through it when I make love tae ye on our wedding night, Gawen had whispered huskily to her the day before. She flushed at the memory of his words, love and desire for her husband-to-be sweeping over her.
“You look so beautiful, sweetheart,” her mother whispered, dashing away her tears. “Now. Your handsome Scottish laird awaits. Shall we head down?”
Lila gave her mother a nod, her joy rising at the thought of Gawen waiting for her down in the great hall where their ceremony was to take place.
Lila, Avery, and her mother headed out of the chamber, their arms linked, making their way to the base of the winding stairs, where her father was waiting for her, looking dashing in the belted plaid kilt and tunic he’d taken to wearing in this time.
Her father took her in, the blue eyes she'd inherited glistening as he linked his arms with hers.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?” he asked.
“More than ready,” she whispered.
He beamed at her, and together they entered the great hall where their guests awaited. Lila’s entire focus was on Gawen, who stood at the head of the hall next to the priest. Her breath hitched, her love for him coursing through her veins. He seemed to grow more handsome by the day; he wore his finest white tunic and a belted plaid kilt of deep blue to match her gown. He straightened, his green eyes filling with admiration and love as she approached.
The ceremony went by in a blur; they recited their vows in both English and old Gaelic. When the priest announced they were wed, tears of happiness pricked her eyes as she gazed up at her new husband. Her love.
Gawen grinned, reaching out to swing her up into his arms, pressing his lips to hers in a searing kiss.
“Now . . . I have tae fulfill my promise of worshipping ye every day,” he murmured, when they broke apart.
Lila laughed and nodded her agreement as he kissed her once more. An all-encompassing joy swept over her, a joy she relished in, knowing she was right where she belonged.
Chapter 28
Avery watched her sister dance with her new husband, happiness spiraling through her at the pure joy in Lila’s eyes. Lila had always given herself a hard time over her magic; she was glad to see her sister finally accept and appreciate her power—and find love with a hunky Scottish laird who clearly adored her.
“Will we be attending your wedding next?” Avery’s mother teased.
Avery laughed, shaking her head. She enjoyed her freedom too much to even remain in one time period for too long; she doubted she would ever get married.
“I think Lila has taken on the mantle of supplying you and Dad with grandchildren,” Avery said, with a playful wink.
Her father chuckled, taking her mother’s hand as they stood to dance.
“We’ll see about that, young lady.”
He winked at her as he guided her mother to the center of the great hall where other couples were dancing. As she watched both couples, Lila and Gawen, and her parents, the envy that surged through her took her by surprise.
She shook her head, ignoring it. Avery took pride in her freedom, in the ability to hop to various time periods. She couldn’t imagine committing to just one, something that marriage usually required.
Raising her glass of wine to her lips, Avery froze when she glimpsed a tall, broad-shouldered man at the far end of the hall. She was too far away to see him clearly, but she was certain that his gaze was trained on her.
Without thinking, Avery set down her wine and lurched to her feet, moving through the sea of dancing bodies to step out of the great hall, looking up and down the empty corridor. There was no sign of the mystery man, no sign of anyone. But as she turned to head back inside, she couldn’t escape the feeling—the utter certainty—that the man was out there somewhere . . . waiting for her.
* * *
Later, as the wedding festivities died down and Gawen carried a blushing Lila out of the great hall, Avery bid good night to her parents, who made their way up to their guest chamber. She was still flush with wine and unsettled by her glimpse of the mystery man; she needed to take in some air.
Avery made her way out to the courtyard, still bustling with activity as wedding guests made their way to the stables or out the front gate. She took in the starry night sky above, moving to the edge of the courtyard to get away from the drunken conversations of the guests.
She stilled as she looked out the front gates of the courtyard. A young woman stood there, on the far edge of the castle grounds, staring directly at her.
Avery froze, unease creeping down her spine. What was it about this time? First the mystery man, now this mystery woman.
Determined not to let her slip from view, Avery made her way out of the front gate, approaching the edge of the grounds where the woman stood. She was young, possible a decade younger than Avery's twenty-eight years, with ash-blonde hair and amber eyes that verged on gold. Avery halted, knowing instinctively that this was a fellow stiuireadh.
“Ye’re Avery,” the young woman said, training those unsettling golden eyes on her.
“Yes,” Avery replied, her heart picking up its pace. “How do you know my name? Did someone send you?”
“I take it ye’ve seen him?” the young woman continued, as if she hadn’t spoken at all.
Avery stiffened; she had to be referring to the mystery man.
“Who—who is he?” Avery asked haltingly.
“Laird of Arran Isle,” the young woman replied, with a kind, benevolent smile. She reached out to take her hands and Avery shivered; they were ice cold. “He needs yer help. I’m taking ye tae him.”
And before Avery could react, or even glean what was happening, the young woman murmured a spell, and the world around her disappeared—plunging Avery into the unknown.
* * *
The story continues in Bhaltair’s Pledge (Highlander Fate, Lairds of the Isles Book Two). To be notified of its release, join Stella Knight’s newsletter.
Glossary
Below please find a glossary of magical terms used in the novel.
aingidh - a stiuireadh who uses magic for dark purposes
aosu tapa - the aging and de-aging process that affects some stiuireadh, giving them the appearance of seeming much older—or younger—than their actual age, all in the space of minutes
Arsa grimoire - an ancient grimoire containing powerful spells used by stiuireadh
fiosaiche - Seers who can detect anomalies in the flow of time
glamour - an enchantment used to take on the appearance of another person
Pact - the agreement between the stiuireadh and the chieftains of the Scottish isles pledging to assist the stiuireadh in times of need
Seer - see fiosaiche above
sidhe - a term for fairies in Scottish and Irish mythology
stiuireadh - a witch or witches who possess the ability to travel through time
Tairseach - a time-travel portal located in the Scottish Highlands
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The story continues in Bhaltair’s Pledge. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to be notified of its release and to receive a FREE prequel novella, Her Highlander Fate. You can unsubscribe at any time.
About the Author
Stella Knight writes time travel romance and historical romance novels. She enjoys transporting readers to different times and places with vivid, nuanced heroes and heroines.
She resides in sunny southern California with her own swoon-worthy hero and her collection of too many books and board games. She’s been writing for as long as she can remember
, and when not writing, she can be found traveling to new locales, diving into a new book, or watching her favorite film or documentary. She loves romance, history, mystery, and adventure, all of which you’ll find in her books.
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Gawen's Claim: Highlander Fate, Lairds of the Isles Book One Page 16