A Journey Out of Time

by S MacLeod

  "Aye Lass?"

  "Who is the MacLeod Clan Chieftain?"

  "My brother."

  "Your brother? I thought your brother died?"

  Duncan sat down next to her. "I have another brother, lass. His name is Cullen. He lives in the ancestral home."

  "Gee thanks for telling me. Hiding any other relatives? Secrets?"

  "Well, probably, but you will just have to drag them out of me."

  "Hmph. It doesn't happen to be called Dunvegan, does it?"

  "Aye, lass, how did ye ken?"

  "Well, that is what it was called when I'm from. Nice to know something is the same." Duncan grinned.

  "What else is different?"

  "Well it is called Scotland, not Scotia. There hasn't been any King Angus of the McPherson Clan."

  "Och, well, lets not tell Angus!"

  "No, lets not. And Scotland no longer has its own king."

  "Och, that fashes me greatly."

  "I know. Personally, I like your Scotia better," she smiled.

  "Aye, well, ye better!"

  After a few moments Sonya asked, "Do you see him very much? Your brother, Cullen."

  Duncan took her hand & held it on his lap. "Nay." Sonya waited, but he didn't say anything further. "You don't get along?"

  He looked at her & laughed. "Och, nay, it is'na that lass. It is well…he is cursed."

  She could see that he was very serious. "What is wrong with him?"

  "Ye believe in curses do ye lass?"

  "You are asking me if I believe in something unbelievable? You helped me up from the ground after I landed in a steel, flying, ship."

  He smiled. "How did I get so lucky to get a woman like ye?" he asked.

  "Well, apparently, I had to come from another time."

  He smiled & kissed her. "The last time I saw my brother I thought he might kill me."

  "Well, we won't be inviting him to the wedding," she teased.

  Duncan chuckled. "When he met his mate, everyone said he started to change, but no one could understand why."

  "In what way?"

  "He would be fine one moment & then seem to go mad another."

  "Why did he try to hurt you?" Duncan grinned sardonically at how she phrased her question. "Okay, why did he try to kill you?"

  "I don't ken. One second we were talking about the lassie he was going to marry & then he lunged at me trying to kill me. Some men pulled us apart."

  "And this woman he married?"

  "I don't ken. I had just met her. She seemed verra nice & verra much in love with Cullen. I was happy for him. For some reason he felt threatened, but I doona ken why. I did'na want to be Chieftain & I did'na want his woman."

  Sonya raised her eyebrow. "Why would he think you wanted his woman?"

  Duncan let out a long sigh. "Ah lass, I doona ken. I doona ken if that was even it. Come here." Sonya sat on Duncan's lap & he held her close.

  "So, has anyone tried to figure out what is going on with Cullen then?

  "We have been looking through whatever books we can find, Angus & I. I canna seem to find anything that explains it. I have looked through everything Angus has here. I look in anything I can get my hands on. I have'na been back home to Dunvegan, to see if there is anything there that may have been missed."

  "What if we go together?"

  Duncan smiled at her. "I have one smart woman!" He kissed her, pushing her back on his bed. His hands caressed her face as he moved his hard, muscled body onto hers. Sonya inhaled & reached down, grabbing under his kilt. He gave her a crooked grin & she grinned back.

  "Say it, Duncan. I want to hear you say it." He let out a low chuckle, then inhaled quickly as she moved her hand up & down on his hard shaft until he grabbed her, rolling her onto her back. Pushing up her skirts up, Sonya laughed. So much for her being in control!

  *

  Sonya had never been on a ship & when the subject first came up she wasn't so sure she was going to like it. Now? She wanted on the darn thing! Days of travel by horse to the port was way past its excitement factor. How many pieces was that plane in again? She always did like puzzles.

  Traveling from the south of Scotland to the Isle of Skye…Just looking at the map made one want to cry. On a plane, in a car, no problem. On a horse? Ugh! But when Angus sent word of the wedding of Rowan & Brenna & a reply came from Cullen's wife, Casia, they knew they had to set out right away. Although Cullen's trouble with the anger had abated after a time, his physical problems had not & Casia was asking for them to come. She feared for him. He was getting worse.

  "Are ye sure ye doona wish to wait until Rowan & Brenna's wedding is over?" Duncan had asked Sonya as he walked into Angus' private library.

  "No, I don't think we should wait. It will take us ages to get there as it is."

  "I know. I just hate for yet to miss it."

  "Well, we will have ours next, just as soon as we sort out this brother thing. I don't want any squabbling in my new family." Duncan hugged her tight & kissed her on the head.

  "Any luck?"

  "Not really. I mean we don't even know what we are looking for, do we? I think we will just have to see when we get up there. Losing control of his temper & appearing to look animal-like isn't really helpful."

  "What if Cullen doesn't want us to come?"

  "Well, we are going anyways! I have a future sister in law to meet." Duncan laughed. "We are all packed. I have Ewan's things & now I just have to contain myself until we leave tomorrow."

  "I ken something that can keep you busy," he whispered heavily into her ear. It gave her chills all the way down her body.

  "Really?"

  "Aye, lass. Shall I tell ye about it?"

  "Aye," she replied.

  Duncan took the book out of her hand & laid it on the table. He locked the door & led her to a chair. He sat down, pulling her onto his lap.

  "Oh!"

  Duncan nipped the back of Sonya's neck & she turned her head to the side. He licked up her neck, taking her earlobe into his mouth, he bit it gently. His hands found there way to her already hardened breasts. Sonya ran her hands down the outside of Duncan's thighs. He pulled her back, turning her head so he could press his tongue through her parted lips. His manhood bulged against his trews under her skirts. He rocked his hips, rubbing against her. Sonya moaned, opening her legs wider.

  "Duncan?"

  "Aye?" he breathed heavily.

  "I can't reach your trews from here!" He chuckled.

  "Perhaps ye should do something about that, lass."

  She did. She stood up & turned around, pulling at the ties at the front of his trews impatiently as he untied her bodice. When she removed his cock he moaned. He roughly grabbed her & pulled her towards him, his tongue deeply penetrating her mouth. Sonya kissed him hungrily as he put his hands under her skirts, lifting her onto him. She let out a gasp as he pulled her hard onto him. Kissing him roughly she rocked her hips to the rhythm he set as he moved her with his strong hands. Duncan moved his mouth down to her breast, taking one into his mouth, sucking on it & then the other. Sonya's muscles tightened around his cock & he moaned. Their rocking quickened as did their breathing. He covered her mouth in his & they both let out their moans of lust until they came. He leaned his head back & she rocked as he gasped, his legs quivering. Duncan held her to his chest & she sighed laying all of her weight against him.

  "Who knew a library could be so exciting," he chuckled.

  Sonya kissed his chest as he combed his hands through her hair. She bit him & he let out a yelp, pulling her head back. He grinned wickedly & she grinned back, moving her brows. He kissed her hard, then more tenderly. They stayed like that for a long while. It made her glad he was such a big, sturdy man! He made her feel small & protected. He was strong, but tender. He loved her. What more could she ask for?

  *

  "Woman!" Duncan yelled. "Woman, where are ye?"

  Sonya looked across the gardens, smiling.

  "What is it, man of mine
?"

  Duncan chuckled, raising the parchment in his hand. "We got word from Cullen. He is looking forward to our visit."

  Sonya hurried towards him & he picked her up like she was a feather, spinning her around. He held her & she hung onto his neck.

  "That is great!" Duncan put her down & scanned the letter further. His face went from joyous to serious. "Duncan what is it?"

  "This is from Casia. Cullen has gotten worse."

  Sonya didn't say anything more, but they hurried towards the castle to gather their things. She looked at Duncan. His face was grave.

  "Duncan?"

  "Aye, lass?"

  "Did she say what was happening with him?"

  "Nay, but I think they ken."

  "Well, we will see what we can do when we get there then."

  He smiled faintly & reached for her hand. This big strong man was hurting inside & she couldn't help him. She hated the way that made her feel. It made her feel helpless. As if he read her mind he said, "Lass, I am glad I have ye. It helps just having ye with me."

  Sonya smiled sympathetically & squeezed his hand.

  "Sonya?"

  "Yes, Ewan."

  "We are leaving now?"

  "Your uncle Cullen is very unwell & we are going to see if we can help."

  "I have missed Uncle Cullen. We will make him better, won't we?"

  "I hope so, Ewan."

  Telling Angus, Anne, Rowan, & Brenna goodbye was much more difficult than Sonya could imagine. She never did do well, leaving family behind. So, she tried to focus on the task before them. After having ridden for a while she asked, "Duncan, what do you think happened to Cullen?"

  He seemed to be thinking about the answer. "Cullen would ne'er tell me where he met his wife. She was'na from the near by villages. She was'na like anyone I had e'er seen before."

  Sonya raised a brow. When he looked over at her he chuckled. "Lass ye canno be jealous, can ye?"

  "Hmph."

  "Casia is petite. She has white blonde hair that reaches to her ankles. She is verra pale & I have never seen the like of her before. From my short stay she seemed like a kind woman. My brother & she seem to love each other verra much."

  "But?"

  "She seemed frightened a lot. Cullen seemed very protective, but I was'na sure why. It was'na from anyone threat in the clan, but seemed a threat outside that."

  "And the fight with you?"

  "I doona ken, lass. I ne'er understood what I might have said or done. I just knew he looked so unusual. He did'na sound like himself, he did'na look like himself." Duncan shook his head as if to get the picture of his brother out of his head.

  "And yet no one in the clan was alarmed by this?"

  "Not that I ever learned. Even Angus tried to find out & no one would say anything was wrong with Cullen."

  "Well, we will see. Maybe we can figure it out, my love." Duncan smiled.

  "I hope so. I truly do."

  *

  Okay, the ship was preferable to the horses. Sonya was right about that. Seeing the ocean, being in the middle of the blue-green was breathtaking. Between the oceans song & the rocking of the ship she was lulled to sleep. When Duncan let her sleep, she had never slept so well. The only thing she didn't like was being restricted to the ship. It was an unusual feeling knowing you could go no further. Unless you wanted to swim with the fishes!

  When they arrived at the castle where Cullen & Casia lived, they were greeted with their guards & fanfare. Duncan looked at Sonya with a smile, obviously relieved. Duncan knew everyone of course & she knew no one. He introduced her to cousins & aunts & uncles that welcomed her as if they had known her her whole life. It was a wonderful feeling. It was family. More family.

  Duncan was pulled aside & was talking intently with a clan member. Sonya watched his face changing when Ewan pulled her arm excitedly.

  "Aye, Ewan. What is it?"

  "Look! Is that Uncle Cullen's wife?" he asked in a loud whisper.

  Sonya looked up to see the most beautiful human she had ever seen. Then she wondered if she was human at all. Now she understood what Duncan meant, she had never seen anyone like her. Every woman can see beauty, but this lady, glowed. Duncan was right.

  "I believe so," Sonya whispered to him. She had no clue why she was whispering, but she was.

  "She is beautiful," he whispered back.

  Duncan came up behind Sonya, making her jump.

  "Aye," Sonya replied.

  "Careful lass, ye are starting to sound more & more like one of us."

  Sonya smiled up at him. "Soon, I will be." Duncan pulled her towards him, hugging her to his side.

  Casia came up extended both of her hands, taking theirs. "Sonya, Duncan. We are pleased you could come."

  "Thank you. We are very glad to be here."

  "You are from another world, aren't you?" Casia stated.

  Sonya raised a brow, perplexed. There was something different, but she couldn't figure out what it was.

  "It is good to see you again, Casia." Duncan hugged his sister in law.

  "And you too, Duncan. It has been far too long." Then she went down in front of Ewan. She was smaller than he was when she did. "And you, lad, must be my nephew." She took his hand & he had a look of awe on his face.

  "Aye," was the only reply she got besides his huge, green eyes staring at her.

  "Well, I am very glad to meet you."

  "I will show you your rooms & then take you to see Cullen."

  "Thank you," Sonya smiled, following after the dainty lady as she led them up the stairs to a beautiful bedchamber. She took Ewan by his hand, showing him to his room down the corridor.

  Sonya walked to the window & looked out. Windows always seemed to draw her first. She saw a field edged by a loch. "It is beautiful here."

  "Aye," Duncan agreed, inhaling.

  "You grew up here?"

  "For a time & then at Ronin."

  She left the window, looking around the room. Above the bed hung a medium blue tapestry with two white birds in a tree, below them were horses running in a field. She ran her hand over the shiny silver & blue bedding. She looked up to see Duncan grinning at her.

  "What?" she asked.

  "Naught. I just like looking at ye, lass."

  She blushed. "Why?"

  Duncan seemed surprised by her question. "Do ye not ken how beautiful ye are lass?"

  "Beautiful? Ha," she laughed briefly. She recalled Rowan telling her also, but she never believed it.

  Duncan came to stand in front of her. He took her chin, turning her face up to him. "Look at me, woman." Sonya looked up at him. "Ye are the most beautiful woman I have e'er seen."

  "Even more than the woman you wanted to wed?" Sonya didn't know why she asked that. Insecurity?

  Ah, so the lass felt threatened. Without a second going by Duncan said, "Aye, lass, without a doubt. I was but a lad & she was'na my mate. I ken that even then. Ye are the only woman for me. Ye had to find me because I knew not where to find ye. I knew only that I needed ye."

  Duncan kissed Sonya & tears began to roll down her face, but he did not break from her & she put her arms around him, pulling herself as close to him as she could get. He held her tight. She had never felt like this about anyone & she never had any doubts that he was for her, only whether she was good enough for him. He told her with his words & with his kiss that she was his mate. She loved him all the more, if that was possible.

  A soft knock came at the door. Duncan pulled her to him for one last kiss & wiped her tears away. She looked up at him, hoping her eyes showed him how much she adored him. Not just because he was the most awesome, well chiseled, gorgeous man she had ever seen, but because of his kindness & his love, for his tenderness & honor.

  "Aye lass, I love ye, too."

  Sonya smiled. He did see. Duncan took her hand & opened the door where Casia was waiting patiently. She smiled, but Sonya realized just how tired & drawn her face looked. Duncan seemed to notice as well & she sq
ueezed his hand. They followed Casia down the corridor & stopped in front of the big, wood door. She hesitated a moment.

  "Um…He has, well. I am sorry. I just don't want you to be alarmed when you see him. He has changed." Casia's voice cracked & tears were in her eyes. Sonya took her hand.

  "It will be fine," Sonya nodded. Casia smiled, turned & opened the door.

  Across the room they heard a voice loudly say, "Duncan! Is that ye brother? Get over here so I may greet ye!"

  He sounded so jovial that Sonya smiled. His voice sounded like Duncan's. They rounded the end of the bed & Casia went to Cullen's side. She flowed, elegant. It almost looked as if she floated. She smiled down at him with adoring eyes. She loved him a great deal, that was clear.

  Sonya heard Duncan inhale sharply at her side & he tightened his hold on her hand. She took in a man that had dark brown skin like Duncan. He was covered to his lower stomach, but you could see the ripples of his muscles, which were covered in a great deal of hair that looked more like fur. His nose was elongated with rows of hard, rippled skin going up to his forehead, stopping just below his eyes. His brows were bushy & his hair, unlike Duncan's who was smooth & long, was short with rough looking curls that went down the back of his neck. You could see that the hairs extended to his shoulders as well. His ears were going back towards the back of his head. They were not pointed; not yet. Sonya saw what Duncan saw & was alarmed, but she went forward, smiling.

  "Cullen. I am…"

  "Sonya, at last! It took a woman to bring my brother home," Cullen flashed his brother a look as he held out his hands & Sonya kissed him on the cheek, which was partly bare & partly covered in hair.

  "I am so glad to meet you."

  "Aye, as am I, lass," he said.

  Duncan followed quickly leaning down to hug his brother. Sonya saw tears quietly falling down Casia's cheeks as she smiled. Cullen reached for Sonya's hand again & she took his, sitting by his side on the bed. Duncan stood behind her.

  "So, it took a woman from across the waters to tame my brother's tumultuous heart."

  "Aye, brother, so it did." Duncan smiled broadly, as he proudly laid his hands on Sonya's shoulder. Cullen chuckled.

  Suddenly, Duncan sounded anguished. "Brother, please tell me what has happened."