Portals Of Time

by Coulter, J. Lee

  “How are ye feeling, mo gradh?”

  Running her tongue over dry lips, she replied weakly, “Thirsty, husband.”

  His heart swelled at the endearment as he held a skin of water to her parched mouth. She had not acknowledged him so possessively before. Life was good.

  After he had convinced her to eat, Lucian bound her wound securely to reduce the jarring she was in for when they rode back to join the others.

  Arianna grit her teeth against the pain as Malcolm handed her up to her husband. Once she was securely snuggled against his chest they headed off for the camp.

  “Tell me, Dunbar, how did ye find us? I hid the path well.”

  “Aye...ye did. Me best trackers did nae find it.” He eyed the young laird grudgingly for a moment. “Twas me squire that provided the means ta find ye.”

  “Your squire? How?”

  “He reminded me that me lady’s horse was part hound. Shalizar followed her scent. The bloody beast would have gone right on into the cavern if I had nae restrained him.”

  Malcolm stared at the steed in disbelief. “Surely ye jest!”

  Lucian laughed as the tension began to ease out of him. “Nay. I tell ye true. In all me days I have never seen such as him!”

  “Patrick spoke the truth then...the beast is possessed!” He shook his head in wonder.

  They reached the camp a short time later to find that Angus and his small band of warriors had managed to escape. Dugal had gone after them.

  Malcolm checked on his brother as Lucian saw to Arianna’s needs.

  “Ye will eat lass,” He gruffly ordered. “Ye need ta build your strength.”

  “I’m fine. Just a bit tired.” He caught her in his arms as she swooned.

  “Ye are nae fine! Now stop arguing with me!”

  She raised her brow. “I was not arguing...simply making a statement.”

  With an affronted stare , he replied, “If ye disagree with me tis arguing!”

  Arianna’s mouth gaped in protest then clamped shut. I’m too tired for this right now...but it will be continued when I feel better. He just assumes that he’s always right. And even if he is it would not be wise to let him think so. He is too arrogant already. She smiled sweetly as she batted her eyes at him.

  “Whatever you say, Lucian. You know best.”

  Malcolm had overheard their discussion and whispered loudly to her husband.

  “Beware, my lord. The last time she had that look and spoke so sweetly, she led us on a merry chase.” He chuckled as she frowned at him, then strolled away.

  “You are an insufferable man, Malcolm Maclean!” She yelled after him.

  “Eat wife! I will return in a few moments.” She stuck out her tongue at Lucian’s receding back as he walked over to his guard.

  Lucian knew that, in spite of her protests, Arianna was not strong enough for the ride back to Dunbar Castle. A half day’s hard ride would be more than a day at the pace she would need. He had been weighing the options but could only come to one decision. She would have to continue on to Malcolm’s holdings. It was only two or three hours distant.

  It did not set well with him but he had to do what was best for her. She needed to heal and he felt required to send her brother to hell!

  After making the arrangements with Malcolm, he returned to her side. She had dozed off in his absence, but he noted that she had obeyed him and had eaten every morsel. He woke her gently, a smile on his lips.

  “Tis time ta go, mo gradh.”

  “Hmmm,” she answered drowsily.

  Arianna clung to his neck as he carried her to the horses. She inhaled his scent deeply. She loved the woodsy smell that clung to his skin.

  “Look at me, wife.”

  She opened her eyes and met his gaze.

  “Ye are going with Maclean ta his home.” Her heart plummeted as she felt the rejection.

  “You are casting me aside?” Panic welled up inside her.

  “Do nae be foolish! I would never cast ye off!”

  “But you’re giving me to HIM!” Her voice rose in alarm.

  Grasping her chin, his lips met hers in a passionate kiss that lasted long enough to make her legs buckle beneath her. She clutched his tunic as he held her close.

  “Did that feel like I was ridding myself of ye? I love ye, Anna, but I must see ta Angus so ye will be safe. Ye require rest afore the long ride home, as well. Me guard will be with ye in me absence. Ye will be safe.”

  Dumbfounded...she nodded. All she could do was allow him to lift her up into Malcolm’s waiting arms. He loves me? Lucian...loves...me! I never dreamed that he ever would. She smiled at her handsome earl.

  “I love you, as well, husband. Be careful...please! Angus is the one who frightened me so much in my nightmare. He is very dangerous.”

  Lucian’s heart swelled at her words as he squeezed her hand. “I will be cautious, Anna. Do nae fear.”

  The earl paced the camp as the eve grew darker. His frustration obvious to his men. They had met up with Dugal five days past and had been scouring the countryside ever since. There was no sign of Angus or any of his men.

  He had settled before the fire to eat when the last group of bone-weary trackers rode into the camp. He glanced up expectantly as Collin approached wearing a huge grin.

  “We found them, m’laird! They be nae more than two leagues from here.”

  “Saints be praised! I was beginning ta think them wraiths!”

  “Nay, they are human enough.” Picking up a stick, he began drawing a map in the dirt for Lucian to study as they planned their attack.

  Chapter Twelve

  The warriors crept stealthily through the dark woods. Arrows were nocked in readiness...swords were drawn. They were to give no quarter. Lucian would not grant mercy to any who dared harm his countess...not even her brother.

  Once everyone was in their places, he roared out their battle-cry as they charged the camp. Angus leapt to his feet as the arrows rained down upon them. Holding his shield over him to deflect the missiles, he glanced about the camp to get his bearings.

  Half of his men would never rise from their pallets, he realised as he swung his sword at an attacker. The melee was intense as he and his men fought for their lives.

  It did not take long for Lucian to spy his target. He wanted Angus’ blood on his sword! He brandished the light-weight blade with ease as he plowed through the MacGregor rebels. Any that confronted him were quickly dispatched as the berserker in him took over. It was not long before they were face to face in the center of the camp.

  “Why did ye attack my wife, Angus? What gain was there for ye?” They circled each other cautiously, blades drawn, searching for an opportunity to strike.

  “Gain? Why all me father’s lands! If there be nae bride...there be nae dowery ta give ye!” Lucian scowled in disgust.

  “That makes nae sense! We are wed already! The dowery is mine. Ye speak nonsense, Angus!”

  “Tis nae nonsense.” He shook his head. “Ye had ta be wed two moons before ye received it. Did ye nae read the contract?”

  Surprise lit his face. He had not bothered to read it. His father had told him that it was a standard writ...nothing more. It made no difference to him.

  “If she had stayed gone then I would nae have had ta harm her. The witch told me that she could nae return...twas impossible!”

  What is he speaking of? Did he have a hand in her disappearance all those years ago?

  “What witch do ye speak of?”

  An evil grin crossed his lips as he lunged at the earl. Lucian easily deflected the blow as he countered the attack. Steel met steel as sweat gathered on their skin. The only sound was clanging metal and grunting from their efforts. The Dunbar warriors stood silent as they watched the lethal contest. The two warriors were evenly matched in size and skill. The advantage belonged to Lucian, though, as he tirelessly swung the lightweight blade.

  Angus stumbled as he wearied and the earl took advantage of his blunder
, striking a fatal blow. Standing over him as he lay dying, Lucian demanded an answer.

  “Tell me true! Did ye steal her away when she was a wean?”

  “Aye,” he barely whispered. “I sent her...to...to...” His eyes went blank as his life left him.

  Lucian stared at his lifeless body for a moment before turning and walking away.

  “Collin, wrap the bodies and return them ta their kin for burial. Take half the men with ye. The rest will accompany me as I fetch me bride home.”

  “It will be done, m’laird.”

  Arianna sighed as she stared off into the distance from her perch in the chamber window. She had been there for almost two weeks and missed having Lucian around.

  Malcolm had been a perfect gentleman while she was there, even giving her a bedchamber that faced the gate so she could watch for her husband.

  Both she and Shalizar were nearly healed of their wounds, growing more restless with each passing day.

  A horse whinnied in the distance. Her head shot up as she frantically scanned the treeline. There! Light flashed off of metal as the men emerged into the cleared expanse leading to the keep.

  “Lucian!” She hollered, not caring that he couldn’t hear her. Heads of the villagers below her window glanced up, startled.

  Arianna ran from her room all the way to the stables, stunned faces meeting her everywhere. She snatched up his bridle as she entered Shalizar’s stall. In no time she had him bridled and out of the building. Leaping onto his bare back, they flew through the gates before anyone could stop them.

  “M’laird! M’lady is coming on that black beast. I fear she will harm herself!”

  His head shot up, spotting her as she drew closer.

  “She comes too fast ta stop, m’laird!” he cried in alarm.

  “She does nae intend ta do so, Finn. Ye had better move aside quickly.” A wide smile split Lucian’s face as Shalizar sailed over him with ease, landing smoothly behind him. He spun his horse about at the same moment as she did. Pulling her into his arms, he gave her a sound kiss.

  “I see that ye and Shalizar are much improved,” he chuckled. “But ye really must quit using me for a wall, wife. It does nae look good in front of me men.”

  “Yes, Lucian. Whatever you say.”

  “Did ye miss me, lass?” He growled down low.

  “Aye, husband. I missed you more than my heart can say.”

  Their lips joined once more, filled with passion, carrying her away once more to that blissful dimension where no other exists.

  The End

  About

  If you enjoyed this book, please check out my other books:

  Blessing The Highlander

  Tarnished Honor

  The Reckoning

  Highland Christmas

  All are available at Amazon.com for Kindle or in print. I hope you will visit me on my websites:

  http://www.highlanderinoz.weebly.com

  http://www.coulterhighlanddreams.com

  http://www.jleecoulter.wordpress.com