by Baker, Katy
Except one.
There was one chance, one tiny spark of hope. But it would cost her. It would cost her dearly.
It didn’t matter. She wouldn’t lose him.
Time snapped back into place and she was again in the clearing. Ramsay stared at her across the distance between them.
“I love you!” she shouted.
Then, with all her strength, she sprinted at Artair Campbell, tackled him around the waist, and sent them both tumbling through the portal.
For the second time she experienced that sense of falling and was suddenly brought up short by something hard and cold against her skin. She opened her eyes to find herself lying on smooth marble. She scrambled to her feet. She found herself standing in the middle of the Unseelie Court. An elegant vaulted ceiling rose above her, like the nave of a cathedral with tiered seats on either side. Those tall, pale creatures filled the seats, glaring down at her with eyes like glass.
Her heart began to thump but she forced herself to stand, shaking only slightly. A few paces away, Artair Campbell was on his knees, scanning the room with eyes as wide as saucers.
“What have ye done?” he gasped. “What have ye done?”
“Aye,” boomed a voice. “What have you done, mortal? Something very, very stupid.”
Jess slowly turned to face the throne. Shadow swirled around it so she couldn’t clearly see the figure seated within, only the impression of a tall creature with eyes colder than the heart of winter.
“If this is the only way to stop you and save Ramsay, then I am glad to do it, no matter how stupid,” she said defiantly.
Her voice echoed around the cavernous space. On the benches the Unseelie began to mutter, their voices like the whisper of wind through dead leaves.
Soft laughter came from the throne. “You intrigue me, mortal. It is many a year since any were reckless enough to come to my court. Who are you?”
Jess forced herself to look directly into those malevolent eyes, even though her legs were shaking. “My name is Jessica MacSual. Granddaughter of Rosa MacSual. I think you might have known her.”
At the name the creature hissed. “That bitch! Aye, I smell her in you. Have you come to continue your grandmother’s work? Even she was not foolhardy enough to think she could challenge me in my own realm.”
“Send me back! “Artair cried suddenly. “We had a bargain, and this wasnae part of it!”
The cold eyes turned to him. “Neither was mortal kind entering my realm. That makes any bargain null and void and the two of you mine to do with as I wish. It’s been a long time since we’ve had mortals as playthings. You had the arrogance to think you could command us? Maybe it’s time you understood your error. Rise, puppet.”
Jerkily, as if his limbs were no longer under his control, Artair clambered to his feet. “What are you doing?” he cried. “Let me go!”
Cruel laughter echoed around the chamber.
A dagger suddenly appeared in Artair’s hand. It glinted strangely and Jess realized it wasn’t made from iron. It was made from glass. The Lord of the Unseelie leaned forward and those cold eyes blazed.
“You are mine now and you will do as I command. And my first command is to rid us of Rosa MacSual’s progeny.” A pale hand was waved in Jess’s direction. “Kill her.”
Artair slewed around to face her and, from the rictus grin that stretched his mouth, Jess could tell he moved to another’s will. Jerkily, he began advancing across the floor. Jess backed away and suddenly a glass dagger appeared in her hand as well.
“I won’t do this!” she shouted. “I won’t fight him for your entertainment!”
There was more cruel laughter. “Then you will die.”
“Artair, stop,” she said, holding out a hand. “Resist their control. Don’t become their puppet.”
She didn’t know whether he heard her. His lips were pulled back in a snarl and his eyes rolled in his head as though he was terrified. But he moved towards her nonetheless, raising the dagger over his head.
It came slashing down and Jess instinctively jerked her arm up, blocking the blade with her own weapon. Her dagger shattered, tinkling to the ground in myriad shards of glass.
She fell to her knees. “Don’t do this!” she cried desperately.
Artair raised his arm and the glass dagger gleamed above her, wicked and sharp. It came swinging down, and she screamed, flinging up an arm.
But another blade caught it mere inches from her throat.
Jess looked up to see Ramsay standing above her, clutching the keystone in one hand and his sword in the other.
A hiss of surprise filled the chamber. “He brings iron here! And he holds the key of the Seelie! Kill him! Kill him!”
Artair swung the dagger. Ramsay stepped forward, shattered the glass dagger with a sweep of his iron sword, then plunged the blade into Artair’s chest. Eyes widening, Artair gaped at the blood bubbling from the wound and tried to speak but no words came out. He collapsed and lay still, blood pooling on the pristine white marble.
A howl of anger and outrage came from the shadows around the throne. “How dare you?” the voice boomed. “I will rend your soul for such an insult!”
Ice began to spread across the floor and the temperature within the room plummeted. Jess’s breath steamed.
“Come on!” Ramsay cried.
He pulled her up and yanked her towards the shimmering portal. Jess ran as fast as her frozen limbs would allow whilst behind came the hammer of footsteps. She dare not look back. The portal shimmered just a few feet away. Ramsay’s hand clamped on hers as he leapt the last few feet, pulling her with him through the shimmering heat-haze.
They hit the ground on the other side hard enough to knock the breath from her lungs. Ramsay was on his feet in an instant.
“Quickly!” he shouted. “They’re coming. We have to close the portal.”
Jess scrambled to her knees. “Throw me the keystone.”
Her heart was thundering. The Unseelie were right behind them. They had only seconds. She tapped the symbols on the keystone in the sequence her grandmother had discovered. With a click, the keystone split into its four constituent parts, each shape corresponding to a phase of the moon.
“Here!”
Springing to her feet she tossed two of the pieces to Ramsay who caught them and sprinted towards one side of the doorway. Gripping the last two pieces, Jess darted for the other. She risked a glance at the portal and saw pale figures converging, clawed hands reaching out to this world...
Panting with terror, she reached up and slotted the pieces of the keystone into the hollows across the lintel. Just as a pale hand began to emerge, Ramsay did the same. The seal was complete. The portal was locked.
A second concussion rocked the clearing. The blast knocked Jess into Ramsay and he wrapped his arms around her as they both went crashing to the ground.
Jess desperately peered up at the arch. The image of the throne room was gone. A howl sounded, so loud it threatened to burst her eardrums. It was a howl of anger and frustration and hatred. Then sudden light flared and Jess flung her arm up to cover her face. A great cracking sound filled the air and when she looked again the light winked out, revealing a pile of rubble. The arch was gone.
Silence fell. For a long moment all Jess felt was the rasp of her own breathing. Then she heard movement, and she turned her head to see Benneit MacGregor stagger to his feet. He gazed around groggily, staring at the collapsed arch. She could see his thoughts churning as he put everything together: the broken arch, the absence of his cousin. A snarl curled the corner of his mouth. A cornered animal is the most dangerous.
He grabbed his sword, and stalked across the clearing towards them, the blade held in a two-handed grip. Ramsay pushed Jess away and managed to scramble to his knees, but he was unarmed. Jess stifled a scream as MacGregor bore down on Ramsay, raising his sword for a killing thrust. Then figures emerged from the trees: Blair, Maggie and the others. With a cry of alarm, Blair dre
w a dagger and threw it. The twirling blade flashed through the air and embedded itself in MacGregor’s throat. He collapsed to his knees not three paces from where Jess and Ramsay knelt. He clutched at the blood gushing down his chest, then his eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped to the ground.
Jess gazed at Ramsay. Tears gathered in her eyes. She leaned against him and he enfolded her in his arms while she cried.
RAMSAY HELD JESS TIGHTLY. She felt so small and fragile in his arms. He said nothing. What could he say? There were no words to ease the memory of what they had seen, what they had done. He just held her, letting the shock of all that had happened wash through her.
He sent a prayer of thanks that she was safe. He’d never been as terrified as when he saw her disappear through that portal. She was brave and reckless. And utterly amazing. He held her close, crushing her against him. He never wanted to let her go.
Only when she’d finally cried herself out did he rise painfully to his feet, pulling her up after him. He peered around the clearing, at the body of MacGregor and the collapsed arch.
“Is it done?” Jess whispered.
“Aye, love,” he breathed. “It’s done.”
As if to belie his words, from over by the trees Maggie suddenly yelled. “Riders! Arm yerselves!”
They were all instantly alert. Ramsay pushed Jess behind him, grabbed his sword from the ground, and joined Blair and the others as they formed up into a line across the dell. Two riders approached through the trees. They carried torches and picked their way carefully in the darkness. Ramsay tightened his hand on his sword hilt, peering through the gloom until he was able to make out faces. It was Ross and Archer.
Relief swept through him, so strong it made his legs weak. He strode forward as his brother dismounted and embraced him heartily.
“Brother, I am mighty relieved to see ye in one piece.”
Ross nodded, looking Ramsay up and down as if to check for injuries. “Aye, that makes two of us. I didnae dare hope to find ye here.” His eyes swept across Jess, Blair, Maggie and the others. “To find ye all here. Ye mean to say ye actually did it? Ye managed to stop Artair Campbell?”
Ramsay shared a look with Jess. Her eyes were haunted. “Aye,” he said quietly. “We did.”
“What happened?” Blair demanded, striding forward. “What happened on the battlefield?”
A shadow passed over Ross’s face and he wiped a hand across his forehead. “I take no pleasure in killing warriors forced to fight against their will. Most of those men were farmers and should have been tending their fields rather than swinging a weapon. The MacGregor didnae even have the courage to lead his forces in person.” He took a deep breath. “It was hard fought but in the end MacGregor’s lines broke and ran. We didnae pursue. Let those who are able return to their crofts and rebuild as best they can.”
Ramsay nodded. “Aye. Let’s hope there will be peace to allow them to do that.”
Ross stepped past him to speak to Blair. Ramsay pulled Jess close and held her. Over the top of her head he saw the arch, now little more than a pile of broken rock. It was over. It was really over.
He gazed down at Jess. “Did ye mean what ye said?”
“Which part?”
“The part where ye said ye didnae wish to return home. That ye are already home? That ye dinna want to go back to yer time?”
“I meant every word,” she said softly. “I’ve found the place where I belong and that’s right here, with you.”
“Then marry me,” he said, gazing down at her. “For real this time, not pretend.”
She laughed and some of the haunted look in her eyes abated. “It’s a bit sudden isn’t it?”
“Not for me, it isnae,” he replied. “I’ll never want any woman but ye.”
Her eyes were like deep, still pools as she gazed at him. “And I’ll never want any other man than you. Not for as long as I live.”
“Well then. Is that an aye?”
She reached up and cupped his face in her hands. “Aye, Ramsay MacAuley. That’s an aye.”
He grinned so hard his cheeks hurt. Then he bent his head and kissed her, long, hard, and deep. Around them, their friends cheered.
Chapter 17
JESS FIDDLED WITH THE dials on the astrolabe then held it up to her eye to examine it. Yes, she was sure she could make some improvements to her grandfather’s instrument and maybe even build a telescope. It would be several years yet before Galileo made all his important discoveries and perfected the design of the telescope but if Jess speeded things along a bit, all the better. The work of a couple of astronomers in the remote Scottish Highlands was hardly likely to upset the whole history of astronomy was it?
She put down the brass instrument, leaned back in the chair, and looked around her grandfather’s observatory. She was alone—blessedly alone. She’d finally managed to escape the chaos that filled the rest of the manor house and find some peace.
The door burst open, revealing two women standing on the landing: Maggie and Ross’s wife, Lia.
“There you are! I’ve been searching everywhere for you!” Lia cried. It was still strange to hear another American accent even though Lia, along with Ramsay’s parents, had been here for weeks now.
“You have?”
Maggie put her hands on her hips. “I knew we’d find ye hiding up here.”
“You did?”
“Aye. Dinna ye know what time it is? If we dinna hurry, we’ll be late.”
Jess glanced out the window and saw that the sun was high in the sky, almost midday. She sprang from her chair.
“I didn’t realize it was so late!”
How long had she been up here? She’d only meant to pop up for a little while—just to clear her head—but she’d gotten lost in her theories and calculations and now, as Maggie said, she was in danger of being late.
“Come on,” she said, striding to the door. “We better get back to the house so I can change.”
Lia held up a hand to stop her. “No need for that. We brought some help.”
She pulled the door wide and an army of maids filed in carrying everything Jess was going to need—including her dress. They bustled about the room with practiced efficiency, setting out everything required. Jess burst out laughing.
“What would I do without the two of you?”
“Be late for yer own wedding is what! Now sit!”
Jess slid into her grandfather’s chair whilst the maids went to work on her hair, brushing it out and pinning it in such a way that it framed her face. Jess forced herself to remain still, even though nerves were beginning to squirm in her belly. She couldn’t decide whether she was excited or terrified. Probably both, in equal measure. She was getting married today. Married!
Maggie grinned at her. “Ye know this is supposed to be the happiest day of yer life, right? Ye look like ye are preparing for yer own execution!”
“Oh, don’t tease her!” Lia said. “I remember what it felt like—and you will one day if what I hear of you and Archer is true!”
Maggie scowled at this and Jess suppressed a laugh. Over the last few weeks Maggie and Lia had been indispensable. They’d grown close and now Jess felt like she’d known them for years.
“How’s Ramsay?” she asked.
“Pacing about like a caged lion.”
“Ah.”
The maids finished her hair and Lia held up Jess’s dress. It was a beautiful ivory, with a tight bodice and long, flaring sleeves. She reached out gently and ran her fingers along the soft fabric. Emotion swelled in her chest. This had been her grandmother’s wedding dress. Laird MacSual had dug it out of a chest where he’d lovingly stored it all these years.
Her grandmother’s dress. How had Rosa felt all those years ago when she was about to put this dress on? How would she feel if she could see Jess now?
She would be proud, Jess thought. Proud and joyous, like she always was.
Oh, how Jess wished she was here.
Maggi
e placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come on,” she said softly. “We dinna want to keep him waiting.”
Jess nodded and allowed the maids to dress her. The dress fitted perfectly and felt wonderful as she smoothed it out and did a little twirl.
Lia sighed. “You look amazing. Ramsay is going to be drooling when he sees you in that.”
There was another knock on the door. This time a page entered, breathless from climbing the tower steps.
“Begging yer pardon, my ladies,” he said with a bow. “Laird MacSual has sent me to ask if ye are ready. He’s waiting below to escort his granddaughter to her wedding.”
Jess swallowed thickly. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
With Maggie and Lia a step behind, she swept out of the room and down the steps, careful to hold up the hem of her dress so she didn’t trip. At the bottom they found Laird MacSual waiting. He cut quite the figure with his hair and beard combed and wearing his ceremonial MacSual plaid. He broke into a broad smile when he saw Jess and took hold of her hands.
“Oh, my dear,” he breathed with a tear in his eye. “Ye look just like my dear Rosa. She would be so proud if she could see us both now.”
Jess blinked. “Don’t! You’ll make me cry too!”
He held out his arm for her. “We canna have that, can we? This is a joyous occasion. Come, my dear, it will be the biggest honor of my life to give ye away today.”
Jess took his arm, and they crossed the bailey. Benches and tables filled the space, ready for the festivities later and guests already crowded the tables—those that couldn’t find space within the hall. They clapped and cheered and called out good wishes as Jess and her grandfather passed.
They climbed the steps into the manor house and entered the hall. It was crammed full of people. A hush fell over the gathering and everyone turned to gawp as she entered. She balked as all that attention fell on her but her grandfather patted her hand and Maggie and Lia gave her reassuring smiles as they paused at the start of the aisle.
And then she saw him.