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“Why the hell are ye here?” Duncan bellowed in response, snatching his hand away.
I rolled to face him, Duncan of the past. Though they were the same man, there were differences. Especially how thick his brogue was. In my sleep, somehow I’d traveled back to the past yet again. With all the self-righteousness I felt, I asked, “Who the hell did you think I was, husband? Who were you expecting in my bed who wasn’t me?” Sickness rolled in my gut. “Fiona?” I asked, hating to think that he was bedding her. She’d become somewhat of an ally.
“No.”
Good, I thought. “Whoever she is, she should be fired. You’re a married man.” I grinned a little wickedly. “A marked man. That makes you mine.”
“Witch,” he declared.
“Calling me names won’t stop your feelings.”
We were locked in a wordless match of wills as we glared at each other.
“You dinnae belong in here. If I want to see ye, I’ll come to ye.” The damn man smirked at me.
I narrowed my eyes. “Oh, some maid can come to your bed, but not your wife?”
“Ye’re not my wife.”
I rolled my eyes. “Here we go again. We are married. We are marked. Maybe if you’d explain what vow you took, we could figure this out together.”
“How do ye know about that?”
“Well, you told me—and don’t ask when. Tell me what a time walker is. Who were those guys, like angels? I saw their wings and then I didn’t. What am I? Why do they want me?”
That might have been a lot, but I was afraid if I didn’t get all my questions out, he’d disappear on me again.
As fate hated me, a miniature version of the man barreled into the room. “Da, Da, come play with me.”
Duncan flashed a wry smile my way. “Duty calls.”
Only his son was focused on me. I touched the bluebells that still crowned my head. “Sorry I messed it up.”
He grinned. “You’re still wearing it.”
“Of course I am. I’m Elin.” I sat up and held out my hand.
He climbed on the bed like he’d done it a thousand times. “I’m Cináed.”
Before I could talk to him further, his father reached in and scooped the boy up, leaving the room with little-boy giggles in their wake.
It looked like my answers would have to wait. But the next time I saw Duncan, I wouldn’t let him so easily dodge my questions.
Only the next time I peered in the man’s eyes, I would be flat on my back.
Ten
Fiona fluttered in and bashfully announced with her head bent low, as if she couldn’t look at me, that I was to get ready for the day. She had a robe of sorts in her arm and made sure I was sufficiently covered before we left Duncan’s room.
It was still a shock with all the hustle and bustle of the past that starkly contrasted with present day, where the castle was all but empty. Another question for future Duncan when we met again.
Though I had time now, past Fiona couldn’t tell me what happened to her in the future. So my questions about why she was tied to the castle in the future would have to wait.
Back in my room, I felt like a show pony getting ready for a contest with how I was groomed from head to toe between Fiona and her mistress, who hadn’t given me her name. I hadn’t asked questions, hoping to conceal my identity so rumors about who I really was wouldn’t spread through the castle. Duncan knew I wasn’t his betrothed. I didn’t think anyone else did.
“Are ye ready to break ye fast, my lady?” the older maid said. I nodded because that was to be expected. “Food will be served in the great hall.” The older woman walked off, leaving me alone with Fiona.
I took a chance and asked Fiona softly, “Can you show me the way?” Instinct told me she could be trusted and wouldn’t gossip if she thought my accent was strange.
“Yes, my lady.”
I followed her out of the room and assessed my level of hunger as I walked. I should be famished, given I hadn’t eaten a full meal in quite some time. But I wasn’t. Maybe it was nerves, and I would force myself to eat something.
There was quite the buffet of food on the single table in the great hall. Where they stored the other tables was something I might have asked if not for all the reasons I’d kept quiet up to now.
I tasted a little bit of everything but still didn’t eat a full meal. I reasoned my appetite would come later. Laughter drifted from outside. Curiosity led me there in time to see Duncan and his tiny son in a wooden sword battle. I watched and found myself clapping as Duncan let Cin pretend to stab him in the heart.
