“You can do all this and hold him at the same time?”
“Do I have a choice? I’m not letting one of the maids risk dropping him when the ‘angel’ comes.
Besides, I’m a modern woman. Multi-tasking is my middle name.”
****
“Are you sure she can do this?” Duncan asked Fin as they took their positions. “She can fly.”
“Can she control it?”
“Her stubbornness alone will control it.”
Duncan let his stoic expression slip. Amusement replaced it. “Ye know her well, brother.”
“Verra well.” She’d spun her plan to gather people from each clan to fight against Grainna and the men the witch controlled. Used some of the same tactics Selma used in the future. If Liz were a man, she’d be a warrior with skill and valor. If he were truthful with himself, he’d say she was a warrior now. As Duncan crossed his arms over his chest, he said. “Your life with her will never be easy.”
Fin tossed his head back with bellowing laughter. “Whoever said I wanted easy? I will never be bored with Lizzy.”
“When will you tell the lass that you are to wed?”
“The future truly left no impression on your brain. I will tell Elizabeth no such thing.”
Duncan lost his smile. “You do not plan on letting her go, do you?”
“Don’t be daft. I will ask Elizabeth to be by my side.”
“And if she says no?”
Fin lifted a brow, considered his brother’s words.
“Then I will put her over my shoulder and remind her who is stronger.”
“Not easy and never bored.” Duncan slapped a hand to his arm.
Fin agreed.
****
Tatiana sat next to the cooking fire, stirring the pot simmering over it. Ian did not put her in chains, and did not set a guard on her. When she’d asked him why, he’d answered, “I trust ye to do the right thing.” Why did he have any faith in her? How could he after all she had done? She forced her eyes to the ground, focused on the task of cooking and helping the maids.
Grainna hadn’t forced her way into her head except the one time among the MacCoinnichs. For that, Tatiana was grateful.
She closed her eyes briefly, fatigue washed over her. She couldn’t sleep, afraid of Grainna’s invasion.
“Ye should sleep.”
Cian’s voice brought a skip in her heart. He appeared weary but more rested than she did. He wore his family kilt and mantle, a sword at his side.
His hair was wet, as if he’d recently cleaned it. She smiled, unable to stop herself.
“I cannot,” she told him. “She would find her way inside like weevils to wood.”
“’Tisn’t your fault. I know that now.” He stepped close enough for her to smell the scent of soap on his skin. Clean, innocent, where she was not.
She backed away. “I beg ye do not. We can never be, Cian.”
He placed a hand on her cheek, stroked her skin.
A sigh escaped her lips, and she allowed herself this one touch.
“My own father sees the good in you. And he hasn’t opened his heart to you like I have.”
Tears drew close, but she pushed them away.
She closed her fingers over his hand and placed a tender kiss to his palm before moving away.
Familiar tingles of awareness exploded inside of her.
A vision in white filled her mind, peace hovered along the angel’s side. Then there was pain, blood.
Then nothing.
“Tatiana? Tatiana?” When her eyes opened, Cian held her. She’s sunk to the ground, one of the maids came to their side.
“I-I am tired.” Although, suddenly she wasn’t.
“Fetch her water, Alice,” Cian ordered.
Once her lips were moistened and Alice returned to her chores, Tatiana spoke. “An angel is coming.”
“What are you speaking of?”
“An angel. I see her. She brings peace with her.”
His eyes narrowed. “What have you heard?”
“I’ve heard nothing. I’m a seer, Cian. ’Tis why Grainna kept me alive.”
“Why do you tell me this now?”
“Because I can.” And she might not be able later.
She kept that to herself.
“I need to find my father.”
Tatiana nodded. “Go.” Don’t look back.
Before he turned to walk away, he helped her to her feet, kept his hand on her arm, and squeezed.
“We will protect you.”
“I never lied about my feelings toward ye, Cian.
Never.”
He smiled, dropped his lips to hers for the sweetest kiss he’d ever granted her, and then turned to walk away.
As he left, she pressed her fingers to her lips and let the tears flow. ****
As promised, the sky filled with clouds—thanks to Ian—with just enough light passing through to highlight whatever they desired. Myra and Todd stood beside her, Amber, Simon and Cian near the camp. Tara held court next to Lora and Ian in the center of the masses, while Duncan and Fin watched for her signals on the east bank.
The stage was set, and the film was ready to roll. Too bad she hadn’t been part of the Hollywood scene while she’d had the chance.
“Ready?”
“No, but what choice do I have? This was my idea.”
“A damn good idea, all things considered,” Todd said. Myra agreed with her husband with a nod. “You really can fly?”
Could she? Oh man, what if she couldn’t?
Instinct kicked in, giving her body a few inches off the ground. Myra gasped and Todd whispered some obscenity.
“Hover. I hover.”
“Okay, hover-girl, you ready?” Todd brought a smile to her face. No! She was jitters from head to toe and suddenly petrified to think her plan would work.
“Stop that!” Myra scolded, obviously reading her expression all too well. “Solid plan! Todd told me that in your time, you’d have made a damn…” She sighed and upped her volume. “Damn good detective.
You have the ability to lead people, Lizzy. Just look how you’ve taken control of all our powers, Druidry, spells… you make sense. This plan will work. I know it!” Liz planted her feet on the ground and pulled Myra into a hug. “Thanks. You’re a horrible liar, but thanks.”
Todd tilted his head to the side. “Lying isn’t her strong point. But she is right about your ability to lead and take control. Speak like a god and the people will listen. Then with any luck, and maybe a little magic, you guys can help the people forget once this is all over.”