Stone of Destiny Read online

  “It’s just a technique and it doesn’t always work.” Abbie laughed, releasing the tension within her. “To tell you the truth, he was my first live patient. I studied medicine in school before I came here.”

  “Katherine is our healer. I’m sure she will have many questions for you in the morning.”

  Abbie smiled. “I didn’t know that. I would love to learn about different herbal remedies from her. They don’t teach those anymore, except in alternative studies.”

  “I am indebted to you for bringing Daniel back to us.”

  Abbie realized for the first time that what knowledge she had could be very useful here and it gave her an added sense of wellbeing.

  “Indebted…as in my wish is your command?” She playfully reached up under his kilt, stroking his erection with wet fingertips.

  Gavin trailed his tongue across Abbie’s breasts, eliciting a moan of desire from her. She stepped out of the tub and stood in front of the fireplace while he slowly dried her off, planting kisses over her body as he went. The dancing flames lent a magical quality to the moment as Gavin pressed his magnificent body against hers, holding her tightly in his arms. When he kissed her, it felt as if they were joined as one.

  “What is your wish, Abbie? Tell me what you desire.” His hands ran along her curves in a feather touch, leaving her begging for more.

  “I desire you.” Her statement came out as a breathless pant.

  “Nae, you must tell me exactly what you wish for, lass.” Gavin’s teasing tone promised many things.

  She told him in explicit detail, being truly wicked, and watched his lust rise as he listened to her. His silky hair draped across her skin as Gavin did her bidding, the erotic sensation inciting Abbie to new levels of passion.

  “You are my enchantress,” he whispered, drawing her legs over his shoulders and pushing deep inside. The rough handling sparked cries of delight from Abbie as she came yet again. Gavin claimed her, calling on the ancient gods in Gaelic to insure her willingness to remain by his side, in this life and the next.

  “What do you say in Gaelic when you make love to me?” Abbie snuggled deeper within his embrace. The words were melodic. She wished she understood the beautiful language.

  “Perhaps I'm only going over a list of things to accomplish in the morning.”

  He kissed her forehead as she smiled at him. How could he tell her of the words that he spoke – of the ancient bindings that he sought with her? Abbie had used the term ‘make love’, but she had not yet told him the one thing he needed to hear – that she loved him. He changed the subject, lest she try to pursue it.

  “Would you like to ride with me in the afternoon, after dinner tomorrow? I will take you up into the hills.”

  “That would be wonderful.” She was anxious to explore the awe-inspiring mountainous terrain of her new homeland. The weather had been perfect these last few days, but she knew it wouldn’t last for long. She fell asleep and dreamed of riding the wind on the back of a horse, with Gavin's strong arms around her.

  ***

  At breakfast, Abbie enquired after Daniel and was told that the infuriating man had refused to remain in bed that morning.

  “The grimace he makes as he tries to move should be telling him otherwise,” Katherine laughed. She patted Abbie’s hand. "Gavin tells me ye’d like to learn about the remedies for ailments?"

  Abbie nodded. “I don’t know anything about what is used in this time for treatments.”

  “Bless ye, lass. I could use a wee bit of help and mayhap ye’ll teach me some too.”

  They walked out to the herb garden to talk. Overlooking the wall, Abbie and Katherine stood watching Gavin practicing with the guards.

  “They are splendid to watch, swinging the swords,” Katherine said.

  Abbie agreed but she only had eyes for one of them. Gavin stood out from the crowd, even surrounded by accomplished warriors. His broad chest and muscled arms glistened in the sunlight as he swung two swords with ease, besting his opponents time and again.

  She reluctantly tore her eyes away as Katherine laughed softly and sat down on a bench. They spent the morning deep in conversation, with Katherine explaining which herbs were good for poultices and Abbie discussing germs and disinfecting.

  “Gavin’s ma and the new bairn both died of a fever three days after the birth. After that, the Laird insisted on the castle being scrubbed top to bottom on a regular basis. He was right; we dinna have much sickness here anymore. Up with ye now, lass, it’s close to dinner. My mornings are free to continue our discussions, if ye like.”

  “I would like that very much, thank you.” Abbie tried to commit all of Katherine’s lessons to memory, but knew that repetition and practice would make them permanent in time.

  She stole another look over the wall before they went back inside. Abbie stared in shock, feeling a blush creep over her face. Katherine looked at her expression and laughed until tears came to her eyes. The men had chosen that moment to rise up out of the lake, like Neptune and his brothers come to walk upon the land…and every last one of them was naked.

  ***

  With dinner finished, Gavin and Abbie headed for the stable. She found that he had already planned ahead for their outing, having purloined a quilt and a satchel full of cheeses, bread and fruit.

  “We’re going to miss supper,” he said with a lascivious grin when she asked about the food.

  Gavin’s hair was still damp from his swim in the lake earlier and the strands felt cool on her heated skin as he kissed her. The vitality of his kiss sent tendrils of sexual heat radiating through Abbie’s body. She accepted his unspoken challenge by leaning into him, feeling his hard erection pushing against her impatiently.

  A flame lit his eyes from within as Gavin held her chin with one hand, slowly brushing his thumb across her lips. She tasted it with her tongue and he drew in a swift breath.

  “We’d best go now or I’ll drop you to the ground here.”

  Abbie delighted in the effect she had on him. She hadn’t known power like that existed within her before.

  Seated before him on a large, gray-dappled stallion they set off to explore. Gavin first took her over to a very large clearing at the top of a small hill where two gigantic fire rings sat.

  “This is where the bonfires are held. Next week at the full moon will be the Lughnasadh.”

  “What is that?”

  “Your world of the future has lost many of its traditions. How does it survive?” Gavin held her close against his chest for a moment as he thought of how to explain.

  “There are four festivals throughout the year, where people gather to commemorate different things. Lughnasadh celebrates the first harvest and honors the god, Lugh. There will be family reunions and contests of skill. The villagers will gather within the bonfires at dusk for safety.”

  “Safety from what?” Abbie found all of this fascinating. She’d never been exposed to any of the Gaelic legends before.

  “The bonfires are lit to keep the Otherworld from merging with ours. Our world is especially vulnerable on the festival days. You know nothing of this?”

  Abbie shook her head.

  “The magic is all around us here. Why has the world lost it in your time?”

  “They rely on technology in the future.” She had already ceased to refer to it as her time, much preferring this life over her old one.

  “I have something else to show you.” He prodded the horse in a different direction, moving further up into the hills.

  They dismounted and walked the horse through a copse of trees, coming at last to a grassy area at the top of the knoll. A circle of stones lay before them.

  “The Slὶabh a Dh'aois.” There was a tone of reverence in Gavin’s voice.

  An indefinable quality permeated the air around them, causing Abbie to whisper.

  “What are they for?”

  “It is a liminal place – a region betwixt and between time and space. A faerie circle whose st
ones are aligned with the stars at certain times of the year. Some say that people are able to use them to cross over to other times or dimensions. I come up here often just to think. The magic of the land is strong here.”

  Gavin led the horse under some trees to graze, removing the quilt and satchel from his back. He spread the blanket on the ground – outside of the circle, Abbie noticed. Taking her in his arms, Gavin began to undress her, kissing each exposed portion of skin as he did so.

  They spent the afternoon making love amidst the majesty of the hills, enveloped in the splendor around them. Much later, they ate their supper and then headed home before full dark set in. By the time Gavin had settled the horse Abbie had a bath waiting for them and they relaxed in the warm water.

  “It was a lovely day, thank you for sharing it all with me. I never knew any of that existed.” She wondered why her own family, who were of Scottish descent, had let their history dissolve into the mists of time instead of passing it on.

  “Dinna worry, we’ll make a proper Scots lass out of you yet.”

  “In the meantime, how about if I’m a bit improper?” She fondled his hard shaft, which seemed to be in a permanent state of arousal. Abbie could sympathize; she was insatiable around this man.

  “You are a wanton lass.”

  Abbie could tell by the tone of his voice that Gavin was delighted by that fact. Standing in the tub to face him, she lowered herself down upon him until he fully penetrated her. A haunting melody drifted in the air from someone playing the pipes as they made love, adding to the ambience. Afterwards, Abbie asked about the music.

  “Aye, I heard it. That was wee Willie, practicing for the celebration. We have several pipers, but he’s the best.”

  “What goes on at the festival?”

  “There’s dancing and competitions and the like. It’s a good time for handfastings, also.” Gavin held her close and gave her a kiss. “It’s a grand celebration, you’ll see.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” And she was. Abbie was anxious to adopt her new homeland and its ways.

  Chapter Eleven

  Traders began appearing the next morning, setting up camp for doing business during the festival. Soon the area around the castle resembled a farmers market, with crops and livestock displayed in every available space. Abbie happily wandered around the carts, enjoying the experience. She noticed a group of wagons, set some distance apart from the others. They had symbols painted along their exterior and looked exotic, compared to the rest of the camp. She spotted Katherine just then, diverting her attention from the oddity.

  Katherine smiled at her as she walked up and continued what sounded to Abbie like good-natured haggling, although she couldn’t be sure. For all she knew, they could be discussing the weather. The man said something and glanced at Abbie. After Katherine replied, he looked at her again with a keen interest.

  Abbie shifted uncomfortably, not knowing what part she played in the discussion. Katherine caught the movement and chuckled, patting her arm as she did so.

  “Dinna worry, lass. It was a compliment to ye. I did mention though, as he’d have to speak to the Laird about ye.” She winked as she said it and Abbie relaxed.

  They continued their stroll amongst the carts together, with Katherine commenting on various groups for Abbie’s benefit. Many of the people here only spoke Gaelic, something Abbie determined to accomplish as quickly as possible. They came to the clearing that separated the wagons with the symbols on them from the rest of the group. Katherine came to a stop and looked across the field in silence.

  “Why are those wagons apart from the others?” Abbie could now see several men walking about, dressed in colorful clothing instead of the tartans and kilts that she’d become accustomed to.

  “The Roma are on friendly terms with the Laird, but the villagers still tread lightly around them. Their magic is potent and ye dinna wish to cross them. Come, I’ll introduce ye.”

  An older man opened the door to one wagon and ushered them inside. Katherine smiled but said nothing as they entered.

  The man looked from Katherine to Abbie and then addressed her – in English.

  “I bid you welcome. My name is Nikolai. Where are you from?”

  “I’m from America.”

  “The Americas?” He looked at her with eyes that held a strange depth within them. “You come from much further than that.”

  The comment startled Abbie and she wasn’t sure how to respond to it. Nikolai rescued her with an easy laugh.

  “It is of no matter. You are welcome in my house.” He gave her a courtly bow.

  “Thank you. My name is Abbie.”

  He and Katherine spoke for a moment before they left to continue their rounds. Abbie was still curious about the symbols on the wagons and asked her about them.

  “They’re identifiers of the Roma and their magic.”

  “Is anything wrong?” Abbie thought that Katherine sounded a bit distracted or worried by something.

  “Nae, I was but thinking that it is close to dinner and we should get back.”

  Gavin met up with them just as they reached the castle and gathered Abbie in his arms.

  “Have you enjoyed your morning?”

  He seemed excited by the crowd gathering and Abbie happily told him that she'd enjoyed herself. “Katherine took me around and introduced me to Nikolai too.”

  “Good, I’m glad you met him.” Gavin arched an eyebrow over Abbie’s head at Katherine, standing behind her. She jerked her head toward the kitchen in reply. “I have some details to go over in the kitchen. I’ll meet you inside in a few minutes.”

  He gave Abbie a long kiss before playfully groping her butt. None the wiser about being the subject of an imminent conversation, Abbie went inside. Gavin followed Katherine into the kitchen garden.

  “Nikolai informs me that the lass is enshrouded in Fae magic.” Katherine said in a worried tone of voice.

  “Aye, we already determined that was how she came to be here, although not the why of it. It no longer matters to me why, just that she stays.”

  “Gavin, he says she's still in danger.”

  “I still have a guard on her. I never dropped that order.”

  “Aye, I noticed him following us this morning, even if she didna.”

  Gavin looked uncomfortable. “I’m afraid that I might be the cause of her position.” He explained his casual dismissal of the Fae from his bed and her anger.

  Katherine sighed. “What’s done is done, but ye might give a description of that Fae to the guard, even though they’ll be powerless against it.”

  Gavin nodded. With a heavy heart, he went in search of Abbie, only to find her stretched out on his bed, wearing nothing but a smile.

  “I spoke to the cook. Dinner won’t be for another hour.”

  He knelt before her, wondering why he’d received such a wonderful gift as she. Gavin traced his lips up her thigh, showering her with tiny kisses before spreading his own body on top of hers. He sought to hold her close to his heart, always safe and protected, as they joined together. Somehow, he must find a way to protect her.

  “If you don’t let me put on some clothes we’ll miss dinner.” Abbie laughed as she tried to dress around Gavin’s continuing to lavish kisses on her body.

  “Then I will cease for the moment, as you’ve worked me hard enough to require additional sustenance.” It was several minutes later though, before they finally made it down to dinner.

  “Riders approaching from the south, milord.” The guard on watch entered to inform Gavin of this while they ate.

  “Most likely it’s Thomas returning. Send him to me when he arrives.”

  Abbie twitched next to him. She had forgotten that errand in all the excitement. Gavin noticed her discomfort.

  “Dinna worry, lass.” He smiled, taking her hand in his and kissing her fingertips. He didn’t let his own concern show. Matheson shouldn’t be upset, but one never knew how shifting alliances would turn out wh
en clan pride was involved. There were more immediate problems at hand right now anyway. “I need to go pay my respects to Nikolai after dinner. I willna be gone too long.”

  It was no use restricting Abbie to the dubious safety of the castle; they weren’t dealing with a human intruder. As soon as he finished eating, Gavin headed out to the Rom’s wagon. He hoped Nikolai might have a solution for keeping Abbie safe from the Fae.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nikolai greeted the Laird warmly. “A year has passed already since I last saw you. What news do you have? Is this not the year you are to be married?”

  Gavin grimaced. “Much has happened recently and I need your counsel.”

  He explained Abbie’s appearance and of his breaking the marriage contract. The old Rom grew somber as he listened.

  “I met the lass earlier and I sensed an open heart.”

  Gavin smiled. That was high praise coming from Nikolai. His next words, though, were unsettling.

  “My magic is strong, but I am unable to help you against the Fae. It would be too dangerous for my people and futile to try.”

  “I understand. Do you have any advice?”

  Nikolai shook his head. “I will listen for word of your other matter though. We will be passing through Matheson’s land as we head south. I’ll send a message back to you if I hear of anything untoward.”

  “Thank you. I would appreciate that. In the meantime, consider this your home.”

  Nikolai bowed in response. “The Laird of Bealach na Ba has always treated us with honor and respect.”

  ***

  Gavin spent some time talking to the other people who'd arrived throughout the day while making his way back to the castle. Thomas walked up and clapped his shoulder in greeting.

  “Iona’s Captain didna seem to think that trouble would arise, not with the additional dower.”

  “That is welcome news, Thomas.” Gavin had hoped that would be the case. Thomas grinned at him.

  “And as for yerself, I’d say you were fortunate. Timid wee lass, that Iona. You would have scared her to death.”