Chapter 13

Jen woke slowly as light pierced her eyelids. Her head was resting on something hard but warm. There was a rhythmic beating just under her cheek, and it took her a moment to realize she was lying on Cam"s chest. She was startled to find she was far more comfortable than when she"d fallen asleep under the canopy of trees. Sitting up and looking around, she realized she and Cam were in a bed, with a blazing fire in the hearth just feet away. Cam smiled and pulled her back to him, nestling her in his arms. He leaned toward her, his lips slightly parted, and his eyelids hooded. Jen felt her breath catch in her throat.

The door of the room opened, and a cloaked woman stood watching them in the doorway next to the fire. She wore a serene smile, and her eyes held the wisdom of the ages. "I see you have finally awakened."

Jen stared at her, wondering how she and Cam had gotten to the cottage and into the bed. Had this woman brought them?

The woman seemed amused as she watched her. "I have been waiting an age for you to come see me."

Cam seemed to recall his manners just then. "Forgive me, Aine. I should have brought Jen to meet you as soon as she arrived."

"Aye, Cam MacDonald, you should have." Her amused smile deepened. "I have been watching the two of you since you arrived, Jennifer Nellis."

Jen"s eyes widened upon hearing that this woman knew her name and had been watching her. Watching them. "Um, hello?"

"Hello, dear. Come; your porridge is getting cold, and it doesnae taste half as good cold as it does warm." She turned and left the room.

Jen and Cam scrambled from the bed and hurried to follow her. Aine"s home emanated a sense of warmth and tranquility. The cottage interior seemed to hold the essence of Scottish enchantment. A crackling hearth dominated the living room, casting a comforting glow that danced upon the worn wooden floor. The flickering flames provided warmth and a captivating display of light and shadow.

Herbs hung in intricate bundles from the ceiling, their vibrant colors and intoxicating scents permeating the air. The fragrance of lavender, rosemary, and thyme mingled, creating an aromatic symphony. Jen marveled at the careful craftsmanship of the drying herbs, swaying gently as if there was a fan blowing upon them.

Shelves full of various bottles, vials, and jars containing mysterious concoctions lined the walls. Luminous liquids of different hues sparkled enticingly, drawing her eyes. There were labels in elegant script on each container, but Jen couldn"t decipher what they said.

In one corner of the room, a worn wooden table held a clutter of books, scrolls, and ancient manuscripts. Parchments covered in faded ink hinted at forgotten rituals and spells, inviting curiosity and discovery.

As Jen absorbed the cozy interior of Aine"s cottage, a sense of anticipation filled her. She wanted to ask a hundred questions but knew she needed to hold back. She had a feeling that Aine would tell her what she needed to know when she was good and ready and not a moment before. With that in mind, Jen sat in the chair Cam had pulled out for her and once Aine had sat as well, the three of them dug into their breakfast.

With their hunger sated, Aine gave her a nod. "All right, my dear, you may ask your questions."

Jennifer mustered the courage to ask her most immediate question, the one that had plagued her from the beginning. "Aine, do you know why I"m here in seventeenth-century Scotland? Or how?"

Aine"s gaze seemed to penetrate Jen"s soul as she spoke, her words laced with intrigue. "Many years ago, a colleague of mine, Dub Sith, bestowed a blessing upon the Donald clan, specifically the MacDonald sept of the clan. He works tirelessly to ensure their prosperity, even going so far as to find them women who will become devoted wives and bring strength to their people."

Jennifer"s heart skipped a beat as she heard the name, "Dub Sith." Memories of the scarred man who had attended her father"s funeral flooded her mind. The connection between the past and the present became apparent, filling her with disbelief and wonder.

"Dub Sith, or as you might have heard his name, Du-sith, fought with Sir James MacDonald in 1598 at the battle of Trai-Gruinard here in Islay. He is a black elf, an ancient fae being. Sir James saved Dub Sith"s life before the battle, and a bond grew from it. During the battle, Dub Sith slew Sir Lachlan Mor MacLean with an elf bolt, thus saving the MacDonald clan. He became fond of the MacDonalds and has made it his life"s work to rebuild the MacDonald sept."

Jennifer found herself captivated by the tale. As Aine spoke, she realized that she had been brought to this time and place for a purpose. Dub Sith had brought her here because he saw something in her that would help him in his quest to strengthen the MacDonald sept.

Jennifer sat in stunned silence, her mind whirling. The things Aine had revealed upended her understanding of her place in Scotland. "So, the fae are real?" she asked in shock.

"Aye, lass. The Sidhe, as they call themselves, or fae, are very real."

The realization that she had been brought to the past by this mystical being continued to leave her almost speechless as she grappled with conflicting desires.

Cam reached for her hand, taking it in his and squeezing it gently, giving her comfort as she worked through the knowledge that faeries were real. He became her anchor in the world as hers turned on its head. Jennifer"s thoughts raced, her mind a battlefield of conflicting desires. Her heart had found solace in Cam"s presence, the connection they shared, and the love that had blossomed between them. But the pull of her own time, the familiarity of her career, and the comforts of modernity tugged at her soul, whispering promises of the life she had left behind.

She longed for the convenience of technology, the familiarity of jeans and chocolate, and the ease of navigating a world she knew and was comfortable with. This place, with its rustic charm and unfamiliar customs, seemed both enchanting and isolating. It was a world she struggled to fully embrace.

As she pondered the depths of her feelings, Jennifer questioned her desires. Was it fair to herself—or to Cam—to allow their budding love to flourish when she dreamed of a different life for herself? Was it selfish to cling to the familiarity of her time, knowing that it meant leaving behind the man who had come to mean so much to her?

Tears welled in Jennifer"s eyes, mirroring the conflict that threatened to consume her. She wished for clarity, for a sign that would guide her through the labyrinth of her emotions. But answers eluded her, hidden within the depths of her heart, waiting to be discovered.

Cam drew her close and wrapped his arm around her, giving her comfort. She knew this had to be hard for him as well. She knew he felt as strongly about her as she did about him, but he could not understand what she was sacrificing if she stayed here. He"d never been in the modern world. He didn"t know about electricity, running water, hot showers, flushable toilets, food on demand, television, movies, cars, or airplanes. She would be giving up so many things if she stayed here.

Jen found solace in Cam"s touch. She cherished the love they had found, the moments they had shared, and the hope that bloomed within her even amid the uncertainty. But she also knew that a decision loomed, a choice between two worlds that held vastly different futures.

"I'm so confused," Jennifer whispered.

"Aye, lass. As am I," he said.

Jennifer took a deep breath, her resolve solidifying. The choice between her longing for the modern world and the love she had found in the Scottish highlands weighed heavily upon her, but she knew that the answer lay hidden within her heart, waiting to be discovered.

"I guess… I must take this all in and process it," she said.

Cam and Aine gave her confused looks.

Jen smiled. "That is, I mean I will think on all of this. I need time to decide what I need or want to do."

Aine and Cam nodded in agreement.

Jennifer"s heart ached with hope and trepidation as she thought about her second question, the one that could affect everything going forward. She raised her eyes and looked at Aine, readying herself for an answer that could devastate her.