Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

M ae returned to the castle feeling a little despondent about their trouble with Brian. He was getting in the way of everything, and she wanted him gone, but from everything she'd been told, it was impossible to make him leave. And from their most recent conversation, it didn't look as though he was going to leave of his own accord. She plopped down at one of the long tables in the dining hall, her expression sullen. A pout graced her lips as she sank into her own thoughts, a maelstrom of emotions swirling within her.

Her mind wandered to her growing affection for Niall, feelings that extended beyond friendship and into love. It bothered her a bit that she was falling for him when she was supposed to be looking for a way back to her time. It wasn't like she could do a long distance relationship through time and space. She shouldn't be so consumed by him, but her heart said otherwise.

She glanced around the dining hall which was busy for it being mid-afternoon. There were guardsmen having tankards of ale and enjoying platters of meats and cheese. She supposed they were off duty at least for a while. They seemed to have various shifts where some kept watch all night and others early mornings, and still others during the day. When they weren't pulling guard duty, they were training or off grounds hunting down bandits. Their laughter and chatter reached her ears, but it felt distant, as if a veil separated her from them.

Her thoughts returned to her predicament. She wanted to find a way back to her home, but her heart ached. She was torn between her desire to be with Niall and her thought of returning to her own time. She didn't even know if it was possible to do so. And if she did, what then? She'd been here for weeks, nearly two months now. Had someone filed a missing person report on her? Did anyone other than Billy even know she was missing? Lord knew that he wouldn't report it. If he had caught up to her… she shut that thought down as unhelpful.

Sighing deeply, Mae ran a hand through her hair, frustration etched upon her features. "What am I doing?" she wondered aloud, her voice filled with exasperation. "Thinking about this isn't helpful. I should be doing something." The question was what? She half started to rise, thinking maybe she could go talk to Jen, but as she put her hands on the table, she was surprised by the presence of an unexpected visitor. Across from her sat the cab driver— Dub Sith— the very same man who had transported her through time. Clad in a peculiarly woven kilt, he wore a mischievous smile on his dark face.

"Good day, lass," he said, his voice almost melodic with a hint of Scottish accent. It was different from Niall's or any of the others here though.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the familiar face before her. "What in the world?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with astonishment. "How... How did you... Why are you here?"

Dub Sith chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, lass, you must know that it tis within my power to do such things, as I am sure you're aware by now of who I am," he replied.

Mae nodded. "Yes, you're Dub Sith, I'm told you are Fae."

His grin grew. "Aye, that I am."

"Why did you come to see me? I mean why now? Are you here to take me home?" Mae leaned in, half afraid that he might say yes, and half afraid that he wouldn't.

"Nae, lass, I brought you here for a reason." His face was serious as he stared at me.

Patiently, Mae licked her lips as she attempted to question the man. "Can you tell me your reason?"

"Of course, lass. You should know of them. The man who was after you in your time, I saw what would happen if I left you there. He would have killed you. As I didnae have my bow with me to put the bastard down, I decided to remove you from your time so that you might live a full life here."

Mae was seriously confused, but also grateful to the small little man who seemed to have only good intentions for her. She wasn't sure why though. "But why? Why would you go to such lengths for me?" she inquired, feeling a bit vulnerable.

Dub Sith leaned back a bit upon the bench and crossed his arms over his chest, his expression filled with wisdom. "There was nothing but misery and pain for you in your time. Here, you will, I think, find a purpose and love greater than any you could imagine. You are destined for better things, lass."

Mae stared at him, absorbing his words. He wasn't wrong. She'd had a lifetime of misery in her world and had only succeeded in bettering herself by the skin of her teeth. And if what he'd said was true—and she had no reason to doubt this magical man—she'd been about to die. "You believe in destiny?" she asked, full of curiosity.

He nodded, a knowing smile gracing his lips. "Aye, lass. Destiny is a tricky thing along with the Fates. T'was the Fates who put me in your path that day, and t'was the Fates who had me bring you to this time and place. We've all got a part to play, and if you listen to that inner voice, which I know you have, you will feel that I am right." His eyes twinkled. "Are you upset about being here? Even after meeting Niall?"

Mae blinked. "No, if what you say is true about what would have happened, then I can't be too upset. I suppose that means I can't go back," she said her thoughts out loud. It almost gave her permission to fully admit to her feelings for Niall. "And yes, Niall is wonderful. I would have regretted not meeting him if you hadn't brought me here."

Dub Sith's smile was knowing. "And were I to take you back, your previous destiny would be full-filled, and you'd be killed. You would also die knowing that you left behind the love of your life, though I don't think you quite realize that yet."

She drew in a sharp breath at his words. Was Niall the love of her life? Her growing feelings for him told her this fae man was not lying.

"I cannae lie, lass, tis against nature for me."

"Thank—" she began to say.

But he held up his hand and quickly injected, "Do not say those words, lass. To thank a fae means you owe them and to owe a fae a favor…" he shook his head, "tis not a good idea."

"I see," Mae said, but didn't really. She tried to think of another way to tell him thank you and settled upon saying, "Then I shall say I am grateful for your freely shared words of wisdom."

"Aye, lass, that will do." He gave a single nod and began to rise. "Now, go and enjoy your life, lass. T'will be an adventure, I should think."

"But...wait!" she started, halting him.

He looked at her curiously. "What is it, lass? What other knowledge can I give you, other than what I've already shared?"

"It isn't knowledge exactly that need. Just…" her shoulders shrank as she admitted, "I can't fully enjoy my time with Niall when Brian Campbell is always present causing the Donalds trouble. He's a constant disruption, not only to the Donalds, but also to the women here and he's a thorn in my side."

Dub Sith furrowed his brows, his gaze thoughtful. After a moment of contemplation, he abruptly stood up from the table, a determined expression on his face. "Not to worry, lass, I shall speak to you again later," he said, his hand raised and his fingers about to make a snap.

Mae's eyes widened, and she instinctively jumped up to stop him. "Wait!" she called, hoping to get some help with Brian.

"We'll speak later," he said and then completed his snap and disappeared.

Frustration filled her as his form faded from existence. She still didn't know what to do about Brian.

"Lass, do you know who that was?" Ewan MacDonald asked, joining her as she stared that space Dub Sith had just been in. He looked pale, his eyes wide and slightly frightened. "That was Dub Sith, one o' the dark Fae."

Mae nodded. "Yes, I am aware."

"What did he want? What was he doing here?"

"He's the one who brought me here, he was… checking on me, I guess."

Ewan turned his gaze to Mae. "You've been touched by the fae, tis a blessing he gave you then. He is one o' the ancient ones." With that, he left her and wandered out of the dining hall.