Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Dunstaffnage Castle Present Day

John glanced at Colin as he shrugged. "I assumed our Fae would show up."

John looked around the chapel and spied Colin doing the same.

Colin peered around them and smirked.

John huffed a laugh. The irony of the situation did not escape them. Colin did this very thing over a year ago when he traveled back in time to find the Stone of Love and return his ancestor to the right place.

John frowned. "Those two damn sisters won't show. Ye know when ye didn't come back, I came down here one night. I yelled for my Fae Morrigan. When she didn't show, I yelled for yers, Brigid, till I lost my voice. They didn't show then, and they won't show now."

John strapped his broadsword to his back and double-checked his supplies. Dressed in period clothing from the reenactment event Dunstaffnage Castle hosted each year, he stood ready. Well, as prepared as he could be for someone about to time travel. As John stood in the graying dusk, the rain beat against the chapel roof. He smirked, thankful the building possessed a top now since Bree and Marie had spent the last year renovating it.

Colin huffed. "Those sisters are supposed to serve as guides on our duty to the stones, but they tend to do whatever they damn well please, regardless of a need or not." Colin stared at him. "Do ye have a plan on how ye will locate her?"

John peered around the chapel as he searched for Morrigan, his Fae. She had to show he must go back in time to save Marie. Damn, he needed her.

He glanced at Colin. "I'll concentrate on her. I'm bound to be steered toward her if I focus enough."

Colin nodded. "Simple enough. So, how do we open the portal? Yer Fae story said nothing 'bout that."

John grinned and held up a small red book. "I got Bree's poem book. She opened the portal with a poem, so I'll use it and hope for the best."

A burst of tinkling laughter echoed, and both men started.

"So confident ye are, John." Brigid's form coalesced, and she sat on the altar, small like his Fae Morrigan. The only difference between Brigid and Morrigan was Morrigan's long jet-black hair.

Colin growled lowly. Brigid's appearance always preceded trouble.

Morrigan appeared beside her in a burst of brightness.

The room grew lighter in a warm, dusk-like glow. The sisters sat next to each other, identical in form, two small women, maybe three feet tall, and were almost pure light. Brigid with her white-blonde long hair glowed in an ethereal light and Morrigan's jet-black hair flashed purple in the rays of dying light. Each possessed a beautiful soft face with pale, almost translucent skin. Their bodies flashed in and out of form, the way flames of fire shift in a breath of air.

John's gaze scanned his Fae Morrigan. Today was the second time she visited. She flashed in a dream last year. Now that he had time to study her, her eyes shone light blue, glowing like a hypnotic orb. Her gaze returned to him and held him immobile. He felt sinful as he gazed upon her, and thinking of her reminded him of angels. Colin said no mortal man denied the attraction of the female Fae. The little woman smiled knowingly, and her glow dimmed, and she released him from her imprisonment.

Morrigan nodded as her translucent wings fluttered fast.

When she shifted her gaze to her sister, her hair fell aside, and the point of her ear showed. "Stop teasing the man, sister. He's got a lot on his mind."

The two Fae sisters' arrival meant he would go back in time to rescue Marie. "So, what can ye tell me? Where or when is Marie?"

Brigid flickered. "So demanding, as if we would tell ye."

John drew his sword and pointed it at Brigid, who vanished.

Her voice sounded through the chapel. "As if yer wee toothpick could do me any damage."

Morrigan sighed. "Brigid, stop. No more games." Morrigan leveled her gaze on him. "She is in the fifteenth century. We'll drop ye back the day after because that's today's equivalent. It's the only way we are permitted to travel humans through the portals."

John's head snapped up with his mouth open ready to ask about Marie.

Morrigan held up her hands. "She's safe and fending for herself. She's part of Fae's plan to retrieve the Stone of Fear Colin lost. Ye can seek aid from the MacDougall laird, Alexander MacDougall."

Brigid laughed. "Brawny boy dropped it when I cast him into purgatory, and the Evil Fae hid it. It turns out Marie is my da's choice for finding it."

Colin growled. "I didn't drop it, ye stinking sprite. It disappeared."

John sheathed his sword. "Let's get on with it. I will not find Marie and bring us back to this time if I am standing here arguing."

Morrigan nodded as she gazed off into space. "Yes, ye will go back, find Marie, and she will find the Stone of Fear."

A chill spread down John's spine, unsure whether Morrigan viewed or planned the future. And what did Brigid mean by Marie was her da's plan for the stone? The damn priest took her. What did Dagda, the King of the good Fae, have to do with any of this?

Colin approached John, and they grasped in a hug. "John, ye can do this. I have faith in ye."

Colin stepped back and nodded. "See ye when it's done. We'll be here for ye."

John strode toward the chapel doorway, took a deep breath, and drew his dagger to draw blood for the portal spell.

Morrigan flew in front of him. "No blood. We must use a different spell. Blood was already spilled for ye." John tilted his head as he sheathed his dagger. Someone spilled blood for him?

Morrigan floated above the entrance and bowed her head. The doorway disappeared, and the frame glowed white.

Colin barked at the Fae, "Why didn't ye just do that for me instead of making a hole in my hand?"

Brigid's voice rang through the chapel. "What's the fun in it if ye don't spill blood for a spell? Sis, ye are boring."

Colin growled. "Ye cut me for fun?"

Morrigan clapped her palms together in prayer and chanted,

We have all been through the weather,

Now, I bring us back together.

All is healed. All is well.

We are reunited, as my words tell.

No harm shall it cause one,

So reunite them and be done.

Morrigan opened her eyes and locked gazes with John. "Ye must remember the Fae Fable Story of The Stone of Fear; without it, ye are as doomed as yer father."

His da? What did his missing father have to do with this? Determination overcame him. It didn't matter. Marie; focus on Marie. He closed his eyes, and she appeared in his mind. Her face, her smile, and he sensed her, Marie. He passed through the portal, and the light vanished as soon as he cleared the frame.

****

In a flash of light, Colin stood alone in the chapel. He stared at the doorway for a moment, unsure if he made sure John made it back in time or if John might pop back to the present. God, he hoped John found Marie, and they returned safe. He couldn't stand another thing to go wrong with the stones.

He shook himself and glanced around. The sisters left the chapel darker in the dusk as the rain beat steadily on the wooden roof.

Colin approached the altar and kneeled, praying out loud. "God, please look after John and Marie. Please get them safely back. They've become family to me, and it'll mean a great deal to me to have them back, safe. Amen." He stayed there for a minute with his head bowed and eyes closed.

A burst of light flashed before him, and his head snapped up. Brigid sat on the altar as she faced him with a smirk.

Colin growled, "Now what, ye foul fairy?"

She smiled widely. "I have a surprise for ye, Colin."

He stood with his hands fisted at his sides. "I'm done with yer surprises, ye damn troll."

She cackled. "Aw, Colin, but ye will like this one. It's a riddle."

She chanted in her supple singsong voice.

Rain falls and water flows,

Through yer door a storm wind blow.

Sweet and ripe, she comes to ye,

and brings the twin fruit ye both bear to see ye through.

Colin frowned. "What the hell does that have to do with John and Marie?"

Brigid's tinkling laughter echoed. "It doesn't, Colin. Me poem has to do with ye."

Colin repeated the riddle in his mind. She comes to ye and brings the twin fruit ye both bear to see ye through.

His gaze snapped to Brigid's. "The hell she did not." Colin ran out of the chapel.

Brigid's laugh echoed as he ran the entire route to the castle in the rain.

Colin burst through the main castle doors, and water dripped from him as he ran to the middle of the Great Hall and bellowed, "Damnit, Bree, I told ye to stay away."

Bree and Mrs. A. emerged from the kitchen hallway, each holding a toddler. Mrs. A. was what Marie called Mrs. Abernathy, and it stuck with everyone.

Ewan and Evie held their hands toward Colin and squealed together, "eeeee!" Colin ran his palms through his wet hair and shook the water from his hands as he strode to his family. He took Ewan from Mrs. A.

"Okay, I'll let ye go to yer daddy, but both are all mine tomorrow," Mrs. A. huffed as she marched away. "Ye're getting the wee one all wet, M'Laird!"

Colin's fingers brushed Bree's face, and he kissed her lightly.

Ewan, the spitting image of him with the same dark hair and a chunk of a body, smacked his palm to his mouth and gave it a loud, squishy kiss. "Muah."

Colin couldn't stop his smile and kissed his son's forehead. Evie frowned, the image of her mother, with brown wavy hair and a pale little face. He leaned toward her and kissed her, too. Mrs. A. returned and handed Colin a towel. As he dried himself off, Ewan wiggled in his arms, but Colin's strong grip held the fidgety toddler, who giggled at his wrestling game.

Mrs. A. made a tsking noise. "M'Laird, dry him off too."

Colin took the towel and dried off Ewan, who fought against his father's actions and made Colin chuckle.

Mrs. A. shuffled off to the kitchen and shook her head.

He turned to Bree. "I told ye not to come here, Bree. I don't like it when ye are close to the chapel and the stones."

Bree strode past him toward the study, and he eyed her as she walked away, her hips swaying. They rounded out quite nicely after the twins' birth, but she still kept her fit shape. Her brunette hair bounced as she walked, and the color reminded him of the first day he met her when she stood next to the study window with the sun shining behind her hair, casting a halo around her head. My soulmate, his heart said. She looked like the image of his soul mate from the Fae Fable story, The Stone of Love.

She stopped and glanced over her shoulder. "Nonsense, Colin. I'm perfectly safe, and what's the fun of staying away?"

Colin shook off the vision and followed. "Lord, Bree, ye sound like Brigid."

Bree glanced at him as they entered the study. "Did ye see her? Did John make it through the portal, okay? What about Marie? Which stone are they going after?" She set Evie on the couch before the fireplace and stood with her arms crossed.

Colin shook his head. "Bree, this is not a game." He set Ewan next to Evie, and the fireplace cheerfully lit the room. The kids chattered in baby talk, which sounded like little birds.

Colin gathered Bree in his arms as they stood behind the couch. "I am not happy ye are here, but I am happy ye are in my arms." Colin kissed her deeply, and she responded with a moan.

Bree spoke between kisses. "One night away from you is one too many." She brushed his lips. "I couldn't stay away, no matter what." She touched them again. "And it's storming tonight." Bree ran her finger along the collar of his shirt.

Colin rubbed her back to comfort her. "I thought I chased all yer storms away. Plus, ye made up with yer brother, Dominic, for locking ye away in the shed. Shouldn't things be okay for ye now?"

Bree snuggled into his embrace. "Yes, I did make up with Dom, but it's not the same. I like to be in your arms during every storm. And Dom's in the States, and you are here, with me."

The twins pealed into laughter. Colin glanced over the back of the couch at his children, and together they glanced at the mantel.

Bree shrugged. "Twin speak. They started it recently." Bree kissed him, pushed him away, and strode to the whisky. "So, update me."

She poured two glasses as he settled in a chair before the desk. Bree sauntered toward him and handed him a drink. She sat beside him and curled her feet under her.

Colin didn't want to talk about the Fae or the Stones. It bothered him to have her here again, so close to the chapel, the Stones, and the Fae Fable Book, which sat in the same room. He didn't want anything to happen like before when the Fae whisked her away to another time. It was hard enough to keep her safe, but now they had the twins to think of. God, if anything happened to his wee babes…

He needed to get them out of there, so he came quickly to the point. "Fifteenth century, the Stone of Fear, Marie finds it, and they'll make it back."

Bree sipped her whisky. "That's it? What about the Fae Fable Book?"

The twins pealed into laughter again, and Colin glanced over at the couch. He couldn't see them but sensed they were okay.

"That's the confusing part. The fable has nothing to do with John. It's about a man bargaining with the Fae to be with his dead wife. Makes no sense."

Evie's face popped up from the rear of the couch and stared at them. Colin smiled and winked at his daughter, who smiled back with a saliva-covered grin. Her face turned to the mantel and disappeared behind the couch. He sipped his whisky as he and Bree sat silently for a moment. Colin set his glass on the desk, took Bree's glass from her hand, and placed it next to his.

He gathered her in his lap as he cradled her in his embrace. "I am glad to see ye." He kissed her once.

Bree grinned. "You are? I am glad to see me too." She kissed him and giggled.

His fingers caressed her face, and he deepened the kiss. "I can't wait to get ye alone in my bed."

Bree sighed and kissed him.

He glanced down at her chest to unbutton her shirt, and a movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He glanced at the Fae Fable Book, and Evie crawled across the study past them and held onto the wall as she reached for the Fae Fable Book. How the hell did she get there so fast?

Colin's heart stopped because the glass case had disappeared. His daughter pulled herself to a wobbly stand, held onto the book casement, and nearly touched the magical Fae book.

Colin dumped Bree on the floor and, in two long strides, made it to Evie. As he whisked her into his arms, he spun away from the book and elicited a peal of laughter from Evie.

When Colin glanced back at the book, the glass case came back. He turned, and Bree blinked at them from the floor. His gaze traveled to the couch, and Ewan stood on the sofa as he stared over the rear and smiled at them.

Bree glanced at Ewan and back at Colin. "I think our kids just met Brigid, Colin."

Colin growled, "This is why I didn't want ye and the kids here. Let's get them to bed."

Bree stood and swept Ewan into her arms. "Colin, they must learn about the Fae, the stones. Don't you think sooner is better than later, especially after your experience?"

Colin headed out the door. "That damn sprite."

****

Colin lay in bed, the covers pulled to his waist. So much ran through his mind now the Fae were active again.

Bree emerged from the bathroom, rubbing her face with cream. "Exactly where I wanted you, naked and in my bed."

Colin smiled and lifted the sheet inviting Bree to join him. She slid into the covers, and he gathered her in his arms, thankful for the distraction.

He glared at the wall opposite them. Bree pouted. He still didn't respond.

Bree straddled him and placed both hands on either side of his face. "There's nothing more you can do to protect them. The twins will learn when the time is right, and everything will be okay. I promise."

Colin gathered her in his arms. "I need to keep my family safe. It's too early. They are just babies."

Bree kissed him. "It will be okay. You can't dwell on it all the time. You would miss life."

Bree smirked devilishly. "I have a surprise for you, Colin."

He rubbed his hands up and down her back and shifted his hips, so he rubbed against her. "Mm, yer surprises I like."

She slid down his body and kissed a path down his chest.

Colin growled as his fingers threaded through her hair, all golden brown as the waves formed a halo around her beautiful face. She kissed his stomach, and his muscles contracted as desire shot through him.

She peeked at him from under her lashes and giggled. Is she…before he formed the idea in his mind, she licked the end of him.

Colin sat up and held her shoulders. "Bree, ye do not have to do this. Only when ye are ready and only when ye will enjoy this will ye do that kind of loving. I'll not force anything on ye, ever."

Bree smiled and caressed his face as her other hand grasped him. "Colin, you said you'd never ask again, and you haven't. You said it was my choice, and I choose now. I want to please you like you please me. A favor returned, remember? Please…let me please you."

Colin kissed her deeply as he gripped her tightly.

She pushed him back and lowered her head to him. She giggled and peeked at him.

He allowed her to take the lead. She needed to feel confident and in control. This type of play went badly for her with an ex, and he hoped she had conquered her fear. Colin wanted her to enjoy herself, to gift her control so she understood how much he loved her. His hand shifted to her head, and the other rested behind his pillow. He smiled, for he planned to enjoy his wife's new game.

She licked the tip, and heat shot to his toes. His stomach flexed with the rest of him, which provoked a groan. She grabbed the base and licked the tip slower, then placed the end on her lips and sucked lightly.

Overcome with desire, Colin threw his head back as he gripped her hair. He immediately released his grip. He must be careful and not force her. She might slip into an unbearable memory, and he wanted her mind on him.

Colin shifted his hand from her head and gripped the sheets beside him. Colin didn't want to grab her or startle her. He allowed her to set their pace.

She sucked a little more, then slowly lowered her mouth to his base. The heat of her mouth and tongue swirl spread warmth over his body. She had done this before but never to him. He would have to admit, she was skilled, and damn, she had just started.

She increased the suction and swirled her tongue again. Pleasure shot through him, and he concentrated on stopping himself from grabbing her. Unable to touch her, he feared she would drive him to insanity or kill him with her skills.

She released the suction and slid her mouth up to the tip, then glided his shaft into the back of her throat and almost swallowed the end. He gripped the sheets harder as his hips involuntarily bucked. Her throat seized his tip, and the pressure sent shockwaves through him. Bree bobbed once, and his hips jumped again.

She took the cue and bobbed her mouth faster, her lips rode up and down his shaft faster and faster.

Colin panted loudly. With each movement, she glided down his shaft, and she buried him deeper down her throat. At the end, she closed her muscles around the tip and intensified the pressure.

She sped up the pace, and he groaned louder as he panted harder. Her hard breathing through her nose pulsed against him. She moaned, and the vibration shot sparks from his groin to his skull. The pressure built, his sacs tightened, and his lower back contracted. Bree didn't slow her motions. He tried to grab her shoulder, but she batted him away, and pounded her mouth on him repeatedly.

"Bree, if ye don't stop, I can't…"

She moaned and pummeled her mouth relentlessly.

He threw his head back as both hands gripped the sheets, twisting them as he tried to secure himself. He held out; the ecstasy of his release became mind-numbing. She kept up her pace, and his groin tightened then a bolt shot through his back.

Unable to hold back, he released with a roar.

Colin almost forgot who he was. He tried to catch his breath. Sweat dripped from his chest as he lay on the sheets and panted. His skin, a little red from the exertion, flashed heat, then cooled. He lay still for a moment; his blood pounded, and his head spun. His breath slowed when his ears stopped ringing, and he returned to earth.

He opened his eyes and gazed at his wife, who rested her chin on his chest with a satisfied smirk. She trailed her finger in a circle through the hair on his chest, which sent chills over his body.

She glanced at her finger, then back into his eyes. "So, would you consider this a favor returned?"

Colin smiled widely, grabbed her by the shoulders, and quickly flipped their position, so she fell beneath him.

"Come here, ye wee minx. Revenge shall be mine." She giggled as Colin planned a long night of thorough seduction of his wife.

****

Late into the night, Colin lay wide awake. So much ran through his mind. He didn't want Bree and the kids close to the chapel and the stones. It was enough that he must ensure John and Marie returned in one piece with the Stone of Fear. But his heart nearly stopped when Evie reached for the Fae Fable Book. The Stones may be part of the family's responsibility, but he needed to figure out how to keep Bree and the kids safe.

He would die if anything happened to Bree. He would go insane if anything happened to his wee babes. Keep them safe, keep them safe. He chanted it over and over in his mind.