Donna Fletcher Short Story Collection Page 10

  “My only thought was for the safety of the lad,” she said cuddling closer against him.

  “Your safety and,”—he rested a hand to her stomach—“that of our babe comes first.”

  She rested her hand over his. “Our babe is safe and I will keep him so. Besides I knew you would not be far behind me. You would rush into hell itself to rescue me.”

  “You believe I can free you from the devil?”

  “If not,”—she smiled—“you would join me in hell, for you would never leave me to suffer alone.”

  “You know me well, wife.”

  “I know the depths of your love for me and that makes all the difference.”

  She turned her head and their lips met in a hungry kiss.

  The door burst open, though they didn’t bother to break apart.

  “You two are always at it,” Reeve said shaking his head, though smiling.

  Duncan hugged his wife as he said to his brother. “Why are you disturbing us?”

  “I had a thought and wanted to ask Mercy a question.”

  “How did you get passed mum?” Duncan asked.

  “The secret passageway.”

  “What secret passageway?” Mercy said.

  “No time to explain now,” Reeve said. “If a servant finds me here she’s sure to tattle to mum. Duncan can tell you about the passageway another time.”

  Mercy looked to her husband and Duncan nodded. “I promise.”

  Reeve sat down at the bottom of the bed. “You heard one soldier say that it was a bad mission right?”

  “Aye, that’s what I heard.”

  “Then that would mean that the group we met up with was the soldiers sent on that bad or secret mission,” Reeve said

  Duncan nodded. “You’re right, which mean the mission failed.”

  Reeve shook his head. “No, if this mission is as important as it sounds we’ve merely delayed it. The king is sure to gather more men and see it done.”

  “I fear that you’re going to ride into the heart of it,” Mercy said.

  Reeve stood with a grin. “Then the curse beware for it has met its match.”

  ~ The End ~

  This short story follows Mercy and Duncan’s book Bound To A Warrior, first book in the Warrior King series and is a prelude to Reeve’s book Loved By A Warrior, second book in the series.

  Halloween Magic

  Based on character from the book—The Wedding Spell

  “I forbid you to go to a Halloween party!”

  Jade shook her head, her long blond hair shimmering like stardust and smiled. “Really, Dad? I’m twenty-one years old and—”

  “In witch years that means you’re nothing more than a baby. And Samhain, a most sacred night, should be shared with family.”

  “In mortal years it means I am legally responsible for myself and can come and go as I please. And this party is only one night; I can celebrate the other two days with family.”

  “Ali!” Sebastian Wainwright yelled out for his wife.

  Jade sighed and walked over to the French doors thrown open to the cool October night. She breathed deeply loving the rich scents of the earth and all her children. She cherished this season most of all when the trees burst full with vibrant colors in preparation of their sleep. And the earth graciously produced its last harvest before it too rested for the winter.

  It hadn’t taken Jade long to decide her career path. She intended to study plants and herbs not the botany that was taught today or even herbology that was growing ever more popular. No, she had chosen to study both the old way with teachers of her kind... witches learned in both subjects from the dawn of time.

  “Your daughter intends to go to a Halloween party tonight on All Hallows Eve, the Shabbat, dressed like that,” Sebastian said pointing at Jade after his wife entered the room.

  Jade stretched her arms out from her sides and struck an enticing pose. “But, father, this is who I am... a witch.”

  “You look more like Morticia from the Adams Family minus the dark hair,” Sebastian said as if accusing her of some horrible error in judgment.

  Jade grabbed the black witch’s hat from the chair, the point bent a couple of inches from the tip as if it winked at the viewer while a purple satin band hugged the base just above the brim. She plopped it on her head.

  “Do you believe this?” Sebastian said with a shake of his head at his wife.

  Ali sighed. “I have to agree with your father on this, Jade, though not about your costume. Having lived three hundred plus years nothing surprises me as to how witches are portrayed. It is more the risk you take that concerns me.”

  “How stupid of me,” Sebastian said shaking his head. “I was so intent on her not being with us for the night and her costume that I had completely forgotten about how dangerous it could be for her.”

  This time Jade sighed. “I know full well the dangers that can haunt a witch on All Hallows Eve.”

  “Do you?” her mother questioned with concern. “The sands of time open for all sorts of creatures to roam this night. And a young, inexperienced witch could find herself in all sorts of predicaments.”

  “I’ll be careful,” Jade said. “But if anything should happen I’ve no doubt that mother, Uncle Dagon, Aunt Sarina and especially Aunt Sydney would have no trouble coming to my aid. And of course there’s my cousin Alexander.” She smiled. “Alex is always there to help me ever since we were little. I could always count on him, which is why I invited him to the Halloween party.”

  “I’ve forbidden Alexander to go,” Dagon said entering the room, his wife Sarina not far behind shaking her head.

  “Another father with good common sense,” Sebastian said.

  “Not that it will stop me,” Alexander said following his parents into the room.

  Jade smiled. She always did when she saw Alex. Her father was a handsome man, Uncle Dagon was simply gorgeous, but Alex... there were no words that could describe how striking he was. He was beyond movie star or male model good looks. His features were breath-catching. He was dressed as a Highlander, though not in a kilt, the old way, the clan plaid draped around his body, a linen shirt beneath. He was as mortals would refer to him—a hunk—and that made him deliciously irresistible to any woman.

  “The women are going to flock to you, Alex,” Jade said walking over to give his cheek a kiss.

  He ran an appreciative glance up and down her. “And the men are going to pant after you.”

  “Enough,” Sebastian ordered. “You two aren’t going anywhere.”

  “That’s right,” Dagon agreed, crossing his arms over his chest and giving a firm nod.

  “Leave the young ones be.”

  Everyone turned to see Aunt Sydney glide into the room or at least it always seemed to Jade that she glided. Tall with dark hair and elegant features and the wisdom of a seer who had lived more centuries than Jade could comprehend, she was a woman Jade much admired and loved.

  “Have you forgotten what I’ve taught all of you?” Sydney asked though waited for no answer. “You must live to learn and earn life lessons. Let the young ones live.”

  “But it is All Hallows Eve,” Sebastian said.

  “What better night to learn,” Sydney said and looked from Jade to Alex. “But just in case.” She raised her arms drawing a circle in the air around the two. “This night is yours for the fun you seek. The circle of light in safety you’ll keep. No ghost or ghoul will pass your way. But be careful of the words you say. For on this eve of trick or treat, the sands of time you just may meet.”

  Ali went to her daughter. “Heed Aunt Sydney’s words well for she has protected you from all but the sands of time. Only the most powerful of witches can do that.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom, it’s a mere mortal Halloween party and there’s always Aunt Tempest and Uncle Michael to rescue us.” And with that and a tinkling laugh Jade grabbed Alex’s hand and rushed them both out of the room.

  She was tired of all the dire warnings
. It was All Hallows Eve and she wanted to enjoy herself with her mortal friends. There was time enough to celebrate with family. Tonight was hers to enjoy.

  ~~~

  Jade was bored. It hadn’t taken long, though it was nearing midnight that she finally in desperation gave in and admitted to herself that she should have listened to her family and remained home to celebrate this night with them. All this merriment with outrageous costumes, bubbling cauldrons, creepy music may fit mortals’ idea of Halloween but it was a far cry from how true witches celebrated.

  The change of each season was a cause of celebration for witches, but the autumn, Samhain, could easily be called the season of the witch. To Jade it was the most magical of festivals, a time when all manner of creatures were free to walk the earth, to drink of life and welcome the New Year. Rituals, spells, chants and special treats were all part of the fun and joy she had experienced with her family on Samhain.

  And that’s where she wanted to be, with her family, with her kind... with witches.

  “Ready to go home?” Jade turned, happy that Alex felt the same as she did, but no one stood behind her. She gave a cursory glance around the room, it not being hard to spot her cousin in a crowd.

  He stood a distance from her, though when their eyes met he immediately left the beautiful woman he was speaking with and walked toward her. She could tell he was just as ready as she was to go home.

  “It is time.”

  She gave a quick glance behind her, and there stood a woman dressed as so many portrayed witches today... like an old hag.

  “An apple?” the woman asked with a hackling laugh and shoved the shiny red fruit into Jade’s hand and wandered off.

  Jade shook her head, how so not original to copy the scene in Snow White. She looked once again to Alex who hurried toward her. Was that worry she saw on his face?

  Something was wrong. As soon as he reached her, he grabbed her arm and rushed her out of the house.

  “We need to get out of here,” Alex warned.

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “The sands of time shift and it’s a powerful shift, which means someone of great power emerges or looks to capture someone. We don’t want to be caught in it,” Alex said. “We leave the car and transport. Whatever you do don’t let go of my hand.”

  Jade and he had transported many times together so there was no worry that they could do it. They hurried to the small wooded area across the street. With each step Jade felt her legs grow heavy, her arms weak almost as if she was disconnecting from her body.

  She thought she heard Alex yell to her but she couldn’t be sure. She grew dizzy, the apple slipping from her hand. She could barely stand and wanted to reach out to her cousin for help but couldn’t feel her arms. And then suddenly, as if she took a wrong step, she was falling, tumbling down into an abyss. Down, down, down she went, darkness consuming her until there was nothing.

  ~~~

  Jade groaned and opened her eyes slowly. The mist still swirled around her and beneath was solid earth, blanketed with crunchy leaves from the feel and sound of it. Had Alex transported them to the woods beyond her house?

  She sat up with a start ready to admonish her cousin for an uncomfortable transport when a wave of dizziness hit her and she plunked her hands flat on the ground at her sides to stable her balance.

  What in the world had Alex done? Sudden transports could leave one lightheaded, top that off with being dumped in the middle of the woods—good Goddess—she hoped not and that could very well be the reason for her discomfort. Plus the thought of finding her way out of the forest in the dark of night was far from appealing. Not that she was unfamiliar with the area, she had grown up playing in these woods and as she matured, learning all they had to teach.

  Jade got slowly to her feet, the mist almost evaporated, and looked about at her surroundings. The waning moon provided little light and made it all the harder to determine where she had landed.

  “Alex,” she called out and heard her strong voice echo in the woods. When no answer came, she tried again and when she tried the third time and was met again with silence, concern rushed through her.

  Had he been hurt in transport? They had separated during the process, unusual for them. They had always transported together hand-in-hand and never had difficulty reaching their destination. So this separation was the first for them and to her most unnerving.

  Her only recourse was to begin to find her way home and hope that she met with Alex along the way. She took a fortifying breath and was about to take her first step when she saw a figure about to emerge from the last of the dissipating mist, a short distance away.

  She smiled when she saw the outline of a man dressed in what she was certain was a Highlander plaid. It had to be Alex. Her relief and smile quickly faded as the man came into view.

  Jade caught her breath at the sight of him. His costume, the Highlander plaid far surpassed Alex’s. The stranger fit it as if he was born to it. Her cousin may be a hunk, but this man was... all male. He was a good looking man. His features were strong and not only caught the eye but kept it, valleys and ridges and even a sprinkle of wrinkles defined him a man well experienced with life and proud of it. His looks were so intriguing that Jade could not take her eyes off him, especially his intense dark eyes. His long auburn hair wasn’t bad either. It fell passed his shoulders with a braid hanging down along either side of his head.

  But whatever was he doing dressed in a costume on Wainwright property?

  He approached her with such confident strides that she almost took a step back, but she didn’t. She stood firm where she was, though she admitted to herself that he did intimidate, not something she ever experienced before.

  “What manner of garment do you wear?” he demanded.

  Two things caught her attention; his superior attitude and his Scottish brogue with his strange manner of speech, as if he were from another time and place.

  The thought jolted her. Was it possible? Could the sands of time have captured her and transported her...

  Good Goddess, where was she?

  “Do you hear me woman?”

  “I hear you just fine, and watch how you speak to me,” she snapped, intending to present a façade of courage while her legs turned weak.

  “Then answer me,” he said approaching her. “Your garments are strange; your tongue foreign.”

  She certainly couldn’t deny that. But instead of answering she was about to question when he rushed forward, grabbed her around the waist, hefted her up against his side and hurried into the woods. They hadn’t gone far when he stopped abruptly, wrapped his body protectively around hers as he squeezed them passed a thicket of bushes and then with his mouth so close to hers she swore he intended to kiss her, he whispered, “Silence.”

  Stunned by how easily and so thoughtfully he had shielded her with his body, she did as ordered without question.

  “The witch travels this way,” a man called out.

  Jade tensed in the Highlander’s arms and he drew her closer more protectively against his body. He was thick with muscle and so very warm. And damn if she didn’t like his scent, a favorite of hers, though not found on modern men; pine and earth.

  She hadn’t realized how chilled she was until now with his warm body chasing her shivers. Oddly enough, she actually felt safe with this stranger and rested comfortably against him.

  “Can you not smell her? It’s a sweet sickening stench.”

  Jade realized then that it was her perfume they smelled and the two men who had spoken had thick brogues and far from modern speech. And she’d be a fool not to admit that she was no longer home or in her time. But where exactly was she? And more importantly how did she get home?

  “We need to find the witch,” a third voice chimed in and Jade wondered just how many men made up the search party.

  “And get the spell off young Margaret that has left her all befuddled. Soon it will spread to others.”

  “Not if w
e set the witch to fire,” said one man who had already spoken.

  Jade tensed again. Had she landed in the burning times? She titled her head back to look up at the Highlander hoping that perhaps she could sense something or perhaps see something, her skill as a seer just beginning to develop.

  His mouth came down on hers fast and hard, taking command of a kiss that sent her legs trembling and her stomach fluttering. This Highlander sure could kiss and for several moments she got lost in it.

  Finally, when he brought it to an end leaving her dazed, he said with a smile, “A good way to silence you, woman.”

  She punched him in the chest, not that it did a bid of good. She hurt her hand rather than him, though it was her pride that suffered the blow more. He kissed her not because he wanted to, but to keep her silent. “I had no intentions of speaking.”

  “And yet you do.”

  She snickered. “I’m not some dim-witted woman. You speak therefore it must be safe to talk once more.”

  “Then what do you have to say for yourself?” he demanded.

  “Let me go,” she said pronouncing the three words as if he was hard of hearing or he lacked understanding her.

  He laughed, which irritated her all the more.

  “You will let me go,” she said more firmly.

  “When I am ready.”

  “And when will that be?” she asked, knowing a spell could easily resolve her problem but reluctant to use it on him, though why she didn’t know.

  “When you tell me what manner of woman you are.”

  “Whatever do you mean?” she asked knowing full well what he implied. She did not fit in this place or time. And she couldn’t agree more, though she would dare not admit it, at least not yet.

  He gave a sharp snap of his head and quickly pressed a finger to her lips. She wished it were his lips instead and the thought disturbed her. Whatever was the matter with her? In all likelihood he was a Highlander warrior from the 1600s, far from a modern man. And while there was a certain appeal to him, perhaps an elemental, savage quality, it certainly was one that could never endure the test of time.