Laughter from the great hall drifted up the stairs. “Are there any other crazy traditions I need to be aware of tonight? Anyone gonna rush in for an early morning roast?”
“We’re quite safe from anything like that. I’m sure the maids will report the status of our sheets—”
“They’ll what?” Status of the sheets?
“Aye. Proof of my purity, and confirmation we consummated our union. When I say that out loud I realize how barbaric it sounds.”
“Incredibly.” Though there was no question in his mind Amber wasn’t pure. When he’d breached her thin barrier, he thought for sure he’d hurt her, but when she moved closer and encouraged him to take her, he knew he hadn’t. Sex had always been a pleasurable release, but with Amber, it was so much more.
She tucked closer and yawned. “I’m sure my father will be pleased in any account. Not that we will be here to feel his pride.”
He closed his eyes and felt the weight of the day’s events suck his limbs deeper into the bed. “We won’t be here?”
“Nay. My mother said we’ll be gone by morning.”
“We will?”
“So she told me. But I can’t see leaving this bed until the sun is high tomorrow.”
Lora’s premonition must have been interpreted wrong. Sleep beckoned both of them. When Amber’s breathing evened out and her limbs went lax over him, Kincaid pulled her closer and let his mind rest.
****
Static in the air tickled Kincaid’s nose as he slept. He rolled into the soft sleeping woman in his bed and heard a snap. A blue light filled the room and he shot up in bed.
Amber was awake in an instant.
Kincaid felt the air change, grabbed his weapon, and threw Amber her gown. “Quickly.”
The dark shadow of a man shifted in time and entered their room with hardly a puff of air.
Friend or foe?
Beside him, Amber slid the gown over her head, and he moved to shield her from their late-night visitor. Kincaid leveled his weapon before the man turned around.
“Rory?”
His green-eyed friend offered a full wattage smile. “It worked.”
“What are you doing here?”
You know him? Amber asked.
“Yes, he’s a branded warrior.” And he was in their bedchambers in a part of time none of them had ever been told to travel. Which meant only one thing…something was about to go down.
“Time for you to get the hell out of here,” Rory said without as much as a hello. His friend’s eyes traveled to Amber. Kincaid shifted closer and covered her with one of the blankets.
“Did you come alone?”
“Had to. Now get dressed.”
Amber grasped Kincaid’s arm. “What’s happening?”
“I don’t know, love. But if Rory is here, it must mean we’re meant to leave.” Kincaid shot his eyes to his friend. “Turn around, mate.”
Rory wiggled his eyebrows and presented them his back. Kincaid wrapped the kilt he’d had on the night before around his waist while Amber pulled a cape over her shoulders to hide her near-naked state.
“Hurry.”
Kincaid found his weapons in the trunk by the bed, and began strapping them on. He handed Amber the clothes he wore when he first arrived.
Noise from the hall was brief and then the door to the room swung open.
“Cian?”
Her brother stood in the doorway, a sword in his hand.
“What are you doing here?” Kincaid didn’t like the look on the man’s face, nor the stance in his frame.
Cian looked beyond the men and straight at Amber.
Hate boiled from the Highlander. There was no possible way Amber didn’t feel his emotion. “Let it go, Cian,” Kincaid told him.
Cain shifted his stare to the bed and cursed under his breath. “I’m too late.”
“What are you talking about?” Amber pushed between him and Rory. “Too late for what?”
Stand back, Amber.
But instead of listening, she stepped forward, forcing Kincaid to move closer to her angry brother.
“It isn’t what you think…the prophecy can’t be about us. Please, Cian, you’re my brother. I’ve loved you since the day I was born.”
Kincaid felt her heart breaking when her brother’s face didn’t soften.
She hesitated and stepped back. “You came in here to take me away.”
Cian narrowed his eyes. “And how can you know that, Amber? Your gift only allows you to feel my hate, not my intentions.”
“We need to go,” Rory said behind them.
“I feel your hate and your sorrow. What happened to the love in your heart, Cian? You don’t need to worry about me, but yourself.”
Cian took a step forward and lowered his sword. “All of us now need to worry about you. I will see this undone.”
“Back off, Cian!”
Kincaid thickened the layer of protection over them and extended his gift to Rory. He pulled Amber close and glared at her brother who was causing her so much pain.
The air sparked and Kincaid shifted time.
The moment they landed in Dawson’s Manor, Amber curled into his shoulder and released a sob.
“Shh. It’s okay.”
“He hates me.”
“He’s angry and confused. Don’t cry.”
Rory moved away from the two of them and circled the room. “Are we where I think we are?”
“Mrs. Dawson’s home in the twenty-first century.”
“It’s changed.”
Amber pulled out of his arms and lifted her chin. “Thank you for warning us.”
“Ah, you’re welcome, Miss…”
“It’s Mrs…” Kincaid corrected his friend. “Mrs. Kincaid.”
Rory’s jaw dropped. “Really?”
“Amber Kincaid, formerly Amber MacCoinnich.”
Rory went ghost-white. “Holy hell. Colleen told me to be prepared for anything. To grab you and leave. I don’t…she didn’t say…Holy hell.”
Kincaid knew how his friend felt. Good thing Rory only met up with Cian. Although the impression of the family by that one man wasn’t a good one.
“Does Colleen need you to return right away?”
Rory shrugged. “I thought we’d both return there.”
Kincaid looked at his wife. “No. Not yet anyway.”
His friend offered a small smile. “Well then, I guess I’m going back alone.” They shook hands and Rory pulled him into a man-hug. “Be well.”