Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
“ G ood news,” Gwen said walking into the library. “Fiona is gone. She found our company extremely boring, according to Edith.”
Sabrina sat back and rubbed her eyes. Both John and Tammie looked as tired as she felt. Papers with notes and spells that had proved to be useless were scrunched and scattered on the floor. The one trash bin they’d put beside the table overflowed with torn and crumpled paper.
The whiteboard that had been set up had lists with almost every item on them, crossed off. The sounds were those of pens scratching across paper, the ticking of the antique clock on the far wall and every once in a while someone mumbled words.
“This is ridiculously difficult,” Sabrina said out loud leaning back in on the overstuffed chair where she’d been reading notes.
“We have to come up with something soon, time is passing and the men left behind are vulnerable.” Tammie stretched, arching her back.
John followed suit rounding his shoulders. “I think we may be trying too hard. Perhaps instead of this,” he said pointing to all the notes and books. “We should concentrate on our senses, use our abilities without expectation of a spell, but instead a supernatural directive.”
“You may be on to something there,” Tammie said. “After lunch, let’s separate, each of us alone and try that.”
Tristan, Gavin and Liam walked in. The expressions of excitement made Sabrina and those at the table sit up straighter.
“What is it?” Sabrina asked.
“We have retained some of our gifts,” Tristan said. “Different ones actually. Gavin can heal, and Liam can move himself to other places.”
It was then she noted that Liam’s face was free of bruising, and he stood straight, not seeming to be in pain.
“Can you go back to the alter-world?” Gwen asked, her eyes wide.
Liam shrugged. “I am about to try. I willed myself to the front of the house and it was easy. We wanted you to be aware of what had occurred before I tried. He met John’s eyes.
John got up and went to Liam. “Are you sure about this? What if you cannot return?”
“I will return. My spell is broken.” He gave John a warm look. “I must try.”
“Can we do something to help?” Tammie asked. “I don’t know, some sort of ward or spell to keep you protected?”
By the looks exchanged, everyone was energized again. Things were progressing, now they had to formulate a plan. A way to keep not only Liam safe, but to find how to break both Niall and Padriag from their entrapment.
“We have to think it through,” John said.
Sabrina took Gavin’s arm. “First we will eat and discuss things. We have to come up with a plan.”
“Please give us the rest of the day to figure out a ward,” Tammie insisted.
Liam rinsed his face and studied the image in the mirror. He was still the same as he’d been all those years. He’d been three and thirty when entering the enchantment. Icy blue eyes met his, and he studied the man he had become. Unshaven and with slight lines between his brows and on the outer corners of his eyes, he looked older. Good. He was glad to see that the trials of the many years trapped had left their mark.
The soft jawline of his youth was replaced by a strong square shape. He’d never been a vain man as he considered vanity to be a flaw. He ran a comb through his hair sweeping it away from his face.
He’d have to get it cut to look more the way it was worn currently.
John came up and studied him in the mirror. “Do you prefer your hair long?”
A good segway into the conversation Liam wished to have. “How is hair worn currently?”
Tilting his head, the handsome man studied him. “I think longer hair is nice, but a shorter cut suits your demeanor better. By the way you carry yourself, I would guess you will prefer to wear tailored clothing.”
“I had a tailor before,” Liam agreed. “I always wore my hair shorter. I will leave it up to you to help me with that.”
John smiled. “It will be my pleasure. But that is not what I want to talk about. I want to discuss your plan to try to go back. This is not a decision that you can make alone. Did you not consider how I would feel about it?”
Unsure how to react, Liam remained silent for a beat. He’d never been in a relationship before and had never observed one between two men. In truth, he wasn’t sure what the rules were for the current times.
“I do hope you agree with me. That I must do everything possible to help free my brethren.”
Seeming to understand, John took his hand and led him to sit on the bed. “I do understand. What I wish to clarify is that I want to be with you, to have a relationship with you. If you feel the same and wish to remain with me, we will have to discuss important decisions together.”
Feeling his eyes widen, Liam’s stomach clenched. “Of course I want to be with you. You and I are meant to be.”
“That is not the answer I was hoping for,” John said, hurt in his eyes. “Liam, I do not want you to feel duty bound to me.”
This was becoming a complicated conversation. Liam searched for the right words to express himself. “I have never...I have never been in a relationship before. Yes, I have had intimate relationships with men and women before the enchantment. But never something long-lasting.”
John’s face softened, his gaze searching Liam’s. “Go on.”
“Through all this uncertainty, I have no doubts about one thing and that is that I want to be with you. Whether it is here in Scotland, England or any place else. You are the most important thing to me other than freeing my brothers.”
The man he was undoubtedly in love with considered Liam’s words and then lifted his gaze to meet his. “I understand you will stop at nothing to free them. I admire it. It scares me, the thought of losing you so soon after meeting, but I cannot stand in your way.”
Not only was he fortunate enough to be free from so many years of being held captive, but now he was gifted the opportunity of love. A love he would have never dreamed off. For the second time that day, Liam fought against the same fear.
“I will vow to return to you then.” Liam took John’s mouth with intensity, their lips colliding with the passion of newly declared love.
“You are fully healed?” John asked breathlessly, a sly grin forming. “No pain at all?”
Liam pushed him back onto the bed. “I am fully able.”
After the meal, they’d decided to separate, find a spot that felt comfortable and consider what to do next.
A task much easier said than done, Sabrina thought as she paced the front room, unsure if this was the space where she would sense what to do next. More than anything she felt restless and decided to try the back garden.
It was a pleasant day, the sun bright in the cloudless sky. Although there was a brisk wind, it didn’t diminish the warmth.
She stopped short when she spotted Tammie sitting on the ground, eyes closed, her face up to the sky.
Sabrina’s lips curved at how perfect the setting was. Looking like a water sprite in flowing blue skirts and a lacy top, her petite sister fit there. It felt as if Tammie was meant to be in that exact place at that precise time, the wind ruffling the golden strands, whilst she sat perfectly still, waiting to hear, to sense.
Turning, Sabrina tiptoed back the way she’d come, not wanting to disturb Tammie.
Gavin had gone to the stables, claiming he thought better when with the horses. She understood, because it was the one place that remained the same. No distractions by modern things like cell phones or computers.
In the distance, she saw him standing by a corral, his attention turned toward the view of hills and valleys in the distance. She felt compelled to go to him, sensing he needed her.
“Hey, you,” she greeted when nearing. “You seem deep in thought.”
Gavin turned to her, his lips lifting into a smile. “I keep seeing the surroundings and losing my breath at the beauty that Scotland remains.”
“You haven’t been to the cities yet. It will be surprising to you.”
“Aye, Tristan has told me. He says it is like an entirely different world.”
She came to stand next to him and he pulled her against his side. “We will start with the local village and ease you into the rest slowly.”
“I am not a wee bairn to be coddled,” Gavin said. “The sooner I begin to learn, the more useful I can be with having to help everyone.”
Sabrina chuckled. “You are brave. I can picture what a great leader you were as laird.”
Turning her to face him, Gavin kissed her, his lips lingering across hers. Sabrina lifted her arms, wrapping them around his neck and pressed her body against him. He was her golden knight, the one who brought out the best version of her.
She would fight with all her might for his happiness, which meant stopping at nothing to save the two men still trapped.
“I have never felt like this,” Gavin said peering into her eyes. “I am in love with you Sabrina.”
Pressing another soft kiss to his lips, Sabrina grinned up at him. “You make my heart happy.”
The ground seemed to shift, and Sabrina was sure she would’ve fallen sideways if not clinging to Gavin.
Gavin and everything around them disappeared to be replaced by a dark stone walled chamber. Sabrina turned in a circle taking in the surroundings. It was definitely not her realm.
Movement caught her attention, and she whirled to see a dark-haired man standing with his back to a corner, arms outstretched as if protecting himself.
Before him stood a beautiful woman, the expression on her face one of sorrow. When the woman took a step toward the man, he collapsed to the floor and scrambled backward.
It seemed as if neither of them saw or noticed her, so she stayed silent.
An outline formed behind the man and just as he turned toward it, shadows fell over the pair. Seeming alarmed, both turned toward it and vanished.
“What is it?” Gavin’s voice broke the trance. “Are you unwell?”
Sabrina blinked adjusting to the light. “I had a vision. Oh my god.” She grabbed Gavin’s arm.
“I think I know who will save Niall. And I think I also know why he has not been forthcoming in how to break his spell.”
“Let us go tell the others,” Gavin took her hand.
When she didn’t move, and he turned to her about to question the reluctance.
“I am scared.”
Wrapping his strong arms around her, Gavin pressed his cheek against her brow. Instantly, the anxiety lifted.
“We are stronger together and will grow stronger with the others,” Sabrina murmured. “But we have to prepare ourselves for a fight.”
“That is why Liam must return to the alter-world. So that Meliot is not aware of the fact his curse has been broken. He will be a weapon and a way to help the others,” Gavin said with assurance.
Sabrina nodded. “We will free them. I have no doubts.”
They looked to the house and then to each other. “Do you think the others are getting visions as well?” Gavin asked.
“I do.” Sabrina took his hand. “Tomorrow we will begin anew.”
Gavin straightened, standing tall, his facade that of a warrior. “Yes.”
“I love you,” Sabrina said leaning against him. “I am so happy to share all this with you. Soon this will be over, and we will live here in this beautiful place together.”
“I love you as well,” Gavin replied his amber gaze seeming to glow with the warmth emanating from it.
Across from where they stood, the castle stood proud. Both watched as Tammie walked from the garden toward the front of the castle. She hesitated for a moment and then turned in a circle, arms up to the sky.
She looked to Gavin, and he nodded in understanding.
Tammie was about to become a hero.
“We will keep her safe,” Gavin assured.
Knowing there were no assurances, Sabrina let out a long breath and leaned against the man she would love and draw strength from for the rest of her life.