Chapter 17
17
T hey drove into an old barn they’d found earlier, exited the car and van, and watched as Kwaku opened a door through time. Dallan carried Pari, Markhel had Melvale. The man they took as a hostage was held between Archer and Lany. Shona stood behind him in case he came to.
Dallan watched Melvale’s private quarters being outlined with Kwaku and Zara’s yellow light, and as soon as the image peeled away, Q came running into view. “Melvalesssk!”
“Stay,” Kwaku commanded the Sarian. “Hurry, put them on the tables.”
Two cloth covered tables were set up in Melvale’s living area. Dallan realized he’d never been inside Melvale’s quarters, and looked around the space as he carried the girl to one of the tables and gently set her down.
The door to Melvale’s quarters opened, and Raina and Halden entered with Maida.
The latter started for Markhel, saw that he carried his brother, and stopped.
Markhel carefully laid Melvale on the table and breathed a sigh of relief. “Kwaku…”
“We will tend dem. Go, tell your parents and de king dat we have returned.”
Markhel nodded, his hand outstretched to Maida.
She ran to him, and he locked her in his arms, then kissed her.
Raina and Halden hurried to Pari. “Are they all right?” Raina asked. “Are they injured?”
“We will see,” Zara said gently. “You must leave now, so Kawahnee and I can see to them.”
“What are ye going to do?” Dallan asked.
Zara went to Pari, as Kwaku went to Melvale. “Wash de filth of der prison from dem.” Kwaku began to study the shackles Melvale wore. “Archer, remove dese.”
Archer gave a single nod, pulled a leather billfold of some kind from his back pocket, and opened it.
“He’s going to pick the locks,” Shona stated.
“Aye, Flower,” Dallan agreed. “It’s better to remove them this way than for Kwaku or I to break them off.”
Archer picked the locks in no time, and Zara began to shoo everyone from the room. “We will tell you when we are done,” she assured.
Dallan bent to the unconscious form of their hostage. “Best we lock this one up.” He picked him up one handed by the collar of his lab coat, and didn’t stop when the man’s glasses fell off.
Shona picked them up and followed them out the door.
As soon as everyone was outside, Dallan took one last look at Melvale as Kwaku gently removed his shackles then reached for his hospital gown.
“Will they be all right?” Raina asked.
Dallan smiled at her. “Aye lass. They’re in good hands.” He looked at the man in his grasp and let go a frustrated sigh. “Now to see to this one.” He flung him over a shoulder and started down the corridor. It wasn’t long before they ran into some unwanted company.
“Melvale!” Timmohn screeched as she came around a corner. “Where is he?”
Dallan fought another sigh. “In his quarters with Kwaku and…” He never got to finish. Timmohn was off like a shot, lifting her dark blue robes and running.
“Wow, she’s in a hurry, isn’t she?” Shona commented.
“This wilna end well,” Dallan said and started after her. “Timmohn!”
She ignored him and kept going. Dallan slowed and dropped his load with a thud. “Archer, lock him up.” He took off after her. “Timmohn!”
He caught her just as she reached Melvale’s door. “Let go of me!” she hissed.
“Dinna disturb them. They’re both unconscious anyway.”
“Both?! You mean you brought that…” She snapped her mouth shut a moment and clasped her hands before her. “My great nephew’s mate with you?”
“Of course, now kindly leave, or I’ll be forced to make ye.”
She gaped at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Watch me.”
She huffed and stomped off. “I’ll be back!”
Shona caught up to Dallan and watched Timmohn march off, face flushed. As soon as she was out of ear shot, Shona shook her head. “What is wrong with her?”
“I dinna ken, but she needs to get a hold of herself.”
Zara poked her head out Melvale’s door. “What is going on?”
Dallan shook his head in disgust. “Timmohn.”
Zara, to his surprise, rolled her eyes. “That woman.” She opened the door and Dallan caught sight of Kwaku gently lifting one of Melvale’s arms and run a wet cloth over it. Melvale was naked, and Dallan quickly covered Shona’s eyes.
“What?”
“Never mind, Flower.”
Kwaku didn’t look their way and continued his work.
“Where is the prisoner?” Zara asked.
“With Archer, he’ll no let him go anywhere.”
Zara smiled. “Wait here.” She ducked back into the room and closed the door.
Dallan and Shona paced the corridor for almost fifteen minutes when Melvale’s parents, along with Jaireth and Shannell showed up. “Where are they?” Zerbe asked.
“We’re still waiting to be let in by Zara,” Dallan explained.
Zerbe’s eyes narrowed, and he knocked on the door.
“Enter,” Zara called.
Zerbe exchanged an anguished look with Tasniah and opened the door.
Melvale and Pari were dressed in white sleeping garments of Sarian silk. Melvale in a loose shirt and pants, Pari in a loose-fitting tank top and shorts. Kwaku had laid them on a huge, half-moon shaped, cushioned dais of sorts. It was made of gold fabric and was big enough to serve as a bed. Kwaku and Zara had laid the pair on it so Melvale could see the door. Pari was at his side, between Melvale and the wall. Kwaku was busy intertwining their arms and hands.
“What is he doing?” Shona asked.
Jaireth stepped toward the huge chaise lounge or whatever it was. “They must be touching.”
Dallan cocked his head. “Why?” He looked at an arched door on the other side of the room. “Why d’ye no place them in Melvale’s bed chamber?”
“Because she does not know him yet,” Zara said. “Would you like to wake up in a stranger’s bed?”
“No,” Shona blurted.
“Zara…” Kwaku said. “Let us cover dem.”
She left the group and went to a chair near the tables where they’d tended the two. She took a light blanket off the back of the chair and brought it to him.
Kwaku carefully put it over the couple. “Now, we will leave dem to deir rest. She will wake before he does. We must watch for it.”
“And then what?” Tasniah asked. “Can we speak with her?”
“No,” Kwaku said. “Raina and her captain will tend her. She knows dem and will not be as frightened.” He turned to the group. “Remember, we must keep dem calm. Especially her. If Melvale dinks she is dreatened in any way, dere is no telling what he will do.”
“Understood,” Dallan said. He arched an eyebrow at Zerbe. “Then I suggest ye keep yer aunt away. She seems overly eager to see Melvale’s mate.”
Zerbe nodded and studied the couple.
“She is lovely,” Tasniah whispered then smiled. “Such hair…”
Zara put a hand on her shoulder. “She is the desire of his heart.”
Zerbe sighed. “He always was different.”
Shona giggled and wrapped an arm around Dallan’s arm. “I think it’s great.”
He smiled and pulled her close. “Do ye wish us to stand guard?”
“Q will guard dem,” Kwaku said. “For now, rest, eat, and tell Princess Raina and de captain to be ready. I suspect Melvale’s mate will wake soon.”
Dallan gave him a nod. “Aye.”
Jaireth and Shannell stared at the couple, then looked at each other. “Well done, Time Masters,” Jaireth said. “You will be rewarded.”
Kwaku and Zara bowed to him, followed by Dallan and Shona.
Jaireth smiled at the latter. “I worried for both of you. I am glad you have returned safely.”
Shona smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”
Jaireth’s eyes flashed with what Dallan thought was pride, then it was gone.
“You brought back a hostage?” Shannell asked, eyes on Dallan.
He gave her a curt nod. “We did, Yer Majesty.”
She raised her eyebrows at him. “What did I tell you?”
Dallan stilled, his eyes flicking to anyone but her.
“Dallan?” the queen prompted.
He swallowed hard. “Er… Máthair .”
Shannell smiled. “That’s better.” She wrapped her arm through Dallan’s free one. “Let us get the two of you some food. I am sure you’re hungry.” She glanced over her shoulder at Jaireth. “And I am also sure you have much to tell your father.”
Dallan swallowed back a snort and glanced at the king.
He hadn’t moved and wore a frown.
Dallan snorted again, not holding back, and escorted the two women on his arms toward the door. He heard Zara giggle as she and Kwaku followed.
Tasniah went to the couple on the dais, bent to Melvale and kissed him on the forehead. “I love you, my son.”
Zerbe took her by the hand, squeezed it, then led her to the door.
Dallan smiled at them. “He’s safe now. Both of them are.”
Zerbe turned and looked at Melvale and his mate. “Yes, but are the rest of us?” He gave Dallan a somber look, then slipped out the door.
The party walked to Jaireth and Shannell’s private quarters. Food was served on the balcony, and Dallan stood at the balustrade, Shona at his side. He looked at the towers and flower strewn balconies of the other palace residents. “Will she adjust, d’ye think?”
“Pari?” Shona said. “Time will tell. She’s been through a lot, and this will all be new to her. I remember what it was like for me.”
He turned to her. “But ye couldna walk away, Flower. The bond between us wouldna let ye. This Pari, from what we’ve been told, can.”
Shona looked into his eyes. “I know.”
“And we both ken what will happen to Melvale if she does.”
Shona hung her head and nodded. “Everyone knows, Dallan.”
“Then what’s to be done about it?”
She raised her eyes to his. “I don’t know. We’ll have to take this one day at a time.”
He leaned against the balustrade and sighed. “I dinna like this. So many things can go wrong.”
“I know, but there’s nothing to be done about it right now.” She took him by the hand and led him to the large round table surrounded by cushions. Servants were placing platters of food on it. “Come on, let’s eat, then see if there’s anything we can do.”
He looked into her eyes. “I canna imagine what I would have done if ye’d told me no, Flower.”
“But I didn’t,” she reminded him.
“Nay, ye didna.” He pulled her close and kissed her harder than he planned. But today was full of danger, and they barely managed to get away with Melvale and his mate without having to open a door through time in front of their captors. Thank the saints they’d succeeded. He didn’t want to even consider what would have happened if they hadn’t.
“Ahem,” Jaireth said. “Eat.”
Dallan broke the kiss, smiled, then winked at the king.
“The food on the table,” Jaireth admonished.
Dallan sighed. “He’s so impatient.”
Shona laughed and led him to the table.