A Journey Out of Time (18 page)

As she lay back on the blanket, looking at the cloudless sky Rowan asked, "Ye had words with Duncan last night."

She looked over at him. His face was about 6 inches from hers. "Yes. I told him he made me angry just leaving me here & that he was a jerk. I also told him you were courting me."

Rowan looked into her eyes. A smile slowly spread across his face & he rolled towards her, kissing her. He was very pleased! He pulled away.

"What is so funny?"

"You are! You are happy that I told Duncan off."

Rowan grinned. "I am happy that ye told him I was courting ye, lass." His voice sounded husky & he went back to kissing her. He rolled, pulling her on top of him. And as was par with everything, a spine tingling feeling went down her back about the exact same time Rowan rolled her off of him, startled by a noise. Sonya could have told him to ignore it, but you try explaining 'Spidey senses' about a man to the man you were making out with!

"Ah, Duncan," said Rowan with a grin. Sonya sat up, turning her back to Duncan. Rowan chuckled & squeezed her hand as she glowered.

"Did I interrupt anything?" Duncan asked.

Oh, please!

"Nay, my friend, come join us."

Sonya stood up. She had had enough of this! "As a matter of fact, Duncan MacLeod, you have interrupted as you well know." Rowan was about to speak, but she glared at him as well a holding her hand up. "And since you two obviously need some time together, I will be happy to go." She walked off towards her horse, got on & rode off at top speed.
Wow! That felt good!
The speed with which she rode coupled with her annoyance, fed her spirit to ride on & she did.

Sonya removed the horse's saddle, handing it to the stable boy. She started brushing the horse's coat. "Bay, I think I would rather marry you!" The horse nickered in response & tried to nibble her hair, making her laugh. He was a beautiful horse. She rubbed his neck & hugged him. He blew through his mouth at her & she smiled. She went to hand the brush to the boy, but he was gone & she was being watched. Rowan was leaning back with his arms crossed, smiling at her. She wanted to smile back, but dare she? He must have left just after her. Sonya shook her head & Bay nickered again & she pat him. Rowan came over petting Bay's nose. Sonya was about to begin brushing again when Rowan stayed her hand, backing her up against the stall. She looked up at him, but said nothing as he fully leaned against her. He looked at her, leaned down & kissed her. She dropped the brush, wrapping her arms around his neck. When they parted he stepped back.

"Do ye think ye will be here when I return?" he asked.

"Yes, of course I will be," she replied. "Where did you think I was going?"

"Do ye think ye will love me one day?"

Sonya smiled & said, "Any woman who did not love you, Rowan, would be a fool."

A smile spread across his face. "I will see ye shortly." He kissed her again & left.

Sonya watched as he walked across the grounds before she picked up the brush & started brushing Bay again. "See, what I mean? Who can figure humans out?" The horse nickered in response.

And she meant everything she said. Anyone that didn't love a man like Rowan
was
a fool. He was kind, smart, quick witted, loyal, brave & caring. He had passion in him. This was the first time he had his body pressed up to hers like that & she wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. It was no wonder humans went around making stupid choices all the time, it was just too damn confusing feeling all these emotions at the same time!

Sonya pet Bay on his whiskery nose & left to wash up.

This was the last evening with Rowan until his return. Sonya wore a dress of pale yellow for the evening. She tied her hair up with a yellow ribbon & laced on her shoes. As she hurried down the corridor & down the stairs voices carried from the hall. When she reached the doors Rowan called out to her.

"Sonya!" She looked up & smiled, walking towards him. She took his hand outstretched hand & he turned back the way he came.

"Where are we going?"

"I thought we'd dine alone tonight." Sonya smiled at him & he smiled back, his green eyes shining bright.

They entered a room lit with candles. A table was covered with a cloth & music played at the back of the room. Sonya smiled at the players whom she had seen often. Yes, she mingled with the common! She figured you couldn't get more common than she was.

"Rowan this is wonderful!"

He beamed with pride. "I doona wish to share ye this nigh." Sonya smiled at him & they sat down.

They spent the time talking in between bites. It was a nice quiet evening with just the two of them.

"I wish I could go with you," she said.

He looked at her a moment without answering.

"What?"

"Why do ye wish to come?"

"Because I want to see what you do."

"Or is it because Duncan will still be here?"

"What would that matter?" she asked as innocently as she could.

"Hmm," was his reply as he swallowed his drink, his eyes shimmering in the candle light.

"Are
you
worried about Duncan still being here?"

Rowan got up from his chair & took her hand, pulling her up. He wrapped his arms around her as they slowly swayed to the soft music. She wrapped her arms around his neck. They kissed each other & when they parted he said, "Aye, I am worried. Any man would be a fool not to worry."

"You know, I never had so much attention before I came here," she said trying to lighten his mood. Rowan looked surprised.

"Well then, yer world is full of fools." Rowan held her close to him & she was glad she had had this time with him.

As they slowly walked towards her chamber, their hands swaying together, she asked, "What happened if we married & then you found a woman who made electricity shoot through you just when she looked at you?"

"That would matter nay, lass. If ye be my wife, ye will be my woman."

"And if that feeling is there?"

"Is that how Duncan makes you feel?" Rowan glanced at her, but she continued.

"I just want to know what happens if you fell in love after you married me. You cannot stop what nature may create."

"Nay, but I would not dishonor ye, lass."

Sonya smiled at him. He really was a wonderful man, but you can't stop nature. "I know you wouldn't."

Standing in front of her bedchamber door she recalled another time when she stood with a man like this. That night she would have happily taken that man into her chamber. Here was the opportunity again, but it was different. Not because of how she felt, but because of Rowan's status. Because he was a prince & maybe if she was just a dalliance it would be one thing, but he was courting her to marry.

Rowan leaned toward her & she took in a breath. His hands were on either side of her shoulders. He looked at her & she smiled.

"I will miss our talks," she whispered.

"Aye. As will I, lass." He kissed her & she kissed him back. When he looked at her, just inches away he said, "But I hope that is not
all
ye will miss." And he kissed her again. When Rowan bid her a final kiss farewell, she went into her room, smiling.

Rowan would be gone in the morning. Then what?

Sonya sat up breathing in the cool morning air. It was getting cooler. She hopped out of the bed & quickly got dressed in front of the dying fire. It was drizzling out, so she opted to practice in the armory after breakfast. She opened the door & smiled. There, before the door lay three daisies. Picking them up she tucked them into her belt.

Angus sat reading papers as he ate. As usual the hall was full of various people & Sonya took a seat next to Angus.

"Good morning, Your Majesty! How fare we today?"

He looked up from the paper in his hand & grinned. "We are in quite a good mood this morning, lass."

"Yes, I am."

"I am glad. And did I nay tell ye to call me Angus? As for me, I would be much better, if people would behave themselves!" Angus grumbled, but with a grin. Sonya laughed.

"Perhaps you should come practice with me."

"Alas, Sonya, I canno today. Perhaps another time."

"Yes, perhaps," she stood, taking a green apple. Patting Angus' arm she said, "Don't work too hard
Angus
."

He chuckled. "Have a nice practice, lass."

She toss the apple, catching it. "I plan too. Thank you."

Angus looked after her. He really had become fond of that girl. Looking back to the parchments before him, he frowned & shook his head.

*

Sonya pushed open the big heavy door & walked to where her sword lay. Picking it up, she twirled it in her hand & took up her stance in the center of the floor. She shivered & shrugged it off. She held the sword in front of her. Quickly she lifted it & turned, startled when it hit metal. She inhaled quickly as she looked into Duncan's eyes. She stepped back pulling her sword away.

"Good morning, lass."

"Duncan." She stood for a moment looking at him. "You know…I have a strong dislike for how quiet you are."

His brows rose. "Really?"

"Yes." Sonya held her sword up waiting to see what he would do. He grinned as she waited.

And so it began.

Duncan was built much bigger than Rowan, but she cleared her mind from all thought that she couldn't handle the challenge. Rowan had taught her well & she
would
do
well. The blades met & she focused only on the metal before her, not the man. Duncan wasn't there, just the swords. The swords crossed between them & his blade hit hers up with great strength which she used to spin her arms around to the right meeting his blade again in the center, hitting his aside. Again the metal rang out with grunts & groans that few would notice. Duncan swung his sword down on Sonya's left & she fell hard to one knee, but her block held. She quickly kicked out with her foot hooking it behind Duncan's leg, causing him to lose his balance. Sonya rolled & got back onto her feet & brought her blade to rest above Duncan's heart. After a few moments of hard breathing she stepped back. Duncan's look of surprise quickly turned to one of delight. His sword lay on the floor next to him, within a few inches of his reach.
That
little trick she taught Rowan, courtesy of her uncle.

Sonya turned without a word & placed her sword onto the rack. Taking a deep breath she turned back. Duncan was still on the floor, lying on his side, propped by his elbow, watching her. Sonya raised a brow. She walked over to him & stopped by his legs. She leaned down to give him a hand, knowing what touching him would do. Well… she thought she did. As he took her hand he pulled her down, rolling her under him. Duncan held Sonya's arms above her head. She took in a ragged breath, feeling Duncan's body resting on her, one of his legs between her own. Looking up at Duncan she tried to ignore the immediate heat between her thighs. His grin was disconcerting.

"Ye did verra well, lass."

Oh my God! I am lying under a man, trying to hold a conversation as if I was standing across the room from him! Augh!
Letting out her breath she
answered in an even tone, "Thank you. I have worked hard."

"Aye, lass, ye have."

"So, when are you going back to Ronin?" Crap, her
when
hit a new high note!

Duncan chuckled. "Well Adair is there, so I am really in no hurry."

"Great," she said flatly, trying to slither out from under him, which she couldn't do. He simply shifted himself & boy what a shift that was! Sonya shut her eyes, begging anyone on any astral plane that may hear her, that this was all a dream! Open eyes. Nope
not
a dream!