Binding Vows (11 page)

Tara winced when she saw Fin take a hard blow to his arm holding his lance. “How can you be so sure Duncan will come out on top?”

“He has to. Besides, he likes you and wants it more than the others. Just look how he plucked them off earlier, like apples from a tree. Have some faith.” Cassy took a large drink from the wine she had poured for Tara.

The crowd stood when the next pass ended with Fin off his horse. He brushed away the dirt and favored his sword arm. He bowed and shook hands with Michael then led his mount to the side.

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Michael and his horse were given time to rest before the final match with Duncan.

Tara wanted desperately to find Duncan and wish him luck and to issue a meaningless threat of great bodily harm if he didn’t win. But getting away this close to the end wasn’t possible.

Minutes ticked by which felt like hours. fair patrons came and went during the intermission, taking pictures, asking questions. Nerves kept her from saying much to the people who stopped in.

When her fingers started to tingle, she forced herself to sit down and slow her breathing. A lot of good she would do if she passed out before the match.

Tara’s mind drifted from her body. The feeling of being on the outside looking in was overwhelming.

She closed her eyes and thought of what Duncan had said earlier.
If you fear anything, call on me.

What did she have to fear? Why did he say that?

She closed her eyes and brought a picture of him to her mind.
Trust me.
His words echoed. A few deep breaths and concentrating on his final words helped slow her speeding pulse.

When the trumpets sounded for the final round Tara felt more relaxed.

More assured.

****

Duncan sensed Tara’s presence in his head.

From across the hordes of people he fixed her with a stare. Even from his distance, he could see her eyes were closed.

He knew she was troubled, felt her reaching out to him with her mind. He called on a power, which remained dormant until his return home. He closed his eyes and pushed words of trust toward her.

He couldn’t tell if he was successful in his efforts, but when he opened his eyes he caught Tara’s returning his stare.

Duncan led Durk to his place along the rope 88

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separating the riders His nostrils flared in anticipation of his flight. Skilled, it took only the slightest touch of Duncan’s knees to command his horse to lunge.

The horse didn’t flinch when Duncan’s lance hit his opponent.

****

Michael took the blow with rage. He wasn’t happy with Gwen’s orders to throw the match. He saw Tara’s ribbon clenched in Duncan’s hand and scowled. It was suppose to be him at the altar.

Him in her bed!

The next pass gave Michael the triumph he wanted. His lance caught and nearly toppled Duncan. He glanced up at the maiden who held her hand to her mouth, worry etched in her features.

His gaze went beyond her to Gwen’s furious scowl.
Take the fall!
He heard her shout in his mind.

He played with fire for two more passes before he did as he was told and let Duncan toss him off his horse.

****

Tara didn’t realize she held her breath until it came out in a loud gasp. Her body nearly collapsed when she knew Duncan had in fact won the match.

She watched as he accepted the pats on his back from the other riders. She almost heard the heckling he received from his brother when he clenched his arm in a greeting more suitable for medieval times.

Tara wasn’t given much time before Cassy fashioned a veil on her head and prepared her for the ceremony.

“This almost seems real, like you’re really getting married or something.” Cassy wiped her hand on her dress. “Are you nervous?”

Tara beheld Duncan’s eyes as he walked forward to claim his prize. “No.”

“Well I am.” Cassy finished the last of her wine 89

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and stepped aside.

Tara had seen this before, in her dreams. The vows she was supposed to recite were etched in her mind. She no longer feared her role. Duncan would hold her hand and help her.

****

Fin stood at Duncan’s side, his Gaelic words hushed so only his brother could hear them. “Watch your step, brother, something is amiss. She is letting this happen for a reason.”

Duncan knew his brother was right, but what choice did he have? Tara walked toward him with outstretched hands and a radiant smile, reaching out to his soul.

Once she stopped in front of him, his worries ebbed. She glowed under the veil trailing down her long red tresses. Her full lips curved into a smile.

Her beauty was staggering.

She dropped into a deep and meaningful curtsey.

Duncan took her hand and led her to the middle of the field. A hush fell over the stands. Only the occasional sound of a baby crying could be heard.

He knew what was to happen next, not because Grainna’s man had told him, but because he had seen many ceremonies like this in his life. The only difference was Tara reciting her part first, then he was to follow.

He saw Grainna watching from the platform Cassy and Tara had left, her glare victorious.

He shuffled briefly.

“It’ll be over in a few minutes, Duncan. It isn’t like this is real or anything.” She took the cord Cassy handed to her and started. “Just repeat after me,” she whispered.

Tara took his hand in hers and started weaving the cord around it. “From the North, to the South, In the East or in the West...” she began.

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Duncan and Fin froze at the same time. Her words shook them both. “Stop her,” Fin uttered in Gaelic.

“Where you go, I’ll follow. Your light will shine my way.”

The air around them changed. The force of her vow etched into them. They weren’t handfasting pledges of love and devotion, but Druid wedding vows. Once spoken, they could never be taken back.

Once spoken by one of Druid descent, they would bind you to the other person past this life and into the next.

He knew in an instant what Grainna intended.

Tara would say these vows to whoever stood before her and without the ability to stop. She would consent to that man and give Grainna the final piece of her curse.

If Tara continued saying these vows, a part of her soul would go with him when he left this century. With him gone, she would be nothing but an empty shell.

If he didn’t pledge the same to her, she would live a short life of misery. The cruelty of such a life was beyond what even he could envision.

He felt Fin’s anguish as Tara went on.

“It is my love I give you, past my dying day.” She smiled up at him.

She was putting her soul in his hands. His heart leapt with the power of her vow. He searched her trusting eyes to see if she held any doubt. Seeing only love, something he didn’t think possible, he made his choice and let her finish.

“Where two hearts beat, there is now but one.

This tie that binds us together shall never be undone.” Finished, Tara waited.

He took the dangling cord and bound his hand to hers. The air thinned. He placed her other hand in his and placed it over the other.

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His look was direct, his eyes unquestioning.

Tara waited for him to speak. Her lips twitched slightly, anticipating.

When he did, it was as if they were the only two standing in the crowd of hundreds.

“From the North, to the South, in the East or in the West. Where you go I will follow, your light will shine my way. It is my love I give you, past my dying day.” The air stirred. “Where two hearts beat, there is now but one. This tie that binds us together shall
never
be undone.”

Lightning over a clear sky cracked, startling the crowd. The rope turned warm and glowed. His body shuddered as part of his very essence soared away from him and into her. If not for Duncan’s hold, Tara would have fallen to the ground as the effect hit her.

It is okay, trust me. Everything will be fine
, Duncan pushed his thoughts to her without moving his lips.

He lifted her veil and watched her eyes turn smoky as he bent down. Another burst of lightning pounded the sky when their lips met.

Their kiss was no mere meeting of lips, but one that charged the depths of their being. She sighed into his mouth as he pulled her into his arms.

Knowing their lives were forever changed.

****

The men took Duncan aside and helped him remove his armor. Fin questioned him in Gaelic.

In turn, Tara was surrounded by women who removed her veil and groomed her hair.

Cassy, caught up in it all, took pictures, and brushed away foolish tears.

Gwen came out of the crowd and approached them all with an extra gleam in her eyes. “Perfect,”

she boasted. “Everything was perfect. How do you feel, Lady Tara?” Gwen’s amulet caught her attention and provoked her thoughts.

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Tara envisioned Duncan again, this time they were deep in a passionate embrace. “I feel wonderful,” she confessed.

“Magnificent, exactly what I want to hear.

Remember, tonight is for fantasy, tomorrow your life returns to normal.” Abruptly she turned and clapped her hands, gaining the notice of the crowd. “Let the celebrations commence.” ****

The dining area had been transformed with hundreds of candles flickering in the setting sun.

Tables were lavishly set with flowers befitting the occasion.

A hand placed on her arm sparked. Tara knew it was him before she turned. They had only been apart for a short while. So why did it seemed so much longer?

No matter, she thought. They were together now. Music started, Duncan took her to the dance floor. They said nothing at first.

“Come home with me, Tara.”

His request would have shocked her had it come twenty-four hours earlier. Somehow, it didn’t now.

“You would love my land and the people in it.”

“I would love to visit Scotland,” she told him.

“Winter break will be here before you know it. I’ll have to apply for a Visa, and I don’t have a passport.”

“If I could take you there tonight, without all those things, would you come with me?”

“Tonight?” She shook her head. “That isn’t possible. Besides, classes start up next week.”

Tara saw his rebuttal on his lips, but instead of talking, he kissed her.

Within seconds, her brain swam in a sea of Duncan.
Come with me tonight.

She broke off their kiss, thinking she heard him.

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“Stay in L.A. for a while. I’m sure you can change your flight home.”

“We need to leave tonight.”

“Would you leave without me?” She paused in her dance.

“I’ll beg you to come.”

His tone had changed, his body tensed.

Yes! I’ll come with you.
Tara visibly saw him relax, even though she hadn’t said the words aloud.

Her hair stood up, and a shiver went down her back.

Oh my God! You can hear me.

“Aye, love, I can.”

Blood rushed from her head, and breathing became an effort. She started seeing stars as the oxygen was sucked from the cells in her brain.

Nay, now none of that!
Duncan held her with a firmer grip to keep her from falling as they danced.

I’m going crazy.

Then I am crazy, too.

How?

“’Tis difficult to explain,” he said aloud for her to hear.

“Try,” she demanded.

“You don’t understand what I am asking, how could you? I needed to convince you to leave with me tonight. I used the means I knew would work.”

“I don’t understand.”

He drew her head to his shoulder. On the outside for those who watched, they appeared like two lovers completely enthralled. Inside they spoke.

Remember when you thought Grainna could
read people?
he asked.

Grainna, you mean Gwen?

Her real name is Grainna, but I will tell you
about that later. Remember, you said you believed
she could read minds?
he asked again.

Tara nodded. Unbelieving she was having a full on conversation with Duncan in her head.

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Sometimes when two people connect, they also
have this ability. You and I have that connection.

Tara pulled back to look at him.
How? When? I
don’t understand.

How is difficult to explain and unfortunately this
is not the time, nor the place to do so. The when, was
during the ceremony.

She stared him in the eye. “But all of it was make-believe, a play.”

“For some, Tara, but not us!” He motioned behind him, sensed the weight of Grainna’s stare.

“Come.” He led her to their table, putting much needed distance between them and their enemy.

With only the shifting of his eyes, Tara knew Duncan thought of Gwen as an enemy.

Food was placed in front of them. Cassy sat on her right, and Fin on Duncan’s left. Cassy started chatting to Tara the minute they sat.

“I can’t believe this will all be over tomorrow.

You had a good time, right?”

“I have.” Tara tried smiling at her friend, but confusion and nerves kept her from really engaging in what Cassy was saying.

“So what are you going to do with Duncan?”

Cassy whispered.

Her answer was immediate and required very little thought. “I’m going to Scotland.”

“Get out! Really, when?”

“I don’t... Soon, I think.”

With so much noise and activity, it was difficult to hear Duncan’s words. But when she did, they were stern.

Be careful how much you tell her.

Tara placed a forkful of food in her mouth to keep herself from saying more.
Why?

Others listen.

She followed his eyes as they rested on Gwen. A chill came from the woman’s stare.
She wants to hurt
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me, doesn’t she?

Aye.