Kahleena MacCarthy ~ To Meet a Highlander (27 page)

             
“Tsarina, listen to me. I did what I wanted to do. I made the choice. I knew my options. Besides,” Trystan tried to smile, “how many times have you told me you now have a large family?”

             
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I need you.”

             
“No. You need Zarik, and he needs you now too.”

             
As the two spoke, Argus looked over Trystan, trying to determine the extent of the damage from the arrow. “I dinnae ken we can save him.”

             
“Wait.” Tsarina thought she was an idiot. “Why didn't I think of this sooner? Quick, get him to the stones. Argus, you have to send him back. They can help him there. He'll live.”

             
Argus acted as though there was nothing he could do. He couldn't simply send everyone back and forth at their will. Once they knew he had the power...

             
“Please, Argus. I'll never ask to be sent back. Just please save my brother.” Tsarina pleaded. She'd never forgive the old man if he refused her.

             
Argus started to shake his head, then felt Zarik's unwavering glare. “Ye best do something auld man.”

             
Argus nodded.

             
“Get linens and clean water. We'll take him but before he's sent back, we need to get the arrow out. He'd no be able to explain it.” Zarik said.

             
Trystan smiled at Tsarina and knew he needed to set things right with Zarik. “Tsarina, I am sorry about not liking your match. You are right. I've pushed my will and over protectiveness on you for far too long.” He watched as his sister burst into tears all over again. “Zarik, I fully expect you to take over where I left off. Take care of my sister.”

             
“With my last breath.” Zarik had the words out without thought and knew he meant them.

             
“I'd rather die here, Tsarina.” Trystan didn't want to go back through the stones.

             
“No. I know I can't be with you. But I'd be happier to have you alive in another time, rather than dead in the one I'm in. I will still know you are alive, Trystan. Please don't be stupid. Argus will send you back.” When Trystan looked like he may argue more, Tsarina pressed on. “Please. Do it for me.”

             
Trystan managed a nod before passing out.

**

              It had been three days since Tsarina had watched Argus send her brother back to the place they both belonged in. No. She was lying to herself. She did belong here.

             
Tsarina had also watched the burial for Niall. Her heart broke a thousand times over, feeling as though she had lost her father all over again. Then it broke a thousand times over again, feeling the pain, loss and suffering that Zarik would not allow himself to feel.

Epilogue

Present Day

              Trystan missed his sister, but felt in his heart that she was finally happy. He had worried having to explain his absence to everyone and the fact that she'd stillnot been found. Luckily, it seemed to just be forgotten. It angered him, to a point. But then he realized this must be how magic worked. After all, if she was set back in time, she couldn't possibly exist in both time periods.

             
He and Tsarina's best friend, Karlee seem to be the ones that miss and remember her. There must be a reason she persists when no one else did.

             
Maybe it was time to take another trip to Scotland and see if he could see his difficult sister one more time.

Scotland

              Tsarina smiled at the picnic lunch her and Zarik had snuck off for by the loch. It was their first anniversary. Had it really already been a year?

             
Once she realized that Zarik did love her, albeit in his own way, she became happier than she'd ever been. Once in a while she thought of her brother, but somewhere inside, she knew he survived.

             
Stretching out beside her, Zarik rubbed her ever growing stomach. “Not too much longer, aye? Our son will be here in no time.”

             
“And what if it's a girl?”

             
“I shall love her as well, but dinnae be giving her any crazy ideas. She'll no be playing with swords.”

             
“Would you not want her to be able to defend herself?”

             
Zarik knew there was no way to save himself from this argument. Instead he decided to tell her what he'd known for a very long time – in words she could understand. “Tsarina,” he waited until her eyes met his, “I love ye, lass. I have for a verra long time.”

             
Tsarina everything was going to be perfect. He'd finally spoken the words she'd longed to hear.