Redeeming Vows (15 page)

Unaffected, the Scot quickly lifted his bow and split his fruit in two.

A round of boasting commenced, along with a rash of quiet betting behind her.

Both boys stepped several yards back while the younger boy set up two more pieces of fruit.

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With each pass, and each arrow aiming true, Tatiana found herself cheering secretly for the darker haired boy, with an accent matching her own, to win.

Two more rounds and the crowd hushed while the boys laid aim.

She held her breath when the English boy wiped the sweat from his brow. His hand flinched just before he let his arrow fly. Before the arrow reached its destination, Tatiana knew he’d missed his mark.

His friends went silent.

The kilted lad raised a brow and nodded his head. “’Tis a long distance,” he said. “One very difficult to make.”

Warmth swept over her and a smile fixed to her lips. The Scot narrowed one eye and peered over his bow. When the arrow whipped through the air, Tatiana saw it reaching toward the heart of the fruit.

The arrow severed the apple and the crowd cheered. The winner quickly found himself surrounded by others.

“Cian. You did it!”

In that second, her smile fell and her heart split in two.

The younger boy who’d placed the fruit rushed to his friend and patted him on his back.

“Did you ever doubt me?”

Tatiana stood frozen in place. The victor had to be Cian MacCoinnich. He used words much like the English, yet he was clearly a Scot. The boy to his side, his friend, held an accent all to his own.

Simon.

She felt suddenly sick. Turning, Tatiana pushed through the crowd until she found a clearing and felt well enough to breathe. The sun overhead heated her skin, adding to her discomfort. This wasn’t right.

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She ran her fingers over the back of her neck and willed her heart to stop racing. The urge to run closed in on her, fast.

“Are ye well, miss?”

A voice startled her into a spin and straight into the face of Cian, the youngest MacCoinnich male.

“Aye, I am,” she managed. Yet she wasn’t. She was anything but well.

“I noticed ye ran from the crowd. Did my winning the match bring ye such grief?” Cian leaned closer.

If he meant his smile to put her at ease, it worked.

“Nay. Ye are a marvelous marksman. I felt in need of water is all.”

Cian reached to his side, pulled up a flask, and offered it to her. “Here.”

Hesitant, Tatiana reached for his offering and brought the drink to her lips. It cooled her dry throat. “Much thanks.”

Cian plugged the flask. “My name is Cian.”

“I’m Tatiana.”

Cian reached for her hand and slowly brought the back to his lips.

She had to stop the sob from reaching her throat. No one had ever touched her with such tenderness. She knew her cheeks warmed, but couldn’t stop it from showing any more than she could erase the reason she was by his side.

“I’ve not seen ye in these parts before.”

“I’ve just arrived.”

Cian stood taller, and let her hand go. “Mayhap ye’ll let me show ye around?”

Her lips fell. She hadn’t expected Cian to be so kind. So handsome. Equal parts of her wanted to run away and follow. Instead, she stood, too petrified to move.

Luckily, a girl ran in his direction, her skirt 125

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nearly at her knees.

Cain swiveled and caught her in his arms.

Concern marred his face.

“Cian, come!”

“What is it, Amber?”

The girl stared up at the sky, not seeing what stood before her, and said, “She’s here.”

The air rushed from Tatiana’s lungs. Her head pivoted toward the trees, searching.

Cian grasped the girl’s hand, his smile sunk to the lower depths of the earth.

“Are you sure?”

“Aye.”

He glanced toward Tatiana. Sadness filled his eyes. “I need to go.”

Tatiana nodded and watched as Cian ran with his sister’s hand in his.

Above, a seagull cried.

Tatiana turned toward the sound and walked quietly into the cover of trees.

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Cian and Amber fell into the tent on a full run.

Liz shot to her feet. “What is it?”

“Grainna.”

“Where?” Myra stood beside Tara and Lora.

Liz franticly searched behind Amber. “Where’s Simon?” Her heart leapt in her throat. The three of them were always together. Where was her son?

Why wasn’t he with them?

“He ran off with Fin and Todd.”

Lora placed a calming hand on her shoulder, focusing her. “Where is Grainna?”

Amber shook her head. “I don’t know. I felt her.”

“Where did you feel her?”

“Everywhere. ’Twas like she hovered over the camp.”

Myra slid her arm over her sister’s shoulder. “Ye didn’t see her?”

“Nay. But she was here.”

“Was? She’s gone now?” Liz realized she held her shoulders tight, her hands clenched at her side.

Get a grip, she told herself.

Liz tuned the talking in the room out and attempted to find her son.
Simon? Can you hear me?

Nothing.

He’d been out of her head since she’d scolded him for peeking into her thoughts. She started to panic all over again.

Simon?

“Lizzy, what is it?”

“I can’t hear him.”

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“Who?”

“Simon,” she snapped. “I can’t reach him.” She tapped her head so the others knew what she meant.

“Can you reach Ian?”

Lora paused for a moment, then nodded. “Aye, he’s on his way here now with Duncan.”

“Simon’s not with them?”

Amber stepped forward. “Fin, Todd, and Simon were alone.”

Liz smoothed a hand over her hair bound in a snood.
Simon? Dammit, where are you?

Nothing.

Tears stung the back of her eyes. Flashes of Grainna holding her son to her side and laughing grabbed hold of her head and repeated over and over.
Not again.

“Fin and Todd wouldn’t allow anything to happen to Simon.” Myra’s smooth voice of reason reached her thoughts.

“We need to find them.”

They started toward the doorway and were intercepted by Ian and Duncan.

Lora explained the situation quickly.

Ian lent a reassuring smile. “Calm yourself, lass.

Duncan and I’ll search for them.”

Liz stepped forward. “I’m going with you.” There was no way in hell she’d wait behind.

Ian appeared ready to argue, and then nodded once. “Verra well.” He turned to his wife. “Let us know if they return here.”

She smiled. “Be safe.”

Ian winked before the three of them headed out.

The masses of people swam before them, laughing and carrying on as if not having a care in the world. Somewhere, deep inside her, Liz knew they didn’t have a clue about Grainna, or the danger she posed.

One of the MacTavish sons smiled as they 128

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approached his party.

“Laird Ian, Duncan… ye look to be on a mission.”

“Searching for Finlay and Todd. Have ye seen them?” Duncan asked. On any other day, Liz would be annoyed that the men overlooked her. Even her son was omitted from their search.

“Not for some time. Is anything amiss?”

“Nay,” Ian added quickly.

Liz seethed quietly. She wanted to correct him and strengthen their search by using all the people there to look.

“If they come this way I’ll let them know yer looking for them.”

Duncan thanked him.

“Why not let him help search?” Liz asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

“Lass, ye know we can’t do that. If…” Ian paused and glanced to the sky. “If
she
is found with them, ye know what we’ll be in need of doing.”

Oh, God. Her hands shook violently now.

Memories of Simon’s abduction by Grainna and now dead accomplice Michael, seized her. Simon stood in the circle of stones. Michael held a knife to his throat. The knife pushed into his flesh.

“Elizabeth.” Ian sounded like Fin.

“I’m okay.” She pushed past him. “Come on.”

They found the outskirts of camp and started toward the back of the keep.

Where are you, Simon.

Liz stopped, pivoted. She heard something.

Simon?

“What is it, lass?” Ian asked.

“Shhh!” She closed her eyes and attempted to block out the sound of nearby people.
Simon? Can
you hear me?

Mom?

Her knees gave out. Ian kept her from falling.

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“Where are you?” she said the words aloud for Ian and Duncan’s benefit.

We’re… the…

Liz couldn’t make out his words. And he sounded strange.

Simon?

The next time he spoke, she heard the words
woods
and
ocean
. Her brief reprieve from hearing his voice gave way to another worry. Why did she have trouble hearing him?

“I’m having a hard time hearing him. He said something about the woods by the ocean.”

They turned in that direction and quickened their pace. The crowd thinned out the closer they came to the woods.

Where are you?

You’re getting closer
, he said, his words clearing in her head.

How did he know where they were?
Can you
hear us?

Not exactly
.

Is everything okay? Are Fin and Todd with you?

Something wasn’t right.

Fin and Todd are right here.

“This way.” She pushed through the brush, toward her son’s voice. Ian and Duncan kept close.

Movement caught her eye and had her picking up her skirt to move faster.

Todd came into her view first. His face turned toward hers. He acknowledged her with a nod and turned his attention back behind him.

Fin knelt beside a large gray wolf, his hand resting on top of its head.

“Where’s Simon?” He wasn’t anywhere around.

“Simon?” Liz yelled aloud.

Ahh, I’m right here, Mom.

Her eyes widened and her gaze fell to the four-legged animal who sat next to Fin. “Ohmygod.” She 130

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ran to his side, skidded to a halt, and pushed Fin aside. “What did you let him do?”

“Calm down, Elizabeth,” Fin told her, knowing she wasn’t going to do well with the new change with her son.

“Calm down? You’re telling me to calm down?”

she yelled. “We’ve been looking for you guys for nearly an hour. And didn’t Ian tell us to not do this?”

She waved her hand toward her son.

“That I did,” Ian chimed in, pissed off.

“See? Even Ian’s mad.”

Fin eyed his father and opened his mouth to explain.

“Stay out of this, Simon,” Liz scolded her son who obviously was talking in his head. “No
but
Moms
. Change back and let’s get you back to camp.”

This wasn’t going to be good
.
Fin waited for Lizzy to explode.

“What?” Liz turned her deadly stare Fin’s way.

“He’s having a hard time shifting back.” Which was why they were still in the woods.

Liz’s hands flew to her face. “No. Oh, God no.”

“Relax.” Wrong word. Fin knew it before he even closed his lips.

“Don’t tell me to relax.” She took Simon’s furry head in both her hands and petted the top of his ears. “Are you okay?”

Fin felt the pressure of Simon’s inability to shift back start to ease. Without being able to talk with the boy, he didn’t exactly know what stopped him from turning back. Now that Lizzy was there, maybe they could figure it out.

“I’m not mad,” she told him.

Duncan leaned down. “We didn’t know where you were and your mom was frightened.”

Fin noticed his father staring his way. He stepped over and let Liz talk with her son.

“It isn’t how it looks,” Fin told him.

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More patient than he would be, Ian crossed his arms over his chest and said nothing. Fin turned to Todd. “Why don’t you and Duncan keep an eye out for others?”

“Good idea,” said Todd.

By the time Duncan and Todd stepped out of sight, Liz spoke to her son completely inside her head. Every once in a while she’d glare Fin’s way and then turn her attention back to her son. After a few minutes, Fin couldn’t take any more. “What is he saying?”

“He doesn’t know why he can’t change back.”

“Why did he change in the first place?” Ian’s loud baritone voice left little doubt to his anger.

Lizzy quickly waved her hand at Ian behind her back, and she attempted to sooth Simon. “No, honey, he isn’t angry. Just try and relax. You can switch back.”

Ian stopped asking questions.

Simon closed his wolfish eyes.

Fin held his breath and prayed the boy would change back.

“Remember your legs, your arms. Think of being—” Liz didn’t have a chance to finish her sentence. Simon transformed out of the shift in only a few seconds. He stood on the ground, naked and quickly covered his genitals.

Liz gasped and gathered Simon in her arms despite his protest about being naked.

Fin’s heart lifted. Relief flooded him.

Ian picked up Simon’s clothing at his feet and brought it to him. “Well done, son. Now hurry with these.”

“I’m sorry.” Simon’s voice sounded small.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Fin reminded him.

“You’ve nothing to be sorry for.”

Simon lifted a leg and dressed swiftly.

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sniffle and knew she did her best to hide her tears.

Once Simon was dressed Fin said, “Father, could you take Simon back to camp? I’d like a word with Elizabeth alone.”

Ian clasped Simon around his shoulders. “Come, the rest of the family is anxious to see you.”

Simon smiled. “I didn’t mean to worry everyone.”

“Yer well. ’Tis all that matters.”

Simon turned to his mom. “Are you okay, Mom?”

Lizzy pivoted and sent him her most endearing smile. “I love you, sport. We’re good.”