Redeeming Vows (9 page)

The candle sparked to life. Her eyes flew to another. It too started to glow.

Surprisingly, her thoughts weren’t of despair or disapproval so much as irritation over his control.

Control over her.

She’d had no control and at the time didn’t care that he took it all. What was wrong with her? She should be horrified with her submissive body, but she wasn’t. She should be raging war over who had the better control over their bodies, but she couldn’t.

She inched up the wall, slimmed her skirts over her frame, and pictured Fin’s hands on her again.

****

Between the extra eyes and the continued attention of Logan, Liz relished the opportunity of escape to the cottage with Simon. However, Fin made certain his presence was in the mix. Only this time, Ian would join them, eliminating Liz’s opportunity of revenge on Fin.

“Do you know of our history, lass? Of what Scotland will endure over the years?”

They were still over a mile from their destination when Ian started posing his questions.

“No, not really. There were a few movies about 69

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Scotland. I do know that the kilts get shorter.”

“Ahh, yes. Duncan and Fin said as much from their travels in your time.”

“Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t follow your meaning, lass.”

Liz lifted her lips in a smile. “Well, you sent Duncan and Fin ahead in time…”

“The Ancients told us to send them.”

“Either way, they went ahead in time, learned that their clothing didn’t fit the image my generation assumed of them and their dress altered because of it. Makes you wonder if the reason kilts shortened is because of Duncan and Fin going forward in time.”

Ian’s brows pinched in thought. “Time travel holds many responsibilities. ’Tis why we were concerned when you came with Myra.”

So many months ago when she’d forced Myra to bring her and Simon to visit Tara after Liz learned the truth about her sister’s disappearance. Fin didn’t welcome her at all, Ian only marginally.

“I think the Ancients wanted Simon and me here.”

Ian nodded. “Agreed.”

“Will we bring the stones with us when we travel?”

“I’ve considered that. Leaving them poses a threat, so does taking them. If either results in Grainna obtaining them, the consequences could be devastating.”

“Maybe we should take one, leave one, and hide the other,” Simon suggested.

Ian slid into a rare smile. “You know, lad, your astute wisdom will take you far.”

Simon sat straighter in his saddle with Ian’s praise. Liz’s heart lifted when her son’s smile beamed. The MacCoinnichs were a good influence on him. “Where do you suggest we hide it in the keep?”

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Fin asked Simon, further widening his grin.

Before answering, he appeared to consider all the options. “Well, I don’t think it needs to be in any kind of safe, or under a bed. If I were Grainna that would be the first place I’d look. I’d hide them in plain sight. You know, a paperweight on a desk or something simple like that.”

Liz thought back on the silly craft projects she’d put together in the mindless hours of entertaining the kids at the daycare. “We could always paint one with dye and make it look like a Father’s Day gift from Amber.”

“Oh, yeah. I remember painting a face on a rock and giving it to you, Mom. You called it a pet rock.”

Liz laughed. “Yeah, I did.” She’d kept that rock nestled into the far reaches of her nightstand in her apartment. Of course, her apartment was most likely turned back over to the landlord by now, her belongings sold to make up for lost rent. She and Simon were probably on some missing person’s list along with Todd and Tara. Returning now would result in countless questions and explanations.

They neared the cabin and went through the ritual of setting the horses to graze while opening up the shelter. Without another woman in their company, Liz felt a little awkward stripping down to her usual shorts and T-shirt and opted to stay in her full-length dress. Ian’s propriety really didn’t allow for twenty-first century clothing anyway.

Then there was Fin.

They didn’t breathe a word of their encounter.

But images of him flooded her mind constantly.

Branding her. Even now, he glanced her way long enough for Liz to feel his eyes on her before skirting his gaze in the opposite direction. He thought he was being coy. She knew better.

“Shall we try the fireballs again?” Fin asked once everything settled.

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Liz caught Simon out of the corner of her eye, his shoulders fell with Fin’s suggestion. He wanted to try shifting again. He kept the words from his mind and therefore didn’t tell her his desires directly, but she knew he wanted to. On the same level, Fin appeared to be putting off the inevitable.

Probably because of how she’d reacted to Simon’s change the last time.

“I’d rather work with Simon.”

“Are you sure?”

Liz took a deep breath and one firm nod. “Yes.”

Although her pulse climbed, it wasn’t like before.

Ian stepped in and placed a hand on Simon’s shoulder. “If you do change, Simon, don’t fly farther than that branch there.” He pointed to a nearby tree, its first sturdy branch no more than twelve feet from the ground. “If you were to change back outside of your will, a longer fall could be quite painful.”

Liz hadn’t thought of that. From the expression on Simon’s face, neither had he.

“Good point.”

Ian stood back.

Fin took a position beside her. Although they had an unresolved battle to fight, now wasn’t the time. All eyes centered on her son.

Simon removed his shirt and closed his eyes before opened his arms wide. Small mumbled whispers trickled out from his lips. His thoughts sang in her head.
I’m a bird. Big and powerful. My
talons stretch and want to claw into the top of that
tree.
Liz’s gaze drifted to the top of the tree. It was forty feet high. She must have flinched because both Ian and Fin rested a hand on her arm in reassurance.

When she glanced back at Simon, she felt his hesitation, his concern for her.

You can do this, Simon. Your big, powerful with
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wings the size of an airplane. You can do this!

He stood taller and started over.

Liz chanted with him. His neck bubbled as it had before. A mirage blurred in front of her eyes as Simon moved his arms like that of a bird, feathers sprang forth and then disappeared.

He tried again.

Fin’s grip on her arm tightened. Concerned, but saying nothing.

Simon chanted again and everyone held their breath.

As the skin on his back bubbled, Liz coaxed him again.
Let go and become the bird.

And he did.

One minute he stood there, then the rest of his form shifted, morphed into that of the falcon he wanted to be. His pants fell from his taloned feet and pooled where he once stood. For a brief second, Simon simply stood there as a bird. Then, without warning, he let out a screech, spread his wings, and took flight.

“Oh my God.” Liz leapt to follow him fearful he couldn’t hear or understand her. Ian’s arm slipped from hers, but Fin held tight, grasping her fingers.

Simon whirled above her head, Liz was desperate to catch him.

“God’s teeth, Lizzy, what are you doing?”

She looked over at Fin who yelled his question.

Only he was below her by a foot, his hand still managing to hold onto her hand. Dear lord, she hovered in mid air. Just as all the sisters did when they came together in a circle.

In a flash, all thoughts of Simon disappeared, her concern shifted. She fell to the ground and stumbled to her knees.

Are you all right?

“I’m fine,” she cried before realizing Simon posed the question in her head. “You can hear me?”

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Oh, man this is so friggin’ awesome, Mom. Wow!

Simon swooped down and back up again.

“Is Simon talking to you?” Ian asked.

“Yes. Thank God!”

Fin’s eyes skirted away from her, but only briefly. “Ask him how he feels.”

I feel great. I can see everything from up here.

“He’s fine. Excited to be flying.”

“You understand us?” Ian turned in a circle, keeping Simon in sight.

Simon answered in a squawk before landing on the designated perch.

Can I go higher, Mom?

“Please don’t, Simon. I know you’re excited but let’s play this safe.”

Okay.

His lack of an argument surprised her.

I did it.

“You did it.”

Fin helped her to her feet and held her arm.

“Is your vision sharper, Simon?”

Simon peered toward the stream and back to them.
Oh, yeah.
He took off again, aiming toward something just above the water. He swooped down, caught a large fish, and returned.
Lunch is on me.

Liz started to laugh. Ian clapped his hands together one time and cheered.

“I can’t believe it.”

Simon flew over to a fallen log before hopping to the ground.
I’m gonna try and change back.

“Good idea.” Liz told the others his intentions.

Her son’s voice echoed but only twice.
I’m
human again. With legs to run with and hands and
feet.
His change back came quickly. Had she blinked, Liz would have missed it. But she hadn’t. His pink skin glistened as if the feathers had never been there. He was whole.

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Liz started running toward him before he cried in horror, “Mom, stop looking! I’m naked!”

She scrambled to a stop and turned her back to him. His delicate teenage modesty needed some privacy. She had to laugh. Her son had shifted into a bird, flew into the trees, caught a fish with talons and not a pole, and now stood worried that she’d see his private parts. Parts she’d diapered and bathed too many times to count.

She laughed harder.

Her pulse returned to normal while she listened to her son gathering his clothes and putting them on. He did it. Really did it. The possibility held nothing to the reality.

Simon, her son, was a shifter.

“Okay, you can look now.”

His smile reached to the far corners of his eyes.

Fin clasped his back beaming with pride.

“It was amazing up there, Mom.”

“I’ll bet. How did your body feel?”

Simon cocked his head to the side. “Normal, I guess. I didn’t really think about it once I changed.”

Simon put a hand to his stomach. “I’m starving. Are we gonna eat that fish?”

“We just got here.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t like sushi.”

Simon walked over to the small ring of rocks and tossed his hands toward the half-burnt logs.

Inside a large flame leapt to life. He stepped back to avoid the fire reaching toward his long hair.

“Wow. I didn’t mean for it to be so big.”

Ian tossed the fish to Simon. It slipped through his fingers a few times before he caught hold of it.

“Once your true gift is realized, your others enhance.

Be careful in everything you do.”

Simon nodded.

Ian helped Simon with the dead fish while she stared on.

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“What happened back there?” Fin whispered in her ear, his breath a warm caress on her neck.

Liz glanced over her shoulder. “I don’t know.”

“You were hovering above the ground. Your hand tugged against mine. Had I let go, you might have flown as high as Simon.”

A chill shot to her head. “I’m sure it’s a fluke. I didn’t try to make it happen.” Even as the words left her mouth, Liz knew they were only half-true. She hadn’t tried, but it wasn’t a fluke. Just as Simon said morphing into an animal felt normal, so had hovering above the ground.

Fin grunted in disbelief. “I think not.”

“Still, I don’t think I could repeat it.”

“Perhaps you should try.”

“Not today. Today is for Simon.”

Ian laughed at something Simon said before placing the fish on the fire.

“He did well.” Fin stepped in, placed a hand on her back.

She flinched on impulse.

“I won’t hurt you.” Fin rested his hand more firmly, his fingers fanned out to small of her back.

When her knees weakened, Fin chuckled.

Liz scrambled away from his arm and rounded on him, angry with herself for her feminine desire, angry with him for his candor.

“Listen,” she hissed. “I say when and where if I want to be touched.”

“Really?” Fin’s hand fell, his brow lifted in amusement.

“Really!”

“So you did want my touch the other day.”

Oh God, yes. “No. Yes.”

“Which is it, Elizabeth?”

His cocky smile infuriated her. Damn him. “I have needs too, Fin. Only I say who has the right to fulfill them.”

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His smile fell. Confusion passed over his face.

“’Tis Logan you wanted?”

Liz rolled her eyes and held in her instant denial. The longer she said nothing, the angrier he became.

Satisfaction at his obvious discomfort kept her smiling.

“Well? Is it?”

Watching his body tense nearly had her laughing. When she turned to walk away, Fin caught her arm in his firm grip.

“I asked you a question.”

Trying not to call attention of them, Liz grasped his hand and squeezed. “The next time you touch me…
if
you touch me, it will be when I choose.”

“Hey, Mom? Come here,” Simon called from the fire pit.

Fin let her arm go but kept her eyes glued to his. “’Tisn’t
if
, lass. ’Tis when.”

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“They’re traveling?”

“’Tis what I see.”

Grainna slid a wicked grin over her lips. “Where do they head?”