Page 53 of Connal

Now she didn’t bother to hide her disgust. “If they’re so dangerous, why do you keep them?”

“No’ all prove deadly.” He took out a third specimen, which looked like a simple bracelet of amber beads. “If I may?”

With some misgivings Valerie held out her wrist, around which Duncan tied the bracelet. It then began to slowly turn around her wrist, the beads taking on a subtle glow. “That’s all it does? I’m not going to turn into a frog?”

“’Tis but a pretty bauble that alights and moves against the skin, mayhap fashioned for a maiden by her Fae lover.” He removed the bracelet. “Or made with the intent to seduce a mortal. I cannae say.”

After he closed the cabinet he made her headache potion, which she drank down all at once with a grimace.

“My brain thanks you.” She covered her mouth to stop a yawn. “Did you know about the druids offering to help me?”

Duncan shook his head. “The laird, he’s no’ yet sent a message to the tribe in Aberdeen.”

“Oh, he sent one, and got an answer.” She considered showing him the parchment Nyall had given her, but he might take it from her, and she needed to show it to the Finfolk commander. “They want me to come to them so they can examine the ring, and see if the enchantment that brought me here works both ways. They also mentioned that if it doesn’t, they might have an alternative method to send me back.” She forced a smile. “Only I can’t leave the island.”

The healer dragged a hand over the back of his head. “Blind me.”

“Yep. That’s why I’m flushed and angry and have a headache––or I did. Thanks for the prescription.” She headed toward the door, and then hesitated. “Duncan, talk to Fletcher and see if he can get you an assistant. Someone who wants to learn about healing, who can handle the patients for you. You shouldn’t have to lock up your pain in that cabinet.”

Chapter Seventeen

At noon Valerie slipped out of the stronghold through the back gate Nyall had left open, and followed his directions to a cove on the far end of the bay. Although she didn’t make it obvious that she was sneaking out of the castle, she tried not to draw attention to herself. As she approached the spot, she suddenly wondered if she was actually being set up for something entirely different, and stopped just short of the embankment.

“He wouldn’t have his best friend kill me.” She nodded in agreement with herself. “No, he’s too proud. He’d kill me himself.”

Sitting down on a flat-topped rock, Valerie tried to look calm and at ease. Being nervous might scare off the Finfolk commander, and then she’d never get off the island.

Water sloshed toward her, and then a tall, white-haired man rose out of the cove. He looked like a paler version of Nyall, with a matching height and build and the exact same stern expression. He also didn’t look too happy to be summoned to this meeting, making her wonder if Nyall really knew his best friend all that well.

“Mistress.” He ducked his head. “The captain said you wished speak with me.”

“Yes. I’m sorry to pull you away from, ah, commanding the garrison.” She smiled. “Okay, here’s my problem. I need someone to take me to the mainland to meet some druids. Apparently they might have a way to return me to my time.” She produced the scroll Connal had tried to hide from her. “Can you read this?”

Jamaran nodded, and took the parchment from her to unroll it. After looking over the message he frowned at her. “’Tis truth, what they claim?”

“Duncan told Nyall that it is, and I trust them.” She didn’t have the same confidence in the commander, but Nyall had vouched for him, and the captain wanted her off the island more than anyone else. “Also, I can’t stay here and start a war between your people and the clan.”

“You could wed the laird,” he pointed out.

“Do you want to marry me?” As he took a step back she chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m just trying to make a point.”

“I cannae take you as a mate, Mistress,” Jamaran said. “I’m no’ Selseus by birth, and I’ve no power to transform you. Nor do I desire a wife.”

“Exactly. That’s how I am about marrying Connal.” She glanced back toward Dun Ard. “He doesn’t really want me, either, other than as a playmate. This is something that’s been brewing between him and Merrick long before I got here. He also lost his wife the last time he allowed a woman to go to the mainland, and he never got over it. That’s why he doesn’t want me to leave Caladh. He thinks history is going to repeat itself.”

“I see.” Jamaran thought for a moment. “Why didnae you ask Nyall help you?”

“The laird issued orders to the clan to keep me on the island, and he’s not willing to disobey him.” Valerie grimaced. “I need someone who isn’t a MacMar to get me out of here. The captain said I could count on you.”

He looked over her as if he wasn’t sure who she was now. “You’re very trusting of a stranger.”

“You mean, you could take me far out to sea, and knock me out before you dumped me in the water to drown,” she guessed, nodding. “Nyall said the Vikings did something like that to you after you freed Merrick. Are you that vicious, Commander?”

“No.” He sat down on the embankment, resting his elbows on his knees. When she perched beside him he said, “I shall take you, but I cannae remain at your side, nor bring you back. If the druids’ magics fail, then you must remain with their tribe, and make your life among them. ’Tis acceptable to you, then?”

“That’s my Plan B.” She gave him a sideways glance. “What will Merrick do if he finds out you were the one who smuggled me off the island?”

“He shallnae reward me,” Jamaran said drily. “Dinnae fret. The king’s fond of me. Even when ’tis discovered, he shall show me mercy.” He picked up a stone and tossed it in the water. “You’ve decided ’tis what you desire? You’re certain ’tis no other course you may take?”