Page 22 of Shaw

As Connal started to reply Julianne stepped forward, but did not hold out her hand.

“I can’t shake or I’ll jolt you, sorry,” she said. “I’d try to curtsey, but I’ll just fall on my face, so please excuse me from that, too. I didn’t mean to scare those two boys from your settlement. No one told me you and your people were living in the bay.”

His lips twisted. “Aye, ’tis as I’ve expected. The clan guards all females who come here of late with great jealousy.”

“Not at all, your kingship,” she said quickly. “V— ah, Lady Valerie—told me Caroline had a meltdown when she got here and they told her everything upfront. They didn’t want a repeat, you know? Keeping quiet was just them trying to be nice to me.”

Her odd speech made Merrick glance at Jamaran, who gave him a nod for the lady’s benefit. At the same time the commander channeled more memories through their connection. His lover Caroline believed Julianne to be differently minded, while Nyall had told him that the lady made everyone she touched jump, some more than others. Only Shaw seemed immune to her kindling touch, his commander thought to him—and the chieftain’s mortal weakness, which set fire to any wood he touched, also went dormant when he touched this female.

She’s no’ the same as the other ladies from the future, my king, Jamaran told him through their thoughts. I cannae tell you how so, only that I sense her difference.

Merrick nodded to him. I’ve the same notion from her speech.

“Is there something you wanted to ask me?” Julianne said, glancing over at the commander. “Oh, hey, Jam.”

“My lady.” The commander bowed to her as if she belonged to the royal bloodline.

Which she could, if I convince her join us, Merrick thought. “I’ve come so we may speak on the matter of your future life. The truce between the Selseus and the clan guarantee that we may first offer you a place among us.”

“Right. The mate thing.” She smiled. “I’m totally flattered, Your Majestic Highness, but I can’t stick around in your time. I’m married in the future, and my super nasty divorce hasn’t been granted yet. My jerk-face ex has practiced forging my signature and can probably sell my parents’ farm now. He might even kill someone, burn the body and make the cops think it’s me. Anyway, thanks for asking.”

“’Tis no guarantee that you may return to your future,” Merrick reminded her. “Even if the druids permit you make use of their portal, you yet wear the ring. ’Tis likely the enchantment that brought you here shallnae permit you leave.” His gaze shifted to the laird’s second. “Then ’tis the matter of Shaw.”

Connal quickly shook his head at Merrick, while the chieftain lowered his head and made a low, uncivilized sound.

“Let’s not talk about Shaw, okay? We’re here about me,” Julianne said, extending her hand and studying the ring for a long moment. “Lark told me that she thinks all of us were brought here and given powers to help you all like somehow defend the island. Since we were picked out pretty randomly, I’m not so sure.” She wriggled the finger on which she wore the ring. “What’s your take on that? I mean, what do you think?”

“I cannae reckon another reason why the magic should bestow such powerful boons on four such gracious ladies.” He glanced at the gap in the mist barrier. “Until we repair Prince Mar’s enchantment, we’re all in great danger.”

“That’s the other thing. Not really a time for me to be joining anybody.” She tapped her finger against her luscious lips. “I think I’d be more help if I stay single, even though I’m really married already. Like I mentioned, I have a jerk-face I need to divorce before he steals my farm. Marrying one of your guys would be like bigotry.”

The way her expression changed suggested she genuinely had no love for her mate. “I’d ask you think on the offer for a time, Mistress. Among my people you should enjoy a long and privileged life. We’ve transformed females who claim a thousand years now among us. I may ask one if she’d come and speak with you about her life, so you may properly ken what I offer.”

“As long as I marry who you tell me to, and have his kid,” she said, her eyes shifting over his face. Her features lost their innocent openness, and her eyes and flesh took on a dark green tint as her voice lowered to almost a whisper. “Time is of no consequence, Merrick.”

Her change in appearance and last words bewildered him entirely. “I dinnae ken your meaning.”

“I mean women don’t have to do that kind of stuff anymore in my time,” Julianne said, looking and sounding as she had before the change. “At least, in America they don’t.”

The shifts in her voice and demeanor made his gut clench, for it was as if he’d caught a glimpse of someone completely different speaking through Julianne. One thought came to him that he could not dismiss. I cannae permit this female anywhere near my males.

A moment later the thought and his dread vanished, and with a sense of relief he bowed to her. “Much as ’tis painful for me, I accept your refusal, and thank you for listening.”

“No problem, your kingship. If you seriously want to find some ladies to join your people, you should maybe ask the women you’ve already changed. I bet they’d know some widows and girls who can’t marry mortal guys because they’re too poor or maybe not so pretty. Anyway, good luck.” She glanced at the laird. “That all I have to do, Lord C?”

“Aye, Mistress.” Connal beckoned to Shaw, who trotted through the spiraling maze until he reached them. “Would you escort the lady back to the stronghold, Chieftain? I need speak with Merrick on other matters, and shall walk with him a ways.”

“Aye, my lord.” Shaw offered Julianne his arm, and walked off toward the gates with her.

Merrick admired the lady’s grace as she left, for she moved as if made of water. Wishing he had a more persuasive argument to tempt her into joining the Selseus should have soured his temper, but he had an idea that he had just spared himself and his people much trouble. What had been that odd thing she’d said to him? Why couldn’t he remember it?

“You seem truly accepting of Mistress Scott’s decision,” Connal said to him.

“I’m occupied with forgiving you for hiding that lass from me,” he told the laird. “Although in truth I should beat you into the ground for such. Then as I think on her, mayhap ’twas a boon. My sire’s teeth, what a beauty. My males, they’d never cease bickering over her.”

“Indeed, I hadnae sought your pardon, but I thank you all the same.” As they left the center of the labyrinth the laird’s eyes never left his brother’s back. “Now I must ask you return the favor I’ve done you. I need your permission for MacLeir bring a mortal male here from the mainland. ’Tis one who shallnae remain long, but provide me with much-needed counsel.”

“I may dispel Caladh from the memory of one mortal, if I’m proper persuaded why I should,” he told him. “Who wish you consult, and why?”