But when he went to cut his own hand Helen’s skin jolted. “No!”

He stopped his action and pitched his brows together.

“No. That isn’t how I did this the first or second time I went through time.” And the kids didn’t need any more stress than they already have. Even though Cian held a time traveling stone in a knife at his waist, Helen looked to Amber for help.

“You and I.”

Amber nodded.

Helen placed her palm out to take Simon’s knife from him. He handed it over and stepped back.

Biting her lip, Helen grazed the knife to her palm and let blood seep. She handed the knife to Amber and watched her do the same.

Once the knife was safely in Simon’s care, Helen grasped her hands together and then placed one directly on the necklace hanging from her neck.

Amber did the same.

Helen offered her hand to Briac at her right and Myra’s daughter Aislin at her left.

“We need fire.”

Duncan stepped up. “Allow me.”

Without as much as a wave of a hand, a ring of fire four feet tall circled them. Helen had been told Duncan’s Druid gift was fire, but she hadn’t seen the extent of it until then.

“Thank you,” she said.

Glancing at Liz for encouragement, Helen began. “In this night and in this hour, we ask the Ancients for this power. Send us now across the sea, to Mrs. Dawson if you please. May only an hour have previously past, since Simon and Helen had been there last. Keep us healthy, keep us whole, with all the children safely in tow. If the Ancients will it so, send us now and let us go.”

A large crack of lightning scraped over the night sky. A roar of turmoil raged through every nerve of Helen’s body. At the last second, she caught Simon watching her. A smile spread over his lips.

Then it fell in dread.

Nausea rippled through her body and surged to her throat.

Unlike before, this trip through time was painful.

This trip through time vanished mid-flight.

* * * *

When the world settled, Simon heard someone scream.

Helen and Amber were both crumpled on the ground in Mrs. Dawson’s backyard. Simon lurched to Helen’s side while Liz and Cian went to Amber.

She breathed, thank God.

“What happened?”

“I think they fainted,” Cian replied.

“Simon? Simon is that you?” Mrs. Dawson called from the back stoop of her home.

“Aye. ’Tis me.”

“Looks like you brought the whole clan.”

Yeah, he had.

Helen wake up. The longer she lay there motionless, the harder his stomach dropped.

He scooped her into his arms and walked into the house. Behind him, Cian held Amber while the others followed.

“Is that my Helen?”

Simon avoided saying the obvious. Mrs. Dawson’s frantic voice caused his heart to skip a beat.

Amber stirred once Cian placed her on Mrs. Dawson’s sofa. “Amber?” Liz called to her.

Simon met Cian’s gaze. “Did you help her wake?”

“Nay.”

Simon placed a hand to Helen’s cheek, coaxing her to come around. “Come on, Helen. Your turn, lass.”

Someone handed him a cool washcloth, which he placed on Helen’s head. When her eyes twitched and started to open, he let out a shuddering breath.

“W-Where…?”

“We’ve made it. Mrs. Dawson is here.”

“Is she okay?” Mrs. Dawson asked.

Helen started to move her limbs.

“She’s fine.”

Simon helped Helen sit up, his arm around her back for support. “Does anything hurt?”

“No. I think I passed out.”

“You and Amber both.”

Helen looked beyond him to Amber, who offered them both a wan smile.

Fiona, Tara and Duncan’s daughter, offered an explanation. “I think the burden of too many people at once is the reason, Simon.”

Helen shook the fog from her brain. “I think she’s right,” she added. “Next time we go a couple at a time.”

“I’ll put on some coffee. It looks like you all can use it.”

“Thanks,” Helen told Mrs. Dawson.

“We’re sorry to have invaded as we have,” Simon told Mrs. Dawson as she walked from the living room.

“I’m sure you have your reasons. I look forward to hearing them. I’m simply happy to see you back. After the first couple of days I started to lose hope I’d ever see you again.”

Helen grasped Simon’s arm. “The first couple of days?”

“You’ve been gone over two weeks, sweetheart.”

“But I thought you said we could pick a time to come back?” Helen’s pleading gaze met Simon’s.

“I thought we could.”

“Apparently the Ancients didn’t want us returning when you desired.”

“What about Philip?”

“Don’t worry about him now.”

Mrs. Dawson walked back in the room smiling. “I suppose I should find rooms for all of you.”

“Oh, Mrs. Dawson I’m sorry. We had no choice.” Helen stood, but Simon held onto her arm in case her head wasn’t completely recovered.

Mrs. Dawson smiled at Helen. “You look lovely. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress, much less one so grand.”

Helen laughed. “It’s all the rage in Scotland.”

“Your hospitality would be greatly appreciated, lass.”

Mrs. Dawson’s cheeks grew rosy. “How could I refuse? My home is yours. Always. I don’t think I have enough beds.”

“Don’t worry about that. We’ll make do,” Liz stepped forward. “I’m Liz, Simon’s mom.”

“Sorry,” Simon offered his mother. “Let me introduce everyone.” He started with the adults and made his way through the children, most of whom were busy looking around the room and mumbling to each other.

Mrs. Dawson greeted everyone with grace, her lips always in a smile. She did seem happy to have her home filled with people. For that Simon was thankful.

Even with the excitement of the evening, the youngest children were fading. Helen offered to show the kids where to sleep and left the room with Mrs. Dawson and the women.

Cian stayed behind and milled about the room. “So this is your time?”

“I guess you could say that. With all of you here, it feels more like my time. Last month I wouldn’t have said the same.”

Cian ran his hand along a lamp. “Electricity?”