The crowd stood when the next pass ended with Fin off his horse. He brushed away the dirt and favored his sword arm. He bowed and shook hands with Michael then led his mount to the side.

Michael and his horse were given time to rest before the final match with Duncan.

Tara wanted desperately to find Duncan and wish him luck and to issue a meaningless threat of great bodily harm if he didn’t win. But getting away this close to the end wasn’t possible.

Minutes ticked by which felt like hours. fair patrons came and went during the intermission, taking pictures, asking questions. Nerves kept her from saying much to the people who stopped in.

When her fingers started to tingle, she forced herself to sit down and slow her breathing. A lot of good she would do if she passed out before the match.

Tara’s mind drifted from her body. The feeling of being on the outside looking in was overwhelming.

She closed her eyes and thought of what Duncan had said earlier. If you fear anything, call on me.

What did she have to fear? Why did he say that?

She closed her eyes and brought a picture of him to her mind. Trust me. His words echoed. A few deep breaths and concentrating on his final words helped slow her speeding pulse.

When the trumpets sounded for the final round Tara felt more relaxed.

More assured.

Duncan sensed Tara’s presence in his head. From across the hordes of people he fixed her with a stare. Even from his distance, he could see her eyes were closed.

He knew she was troubled, felt her reaching out to him with her mind. He called on a power, which remained dormant until his return home. He closed his eyes and pushed words of trust toward her.

He couldn’t tell if he was successful in his efforts, but when he opened his eyes he caught Tara’s returning his stare.

Duncan led Durk to his place along the rope separating the riders His nostrils flared in anticipation of his flight. Skilled, it took only the slightest touch of Duncan’s knees to command his horse to lunge.

The horse didn’t flinch when Duncan’s lance hit his opponent.

Michael took the blow with rage. He wasn’t happy with Gwen’s orders to throw the match. He saw Tara’s ribbon clenched in Duncan’s hand and scowled. It was suppose to be him at the altar. Him in her bed!

The next pass gave Michael the triumph he wanted. His lance caught and nearly toppled Duncan. He glanced up at the maiden who held her hand to her mouth, worry etched in her features.

His gaze went beyond her to Gwen’s furious scowl. Take the fall! He heard her shout in his mind.

He played with fire for two more passes before he did as he was told and let Duncan toss him off his horse.

Tara didn’t realize she held her breath until it came out in a loud gasp. Her body nearly collapsed when she knew Duncan had in fact won the match. She watched as he accepted the pats on his back from the other riders. She almost heard the heckling he received from his brother when he clenched his arm in a greeting more suitable for medieval times.

Tara wasn’t given much time before Cassy fashioned a veil on her head and prepared her for the ceremony.

“This almost seems real, like you’re really getting married or something.” Cassy wiped her hand on her dress. “Are you nervous?”

Tara beheld Duncan’s eyes as he walked forward to claim his prize. “No.”

“Well I am.” Cassy finished the last of her wine and stepped aside.

Tara had seen this before, in her dreams. The vows she was supposed to recite were etched in her mind. She no longer feared her role. Duncan would hold her hand and help her.

Fin stood at Duncan’s side, his Gaelic words hushed so only his brother could hear them. “Watch your step, brother, something is amiss. She is letting this happen for a reason.” Duncan knew his brother was right, but what choice did he have? Tara walked toward him with outstretched hands and a radiant smile, reaching out to his soul.

Once she stopped in front of him, his worries ebbed. She glowed under the veil trailing down her long red tresses. Her full lips curved into a smile.

Her beauty was staggering.

She dropped into a deep and meaningful curtsey.

Duncan took her hand and led her to the middle of the field. A hush fell over the stands. Only the occasional sound of a baby crying could be heard.

He knew what was to happen next, not because Grainna’s man had told him, but because he had seen many ceremonies like this in his life. The only difference was Tara reciting her part first, then he was to follow.

He saw Grainna watching from the platform Cassy and Tara had left, her glare victorious.

He shuffled briefly.

“It’ll be over in a few minutes, Duncan. It isn’t like this is real or anything.” She took the cord Cassy handed to her and started. “Just repeat after me,” she whispered.

Tara took his hand in hers and started weaving the cord around it. “From the North, to the South, In the East or in the West...” she began.

Duncan and Fin froze at the same time. Her words shook them both. “Stop her,” Fin uttered in Gaelic.

“Where you go, I’ll follow. Your light will shine my way.”

The air around them changed. The force of her vow etched into them. They weren’t handfasting pledges of love and devotion, but Druid wedding vows. Once spoken, they could never be taken back.

Once spoken by one of Druid descent, they would bind you to the other person past this life and into the next.

He knew in an instant what Grainna intended.

Tara would say these vows to whoever stood before her and without the ability to stop. She would consent to that man and give Grainna the final piece of her curse.

If Tara continued saying these vows, a part of her soul would go with him when he left this century. With him gone, she would be nothing but an empty shell.

If he didn’t pledge the same to her, she would live a short life of misery. The cruelty of such a life was beyond what even he could envision.

He felt Fin’s anguish as Tara went on.

“It is my love I give you, past my dying day.” She smiled up at him.

She was putting her soul in his hands. His heart leapt with the power of her vow. He searched her trusting eyes to see if she held any doubt. Seeing only love, something he didn’t think possible, he made his choice and let her finish.

“Where two hearts beat, there is now but one.

This tie that binds us together shall never be undone.” Finished, Tara waited.

He took the dangling cord and bound his hand to hers. The air thinned. He placed her other hand in his and placed it over the other.