His look was direct, his eyes unquestioning.

Tara waited for him to speak. Her lips twitched slightly, anticipating.

When he did, it was as if they were the only two standing in the crowd of hundreds.

“From the North, to the South, in the East or in the West. Where you go I will follow, your light will shine my way. It is my love I give you, past my dying day.” The air stirred. “Where two hearts beat, there is now but one. This tie that binds us together shall never be undone.”

Lightning over a clear sky cracked, startling the crowd. The rope turned warm and glowed. His body shuddered as part of his very essence soared away from him and into her. If not for Duncan’s hold, Tara would have fallen to the ground as the effect hit her.

It is okay, trust me. Everything will be fine, Duncan pushed his thoughts to her without moving his lips.

He lifted her veil and watched her eyes turn smoky as he bent down. Another burst of lightning pounded the sky when their lips met.

Their kiss was no mere meeting of lips, but one that charged the depths of their being. She sighed into his mouth as he pulled her into his arms.

Knowing their lives were forever changed.

The men took Duncan aside and helped him remove his armor. Fin questioned him in Gaelic. In turn, Tara was surrounded by women who removed her veil and groomed her hair.

Cassy, caught up in it all, took pictures, and brushed away foolish tears.

Gwen came out of the crowd and approached them all with an extra gleam in her eyes. “Perfect,”

she boasted. “Everything was perfect. How do you feel, Lady Tara?” Gwen’s amulet caught her attention and provoked her thoughts.

Tara envisioned Duncan again, this time they were deep in a passionate embrace. “I feel wonderful,” she confessed.

“Magnificent, exactly what I want to hear.

Remember, tonight is for fantasy, tomorrow your life returns to normal.” Abruptly she turned and clapped her hands, gaining the notice of the crowd. “Let the celebrations commence.” ****

The dining area had been transformed with hundreds of candles flickering in the setting sun.

Tables were lavishly set with flowers befitting the occasion.

A hand placed on her arm sparked. Tara knew it was him before she turned. They had only been apart for a short while. So why did it seemed so much longer?

No matter, she thought. They were together now. Music started, Duncan took her to the dance floor. They said nothing at first.

“Come home with me, Tara.”

His request would have shocked her had it come twenty-four hours earlier. Somehow, it didn’t now.

“You would love my land and the people in it.”

“I would love to visit Scotland,” she told him.

“Winter break will be here before you know it. I’ll have to apply for a Visa, and I don’t have a passport.”

“If I could take you there tonight, without all those things, would you come with me?”

“Tonight?” She shook her head. “That isn’t possible. Besides, classes start up next week.”

Tara saw his rebuttal on his lips, but instead of talking, he kissed her.

Within seconds, her brain swam in a sea of Duncan. Come with me tonight.

She broke off their kiss, thinking she heard him.

“Stay in L.A. for a while. I’m sure you can change your flight home.”

“We need to leave tonight.”

“Would you leave without me?” She paused in her dance.

“I’ll beg you to come.”

His tone had changed, his body tensed.

Yes! I’ll come with you. Tara visibly saw him relax, even though she hadn’t said the words aloud.

Her hair stood up, and a shiver went down her back.

Oh my God! You can hear me.

“Aye, love, I can.”

Blood rushed from her head, and breathing became an effort. She started seeing stars as the oxygen was sucked from the cells in her brain.

Nay, now none of that! Duncan held her with a firmer grip to keep her from falling as they danced.

I’m going crazy.

Then I am crazy, too.

How?

“’Tis difficult to explain,” he said aloud for her to hear.

“Try,” she demanded.

“You don’t understand what I am asking, how could you? I needed to convince you to leave with me tonight. I used the means I knew would work.”

“I don’t understand.”

He drew her head to his shoulder. On the outside for those who watched, they appeared like two lovers completely enthralled. Inside they spoke.

Remember when you thought Grainna could read people? he asked.

Grainna, you mean Gwen?

Her real name is Grainna, but I will tell you about that later. Remember, you said you believed she could read minds? he asked again.

Tara nodded. Unbelieving she was having a full on conversation with Duncan in her head.

Sometimes when two people connect, they also have this ability. You and I have that connection.

Tara pulled back to look at him. How? When? I don’t understand.

How is difficult to explain and unfortunately this is not the time, nor the place to do so. The when, was during the ceremony.

She stared him in the eye. “But all of it was make-believe, a play.”

“For some, Tara, but not us!” He motioned behind him, sensed the weight of Grainna’s stare.

“Come.” He led her to their table, putting much needed distance between them and their enemy.

With only the shifting of his eyes, Tara knew Duncan thought of Gwen as an enemy.

Food was placed in front of them. Cassy sat on her right, and Fin on Duncan’s left. Cassy started chatting to Tara the minute they sat.

“I can’t believe this will all be over tomorrow.

You had a good time, right?”

“I have.” Tara tried smiling at her friend, but confusion and nerves kept her from really engaging in what Cassy was saying.

“So what are you going to do with Duncan?”

Cassy whispered.

Her answer was immediate and required very little thought. “I’m going to Scotland.”

“Get out! Really, when?”

“I don’t... Soon, I think.”

With so much noise and activity, it was difficult to hear Duncan’s words. But when she did, they were stern.

Be careful how much you tell her.

Tara placed a forkful of food in her mouth to keep herself from saying more. Why?

Others listen.

She followed his eyes as they rested on Gwen. A chill came from the woman’s stare. She wants to hurt me, doesn’t she?

Aye.

But why? What did I do to her?