Page 59 of Only a Breath Away

“Aye.”

We sat and watched. He asked, “Have I really been looping? I mean, I haven’t, I know I have not. I remember leaving Florida just yesterday and I didn’t do anything else. I know I haven’t looped, logically, but… when you said it I felt like… like there’s something going on and I feel kind of dazed. Like I wasn’t fully aware of… I feel kinda out of my mind.”

“I hae looped before, I remember the feeling.”

“I wonder why you remember looping, but I don’t?”

“Perhaps because I pulled m’self out — we are interruptin’ ye mid-loop. Ye are startled that we came upon ye. I daena ken if it is fair tae stop ye in mid loop, I think ye are nae going tae understand where ye are and in what time. Ye will hae missed a lot — we are in hidin’ at the lake house in Maine, and I truly am sorry that ye might hae tae grieve for Sophie all over again, but I hae tae interrupt ye. Ye are ruining the whole wide history of the world.”

“I am? How?” He shook his head. “We are in hiding, why?”

“Ormr and Domnall, the two arseholes in that castle, are after us.”

“How much time has passed?”

“Months, centuries, time travel, ye ken? Enough time for me tae become a king.”

“I’m confused, weren’t you already a king?”

I tapped the side of my head, “Aye, but now I am a king in the thirteenth century as well.”

“No shit, how’d you get back there? Did someone have to drive the Trailblazer? Who was it?”

“The bairns: Archie, Ben, and Isla — all grown up.”

“Shit, that is so cool. The kids still like each other?”

“Aye, they do, they were careful tae only speak on themselves, we dinna glean any information about other bairns, about other relationships, I would hae liked tae ken how it all works out.”

“The kids were probably keeping it from you. No one really likes a spoiler.”

I chuckled. “I suppose that is true.”

We sat for a very long time.

We both stood and stretched and we talked a bit here and there about how tired we were of waiting, and then finally, tugging a stalk of grass and tearin’ it tae pieces, he said, “So shit, my ex’s husband is a king twice-over?”

“Aye.”

“And I’m freaking ruining everything by looping?” He grimaced. “And my ex is missing?”

“She is on a different timeline. Tis verra frightening, I can feel her in the room, but I canna speak tae her.”

“And, this is all my doing?”

“Aye, the looping is causin’ it, but we daena blame ye. Ye dinna ken, none of us did. I hae looped afore, there is a grave power in these vessels, tae control time, tae want tae hae power over life and death. I daena think there is a man alive who wouldna want tae try it.”

He picked up the binocular strap and looped it around and around his fingers. “I’m sorry for causing it, I just...”

“I ken, ye daena need tae apologize, ye daena need tae apologize at all. We ken ye are in grief — I want ye tae ken, that what Lady Mairead is doin’ right now… tis unlikely tae work, she is—”

CHAPTER 48 - LADY MAIREAD

As the workers finished the meal, rushing around, following orders, I stood near the cauldron, nae allowin’ anyone tae taste from it. The line formed and the men went by and the stew was ladled onto their hunks of bread. I whispered tae Auld Arthuretta, “Hae the boy meet me by the gate,” then I busied myself in a back storeroom, and tried tae blend intae the stonework of the castle. Twas easy tae do, I had a great deal of practice with it.

I witnessed when a large pot of stew meant for the laird was carried tae the Great Hall. I was watchful in every direction. I needed the laird tae eat from his stew afore any of the other men fell unconscious. I couldna allow a… through the door I saw a man slump tae the ground in the courtyard. My scheme had begun.

I rushed from the kitchens tae the doors of the Great Hall. Clinging tae the shadows I watched Ormr and Domnall at the front table shoveling food intae their mouths, one, two, three spoonfuls, then Ormr glanced up and his eyes met mine. I ducked away tae hide behind a group of men, but heard a commotion at the front of the room.

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