It isn’t you, but what you are that she wants.

“I don’t get it,” Tara said aloud.

“Don’t get what?” Cassy asked.

“Ahh... I don’t get how I’m considering leaving with him.” Tara recovered, “I haven’t even known him very long.”

“Well, I think it’s awesome. When will you go, winter break?”

Tell her I have extended my stay, and you will be with me while I’m here.

Tara shot him a look.

Have her go home without you.

Tara wanted to question him further, yet Cassy’s look demanded an answer now. Tara took a leap of faith. One she hoped she wouldn’t regret.

“Actually, he’s decided to stay around for awhile. I want you to take the car and go back without me.

Duncan and I are going to honeymoon for a few more days before he returns.”

What’s a honeymoon?

She laughed at his question. Cassy laughed at the implications.

“You go girl.”

Chapter 8

The sun set during their meal. Light ocean breezes fanned the flames on the torches and candles. Everything about the evening was magical.

What Tara didn’t know was how magical it was going to get.

Duncan sent Fin out ahead of them to retrieve their horses and supplies. He was torn with how he was getting Tara to come with him. Time was running out.

He shut her out of his thoughts for a while to hide the truth from her until she was safe.

When they left the dining area, Tara gave Cassy a frantic hug. “Don’t come back to the tent tonight. If I’m gone in the morning, know I am with him. I’ll call you when I can.”

“God, Tara it’s just sex. Trust me, it kind of hurts the first time.”

A single tear dropped. It was as if she was saying goodbye for more than a few days. “You’ve been the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“Oh man, now you’ve got me crying. Knock it off.” Cassy brushed at the tears on her cheeks. “Go, pop that cherry for God’s sake.”

When Tara turned to leave, Cassy said in a voice a bit too loud, “And use a condom.”

Several people heard Cassy’s comment.

Laughter rose up and everyone watched as Duncan and Tara left together.

Because it was expected, and many watched, they went to her tent. Inside was lit up like a Christmas tree. Rose petals covered the pallet and champagne chilled in a bucket.

“Wow. Did you do this?” Tara asked.

“She did.” Duncan dropped a bag on the bed with a frown. “Fill it quickly with whatever you think you need.”

Tara wanted to question why his urgency was so great. She didn’t. Instead, she shoved all her clothes and her purse into the bag. On impulse, she grabbed the bottle of champagne.

They exited the tent the same route they did the previous day. The brown muslin cape she had brought to the fair hid her pale dress and red hair.

Wordlessly, they walked behind tents and stuck to the shadows. When they reached the outskirts of camp they walked briskly until they reached the cover of trees.

Duncan kept silent, listening for any sound of alarm.

Tara however, was growing increasingly anxious and unsure of her decision to follow him without a better explanation as to why they were leaving in this manner. “Where exactly are we going?” she finally asked.

“Beyond this ridge. Fin is waiting with the horses.” Assuming that meant the horses would be loaded in a trailer and they were driving to their next destination, she asked. “And then?”

“Home.”

“I told you I didn’t have a passport. How do you expect to get me out of the country?”

“The same way I came.”

All right, that’s a bit cryptic. “Do you have your own plane or something?”

“Something such as that.”

A rustle in the bushes in front of them stopped them in their tracks. Duncan whistled a low hum, met with one from beyond the trees. “’Tis Fin.”

Fin was atop his horse, with Durk’s reins in his hand.

“Where’s the truck?” Tara asked surprised to see there wasn’t one.

Brother glanced at brother. Neither spoke.

“Okay, what’s going on? I’ve come along this far, but until I hear more I’m not budging another foot.” To make her point Tara sat on a rock and crossed her arms around her chest. “Give!”

Damn! I’d hoped this could wait until we made our journey.

“Damn is right.” Tara voiced his word to make sure he knew she was listening. “And I would appreciate a better explanation as to how we can do that.”

“Do what?” Fin asked, obviously confused.

She eyed Duncan. You tell him.

Duncan cleared his throat and turned to his brother. “It seems Tara and I have the ability to talk to each other in our minds.”

Tara waited for Fin to laugh and ask for details.

She waited in vain. “Oh,” was all he uttered.

“That’s it? Your brother says he can read my mind and all you can say is oh?”

“It isn’t uncommon amongst our people, Tara,”

Fin told her. “Our own parents have the ability to do it.” “You’re kidding.” Tara could tell by his look he wasn’t joking. Her unease elevated.

“We can’t stay here.” Duncan tossed her belongings on the back of his horse. “Grainna will soon notice our absence and send a search party after us.”

“Why exactly is that?”

“I told you she was evil, lass.”

“I agree she gave me the creeps at first, but why would she care if we are gone now?”

“We don’t have time for this.” Duncan almost barked his response. He took her arm only to have her pull it away.

“That’s too damn bad. You can make time, because without an explanation I’m not moving from this spot.”

“Think, My Lady. Why would Grainna single out a virgin amongst everyone else? Why would it matter to her that you are one? No one would be the wiser if you weren’t.”

True. “Go on.”

“Don’t you think it strange she kept you away from all the men, only to thrust you and me together in the end?” Duncan looked her in the eye. “Your room screamed out for us to be together tonight.”

True. “Why?”

“Grainna is a very powerful...person. She’s very old.” Duncan shot his brother a look, as if asking for his support. “She needs you, or what it is you are, to give her the ability to gain more power and strength.”