Page 3 of Beloved Enemy
Marcus’s scowl returned, presumably for how easily his name fell from the witch’s lips.
“Please, Marcus,” she implored him. “Take my hand.”
“Jesu,” Reid seethed quietly, believing a trap was being laid, one of sorcery of some manner.Dinna, Marcus. Step away.He realized a moment later he’d only thought these words, hadn’t shouted them. And before he could have stopped his friend, Marcus joined his hand with the woman’s.
Almost instantly, Marcus’s brow furrowed deeply as if in pain. A slight tremor ran through his body, seen in the shuddering of his shoulders. His breathing became shallow and uneven, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead, glistening in the dim light.
Reid wanted to move but couldn't. No matter how desperately he willed his body to act, to reach Marcus and separate their hands, his body did not move.
A pained expression crossed Marcus's face, as though he was wrestling with unseen forces. Despite what seemed a physical discomfort, Marcus's grip on Autumn's hand remained unyielding, as if it was the only thing anchoring him. And hedropped to the ground with a loud thud, his sword clanging on the stone.
Reid raced forward now, his limbs working again and shoved the witch out of the way.
Marcus’s eyes were closed.
Reid went to one knee and nudged at his shoulder, and as he checked for signs of life in his throat, Marcus groaned and opened his eyes.
“Bluidy hell,” cursed Reid, helping Marcus to sit up. “Did she cast a spell on ye?” He cast a violent glance at the woman.
Marcus ignored him, his gaze finding Autumn as well, held at bay by four of Reid’s guards. None would dare to touch her but pointed the tips of their swords directly at her, one of them only inches from her throat.
Reid frowned at her demeanor. She wasn’t afraid. She stood with her chin raised and a proud defiance in her gaze. The witch was fearless.
“Jesu,” Marcus rasped, a look of wonder softening his face. “Let her go,” he panted, his voice weak.
“Marcus...?” Reid questioned.
“She is nae a threat,” Marcus said with some breathlessness. “She is nae a witch.”
Reluctant to gainsay his friend, Reid rose to his full height and made a motion with his head, which brought down the wall of the swords around Autumn.
She rushed forward, dropping to her knees beside him. She jerked forward as if she would have hurled herself in his arms, but caught herself before she did. Reid watched as her glassy eyes skimmed over every inch of Marcus’s face. Finding no more resistance, the woman leaned forward, taking his face in her hands. Softly, bravely, she laid her lips against his.
“How did ye do it?”
“Travel through time?” she asked softly. “I didn’t. Someone—or something—keeps moving me around. And I wanted very badly to go home to my family, but when I was taken from you three years from now, I realized that I wanted more to be with you.”
Reid’s scowl darkened.Three years from now?
“I meant how did ye make me see all those images?”
The woman named Autumn, whom Marcus had just proclaimed was no witch, wrinkled her face in confusion.
“I didn’t do it, Marcus. But I held your hand tight before we were parted and I swear, I willed the memory of me into you. I tried, anyway. I thought I’d never see you again. I was simply hoping that you would keep me in your heart...as I would you.”
“Was I in love with you?” Marcus asked, less filled with doubt than he seemed to be asking for clarification.
“You didn’t say you were,” she answered, a sweet joy lighting her expression. “But then I didn’t say I loved you until today. I’m sorry it took being taken away from you for me to realize it.” She bit her lip and then asked, “What did you see?”
“Us,” Marcus answered, seemingly bewildered yet. “I saw us. At Balla Àrd. I saw ye...stripped from me.”
“I was brought here. I don’t know how or why, unless it was to show me that...that I did love you.”
“And I ye?” Marcus’s brow knitted. “I canna breathe,” he said, shaken by his inability to catch his breath.
Reid extended his hand down to Marcus. “Let us step outside,” he offered.
Nothing made sense, but he would have the truth out from Marcus soon. However, at the moment, he decided the rapt audience inside the hall had heard enough.
