A Lover For Rachel (2 page)

As they emerged from the tunnel that went under the highway, the air almost crackled with unseen magic. “Do you feel that?” Rachel whispered.

Sam’s answering grin flashed white against the shadows. “Yeah. The air is alive, isn’t it?”

They continued along the path and watched the people ebb and flow around the ancient stones. People were rarely allowed near the stones. Most of the time, one had to stand behind a rope. Rachel ran to one of the outer gray rocks and ran her hands lovingly over it. It was as if it were alive as she felt it vibrate under her fingers. Turning to Sam, she smiled broadly.

“Touch it. It feels warm.” The moon shone around them in the predawn darkness, their shadows sharper among the gray of the stones. “It’s beautiful.”

“It is. Look at the people,” Sam whispered, indicating everyone around them, some talking in hushed, reverent tones while others tended to be louder, more boisterous in nature.

A few wore what was considered the normal Druid outfit of a long cream-colored robe that had the texture of fine velvet on some, broadcloth on others. Many were dressed in more normal fare of blue jeans and sweaters, dresses and coats. The smells were incredible as patchouli, musk and other fragrances mingled in with the fresh meadow smells of the countryside. All manner of people turned out to see one of the most important events in the ancient calendar. The ceremony would have a distinctive connotation to many people. It was as if the earth’s long-lost lover had come back to claim her after a long, dark night.

Rachel stood and breathed the clean, fresh morning air, throwing her arms wide to embrace the dawn. “Can you believe it? We’ve finally made it.”

“No,
you
finally made it. This is something special only you and the earth can enjoy.” Sam grabbed her and hugged tightly. “I just can’t imagine what it would be like to be born today.”

“Someone’s birthday is today?” One of the Druids overheard the comment and turned to them. “Which one?”

“Not me.” Sam indicated Rachel.

“That would be me.” She waved her hand, her grin wide.

The man’s eyes narrowed and sharpened as his up-and-down glance assessed her. “Then you have the favor of the goddess. You must be very special to have been born this day. The priestess will want to talk to you sometime after the ceremony.”

Rachel didn’t know whether to be happy or not. She really hadn’t thought about what it meant to be a Druid or anything like that. “Thank you. But I’m sure she’ll be very busy today.”

“Not too busy to talk to someone as special as you. Today, you will be tuned into things most of us can only imagine.” He watched her intently.

Rachel’s interest piqued. “What do you mean?”

“In some circles, it is said that on this night and day you alone will have a special sight where you can see what we cannot.”

“Such as?” Rachel didn’t know what to think of this revelation. She wondered for a moment if the man were crazed or on drugs. On closer inspection, she noted nothing special about the man at all, not even when moonlight shimmered across the Salisbury Plain and the non-descript person in front of her.

“Fairies, shape-shifters, the very gods themselves, it’s said.” The man’s gaze brooked no argument. It was obvious he believed what he spoke.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She smiled at him. “Where’s the best vantage point for the sunrise?” she asked.

“Everyone will gather on the west side of the henge in about twenty minutes. Sunrise is only about an hour away at this point.” His finger pointed to the other side of the stones.

“Thank you.” Rachel took Sam’s arm and started to lead her away.

“Blessed be.”

She looked at Sam and started to laugh. “Can you believe that?”

“You shouldn’t laugh. People take their beliefs very seriously. The veils between the worlds are thin and many people experience it profoundly according to the literature you had me read.”

Rachel pulled back and looked at her. “I didn’t know you read everything.”

Her friend met her gaze. “Actually, it was all quite interesting.”

“I’m sure it is. We should try to go and get a spot toward the sunrise.” Suddenly something buzzed her head and she tried to swat it away. “What was that?”

“What was what? I didn’t see anything.” Sam turned around as if trying to glimpse whatever buzzed them.

“I guess it was just a bug. A really big bug.” Rachel peered into the predawn light and couldn’t find what had flown around her. “I’m glad I brought some water and food.”

“I agree. We’ll be here for hours and we’ll need something.” Sam rocked back and forth, swinging her arms slightly as if to warm herself.

“I think this is one of the times a hot meal or drink are served around here somewhere. I could use a bite soon.”

“Me too.” Sam startled and looked intently at the crowd. “Is that Devon?”

Rachel turned and followed where her gaze was pointed. Sure enough, standing not more than twenty feet away was Samantha’s ex-fiancé, Devon Kincaid. “I believe it is.” She turned to look at her best friend, trying to judge if this would be something good or bad. Sam had been very hurt by the turn of events. “I’ll get rid of him if you want me to.”

The question hung in the air as the man walked toward them.

“No, that’ll be okay. After all, I should see him if he’s come all this way.” She turned and looked at Rachel then let out a big sigh. “I wonder what he’s here for.”

“Silly, that should be obvious. He can’t live without you.” Rachel squeezed her hand. “Now, you’ve just got to decide what you’re going to do.”

Samantha crossed her arms in typical Samantha-style. “This isn’t fair. This was supposed to be our time and here he’s ruined it.”

Rachel’s mouth pressed into a smirk. “We’ve been here a week. I’m sure that something can be worked out.”

“Are you really okay with this?” Concern crossed Sam’s face as she stared at Rachel.

She smiled broadly, pushing her friend in Devon’s direction. “Of course I am.” She stood and watched Samantha’s receding back for a moment before quickly turning away.
Now what am I going to do?
Sadness marred her mood for a few moments at Sam’s departure. Though she was happy for her, she now had no one special to watch the morning sunrise with at all. Something darted in front of her eyes again, distracting her. Bright and shiny. Her shoulders slumped and she tried to be patient, deciding to not focus on the melancholy that made her miserable for the moment. She focused directly in front of her, squeaked in surprise, and jumped back as a bit of fluff cruised in front of her eyes.
There is just no way!

Excusing herself as she bumped people, she edged away from the crowd. It proved hard with a whole field full of people. She tried to analyze what she’d seen and couldn’t believe it. She had seen a fairy, or maybe it was a pixie. She wished Sam was here so she could talk to her friend about it. She’d help Rachel figure out what to do or if her eyes were playing tricks on her. Pondering the unlikely sight, the Druid’s earlier comment tugged at her thoughts.  She covered her mouth with a hand, eyes wide and shining as she thought maybe she was special. Maybe this was the sign she waited for. Her shoulders straightened, and her stance firmed. 

The odd creature zipped in front of her face again, buzzing louder than before as she jerked her head away. Her gaze was following the bouncing light when she saw it stop and beckon her to follow. She looked around and spied Sam and Devon several meters away in what seemed to be a serious conversation, their heads tilted together. Sam wouldn’t miss her for a while.
What harm is there in following what seems to be a fairy? Aren’t they generally considered good?

Cautiously picking her way through the rest of the crowd, she followed the light that led her around a stone. No one was there. Absolutely no one. Rachel looked in the area and could see people close, but they seemed fuzzy. Her disorientation diminished through her limbs as she gazed down and spied what seemed to be a small fairy ring. She frowned to herself.
Most of Stonehenge is surrounded by a fairy ring, so what is this one?

She leaned down and tried to get a closer look as dizziness overwhelmed her, realizing the ground came at her much too fast. The stones jutting up from underground seemed to reach out and grab her as she whacked her head. Putting a tentative hand up, she touched the bump. Warm, sticky blood met her fingertips. It seemed surreal as she accepted the fact that her fall caused the injury. Her attempt at standing brought on another wave of nausea, and she lost her balance and tipped forward. 

Right through the ground.

* * * *

Rachel woke up and groaned.
Where am I?
She remembered hitting her head and reached up to touch the tender spot. She closed her eyes and tried to remember what happened after, but came up blank.

“I see my guest has woken up,” a deep, English-accented voice said from behind her.

Startled, she realized she lay on what appeared to be a couch. She struggled to stand, surprised when a gentle hand pushed her back down. Not knowing what else to do, she squeezed her eyes shut.

“You have acquired a rather nasty bump on the head.” Soft fingers probed her tender forehead. “You can open your eyes. I assure you I am not an ogre.”

She took a deep breath and slowly gazed up, amazed to see an incredible-looking man. True, he wasn’t the most handsome man she had ever seen, but he would surely turn her head if she passed him on the street. Eyes as blue as the azure sky and hair as dark as night framed a very masculine face, with high cheekbones, wide lips, and a slightly broad nose met her awkward gaze.

“See, I told you.” His crooked smile hinted at a hidden wild side.

She glanced around, her skin tingling, a heaviness settling in her stomach as she found herself in what looked like a cave. “Wh-where are we?”

 “Below the henge. Somehow you have managed to fall into my…studio, for lack of a better word.”

Mouth dry, she swallowed hard. “Your studio?”

Sighing, he gazed at her for a moment, his eyes full of a mixture of interest and compassion. “My studio is what I choose to call it. It actually has been more like my prison for the last few hundred years or so.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Prison?”
Just what have I gotten myself into?

“Prison.” His steady gaze didn’t move from her face. He reached up and applied a salve to her head with gentle movements. “I suppose now you want all the sordid details.”

She nodded her head when his fingers stopped her movement as he continued to apply the cool balm. “I remember following a fairy or a pixie.”

“I am afraid she is a fairy.” Looking up, they both saw her hovering in the corner of the room, glowing a soft lilac. “And a damn nuisance she is sometimes. But if it were not for her, I would not have survived all these years.”

Rachel couldn’t believe it at all. Her analytical mind told her this was an impossibility, an illogical happening. “What do you mean by all these years? Who are you? What are you?”

He held up his hand to silence her questions as he put the medicine back in an ancient-looking chest. “I will tell you everything in due time. I need to know a few things about you first.”

“Why?” Their gazes locked and a moment of sizzling awareness passed between them before she pulled her eyes away.

She could tell he was impatient with her as he seemed to draw in an unhurried, calming breath. “Because you would not be here at all unless you were a really special woman. Are you a really special woman?”

Her mind again was drawn back to what the Druid said. “According to a Druid, I guess I am.”

“The Druids are in charge of the world above?” A horrified expression crossed his face as his brows drew together in a scowl.

Rachel wanted to snort with laughter. “Not really.”

The man frowned. “Just who is in charge? Do not tell me that witch Morgaine has finally made it to ruler? That is something I cannot accept.”

Her eyes opened wide as this was an unexpected bit of information. “Morgaine…as in Morgan le Fay…antagonist to the wizard Merlin and King Arthur?”

“You know of them?” He stared down at her in surprise.

“Everyone knows of the legend.” A ping of caution erupted in her chest as she eyed him warily.

“Legend? They think it is a legend?” He blew out a breath and backed away from her.

Rachel blinked, wondering just what that knock on the head did to her.
Just how long has this guy been down here?
“Who did you say you were?”

He eyed her guardedly. “I did not say at all. I was asking the questions. I need answers first.” He studied her face before continuing. “When were you born, child, and what is your name?”

She laughed wryly. “My name is Rachel Hamilton and I’m hardly a child. I was born on the twenty-first of June…why?”

“The twenty-first of June? Summer solstice?”

“Yes, summer solstice. That’s why I was here. I was to witness the miracle of sunrise at Stonehenge. Now it seems I won’t.”  Her mouth turned upward in wistful longing for what could not be.

“Umm. That would explain why you could see my fairy.” He examined her with narrowed eyes. His gaze eventually made her squirm.

“Look…you’re making me uncomfortable. What else do you need to know? I have questions of my own.” She watched some unidentified emotion flash across his face.

“My name is Dewin, son of Kingston. Although I guess you would say it today as Dewin Kingston.” He sat as if waiting for some response.

“Is that supposed to mean something to me?” she questioned.

“You have never heard of me?” He looked shocked.

“No…who
are
you?” Now she was really confused. First, something really odd and bizarre had happened, which enabled her to fall through the very ground at her feet. Then, the most attractive man she met in a long time thinks she should know him.
How much more wacky can it get?
She shook her head to clear the cobwebs.

“That damn old buzzard. He swore people would not remember me and I guess he was right.” He rubbed his chin and frowned. “I know so little of the outside world as it has been many years since I have seen any part of it. Nora comes back with such fantastic tales. What is it like?”