Kahleena MacCarthy ~ To Meet a Highlander (17 page)

             
“What? Absolutely not. She is to be my wife and that is what is gonnae be."

             
"You left her remember?" Tor took another step toward his brother.

             
"Itching for another battle, little brother? Ye'll no win this one." Zarik raised an eyebrow as a broad smile came to his face. "You and I both know I am the better with fists and with sword. So come now, brother, I'm more than happy to fight for her hand. She is mine and will remain mine."

             
"Wait a minute. This is my sister that the two of you are fighting over. She's standing right here and neither of you even acknowledge her. Is it all about what you want? Does it not matter what she wants? What a bunch of arrogant assholes.” He took a moment to look away from Zarik and Tor. Checking out his sister's indifferent reaction-which he noted as bad since it meant this must be common-he tried to convince her of what would be best. “Tsarina, you really need to come back with Galen and me. If Scotland is what you want, I'm sure he'd be happy to have you.” Trystan elbowed Galen as he spoke.

             
“Oh, it would be no hardship for me. I’d like to continue where we left off at the standing stones." Galen smiled and sent a wink toward Tsarina, although he cleared his throat as he backed up slightly from the looks thrown his direction from both Zarik and Tor.

             
“And, wait a minute, he refused my sister?” Now Trystan was glaring furiously at Zarik. It was rare that he ever encountered a man larger than him, but this Highlander was more than a little bigger than him.

             
“I did no refuse her. She keeps refusing me. But the fates have said we must be together.”

             
“So you have no interest in her. You're just doing as you're commanded?"

             
“ No one commands me to do anything. However, I did agree I should perhaps marry her. Yer sister is beautiful. Unfortunately we've not had much time to spend together."

             
“Aye, whose fault would that be?” Tor crossed his arms over his chest.

             
Tsarina had heard enough and finally found her voice. “This really doesn't concern any of you. This is between Tor, Zarik, and me. Galen, you're a great friend, but we aren’t supposed to be together. Trystan, I miss you more than you could ever imagine. But I no longer belong with you. Over the last year I found what always had been missing in my life since our parent’s death. Maybe you’d consider staying here with me?””

             
“Are you saying I'm not enough family for you?” Trystan rarely showed his feelings. And they were rarely ever hurt. Today evidently was the exception to those rules.

             
Tsarina felt as though she had been punched in the stomach several times for hurting her brother. It was not her intention. But there was no need to lie. Her life was right where she was. “I know it sounds bad. It wasn't meant to sound that way. I'd love to have you here with me so we can be a family again. I have a whole family. A huge family. Will you not accept us for who we are? Not only for what we do well, but also for our faults."

             
“This dream, Tsarina, has always been yours. Never mine. I've been happy with my life. Of course, I miss mom and dad, but there's nothing we could have done to prevent what happened. I did what I had to do to keep you taken care of. You say there is no life in our time for you, and I know there is no life here for me."

             
“It does take a bit of getting used to. It took me months. But after that, I enjoyed it for its beauty. The honesty of the people that live here that we don't see where we’re from. They really are out to help one another." Tsarina smiled at Niall as he finally came over to join them. "Niall, this is my brother, Trystan and our friend, Galen.”

             
“It's great to meet the both of ye. We're happy to have ye here for the wedding. I'm even happier that traveling through time to get here didnae seem to confuse either of ye. As I was approaching, I heard Tsarina make an offer for the both of ye to stay at the keep. It would be my honor and my pleasure to grant her this wish and have ye both here as our guests and perhaps one day, even as our clansmen.”

             
Odhran, who had been seen less and less with each passing day decided now, was the time to become involved. “What exactly would we do with them, father?"

             
“They're both young men still. Both in great shape. Teaching them the way of a warrior wouldnae be difficult at all. Besides, Tsarina would then have more people she is comfortable around here with her. We live here; we can never ken how difficult it was for her to make the change and to try to accept us as her family.”

             
Shaking his head, Odhran was clearly not thrilled.

             
“It will all work out, Odhran. Don't worry yerself on it.” Tor said as he began to laugh uncontrollably. “Stop hanging in the kitchen so much. The women and their crankiness seem to be absorbing into ye. Soon ye’ll have need of a dress."

             
“I understand there’s been death and many other happenings today, but we need to get back to my sister, this wedding, and where she really should be.” Trystan was getting impatient. He wanted to be back in his time and with his sister. Speaking of going back... “How, exactly, do we get back to where we’re supposed to be?”

             
“It's no an easy thing. The both of ye are likely stuck here. Even if it's no what ye want.” No one had noticed Argus approached them until he spoke.

             
“Wonderful.” Trystan seethed, clearly not getting the answer he wanted. “Shouldn't getting back be as simple as getting here?"

             
“I'm okay with being here.” Galen smirked.

             
Rolling his eyes, Trystan continued, “Let's get back to my sister."

             
“I'm not leaving. That's the end of that. So that's one matter of your concern that has been handled. I know it's not the answer you want, but it's the answer I'm giving you. And it’s final.”

             
“I can make you come home with me, Tsarina.” As Trystan made his statement, he counted at least 25 hands that landed on sword hilts.

             
“Ye can try if ye like.” Drostan’s voice was filled with ice. She was sent here for a reason, and here she would say.

             
“You would fight for her?” Trystan asked in disbelief. Times were so different here, to shed blood over something so simple.

             
“Aye. I would. And ye can bet all of the MacKinnon warriors would as well. Each of us would gladly give our life for her.” Drostan's voice did not waver with his statement. He was ready to fight.

             
“No, there'll be no fighting over me. I do not like to see blood. And I’ll surely not be the one that causes it. My brother will learn to understand. He won’t force me.”

             
“So it's settled. She stays here with us. The both of ye,” Tor spoke as he glanced between Galen and Trystan. “will likely remain with us as well."

             
“There will be no wedding today.” Trystan's voice was firm.

             
“Aye, there will be a wedding today.” Grabbing the arm of the serving girl who came down to help clean up, Tor gave instructions. “See everyone begins cleaning up. The wedding will begin again in four hours’ time.”

             
“Nay!” Zarik spoke at the same time as Trystan.

             
“No!” Trystan was furious. “It is clear my sister does not wish to be married to this man. She’s simply going through the motions. Does she seem happy? Does she seem excited? Do you see tears of joy streaming down her face?” Trystan paused for a moment and looked around at those still surrounding him. “Those are the signs of a woman happy on her wedding day. I see none of the signs here today. If you can't see that, see that no bride wishes to have so much blood shed on the day that is also her wedding.”

             
“Maybe with the recent happenings, postponing the wedding for several days wouldn’t be a bad idea?” Galen was trying to keep the peace; he was definitely confused as to what the proper solution was. Maybe if they had several days to think on it, they would come up with something that worked for everyone. He had to admit he wasn't all that upset about the possibility of staying in this time. It could be worse.

             
“The decision is not yers. I say the wedding continues.” Tor glared at everyone, daring them to challenge his statement. He wanted this day to end on a good note and nothing could be better than marrying Tsarina.

             
“Still not marrying my bride, brother.” Now Zarik's hand had been placed on the hilt of one of his swords. “I believe I can convince ye that I have say in the matter. Even if it needs be proven with my sword.”

             
“What will ye do? Tell me? Ye would kill yer own brother? Over a woman?” Tor placed his hand on his hilt as well.

             
“Aye, I would and ye ken it well. Ye’ve always said I dinnae value life. That I've no conscience. I'm no happy without blood on me sword and under me feet. Ye ken?”

             
“That is enough of this. We will go to my private room and discuss this matter. The decision made there will be final.” As Niall spoke, all knew his response was final. It was clearly stated by the look he shot toward Galen and Trystan. “I ken the two of ye are not from here, but it is best to learn the rules right from the start. Tor, Zarik, come with me.”

             
“Should my sister not be included in this discussion as well? Does she have no say?” Trystan once again voiced his displeasure.

             
“It is not her choice to make. She was to be my wife and my wife she will be.” Zarik chose to answer before Niall or Tor could.

             
“Did she refuse you? Is she not happy with the arrangement to marry your brother? I say she should marry neither one of you. Her happiness is most important to me, no matter what century we are in.” Trystan held his ground.

             
“What is it that ye desire, Tsarina?” Niall looked over and saw the confusion on the poor girl's face. “Perhaps, the choice is yers after all.”

             
“I... Well, I... I guess I want... Or I mean... I don't know. I was told that I was sent here to marry Zarik and that if I did not go I could seriously alter history. If I marry Tor, do I mess with the fates of the MacKinnon clan? I just don't know what the right answer is.”

             
“None of us do. So do what ye wish.” Galen simply wanted to see his friend happy. While he wasn’t as emotionally involved as some of the others in this debate, he still felt the choice should be up to her. Fate or no fate. She needed to do what she wanted to do. She needed her happily ever after.

             
“It has been seen that ye should be with Zarik. We really need not accept any other outcome. Tor was simply trying to do the right thing once his brother left. He knew, as a woman, Tsarina would need protection. She would need someone to provide for her. And as all women of this time, she would need children. He was stepping up where his brother had failed.” Argus shook his head while glaring at both brothers.

             
“Do you love either one of them?” Trystan asked.

             
“I don't know. I spent some time with Tor and I found that he really is a great guy. He's honest and patient. Zarik is more of a loose cannon. But, in fairness, we haven't spent a whole lot of time getting to know one another. It's been more of him brushing me off and refusing me. The turning around and demanding that I marry him under his terms. Of course I would refuse him.”

             
“Loose cannon? Ye wanted me to get on my knees and beg to marry ye. Ye are being unreasonable. I promise ye everything ye could ever want or need. Do ye wish a man to marry or a bairn with no backbone? No honor?” Zarik tossed his hands up in the air in frustration.

             
“Yes. Yes you did. Everything but you. Everything but your love. Everything but your promise to be committed only to me. Will you give up the other women?”

             
Odhran found his opportunity to speak up again. “Come on. All lairds have a leman. Ye ken it well.”

             
“I'll not share. I understand that in this time there are things as a woman I must do and I accept that. But sharing my husband is one where I refuse. Tor had promised to take no other woman. Though we have differences, over the last week we've learned to compromise. I don't see that happening with us, Zarik.”

             
“First, ye want me on my knees, begging for yer hand in marriage. Now ye want me to swear to look and touch no other. Are ye addled?” Zarik felt his temper rising. He wasn't certain if it was at his brother, at Tsarina, or at her brother.