Highland Shifter (MacCoinnich Time Travels #4)(39)
Author: Catherine Bybee

Still, he didn’t realize the impact on Ian. The man held the weight of a huge family, a village, and a crush of knights on his shoulders, but concern for his youngest daughter brought him down. Simon knew if Amber were married, settled, Ian wouldn’t have all those parental emotions tearing at his heart. But Amber’s gift had become her curse.

When she and Simon were younger, after the fall of Grainna, she started to feel the changes in her abilities. At that time, Simon spent many hours with her, talking, contemplating life. As the years took their toll on Amber, she became more distant. Suitors offered their attention, but she couldn’t stand their touch.

There was nothing the family could do. They’d tried to block her gifts. They’d asked the Ancients to show pity and take back some of her empathic abilities—all of them, if they could—to offer her peace.

Nothing happened.

Now, with Helen’s suggestion, a different tactic was taken, and Amber was afforded some relief.

The Ancients had a plan. Who knows, perhaps the Ancients were Angels of God working with him to keep his precious world from falling apart because of human nature.

“This can wait, Papa.” Simon used his childhood title for Ian, a title the older man adored when Simon used it. “Let’s visit Amber while the powers hold.”

Ian’s glossy eyes met Simon’s. “Aye. You’re right, lad. Winning a war means little if I can’t help my own child.”

Simon knew Ian didn’t completely believe that. He’d fight to the death for the villagers, their children.

Todd rolled up the map and placed it under his arm before following them out the door.

By the time they’d made it to Amber’s room, Duncan, Fin, and Lora had arrived. Helen sat beside Amber and barely acknowledged Simon’s presence in the room.

“Da!” she said and held out her arms.

The room stilled as Ian embraced his daughter for the first time in years. The room went silent. Tears flowed down several cheeks, some of the men blinked watery eyes.

Simon choked on a breath and swallowed hard.

“’Tis better. So much better.”

“She’s been dizzy, Ian. Let her sit,” Lora told her husband.

Ian shot a concerned glance at his wife and helped his daughter back to her chair. “Dizzy?”

“A little,” she confessed.

“Even that is easing,” Myra told him.

“Is the gift gone?”

Amber shook her head. “Not gone. Darkened. When I touch you,” she placed a hand aside her father’s cheek. “I know you’re concerned, relieved, but the emotion doesn’t choke me. I don’t feel everyone in the room at once, and nothing below.”

Tara kissed her husband on the cheek. “I’ll talk to the children, let them know they can visit later.”

Duncan placed a hand around her waist. “I’ll go with you.”

“We should leave, too,” Todd announced. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, Amber.”

“Thank you.”

Everyone but Simon, Helen, Ian, and Lora left Amber’s side. Lora sat holding her daughter’s hand, and Helen flanked her other side.

“There is light behind your smile again,” Lora said.

“I fear I’ll have to bathe in this cloak. Still, ’tis better than the weight of everyone’s emotions.”

Simon knelt beside Amber. “It might be possible to find other suitable clothing to help.”

“This will work for now.” She snuggled into the garment as if it were a blanket on the coldest day of the year. Amber hid a yawn behind her hand. “I could sleep for days.”

Ian nodded in Simon’s direction. “Then we’ll leave you to it. Simon, you should find your rest now, too. You’ve a long night ahead of you.”

“What is happening?” Amber had been kept from most of the activities of the Keep in an effort to help her condition.

“Nothing for you to worry about. Simon will scout again tonight is all.”

“Didn’t you just get back?” Helen asked.

“A few hours ago. I’m fine.” But he was tired and knew a few hours sleep would help him later.

Helen narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.

“Go, sleep. I’ll have food sent to your chamber,” Lora directed. “And you, my husband, when was the last time food met your lips?”

Ian winked at his wife. “I could eat.”

“Out with both of you. Helen, would you mind staying with Amber a while?”

“I’m not a child,” Amber told Lora.

“I know, but you’re my child and I worry. We’ve no idea what to expect with this.” Lora fingered the edges of the cloak. “Until we do, you should have company.”

Amber lowered her head and accepted her mother’s sound advice.

Simon left the room with his adopted grandparents, all the while feeling the weight of Helen’s stare on his back.

* * * *

Perched mid branch with nothing but the moon as light, Simon listened to the murmurs of the men below. Most, like any war party, spoke of their conquests, their desire to see the enemy fall. What puzzled Simon was the disdain these men had for the MacCoinnich family. From what Simon could tell, none of them had ever had any contact with Ian’s family or with Simon’s family. Still, they talked of capturing them to abuse and torture. That too was odd. Why?

“We remove all obstacles and take the women.”

“Aye, they’re a prize to hold.”

Helen.

They were after the women?

There was a leader somewhere in the throng of these men, and Simon was determined to find out the man’s name. The name McNeil hadn’t been used once.

Something wasn’t adding up. A siege didn’t often result in hostages.

Simon flew through the trees, keeping his falcon self hidden from any eyes below. The word prize and phrase take the women were echoed throughout. The flat tone of their voices bothered Simon even more than their words.

He waited for over an hour, watching, listening. No clear leader manifested. However, one name was uttered. Malcolm.

Simon didn’t know the name, nor the man behind it.

Men shifted into comfortable positions under the stars to sleep while others took watch. Simon soared into the night breeze for the long journey home.

God’s teeth, he was tired. He’d spent more time in falcon form than human. He was half-tempted to hunt for a wild rabbit, something he avoided when he shifted. But shifting always made him famished. Not to mention tired. And since Helen had entered his life, horny.