Written in 65 minutes. Sorry went slightly over, but these things happen.  No time for spell check.

On the third anniversary of the day she’d come to Braegarie, Elizabeth delivered their second son. Throughout her second pregnancy, she’d hoped and prayed for a girl — anything to prove that the vision all those months ago had been a mistake.

But when Barbara gleefully announced she had a healthy son, Elizabeth had only a moment of regret before the healer placed the newborn into her arms and she fell in love with him—even though he was proof that her time was limited.

“Two sons in three years,” Barbara said with a wide grin to Tracy. “The men will drink themselves silly in celebration.”

Tracy rolled her eyes, but she was also smiling as she and one of the maids helped change the linens and Elizabeth wash up. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said to Elizabeth in a low voice, “but you cannot be thinking about that now.”

“Aye, I know. It could still be wrong,” Elizabeth said. “Will you bring Jason in?”

“I’ll fetch him.” Tracy paused as Barbara pulled open the door. “This is a good day, Elizabeth,” she promised her niece. “You’ve done well by this clan. And this family. My nephew will take care of everything.”

Elizabeth said nothing, just stared down into the red, scrunched up face of her second child. Cameron had just passed his second birthday—and she knew in her vision that he’d been three. It had been a lovely summer day, warm by the spring when they’d disappeared—

But had that been the dream? Had she been dreaming of their future when the vision slipped in to destroy everything? That was was the trouble with the visions that came while she slept. By the time she could determine dream from truth, the vision would have come to pass.

She had been running in unfamiliar woods—could she simply just not leave keep until the boys were older? She could stay on Morgan lands, within the confines of the courtyard. She stroked a finger down her son’s cheek. “What kind of man will you grow to be? Will I be here to see it?”

“Mama!”

She looked up and grinned as her husband and son came through the doorway. Jason set Cameron on the bed as he rounded the foot and joined her. “Dearest, come meet your little brother.”

Cameron made a face as he sat back on his heels with a frown. “He’s little,” he said with a pout. “You said he could play with me.”

“When he grows,” Jason told their son, reaching across Elizabeth to ruffle the light blonde hair he’d inherited from his father. He smiled at Elizabeth. “Aunt said we have another son.”

“Aye. Barbara said he was perfect.” Elizabeth held out the precious bundle and Jason accepted him, a bit more comfortable than he had been the day of Cameron’s birth.

“You’re all right?” Jason raised his eyes from their son, worry lurking within. “We should let you rest. I’ll get Cameron to bed—”

“I’m just tired,” Elizabeth said with a shake of her head, then leaned her head back, closing her eyes. When Cameron had been born, she’d been pragmatic. They had years before they had to worry about her vision, after all. She’d hoped that something would happen to assuage her worries—

But even the brief kidnapping hadn’t eliminated the fear. Albany had sailed to France on other business, and she hoped that meant he’d given up. They were safe here, and Jason hadn’t had to leave nearly as often this last year.

“Papa, she’s sleeping—”

“No—” Elizabeth opened her eyes just as Jason started to stand from the bed. “No, just resting.”

“I’ll take Cameron to Aunt Tracy,” Jason told her, “and I’ll be back—”

“What’s my brother’s name?” Cameron demanded as Jason settled the baby into the bassinet that had once held their oldest son. “What are we calling him?”

Jason looked at her, and Elizabeth knew what he wanted to know. They’d named Cameron after his mother’s family and their ally. And the boy in the vision.

“What do you suggest, Cam?” Elizabeth said, forcing a smile. She would not give in this time. She would not let Fate win.

Cameron furrowed his brow. “I have an important name. He should, too. Auntie says we’re Jacko-bees.”

“Jacobins,” Jason clarified as a strange expression slid over his features. “It means we’re loyal to King James—”

“Can we call him Jacob?” Cameron asked. “Like the king, only it’s his own name?”

Her heart pounding as her son suggested the very name their infant son had had in her vision, Elizabeth met Jason’s eyes. She’d tried to run from it. She’d tried to change the future.

“Aye, I think Jacob is a fine name,” she said, hollowly. “We’ll call him Jake for short.”

—

Jason strode in from the courtyard to find a small figuring streaking past him. He reached over and plucked Cameron up. “Where are you going?”

“Out,” Cameron muttered. He clutched his tiny fists in his father’s shirt. “Mama says no. I wanna swim.”

Jason pressed his lips together and looked over to find his wife by the head table, an irritated expression etched into her features. Of course Elizabeth didn’t Cameron to go swimming. In the two months since Jake had been born, her worry over what might happen had only worsened. She rarely left the keep — Jake hadn’t been outside once — and the only times Jaosn had been able to get Cameron outside these walls was when she was sleeping.

“Let’s go talk to her, all right?” Jason told his son.

“Don’t even start,” Elizabeth warned as the two of them approached. She put her hands on her hips and glared at Jason. “I told you—”

“I know. But it’s a warm day,” Jason said patiently, “and I’ll take him. You can stay here.”

“No, I—” Elizabeth stopped when Cameron’s face lit up. “Can we talk about this somewhere else? Without him?”

Jason glanced around and saw some curious stares. He might understand her reluctance to allow herself or their boys outside of the keep, but all their people saw was the lady of the clan acting strangely.

While he was confident in the loyalty of their people, he wasn’t willing to place all his trust in them. The Old Ways were still practiced, but just as many were devout followers of the Church.

“No,” Jason said after a long moment. “I’ll take him swimming, and you’ll stay here.” This time when he said the words, they weren’t a suggestion. They were an order. Elizabeth stared at him and her lower lip quivered slightly.

He hadn’t given her an order in years—since the day she’d told him the truth about her past, they’d been a team and he’d allowed her to take charge since Jake’s birth, keeping Cameron cooped upside the keep. He knew her worries—but damn it, these were his children, too—

“I see. All right.” Elizabeth lifted her chin. “Then I’ll stay here. Excuse me, I have things to see to in the kitchen.” She whirled around and stalked out of the hall. Jason winced — he’d pay for that later.

“Swimming?”

He looked at his son, then nodded. “Aye, let’s go swimming.”

—

She fumed all afternoon—especially when one of Jason’s men came in and told her that Jason was taking Cameron to ride out on the borders—something he’d often done in the last six months, but not once since Jake’s birth.

He was making it clear what he thought of her desire to keep Cameron safe, and Elizabeth hoped that her hurt and fear didn’t show on her face.

“I’ll speak with him,” Tracy said when the two weren’t back by supper. “There’s making a point and then there’s being a cur.”

“He’s within his rights to take our son wherever he likes,” Elizabeth said tightly as she stared at her plate of food, not an ounce of appetite to be found. “You agree with him.”

“Not—” Tracy paused. “Not entirely. But in part.” She turned to her niece. “You told him you wouldn’t go to the clan gathering this summer. That he couldn’t take Cameron with him.”

“I—”

“It bothered him,” Tracy told her and Elizabeth sighed. She’d known it—and he’d let it go because she’d been upset. She’d cried. “He hasn’t seen his sister in several years, and Emily has never been much of a letter writer. She and her family will be there.”

“I know. I want to meet her. I want Jason to see her, for her to meet our boys, I just—” She couldn’t forget the vision. Even all these years later—

She’d never told Jason, had been very careful to keep it from him—but the vision had just turned into a recurring nightmare. The details had been so fresh and clear that night and they often came back to haunt her.

The pounding fear, the voice of the man who had come for her, the terror of not knowing if her boys were safe—had they been stolen from the stream? Had it been another moment that night? Would she know the last time she held them before the flames consumed—

“Elizabeth?”

She blinked, looked at her aunt, then exhaled slowly. “He thinks I don’t trust him to protect us.” She met Tracy’s eyes. “And he’s right.”

“Because of what happened with the regent.”

“Aye. And because—because I keep trying to stop it. I told myself I wouldn’t give Jake the name from the vision—and Cameron picked it anyway. I want to keep the boys safe with me here, and Jason wants to take them out—and they should go. They should be with him. I want to be—” She bit her lip. “But I can’t forget. I can’t rest. They’re everything to me. I need them to be safe.”

“Well, something has to give,” Tracy said firmly. “None of you can go on this way.”

“Something already has,” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “Jason’s made his position clear, and I’ll have to follow. Excuse me. I need to go upstairs and see to Jake.”

—

It was less than an hour later when Jason finally returned to the keep, his sleeping son tucked in his arms. He passed the boy to the nursery maid who promised to put him down for the night, and then turned to find his furious aunt by the fire.

“Whatever you’re going to say,” Jason began as Tracy lifted her brows, “don’t. I know that I shouldn’t have kept him out. I didn’t mean to—but he asked—”

“And you wanted to make sure your wife knew exactly how little power she has.” Tracy folded her arms. “You think she’s being unreasonable wanting the boys to stay behind while you go to the gathering next month?”

“No,” Jason said after a moment. “I know that her vision happened away from here. All the same—”

“All the same, nephew, she’s the one who felt the flames. She’s the one who has foreseen her own death.”

Shame licked at Jason’s throat as he looked towards the stairs. He knew that. He’d remembered the night she’d had the vision—the shaking, the terror, the pallor of her skin—

“Would it be so terrible to let her have this? Once Jake reaches his first birthday, she’ll worry less—”

“Or will she convince herself that she dreamed their ages?” Jason demanded. “If I give in now, how long will she lock herself up in these walls?” He shook his head. “No. I know her worry. I know her fear. But I can’t let it run our lives. I can’t let it be in charge of my children.”

He left his aunt behind and climbed the stairs to their bedchamber where he found Elizabeth sitting by the fire, their son at her breast.

She glanced up at his approach, then looked back down at Jake. “Is Cameron abed?”

“Aye. He fell asleep on our way back.” He took the chair across from her. “Elizabeth—”

“You think I don’t trust you to protect me,” Elizabeth said. “Or the boys.” She met his eyes. “What happened with the regent was not your fault. I don’t blame you for that. I could have insisted on staying here. You were two days away. We might have withstood a seige that long.”

“You didn’t want to risk the people. Or their crops.” Jason scrubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t pretend that I know what you went through. What you go through every day, wondering if this is the day. I know that I have the same fear,” he added, “but I know it’s different for you.”

“I thought I was giving up my chance to be a mother when Albany took me to Sterling,” Elizabeth said. “I never expected to get it back. I never expected to have any children. Or a husband.” She closed her eyes. “Did Cameron have a good time?”

“Yes.”

“He loves you. I knew he would. He did in the dream. He wants to be just like you.” She cleared her throat. “And I don’t want him to hate me.”

“He couldn’t—”

Elizabeth sighed and rose to put Jake into his cradle for the night. Jason went over to her, touched her shoulder. “Elizabeth—”

“My mother wanted me to be quiet. To be invisible. My father locked me up in my rooms.” She looked around the bedchamber. “What I’m doing to Cameron, to myself—to all of us. It’s no different.”

He drew her into his arms, feeling his chest loosen when she relaxed into his embrace. He hadn’t pushed her too far. “You want to protect us. You’ve always put us first. I love you for that.”

“And you’ve always pushed me further than I was comfortable.” She raised her face to his. “I love you for that.”

He brushed his mouth over hers, then rested his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry for today,” he said.

“So am I.” Elizabeth waited a moment. “We’ll go to the gathering. All of us. We’ll take the boys and we’ll see your sister—”

“You don’t—” Jason shook his head. “You don’t have to—”

“But I do.” Elizabeth smiled, though it was a pained one. “I’m terrified, but I don’t want to live my life that way. All my life I dreamed of a bigger world. I have it now. And I want to give it our sons.”

He kissed her again. “I promise I’ll protect you,” he vowed. “We’ll be safe.”

“I know you will.” She patted his chest. “Come, let’s go to bed.” Elizabeth eyed him over her shoulder. “Barbara says it’s been long enough since Jake was born, and I’ve missed you.”

He grinned at that and joined her in the bed, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that she hadn’t really changed her mind—

Had she just stopped believing they could stop the inevitable?

+4

Written in 55 minutes. Did a spell check but not a reread.

Jason scowled at his wife, seeing the stubborn set of her face. “What do you mean, you can’t go?” he demanded. “You knew I’d come after you!”

“I knew—” Elizabeth closed her eyes. “I knew your honor would demand it—”

“My honor—”

“But why do you think I left with Albany?” she interrupted. “He threatened to burn the keep to the ground, to kill anyone who stopped him—” Her voice faltered. “He said he’d arrest you for treason—so you have to go—”

“You think I’m worried about—”

“We always agreed that our marriage would last only as long as my secret didn’t threaten the clan.” Elizabeth twisted her fingers together as tears slid down her cheeks. “Now it has, and I’m sorry—but if you go now, Cameron will have you—”

“We never—I never—” Jason stared at her, bewildered. “I never told you that—”

“That day by the lake—”

“I said I would not press you for your secret, not that—” He grunted. “We’re wasting time. I’m not leaving you here. So you can come willingly or we’ll argue it about once we’re on the road—”

“Jason—” She twisted away when he tried to grab her arm and he grimaced. He really didn’t want to have to tie her up and drag her out of this castle, but he might just have to—

“Damn it, Elizabeth—”

“No! No! I won’t let him kill you! I won’t let him take everything away from your family—”

“You’re my family!” Jason cut in roughly, taking her by the shoulders. “You and Cameron—why do you think I came for you?”

“B-Because—” She blinked at him. “You’re a good man—” She took a deep breath. “You’re a good man,” Elizabeth repeated. “And I’m glad I was able to see you one more time. To thank you for making me a wife and mother—”

“Was I all alone in that, then? I don’t owe you anything for making me a husband or father?” he bit out. “You’re giving up on our son and marriage that easily?”

“No—” Stunned, her eyes widened. “No! I’m trying to protect you! I love you, Jason! I don’t want you to lose your lands and the clan—”

“What good is any of that if I lose you?” he retorted.

Her lip trembled, and she closed her eyes again, flinching. His anger subsided. She’d been threatened and terrorized into leaving their home, and he’d not been there to stop it. And he couldn’t imagine what she’d been through in the days since Albany had taken her away. Were their bruises he couldn’t see?

“Elizabeth,” he tried again, softening his voice. “Please. I’m sorry. I—I know you’re trying to protect us all. I might do the same in your place.” He paused, and forced himself to admit, “In fact, if I thought I could send you home to Cameron and give up myself, I’d do it.”

“So you understand why you have to go and why I have to stay.”

“No, I just understand why you think that’s true.” Jason reached out, put his finger tip under her chin turn to turn her face towards him. “Can you look at me? Please.”

She opened her eyes. “I know you will take care of Cameron. A-And Tracy will do a wonderful job—”

“Aye, she’ll be a fierce aunt. But the boy needs us both. I need you.” He hesitated. “I love you, too, Elizabeth. Enough to know that as long as I have you and Cameron, we can face anything.”

“You—” Her eyes searched his. “Do you—you’re not—you wouldn’t just say that because I did. That’s—that’s not who you are.”

He leaned down to kiss her gently, and she trembled against him. “Did you think you were the only one who fell in love?” he murmured into her ear.

“I just never believed anyone might—” Elizabeth touched his chest. “I want to go home, Jason. I’m just so scared. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“Trust me to see to it—”

“I wondered if you’d be stupid enough to come after her—”

They turned to find Albany in the open door way, and Jason grimaced, tucking Elizabeth behind him. “You may regret demanding that I marry her,” he told the regent evenly, “but we both know that the law says she’s my property now.”

“The law says what I want it to,” the regent said with a lift of a brow. “And if I have my men arrest you for treason?”

“Then I’ll call up the Camerons and Frasiers. Half of the Highlands will be at your gates,” Jason said flatly. “But you must know how many men I have outside the city.” He paused. “That’s what I could get together with an hour’s notice. You think it won’t grow?”

“I think you overestimate how important you are—”

“And you underestimate how much the Highlands hate you,” Jason retorted. “They know that today it might be my wife you come after, but it might be their land or their people tomorrow.” He fisted his hands at his side. “You’re not in Edinburgh, Albany. The people of Stirling aren’t that fond of you. How do you think I got inside?”

Albany’s lips thinned as he pressed them together. He glared at Elizabeth. “You think if I let you walk out of here now that this is over?”

“I think you would be advised to forget you ever knew me,” she said softly. She tilted her head the side. “Aye, it might be for the best. You’ll have your hands full in the next few years. Not that you have many left.”

Albany stared at her, his face paling slightly. “You’re lying.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Would you like to know for sure—” Elizabeth stepped forward, her hand held out and Albany stumbled back.

“Get out,” the regent said flatly. “But this won’t be the last time we meet.”

“No—” Jason stopped as they passed the man, and his jaw clenched. “It won’t be. But if you step foot on my lands again without permission, I’ll kill you and deal with the consequences.”

—

Elizabeth honestly couldn’t believe that Jason had been able to talk their way out of the castle so easily — but as he hurried her down the stairs and to the entrance, she knew that he still expected trouble.

“Do you think they’ll stop us on our way out of town?”

“They might and try to claim an accident,” Jason said as they came to the courtyard where his horse was still tied—and he saw that Johnny and Francis had caught up to him. They were waiting next to their horses.

“You found her? Good,” Johnny grunted, nodding at her. “Let’s get out of here—did you have to kill anyone?”

“No,” Jason said as he lifted Elizabeth onto the horse, then mounted in front of her. “But we need to get out of here now.”

“Aye, best decision I’ve heard all day,” Francis said.

It was the last word any of them spoke as the trio of horses galloped hard out of Stirling, putting as much distance between the castle and Elizabeth as possible. She clung to her husband, stunned that she was going home—that the regent had let them go—

Until they reached the city gates and she saw the men Jason had mentioned. She blinked. “There must be more than—”

“We managed a hundred of our own,” Jason said, frowning. “And we had fifty more from the Camerons—” He turned to Francis. “When did the rest arrive?”

“They were a day behind us on the trail,” Francis said. “Cameron sent another fifty, and, well the Frasiers sent at least seventy warriors. We might not have taken the castle, but we’d have done some damage.” He and Johnny went over to talk to the other men, to tell them what had happened

“You didn’t know there this many? Were you bluffing?” Elizabeth asked Jason as he lifted her down from his horse and walked her over to one of the extra horses. They’d cover more ground if she were on her own mount.

“I was hoping, but I didn’t expect more than twenty. This—this explains why he let us go.” Jason paused, seeing her confusion. “He only holds the power of the regency through the council. They could take it away. And a Highlander rebellion over his theft of a wife—” Jason shrugged. “He gambled that I’d let you go.”

“He underestimated you again.” Elizabeth leaned up to press her lips against his gently. “And I did as well. I’m sorry. You came all this way and then I argued with you.”

“You were trying to protect us.” Jason tucked her hair behind her ear. “I can’t be angry for that.”

“Cameron’s okay? Did he take to the nurse from the village?” Elizabeth demanded. “I worried—”

Jason hesitated. “Aye, he’s eating. But Tracy says he’s cried for you since you left. I couldn’t stay, so I don’t know.”

“How quickly can we be home?” Elizabeth demanded. Now that she was free, all she wanted was to be with her son.

“We’ll go as quickly as we can,” Jason promised. He helped her to mount, then went to his own horse.

Elizabeth took up the reins, and fell into line next to her husband’s horse, glancing over her shoulder once more that the turrets of Stirling Castle. She’d worry for the little boy king around all those people who only wanted his power, but she wanted to be at home with her son.

She needed to know if f she been wrong. If that dream had been a vision—if there was another child in her future—

Which meant that she still wasn’t out of danger. Maybe the duke of Albany had been just a minor villain, and the worst was yet to come.

+3

Written in 61 minutes.

The first messenger from Braegarie reached Jason near the Cameron stronghold as he and his men followed the victorious Cameron clan back to their keep. Jason had already been planning to take Francis and split off from the group to head home, not interested in the revelry ahead of them. The laird of the Camerons understood—he’d once had an infant son at home as well.

Jason had only just taken his leave of the Camerons when the rider from Braegarie galloped through the front gates—

“Jason—the duke—the regent, I mean—” The rider leaned over to catch his breath as Jason’s heart began to pound. At the doorway, the Cameron laird turned back, squinting.

“Did Albany come on the land?”

“Aye—two days ago, there was a royal procession on the borders,” the man told him. “I don’t know what happened—Johnny and your aunt sent me to fetch you. They’ll already be at the keep—”

“What’s this?” Lewis Cameron strode forward, narrowing his aways. “What trouble do you hve with the duke of Albany?”

“I need to go,” Jaosn said, with a shake of his head as he started towards his horse. “Francis, get the men—”

“Jason, if you’ve got problem with the regent, you’ll need more than just your own people,” Lewis barked, stopping Jason in his tracks. Jason turned back to face the older man. “We have little love for the court here in the Highlanders, especially since they spend more time kissing up to the French and English than they do on our people. Are we not allies, my boy?”

“We are.” Jason pressed his lips together, and told himself that Albany would already be at the keep by now. Five minutes to give the man an explanation and hope that Cameron would offer to support him were worth the time. “My wife and I married in Edinburgh at the regent’s command. On our way back to Braegarie, men hired by someone from at the court tried to kidnap Elizabeth and kill me. We think it was Albany for reasons I cannot divulge.”

Lewis considered him with a pinched expression. “And you think he’s come to your keep now with you gone fighting? To what, retrieve your wife?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. I need to return home—”

“And if he’s taken her?” the man asked. “If she’s in Stirling, or worse, back in the court, you think to lay seige to a royal capital to get her back?”

“Of course,” Jason bit out. “I have go to—”

“Aye. Send word if you need help,” Lewis told him. “I may be able to send you some men.”

Which was less than Jason hoped for, but Elizabeth wasn’t a Highland woman with a family connection he could use. All he had were his own, and if the Cameron laird wasn’t giving him his full support, then few other clans would come if he called.

He didn’t care. He’d promised Elizabeth that Albany wouldn’t come near her, and he’d failed.

He turned back to Francis. “Let’s go.”

—

By the time they reached the borders of the Morgan land, Jason knew that his worst fears had come true. There were men waiting for him, including Gannon, the guard that was supposed to be with Elizabeth with Johnny running the keep in Jason’s absence.

“Where’s my wife?” Jason demanded, as his horse drew alongside Gannon and the others. “Did Albany—”

“He came to the gates and forced his way in. I don’t know what what he said to my lady,” Gannon said, swallowing hard, “but she left with him. Willingly. She left the babe with your aunt.”

Jason exhaled on a sharp breath. “She left Cameron—”

“Of course she did, you eejit,” Francis muttered. “Albany probably threatened to lay seige to the entire keep,” he told Jason.

“I know.” But leaving Cameron behind—he’d half thought to find them both gone. She’d left her son behind.

She didn’t think she was coming back and feared for her safety.

“Let’s go,” Jason said. “I need to know what he said to her.”

—

His aunt was only too eager to tell him exactly why Elizabeth had chosen to leave, though she didn’t know the content of the conversation.

“Did you make that girl promise that her secret wouldn’t hurt the clan?” Tracy bit out as she shoved the wailing infant into his stunned father’s arms. “Two days. He only stops crying long enough to drink the milk from the wet nurse—”

Jason blinked, then looked down at his squalling son. Cameron hadn’t been separated from his mother more than a handful of hours since his birth. Two days and a new woman feeding him—he swallowed hard. “What’s this about her secret?”

“She knew that bastard would bring his men to the keep and kill anyone inside who stopped him. We might have held them off until you returned,” Tracy said, with a lift of her chin, “but she wasn’t willing to take that risk.”

“She knows you’ll come after her,” Francis assured Jason. “She made the right choice—”

“Did she?” Jason demanded. “She could be anywhere. We don’t even know if he’s taking her straight to Edinburgh or anywhere else—” He took a deep breath. “She’s been gone three days.”

“Stirling is at least nine days away—”

“Only if Albany stops to rest,” Jason reminded them both and Tracy closed her mouth. “He may not. He has to know that I’ll come after her. He’ll want to get her behind the walls of a royal castle—”

“Then Stirling is our best choice. I’ll get the men ready and send riders to call up our allies—” Johnny said.

“They may not come,” Jason said, stopping Johnny in his tracks. The Irishman turned around, confused by that pronouncement.

“Why? They’re our allies—”

“The Cameron suggested that maybe he’d send some men,” Jason muttered. He kissed his son’s head then gave him back to Tracy. “And if Lewis Cameron isn’t behind us, the Frasiers won’t be either.”

Johnny scowled. “You Highlanders are irritating as hell. I’ll make sure they come. They kidnapped your wife, Jason! And threatened to kill your people if she didn’t cooperate! If they can do it to you, why wouldn’t Lewis Cameron be next or James Frasier?”

“Send the riders.” Jason grimaced. “I won’t count on them, and I’m not waiting. I need to get to her before they reach Stirling.”

—

Elizabeth’s hands were tied to a pommel of a horse and Albany himself rode with her. She finally had a glimpse at how slowly Jason had taken their journey over a year earlier—what had taken them more than a week took Albany and his men only four days.

By the time they reached gates of the castle in Stirling, Elizabeth was exhausted and nearly fell off the horse, her wrists torn and bleeding from the ropes.

The man who dragged her off the horse scowled as she tumbled down to the courtyard. He dragged her up to her feet.

“Take her to the rose quarters,” she could dimly hear the regent bark. She wanted to protest, wanted to dig in her heels—in all the days since she’d left Braegarie, she’d thought of a thousand ways she could have dealt with Albany other than just abandoning her son and home—

But then she’d remember the people of her adopted home and how much they meant to her. Better to sacrifice herself than make them pay for her secrets, for her curse.

The room the soldiers took her to had a bed. SHe was shoved into the room and then the door was locked behind her. Elizabeth stood in the middle of the room, staring blindly at the door for a long moment. It was the first time she’d been alone since they’d taken her.

She sank to the floor, tears spilling down her cheeks. She wanted Jason to come bring her home, but if he tried to get behind the walls of the castle—they might hurt him. Even kill him.

No, better for him, for all of the people she loved, if he just gave up.

Her dreams of another year with him, of another son, of watching her baby grow into a smiling child—

Fantasies. Not visions.

She thought she might have dozed—she didn’t stand up, just rested her head against the foot of the bed and closed her eyes, too tired to even move. Then an arm grabbed her, jerking to her feet—

“What—”

She tried to focus, blinked her weary eyes until she focused on Albany who had one arm tight around her wrist—in agony from the ropes—and his arm clutching that of a small child. The little boy was wailing, calling for his mother.

“I want you to tell me his future,” Albany demanded, thrusting the boy at Elizabeth and releasing her arm. “Now!”

Elizabeth caught him, her breathing harsh as she saw a flash of an older boy being crowned—

This was James V, the boy king of Scotland, who was scarcely four years old and had been ripped away fro his mother.

“Maman!” the boy blubbered. He clutched as Elizabeth’s middle and she instinctively cuddled him closer. Flashes of him, running and playing with his mother mixed with ones of him older, holding his own daughter—then laying in bed—dying as a young man. Her heart weapt for him—what a tragically short life he’d lead—

“Tell me what you see!” Albany ordered. He dragged the king away from her grasp and Elizabeth scowled.

“No! I won’t!”

“You’ll tell me—” He hissed—then shoved the king at one of the soldiers. “Take him out and stop that screaming—”

When the king was gone, Albany turned back to her. “Tell me what you saw and I’ll let you go—”

“I don’t even need to touch you to know you’re lying,” she hissed. “And I will never tell you what I saw.”

He raised his hand, stopping just short of backhanding. “You’ll tell me—”

“Or what? What else can you take from me?” she demanded. “You’ve taken my home, my husband—” Her voice broke. “My son! There’s nothing left but my life. You may as well take that now. I will never help you.”

Albany’s hand curled into a fist and he shook it at her. “You’ll tell me what you saw—does his mother get him back? Does her brother help her and take my power—”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together, mutely. He growled. “Tell me, witch!”

“You may as well burn me at the stake now. You’ve wasted your time.”

And this time he did hit her. The force of his slap sent her flying across the room and she lay crumbled on the floor, waiting for more.

Instead, she heard the door slam behind her. Elizabeth closed her eyes and wished for it to be over.

—

Two days later, Jason and his men finally reached Stirling Castle. Johnny convinced him to leave the bulk of the men outside the gates—they were still waiting for more to join them, but Jason wasn’t sure that they’d get more than the small contigent of warriors that the Frasiers and Camerons had sent.

“You think I’ll just waltz in and take her back without needing a show of force?” Jason demanded skeptically.

“I’m saying that we don’t start with an attack, no matter how angry we all are.” Johnny put a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “And if you weren’t so angry, you’d see the sense in this.”

Jason glared at him, but then tugged on the reins of his horse, galloping the last few yards before the entrance to the castle.

“This isn’t going to end well,” Francis muttered. “All we can hope is that there are some men who are still loyal to the queen and hate that little rodent.”

—

Jason dismounted the horse. “Jason Morgan,” he told the guard at the entrnace. “My wife, Elizabeth, is a guest,” he bit out, “of the regent.” Johnny was right—if he just started pounding on the soldiers, he’d never get his wife back.

And he was desperate to see her, to know she was all right—it had been weeks—

“Aye.” The soldier squinted. “Lady Morgan isn’t to have any visitors. Order of the regent.”

Jason scowled. “I’m not a visitor. I’m her husband. We were married on the regent’s command—” He took a deep breath. “She’ll want news of our son.”

The soldier exchanged a glance with the other man on duty. “The, uh, lady, has been spending some time with the young king,” he said slowly. “He’s missing his mother.”

“My son misses his mother—”

“Let him pass,” the other man muttered. “Mayhap he’ll push Albany down the steps and we’ll be rid of him for good.”

“You’ll take the blame,” the first soldier returned, then stepped aside. “She’s in the rose room. Ask for Maggie inside. She’s loyal to the queen.”

—

Elizabeth sat at the window, rubbing at the scabs on her wrist. They itched fiercely as they healed from her robe burns. In the last two days, the regent had forced her to spend most of her time with the king, watching her like a hawk, hoping for something to slip. He’d also refused to feed her, hoping that her hunger would weak her resolve.

The door behind her opened but she didn’t look away from the view of the gardens. “I’ll not tell you a thing,” she muttered. “So don’t bother asking.”

“Elizabeth.”

She blinked, her lips quivering as she closed her eyes, taking in the timbre of her beloved husband’s voice. Oh, had she already grown delusional from hunger?

“Lass, if we’re to make our escape, you’ll need to look at me—”

Elizabeth launched herself off the window seat and threw herself into Jason’s arms, not even taking a moment to look at him. “You came!”

“Of course I did.” He buried his face in her neck, and tears stung her eyes. Oh, how safe she always felt in his arms. How special and beloved—

“I’m so sorry,” he told her. Jason drew back, framed her face in his hands, his eyes darkening at the cut on her cheek and the bruise beneath it. “I’ll kill him.”

“No, you can’t—” Elizabeth wrapped her hands around his wrist. “Jason—”

“We need to go. A few servants are still loyal to Margaret, but—”

It was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but she shook her head and stepped back from him. She’d known he’d come for her.

But she’d always known what her answer should be.

“I’m sorry. I can’t go with you.”

+4

Written in 60 minutes. No time for spell check or reread.

Less than three weeks after Jason returned from fighting alongside the Fraziers, the Camerons called for the help of the clan Morgan, and Jason had to, once again, leave his family behind in the keep under the protection of Johnny and several of his best men.

“You were spoiled the first year,” Tracy said on the third day of Jason’s absence when she sat down by the heart in the great hall. She reached for her pile of mending. “The Camerons and Frasiers were quiet.”

“I know. Jason said Highlanders like to fight,” Elizabeth grumbled as she bent over the tapestry she’d worked on most nights since Jason had left. They’d found a sweet maid to watch over Cameron for a few hours each night, and Jason had made her promise she’d spend more time sleeping and on her needlework.

She’d rather be in her room, watching her son breathe, making sure that he was safe, but the maid, Emma, was a loyal Morgan who wouldn’t let anything happen to the laird’s son.

“He’s fine.”

Elizabeth flushed. “You must think me silly. Jason had to force me to leave the room.”

“I think you are a new mother who listened to me too closely.” Tracy shifted, uncomfortable. “I should not have told you about his mother’s losses. You’ve taken it too closely to heart.”

Elizabeth forced herself not ot smile. “Aunt, are you admitting to a mistake?”

“No,” Tracy said flatly. “I am never wrong.” She sniffed. “Just merely remarking that perhaps that particular story was not well-suited to your dramatic nature.”

“Ah, that sounds right.” Elizabeth frowned when she saw some activity near the entrance to the great hall. Johnny glanced up from the table where he was sitting with some of the men and strode across the hall.

Tracy shifted in her seat, narrowing her eyes. “What on earth—it’s after the supper hour—”

Her heart began to pound. She’d taken Jason’s return for granted, so sure that he would best anyone in battle. What if he was hurt—or worse—No, no, she’d touched him as he’d left, assured herself of his safety—but her visions couldn’t always be depended on—

“What’s going on?” Tracy demanded. “Johnny O’Brien—”

Johnny flashed the older woman an irritated glare and waved her off before returning his attention to the men at the door. He nodded, said something that neither of them could hear.

“That insolent—” Tracy turned to Elizabeth. “Can’t you see what the problem is?”

“I require touch,” Elizabeth said softly. “And Jason should be coming home to us. I never would have let him leave—”

“I’m sorry,” Johnny said as he joined them by the fire. “That was a scout from the border. There’s…there’s a royal procession camping just outside our lands.” He looked at Elizabeth who clenched her hands her lap, beneath the cloth of her tapestry. “The scout said it was Albany’s colors.”

“Why would the regent be this far north? He should be taking the princes to Edinburgh.” Tracy scowled and resumed her seat. “Is this about the business you told me about? The attack near Carnwell Pass?”

“Aye. Jason thinks the regent was behind it, but we can’t imagine why. He sent for Jason to marry me. Why would he do that—”

“Well,” Johnny said, pitching his voice a bit lower so that none of the men could overhear them. “You came there under your father’s protection. You couldn’t have stayed at court without his permission. After the wedding, he wanted you brought to the court. Mayhap he thought Jason would leave you at court.”

“He was irritated at being forced into marriage without being told—” Elizabeth’s lips pressed together. “His Grace was quite insistent I not tell Jason. I was so scared that he’d proclaim me as a witch or he’d leave me behind if I did.”

“And Albany thought Jason would be angry enough at your refusal to leave you behind. Under his protection. And control.” Johnny shrugged. “Not so many seers left, lass. ‘Tis passed through inheritance, and most never admit to the powers.”

“But that still doesn’t—he can’t think I’ll leave with him willingly,” Elizabeth said, twisting her hands. “And I’m Jason’s wife—”

“Jason isn’t here. Albany will know of the Cameron and Frasier’s recent battles. He’s been in Sterling for weeks. Word would have traveled.” Johnny shook his head. “Don’t worry, lass. I’ve sent a rider for Jason. He’ll return—”

“But the battle isn’t done. He can’t turn his back on an ally—”

“The Cameron will understand,” Tracy cut in. “Highlanders have little love for the court or any puffed up arse who thinks to walk onto their land and take what’s theirs.”

“You’ll stay in the keep,” Johnny told Elizabeth. “Stick close to Cameron, and I’ll take care of the rest. Albany can’t force his way in.”

“I keep being told what he can’t do, but it doesn’t seem to have stopped him yet.” Elizabeth got to her feet. “Good night, Aunt. Johnny.”

Tracy watched her niece by marriage climb the steps before turning to Johnny with a scowl. “Jason is two days away, even by the fastest messenger. It’ll be nearly a week before he can be here. By then, that damned duke will have stormed the keep and forced her to go—”

“Jason left me to protect his family,” Johnny said darkly. “I’ll not let her go without a fight.”

“See that you don’t.”

—

By mid-morning the next day, all of the keep knew something was wrong. The scouts reported at the royal procession was drawing closer, and Elizabeth knew what Tracy and Johnny weren’t telling her — Jason wouldn’t be able to return home in time.

“Couldn’t you smuggle me out through one of the passages?” she asked Johnny when the first-in-command came to report the regent and his men were maybe two hours away. “You could tell him I went to visit my father—”

“And left your newborn son behind?” Johnny said. He shook his head. “He would just go to our allies—”

“Is that not what they’re for?” Tracy snapped. Johnny glared at her. “They can hide her at the Camerons, and then move her to the Frasiers. Eventually Jason will return—”

“Jason can call on the Camerons and Frasiers to hide his wife. I’m the bloody Irishman that barely knows Gaelic,” Johnny retorted. “You’d have me bring the royal court to their doorway without Jason’s knowledge?”

“Johnny—”

They turned to Gannon at the doorway. The younger warrior swallowed hard. “The regent and a small contingent—they’re traveling ahead of the procession. They’ll be here in less than an hour.”

Johnny’s scowl deepened, and he turned back to Elizabeth. “You stay in this room with the babe. Both of you,” he told Tracy who narrowed her eyes.

“Boy—”

Johnny didn’t stay to hear what Tracy would say next.

Elizabeth turned to look at her son. Her beloved, precious miracle. She traced a finger down his face. “There’s a woman in the village,” she said to Tracy. “She’ll be able to take over for me with the feeding. I made sure someone was able.”

“What fool thing—”

“He waited until he knew Jason wasn’t here. Until he knew the majority of Jason’s men were days away.” Elizabeth picked Cameron up and took him over to the hearth so she could sit with her son one more time and feed him. “He’ll lay seige to the keep.”

“Let him—”

“I made a promise to Jason that my secret would never bring harm to the clan.” Elizabeth stared down at Cameron. “I could never repay his kindness in making me a wife and mother by bringing destruction to the place he loves.” She looked at Tracy. “We’ll be under attack in hours. Albany has come ahead of the others to see if you’ll turn me over. I can save you all.”

“But—”

Maybe her vision had been just a nightmare. Maybe this babe would be all she had. There wouldn’t be another son, another year of this life—

“Would you sacrifice the clan to save yourself?” Elizabeth asked softly. She met Tracy’s eyes. “No. You would do the same, Aunt.”

“Jason will come after you,” Tracy told her, firmly.

“Aye, likely he will. And we’ll see what happens. But we don’t know what Albany wants of me or where he’ll bring me.” Her voice faltered. “Maybe I’ll be back and this will be just a story we tell the children one day.”

“Elizabeth—”

“You’ll look after my son, won’t you? And Jason. I know I don’t have to ask because you’re a Morgan and that’s what you do, but—” She cleared her throat. “I still need to ask. You had the raising of Jason, didn’t you?”

“That was his father, and he was a boy of ten by the time his mother passed—” Uncomfortable, Tracy began to pace the room. “But aye, I finished the job.”

“So I know you’ll look after my family. I love them. I should have—I should have told Jason that I loved him,” she admitted. “I was afraid. He never asked for any of this, and I didn’t want him to feel guilty for not feeling the same.”

“If you think my nephew isn’t stupid over you,” Tracy declared, “then I don’t see how you can call yourself a seer.”

Elizabeth laughed, but it was more of a choked sob. “I could never see for myself. I wish I could know that was true.”

“Then I’ll make sure he tells you when he comes to fetch you.”

Johnny hadn’t been able to keep the regent from coming into the keep. There had been a small scufffle at the front gates, but the Duke of Albany had easily gained entrance and within the hour, he was standing in the doorway of Elizabeth’s bedroom.

“Well, Lady Morgan, we meet again.” He flicked his eyes to Tracy. “Leave us.”

“No—”

“Tracy.” Elizabeth kissed her son then slowly set him in his aunt’s arms. “Take Cameron somewhere safe and remember what I said.”

Tracy grimaced, then looked at Albany. “When my nephew hears of this, I hope he puts your head on a pike.” She stalked out the door.

Albany watched her leave. “Amazing to think she never married,” he muttered, then turned his attention back to Elizabeth. “You know why I’m here.”

“To make me leave. I just don’t understand why.” Elizabeth laced her fingers together to keep them shaking. “You were the one who brought Jason to me. You arranged our marriage. Why do you not leave us to live our lives?”

“He was supposed to be so angry at my command and at your refusal to tell him the truth that he’d leave you in a pique of anger.” Albany wrinkled his nose. “These Highlanders never do anything the way I want them to. I left you alone for as long as I could, didn’t I? I even let you have time to have a son—”

“You gave me a whole hear,” Elizabeth said. “How kind of you,” she retorted.

“You could bring the brat with you if you like—”

“Morgans belong here.” Elizabeth lifted her chin. “What if I refuse to leave? Will you destroy the keep?”

“If you refuse to leave with me now,” Albany said, his voice low and hard, “not only will I raze this holding to the ground, but I will make sure that all who live here know you to be a witch.”

Elizabeth’s heart began to beat a bit faster. “They practice the Old Ways,” she said softly.

“Do they? Every single one of them?” Albany raised a brow. “You are willing to take that risk? To destroy the land your husband holds so dear? I can do more than destroy this ragged keep, my lady. Do you want to ask the queen what I’m capable of?”

“No.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “No. I just wanted to know how evil you truly were. How did you know what I was capable of? Because you knew before I came to court.”

“I sent for you, my dear.” Albany reached for her arm and started to drag her towards the door. “Your mother was a dear, distant cousin, and I knew of her curse. I knew it traveled in the blood, and once I learned your father had hidden his youngest daughter away—well, it wasn’t that difficult. Satisfied?”

“My husband will come for me.”

“I hope, for your sake, that’s not true. Because it would be a shame for you to be the reason his clan was disbanded and he was executed for treason,” Albany hissed in her ear as he tugged her down the stairs. “Be grateful for the year I’ve let you have. You belong to me now. And he’ll replace you before the first snow falls.”

+4

Written in 62 minutes. No time for spellcheck.

Elizabeth lifted her son from his cradle and held him against her shoulder, gently rocking the infant as she swayed back and forth, hoping to settle his restless cries.

She’d barely been able sleep over the past three weeks—not just because Cameron rarely slept more a few hours at a time, but her own worry. Tracy had told her of the three children Jason’s mother had lost in infacy—a son and daughter before Jason’s birth and then one more son between Jason and his sister, Emily.

Three babes born that hadn’t seen their first birthday. And two of them, Tracy had said with real sorrow, had died within weeks. Some babes weren’t strong enough to survive. Since that discussion, Elizabeth had been afraid to take her eyes off her son. What if she missed his last breath? What if she missed the chance to help him?

“Father McKinnon has just finished his week at the Camerons.”

Elizabeth turned at the sound of her husband’s aunt and sighed in relief. “Then he’ll be here this Sunday. I want Cameron baptized.” The Camerons were the largest clan in this part of Scotland, and the Morgans had a marriage alliance with them through Jason’s mother. It was part of the reason Elizabeth had chosen the name for their son. Or at least, she thought it was the reason. It had been his name in her vision after all.

“Aye. ‘Tis a privilege to have a priest even once a month,” Tracy said as she strode across the room and reached for Cameron, frowning at Elizabeth. “You did not sleep again ast night?”

“Oh.” Elizabeth sighed. “No, not since Jason left for the Frasers.” She bit at her thumb and turned towards the windows. She’d grown used to Jason and his best warriors leaving to fight with allies against rival clans, but she always worried when he was gone.

“You need to stop fretting over Jason,” Tracy said as she bounced Cameron lightly and the baby coeed at her. “Highland men like fighting more than they like the comforts of home. They consider it a sin to die in their beds as old men.”

“I may have to live with it, but it does not meet I should ever accept it. Someone has to help Cameron grow into a strong Highland warrior.” Elizabeth smoothed her hand over the soft, downy fuzz of her son’s head, still marveling at his existence. She’d been so convinced she’d never have a family and now she had this perfect child, a wonderful husband, and—she eyed Tracy—a beloved curmudgeon. “I know it’s been a year, but I confess I still can’t get used to not having a priest in permanent residence.”

“Ah, well, being from the Lowlands, you’re practically English, and they’ve forgotten the Old Ways long ago,” Tracy said. She set Cameron back in Elizabeth’s arms. “He’s looking hungry.”

Her favorite part of the day. Elizabeth sat down in the chair by the fire and untucked her dress so that Cameron could eat. “No, my father didn’t set much store in the Old Ways,” she admitted. “He was very…dedicated to the Church.”

Tracy snorted as she took the seat across from Elizabeth. “Men often are. That’s how they tell themselves they have the power. God speaks to them, they say. And women are last in God’s life. The church fears the Old Ways.” She folded her arms. “You won’t see that attitude at Braegarie as long as a Morgan breathes. We still have the proper respect for the gifts that God has bestowed.”

“I…” Elizabeth bit her lip. “I haven’t seen much evidence of it. Beyond the marriages that aren’t blessed by a priest until Father MacKinnon arrives.”

“You likely don’t know what to look for. Barbara is a practitioner. Not much to her abilities—a gift for healing. For sensing the right treatments, for having a deft hand at the potions,” Tracy explained. “No, the ways are dying out. We don’t have many seers left. Not here in east. Emily writes that they still have some stalwarts in the Isles.”

“Seers.” Elizabeth’s heart began to beat a bit faster. “You mean people who can see the future.”

“Aye. It was never a common gift,” Tracy admitted. “The Camerons have a seer, but they keep it quiet. Some fools seem to think that it’s evidence of a witchcraft.” She snorted. “Ever since the Stewarts came to power and made an alliance with the French—” she sneered the word. “They’ve forgotten who they are.”

“Because the French king is very dedicated to the Pope,” Elizabeth said slowly. “I’ve heard the regent speak of his fondness for Paris. He spent time there before the king died and he was called home.”

“Aye, John Stewart is barely a Scot.” Tracy narrowed her eyes. “Why the interest in the Old Ways?”

“I—” Elizabeth’s words died in her throat. Tracy approved of her—but just barely. She’d survived a Highland winter and had birthed a son for Tracy’s beloved nephew. But that did not mean Jason’s aunt cared for her.

Still. “It’s very different from how I was raised. My father was very harsh with any women he believed to be witches,” Elizabeth said slowly. “He…had several burned at the stake.”

“Aye. The witchcraft trials have come to Sterling. Jason told me a woman burned at Beltane several springs ago—and the run you had on your way from Edinburgh. The witch finder—as if a man could spot an actual witch—” Tracy got to her feet. “I took a risk telling you about Barbara—”

“I would never—” Elizabeth shook her head. “Aunt, I promise. I would never—I—” She took a deep breath. “I ask because I—I think I am one of those—the seers,” she clarified. “I—I get visions. Of the future.”

Tracy pursed her lips, then settled back down in the chair. “Tell me.”

—

Jason returned from his battles alongside the Frasers only a day before Father MacKinnon was due to baptize their son and brought news with him.

“Albany is in Sterling,” Jason told Johnny who had been left behind to guard the keep and Jason’s family. He started up the stairs, expecting his first to follow him. He was eager to see his wife and son. He disliked being away from them and knew Elizabeth had trouble sleeping when he wasn’t with her.

“Why? I thought he’d go back to France and leave the queen to her business,” Johnny muttered. “Even if her business is the Angus.”

“Aye, well, she lost the right to her children with that marriage,” Jason reminded him. “And Albany had wait to for the council to give him the right—he’s in Sterling because that’s where Margaret is.”

He pushed open the door and grinned at the sight of Elizabeth at the heart, cradling their son in her arms. Then frowned, realized she was feeding Cameron and—he turned to face Johnny. “You’ll stay out here.”

“I’ve seen a woman feed—” Johnny protested, but Jason closed the bedroom door and greeted his aunt who stood to greet him.

“Johnny said things were well?” he asked her, then looked at Elizabeth for confirmation.

“Aye, the holding is as you left it,” Tracy said. She arched a brow. “Your wife has slept not a wink. You should see to that.” She paused and met his eyes. “And your mother would be proud of you.”

Frowning as his aunt left the room, Jason turned a bewildered expression to Elizabeth who had finished feeding Cameron and was getting to her feet. “What—”

“Tracy and I were discussing the Old Ways,” Elizabeth said. “And so…I told her.”

“You…” Jason was distracted when she put their son in his arms. Even after three weeks, it still felt like the first time. Cameron had grown since that first night—his face was starting to fill out and he opened his eyes more—but he was still no heavier than the claymore Jason wielded in battle.

In fact, on this recent journey, Jason had convinced himself that the child weighed less than his weapon. He understood his wife’s fears that something this fragile could not be strong enough to survive in this world.

“I wondered—when I told you what I could do—why it did not seem to concern you,” Elizabeth said. “You were surprised, but you didn’t…judge me. I was sure that you wouldn’t want to keep me.”

Jason scowled. “‘Tis your father who had you thinking things. Low Landers are scared everything.”

“Aye, that’s what Tracy said. She said we’ll still need to keep it to ourselves. The church is growing stronger. That’s very clear from what we saw in Sterling last spring.” Elizabeth sighed. “But it does feel better not having to keep the secret from you and Tracy. Or Johnny and Francis. Keeping it from you—I hated it.”

“It was only for a few months.” Jason shrugged it off, and then sat down—slowly, not wanting to jar his son who had dozed off in his arms. “And you were scared. I knew I had to make you feel safe, and I did.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, and he grinned at her. He untucked one hand from holding Cameron and reached for her, tugging her onto his knee. “We have a strong son,” he told her. “And I can see the circles under your eyes. We’ll get a maid in to see to Cameron at night so you can sleep—”

“Jason—”

“I worry for him, too,” he told her. “I remember the babe my parents lost before Emily was born. And how my mother grieved each loss.” He paused. “How my father grieved the loss of my mother when Emily was born. You need to keep your strength. You’re important to me, too.”

“I try not to feel scared,” Elizabeth murmured, leaning against Jason’s shoulder, tucking her head under his chin as they both looked at the miracle he held in his other arm. “I know my vision tells me he survives. That there’s another child in a year or two. But ’tis hard to remember that in the middle of the night,” she admitted.

And neither of them mentioned how that vision had begun by the disappearance of Jason and their sons. She had never been sure if it had been a metaphor or if there was something else to worry over.

“Albany is in Sterling,” he told Elizabeth. “He’s come to take the boys from Margaret.”

“The—” Elizabeth leaned up, frowing him. “James and Alexander? They’re just babes. Alexander is scarely weaned—and you told me Margaret was to have the Angus’s child. Why would he take children from their mother now?”

“Because James is the king,” Jason reminded her gently. “And Albany is the regent. He has the power to do so—”

“It’s barbaric,” Elizabeth muttered, “that he should have such power over her children. She brought those boys into the world. She should have the raising of them. Even if she did have the bad judgement to marry Archibald Douglas.” She narrowed her eyes. “What man do you think will take my son from me? I’ll see them dead first—”

“Things aren’t so strict in the Highlands,” Jason told her. “But aye, he needs a male legal guardian. A boy without one—the king could take control of him and the holding,” he admitted. “So I had to put some paperwork together. Johnny has the legal custody but he knows that Cameron stays with you.”

“And if he tried to take him from me—or Tracy—no one would ever find the body,” Elizabeth muttered. “This is the problem of letting men in charge of the world. Women do all the work and you lot just take.” She took a deep breath. “You’re telling me about Albany being in Sterling because this is the closest he’s been since we were in Edinburgh.”

“Aye. And if he was behind the kidnapping attempt last year,” Jason said, “I just think it’s best if we keep an eye on him. He might not care about of that. He’ll finish seiging Margaret, and take the boys back to Edinburgh where he has more loyal followers in the court.”

“He can’t make me leave, can he?” Elizabeth asked. “I’m your wife. Your legal property.”

“Which is the argument I’ll be making if he tries,” Jason told her. “Whatever plans he might have had for you, they were done the moment he chose me to marry you.” He leaned forward and kissed her gently. “I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

“I know.” She edged back slightly with narrowed eyes. “But you’re just to make that argument to him, not anyone else.”

“I’m not fool enough to try it on you.” He kissed her again and she smiled against his lips. “We both know who holds the power here.” Cameron began to cry, and they both looked at the infant. Because of course, their lives revolved around their son now—he was the one in charhe.

—

“I take it from the look on your face you’re unhappy with the messenger,” Johnny said as he closed the solar door behind the man who had brought the scroll Jason held in his hands. “He said he’ll wait in the hall for the answer—”

“The answer is no,” Jason said, his tone clipped. “You can word it however you like, but I’ll not be bringing my wife anywhere near Sterling Castle or the Duke of Albany. The regent can go to hell.”

Johnny blinked. “He wants you to bring Elizabeth—she’s barely out of childbed—”

“Aye, well, Albany’s shown just how much care he has for a woman and her children, hasn’t he?” Jason muttered.

“I’ll give the message to the regent’s man, but this will upset Elizabeth. She’s only begun sleeping again at night.”

Jason scrubbed a hand over his face, then nodded. “I know. I won’t be telling her.”

“Jason—”

“I promised I’d keep her safe. She trusts me to do that. She doesn’t need all the details.”

+5

Written in 60 minutes. No time for spellcheck or reread.

I saw my death.

Hours later, long after he’d coaxed Elizabeth to lay down and at least try to get some rest, Jason hadn’t been able to get the words out of his head. To stop hearing the terror in her voice—to erase the image of her screaming in her sleep, trying to escape their room as if it were on fire—

Because in her dreams, it had been—

She’d been screaming the names of the children not yet born—what kind of curse had she been given to see the future, to feel it—only to see the worst of it?

He paced his solar that morning, angry that he couldn’t simply kill someone and take away the shadows in his wife’s eyes. She’d risen that morning, exhausted, but refusing to speak of her nightmarish vision. He’d hadn’t pushed it—

What would he say? How could he prepare against a foe neither of them could see?

“You seem more agitated than usual.” Johnny said with a frown. “Are you still angry with me? How I was to know she’d lock me in a closet—”

“You were offensive to her,” Jason snapped, happy to have someone to glare at. “I asked you protect her, not make comments about her work. Milo is taking over her protective detail while she’s in the keep—”

Johnny scowled, then shook his head. “No. I don’t believe you’re angry at me about this—you would have punched me. What is the problem—”

“Because last night I had a nightmare.”

They both turned and Jason blinked at his wife in the doorway, her arms folded protecting around her middle, dark circles digging grooves beneath her eyes.

“A nightmare,” Johnny echoed. He looked at Jason dubiously. “I dinnae ken. You’ve had one before, and Jason was fine—”

“Elizabeth, you don’t have to—”

“He’s your first, and he can’t protect you if we don’t tell him.” She lifted her chin, closed the door behind her. “What he does with the knowledge—I cannot control.”

“Tell me what?”

“I have visions,” Elizabeth said softly. “Of things that have not yet happened. ‘Tis how I saved the regent’s life. And last night, I dreamt that someone burned me at the stake.”

Johnny stared at her for a long moment, then turned questioning eyes to Jason who nodded. He returned to his gaze to Elizabeth. “‘Tis why you were acting strange during Beltane. I thought mayhap you had a relative who’d been taken up for a witch.”

“Close enough.” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “Will you keep my secret? At least until my babe is born—”

“I don’t see how this is anyone’s business.” Johnny shifted uncomfortably. “And you should not worry about being burned at the stake. Jason won’t let it happen.”

“I’m sure he’ll do his best,” Elizabeth said. She bit her lip. “You may tell Francis when he returns from wherever he’s been sent,” she told Jason. “But I was hoping we could speak.”

“Aye. Johnny—”

“I’ll be in the hall if you need me.” Johnny nodded to them both, then left the room, edging around Elizabeth warily. She closed her eyes, flinching.

“I’m sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have told him.”

“He’ll deal with it.” Jason strode towards her, taking her hand and leading her to the hearth, urging her to sit. “You should still be resting—”

“I was very—I was not myself last night, and I did not—I should have thanked you—”

He scowled, then crouched down to light a fire—there was a chill in the air, despite the summer months and he would not have her catching cold. “You don’t need to thank me—”

“Jason. Please look at me.”

He grimaced, then twisted to look up at her from his crouch. “I won’t let it happen.”

“I hope that’s true.” She reached for his hand and he gave it to her. “But I’ve been spent this morning trying to recall every piece of the dream, searching for anything that might help us identify the man in the dream. I know his face, Jason. I know his face. And one day, we will meet. Because I knew him in the vision.”

He nodded. “And I will make sure he never comes near you.”

“Aye.” Her smile was faint. “But do you know what I did remember from the dream that we can hold on to? I couldn’t be sure if the first part was real. Sometimes the visions blend into the dreams, and only pieces are true. But in the second part—when I was running through the night—I was running away, hoping to keep the men chasing me from my children. Two of them. Just like the first part. This isn’t going to happen for a long time, Jason.”

“How long?” Jason demanded.

“In my dream, this child—” She pressed a hand to her middle. “He was three. The second was an infant, maybe a few months. We have years, Jason. I don’t want to spend them living in fear of the day this man comes into our lives.”

Jason rose to his feet, and Elizabeth stood as well. “So you want me to forget?” he demanded. “Forget that one day, in three or four years, some man is going to try and kill you—”

“No.” She pressed her hand against his chest, against the beating of his heart. “No,” she repeated. “I will know this man when he comes. But this dream—the beginning—I think it was sent to me so that I know there will be joy. I have been so happy here. Whatever the regent had planned for me, he did not account for you.”

Jason searched her eyes, confused—her expression was clear, even hopeful. The woman he’d held him in his arms last night had been terrified, barely able to breath. “I want you to be safe here.”

“And I am safe. For now. Your aunt almost thinks I’m worthy of you,” she teased. “And most of the clan—at least those I’ve met—they’ve accepted me. And I’m going to be a mother. I never dreamed any of this would come true for me. I spent most of my life locked in a room hundreds of miles away, afraid that I would simply vanish into nothing. That I would never truly exist.”

“Is that what your father did to you?”

“After my mother died, aye. From the day after we put her into the ground until he received the summons from the regent, my entire life was the four walls of that room.”

Jason clenched his jaw—the point of what his wife was tring to tell him was not how unhappy her childhood had been, but it was hard to ignore the image of her wasting away like that. “You don’t want to live with me following you around and keeping you safe every day,” he sid slowly. “Because then I’d be no better than your father.”

“I would never say that,” Elizabeth said with a quick shake of her head. “He wanted me to disappear. You want me to be safe. I just—I want to live. Promise me. We’ll be on our guard, but we won’t let what I saw last night—what happened in the clearing all those months ago—we won’t let it ruin our future.”

He wasn’t sure he could keep that promise one hundred percent of the time, but if his wife wanted to concentrate on being happy, on caring for their family and building a home here—then he would make sure that she never had to worry about her safety again.

Jason would take on that worry for himself.

“Nothing is going to keep us from having that first part of your vision,” he told her. “Two sons. To start,” he added, and she smiled, leaning up to kiss him.

“Thank you,” she murmured against his mouth. “For accepting me.”

“Thank you for trusting me.” He tucked an errant curl behind her ear. “Now, will you please go rest?”

“Only if you come with me.”

——

Francis returned from his travels near the harvest, exhausted from trekking the length of Scotland from Elizabeth’s home in Annan, near the border, to weeks spent in Edinburgh.

“I’m sorry there’s no more to report,” Francis said with a shake of his head. He sipped his ale. “Most of the people in her village—they thought she’d died long ago. They were surprised to hear the lass had married. She’s not been seen since they buried her mother.”

Jason clenched his jaw. Elizabeth had said as much, but to know that even her own people that thought her dead and gone for years— “And her family are still in the capital?”

“The brother went home, but yes, her father and sister are still at court, hoping for a rich husband, I think.” Francis paused. “There’s no rumors about a power grab for Albany. He spent part of the summer in France—he only just returned just before I left. Most of the court was talking about the queen. They think she’s planning to leave the Angus—he’s seized some of her property.”

“Idiot,” Jason muttered. “But nothing about Elizabeth or her family?”

“Not a thing.” Francis waited a moment. “The people in Annan—I did learn that there were a spate of trouble around the time the lass’s mother died. A riding accident as she said, but there was a lot of witchcraft accusations for the next few years. Jeffrey Webber condemned six women to burn in three years.”

“Six—” Jason swallowed hard. “That’s a lot for one area—”

“Aye. It’s made the village a bit more hesitant to talk to a stranger, truth be told. It only ended the local church intervened. No one’s sure what started it, but it did seem to be the only thing out of the ordinary.”

Jason scrubbed his hands over his face. Had he put his wife in danger by sending Francis to her home? Was the man from Annan? They’d thought her dead but now they knew she wasn’t.

“You tell me that the lass sees the future,” Francis said, drawing Jason’s attention. “That her father knew about it. He likely wanted to be seen as being harsh on those suspected of witchcraft so that no one could point in his own household.”

“Maybe.”

“Whoever this man she saw in her dreams—she has the right of it. She’ll know him when she sees him,” Francis continued. “Concentrate on the future. The other one that she saw. She’ll safely deliver the bairn. That’s enough to be grateful for.”

——

Their son came early on a bitterly cold day six months later, just before February faded into March.

His aunt and Barbara had shoved him out of their bedchamber, Tracy proclaiming this was no place for men and that he should go about his day. They’d fetch him if he was needed.

Jason had bared his teeth at his aunt and growled, but she’d merely sniffed and slammed the door in his face. He could hear his wife’s screams from the solar down the hall, and he rejected all the ale that Johnny and Francis had offered him.

“Don’t know why any woman wants to be a mother,” Johnny muttered as another scream echoed in the night.

“Shut it,” Francis muttered. “Jason—”

“It’s been hours,” Jason said, striding towards the door, then turning back. “I should be in there.”

“To do what?” Johnny asked, frowning. “What do you know about having babes? All men are good for is the making of them. And then, ye know, we’ll teach the lad how to crack heads—”

Another scream cut off abruptly, and then there was silence. Jason scowled. “I’m going in.” He jerked open the door and strode down the hall to his bedchamber. Just as he was reaching for the handle, it opened and his aunt stood there, and there was the sound of a baby crying behind her.

“Oh. Good.” Tracy smiled broadly. “We’re cleaning up the lass now. You have a son—”

He moved past her to find Elizabeth laying back against the linens and furs, her face red and sweaty, her hair hanging in limp, damp strands around her face. She held a bundle in her arms as Barbara stepped away, her arms full of stained cloth.

Elizabeth looked up at his approach, her eyes bright with tears, her smile bright. “Jason. He’s here. Look at him—”

Jason could barely force a breath out of his lungs as he gingerly sat on the edge of the bed. She pulled back a piece of blanket covering the babe—and his face was as red as his mothers, his eyes scrunched up—his hand waving around, clenched in a fist. He let out another angry cry.

“He’s a bit disappointed in the outside world,” Elizabeth told Jason, stroking a finger down the babe’s cheek and he quieted at her touch. “‘Tis a cold Highland winter he’s been brought into.”

“He’ll get—” Jason took a deep breath. “He’ll get used to it.”

“Would you like to hold him?”

Yes— “He’s small,” Jason said, skeptically. “What if I drop him?”

“You won’t.” She held him out, and Jason hesitantly accepted the ridiculously light child into his arms.

“There’s—there’s nothing to him,” he said, confused. “I’ve held rocks that were heavier.” He looked down into his son’s face—when the babe cried against, Jason tried to touch his cheek the way Elizabeth had, but his finger wasn’t as soft and it didn’t help.

“He’s just a bit of a thing now, isn’t it? But he has a healthy set of lungs. Barbara, you said he was perfect, did you not?”

“Aye, healthy and as perfect a babe as I’ve ever delivered,” the healer announced proudly. “He’ll be a proper Morgan laird when the time comes.”

“Should you—” Helpless, Jason handed the baby back to her. As soon as he was back in his mother’s arms, the babe stopped crying, and Elizabeth laughed.

“That’s already. You’re just brand new, aren’t you, dearest? You’ll learn soon enough that the safest place to be is in Papa’s arms.” Elizabeth looked at him, her eyes shining with tears. “He’s so beautiful. I want to have a dozen more.”

“I—” He didn’t think he’d survive another birthing and he’d done nothing but sit down the hall and worry. “We’ll talk about it later.” Jason paused. “Are you sure you still want—”

“Aye. The child in my dreams—he was perfect. And he loved you so much. I could feel it. His name will be Cameron.”

+4

Written in 58 minutes. Spell checked, but not reread for typos. And hey, I almost know what I’m doing with this story now. If I only I knew who the villain was! Alas, maybe next time I’ll figure it out, LOL.

It had stunned Elizabeth how easily Jason had accepted her secret and focused on what he considered to be the more important question — how did this secret explain the attack all those weeks ago?

Maybe he didn’t really understand what she told him, or considered it unimportant since she hadn’t had any flashes or visions since coming to Braegarie. She’d been relieved by that fact, of course, but it went without saying that she also worried about who had been behind the attack. Especially since she’d realized that the Duke of Albany must have known about her abilities when he’d sent for her.

Why send all the way to Annan in Dumfries for her only to send her to the Highlands? What had been the point? And Jason had been right — how could Albany have known she’d see the right poison?

There were too many questions with too few answers, and still her worry over Jason and her secret continued. He knew it now—but did he really understand?

“You have that look again,” Tracy snapped as she snapped her fingers in front of Elizabeth a few weeks later. “You need to pay attention if you’re going to be able to run this keep during the winter—”

“Aye, Aunt,” Elizabeth said. She cleared her throat. “I beg your pardon. I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“Well,” Tracy sniffed as she gestured at the storage room and the shelf of spices. “What did I just say about spices?”

“That I need to watch Cook very carefully to be sure she isn’t using more than the rationed amount because the spice merchant only comes to Perth in October,” Elizabeth recited dutifully. She clasped her hands behind her back. “And if we run out of salt, we will not be able to store the meat during the worst months.”

Tracy pursed her lips. “Good. Now—”

“I don’t know why you’re spending all this time learning how to run the keep,” Johnny said from his position lounging at a long table in the kitchen, an apple in his hand. “Tracy will outlive us all.”

Tracy turned to glare at the man who now dogged Elizabeth’s every step. The sweet, but gullible Milo who could be convinced to stay in the Great Hall while Elizabeth and Tracy did their daily walk through of the keep had been replaced by the surly Irishman who had only just barely decided Elizabeth was worthy of the laird

He sulked and simmered as he slunk behind them all day, and it was wearing on Elizabeth’s good nature—and Tracy looked as though this was the day she might finally do murder

“John O’Brien,” Tracy declared. “Do you think you’re too grown for me to take a switch to your backside?”

Johnny studied the older woman carefully, and must have decided he’d pushed her too far. “No, I do not. Carry on.”

“We’ll work on the linens next,” Tracy told Elizabeth. “I want you to know how we manage the seamstresses—”

“Thrilling,” Johnny muttered, getting to his feet. Tracy sneered at him, and the two of them bickered as Elizabeth trailed behind them, exhausted beyond the measure.

—

“He’s insufferable,” Elizabeth muttered as she brushed out her hair that evening. She sat on the bed and glared at her husband as he stood by the fire, his arms crossed, with narrowed eyes. “I’m sorry for locking him in the closet, but surely, he doesn’t need to follow Tracy and I everywhere—”

“He does.”

“But—”

“If something happens to you while he’s locked up—” Jason shook his head. “I’ll talk to him about his attitude—”

“If I didn’t put him in that closet,” Elizabeth told him, “then I think your aunt was going to shove him out a window. He doesn’t just complain all day, he—” She pressed her lips together, then sighed. “Never mind.”

“Elizabeth.”

“He mocks our work. Demeans it! He seems to think that it’s easy to run the keep or that—” Elizabeth got to her feet to place her brush back on top of her trunk with a grimace. “It’s just…I’m trying very hard to learn everything Tracy is teaching me, and Johnny makes it harder.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Jason repeated. “But you’ve only been here three months—you don’t need to learn everything right away—” Immediately, he knew he’d said something wrong as his wife gasped, looked horrified.

“Of course I do! What if something happens to Tracy? What if she falls ill? She might,” Elizabeth insisted when Jason looked doubtful. “She told me she’s been after you to get married for years. Do you think she wants to do everything everyday? It’s exhausting. She’s trying to teach me everything so we can split the duties and make both our lives easier. At least while she’s able.”

Well, that made some sense, but he still didn’t like how tired Elizabeth looked or how she seemed to be going from dawn until dusk—Johnny had been complaining to Jason as well—

“Tracy drags the lass into every corner of the keep every morning,” he’d told Jason that evening as Jason had let him out of the linen closet where Elizabeth had locked him up. “She’s up too something—”

“You should be resting more,” Jason told his wife. “Barbara said it was important—”

“I do rest—”

“But—” Jason stopped when she just glared at him. “I just want you to be well,” he said finally, hoping that would make her less irritated with him. He never seemed to say anything right these days— “‘Tis not just your health at stake—”

“And now I’m a terrible mother,” Elizabeth muttered as she stalked over to the bed, and drew back the fur to climb underneath. “Do you think I forgot about the babe? I can hardly keep a morsel of food in my belly—”

“I’m going to stop talking,” Jason decided. He sat down next to her, waiting—hoping—she’d turn back to look at him. She did and sighed.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been very prickly tonight, aren’t I?” Elizabeth said. She sat up. “I know you’re worried about me. About the babe. And whatever is out there that might want to hurt me. I know Johnny will keep me safe. I shouldn’t have locked him in the closet.”

“Knowing Johnny,” Jason said slowly, “he likely deserved it. How did you convince him to go into the closet?”

“Oh. I asked him to get something off the top shelf. It was easy.” She smiled at him and that relieved him. “It was Tracy’s idea.”

“I can imagine.” He paused. “I just want you to be safe.”

“Because of the babe. I’m doing—”

“Not because—well, yes, because we both want the babe to be born healthy,” Jason said, “but Johnny’s with you because I want you to be safe.”

“Oh.” She bit her lip. “Well, I don’t want to have to climb any trees,” she admitted, “so I’ll try harder to get along with him. But he needs to respect the work we do here. It’s not brandishing a club or whatever you take into battle—” she added when he laughed, “but it keeps you fed and cared for.”

“You’re right. I’ll talk to him.” He leaned forward to kiss her gently, putting two fingers under her chin to lift her mouth to meet his. “Are you too…tired?”

“Not at all.” Elizabeth pushed the furs aside and pulled him closer.

It was in the deepest, darkest part of the night when her mind betrayed her. She’d slid abruptly from a lovely, sweet dream where she was sitting by a stream, laughing as Jason and a small boy with blonde hair stood in the stream into a nightmare.

“Look, Mama! Mama! Da’s teachin’ me to swim!”

“Careful!” Elizabeth called back, smiling as Jason wrapped his arms around their son to hold him steady in the water. At barely three, he was eager to do everything his father did—even if he couldn’t quite keep up.

She looked away from the sight down at the basket next to her where her infant son slept peacefully. She ran a finger down his soft cheek, smiling as his mouth curved and he turned his cheek towards her hand.

“Mama! Mama!”

The laughter had turned into a terrified shriek and Elizabeth jerked her head back to the stream—Jason had vanished and her son was screaming for her as the currents swept him away.

“Cameron!” Elizabeth cried, jumping to her feet. “Jason!” She darted towards the stream but her beloved, her precious—they were gone—

She whirled around to snatch up her other son, to take baby Jake to safety so she could get to the keep—

But the basket with her baby was gone. It had vanished.

So had the stream, and the grass beneath her feet. The blue skies and the fluffy clouds had slid into inky darkness, and the ground beneath her was even rocky—

She was running, she was running so fast her lungs were burning and still she knew she couldn’t get away—they were going to find her—they were going to take her—she wasn’t going to be able to get away—they would find her and take her sons—

Her foot caught on a root and she went flying—waves of pain vibrating up her leg as Elizabeth tried to get to her feet, planting the palms of her hands against the ground, trying to raise herself up—

The moment she put weight on her ankle, she cried out—and then hissed, because now they’d find her—now they’d know—now they’d—

“Did you really think you could run—”

Elizabeth rolled over on her back, her eyes wide as she saw the face—heard the voice of the man who who had been pursuing her—who had tried to take everything from her—

“Why?” she choked out. “Why are you doing this?”

The man knelt beside her, took Elizabeth’s chin in his hand, his fingers digging into her skin. “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”

He gripped her forearm and dragged her to her feet, thrusting her at one of the other men pursuing her. “Prepare the pyre. She burns at dawn—”

“Elizabeth—wake up!”

Elizabeth’s eyes opened at the sound of Jason’s voice, her chest heaving, her lungs burning—she scrambled away from him—falling over the side of the bed—but still she couldn’t stop—she couldn’t clear mind—get away—get away—they’re going to burn me—

“Elizabeth—no one is going to—”

She was crawling across the floor, the hem of her night dress catching on the corner of the bedpost as she tried to reach the door—get away—have—

Elizabeth threw herself against the door, sobbing—have to get away—find her babies—they stole—

A candle flame lit the room partially, then a second, as Jason hurried to light anything he could find—

Elizabeth blinked at the light, then stared down at her hands, expecting to find them stained with the dirt—she’d tried to grab at the dirt as the man had pulled her up—she’d fought them as they tied her to pyre—

The flames licking at her feet—the heat—

“Oh, God, oh, God—”

Her hands were clean. Not a speck of dirt.

It had been a dream.

“Elizabeth—” Jason took her by the shoulders. “Can you hear me? What happened? What did you see?”

Elizabeth raised her eyes to his, opened her mouth but then shook her head. “I can’t. I can’t. Don’t make me—”

“All right, okay.” Jason led her sit on the edge of the bed while he started a fire in the hearth, lighting the room even more. He’d lit every candle—every torch—it was brighter in their room than it was the day.

When the fire was roaring, he scooped her up in his arms and brought her over to one of the chairs, sitting down, keeping her in his lap. She curled up in his embrace, and closed her eyes, listening to his soothing voice remind her that everything was okay.

She didn’t know how long she sat there, her head against his chest, leaning to the beat of his heart before he spoke again. “Can you talk yet?”

“I—don’t know how much if it is the dream,” she said softly. “Sometimes I just dream and it’s not a vision. We were a family. You were teaching our son to swim, and I was watching. I could—I think it must have been a vision. It felt so real.”

Jason pressed his lips to her forehead. “Our son? Like the other vision?”

“Aye. We’ll have two. Cameron is the eldest, and Jacob. He was an infant. I looked away for a minute, and Cameron screamed for me—when I looked back—” She closed her eyes. “You were both again—I went to the stream—and then Jacob—Jake was—he was gone. You’d all vanished. Then it was night, and I was running, but they caught me.”

“Who caught you?” Jason murmured. “Who was it? Did you see?”

“No. I knew him in the vision, but I’ve never seen his face before. Or heard his voice. And he—” Elizabeth looked at him. “He burned me at the stake. I saw my death, Jason. He’s going to kill me.”

+4

Written in 60 minutes.

I can see the future.

The words hung in the air between them for a long moment as Jason stared at his wife, waiting for her to explain what that meant because it couldn’t—

She didn’t really mean—

Her eyes dropped to her lap where her fists were clenched. “You don’t believe me,” Elizabeth said softly.

“I—” Jason stopped, then slowly walked towards her, then sat in the chair cross from her, on the other side of the hearth, trying to gather his thoughts. This was the secret she’d been clinging to so tightly since the day they had met, and he knew the implications of such an ability if true.

Anyone—especially a woman—who claimed to be able to see the future—would be treated by most of the world as either a liar or possessed by evil. If the wrong person heard Elizabeth make this claim, she’d be taken up for a witch.

“You saw the regent being poisoned?” Jason said. “How—how does that—” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand. Does it—do you see it in your head or—”

She raised her eyes to meet his, then squinted at him. “Are you asking me how it works?”

“Aye. I’ve never—the nightmare,” he said suddenly. “Was that a nightmare or did you—”

“I wanted it to be a nightmare,” Elizabeth admitted, her voice soft. “Sometimes they come in my sleep, and I really—I saw nothing more than my hands stained with your blood.”

“But that didn’t happen.”

“No, but it could have.” She swiped a hand under her eye to dash away a tear. “Johnny and Francis—they nearly died. And if one of those men—” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “They almost never happen that way. Not since I was a child. I wasn’t ready for it.”

“Does Albany know about this?” Jason asked, his shoulders tensing. If the duke knew her secret, would he keep it?”

“I think—” Elizabeth’s lips tightened. “I think it’s possible he knew all along. My father isn’t an important man. He doesn’t command armies or warriors. The invitation to court was a surprise, and he would have left me at home if he could. The messengers told my father they were expecting all three of his children.”

“Your brother and sister weren’t there that day,” Jason remembered. “If you were being presented at court—”

“Another message came that morning—Albany wanted to speak with my father and his youngest daughter. Father very nearly brought Sarah, but Steven wouldn’t let him.” Elizabeth tugged at the cuff of her dress. “We went to court, and there weren’t many people in the room. Just the duke and some of his men. I made my curtsy but when I started to stand, he reached for my hand to help me up.”

“And you need to touch someone to see the vision for them.” Jason rose to his feet and paced over to the window.

“Aye. It flashed in my head—the cup sitting behind him on the table. I saw someone putting poison in it—and then I saw the duke drinking it, then falling down—he was in terrible agony,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Jason turned, a terrible thought occurring to him. “Did you feel it? Is that something else that happens?”

“Aye. It’s part of the reason I couldn’t keep quiet. I—it hurt, and I fell to the ground—and I begged him not to drink the wine—I thought—” She closed her eyes, then rubbed her throat. “He just stared at me, then told my father to take my hand and follow him. We went to that room—and he spilled the wine on the ground. One of his soldiers brought a cage with a rat—the rat—it was—” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I was terrified and my father was furious. I was sure that he would accuse me of having something to do with it. Father was trying to drag me away, but the duke—he just—he just thanked me and said that I should have a reward for saving his life.”

“It sounds as if he set it up, but how could he know for sure that you’d receive a vision of him falling ill from the poison and not of him planning it?” Jason asked, furrowing his brow. “Wouldn’t that be just as likely?”

“I don’t—” She twisted in her chair. “I don’t know. I wasn’t thinking about any of that. I just—I wanted to find a way to keep my father from being angry. I had no way—I didn’t know—he sent one of his men away, and then you were there—it happened so fast. It wasn’t until later, until after the attack in the woods—”

Jason nodded, almost absently, his mind whirring with the implications of Elizabeth’s story and the idea that the duke knew her secret. Had he sent the men? Why even allow Elizabeth to leave court? Why command a marriage with a Highlander who lived far away?

“I should have told you sooner,” she said softly, drawing his attention, “but I knew—I knew you might not—” Elizabeth rose to her feet and crossed over to him. “I knew you might not set me aside, but I was sure you would not want children from me.”

Jason frowned at that. “Why—is it inherited? Did your mother—”

“I don’t know. She never said, and she tried to keep it from my father,” Elizabeth added. “I—I had a vision of my mother’s death, but she’d told me it was important not to tell anyone—even her—anything I saw, so I just prayed that it wouldn’t happen. After she died, I was—I made a mistake in front of my father. That was when he decided Sarah and I should never marry. He could bear for my curse to be known—”

“My only worry,” Jason told her, “is that I would not be able to protect you if the wrong person found out. We would have to be careful with any daughters—or sons—” he added. He took her hand in his. “Is that why my aunt sent for me? Is that why you’re telling me today?”

“Yes.” Elizabeth’s cheeks heated as she met his eyes. “Barbara thinks it will be sometime next winter, perhaps the early spring.” She bit her lip. “Women die in childbed—”

“You won’t,” Jason said flatly as if he had any control over something like that. He knew she was right—his own mother had died giving birth to his sister.

“But I could, and I can not bear the thought of leaving you unprepared if the babe inherited my curse—”

“It’s not a curse,” Jason cut in. “Only weak men who fear what they don’t understand say things like that.” He paused. “I’m holding your hand now. Should I—”

“Oh. I only—” She stared at their joined hands. “‘Tis like my brother, Steven. I had flashes with him when I was a child, but he was—he was always affectionate. He was the only person who would—I think, after a time, I don’t—it’s not as—I haven’t had more than a flash since we came to Braegarie.”

“But you have had them,” Jason pressed. “I’m sorry,” he said when she looked away. “Should I not ask—”

“No, no. It’s—” Elizabeth bit her lip, then their eyes met again. “The day we wed, you took my hand for the first time. I didn’t have a flash of anything specific, only that you would be kind to me. That I could be safe.”

He remembered now how her expression had changed, her tension had dissipated. “It’s not only the future then? Is that how you knew about my argument with Emily?”

“I—” Elizabeth frowned, shook her head. “I don’t remember.”

“Our last night in Perth, you told me that I never break a promise. No matter what my sister said.”

“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “I don’t remember that.” Then her cheeks flushed. “Unless—sometimes when I’m tired or falling asleep, I—sometimes I can see inside your—I’m so sorry. It hasn’t happened very much. I need to be very relaxed—”

“And you haven’t felt very relaxed,” Jason answered. Visions, reading minds, reading personalities—he exhaled slowly. If Elizabeth had ever learned how to control this—no one wonder someone had wanted to steal her away and keep her.

“I’m so sorry—”

“Don’t—” He shook his head, then brought the palm of her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Don’t apologize. Not for this. I am glad you’ve told me. I am even more pleased that we’re going to have to have a child. I would be grateful for any flash you might have that you and the babe will be healthy and safe.”

Her lower lip quivered. “You’re not angry with me? Not disgusted? I could be burned at the stake—”

“They would have to kill me first,” Jason promised her, but he saw that his oath had done nothing to calm her. “Elizabeth, my only worry is keeping you and our child safe. Now that I know, we can work together to do so. You wanted children, didn’t you?”

“Aye. And I—” Finally, what looked like a mixture of relief and joy slid into her eyes. “I did see something by the loch. The day you asked me to come here and be your wife. I saw this room.”

“This room?” Jason repeated.

“Aye. We were sitting by the fire as we do so often. I was with carrying a child, but you—you were holding our son. I think our first babe will be a boy. Or if there’s a daughter, I didn’t see her—”

“But you saw yourself surviving childbirth—” And a second child? Jason drew her close, resting his forehead against hers, suddenly overwhelmed with the knowledge that he would have sons and, hopefully, daughters with his wife. He’d wanted it—but now he had the same image in his own mind—

“I didn’t know until I woke here and saw the hearth if it was just my own dream or the future. I—I very much want it to be our future.” She framed his face with her hands. “You have made me feel safe. And happy. I want to give that to you.”

“You do,” he promised her. He kissed her fingers, then her mouth, then—just before he lifted her in his arms—he stopped. “Are you feeling all right? I should—should you be laying down? Aunt Tracy said you were ill—”

“Dizzy for a moment,” Elizabeth told him, “but I’m fine. I am better than fine,” she declared, then rose on her toes to kiss him. “And if you have a bit of time—”

“I have more than just a bit—” He picked her up and carried her to the bed to show her just how much he loved her—even if he hadn’t found a way to say the words yet.

—

Secrets did not last long in the Morgan clan, and by the time Jason led Elizabeth down to supper a few hours later, it seemed as if everyone knew.

Still, Jason proudly stood and made an official announcement. The birth of a child to the laird was a celebration, particularly the first born. There were toasts and cheers, and many began to trade wagers on whether there would be a lad or a lass in seven months time.

Elizabeth beamed as his aunt drew her into a conversation about traditions and the right way to bring up a Highlander which gave Jason the chance to lean over to Francis with a low conversation.

“After supper, in the solar,” he muttered to his second in command. “Bring Johnny.”

“Aye.”

He wasn’t sure how much of Elizabeth’s secret he could tell them—he didn’t want to tell them anything but if he was going to keep his family safe, he needed to know what the duke knew.

Later, Elizabeth went to sit in front of the large hearth in the hall with his aunt to continue their conversation. Jason knew that Tracy was overjoyed at the thought of children—she’d wanted Jason to marry for some time—and would keep his wife occupied for a while.

“‘Tis good news,” Johnny told Jason as he closed the door and turned to his men. “Elizabeth looks very happy.”

“She is. But I cannot forget the attack. Francis, when you went to Edinburgh, you found nothing that would give us their identity.”

“Aye, and as I told you, her family was settling into court. I didn’t see any evidence that her father was planning to leave until the elder girl had married.” Francis frowned. “We’ve been over this. Did something happen?”

Jason hesitated. “I’ve learned what service Elizabeth performed for the regent,” he said slowly. “I knew two months ago, but there’s another part of it. I cannot tell you all, but she saved Albany’s life. I think it’s possible that Albany set her up to do so — that he lured her father to court in order to test Elizabeth. I don’t know if she failed or passed, but he commanded her marriage and then did not do anything to stop me from taking her out of the capital almost immediately.”

“She saved his life?” Johnny repeated. “That’s the dark secret?”

“I’m guessing it’s the how that we’re not to know,” Francis said. He nodded. “All right. What do you want us to do?”

“I don’t know,” Jason admitted. “It’s possible the threat it is over, that Albany’s curiosity has been sated, but I cannot forget that someone sent men here to kidnap Elizabeth and bring her back alive. If they were willing to wait long enough to set that ambush, might they wait a year for me to take her into Perth? Or if Albany was behind this—will he command me to bring her to court?”

“Well, with the babe, you can put off any travel,” Johnny pointed out. “No one is going to blink if you refuse to drag your wife across Scotland while she’s expecting.”

“I suppose it just matters how patient who ever set up that ambush is,” Francis said. “And you can’t tell us more than this?”

“No.”

“Well, at least the lass finally told you,” Johnny muttered. “What do you want us to do?”

“Milo is assigned to Elizabeth, but he’s still young. I’d like you to take over her protection. Just until the babe is born,” he added when Johnny grimaced.

“Aye. I’d rather you give me a job where I can crack some heads, but I’ll settle for protecting the next Morgan.”

“And me?” Francis asked.

“Albany knew something about Elizabeth and her family. If the Webbers are still in Edinburgh, then you can go to Annan and see if there’s something to know. Some connection between Albany and the father or just anything.” Jason shook his head. “I don’t know how to protect her, but I know that I can’t sit here and hope it’s over. I have to find a way to know for sure.”

“We’ll do whatever we can to keep her—and the babe safe,” Francis promised. “Right, Johnny?”

“Yeah, yeah. But when there’s someone to hit, let me in on it. I didn’t even get to fight the last time,” the man muttered as he headed for the door. “It’s embarrassing.”

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