Page 24 of A Keeper of Time

He smiled. Edna was everything he could have ever wanted in a wife. She was kind, caring, smart and fearless. And she loved him even when he felt unlovable. She was a good woman. All he had to do was look around the fire at these men who now had loving wives and beautiful children because of her.

“We should get a good night’s sleep,” Angus said. “’Twould be good to get an early start in the morning.”

They made themselves comfortable, using their plaids for blankets and saddlebags for pillows. They’d done it often enough that they knew exactly how to get comfortable on the hard ground. Angus thought about his nice soft bed and the down pillows he’d left behind at the inn, but he’d happily suffer the discomfort of the trail if it brought him any closer to finding Edna. All the soft mattresses and down pillows meant nothing to him if she wasn’t there to share them with him.

Before they drifted off to sleep the sound of horses coming their way had them all hopping to their feet, swords drawn and ready for whoever would arrive in their midst. They waited, but in no time at all, two beautiful white steeds appeared and riding atop one of them was Biera, the faerie Queen of Winter. Her beauty could not be described in words. She wore a silky, flowing gown that was an iridescent white topped by a matching robe with fur on the hood, cuffs and hem. The men all bowed to her as she was lifted to the ground by her companion. He, too, was from the faerie kingdom and was also dressed in royal finery. He bowed to queen once her feet touched the ground, taking the reins of both horses as he waited.

“Biera, to what do we owe this honor?” Robert asked.

“Edna is in need of help. ’Tis no’ yet winter, but I was awakened early by a persistent feeling that all was no’ well.”

“How did ye ken it to be Edna who needed help?” Angus asked.

“Edna and I have been friends a verra long time. I could feel her reaching out for help.”

At last. Biera would have answers, she would tell him where to find Edna.

“Do ye ken where she is?” Cailin asked.

Biera turned to Angus, her eyes full of sadness. “She is no’ anywhere ye can find her,” Biera said.

Angus felt his skin go cold. “What do ye mean?” Angus whispered, feeling his despair grow around his lungs and squeezing the air from his body.

“She is safe, sir. Have nae fear, but she is no’ visible in this world.” She extended her hand through the air.

Angus frowned on hearing this. It made no sense to him. “Are ye saying she’s no’ in this world?”

“No’ at all. I’m saying she is no’ visible.”

“Nae one can see her?” Angus asked.

“Only the one who holds her prisoner.” Biera gazed at Angus. Her soft features glowed, entrancing all those who saw her.

Dougall cleared his throat to speak. “So she’s no’ at Castle Treun, or with the Sinclairs?”

“Ye would no’ find her there,” she replied in a beautifully melodic voice. “Go back to the bridge. Yer answer awaits ye there.”

Angus scratched his head. He had a destination, but somehow that was not going to solve the problem. Had Edna been at the bridge all along? How is it that he’d missed her? “Ye say she’s a prisoner. How so?”

“The witch who holds her has created an illusion that only Edna can see. ’Tis no’ real.”

“I passed right by her then.” Angus couldn’t believe that he hadn’t felt something as he passed.

“Who is this witch?” Robert asked.

“Her name is Evanore.” Biera’s melodic tone changed, taking on a more serious note as she spoke of the witch. “I believe ye all are familiar with her sister.”

“Brielle!” Angus said. He couldn’t believe his ears. He thought they were done with her and now to hear that her sister had Edna sent fear for his wife rushing through him.

“She is the verra one. Evanore believes she can avenge her sister’s death.”

“Does she plan to kill Edna?” Angus had to know what he was up against.

“No. She is no’ like her sister. She is no’ violent by nature. She has other plans in mind that involve all of ye.”

“Us?” Cailin said, not quite understanding. “How do ye ken all of this?”

“I have me ways. Edna is me friend. I can feel what she is feeling and see what she sees.”