“Chocolate?”
“I think you’ll like it. We’ll share the chocolate cake, and two coffees, please,” Zeke said to the server.
Zeke stretched his neck from side to side. “I had a good workout today at the studio. My neck and shoulders are really feeling it.”
“I’ll get a bath for you when we get home. Hot water will help relax yer muscles. Many of the men back home suffer from the same aches and pains. A hot bath always helps.”
“Okay. That sounds good.”
Helene loved the cake and the coffee. “’Tis quite good. I’ve nae had anything like it before.”
“Stick with me, there’s so much more to explore. I’m excited to share it with you.” He finished the last sip of his coffee and Helene took the last bite of cake. “Shall we head home?”
“Aye. Let’s go home.”
Chapter 13
Small gustsof wind rustled through the trees as the sun began its journey into the sky. Dougall and Logan rose early and finally arrived at the bridge. He’d seen it before, but it had never been more than just a bridge to him. Today it would become something else entirely. It was the magick he needed to be transported through time to find his Helene.
“Is this it?” Logan asked as they approached.
Dougall dismounted and guided his horse closer to the bridge. Logan did the same.
“It doesnae appear to be verra magickal,” Logan observed, glancing around from one side to the other.
“This is the place, but I dinnae ken what is expected of us.” The warrior in Dougall was on guard, his senses heightened and waiting for any indication that Edna was near.
“Should ye call to her?” Logan asked, his usually calm demeanor showing cracks.
“Aye. She said I should. Edna!” Dougall called into the silence, his voice echoing off of the stones which ran along the banks and down to the stream.
There was no answer. So he tried again, “Edna!”
Logan appeared a bit apprehensive, fidgeting with his horse’s bridle. “’Tis quiet. Mayhap we’re too early.”
“We should mount our horses and stand closer together,” Dougall suggested. He really had no idea how to do this, he was merely going on the information he’d been given by Cormac and Cailin.
“Aye.” Logan mounted Dewin and waited while Dougall mounted Broch.
They stood waiting for a number of minutes before Dougall noticed the fog creeping across the bridge towards them. It reached the horses hooves first and they pranced nervously, held in place by the expert skills of their riders. The fog crept up higher and higher, devouring them with its thick grey mass. Finally, they were engulfed in it and pops of color sparked around them. Fear had them both sitting as still as statues. The horses whinnied and called out, but the two men sat stock still waiting to emerge from the fog bank and into whatever awaited them.
“Dougall?” Logan’s voice sounded faint and far away.
“Aye.”
“I believe we’ve arrived.”
The fog slowly dissipated and they were greeted by a wide expanse of water and the largest bridge either of them had ever seen. The wind whipping off the water was causing the horses to spook at every little thing. It took all their strength to hold them in check and prevent them from running away with their two riders.
After several minutes of unsettling activity, the horses calmed. Dougall remembered the instructions Jenna had given them and they began walking the horses in the direction he hoped would lead to the stables.
He thought Logan was going to fall out of his saddle. He was swiveling from side-to-side, taking in everything they passed. “Dougall, did ye see that?” he asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“Aye. I saw it Logan. I dinnae ken what it is, but I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.” He didn’t care about any of the things they saw. He only wished to find Helene and then head back home where they belonged.
A short while later, the stable was right in front of them. Dougall was relieved to see it and even more relieved when he found Jasper Briggs, the man Jenna told him would take care of the horses for them.
At the mention of Jenna’s name, the man’s face lit up. “How is my Jenna?” he asked.
