There wasn’t a more perfect combination to represent Colin, tough and tender, rugged man and sweet lover, all at the same time.
Watching him sleep, her dreams came back to her in a rush and she realized with a start she’d completely deceived herself as to the locations in her dreams. Manyhad been dark and dank and had she encountered in them in real life, they would have terrified her.
So why hadn’t they seemed threatening in her dreams?
Because Colin had been there with her.
Colin had been there to hold her, to protect her, to give her that sense of warmth and safety. Together they formed one, a whole being that needed nothing from the outside world to complete what they had together.
Ellie had been absolutely right. There were things in this world much more important than toilet paper. What she felt each time she lay in Colin’s arms was definitely one of those things. For the first time since she’d arrived in this century, she knew, absolutely without any reservation, that she belonged at Colin’s side, no matter where—or when—he chose to be.
A light knock sounded on the bedchamber door and his eyes flew open. His face creased into a smile when he saw her, the rare smile that always burrowed deeply into her heart when it lit his features.
He stroked his fingertips down her cheek. “Good morning, wife.”
“Good morning, husband.” She returned his greeting, rolling to her side toward him to accept the kiss he offered.
Again the knock sounded at the door.
“Bollocks,” he muttered with a sigh, pushing up and out of the bed to answer the door. “A pox on all of them that would bother us.”
Leah entered the room first, Drew directly behind, his hand protectively guiding his wife.
Colin caught up her hand, kissing it and bowing low. “Yer an amazing woman, Leah, and I’m honored tohave you as part of my family. How can I ever repay you for what you’ve done?”
“Don’t be silly. It’s what I do. Now.” Leah hurried to the bedside and tossed back the covers to prod at Abby’s side. “How does this beautiful morning find you? Well, I’m predicting from your husband’s reaction.”
“I feel great.” It was no lie. She’d all but forgotten yesterday’s horrible pains. They seemed as blurred as her memories of arriving at this place. “What did you do to me?”
“Just a little Faerie Magic,” Leah said with a shrug, turning a big smile toward her husband. “Will you two join us for the morning meal, or would you prefer to have food sent up here?”
“No food, thank you,” Colin announced as he returned to her side. “We’ll be leaving shortly.”
“Leaving?” Abby swung her gaze around to him and pushed herself up to sit on her knees, searching his face for an answer. They’d only just arrived. Besides, wouldn’t a meal make sense before they started their journey to. . .
“Oh, Colin,” she groaned. Even after all they’d been through, he hadn’t given up on finding his king. “You’re still determined to change the world, aren’t you?”
“Only your world, wife,” he said, brushing the hair from her forehead. “It’s time to return to your century, Abby. This is no the place for you to be.”
Her mind reeled with confusion. If he thought he was going to get rid of her that easily, he’d better think again. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here. I’ll adjust. I can figure out how to make the best of this world. As long as I’m with you, that’s all that matters.”
“As if you think I’d let you go anywhere without me,” he scoffed. “We go together.”
“But . . .” Had she missed something important in the past twenty-four hours? “You said you belonged here. That you were determined to make a difference.”
He nodded slowly, catching up her face in his two hands. “And you said I’d no right to try to change yer history. I see now that you had the right of it. My pigheaded stubbornness nearly cost yer life.”
“And yours,” she added, placing her hands over his. “I was so afraid I’d lost you.”
From the doorway, Drew cleared his throat. “We’ll leave you now to do whatever it is you need to. If you dinna join us by midday, I’ll pass yer farewells along to Mother, aye?”
“I’d appreciate that, brother.” Colin answered without taking his eyes from hers.
“If you really want to repay me, there is something you can do. When you get back, find my sister and tell her how happy I am.”
Beside Leah, Drew cleared his throat again.
“And yes.” Leah hooked her arm through her husband’s, her face glowing with happiness. “Let her know she’s going to have a new niece or nephew in a few months.”
