Page 1 of Hearts Bound By Time

Chapter 1

The Invitation

Snow blanketed the ground and the wind, which had previously been gusting, stilled. Four foot drifts decorated the wooded grove bordering the path as the fanciful red sleigh, led by two enormous horses, glided along on gilded runners. The sleigh was guided by magick, as Beira, the Queen of Winter, covered in fur throws regally lounged on its soft, velvety cushions. The only sounds were the jingling of bells worn by the horses as they jogged along the frozen ground and the soft, sweet song coming from Beira’s lips.

Edna Campbell had employed her dear friend to help send word to the MacKenzies, inviting them to come to The Thistle and Hive Inn for a Christmas celebration. Delivering invitations wasn’t something that Beira usually did. As a matter of fact, this was a first, but she was happy to help Edna in any way that she could.

The first stop on her journey was the castle of Ewan and Lena MacKenzie. Edna’s daughter and son-in-law, along with their two red-headed whirlwinds, Rowan and Ranald, were waiting at the large wooden doors leading into the warmth of their home. The boys excitedly jumped up and down, escaping their mother’s grip to run towards the sleigh.

“Rowan! Ranald! Careful, please. Wait for the sleigh to stop,” Lena shouted.

“Aye, Ma. We will.” Doing as their mother requested, the boys stopped and waited while the sleigh glided to a halt in front of them. Beira stepped lightly from the rig offering a delicate, slender hand to each boy. They eagerly held on, upturned faces filled with awe at the presence of this beautifully ethereal being who seemed to glow as she smiled down at them.

Without saying a word and with only a nod of her head, Beira led the two boys back to their parents. Once there, she reached into her leather satchel and removed a golden envelope, which she handed to Lena. The boys were quieter than they’d ever been, staring with amazement from the faerie queen to the envelope. Beira once again reached into her satchel, removing two special candy treats—one for each boy.

“What do ye say?” Lena asked.

“Thank ye!” they both spoke as one.

Lena opened the envelope as Ewan peered over her shoulder.

You are cordially invited to Christmas at The Thistle & Hive please be at the bridge by sunrise on December 22 where you will be guided across by your hostess, Edna Campbell

“Are we to RSVP to ye…” Lena began to ask, but not knowing the faerie’s name she only gazed into her lovely face and waited.

“Beira,” the faerie queen supplied. “Yes, I will give Edna yer answer.”

“Then tell her we would be delighted to spend the holiday with her and my Da.” Lena smiled warmly at Beira, who dropped into a dainty curtsey.

“She will be happy to hear it, and now I must go. I have more invitations to deliver.” Beira was snuggled comfortably into the sleigh in the blink of an eye.

The family waved goodbye until the sleigh was out of sight.

Beira was next off to Breaghacraig. How she would get there all in the same day was her own little secret, but as the horses trotted along at a seemingly normal pace, the scenery she passed was a blur. Occasionally she would stop to spend a moment with her forest friends who all greeted her with love in their hearts. The wolf, the fox, the stags and does, along with the smaller creatures, rabbits, squirrels and birds waited by the side of the road for her to arrive. She acknowledged them all with a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears, a special treat for each and a few moments of her time. These woodland creatures were dear to her heart and it showed.

Soon, as she left the shelter of the trees, Beira saw Breaghacraig. Her magick slowed the horses to a more normal trot as she passed the small crofts that dotted the landscape on the approach to the beautifully imposing castle situated on the other side of the valley. Men, women and children came out to wave as she passed. Some didn’t dare leave their cottages, but instead peeked through their window or a crack in their door. She smiled beatifically at them all and returned their waves. In her wake she left small gifts of food and warm clothing for each. Reaching the end of the crofts, Beira noted that a tiny village was cropping up near the gates of the castle and the centerpiece was an inn obviously modeled after Edna’s Thistle and Hive. She smiled to herself, knowing that Edna would be most pleased to hear this.

The gates of the castle flew open as she approached and as the horses and sleigh passed through, Beira saw that all activity in the bailey had come to a halt as the castle residents gazed with question at the unusual conveyance that had just entered the courtyard. Beira stood and announced to no one in particular, “I’m here for Laird and Lady MacKenzie.”

A young lad broke away from the group and headed for the castle doors. “I’ll get them fer ye,” he said as he entered.

Moments later the door opened and Robert and Irene MacKenzie exited. On seeing them, the faerie queen left the sleigh and met them as they came down the steps into the courtyard.

Once again, she removed a golden envelope from her satchel, this time handing it to Laird Robert MacKenzie, who opened it and upon reading it smiled broadly at the willowy faerie before handing it to his wife, Irene. She clasped her husband’s arm and gazed hopefully into his face.

“Can we go, Robert?” she asked.

“Aye. I believe we shall go,” Robert confirmed.

“What’s going on?” Cailin approached along with Cormac and their wives, Ashley and Jenna.

“We’ve been invited to The Thistle and Hive Inn for Christmas.”

“Oh, my goodness, really?” Ashley grabbed the invitation from Irene’s hand and showed it to Jenna. “We’re all invited?” She looked to Beira for her answer.

“Aye. All of ye. The wee one’s as well.” Happy faces peered back at her. “I’ll tell Edna ye’ve accepted then?”

“Aye. We’ll be there,” Robert responded.