The Witch's Journey Read online

  “Angelique, you’re bleeding damn heavily.”

  “After I change my clothes, I’ll get Danhoul to do more healing. Could you go out while I…?”

  “I won’t leave when you’re lookin’ like you might faint.”

  “I should have called Fiona. There are some things a woman would rather not have a man assist with. Seeing you look so guilty doesn’t help. Turn around then, please.”

  “Your misfortune is because of me.”

  “The pregnancy—okay, you’re half responsible but that’s kind of a stretch, for I initiated sex at the B&B and that’s the only time we didn’t use condoms.”

  “It didn’t happen only once without sheaths and it took no persuadin’.”

  “But the miscarriage isn’t on you. I was already unwell at the gallery. I don’t know if the hex caused it or only made it more severe.”

  “It was Clodaugh’s hex so that’s partly my doing. You should get to bed straightaway.”

  “I’ll wash those clothes later.”

  “I’ll put your garments in the spinning machine, after I carry you to bed.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Angelique was comforted by her mother’s best friend, Fiona. She’d always been like an auntie to her. Angelique knew she had some magic, too, although she was mostly secretive about her background. She was originally from Ireland but had been in America for some time. Angelique longed to know more but when pressed, Fiona often clammed up.

  “You should’ve called earlier, sweetie,” Fiona said, holding Angelique’s hand.

  “You’ve been busy lately with the shop especially with Alainn and Arianna away.”

  “I would have closed the bloody shop to be with you. I wish your mum was here. She was always positive no matter what she faced. I miss her so.”

  “I miss her, too, Fiona.”

  “How come you haven’t brought your guy to meet me? Obviously you’re crazy about each other.”

  “I might as well tell you the truth, Fiona. I conjured Faolan from 1773 with a foolish spell and I think he’ll have to be sent back.”

  “Oh, sweetie, that won’t be easy but I understand sometimes we have to make heartbreaking choices or we’re forced to do something difficult to protect the ones we love, no matter how much it hurts us.”

  “You’re talking about your son now?”

  “My sweet wee Cal’s never far from my mind, but he was safer without me. He lived with my parents and it kept his abusive father away and those associated with him. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for those we love.”

  That was the first time Fiona had mentioned her son’s name.

  “My baby—Faolan’s and my baby was a boy.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

  “I’m signing my half of the shop to you, Fiona. I’m thinking of selling all the properties.”

  “Sounds like you’re going away. Are you heading to Ireland like you always said…or back in time with your sexy man?”

  “To Ireland, maybe. I have some other time-traveling tasks before that. As far as Faolan…I know he cares about me, maybe even loves me.”

  “No maybes about it, sweetie.”

  “I sense he must go back. I doubt I’d do well in the seventeen hundreds and you know what? I’m not sure he’d want me there. He’d constantly worry, possibly resent me. Maybe we were two ships passing and I pulled him way off course.”

  “He doesn’t look too bothered by being waylaid.”

  “I’ve known him seven weeks and I don’t know how I lived before I met him or how I’ll live…”

  She gave way to tears and Fiona held her, patted her back, then touched her forehead to hers in an affectionate gesture, as she so often did.

  “It’s okay to cry, sweetie. You can’t make important decisions till you mourn the loss of your baby anyway.”

  “But if Faolan’s going back, it must be during the solstice.”

  “You’re pushing too hard, Angelique. What does he say?”

  “I believe he was willing to go back till this happened. I wouldn’t want him here because of guilt.”

  “Oh there’s plenty of guilt in his gorgeous eyes. But he’s clearly in love with you. Couldn’t you wait…till the next full moon or the next solstice?”

  “If it’s this hard to think of him leaving after weeks, how difficult would it be if we wait longer? Maybe if he’d gone back after the first month. Although I was in love with him. We’d already…slept together.”

  “That must have been great?”

  “What?”

  “I’ve never seen that glow before. Even now, pale and grieving, you beam when you speak of him. I take it the sex is good?”

  “God, if it was only good. Faolan’s everything I wanted in my perfect man and so much more. I never thought I’d love anyone as I love him. Yet, there must be relevance in him going back.”

  “No one lives without touching others’ lives and making ripples. You’ll have to decide. But do it together.”

  “And if we aren’t in agreement?”

  “Then do what’ll cause the least amount of pain with the fewest ripples for others.”

  *

  Angelique woke still feeling light-headed but the cramping was better.

  Faolan had tried to tempt her with different foods but she had no appetite.

  Needing to pee, she slowly walked to the bathroom. She remembered last night. She’d felt an excruciating pain, then the rush of warmth between her legs. By the time she’d gotten to the bathroom, there’d been so much blood. She recalled the worry on Faolan’s face when he’d seen her.

  Now, washing her hands, she heard him.

  “Angelique?”

  “I’m fine, Faolan. Just had to pee.”

  “Oh, aye.”

  He waited by the door as she stepped out.

  “I brought you something, not from Maine, but I hope you might feel like eatin’ a little. Newt stayed here while I went out to get it.”

  She looked at Faolan holding the tray with the lobster roll, a pink rose and a sea star. She couldn’t hold back the tears. He put the tray down, and took her in his arms.

  “Are you in pain or are these sorrowful tears?”

  “It’s because you’re so sweet and thoughtful.”

  “Oh,” he gruffly said, clearly not accustomed to praise.

  “How come you’re not angry with me for not telling you I was pregnant?”

  “Why do you believe I’m not angry?” he said, still in a kind tone.

  “You’re being lovely and attentive.”

  “I’m…you should eat.”

  She nodded and sat down.

  “Don’t be upset if I don’t eat much.”

  “I won’t.”

  “What’s that look for?” she asked, managing to nibble.

  “I wish to speak, but I’m uncertain how to begin.”

  “We’ve never had trouble talking, not from the beginning.”

  “No,” he said, but cleared his throat nervously.

  “You’re not going to tell me you slept with Janelle…or Misty, are you?”

  “By all that’s holy I did not! Even if I had, do you honestly think I’d tell you now…the day after you lost our child?”

  “It would be bad timing.”

  “Indeed! I haven’t slept with another woman since I met you. Nor have I wanted to.”

  That brought more relief than she expected.

  “I’ve gone to a clinic to speak with a doctor.”

  “Tristan’s working on getting you a fake ID, but how did you see a doctor when you have no papers?”

  “When I told them I only wanted to speak, they permitted it.”

  “Let me guess, the receptionist and doctor were women?”

  “I wouldn’t have discussed the personal subject with a woman.”

  “Please tell me you don’t have a sexually transmitted disease.”

  “By God, woman, I’ve not contracted a disease.”


  “Not in this century.”

  “I have no disease!” he said with a brusqueness that only made him seem sexier. “I talked with Newt, then spoke with a physician. They told me of a procedure done to alleviate the possibility of a man fathering a child.”

  “Yes—it’s called a vasectomy,” she said.

  “It evidently doesn’t affect the man’s performance, his ability to pleasure his woman or know pleasure and release himself, but would ensure a woman who couples with that man would never conceive.”

  “That’s true.”

  “If I were to have this done, you’d never carry my child and therefore never risk dyin’ in childbed, no matter what century we might live.”

  She looked at him in disbelief.

  “We wouldn’t need to use those confounded sheaths that interrupt the spontaneity of lovemakin’ and hurt you.”

  “I didn’t say they hurt. I said they were slightly irritating…”

  “And that you preferred the sensation of my sex within yours without the sheath.”

  “I suppose in the heat of the moment, I said that.” She felt her cheeks flush. “But condoms also prevent disease. If a seafaring man was gone for months and sought the company of other women or prostitutes, condoms would stop him from bringing home disease to his woman.”

  He quickly stood, grumbling under his breath. “I must step outside.”

  “Okay.”

  “Otherwise I may raise my voice and since you’re convalescin’ I’ll spare you my temper.”

  She only nodded.

  “You seem to waffle between believin’ I’m honorable and fully worthy of your respect—to me bein’ a lustful, deceitful, shameless cad.”

  “I believe you’re honorable. The fact you’d even consider having someone slice open your scrotum and sever your vasa deferentia for me is very considerate, Faolan.”

  “Do you mock me or attempt to be cruel, for I find it difficult to discern?”

  “I’m not mocking you, Faolan, and I hope I’m never cruel.”

  “Still, I must take fresh air for you evoke every damnable emotion like no other.”

  “Faolan?” she said as he opened the door.

  “Yes, Angelique.” He didn’t look back.

  “I am so in love with you.”

  He came back in; his face stricken. “You do not fight fairly, Angel.”

  “I wasn’t aware this was a fight. I’m only finally saying what I’ve been feeling for weeks.”

  He sat down and stared. He looked like he’d been punched in the gut or kicked in the balls.

  “Surely this doesn’t come as a surprise? You don’t have to say it back. Even if you never do, I can see it in your eyes.” She began to weep again.

  “Woman, your tears reduce me to ruin. How could I ever leave knowin’ it would hurt you?”

  He took her in his arms again and held her.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “No apologies. We’ll make these journeys through time together. Perhaps when they’re done we can go back to my time to see what relevant happening might occur there…before this predicted battle.”

  “I’d like that, Faolan.”

  “After the battle, I’ll stay with you in your time if that’s the only way I cannot be parted from you. Last night when I thought you might die, I hoped my life would be ended then, too, for I don’t want to live without you, Angelique.”

  “I don’t want to live without you either, Faolan.”

  “We’ll speak to Wolf and learn when we’re to make the first journey through time,” he said.

  “I also have to attend the hospital wing opening. Maybe we can leave on the night of the winter solstice.”

  “Will you be strong enough? Wouldn’t it be better to wait to begin the journeys?”

  “If Clodaugh’s set on hexing me, I might be safer in another time.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “God, you look like freaking James Bond in that tuxedo only a whole lot sexier,” Newt said to Faolan.

  “I’m not sure whether to be flattered or offended,” Faolan replied.

  “I’m not hitting on you. Angie’d kill me and she’s finally just beginning to forgive me.”

  “I’ve yet to address your grave misdeed with the paintin’; do not think upsettin’ my lady has gone unnoticed. Back in my time, you’d have suffered my sword.”

  Newt cleared his throat. “So Angie’s getting dressed?”

  “She seems unsettled,” Faolan said.

  “She doesn’t like these fancy functions. Have you seen what she’s wearing?”

  “No, she shooed me out.”

  “She said you treat her differently depending on what she wears.”

  “I do no such thing.”

  “She says when she’s in jeans with a ponytail, you’re at ease, but as soon as she dresses up, you’re uncomfortable.”

  “That’s completely untrue.”

  “You’ve never seen her elegantly dressed.”

  “I saw her at your gallery exhibit.”

  “She looked great then, too.”

  “If I can accept that her breast has been and will be viewed by much of Boston, then this’ll be, as she says, a walk in the park.”

  “Should we have a drink, then?” Newt changed the subject.

  “Is it customary to drink before one goes out to such an event?”

  “I wouldn’t get wasted, but a drink couldn’t hurt. Angie could likely use one. They’ll be talking about Genny tonight. That’ll be difficult.”

  “Newt, would you come here?” Angelique called.

  “I’m being summoned to your lady’s chambers,” Newt jested.

  He went in, then came out a few minutes later.

  “God, she looks hot!”

  “Are you certain you’re gay?” Faolan asked.

  “I can still appreciate a woman’s beauty and she’s hot! No breast showing, but close.”

  Faolan tried to gain composure. He was trying to behave like a refined man, not outrightly Neanderthal as Angelique once suggested—and later explained what the insult meant.

  Stepping out, she took his very breath away. She wasn’t just stunning but magnificently entrancing. The evening gown was emerald green with tiny sparkles throughout. The plunging neckline showed much of her high, firm, voluptuous breasts. The slit up the side was nearly to her hip. The tight gown revealed her beautiful curves. She wore shoes with heels that made her appear much taller.

  Her necklace was surely emerald as were the dangling ear adornments. Although paler than usual, there was pink on her cheeks and darkness to her eyes and eyelashes. Her lips were brighter red. Her hair was fashioned in an elegant manner; soft curls framed her face.

  He had yet to utter a word. Nagging doubts pierced his thoughts. He must calm them before she saw.

  “You’re remarkably beautiful, my angel. No words could accurately describe your beauty,” he managed but she’d seen his hesitation.

  “Faolan, I swear I’ll put on my tattered breeches if that’ll make you less uncomfortable, which would be a shame when you look like freaking James Bond only so much sexier.”

  “Are you and Newt, how do you say it, cloned, for you say nearly the same things?”

  That brought a reassuring smile. She giggled and snorted.

  “I’d refrain from that during your speech, Angel.”

  “I can’t wait till we can share a bed for more than sleeping,” she said. “I miss that.”

  “As do I,” he agreed, but looked uncomfortably at Newt.

  “Don’t mind me,” Newt jested.

  “If I kissed you, you’d have no doubt,” Faolan said. “But I’d disturb the unusual redness on your lips.”

  “It’s lip stain so it wouldn’t disturb it, but what I’d like to do would mess up the entire look,” she said with a sassy glance that made him instantly hard.

  “Do you suppose we should leave before she tests it?” Newt said.

  “Perh
aps. Are you certain I can’t take my sword?” Faolan asked.

  “Why would you need your sword?”

  “If you have people hexin’ you, a sword might be needed. And the men who’ll gaze upon you with lascivious thoughts may need to be made accountable.”

  “What would you do, Faolan, gouge out their eyes after cocktails; behead them between the entrée and dessert? It’s reassuring knowing you’d protect me, but we can’t risk you getting into trouble. We also can’t permit you to be seen on camera for anything noteworthy. There’ll be a lot of pictures taken tonight. You do look so handsome.”

  “Let me take a picture of you two,” Newt said.

  “We have a few selfies but none recently,” Angelique replied.

  “That’s right, stand together, arms around each other,” Newt said. “Sure, a kiss, why not? A few caresses. You two better stop or I’ll be filming a sex tape.”

  “A what?” Faolan asked.

  “You explain since you brought it up,” Angelique said.

  “Some couples like to record themselves while they’re…doing it.”

  Faolan’s eyes felt like they might fall out.

  “More than a Scotsman’s arse would be seen.” She waggled her eyebrows amusingly.

  “Oh by the way, Fiona called, said she won’t be able to make it. She’s dealing with something at the shop,” Newt said.

  “That’s disappointing. But I suppose we should go. The car’s coming to pick us up.”

  “The car?” Faolan asked uncertainly.

  “The limo. Dad insists Angelique Kavanaugh’s expected to dress and arrive in style. I just want to go for the dinner, the speeches, the ribbon cutting and then come home.”

  “You shouldn’t overdo it,” Faolan agreed wrapping the black shawl around her shoulders.

  “Where’s your locket that alerts you to evil?”

  “I removed the triquetra. It’s taped to the inside of my thigh.”

  “What?”

  “This gown’s too tight to wear it elsewhere. The locket doesn’t go with the emeralds and Danhoul said maybe I should hide it. I thought about putting it in my shoe, but that’d be uncomfortable.”

  “Those shoes look so very comfortable,” Faolan sarcastically said.

  “They aren’t. I’m glad I don’t have to dress like this every day. Now, Mrs. Boyle wants to see my gown. You guys come with me.”