“Anne MacLeod!” Rory yelled her name as he stormed into the keep. The Norse ancestry of their clan was never more obvious than right now as Rory, like a Viking of old strode toward her.
She wobbled as she rose. “I’m sorry for any trouble I’ve caused. Margaret found me this morning asleep in her dressing room.”
“And you’ve only just awoken?”
“Yes, I was exhausted.”
“That cannae happen again.” He grasped her shoulders then dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Do you hear me?”
“Anne!” Alex raced into the hall, his golden eyes ablaze. “You’re back.” He heaved her away from Rory and into his arms. “Where the hell have you been?”
“I’m so sorry.” His hold, so tight, almost prevented her from taking a decent breath. “Apparently I walked in my sleep and ended up in Margaret’s dressing room. I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”
“We’ve spent hours hunting for you in the woods.”
“I’m truly sorry. I missed you.” Arms around his waist, she gripped his shirt smeared with dirt and dried nettles.
“As I—”
“That’s enough. Step away from my cousin, MacDonald.” Rory shoved between them.
“You took her from me.” Alex pushed back. “She’s mine to care for.”
“Her welfare is no longer your concern.”
“A technicality, and you know it.”
“Stop it. Both of you.” She raced around Rory and grabbed Alex from behind. “This arguing won’t solve a thing, and I”—she swayed—“I—”
Black dots danced before her eyes as the room spun, and then nothing.
Chapter 8
Alex scooped Anne into his arms as she crumpled. With his cheek near her mouth, he waited for her breath to touch his skin. A caress of air gave proof she’d fainted. The tension in his gut eased. “She breathes.”
“Pass her to me,” MacLeod demanded.
“Nay, I’ll take her to her chamber.” He marched toward the stairwell.
His mother snagged MacLeod’s arm. Good. She would gain him some time. “Alex would never harm his wife. Allow him to see to her.”
Margaret raced to Alex and whispered, “Anne’s no’ been well since she awoke. I’ve called a healer.”
“Explain her sickness.” He bounded to the second floor, kicked open her chamber door and tramped inside.
“You’ll have to ask her after she awakes.” Margaret shut the door and bolted it.
“Alex?”
Anne stirred in his arms, and gently, he laid her down. “I’m here, my sweet. What sickness is this you have?”
“I didn’t sleep walk.” Her eyes fluttered open, so big and blue. “I traveled back—I mean forward to the future, to Dunscaith where I first came through the portal on the drawbridge. I was there for ten days and discovered my parents are alive, only I don’t know where they are. I couldn’t find them.”
“Speak the truth, Anne. No more of this gibberish. ’Tis making you sick.”
She cupped his face and smiled. “I truly was there for ten days, in hospital, suffering from morning sickness. I know I said I couldn’t get pregnant, but it appears I can and did.”
“You’re—” He shook his head. “’Tis impossible.”
“Oh come on. We both know that’s entirely possible.” She arched a brow. “Tell me. What will it take to convince you I’ve been gone ten days?”
“Naught.” How could he make her see sense? Aye, a pregnancy was possible, but she couldn’t know this soon. “You’ve been gone ten hours. Every single one has burdened my heart.”
“I have never felt this sick in my entire life.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “It’s been ten days, and each one has been a burden to me too.” She looked at Margaret. “Grab the drip and show Alex. If he still doesn’t believe me then knock him over the head with it. I’m over trying to prove I’ve come from the future.”
Anne scrambled to her knees, jerked the equipment from under the bed and shoved it into his hands. “Alex, Anne speaks the truth. She appeared out of thin air afore my eyes and this contraption was attached to her. What’s this, if not something from the future?”
What a strange contraption. The box was sturdy and the steel well-crafted like his sword, but clearly not from this time. The rest was unlike anything he’d ever seen. He couldn’t even put a name to it. “What did you need all this for, Anne?”
“It provided nutrients because I couldn’t keep any food down. Those are stored as a liquid in that see-through bag. The nutrients drip down the plastic tube and through a needle directly into my body.” She pointed to her punctured wrist. “It went in right here.”
“She speaks the truth.” Margaret backed toward the door. “I’m going to check on where the healer is. I willnae be long.”
“Unbelievable.” He followed her to the door and slid the bolt into place behind her. The evidence was real. He couldn’t deny it.
“You finally believe me?”