Mists Through Time

By S.R. Roddy

The dreams always started out the same, a mist so thick he could barely see his hand in front of his face, sounds echoing eerily as he walked blindly through the forest and then the crying would start. Heart wrenching sobs of despair, begging for him to come back to her. Tasha... he could sense her fear and helplessness. It was like her soul had been crying out for him, he could feel the answering pull from deep inside himself. Tavish will stop at nothing to finally have the woman that he loves back. The woman of his heart... the woman proclaimed by fate to be the other half of his soul.

Dealing with the fallout of the choices she made months ago Tasha is an emotional wreck. Torn apart by the unfairness of it all. To be allowed to meet and fall in love with a man that was literally unattainable. It wasn’t a family that didn’t approve, work that kept him busy, another woman, or even miles that separated them. It was centuries that did. What kind of crappy fate was that? Spending every spare moment tormented by memories of a night not too long ago when the man of her dreams taught her how to love with not only her body, but her very soul.

Warning: This book contains M/F sex and anal play between two married adults with a little M/F/M foreplay between friends thrown in for fun.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.R. Roddy
• Release date: Jan 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301378241

S.R. Roddy

Married with five children, three cats and one very large dog she lives happily in a small town north of Austin, Tx. She is an ordinary housewife who spends most of her day homeschooling her four teenage children. From a young age she discovered a deep love for books that has encouraged her vivid imagination and touched her romantic spirit. With the help and support of her family she spends her spare time writing with the desire to share her creativity with other avid readers like herself.

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Mists Through Time

By S.R. Roddy

Smashwords Edition

Text Copyright 2013 S.R. Roddy

All Rights Reserved

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Warning:

This book contains explicit sexual content and is intended for mature audiences only. It contains scenes that may be offensive to some readers. You may want to consider storing your file in a safe area on your pc or reading device that is not easily accessible by minors.

Disclaimers:

This book is a work of fiction. Though references to actual events or locations may be real, all characters, places and events are strictly fictitious coming from the rambling imaginations of the author.

Acknowledgments:

A special thanks to my daughter for all the hard work she put in on my book cover. I owe her for putting up with all my annoyances, including the many revisions.

Prologue

Tavish roared his denial, pleaded for a different outcome as he watched the mist close around her tear stained face. Arms pulled at him from all sides as he tried to go to her. He fell to his knees, throat raw from his howls of anguish. He was confused, hurt. Why had she released his hand? Did she not trust him?

Brother?

Laird?

He felt the weight of the hands on his shoulder, but couldn’t bring himself to focus on the present. He went over the events of the last hour in his mind. The way they’d made love. Their talk of the future and the desire to never be parted.

She’d agreed to come back with him. They traveled through the mist-shrouded forest hand in hand. There was a moment of hesitation were her fear surfaced, but he’d reassured her and she’d given him that sweet smile of acceptance. His men had called to him, a mere distraction really. Yet, in those short seconds his whole world, the future he’d dreamt of, changed.

Tavish, ye must come inside.

Mary?

It shouldn’t surprise him that they sent the sweet-natured Mary to fetch him. His best friend’s wife was waif-like in appearance, but had a fierceness about her that all obeyed.

Aye, laird. Now come away wi’ ye.

She is —gone.

Tavish wasn’t sure he was even making sense at this point. The pain inside him was like a sharp edged sword. For the first time in his adult life, he felt lost. The great MacKay brought down by one nearly as tiny as the girl–woman that knelt before him.

We all saw it love, but ‘tis done fer this day, and yer men worry fer ye.

He swallowed back the tears that threatened to fall at her words. Would the fates really be so cruel? Why bring them together across time if, in the end, they were only forced to be parted once more? He shook his head in denial.

Nae, ‘tis not over.

Of course not. Ye will find another way, but not this day ma bonnie laird. She pulled on his arm as she rose from the ground. Come away wi’ ye. Yer brothers and ma Kade await wi’ a dram of whiskey and I have a loaf of fresh bread tae fill yer belly.

Unable to find the strength to argue with her he reluctantly followed her into the Keep. His brothers, Kade and Miles all sat in the overstuffed chairs around the fire. He found an empty seat as Kade pulled his wife onto his lap.

Thank ye, Kade whispered.

Not surprising, Mary only shrugged and kissed his cheek. Watching them made the emptiness inside him increase. He had always wanted the kind of love those two shared. For a short time, he held it in his hands.

There was no doubt in Tavish’s mind that Natasha was his destiny. He took the dram offered him. As the hot liquid burned a path down his throat, he considered his options. It wasn’t in his nature to give up. They would be together again. He would search all of Scotland if necessary to find the answer.

I should expl—

Nae need. Yer brothers told us the all of it, Kade stated.

In this moment, Tavish was grateful that he’d told his brothers the truth. Under normal circumstances, it wasn’t an easy task to explain. With his mind so distracted it would be damn near impossible. Ramsey cleared his throat, interrupting Tavish’s thoughts.

I ordered Colin and Alec tae seek out any ov’er fifty summers. Someone must ken what tae do. They leave at first light, Ramsey offered.

Tavish found it difficult to speak. Touched by his brother’s words he wished to thank him, but his throat felt constricted. He ran a hand over his face and through his curls. He pinched his war braid between his fingers, twisting until the motion calmed him enough to speak.

Thank ye. He glanced up as each man rose from his seat to step near him. I will never give up.

Neither will we, Kade swore as he squeezed Tavish’s shoulder.

Tavish felt stronger, more secure in his skin as he watched the others head to bed. This was not over. He would get his Tasha back.

Chapter 1

Scotland, Highlands, Dec. 1501

Tavish growled in frustration as he slammed his tankard of good Scottish whisky down. These days his temper remained close to the surface and ready to boil over at a moment’s notice. The devastation he had felt after watching Tasha, literally the woman of his dreams, fade into the mist had been all consuming.

He had sworn to himself and those he trusted, that he’d not give up. Long weeks of one dead end after another, left him ill-tempered. He didn’t eat properly, he barely functioned without his rage flaring to life. His peoples’ need for their laird had pulled him out of his destructive behavior, at least for a short time, but the anger and frustration remained.

Why had she let go of his hand? Had she not trusted in him enough to follow him through the mist? The questions continually chased each other in his mind in an unending loop. He had spoken to every man or woman he could find in the Highlands that knew the slightest detail of the mystical. They all said the same thing.

She had been tested and failed. There was no way to offer her a second chance. She was lost to him forever, they said, he should find a woman more worthy of his noble blood. Bah, he cared nothing of noble blood or worthiness. He wanted his Tasha. The woman of his heart, the woman proclaimed by fate to be the other half of his soul.

The memories were the hardest. Especially the look of devastation on her face right before the mist closed around her. No, he refused to believe she had let go on purpose. He knew in his heart that she loved him.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, there were the nightly dreams. They always started out the same. A mist so thick, he could barely see his hand in front of his face. Sounds echoed eerily as he walked blindly through the forest, bagpipes playing in the distance.

Then the greeting would start. He would hear her soft weeping, but when he searched for her, he only managed to become confused and disoriented. Walking in unending circles for hours, listening to her cries become heart-wrenching sobs of despair, begging for him to come back to her.

For the last few days, it had been more than dreams that haunted him. He could swear at times he felt her need of him. He had no way to explain how, but he knew deep inside there was something wrong. He could sense her fear and helplessness. It was like her soul cried out for him to help her. He could feel the answering pull from deep inside himself, demanding that he return to the forest.

It had been nearly three months since he had made love to her and yet, she still haunted him whether he was awake or sleeping. At times, as he walked through his beloved forest he would swear that he heard her weeping softly as she called out to him. Something was not right. She needed him, and he was helpless with his inability to even find her, let alone comfort her in any way.

All this just fueled his anger. Add to that, the petty squabbles between his people. It left him with a short temper and a foul mood daily.

The two latest fiascos were the blacksmith’s daughter and the village whore. God, why did it seem to always be daft women that gave him so many problems? The blacksmith’s daughter got herself pregnant but refused to name the father. Then there was Maude, the village whore, she was intentionally causing rifts between the men and their wives.

He knew he would have to do something about both situations soon, but he just wasn’t in the mood today. The thought of confronting Maude after everything that happened the last time left him cold inside. His scowl deepened as he watched his brothers walk up to the dais and sit down one on each side of him.

Will there ever be a day ye arnae angry brother? Conn asked sarcastically.

He was another problem that needed to be dealt with. His dour and bitter attitude these last few months were grating on his already frayed nerves. It made a body barely able to bide his presence. Tavish watched as he reached toward the bowl in front of them. He scowled at his brother’s hands as he fondled the furry fruit.

Weel that was real smooth, an’ nae combative at all Conny, Ramsey stated with a grunt. Why nae jist come up tae the dais an’ hit him or something? Would probably work jist as weel.

Enough! Tavish bellowed, slamming his fist on the table. He turned to look at both brothers in turn. What the de’il d’ye want?

He had no patience for them this day. His brothers’ petty bickering would only fuel his anger to a higher degree. He slapped Conn's hand away from the bowl. Those were his peaches dammit. They reminded him of her…

What do we want? Sarcasm and anger seemed to drip from every word that slipped out of Conn’s mouth.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Shut up Conny, ye arnae helping anything like this, Ramsey said irritated. He turned to his older brother. Since the day we found ye in the woods, ye have been angry an’ ye cannae deny it. I ken ye decided tae do this on yer own, but ye cannae be everywhere at once.

We spoke tae some fowk that still believe in the auld ways, but arnae after yer coin, Conn blurted out. before Ramsey could work his way to the subject.

Ramsey scowled at Conn. He’d wanted to work his way gently to the issue at hand. Leave it to Conny to muck everything up. Ramsey held his hand up to forestall Tavish’s bellow of anger that he knew would be coming. Both brothers understood that Tavish wouldn’t be happy with their interference. It made Conn’s antagonistic behavior even more confusing and annoying.

Wait, afore ye blow up, listen tae what we have tae say. We want tae help ye.

At Tavish’s nod, both brothers sighed in relief. Ramsey felt the knot of tension he’d carried for months, loosen. If things worked out, all would be well soon enough.

I’m glad ye decided tae come tae yer senses—

Ramsey smacked Conny in the back of the head, effectively shutting him up before he ruined their chance to speak.

Weel, they all believe the same thing… Ramsey confided. There’s hope brother. They say that since the window was opened at the autumn equinox, then ‘tis verra possible, even more strongly sae, that it will be opened again at winter solstice. At the blank look on his brother’s face, Ramsey was at a loss on how to respond. Of all things, he wasn’t expecting him to react with indifference, not after all the anger. He took a deep breath and tried again. Doona ye see? Ye still have a chance of finding her an’ bringing her back tae this time. Where, she can then stay by yer side.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Tavish’s first reaction to his brother’s words was an overwhelming elation. Finally, someone telling him what he needed, no wanted to hear. After all the long months, he could go to his love and bring her home with him. The reality of the situation was much harsher than the simple answer of bringing her home.

What if she didn’t want to come with him? Worse even than that, what if she tried to cross over and failed the test again? Could he live that devastation over? Remembering the anguish on her bonnie face, he realized the most important question was, could she?

Thank ye for telling me. I will think on it, Tavish said.

He watched as his brothers exchanged confused glances. He knew they didn’t understand, but he couldn’t explain it to them either. Until one faced their own loss, it would be difficult to comprehend.

Ramsey stepped forward, a plea in his voice and on his face. D’ye nae ken what I’m saying? This is what ye have wanted for months. I doona understand yer lack of enthusiasm.

I ken ye doona, but again ma only answer is the same. I will think on it.

With those words, he stood and walked toward the door. He needed to get away for a bit. Maybe he could go visit some of his tenants, those near the border of his lands. Just to check on them, of course. It had been months since he had made the trip.

A strong hand wrapped around Tavish’s arm. The grip tight, its owner yanked him around toward the dais. His gaze locked with a very explosive looking Conn.

Ye will think on it? Ye will think on it!? By damn, is that all ye have tae say? Ye have been mopping an’ bellowing for months. Walking around like a wounded animal. Now ye will think on it? Tae the de’il wi’ ye I say! Ye will take yer damn arse out tae that forest an’ wait for that woman! I’m tired of yer shite!

In Ramsey’s typical diplomatic manner, he stepped between them. He reached out and placed a calming hand on Conn’s shoulder while another touched Tavish’s arm.

What Conny is trying tae say, though he’s nae doing a verra guid job… He threw an annoyed look in Conn’s direction. Ye admitted nae tae long ago that yer dreams aboot her have become more frequent again. Ye have even said, ye have thought several times while walking through the forest that ye heard her greetin.

Tavish nodded his agreement as he