“The Laird will live and so will ye. When the fair starts, return to Birlet Shallows and ye will find yer way out. The lesson was love, Child, and ye have learned it well.”
“I can return as well?” she stammered in surprise at the gypsy’s words. “Because I chose to save his life?”
“Because ye chose love.”
“This makes no sense,” Isla muttered as she stared at the woman. “Why teach me a lesson about love when I cannot be with the one I love?”
The gypsy smile was wistful, but she did not answer Isla’s question. “All ye have wished for was to return to yer time. Now is the chance… the fair is only a few days away now. Good luck.”
Isla closed her eyes again, and she felt a gentle breeze whoosh past her. When next she opened them, she was alone in the chamber, the vial in her hand too.
She sighed as she stared it, then quickly wiped her tears away and turned to Jack’s bedside. Without second thoughts, she opened his mouth and emptied its contents in.
Once it was done, she sat at his bedside, and held his hand tight.
Good luck. The gypsy’s words echoed in her head. Yes, she would need it. Once she returned to her time, she would need luck to forget all about Jack and move on with her life as it should be.
* * *
Jack’s recovery shocked everyone including himself. He felt no pain in his side even though the wound from his battle remained at his side.
The surge of energy coursing through him made him get out of bed early and join his men on the training fields. It felt like he had never been unconscious or hurt.
“My Laird, ye shouldnae be with a sword at a time like this,” Aideen said when he came out to the field and saw Jack fighting with Jamie.
“Jamie, ye shouldnae known better,” Aideen said.
“I have warned the Laird,” Jamie responded. “He needs his rest as he has only just recovered.”
“The healer says the infection is gone, and my wound is healin’. I feel strong, there’s no pain or fever,” Jack said to them before sheathing his sword and placing his hands on both his cousin and friend’s shoulder. “Lastly, since when do ye two agree on anythin’?”
“They are right, Brother,” Elliot said from behind them.
Jack groaned and turned around. “Nay ye too, Brother,” he replied then laughed because he felt well. “I feel all right, ye all needn’t worry about me.”
“The council worries,” Aideen said. “They feared they would lose ye to yer wounds, My Laird.”
“The brigands who attacked my village were arrested and I am all right. I will have them punished once I find out who sent them, and we will all be happy. There is much to celebrate, so ye all should be happy.”
Jack smiled as he spoke, then he spotted Isla standing far away at the Castle’s entrance with Moira and Penelope at her side.
Since he recovered three days ago, he had not seen much of her. It seemed like she was avoiding him. Jack could understand it. After the talks with the Master and his councilmen urging him to break his betrothal with her, his heart was worried sick.
He tried to tell himself it was for the better. Isla was returning to her time soon, so he ought to agree to the Master’s proposal. He could not do that yet. Not until he asked Isla one last time what she wanted to do.
Would she stay with him?
He swallowed hard and tore his gaze away from her because Aideen was saying something about the council. Jack drew out his sword again and beckoned on his brother to join him.
They parried for a long time, and he realized he was getting better at his swordsmanship.
“Ye fight better and different, Brother,” Elliot complimented. “Sharper moves.”
“I survived death, that is why I guess,” Jack said with a laugh, but no one else found it exciting so he stopped laughing and cleared his throat.
“What will ye all have me do?”
“Take rest, My Laird,” Aideen said.