Page 35 of Alec

We’re here.

Come back to us, love.

She changed direction to follow the sound of the two voices calling to her; one she was almost sure belonged to Ulf. Had the hunter found her in the passage where she had fallen? Was he even now carrying her to the infirmary? Ben would find a way to revive her, surely. The clan’s healer was a brilliant man.

Unless I’m now dead.

When she reached the threshold of the garrison hall she stopped and twisted her apron in nervous hands. Women were not permitted to enter the clan’s living quarters during daylight hours; if she were caught inside by the war master he would give her a terrible scolding. Yet she was certain the voices had come from inside.

Kelso appeared, blocking her path. Do you need me again, lassie?

Something in his eyes made her take a step back. She couldn’t speak, but she could think. Did you call to me?

Aye, ’tis all I’ve done since you first offered to share my bed. He reached out to fondle her breast. Ever I wished to please you. You remember, that time when we hardly slept at all.

I remember. He had been so demanding as a lover on their first night together she had nearly swooned with blissfulness. I am grateful to you, Kel.

His jaw tightened. Then you shouldnae go to them.

Are you there? she called out, peering in through the open doors.

Yes, we’re here. We’re waiting for you, Els. Come to us.

That was Ben, the clan’s healer, and the terrible need to see him made her rush into the hall. Instead of everything being white it looked as it did in her waking world, only a little darker. Warm air whirled around her as she walked through the center tower room and entered the passage that led into the garrison’s quarters. Cold, black torches burst into flame as she passed them, and then she saw the men standing at the other end of the passage.

Ben and Ulf.

She ran to them, trying to hug them both, and finally spoke out loud. “You found me.”

The healer smiled down at her.

This is a dream, his voice said inside her mind. Ulf and I are sleeping beside you in his chamber in the garrison hall. You were attacked by something that froze you. Do you remember what it was?

“Aye, a hailstone mayhap. Something small, made from ice.” She described what had happened, and then looked at Ulf, who was stroking her back. “Cannae you wake me?”

Healer’s tried his best, but no’ yet, love. The hunter brought her hand to his lips. We wish to attempt something more, but we need your leave first.

Surely he did not mean... Elspeth cringed at the wantonness of her own thoughts. She had only just been with Kelso; his seed still dampened her thighs. How could she even think of such a thing? She blinked, and the three of them were walking into a chamber with a blazing fire and a huge bed which Elspeth recognized as belonging to the laird.

We shouldnae be here. ’Tisnae seemly.

The healer squeezed her hand. We would never do anything to you while you’re helpless, Els.

A moment later she lay in the laird’s big bed with Ben and Ulf at her sides. The hunter had his hand on her belly, and the healer was stroking back her hair. Their touch made her chebs swell and a hot wetness gush from her quim as if one of them had already finished inside her. Were they doing this in the waking world? Had the men she’d most wanted taken her to bed? The prospect had her so excited she nearly lost herself in the thrill of it.

Ulf propped himself up to meet her gaze. Give us leave to love you, lass.

Her gaze shifted, and she saw Kelso standing next to the bed. He smiled at her, his eyes burning with passion as they ever did when he looked upon her. In her mind she heard his last vow to her.

I shall tell you whatever you wish hear. I shall do as you bid me. I’m yours, lassie. You’ve but to keep me.

“I cannae be with either of you,” Elspeth said, and choked back a sob. She had always conducted herself properly, and she could not do otherwise now, no matter how much she wished to. “I’m Kelso’s lover, and I’ve been since winterfall. I must first tell him we cannae continue on, and that I wish to put an end to it.”

It’s all right, darling girl. We can wait. Ben took hold of one of her hands, and Ulf grasped the other. Can you take us back to what happened to you, and show us this hailstone?

While she knew dreams at Dun Talamh could seem so real she’d often thought herself awake, Elspeth had never tried to do such a thing. “How?”

The hunter kissed her fingertips. Remember where you were just before it happened.