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  “Stand and deliver, Samuel! Placing your hands on my girls, you git! I ought to throttle you well for that!”

  “Pftble… mah cart… lek goo… r-r-WRETCHES!” Samuel screeched from under the compression of the larger man, his once pale green eyes bloodshot and bulging out of his skull. He pulled at the man’s hand that held tight to his throat, digging his nails in as he tried to breathe.

  “Wretches? My gals? Never.” With a mighty flex of his muscles, the large man lifted Samuel from the ground.

  He reared his free hand far back and with expert coordination, he brought his fist up to the bully’s cheek. Samuel hit the ground causing a sound that resembled that of a drum. “Now, what have we learned today, Samuel? Perhaps a mild change in manners would do you well? Unless you would like another thumping, that is.”

  The dark-haired man took a deep breath, swelling his chest muscles like a proud bird. “Are you all right, my love? Old Samuel let his temperament get the best of him again, did he?” The man turned his gaze to Heather and the fury that contorted his face was replaced with the wrinkles of worry.

  “Well, you didn’t have to throttle him like a savage, Fionn. I can take care of myself, you know. I’m not some helpless maiden locked in a tower somewhere.” Heather took in a deep breath of relief, relaxing her shoulders, and a large grin stretched across her face as she poked Fionn in the chest. The two stared at each other for a fleeting moment before embracing each other in a passionate kiss.

  “And what of you, little lass? You say the word, and I will teach him a lesson he won’t soon forget.” Fionn chuckled, looking over his shoulders at Gabrielle who was still sitting on the ground. When she didn’t answer, Fionn reached out his hands, grabbed both of her wrists and hoisted her into the air. He chuckled as he caught her in his arms, hugging her to his muscular chest.

  “It will be my last day on this beautiful earth when any harm comes to my ladies!” Fionn held Gabrielle up in the air. He laughed as he swept Heather up with his remaining arm and brought her to his chest, kissing her on the top of the head.

  The massive man then spun Gabrielle around in the air and placed her upon his shoulders like her father used to when she was much younger. She had just met Fionn, and yet she felt like she had known him for her entire life.

  Fionn, with Gabrielle on his shoulders and Heather in his arms, turned away from Samuel and walked in the other direction toward where the men were working near the forest.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Gabrielle was shocked by the crowd that had formed behind them; she looked upon two dozen men, all clad with axes and pieces of wood. As the group passed by, the men raised their weapons in the air and cheered for the victor.

  A jolt ran through Gabrielle as Fionn walked through the crowd toward the back and she grabbed onto the top of his head to stop herself from falling off.

  She looked over her shoulders at the place where they had left Samuel; he was getting to his feet and making his way back to the fields in defeat.

  Gabrielle closed her eyes and breathed; she should have been scared, wondering where she was and what was happening, but the same strange calming sensation had come over her as when she laid her eyes on Heather.

  Her senses did not scream for her to run, and the questions that were once buzzing in her mind were now disappearing, being replaced by a feeling of belonging.

  What was I worried about? Gabrielle raised her arms high into the air, feeling the wind beneath them. She brought them back down and touched her fingers to her bracelet. Opening her eyes, she gazed upon it in the bright morning sun. It was as beautiful as ever; the silver glistened in the light almost like it was glowing.

  “How is your wrist, little one? I hope Samuel didn't hurt you. Did he bend your present? If so, I think I can figure out a way to straighten it,” Fionn’s once booming voice was now soft.

  “I’m fine, thank you,” Gabrielle said as she broke the silence she’d kept since she woke up on the dirt floor of the cabin. Her nose no longer hurt; in fact, as she let the warm sun wash over her, she realized she felt good.

  “Alas, she speaks!” Heather joked, and Fionn chuckled, placing one of his arms around Heather and pulling her to him. The trio walked through the spectators and into a circular sitting area.

  There were makeshift chairs made from large pieces of tree stumps that formed the outside of the circle, and in the center was a small fire pit with multiple pieces of charred wood and bits of old food, as if it were used frequently but rarely cleaned.

  Fionn led the girls over to a set of stumps farthest from the fire and beckoned Heather to sit next to him as he again tossed Gabrielle into the air and caught her in his arms.

  He placed a light kiss on the top of Gabrielle’s head before placing her on the stump next to Heather.

  “Been going around startin’ trouble today, have we?” He looked down his nose at them, but his playful smile gave him away. “No matter. Old Samuel needed to learn not to treat ladies that way regardless.” Fionn leaned back and produced a basket with small berries and pieces of freshly baked bread from behind him and placed it at his feet between him and Gabrielle.

  “You look as though you could use something to eat, Gabrielle. The bad dreams you had last night did not do well by you. Have berries. They will help you feel better.” Fionn took a large handful from the basket and held it out for her. Without hesitation, she held out her palms, and Fionn filled her hands with tiny ruby berries. Gabrielle hesitated, studying the berries.

  “You have been the most peculiar creature today, Gabrielle. Eat them! They are your favorite, are they not?” Heather took a berry and popped it into her mouth.

  “They are fresh, too,” Fionn stated. “I found them on a bush not ten paces past the tree line. The boys have been trying to nip one every chance they get, but I warned them that might not be in their best interests.” Fionn reared back on his seat and slapped his thigh.

  Gabrielle felt the sharp pang of hunger in the pit of her stomach at the thought of eating. She reached out a timid hand, pinched a tiny berry, and put it in her mouth.

  She could feel her eyes tear up as she bit into it and the sweet juices filled her mouth. These are delicious! Her hunger, now teased, took over as she placed large fistfuls of berries into her mouth.

  “Aye, now that looks like the Gabrielle I thought I left snoring back at the cabin this morning.” Fionn took a large bite out of a piece of bread as he laughed, causing bits of chewed food to scatter around him.

  “How are you, my most beautiful flower?” Fionn reached down and brought Heather's hand to his mouth, kissing each finger and allowing the last to linger on his lips.

  “I’m fine, my love,” Heather said, trying to control her laughter as she placed her free hand on Fionn’s chest and traced the outline of a large, crudely drawn tattoo. “It is young Gabrielle that worries me; she’s acting so strange this morning, and these dreams she’s having are causing her to wake in a sweat.” With the lovers’ attention back on Gabrielle, Heather withdrew her hand from Fionn’s grasp as embarrassment reddened her cheeks.

  Unaware of the display of affection that was going on around her, Gabrielle reached into the basket and pulled out another fistful of berries. Heather picked wildflowers and wove something from them as she fought to keep her eyes trained on anything besides the muscular man before her.

  “Uhh — um — so, are you ready for your birthday surprise today?” Fionn attempted to squash the awkwardness between them. “I know it was yesterday, but with the weather being what it was, I couldn’t imagine taking you to it. Today is perfect.” Fionn finished his bread and stood. “The boys can finish here. ’Bout time I let them do some of the work.” Fionn gave an airy laugh as he flexed his arm muscles and winked at Heather.

  “Well… are you feeling better, Gabrielle?” Heather asked as she too stood, trying to hide her embarrassment. “We can wait until tomorrow. This is not something you should do if you aren't feeling well.”
Gabrielle looked at them, the berries having raised her spirits. She no longer cared if she was dreaming or not, this place was full of curiosity and adventure, and she loved a good adventure.

  “Where are we going?” she said as she stood and brushed the soot from her dress.

  “Well now, where’s the mystery in that? Me telling you before you see it, that just ruins the surprise,” Fionn teased. “Let’s go, and you can see it for yourself.” He grabbed a handful of berries and tossed them all into his mouth before motioning to the woods behind them.

  Gabrielle was rife with the possibilities of what her surprise may be. She looked at Heather, who had just finished her weaving project.

  “It would not be a proper birthday celebration without this.” Heather began as she walked over to Gabrielle and put a crown of wildflowers on her head. “It’s not every day that my little sister turns fifteen, now is it?”

  Heather even knows how only I am? It was as if this was the life she’d been living all along. A sickening feeling wore in her stomach. Was her other life the dream? Her mother and father, were they figments of her imagination? Feeling eyes on her, Gabrielle looked up at Heather and Fionn who were both examining her.

  “You can think on it all you want, but I wager you have yet to set your eyes upon this new place. Trust me, little one; you will love what we have in store for you.” Fionn patted Gabrielle on her shoulder and placed his other arm around Heather. “But we must be off, for we cannot be gone too long. These fellows get lazy if I’m not around to keep them moving.” Fionn yelled over his shoulder like he wanted the other men in the area to hear his teases.

  Gabrielle could hear a few of them laugh in response as a grin flashed over his face.

  “Only problem is, from what I saw, you’re moving slow today, so it looks as though you’ll be riding on my shoulders for this little journey. We can try to keep up with your swift sister, the Fastest maiden in the county, and the most beautiful!”

  “So you have noticed” Heather flirted, winking at Fionn. She whirled around, and as though she were flying, she was already at the forest's edge.

  “Oi!” Fionn dropped to prepare the chase. He reached out and slung Gabrielle over his shoulders. “I will do my best to avoid anything, but you may need to duck every once in a while.” With this, Fionn chuckled and off they went in pursuit of the fastest maiden in the county.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  As the two barreled towards the edge of the forest, Gabrielle ducked and narrowly missed a tree limb. Fionn ran as fast as he could, yet they still struggled to keep Heather in view as they dodged between trees, hopped logs, and ducked under branches.

  Gabrielle struggled to hold on and stay atop his shoulders as Fionn took large strides and galloped through the woods. Ahead, Heather jumped a small creek, and Fionn grabbed hold of Gabrielle’s ankles as he leapt, clearing the creek with ease. Gabrielle looked around in amazement. She had never seen such a beautiful place, so full of life and adventure. As she scanned the trees, a pair of crimson eyes peered back at her from up ahead.

  CLICK.

  Gabrielle stared as the eyes stepped out of the shadows and a large winged creature sat beneath them. Her bracelet warmed on her wrist, but she didn’t dare take her eyes off the monstrous being that sat in the trees.

  The sizable winged creature could have been a mix of a bat and a vulture, but it didn’t look like any animal Gabrielle had ever seen. Its onyx feathers were ruffled and falling out as if it had just been in the fight of its life and the tip of its beak appeared molded out of scorched metal. The creature fanned out its large skeletal wings and cocked its head to the side as if it were watching her.

  As Fionn ran past the creature, unaware of its existence, it swooped down from its perch and flew toward Gabrielle. Its scorched black beak was chomping the air as if it were trying to devour the very oxygen she breathed and its murky blood red eyes swirled like a galaxy was held within them. Gabrielle leaned back and squeezed Fionn’s head as the demonic bird brushed past her. She screwed her eyes shut and clenched her jaw, expecting to be knocked to the ground but only a gust of wind brushed across her face.

  “You OK up there?” Fionn asked, likely feeling her squeeze the top of his head.

  “Did you see that bird?” Gabrielle managed to stutter, her eyes still closed.

  “No birds in here, you know that, woods are too thick.”

  After a few moments, Gabrielle opened her eyes only to find that the creature was gone.

  What was that? This magical dream was turning into a nightmare. She thought back to the sheeted figure in Alexandra’s loft, her mind trying to reason out what was dream and what was real. Fionn let out a thundering laugh that forced Gabrielle from her thoughts. Unsure if he was making fun of her or enjoying the chase, Gabrielle gave a small nervous giggle.

  She blinked her eyes several times and looked around the forest for signs of the bird. The snapping of a branch caught her ear, and she craned her head back looking for the source.

  A pair of piercing eyes stared back at her from behind an ancient oak tree. They were not the deep crimson of the bird she expected to see, but rather a light-plum color, almost lavender.

  A young boy about her age was peeking around the side of a tree. His messy brown hair fell in his face, and he smiled a soft smile that made the butterflies in Gabrielle’s stomach run rampant.

  CLICK.

  The faint clicking sound from Gabrielle’s wrist drew her gaze for only a moment, and when she looked back, the eyes were gone.

  “Nearly there now. What say we catch up to our elusive little Heather, shall we?” Fionn’s voice brought Gabrielle back to reality and he picked up the pace. Fionn had been toying with Heather the whole time, she realized, as his quickened pace closed the distance between them.

  When they rounded the corner, both Heather and Fionn stopped. Heather had both of her hands on her knees, and she wheezed as she tried to catch her breath.

  “You’re--a--wee--bit--faster--than--I--remember” Fionn took a large gulp of air and then added, “my love.”

  “Well, you’re still as slow as I remember,” teased Heather. As if only now remembering that she was there, Fionn reached up to his shoulders and grabbed hold of Gabrielle.

  “Did you enjoy the ride?” he asked.

  “Um...it was...exciting?” Gabrielle responded, not sure how to answer.

  Hints of sunshine trickled through the foliage, making this area of the forest darker than the rest. Gabrielle looked around the shadows for signs of red or purple eyes but found only black peering back at her.

  She’d never been this deep into a forest as large as this before, and she was in awe as she turned in circles, taking in every detail.

  “I told you she would love this place.” Heather walked over to Gabrielle and put her arm around her shoulders.

  “How could she not?” asked Fionn. “She hasn’t even seen what we wanted to show her yet.”

  Gabrielle could hear the excitement rising in Fionn’s voice, and she forced her muscles to relax.

  “This place is beautiful. It’s like a fairy tale,” she said, trying to force the shakiness from her voice.

  “Follow me. Your surprise is right on the other side of that tree,” Fionn motioned to a large tree that stood on a stone ledge ten feet high. He took the lead and climbed the natural steps to the top. Gabrielle followed next with Heather right behind her.

  Gabrielle’s eyes bulged as she stared into a chasm the size of a large house. On one side of the chasm, water flowed down the pit, making a beautiful waterfall.

  Moss and tree roots hung over the edge as though they wanted to admire the view, and dark stones wedged into the soft earth encompassed the cascading entrance to the pit. The stones appeared smooth, most likely from years of water and earth slowly but steadily moving over them.

  In the distant base of the chasm, she could make out remnants of an ancient tree that had long since fallen into the abyss.

/>   Gabrielle thought of how lonely it must be down in the darkness as she leaned and kicked several small pebbles that clanked down the side of the embankments and into the waiting depths. She let out a small gasp and grabbed on to Fionn’s hand.

  “Well, what do you think?” asked Fionn, kneeling on one knee and peering into the pit.

  “This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen,” admired Gabrielle, fixated on their discovery and forgetting about the demon bird that was still somewhere in the woods. Gabrielle rubbed her bangle, her eyes wide with appreciation, as she thought back on the last birthday gift she got.

  Fionn reached behind a large tree next to the pit and produced a rope. Gabrielle followed the rope with her eyes and realized that it was tied to a large branch that hung over the pit.

  “I will make this as easy as I can for you, little one. All that you have to do is hold while I push you across,” he reassured her as they walked to the edge of the pit. Fionn tied the rope around Gabrielle’s waist and tugged on it a few times to make sure it would hold.

  She leaned backward and allowed the rope to go taut as Heather and Fionn placed their hands on the small of her back and at the top of her shoulders. The palms of Gabrielle’s hands were covered in sweat, and she squeezed the rope even tighter.

  “Are you ready?” Heather whispered into her ear.

  “Yes.” Gabrielle closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt her chest tighten, but before she could say anything, the wind was rushing through her hair.

  A gasp escaped her lips, and she squeezed her eye tighter as she felt the pull of the rope going taut and her stomach drop. Then nothingness—only the air as it poured over her and through her hair whipping her dress around.

  It was invigorating, the weightlessness that Gabrielle felt as she passed over the pit, the sensation of the air rushing through her hair and around her body like a million little fingers running up and down her skin.