~~~
Outside on the lighthouse keeper’s service road between the main cluster of buildings and the lighthouse at the edge of the cliff, Edeen scoured the sunny sky for any sight of Roque, even knowing he most likely was on foot.
She wrung her hands together, hating that her husband was out there alone, chased by dozens of the monsters. Hopefully his lateness was due to finding somewhere to hole up and rest until he had the reserves to maintain his dragon form once again. It was probably well that he hadn’t returned yet. As long as he did return.
She hissed low in frustration. She wanted him here. Now. Safe. Wanted to touch him, feel for herself that he was alive.
Two patrols had been sent out to look for him, angling in separate directions along the way Shaw and the rescue squad had gone. Several of those men from Shaw’s group had also gone out to look for him. Ethan and Dez were resupplying their weapons, as well as more syringes of the anti-rift formula, this very moment to also take up the search. They knew the area like the backs of their hands. If anyone could find him, they would. They would.
She begged to go with them, but had been convinced they’d move much faster on their own. And Rogue would want her here if he should return before them.
“Any sign?”
Edeen whirled to find Alexander stepping through the old broiler room where they kept their food stuffs.
“What are ye doing out of yer bed? Yer strength has not yet returned.” She crossed the dusty road quickly to ease herself beneath his arm.
“Auntie Lenore is a powerful healer.” He allowed her to drape his arm over her shoulder, though he held back his full weight.
“That she is, though the natural magic of this time is weakened. Ye know ye cannot withhold truths from me,” she scolded.
“Fair enough.” Amusement lit his eyes. Since his anti-rift formula appeared to be working, he was in high spirits.
“And I better not hear ye call me Auntie.” The banter was meant to ease her worry, she felt that sentiment drifting from his skin, and was grateful though it did naught to allay her fears.
“What would you prefer then?”
“Edeen. We’re almost of the same age.”
“In this time line. I remember being much younger…”
“I know.” She’d been inside his essence, his soul, had experienced his newly formed memories. His actual memories now, she supposed.
His smile was faint. “Ah, yes.” He looked up at the sky, embarrassed. “I’m not sure how I feel about ye knowing all my innermost thoughts.”
“Then don’t think of it. I’d rather not. ‘Twas frightening, what ye endured. Alexander—”
He shrugged, signaling it was over now, and didn’t want to talk about it. “piuthar-athar.”
“Yes.” She smiled at the familiar term of endearment. “How did ye know?”
Angling his face downward, his eyes met hers. “You taught me. Long ago. I remember now. Piuthar-athar. My father’s sister.” He squeezed her to his side, conveying gratitude and love with his gaze more than any words he might have spoken.
“Don’t worry about Roque. He’ll come.”
Edeen craned her head back to look at him and saw it. Felt the confidence he had of it. He did know. Pressed against his side, his certainty of Roque’s safety poured from him into her heart.
“How can ye be certain?”
Alexander merely grinned like a child who knew who ate all the shortbread. “Because I remember Christmas. Keep watching the skies.”
As though it was a command, her face tilted skyward. Squinting against the sunlight, she imagined she could almost see a tiny speck moving toward them.
“I’m going to alert the others, get some water and blankets ready.” She thought he would move away, but he tugged her into a firm hug instead and whispered over the top of her head. “Piuthar-athar, I’m going to miss you.”
Then he pulled away, leaving her to puzzle out what he could possibly be talking about.
~~~
Christmas Day
Scotland 2025