“There was a discrepancy with the shipment,” Gavin explained. “Word came yesterday.”

Greylen swore under his breath and went to his bed. Never more dreadful of a task, he tried to wake Gwen. “Gwen…Gwen, wake up, love,” he murmured with a gentle touch. She didn’t respond and he tried again. “Gwendolyn,” he bid with more force. ’Twas no use, she was out cold.

But he told her all the same. “Gwen, I must leave. The king’s men wait, love. I’m called to court. I will marry you just as soon as I return. The moment I come home, I—” His words fell short as he dared not promise her again. But he did kiss her. He poured his entire soul into that one kiss.

Reluctantly, he went to his wardrobe and gathered what he needed for his journey. Once dressed, Greylen placed his sword in its scabbard and slipped his dagger into his boot. He stood at the bedside and gave Gavin his orders.

“You’ll stay behind. I’ll trust no one but you to see that Gwendolyn’s kept safe.”

“You’ve my word, Greylen.”

“Ian and Connell?” he asked.

“Below stairs, ready to accompany you.”

“I’ll seek Lady Madelyn and the privacy of my study. You’ll find a letter for Gwendolyn atop my desk. See it to her the moment she awakens.”

Moments later, Greylen left. Each step he took was harder than the last. His only thoughts were that he’d broken his word. He failed her.

She would hate him come morning.

It wasn’t a dream.

No matter how many times she tried to think differently, the reality was the same. She was not dreaming.

She wasn’t lying in an unconscious state hooked up to an IV. She wasn’t hallucinating. Nor was she insane. At the moment, she was just tired and truly beyond thought.

She stood before the window in Greylen’s chamber, able to do little more than stare as the sun made its descent. Silent tears streamed down her face, and the soft rustle of parchment whispered in the air. In one hand she held the letter Greylen had written the night before. The other fingered a wooden medallion Gavin had placed around her neck only moments ago.

It meant more to her than anything she had ever had.

Strange how in just a little over twelve hours, it was the link to her future that now gave her courage. Not her bracelet, which was the only link to her past.

So many things were clear, now that she could see.

And though the scenery of northern Scotland and the sea that surrounded it looked no different, she knew “she wasn’t in Kansas anymore.”

When she had awoken that morning, she had sensed something was wrong and had known instinctively that Greylen wasn’t there. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise. It seemed to be the only way she awoke at Seagrave. She decided, however, that if she awoke to that feeling one more time, she’d kill someone. And after today’s revelations, Greylen was at the top of her list. That is if he didn’t get himself killed first.