Page 85 of The Ranger
Belle sniffed. “Yes.”
Sadie looked at Honoria. “Oh, darling. I think Belle’s right. Look at us. Then think about Dallan and Shona. How long have we known them?”
Honoria’s eyes widened. “I’ve known them all my life.”
“Yes,” Belle said. “And Shona looks younger than you. A lot younger. It’s as I told you. They are time travelers. Shona is not like us. And neither is Markhel.” She let them go and prayed they didn’t rush Maida. “We have to see this through. Maida must be allowed to join with Markhel.”
“What do you mean, join?” Honoria asked, still looking like she’d make a run for Maida.
Belle hoped she could hold both of them back if they decided to go to her. But Maida’s singing had grown softer, and maybe the Call was almost done. “Marry,” she finally said. “They get married.”
“What?!” Honoria screeched, scaring the chickens. “To that, that, tree!”
Belle took a calming breath, then another. She should have waited for Colin, but after last night, she had to do something. “Sadie.” Belle faced her best friend in the world. “Jefferson joined with Lorelei. Thackary joined with Pepper. Lorelei and Pepper are like Markhel. They are Muiraran. They are not of this world. Look at us! We are old, Sadie. Shona and Dallan, Kwaku and Zara and yes, Markhel, have not aged a day since we’ve known them.”
Sadie stared at her, slack jawed. “How could we not notice?”
“Because Muirarans can blend in. They can make you not notice things. It happens naturally. Part of our brains knows the truth but doesn’t question it.”
Sadie started to slump to the ground. Honoria and Belle each grabbed an arm to ease her the rest of the way. “Wh-what makes them different?”
Belle knelt before her and looked her in the eyes. “They are not from our world. Do you understand? All I know is that they came here to escape something terrible and have been here for over a thousand years. They are scattered throughout time. Colin and I have seen things you would not believe. Trust me, I’m telling the truth.”
Honoria looked at the barn. “The singing has stopped.”
They helped Sadie to her feet, all three staring at Maida, who, still on her knees, rested her hands on them, her eyes closed now.
“Maida looks different.” Honoria took a step forward, then another.
“Don’t get too close. Give her time to recover,” Belle warned.
Honoria stopped, her jaw tight. “How long have you known?”
Belle stiffened. “Since Tillie White’s wedding.”
Sadie and Honoria gaped at her. “Are you telling me,” Sadie said. “That my granddaughter has been destined for that giant of a man since she was a child?!”
Belle swallowed hard. “Yes.”
Sadie staggered to the chicken coop and grabbed hold of it to stay upright. “Merciful heavens.”
Belle ignored her for the moment. “Honoria. Go to her but be gentle. Don’t ask her questions, just… hold her. Trust me, I’ve been through this before.”
Honoria’s eyes narrowed. “Lorelei.”
“Yes. Lorelei.”
“And where are Jeff and Lorelei now?”
Her eyes misted with tears. “With the Muirarans, where they can be safe.”
Honoria’s hands flew to her mouth as a sob escaped. “They’ll take my daughter from me…”
Belle squeezed her eyes shut. She knew what was coming, and covering up the truth wasn’t going to help anything. “Yes. For her own safety. But you will get to see her again.” She opened her eyes and grabbed Honoria by the shoulders. “I promise.”
Honoria wiped her eyes with a handkerchief she pulled from her pocket. “I’m not sure I can do this.”
“She needs you now,” Belle said as gently as she could, her own tears making it hard to see. “Remember, just be there for her. She may not even remember singing.”