Winter

“I was thinking the exact same thing.” I yawned because I was also feeling really tired and could use some sleep.

“Get some rest, the potion will be ready by tomorrow and we have to leave immediately if we want to be there in time.” I nodded and bid her a goodnight. I went looking for Niall and was happy to find him already sleeping but before I could set one step into my room, I was pulled back by James.

“Winter, I need to talk to you.”

“This can’t wait till tomorrow?” I tried to free my arm from his grasp but he wasn’t letting go. He turned me so that I was facing him, he walked us towards a wall so that I couldn’t walk away from him, not that something like that was possible, as he had magic and could make me stop at any given time. “No this can’t wait till tomorrow.” I kept looking him in the eyes, which made him come closer and the minute I saw his eyes lower to my lips I knew what he meant by talking.

“James, don’t please.” I whispered this because if Niall would wake up and saw us like this he would be dead, which meant we would die as well. “Why not, I know you feel what I feel.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I can tell that your heart is beating like crazy right now and that your ears are ringing.”
“My heart is beating like crazy because I’m afraid of what you’re doing not because I want you and my ears are ringing because of that same fear, I don’t want you to touch me like this.” He cut me off by pressing his lips against mine, which didn’t last long as I pushed him off of me, which all the strength I possessed. He was shocked to see that I could do that but I could feel his anger.

“You shouldn’t have done that, I will have you before you get back to your own time.” With that he turned and walked away back to Lady Blackwood and I returned to the room I shared with Niall and to my surprise he was wide awake and looked angry, it was not directed at me but boy was he angry and before I knew what was happening he had pinned me beneath him and he started to rip the clothes from my body. I knew he was claiming me, showing me that I was his and this time I didn’t mind. I need him to show me I was his. I need his touch, his kisses and his love and it didn’t matter that he was rough with me. The only thing that mattered was his blinding love for me.

The next morning Niall woke me up by kissing me gently on my shoulder. We were entangled and as I turned to look at him, I saw he was worried and I immediately thought that James had run off again. “What’s wrong?” I asked whilst sitting up but he pulled me back into him again. “Nothing drastic but I do owe you an apology.

“For what?”

“For the way I acted yesterday, I shouldn’t be that rough with you.”

“It’s okay, I didn’t mind, really.”

“You have bruises and hickeys love.” He stated and I quickly glanced down and was shocked that I could actually see his handprint on my hip. “Damn Niall, didn’t know you were that strong.” He teased him but he didn’t seem to lighten up.

“Really Niall I’m fine and I enjoyed myself just as much as you did, there is no need for an apology.” I kissed him lightly on the lips and started to dress myself in riding clothes because today we were going back to where it all went wrong. I did feel sore but it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling knowing that it was Niall who made me sore in the first place. Niall was also dressing himself and as we made our way downstairs, we were greeted by James and I know he was looking at the hickeys, Niall had left in me neck.

James tried to get closer but Niall didn’t let him. “Stay away from my wife James.” Niall had put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into him. Normally I would push him away but today I didn’t mind.

“Let’s eat something and then we need to leave immediately.” Catherine told us and we quickly grabbed a few pieces of bread and drank some milk. We didn’t waste any time and after breakfast we walked to our horses but before I could get into my saddle, Catherine pulled me to her side “I have the spell but you need to know, that this spell can backfire because of the full moon.”

“What do you mean?”

“It can hit you and Niall as well, don’t get me wrong it won’t have the exact same effect as it will have on my brother and Lady Blackwood but it can make you forget about each other and I also have to tell you that if it all works you two will not wake at the same place. You will both wake up at your own home.”

“Wait so we won’t remember each other?” She shook her head sadly, I quickly looked at Niall, took everything in and took a deep breath before asking the next question.

“Will we remember this?”

“Yes you will but it will be slightly modified, you won’t remember getting married or whatever, just that you were here by accident.”

“What if I’m pregnant?”

“You will still be pregnant when you get back, you just won’t be able to remember when it happened and with whom but there is a catch, you will probably get your memories back the moment you will see each other in real life.”

“Okay let’s do it, if Niall and I are meant to be, we will find our way back.” She nodded sadly and took a step back so I could climb on my horse. I sighed again and looked at Niall and smiled at him. “Are you okay love?” I nodded and we started our journey to get back home.

Notes