I own nothing.

Jet Stream and Auntie come at me with this horrendous dress, "Please no," I plead but they just attack. "You have to look the part,"

Black with Gold alluring damsel dress with a hood, made of smooth black taffeta and ornate brocade, this hooded gown has an aura of decadence and mystery. The front panel, trim of the sleeves, and the edge of the hood feature the gold and black damask-patterned brocade. The roomy hood ends in a point, and the long, dramatically flared sleeves can be cinched up or worn down. They did some bullshit with my hair and scrubbed what little make I was wearing off, "In this is another gown, your supplies, a sleeping gown. Papers that state who you're and your social status, take this," the bag was heavy a small black velvet bag. A silver circlet was placed on my head and some fancy fancy jewelry. "I'm going to yeet that toddler when I get back," but said toddler was drinking a box of apple juice with Warren bent down to her level as they chatted.

I eyed them, what was she telling him and not me?

Magenta whistled, "It suits you, stop being such a Killjoy," flipping her off as Vic asked for a moment. "Look, Bexley. I rather go but they refuse has to be you two, I trust Peace and I want you to as well. Find him in Barcelona as soon as possible, we're sure Kai is going to Ireland first, he is going to check in on your family first no one has told Warren this. On the scroll is where each family is, Kai doesn't know any of this it was never disclosed. You're my number one girl, but if you can kill Kai, he took Nikki and Lucie and he will kill you when he finds out you are never going to love him," feeling the burning prick of my tears.

"You keep them safe, you tell my mom everything when she returns. Tell her that I love her and I'm sorry dad left," he stopped me. "You're coming home,"

Uncle gave me a look, "Its time, we don't know how time works here to there. We do not think you will both exist in the same location when you first arrive, Bexi you will turn up in Ireland and Warren is Austria where he is from. Bexi, you have royal blood and that will get you far but woman than had no right's so, be careful. You will have your powers, you both are going back to where we all began, but most important is to come home,"

Magenta chimed in, "Men were pigs, get your hands dirty," she was right we did that study essay in the middle ages. And now all that was hitting me, Warren walked to my side not looking so graceful. A sleeveless tunic and other garments, but he had a blade and bag that I guessed had monies.

He gave me a look, his eyes on the bracelet I wore. "Barcelona, as fast as possible," I countered. "Ireland is much further from there than Austria so as fast as possible," he agreed as we see an accident person come in, their gender was not obvious. He stumbled nearly falling as Warren and I took him under the arms, once seated he grinned at me.

The voice wasn't either, "This will kill me, but a death I willingly take,"

This was a bit much, "We are going to off the old person because the happy meal addict says so," all eyes on me as a few chuckled. The old person's voice cracked, "Full of fire," it is time as my own time is so very close," guess it was about to die anyhow.

I couldn't bring my eyes to my friends and family and neither could Peace, the room was filled as we stand in the circle. He doesn't look at anyone, "My crew you answer to Bandit and Vic until I return, but never go against what I have ordered of you," his mother was trying in vain to get his attention but much like myself we couldn't look them in the eyes, in case we never returned they say we would but trust was fickle and the past is unknown.

I felt Warren's arms wrap around me, strong and burning hot. "Find me and stay safe until then, the moment I regain my balance I will tear the past up to find you. Together we're meant to change things not just you or just me, look at me Bexley," I did seeing his brown eyes that shone brightly, reflecting the warmth of the sun. They were such a unique color, a mix of light and dark. They looked at my face, "do you trust me?"

"Yes," but right as I said it everything just went sideways, I could still feel his arms that are desperately trying to hold on. I think I hear his voice bellowing at me to find him once again, to stay safe. Time travel is nothing like it is in science fiction. There are no swirling lights or tunnels, just pain like you're being squeezed through something too small for your body. It feels like every bone is being pulverized, every living tissue feels shredded. Then you wake up naked, or else your clothes have become fused with your dermis and you have to wait until they are pushed up into the epidermis before peeling them off. I tumbled from something only to land on a hay pile in a barn, quick to my feet. "Sorry, Lady McQueen," an older man muttered bowing before vanishing.

I backed further and further into the dark barn before my back hit the wall. "Oh no, it reeks," but words came, he would come here first. It was nice out and everything so was serene and stunning but seeing Layla in such a stunning green gown her hair braided and much longer, her green eyes to me. Her smile, it was her smile, "Latha math, Fidelma," coming my way.

I whispered, "It's like you're speaking to me, but I understand nothing,"

Like a smack to the face, I knew what she was saying. I answered her, "tha an latha fhathast òg, tha an teaghlach againn ann an cunnart. Freya,"

She and I talk for some time, her fingers trace my face, for now, I reside in my ancestor, not myself this was unforeseen. But in the water, I look like Bexley but with tame hair. "Thig na fir sin, tha sinn nam boireannach làidir agus tha ar cumhachd mòr.," she was not worried, I liked this Layla she was ready to get dirty; I was so going to tell Layla her ancestor was a badass.

Airon walked in, "Mo Mhnathan, dithis fhireannach an seo don chùirt,"

Together we stand and move, a single unit seeing Kai and another, but similar in facial structure. Kai was off his horse walking towards us when our guards halted his progress. "Is e, bha mi a 'smaoineachadh gu robh làithean agam nach e uairean a dh' fhalbh iad ro Warren agus mi-fhìn," her eyes flicker to mine and the green fire in them was where I think I got it from.

"Kai son of Theron, I have come to court the Lady Fidelma," I gazed at him and him at myself, the way his eyes moved over me. "Faodaidh tu falbh a-nis no bàsachadh. fàg thu nach buin thu san àm seo. Gheibh thu bàs an aghaidh ar cinnidh," my tone was light not hinting at whom I was, but he knew I was powerful in every timeline.

"Thy will return and your clan will fall at my feet and you will be mine, you always will be," they leave as the power that this place resonated pushed them out. After a meal Freya, smiled placing another circlet on since this one was not good enough, "Feumaidh tu a dhol agus stad a chuir air Chaos, tha an ùine de Heros air tighinn." She was right it was time as I was given a stunning black horse and more clothes and supplies.

"Chì mi a-rithist thu, Layla," saying my goodbyes, this place wouldn't fall not to him. She grinned, "An t-ainm as toil leam," I declined her company and a guard as I leave them, but not really.

Blackness put his hearts into this mission as much as me, would pay the price of my follies and loved me just the same. To see the world from horseback is a privilege, one we owe thanks for to our four hoofed brethren. Connected to the earth by hoof, indebted to the horse who carried me with loving care, we made our way through the forest. In the forest, I breathe in every way that it is possible to expand: in the lungs, in the brain in the soul. In the forest, there is a sense of kinship with the flora, of an ancient soul that stretches into everything that lives. It is here under the nascent rays of a sun born to rise each day that I am so very alive. I talk to Blackness, "The day is going old, my friend. Let's find a five-star hotel," he just made his horse noise at me, but pretty sure he understood as without hesitation he moved from the dense forest to a dirt road, a farm and beyond that a small village.

We passed the greengrocer with his window full of apples and oranges, and the butcher with his bloody lumps of meat on display and naked chickens hanging up. A blacksmith and other things my eyes had never seen, the flowers alone are so stunning. An Inn was nestled into a mountainside as I finally get off my horse, feeling as if I had done an immense workout. Men gawked at my presence when entering, but my back was straight my voice regal as I fisted coins. "Feumaidh mi seòmar agus fear airson coimhead agus cùram airson an each agam airson na h-oidhche," he waved his hand an adoreable boy of twelve rushed to Blackness and he gave me a toothy grin. "Seadh, a bhean," I liked his tone, like my pawpaw long ago before cancer took him.

I was offered a very gross drink, water, cheese, and bread. With the coins in his hands he was thrilled showing me to a room, it was not the Hilton. Offering my thanks before noshing, "No bath," where was the bath?

But I see a scribbled note, "Bathe in a river, here are some female products- Mage" not a lot, so I had to make it last. The bed is shit, it's a tad cold, the smoke fumbles in between my fingers as I cry, but I have survived my first day here. But I knew walking it would take nearly fourteen days to reach Barcelona, "Just wait for me Peace, I'm trying," muttering to myself savoring the menthol. I feel this blackness comes over me. Like a blanket, but not a blanket of warmth but a blanket of coldness making me shiver. But somehow it's making my eyes feel heavier and heavier. I finally close my eyes sending me into a dreamless sleep.

I had made it from Meath to Waterford in two-days and rest was needed but another day has dawned and have to cross the Bay of Biscay at the Atlantic Ocean, the voyage was the longest part but it would take me to Saint-Pol-de-Léon, France. Then it was all horseback or carriage to Barcelona, Spain. The handmaid was doing my hair and helping me dress, I was sore and worried this was a much longer journey without a plane or car. "Boat leaves in hours, my lady," I had time but it is best to get my place.

I rode through the morning only to see a sight I would never want to forget, the countryside opened to the ocean, a village at the port. Money was important as I was letting Blackness rest on what I thought was a rickety vessel, the pier is a thousand hues and shades we call brown, somehow the labeling of the color subtracting from its beauty. I prefer to see all the subtle hues that open my eyes and warm my heart, that speak to me of breathing woodlands and the music of the wind in their bright umbrella canopies. The pier is that will to walk over the water, to approach that horizon.

The soft sky above, sharp stones underfoot and the clouds caressed with reflected light. The lacy waves are a drumbeat that echoes my heart, the breeze blows the tension right out of my bones and all the while the bird's arc above, masters of the salty updrafts. A sudden painful grip on my arm not only made me wince in pain but turn to face Kai the royal blue of my gown couldn't hold the pain he wished me back. "Bexley baby," the bracelet, this was a trinket he knew that Lucie wore once.

His three friends watched and waited, "How did you get here and why are you here and wearing this very bracelet?" his tone was lethal and many looked at the brute hurting a noblewoman, but none stood up to the men.

Pussies…

I rolled my eyes, "You got a smoke?" his booming laugh had the ladies looking. "I do,"

It was time to let people fear the girl with power, this was our time to rise and theirs to take a fucking backseat and enjoy the ride the hero's gives them. "My love," his fingers bit into my neck with force, I stopped breathing before he could force me to stop. "Fuck you, Kai. Peace sends his regards," I spat at him his eyes widened at the name. The hit was as loud as a clap and stung my face. It had been a close-handed hit and it had left a red blistering welt behind soon it be black and blue. Just below my eye was a small cut where the ring had caught me. Staggering backward, clutching my face, eyes watering. He was advancing on me, "Our time to rise," I was crying as my face burned.

With hands raised Kai was flung back, his body nailed the pier. "Leave," my eyes glowing as his men did just that. Kai was a machine and coming back for more, "Not today," feeling the Ocean raging in me, like a dance my body moved, my arms with grace moved like the waves causing the Ocean to rage. The salt-water cyclone pushing them back, and the vessel faster and faster forward. His enraged face filled me, the black mist surrounding him scared all but the bubbling happy voices said I was their savor.

He would find me again; he would kill me the next time unless I found Warren. "Nye," they lay me down and tend to my injuries but nothing time wouldn't heal, it is worse looking in two days when we got to Saint-Pol-de-Léon. Some spoke what I took as English but old world, hard to understand but doable. I had a room and food, Blackness was tended to as I was able to use the basin to bathe. My hair was nice silky smooth, I looked worse the next morning and I knew by the time I found Warren he would know I had some trouble.

The sailing boat blossomed right there on the ocean, with sails as pretty as any petals, bluish in compliment to the sky and waves. The rest was all as solid as any oak of the land, warm browns that reminded me of home and hearth, of those quiet family evenings when jokes rise and swirl as eddies in the water. Her bows met the water with regal dignity, creating waves of her own, choosing her path with each passing moment. This was a thing my body wanted once more, a cruise but on a bigger boat with room service and not stale bread.

I ask, "Another boat soon?"

"Aye, one come day after," so there was another boat coming and about a day behind us if not sooner knowing Kai. We would hit port right after sunset, I had to sleep before we could travel. I watched the ocean seeing whales and such thinking of Warren. The bracelet was moving as my fingers fumbled it, I hoped he was well and not having a beat down. Waves come, transient yet always there, rising, falling. They scatter the light, the hue of the water ever-changing yet always familiar, always blue. Sleeping is harsh, my stomach doesn't settle, the hay doesn't make a good bed, but I could deal as during the last day of the voyage, I was on good terms with the fellow passengers, none feared I hurt them.

At times I wished Mage or Vic was here, it was lonely as I along with Harlow walked Blackness off the boat. I've never been to France, and now I wished I could again when not scared, hungry, dirty, and needing to potty. Cold licked at my face and crept under my gown, spreading across my skin like the lacy tide on a frigid winter beach. With purple lips tinged with blue and gently chattering teeth wrapping my fur coat around me tighter. "Not safe, a boat comes early. I have room," the women had come from England but had a deep French accent, a small cottage with a barn, it was out of a fairytale, Blackness was warm in the barn while she had I lit the hearth. "Home," she smiled.

"I like it very beautiful,"

I slept in the chair feeling my body protest, but before the sun could rise I was dressed in a white and burgundy dress, more between peasant and noble. The circlet and money bag on me, alerting anyone I was worth something. Leaving two coins on her table and vanishing before the sweet old lady woke, I had to be careful, money was being depleted fast, I was given this because the journey was long and I wasted it giving it to people who needed it.

Word was around of a Celtic woman with immense magical powers who saved the vessel, I smiled filling the cloth with food to last, along with a wool blanket. I figured it be another eight days before I made it to Barcelona, he was there if not close, but I was from much further away.

I made a small campsite nestled into the forest, in a small cave big enough for Blackie and me. A fire crackled in the corner of the campsite, projecting long shadows on the surrounding area. The light cast by the flames danced across the dark trunks of the trees, twisting and curling in obscure shapes and providing a small radius of light. The fire itself was pulsating, the glowing embers seemed to move in rhythm with the flames, matching every dip and sweep. It was mesmerizing to watch, the colors of orange and red gave way to yellow and white near the center, where the emanating heat was the greatest. I lay with Blackie the blanket covering us, I looked at the fire willing it to stay lit to keep us warm the rest of the night.

I woke many times my heart hammering, scared of something unseen, I was powerful and scared of a branch breaking. Blackie, his little nay of annoyance had me nestled around him again. Only on day twelve did I stay in another Inn, bathing but seeing how I looked worried me. Cuts, bruising, around my mouth, eye, and neck. The small cuts but now I am clean and am in Gerona, Spain only a fifteen-hour horse ride away and looking like death warmed over in fancy clothes and slippers.

It had been a half a month already, at least that's what my pocket calendar told me, daily I wrote in my journal before sleeping, and sleeping was hard. I missed everyone, I was scared and lonely. My hair was down and the circlet was on, the gown was blue with puffy white sleeves it was time, the sun was up and the day had begun as I re-packed everything and walked from the cold room.

The stairs leading down are steep and narrow as I try not to stumble down them, but his voice rings clear, angry and annoyed as he spoke, "Noblewoman, hair wild like a fire, eyes two colors," I only imagined the young woman pointing to the stairs as I bolted back up them, out the window I go. The roof was not sturdy as I leaped down, people in awe as my body seemed to float down not fall and make me into a puddle.

Chatter broke out on who I was, why I had come to their town. "Bexley babe," such hate could be heard as he nailed my side sending my body head over heel into the wall of the blacksmiths. "Aye, that hurt," the accent Gaelic.

"Kai, enough. I can't let you kill off all my friends. And why the hell would you want to, how're they a threat to you," it was the truth.

He was seeing red, "They have stood in my way for far to long," His eyes, I looked into his eyes, but it was like nothing was there to behold. An endless depth of ink, sorrow, and pain. They were depths of Tartarus holding a thousand souls yet there were none to be seen. I limped seeing Blackie being untied by the handmaid, but Kai was on me faster dragging me to his black carriage, causing more harm to my already fragile body. "Not eating, not sleeping and look what you forced me to do to you," slamming me into the door.

His lips are soft like I remembered, harsh like I expected and the sweet sound of his bellow when my knee rammed his groin was sweet music. I fisted his tunic tossing his ass head over heels this time, next was his carriage minus the horses as most bowed to the floor. I was alive when active, shots and burst of electricity flowed through me as I made a sweeping movement with my hand sending him into the wall, seeing it mold around his wrist. "I will be with Peace before nightfall, shame we had to get split in our time travel. Bye Kai," but now the pain was more than I could handle, but Blackie just helped me onto her back and took off faster and faster.

"Good job Blackie, you saved me," my fingers trailing in his mane as his strides grew in pace.