by Victoria Zak
“Then I’ll stay.”
“Good. I have to go. Finn and Kit are waiting for me.”
Leana followed Kendrick out of the kitchen and into the hall. He kissed Allie. “I almost forgot. Watch over the wee one. She likes to hide.”
Allie smiled innocently.
“Sir Kendrick, dinnae fash yerself. I’m sure Allie will be too busy for tricks.” Leana returned Allie’s mischievous grin.
After Kendrick left, Leana sat down with Allie who was finishing her porridge. “Where should we start today?”
“The kitchen,” Allie said as she slid off the bench, taking her bowl with her. “Anna always complains about the dishes.”
Leana looked at the dirty tankards and trenchers piled high on the table.
They’d need to make a trip to the stream to wash all those dishes. “Allie, is there a stream nearby?
Allie nodded.
“Good. Help me fill the cart with the dirty dishes and help me wash them.
Once we finish, I promise to play with ye.”
Allie looked up at Leana, then grimaced at the pile of dishes. “That is one beast ye can no’ slay alone.”
“Stay here, I’ll fetch the cart,” Leana said.
“The cart is right outside the door.”
Once the dishes were loaded in the cart, Leana helped Allie with her cloak, put on her own, then they went outside.
“Da hooks the cart up to his horse.”
“Och, child, yer da has his horse. We’ll make do. How far is the stream?”
“No’ far.” Allie pointed.
Leana walked to the front of the cart and picked up the shafts. With a hefty pull, she and Allie were headed to the stream.
After spending the greater part of the morn washing dishes, Allie kept her promise and helped Leana put the dishes away. “This is the last trencher,”
Allie said with a smile.
“Thank ye, lass.” Leana suspected the wee lass was up to something.
“What’s that smile for?”
Allie bounced up and down excitedly. “Ye promised to play.”
Leana blew out an exhausted breath. “Aren’t ye tired?’
“Nay,” Allie giggled. “I’ll hide and ye’ll find me.” Allie ran out of the kitchen.
“Allie, wait,” Leana called after her, but she had already disappeared.
“Maiden, Mother, Crone.” Leana chased the lass upstairs. “Allie, I will find ye.”
Leana breathed in the air, using her superior senses to hone in on Allie’s unique scent. Aye, she was cheating, but no one would ever find out. Leana closed her eyes and took another breath. Within seconds, she smelled heather.
Leana opened her eyes and continued to a bedchamber.
She opened the door. “I found ye,” she called into the dark.
Allie’s soft laughter made her smile.
Leana grabbed a torch off the wall as she entered the chamber. “I know ye’re in here Allie.” She lit a few candles. Dust covered table tops and the hearth looked as if it hadn’t been used in years. The bed was covered with furs. Who did this chamber belong to?
A rustling noise from the wardrobe made Leana think the child was hiding inside. “Allie,” she whispered. Sly lass. She crept to the heavy piece of furniture and swung the doors open. “Got ye!” But she didn’t find Allie. She moved the dresses aside. “Where are ye?”
Leana took a step back, gazing at the garments. She ran her hand across them and stopped at a green dress. Mesmerized by its beauty, she took it out and held it up, admiring the intricate pattern of pearls down the sleeves.
She’d never seen a prettier one. She laid the dress against her body. “’Tis a perfect fit.” She had to try it on.
Forgetting about Allie, she tried the dress on. It hugged her body in all the right places.
“Ye look beautiful.”
Leana turned around.
“Can I put one on, too?” Allie walked to the wardrobe.
“Wait, Allie.” Leana tried to stop her but it was too late. Allie had pulled a dress out. “I dinnae think this is a good idea.”
Allie folded her arms. “Ye put one on.”
Leana was defenseless against the lass’s pleading face. “Only one,” she warned.
The lass squealed with joy as Leana helped her into the dress. Allie twirled around. “I feel like a princess. Mother must have looked beautiful in
this dress.”
Mother? Everything came together, the tidy bedchamber and beautiful gowns, all of it belonged to Kendrick’s dead wife. “Aye. But we should no’
be in yer mum’s bedchamber.”
“I know,” Allie averted her gaze. “But this room is all I have to remind me of her.”
Leana studied Allie for a moment. The lass needed to feel close to her mum; she couldn’t deprive her of that. “We can stay, but not for long.”
For the next few hours, Allie tried on dresses and jewelry found in one of the trunks.
“Allie, if ye hang another chain around yer neck, ye’ll fall over.” Leana chuckled.
“Aren’t they pretty?” Allie twirled around, showing off the long strands of pearls and gems.
“Och, come over here and I’ll pin yer hair up to show off yer fine treasures.” Leana grabbed a comb, sat down, and patted the mattress.
Allie danced over and plopped down. As she combed through the mass of red tangled hair, Leana hummed a familiar tune.
“’Tis pretty,” Allie said.
“Aye. When I was yer age, me mum sang to me while brushing me hair.
It was always a tangled mess, so I hated having it brushed. Me mum sang to me to ease the pain.”
Allie looked down into her lap. “I never met me mum. She died when I was born.”
Sorrow grew inside Leana’s chest. She felt sorry for the lass, for there wasn’t a night that had gone by that Leana hadn’t thought about her mother.
The blood oath Leana had sworn came with grave consequences. She hadn’t been there when her mother needed her most.
For the last ten years, Leana had lived without a mother. The fae queen was a poor substitute, her heart too dark and cold to ever love anyone, not even a ten-year old child. Every day she’d missed her mum and wished she was back in Dornoch in her bedchamber with her mum brushing her hair and singing to her.
Leana’s heart raced as she recalled a time she’d stupidly disobeyed the queen’s orders. It hadn’t been the first time she’d challenged the queen, but it was last time she’d taken the queen for a fool…
At ten and six, Leana had been rewarded with a seat on the royal fae
court next to her older sister, Adaira. The new role had come with power, which influenced Leana to speak her mind too often. Especially when it came to her younger sister Masie.
The queen took advantage.
A council meeting had been called, and Leana felt braver than usual as she waited for the queen to speak.
Adaira knew Leana wished to rebel. “Whatever nonsense ye have inside yer head, ‘tis best to remain silent. The queen is in a foul mood today.”
Leana grinned. “Fear not, sister. I’ll be good.”
The meeting began, and the Seelie fae were asking for protection against a neighboring human clan. Their mound was in grave danger.
Leana fought to keep her eyes open—she didnae care. They had been discussing the same concern for over an hour. Maiden, Mother, Crone, please, someone put a stop to it.
The room grew eerily quiet, and Leana looked up. Queen Snowdrop raised her hand, stopping further rants. “Are we boring you, child? Should the realm fool be brought in for your entertainment?” The queen’s fiery, dark eyes burned holes in Leana’s soul.
The queen could hear her thoughts. Leana stared back at her. She stood, ignoring her sister’s warning to sit back down. “We’ve heard the problem over and over. Does anyone have a solution?”
The queen tapped her long, black nails against the armrest of her throne
“This is my council and I’ll proceed as I see fit.”
Leana frowned and sat, silent.
Once the meeting concluded, the queen motioned for one of her fae princes to bring her something. Fear stirred in Leana’s stomach, she sensed danger—a very personal kind.
Alder escorted Masie to the queen.
“Nay,” Leana gasped.
“My daughter, my sweet Masie.” The queen stood with outstretched arms, welcoming Masie.
“Adaira,” Leana whispered. “I do no’ like this. What is the queen up to?”
“I dinnae know.”
The queen always struck with purpose, which made Leana nervous.
Whatever she had planned, there’d be no mercy.
“I have decided it’s time for Masie to have an escort.”
“Nay, this can no’ be happening.” Leana’s chest tightened as she thought of the worst possible reason for Masie to be presented to the council. She was too young to attend court. However, it was common practice for Unseelie girls to have a male escort. They served as their protectors. Once a girl reached maturity, the escort had the right to claim the girl.
Leana had witnessed this firsthand with Adaira. She’d been promised to Ash. A horrible mistake. The union had never taken place, and Ash was lucky to escape with his ballocks still attached.
However, Leana was supposed to be next, Masie wasn’t of age. Mayhap she’d been worried about nothing. But her stomach still churned with fear.
The queen’s threats were never baseless.
“Today you become a lady.” The queen looked down at Masie.
The fae parted, opening a pathway to the queen. Aspen strutted past Leana, smiling as he joined the queen. This couldn’t be happening.
“Masie, I present your escort, Aspen, a son of the Ice Crystal Plains.”
Nay, Masie is only ten and three!
Leana met the queen’s dark gaze. The challenge in her eyes provoked Leana to speak.
“My queen, she’s but a child. As her sister, I can no’ allow ye to do this.”
The queen’s gaze narrowed, and Leana knew she’d crossed the line. With one flick of the queen’s hand, the room cleared, leaving only Leana. “Who are you to defy my orders? I am your queen, your mother.”
“Ye are no’ me mother.”
With graceful steps, the queen descended from her dais and approached Leana. “I admire your sprit, child. It matches your fire-kissed hair.”
“Ye can no’ do this to Masie. ‘Tis me ye want to punish.”
The queen grabbed Leana’s chin. “You have pushed me too far. I don’t understand why you constantly disobey me. I have given you everything you’ve asked for. Doughall is dead, your mother’s freedom is assured, yet you still treat me as if I’m your enemy.”
Fixed upon the queen’s vexed glare, Leana showed no fear.
The queen frowned and let go of Leana’s chin, sighing. “Ye took advantage of three wee lassies and tricked us into a blood oath. Ye did us no’
favors. We never asked to be blood drinkers.”
“And yet you accepted my gift.”
“We had no choice.”
“Your mother kept something precious from you and your sisters. She
never told you about your special gifts, did she?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your mother is a Seelie fae. You are Seelie.” The queen ran the back of her hand down Leana’s cheek, the coldness of the touch made her shiver.
“Seelies bring light to summer and spring. Their light holds the purest magic.”
“I dinnae believe ye. Yer my aunt, wouldn’t ye be a Seelie?”
“I was. But I saw the power in the Unseelie and pledged my life to them.
Yer mother stole something very important to me. Without it, my world fell to darkness.”
Leana’s head was spinning; she didn’t know what to believe. “All along, ye used me sisters and I to hurt me mother?”
“Someone had to pay for my broken heart. She took my true love, so I took hers.” The queen rubbed her hands together, then opened them in front of her. Black smoke curled around her fingertips. She waved her hands in a circle until a black cloud formed, then blew into the cloud.
“What is this?”
“Look deeper, my child.”
Lightening streaked across the dark clouds, followed by room-shaking thunder. A flash of blue light shot from the darkness and into Leana’s eyes.
She squinted against the intensity of the light and tried to look away but couldn’t. What was the queen doing to her?
Panicked, Leana begged. “Please stop.”
“Remember, you did this to your mother.” The queen walked away.
An image of her mother standing on the edge of the cliffs of Dornoch with their clan plaid wrapped around her shoulders appeared. The sea breeze whipped violently through her hair and dress. Leana could taste the salty air and feel the ocean mist on her skin as if she was standing next to her mother.
“Mum,” she whispered as she reached into the cloud.
As if her mother heard her, she turned around. Exhaustion marked her mother’s beautiful face. Sadness had replaced the sparkle in her eyes. Her red hair was streaked with silver.
Leana wept uncontrollably. She’d done this to her mother. “Mum, I’m here. Masie and Adaira are here. We’re coming home.”
Leana watched her mother slowly turn around, the plaid slipped from her shoulders and blew away, disappearing over the cliff. Her mum took a step forward.
“Nay,” Leana shouted. “We’re coming home.” She fought to close her eye, but the light was too powerful. She fought against the queen’s spell, but it was useless. “Please, Mum, dinnae jump.”
Horrified, Leana watched helplessly as her mother stepped off the cliff and plummeted to the rocky shoreline.
Leana was immediately broken. She’d felt her mother’s pain. All that sorrow had come from losing her children. If Leana could only turn back time to the day she saw the fairy fire, she wouldn’t have followed it into the glen.
The queen had finally discovered her weakness, Leana’s beloved mother.
And her evil aunt had finally broken Leana’s spirit.
Allie tugged on Leana’s sleeve, breaking the spell.
“Davina, is there something wrong?”
The ache in Leana’s chest screamed to be released. She wanted to tell the lass everything, but couldn’t.
“Me mother passed when I was young, too. I know how much ye must miss yer mum.”
“Anna and Kit tell me stories about her. Da will no’ talk about her. Do ye have sisters or brothers?”
“I have two…” Quickly, Leana stopped herself from revealing the truth.
She wasn’t Leana anymore, she was Davina. The past didnae matter. “I only knew me mum.”
Allie’s blue eyes pierced Leana’s heart as the lass took her hand. “Ye have a family now.”
Something buried deep inside Leana surfaced. She’d long forgotten what it felt like to be shown kindness. She wrapped her arms around Allie.
“What is going on here?” Anna rushed into the chamber. “What are ye wearing?”
Allie jumped off the bed and ran to her sister. “Anna, please dinnae tell Da.”
“Ye know ye’re no’ allowed in mother’s bedchamber.” Anna threw Leana a hate-filled glare. “Ye should know better. Once Father finds out, he’ll throw ye out.”
“Anna, no harm was done.” Leana walked to Allie.
“Ye’re wearing me mother’s dress?” Anna exclaimed.
Leana looked down at the beautiful gown. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Davina,” Allie said. “Ye did nothing
wrong.”
“Allie, take that dress off and leave this room,” Anna scolded.
“Anna, I think ye’re overreacting,” Leana said.
“Overreacting?” Anna stood with a hand braced on her hip. “I come home and a stranger is
in me mother’s bedchamber wearing her clothes. What am I supposed to think?”
“Allie hid in here while we were playing.”
“Nay,” Allie said as she put her own dress on. “Ye didnae find me. I found ye.”
Leana smiled at the wee lass, then looked back to Anna. “Yer father has entrusted me with taking care of all of ye.”
“Och, me da is a drunk.”
“Ye should no’ talk about yer da that way, lass. He puts a roof over yer head and food in yer stomach.”
“Stop trying to be me mother,” Anna yelled. “I do no’ care why ye’re in here, just get out.”
“Anna,” Leana pleaded. “I’m no’ the enemy.”
Leana raced downstairs, escaping Anna’s harsh tongue. Being scolded by a child was humiliating. She didn’t deserve it. She reached the great hall and paced in front of the hearth. She was angry…nay, furious with Anna’s behavior. All she wanted was acceptance. She wasn’t there to replace Adamina. If only she could find a way to get that through Anna’s stubborn mind.
Leana swiped a tear from her cheek. “Och, a child has made me weep.”
“Davina.”
She turned around, and Kendrick was staring at her. Realization washed over her as she remembered she was still wearing Adamina’s dress.
Appalled that she’d forgotten to take it off, Leana pleaded, “I can explain, Kendrick.”
“Nay.” He walked over and tucked her hair behind her ears, giving him a clearer view of the dress. “Ye look beautiful.” His gaze roamed over her body, igniting something wicked deep inside her.
Keep the beast under control, Leana.
Nervously, Kendrick cleared his throat. “I mean…the dress…the dress is beautiful.”
“I’m sorry. I was playing with Allie and she hid in your wife’s bedchamber. I didnae know—”
“Davina.” Kendrick helped her into a chair. “Sit. Breathe.”
She met his gaze, a calming sensation washing over her.
“What happened today? Did Allie cause ye trouble?”
Still not able to talk, Leana shook her head.
“Anna?”
Leana nodded.
“She has pushed me too far.” Kendrick strode to the staircase and called for his daughter. “Anna Fletcher, come down here!”
“Nay,” Leana muttered. “I will be fine.”
