But it was too late for regrets. Yet even though she realized this, she still was unable to stop the lump from forming in her gullet. She had already given away her heart to the Highlander, and there was no way she could take it back. And if Fingal had his way, he would soon make Duncan despise her. While it was one thing to have the clan members act cold and unfriendly toward her, it was something entirely to have her lover look at her with hatred and disgust.
Duncan looked around for his claymore, and when he saw that one of the guards carried it, he put out his hand. “That belongs tae me,” he said.
The guard glanced over at Fingal for permission. At the cleric’s nod, he handed over the weapon.
Taking the blade, Duncan sheathed it. Then stepping forward, he looked everywhere but at her. Her heart dove to the pit of her stomach. In such a small space of time they had already become strangers.
“Where’s Tavon MacGill?” he said, leveling his gaze at Fingal. “I need tae speak with him before I leave Dunnvie.”
“I’m afraid that the laird isnae here,” Fingal said, his voice unruffled. He placed a protective hand over the book that he had tucked under his belt. “MacGill and his lady wife left unexpectedly tae visit the bordering sept. I fear that their trip was urgent and sudden. However I expect that they’ll return shortly. Ye could wait,” He bared his teeth. “Or ye can tell me your business, and I’ll pass on the message once he returns.”
“I had hoped tae speak privately with MacGill,” Duncan said, frowning. “However the message can wait, and I’ll return another time.” He started to take a step forward when he dropped abruptly to his knees. Cradling his head, he let out a loud gasp. Adrina made a move to go to him, but the guard held her back.
Fingal gestured to the man beside him. “Help him up, Hamish,” he commanded.
The guard offered Duncan his hand. But Duncan ignored it, and pushed himself off of the ground. “I dinnae ken why I feel sae weak,” he said, his brows creased in puzzlement. “I was fine a moment ago.”
“’Tis likely the long journey has taken its toll,” Fingal said. “Or perhaps ‘twas the blow tae your head. Come, I’ll take ye back tae the castle so ye can regain your strength before ye leave.”
“Aye, that’s a guid idea,” he said.
“Nay, he should leave now,” Adrina said, cutting in. She hardened her heart, and was resigned with the fact that her highlander was lost to her. Fingal’s curse had taken control of Duncan’s mind. If he stayed any longer, the sorcerer’s power and influence would only grow.
Duncan turned his gaze on her, his rich green eyes unreadable.
“MacGregon can stay, and recount tae me what has happened at the war council,” Fingal said.
“I’ll stay, and talk about the war council,” Duncan nodded, and followed the other man.
At his words, Adrina’s heart sank. He seemed unaware that he repeated Fingal’s words. Since he was under the advisor’s dark influence, he would reveal everything he knew to the other man.
She fingered her torn plaid as helplessness descended upon her. Without the protection of her gemstone, Fingal would eventually put a hex on her. After that, who would free the people of Dunnvie? And even if someone had the capacity to place a malediction on Fingal, her powers would be useless, for the advisor now had two bloodstones to shield him. A shiver of fear ran through her. In all respects, the man was unstoppable.
If only she could gain new otherworldly counsel. Closing her eyes, she concentrated hard on hearing or seeing something that would shed light on her dire situation. But the extrasensory abilities, which were so strong leading up to her arrival to Dunnvie Castle, were silent.
As Duncan and Fingal walked further ahead, she began to drag her feet, since she no longer wished to enter the castle.
The guard at her side jerked her forward.
“Ye are hurting me, Conran,” she said, gritting her teeth. She pulled at her arm, attempting to wrench free from his grasp.
But the warrior’s large hand squeezed her harder. “’Tis for your own good, lass,” he said in his rumbling voice.
“If ‘twas for my own good, then ye would release me this instant!” She took in his granite face, and searched frantically for a new tactic. “Conran, ye and your wife have known me since I was a bairn, and ye were always kind tae me,” she said, trying with difficulty to keep the desperation from creeping into her voice. “Of all people, ye ken that I’m nae what Fingal claims.”
He frowned deeply at her. She held her breath, and for a moment, it seemed as if her words had penetrated the haze that obscured his mind. But then he shook his head, and the small window of clarity passed.
“Keep moving,” he said gruffly.
She raised her fingers to wipe at the tears that gathered at the corner of her eyes. Her parents were gone, and she had no idea what awaited her. The only thing that she knew was that whatever her fate, she was to brave it alone.
CHAPTER 16
Duncan walked into the courtyard with Fingal on one side, and a guard on the other. For someone who was invited into the stronghold, he was treated as if he was a prisoner. Studying the enclosure, he noted that nothing seemed amiss. The cobblestones were overrun with large weeds, but this didn’t stop the servants from carrying out their duties, nor did it prevent the chickens and geese from roaming the busy area. Yet despite the usual hum of activity, the courtyard seemed oddly subdued when compared to the bustling energy of Tancraig Castle. And while he had never put much credence to things like this before, he felt a distinct but heavy energy that lingered in the air.
Fingal was oblivious to the grim servants that hurried about the courtyard but continued to explain the various aspects of the castle’s structure. His behavior seemed odd, considering his position. Still, the man sauntered through the square as if he owned the castle and everyone in it.
Duncan feigned interest in the tour, and surveyed the two servants who were chasing a chicken for the evening’s supper. One of them glanced over at their party. And when he saw Adrina, he lowered his gaze, and expressed no joy at seeing that the laird’s daughter had returned home.
“Everything seems in order here,” Duncan said when there was a pause in Fingal’s monologue. “There’s nay need for me tae speak tae MacGill after all.”
“Guid,” Fingal said smoothly. “Ye may take your leave now.”
“I will, but first I must speak briefly with the lass,” he said, and moved off before Fingal could protest.
The guards watched his movements, although they showed no indication of stopping him.
When he reached Adrina, he took her by the arm, and led her a few paces away from the group. “I’ll be joining with my brothers,” he paused. “Ye will be safe here among those who love and care for ye.”
She looked up at him briefly, her eyes shimmering with tears. But then her shoulders slumped and her chin dropped to her chest. The high color on her cheeks was noticeably absent, and she seemed a shell of the woman he knew. This forlorn lass was definitely not the same one he had made love to at the cave. Had Fingal finally cast his spell over her, or was her will affected by the dark energy that permeated the stronghold? Duncan felt a strange twist in his heart, and he resisted the urge to fold her into his arms, and assure her that everything would be all right.
“I have nay need for anyone tae take care of me,” she said, her voice sounding husky. “I’ve cared for myself all these years, and I’ll continue tae do sae.”
Adrina gave him a wane smile and she lowered her gaze to his chin. Her heart was breaking. It was impossible for her to look at him because if she stared at him any longer, she risked bursting into tears. If she lost control of her emotions, Fingal would know her weakness, and would likely exploit it. No matter what the cost, she had to remain strong. She had to let him go.
“Adrina.” Tucking a finger under her chin, he lifted it up so that their eyes were level. He opened his mouth to say something more, but then he closed it again. A sma
ll smile formed on his chiseled lips, and his gaze turned soft as if he wanted to kiss her. What she would give to go back to the serenity that they experienced at the waterfall. The sound of cascading water had swept away all their cares, and took them to a magical land where nothing existed except for the two of them. Duncan seemed to have the same idea; his pupils darkened with desire, and he dropped his gaze to her lips. Adrina held her breath. It was dangerous for him to embrace her, yet she wanted it more than anything.
Running his thumb lightly along her jaw, he left a trail of fire along her skin. “I’m glad that we had our time together, lass.” His soft words went straight to her heart, squeezing it. “I willnae forget ye.”
Dinnae leave me! she wanted to shout. But instead, she took in a staggering breath, and said, “For your own safety, ‘tis wise nae tae reveal anything tae Fingal, Duncan. I prefer that he disnae hurt ye.”
“Dinnae worry about me,” he said. “I can take care of myself as well.”
“Then ‘tis farewell,” she said, her throat tightening around the words.
“Aye, ‘tis farewell,” he said, but didn’t move.
Tearing her gaze from his beautiful green eyes, she couldn’t bear to witness the compassion reflected there. Nor could she trust herself to say anything else. If anything, she wanted to embrace him, to feel the comfort and protection of his strong arms, the solidness of his chest. But she remained motionless. It was too dangerous to do anything else. And with a heavy heart, she realized that she loved him too much to ever put him in jeopardy.
“Ye should leave now.” Adrina let out a jagged breath. “Fingal and his men are watching us.” At her words, she noted Duncan’s compact frame becoming tense. Even if he was under Fingal’s control, he must have realized that his life was in peril. This was all her fault, she realized. If only he knew the truth. But then it was likely that he would regret ever becoming acquainted with her. Most of all, he would be sorry that he had made love to her. A sudden sorrow filled her chest. And before she could stop herself, her palm slid along his steely arm. But the muscles there jerked at her unexpected contact.
She withdrew her trembling hand, and reached for the brooch. However, her fingers encountered the hole in the plaid. For an instant, her hand clutched at the empty spot before it fell to her side. He watched her movements, a slight frown marring his firm lips.
“I’ll return for ye, Adrina,” Duncan said, his voice low and urgent.
“Of course ye will,” she said, smiling bravely. She knew that the further away he went from MacGill territory, his memory of her and the moments they shared would fade like the mountain mist.
He paused and looked as if he was about to say something. But the pleasant, vacant expression returned to his face.
“Be well, lass,” he said aloud. He adjusted his sword belt over his shoulder, and then pivoted on his heels, and walked back to the other men.
Adrina trailed after him even as she felt a heavy exhaustion pressing down on her. From the moment that the bloodstone was taken away, a weighty fatigue had washed over her as if she wore thick chains around her neck, wrists and ankles. For the most part she had ignored it. But now with sadness in her heart, she felt even more tired and weak, as if her energy was sucked out of her soul.
She clenched her teeth, trying to fight the weariness. Somehow she had to get the bloodstone back. At least then the heavy fog that imprisoned her would lift. And once that happened, she stood a better chance at breaking the curse that enslaved her people.
“The war is coming, and there’s nothing else I can tell ye about that,” Duncan said when he reached Fingal. “I must make my journey home. But before I leave, I desire tae replenish my supplies.”
“My men will take ye tae into town,” Fingal said, nodding at the two guards that stood beside him. His voice no longer sounded civil but was cool and unfriendly. “Ye can get what ye need there.”
CHAPTER 17
As soon as Duncan’s strapping form left the great hall with the guards, it felt as if he had taken all hope with him. Adrina’s heart squeezed in her chest, and she tried to blink back the tears. She had experienced love for the first time, and she lost it. It was useless to dwell on the fact that she would no longer hear the rumble of his brogue, or smell the unique masculine scent that clung to him. Nor would she ever experience his heated kisses, or feel his hard, muscular frame pressed against her. He was better off exiting from her life, and fighting in his noble war. Even though he was a cunning, bold warrior, he had little defense against an evil sorcerer. She was doing him a favor by letting him go.
Adrina turned to retreat within the castle, to wallow in her misery when Fingal’s grabbed her by the shoulder.
“Where do ye think ye are going?” he said, his fingers digging into her flesh.
“Let me go,” she said tightly. “I’m the daughter of a laird. I dinnae see why ye feel that ye can accost me.” She pulled at his hand, trying to free herself from his grip. But he only held her tighter, and a sudden alarm gripped her.
“Release me this instant!” she demanded, allowing the echo of authority to ring in her voice. But even as she tried to sound brave, her heart thudded frantically in her chest. Fingal had never dared to touch her in public, yet he was doing so now. His treatment of her was callous and bold. Why?
In the distance, she saw two female servants carrying linen across the courtyard. At her cry, one of them paused, and turned to look nervously over at Adrina’s direction.
“Help me!” Adrina pleaded. But the young woman continued to hesitate, as if she was torn as to what she should do. Her older companion spoke sharply at the lass, and quickly ushered her out of sight.
Fingal watched the women leave, a satisfied expression on his countenance. “Ye see? Ye have nay authority here,” he said, letting out an ugly chuckle. “Nay one cares whether ye live or die.”
“My parents care,” Adrina said, swallowing the lump of fear.
He bared his teeth at her. “That’s what ye think,” he said, and began to pull her behind him.
Adrina dug her heels into the ground, leaning her weight back in an attempt to prevent him from dragging her with him. But he gave a violent yank, and she fell forward, losing her balance. When she found her footing again, he latched onto her wrist, and dragged her after him as if she was little more than a corn husk doll.
A sob formed at the base of her throat. He was right, she thought wildly. With her parents away, and with the clan members still under the advisor’s influence, she was all alone. Fingal could very well lock her up in the solar, and no one would care what happened to her. But she only had to stay in the solar until her parents returned home. After that, Fingal would have a hard time justifying his brazen conduct.
But then he led her through the great hall, and climbing the serpentine stairs, they passing the family quarters. All at once, a new sense of panic gripped her.
“Where are ye taking me?” she demanded, straining against his hold. “There’s nay reason for us tae climb tae the high tower.”
But he didn’t answer, nor did he loosen his grip. Adrina had no choice but to follow him up the winding stairway.
Many years before she was born, the high tower was the place where prisoners were kept, and in some instances, they were tortured and executed there. On a dare, she had gone to the tower once when she was a bairn with some of the servant children. An eeriness clung to the small chamber as if the spirits of all the tortured prisoners haunted the space. She had nightmares about the room for weeks, and she decided that she would never set foot in that dark chamber ever again. But now she would be locked in the room.
Almost too soon, they came to the wooden door that barricaded the tower chamber.
“I’m nae going in there,” she said.
“I’m nae giving ye a choice,” he said tightly. It was clear that he was losing patience with her. If she continued to aggravate him, there was no telling what he would do to her. For the time being, she h
ad to stop resisting him. Perhaps when they entered the chamber, he would let down his guard long enough for her to break free. It was only a matter of biding her time until an opportunity arose. She just prayed that she didn’t have to wait too long.
With his wiry grip still trapping her arm, Fingal used his free hand to obtain the large key from his sporran. Unlocking the door, he thrust his foot at the wooden panel.
The oak door crashed open, hitting the stone wall with a resounding thud.
He shoved her inside the chamber, the sudden movements disturbing the dust particles and tossing them into the cool air. Leading her to the far wall, he abruptly forced her down to the floor. Adrina dropped to her knees while the rough surface scraped against her skin. She saw the heavy chains piled on the ground, and knew that her chance for escaping would soon disappear. Ignoring the sharp pain at her knees, she scrambled to get up. But Fingal easily snatched her by the waist, and slammed her against the wall.
The Highland Curse (Scottish Strife Series Book 2) Page 14
