Entangled With You

by Knightley, Diana

  Magnus said, “I need tae take Tyler home as soon as possible, I have a vessel. On the morrow I will deliver him back to Florida.” Our glasses were filled with wine.

  I asked the woman serving me, “Can I have some water please, I’m very thirsty.”

  Lady Mairead rolled her eyes in my direction. “Tis always about ye, Kaitlyn? We daena need tae ken your thirst, just ask for water and be done of it.”

  I hated her so much I wanted to leap across the table and start swinging.

  Tyler’s expression was ‘oh shit, she did not just say that to you,’ which was a very small comfort.

  I met Magnus’s eyes across the table. His expression was ‘I love you.’ That was enough.

  Magnus said, “Explain tae me how we are safe here. Your windows are verra large. I see that they are shielding us from view, but there are drones flyin’ around outside. I can hear them.”

  Lady Mairead waved it away. “You winna be safe here forever, of course, but Minister Donahue at the war ministry is on the other end of the information the drones are gathering. He likes you. He wants ye tae be the next king. More importantly, he likes me verra verra much. I have made it so he feels he canna live without me. He winna tell Samuel where ye are until tis time tae plan your battle.”

  A basket of warm bread was delivered to the table. I was famished. Tyler and I bumped hands reaching for it. I slathered butter all over a piece and ate hungrily. Magnus ate a piece in two bites and reached for another.

  Lady Mairead continued, “Samuel has seized the throne. He is tryin’ tae have ye declared dead in absentia’.”

  Magnus scowled.

  She took a demure bite of bread, chewed, and swallowed. “You arrived at the right time, Magnus. We will challenge him tae a battle and—”

  A full plate of what looked like pork, potatoes, and vegetables, piled high, was placed in front of me.

  But before I could enjoy it a woman I had never seen before entered the living room, swept a long coat with fur accents from her shoulders, and dropped it to the couch. Then she crossed toward the table. To say she walked slowly would be lying, it was more like time stopped around her. She was beautiful: petite, dark, barely dressed — a tight filmy dress that hugged every curve and exposed her very rounded pregnant stomach —

  My heart dropped to my feet.

  And as she caught sight of Magnus a slow, sexy, very very happy smile spread across her face. She came to the table with her eyes intent only on him.

  My face flushed. Warm.

  Hot.

  Motherfucking sweltering.

  Beet red - burning.

  Lady Mairead’s eyes were settled on my face.

  I didn’t know what to do. Watch this woman — what was her name?

  Or watch Magnus — his elbows were beside his plate, staring straight ahead, alternating between checking my face and looking ahead, then checking my face again.

  Here was the thing — I had two courses of action. Freak out. Create a scene. Act like I was losing Magnus.

  Or I could — do what? Who was I kidding, I had no idea how to be a grown up in the current situation — but I could pretend, maybe.

  I changed my expression to one that I hoped exuded grace. And competence. I was going for Audrey Hepburn. Wishing I had a cigarette. The ability to exhale smoke rings.

  Scratch that.

  I wanted to be a dragon. I could catch her chair on fire.

  The woman slid into the chair beside my husband. “Hello, Magnus.” I hated her fucking face.

  “Hello, Bella.” He gave her a curt nod. He said, “I’d like tae introduce ye tae my wife, Kaitlyn Campbell. And this is our friend, Tyler Wilson—”

  She said, “Oh, really?” With a level of condescension that I might hope some day to aspire to. Bitch.

  Her hand went to her stomach and her eyes leveled on me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kaitlyn. Magnus has told me so much about you.”

  I took a deep breath in my 18th century just-been-at-a-birth bodice and muttered, “Jesus-fucking-H-Christ you did not just say that to me.” Probably in my head, but how could I tell, the blood was rushing around all up in there, it was likely that I was a step away from eruption.

  Lady Mairead said, “I am verra glad ye could join us Bella, we have much tae discuss with Magnus over our plans and his child with you.”

  Tyler’s eyes cut to me, to check on me — no worries, none of this was new information.

  I took a sip of my wine. Lady Mairead watched me the whole time with that malicious spark.

  She said, “Are you enjoying the wine, Kaitlyn? I had a special one decanted for—”

  Poison.

  I spit my wine onto my plate.

  I scrubbed my tongue with my white cloth napkin. Tears welled up in my eyes.

  Either my mother-in-law just killed me. Or I spit on my plate, scrubbed my tongue, and embarrassed myself in front of Magnus’s mistress. Plus look how I was dressed in front of her.

  Oh god I was not doing this well.

  I used my napkin to dab at my eyes, unadorned, because I had no makeup. Bella was, of course, perfectly made up.

  Magnus picked up his plate. “Tyler, would ye mind changin’ places?”

  Tyler said, “Yeah, of course, sheesh, this is — whoa.”

  Magnus gestured for me to move my plate to the side. He put his plate and his wine in front of me. When the waitress bustled over to take my plate Magnus said to her, “All of Madame Kaitlyn Campbell’s dishes and drinks should be placed here, so I may taste of them first.”

  Lady Mairead said, “I hardly think that is necessary.”

  Magnus said, “Tis necessary. Ye have threatened her life many times afore and ye have used poison in the past, have ye nae?”

  Tyler glanced worried at his food.

  “Suit yourself,” said Lady Mairead.

  Magnus had a new plate brought to him and I was finally able to eat and breathe and deal a bit more with Magnus beside me.

  He asked, “So why has Bella been brought intae this?”

  “Because her child is now directly in line for the throne.”

  “I haena married her. I daena intend tae. And when Kaitlyn has a child, our son would take the place.”

  Lady Mairead made a high pitched ‘hmm’ sound, a lot like someone who was saying, we shall see. Like she had already seen. And it hit me that she might know my future. And from the expression on her face, she looked like someone who had the foreknowledge to pick a team and the team she was picking was clearly Bella’s.

  Was I never able to have Magnus’s child?

  I moved my hand to Magnus’s thigh. It was jiggling up and down like he wanted to rush into a fight.

  Lady Mairead asked, “Were you able tae get Quentin home from my brother’s castle?”

  Magnus said, “Barely. Commander Davis was stationed there. Your son, Sean took his side. He turned me over tae him.”

  She shook her head, “He has the wisdom of his father. If he is nae careful, he will have his early death too.” She took a bite of her pork. “What of Lizbeth?”

  Magnus said, “Kaitlyn helped her tae deliver safely. You have another grandson.”

  Lady Mairead nodded and met my eyes. “Well, Kaitlyn, that is excellent of ye, I thank ye for the help ye gave tae her.”

  “I — you’re welcome.”

  Magnus squeezed my hand.

  She picked up a fork and knife. “I regret that while Sean has taken after his father, Lizbeth has taken after me. I fear she haena embraced motherhood as she should have, twould be an easier life for her if she could manage the work of it better.” She sighed. “I sent ye away Magnus, because I dinna feel up tae the task, and I think our trouble comes in a great deal from my lack in those capabilities.” She chewed a bit while we all sat stunned.

  I ate a bit of pork.

  She said, “What was your mother like, Kaitlyn. Was she a particularly caring sort of mother?”

  I said, “Um, no, um
...” it was a little like getting called on by Snape in potions class — it sounded like a benign question, but would probably lead to death by magical spell. “I wouldn’t say she was very caring, she wasn’t mean or anything, just sort of preoccupied with other things.”

  “Oh.” Lady Mairead chewed and swallowed another bite. “Bella, what was your mother like?”

  Bella flipped her hair over her shoulder. “My mother was very loving towards me. She raised me to be an excellent mother someday.” She looked at Magnus, “I intend to be a wonderful mother to your child, My... I mean, Magnus.”

  I threw my napkin to the table.

  Lady Mairead cut another slice of meat. “Yes, motherhood is nae easy for some — Kaitlyn, I have been wondering, next time ye go tae see Lizbeth could ye take her some birth control? You have access tae it, I am sure ye use it, and considering she daena have the temperament for motherhood, twould be for the best. Daena ye think?”

  “I already left her some, I didn’t have a chance to explain it, but there are some instructions. When I go back I will show her how to use them.”

  “Good good. It’s important for women tae ken what they are good at and tae ken when they should give up—”

  Magnus said, “Lady Mairead that is enough. I winna have ye lecturin’ Kaitlyn on motherin’. Ye thanked her for her help with Lizbeth, let us leave it at that. I want tae ken the details of the plan.” He shoved a bite of food in his mouth and chewed furiously.

  She glanced at the gold watch on her wrist. “Yes, Minister Donahue will be here in a few minutes to discuss the matter, so luckily we have time for dessert.”

  A moment later our plates were whisked away and new ones arrived with something like a molded custard, not at all my style of dessert. It was very pretentiously served.

  Chapter 47

  We stood from the table to go to the living room to meet the minister. Bella seemed to wait for Magnus but he was putting his attention on me, so she finally followed Lady Mairead from the room. She looked petulant about it which made me furious.

  Tyler asked, “So this is the kind of shit your family does all the time?”

  Magnus said, “Och aye, tis a regular dinner for the family of Donnan.”

  Tyler shook his head. “I want to go to my room, but I also don’t want to miss anything, is that wrong? But I really want to go to my room.”

  Magnus clapped Tyler on the shoulder. “You have been a stalwart friend through this, I thank ye. Go tae your room. Would ye like some ale or wine sent there?”

  “Yeah, that would be good.”

  “I’ll arrange it. And I’ll arrange your way home first thing.”

  “Good,” he smirked, “Because I wouldn’t want to have to charge you guys with kidnapping.” He put his finger and thumb together. “I’m this close.”

  I said, “That would be great. That’s exactly what we need, police involvement.”

  “You already have people coming at you from all directions.” He said, “Okay, as long as you promise to get me back to Florida in time to take my finals. I’ve been studying, I don’t want to miss it.” He left for his room.

  Magnus wrapped me in his arms. “I am grateful for ye, mo reul-iuil.”

  “For me? I haven’t done anything but spit on my plate. That was embarrassing. Oh and I sat there and got insulted. I look like poop and she’s really pretty and I thought of ways to get rid of people with a time machine. I’m thinking I could take Lady Mairead to the Jurassic period and introduce her to a dinosaur. Or get her tickets on the Titanic. Or take her to Europe in the Middle Ages to catch the plague. There’s Vesuvius too. That would be cool.

  “I haena any notion what ye are speakin’ of.”

  I looked up at him with a half-grin. “History of the world stuff. When this all gets taken care of I’ll tell you all about it: dinosaurs, the American revolution, the Titanic, some natural disasters thrown in. The point is, I haven’t done anything for you to be proud of me for.”

  “You just said, ‘When all this gets taken care of.’ He brought my hand up to his lips and kissed the back of my hand. “You show me in your eyes and in your words that we will get beyond this and back home together. Sometimes I canna believe tis true, but I look at ye beside me and tis in you: your mouth is set, ye are making a list in your head, ye are holdin’ my hand. You are leadin’ me tae our future.”

  “God I hope so, it seems kind of bleak today.”

  “Tis nae bleak, tis simply the next step. And ye are forgetting, I am Master Magnus. I get shit done.” He grinned, put his hand on my back, and we walked to the meeting in the other room.

  Chapter 48

  The Bella woman was sitting on the couch with her feet tucked up under her. Lady Mairead was across from her on a chair. The man we were meeting with stood to the side. He was waiting to pick a seat. The space beside Bella was empty, but no one was moving toward it. There were so many artifacts crowded around the space that it was a little like hunkering down in the back room of a crowded antique shop. Lady Mairead’s hoarding seemed like the kind that needed professional help.

  I glanced at Magnus for cues. I didn’t want to sit beside Bella but didn’t want him to sit beside her either. The man warmly shook Magnus’s hand. Lady Mairead said, “Magnus, ye remember Minister Donahue?”

  “Aye. We met at Donnan’s Equinox Gala.”

  Minister Donahue glanced uneasily at me. I tried to meet his eyes while trying not to look like a murderer.

  Magnus said, “Minister Donahue I’d like to present my wife, Kaitlyn Campbell.”

  The Minister shook my hand as if I was distasteful.

  After the civilities were over Magnus looked at Lady Mairead. “And...?”

  Lady Mairead asked, “What, Magnus? Have a seat.”

  “There are nae enough seats, ye can see this.” He gestured for me to take the chair near Lady Mairead and offered the end of the couch to the Minister. “But tis nae matter, Bella will be unnecessary at this meeting. We will discuss her first and then she can go home. I will stand until then.”

  “Bella is necessary she is carrying your heir—”

  “Will she be fightin’ alongside me for the throne? Nae.” He turned to Bella. “Bella, when is the bairn due?”

  “Your son will be born on June 13th.”

  “Aye. And are ye safe? Do ye have a place tae live and enough food for ye and the comin’ bairn?”

  She nodded. “I do. Lady Mairead and Minister Donahue have given me a place in town. It’s hidden enough. I have a car and everything I need.” Very quietly she said, “Except you.”

  Her eyes were locked on him and watching it was very very very traumatizing.

  So I stared down at my hands, bare, minus my wedding band. And then I closed my eyes because it was all too much to take in.

  Magnus’s voice. “I am glad ye have what ye need and that ye are safe, Bella. I will protect ye, I have promised that much.”

  “Thank you for not leaving me to deal with Samuel, that was—”

  “You have Kaitlyn tae thank for this. She decided we would protect you and the bairn.”

  “Oh.” She glanced at me. “Thank you, Kaitlyn.”

  I nodded. “You’re welcome.” I wanted to add, “I didn’t do it for you, I did it for Magnus,” but every word I spoke would bring me closer to tears and betray me as ‘in over my head,’ so I decided to manage my words, keep them close. I looked away.

  Magnus asked Minister Donahue, “I think tis all we need Bella for? She is tae have enough food, whatever she needs. Other than that...”

  “Yes, yes, I think that’s all we need.”

  Lady Mairead said, “She needs be there when ye fight Samuel.”

  Magnus said, “Bella, Lady Mairead needs ye tae accompany her tae the upcoming battle. Minister Donahue will inform ye of the time and place.”

  Bella said, “Oh.”

  Magnus said, “You can go home then. I see nae need for ye tae remain.”

  �
�You’re being so cold to me, My Magnus—”

  My head shot up.

  Magnus’s eyes held a quiet fury.

  He watched her for a moment. “I winna argue with ye about the things ye said and did tae me, because I daena care enough tae discuss it. I told ye the truth when we were imprisoned together and I haena changed my mind.” He looked down at his hands. But then raised his head and met her eyes. “You kent Kaitlyn was there, Bella, and ye dinna tell me. I understand why ye did it, twas because ye wanted tae survive, but twas her death sentence. So there is nae comin’ tae an agreement about it with ye.”

  She said, “Fine.” She stood and smoothed out her dress. She asked the room, “Do you need anything else then?”

  Lady Mairead said, “Nae, ye can go home, Bella.”

  Bella wove her way through the artifacts to the elevator doors.

  Magnus slumped down on the newly vacated couch: his elbow on the armrest, his fingers on his mouth, watching me.

  I met his eyes.

  He nodded and mouthed, “Are ye okay?”

  I nodded and mouthed back, “Thank you.”

  Lady Mairead said, “I suppose ye art proud of yourself, Magnus?”

  I interjected, “If he isn’t, I am. He managed to get through this whole evening without flying into a rage, I think he’s amazing.”

  He grinned and his eye twinkled. “Why thank ye wife.”

  Minister Donahue cleared his throat. “Speaking of — to get down to business. There’s the matter of a warrant that has been issued for the arrest of Kaitlyn Campbell for the charge of murder against Donnan the Second on the night of the Equinox Gala—”

  Magnus said, “Twas self defense.”

  “Well we are a kingdom of laws. A court will need to decide it. I am bound by the law to turn her over—”

  Magnus stayed completely still, relaxed on the couch. “I am the next king, ye winna touch her.”

  Lady Mairead said, “Magnus, what I think Donahue is trying tae say is that he winna turn her over, but he is bound tae do it. You will need tae move tae take your throne fast if ye want tae keep her from going tae trial. When you are king ye can have her pardoned, isna that right, Donahue?”