“That’s right, lass,” he whispered roughly, “bite me hard and deep.” My cheeks burned as my dinner recoiled in my stomach. I prayed they’d finish soon. I couldn’t bear to listen much longer.
Lorna leaned back relaxing her legs. “That was even better than the other night.”
The object of her desire fussed with his chausses. “I’m no done yet. Come, let’s take a swim.” Lorna giggled standing up and righted her skirts. They headed toward the forest disappearing into the trees. I let out my breath and wiped a tear away from my cheek. It was safe to go inside now.
* * * *.*
I came to breakfast the next morning in a foul mood. I sat down at an empty bench table, filled a bowl full of porridge, and grabbed a biscuit from a tray in the center of the table. I began to eat just as Grant sat down next to me. “Ah, meal o’ warriors,” he said filling a bowl for himself.
“Hmm,” I said continuing to eat, not glancing over at him.
“What’s wrong Jilly? Ye’re no actin’ like yerself.”
“It’s just a bad morning.”
“Hey,” Grant said turning toward me, “I ken just the thing ta cheer ye up. How aboot I give ye one of those horse riding lessons I mentioned? There’s probably only a couple more weeks before we get the first snow fall.”
I had planned to sulk in my room all day, but why should I give Merrick the joy of ruining my day. “You know what; I think I’ll take you up on your offer.”
Grant beamed a triumphant smile. “Great!”
After we finished eating, Grant and I went out into the cold morning air. Pink streaks filled the morning sky as we made our way over to the stables. “Oh!” I said coming to a halt.
“What is it?” Grant asked with concern, stopping next to me.
“I forgot my plaid back in the great hall; I’ll be just a moment.”
“Nonsense, I’ll go fetch it and meet up with ye at the stable.” Before I could answer, Grant was already running down the path toward the keep. I finished my trek to the stable, stopping at the wooden fence surrounding a small meadow. A beautiful black stallion hung his head over the fence. At first, I thought it was Merrick’s horse Dante’, but I noticed this one had a white stripe on its muzzle. I held out my hand, letting the huge horse sniff my scent. The stallion neighed and whinnied for a moment, then let me softly stroke its muzzle. The horse towered over me. I read about these types of horses. They were bred for war.
The horse’s ears perked up. He turned his head to my right at the visitor coming up behind me. I turned to look. Alexander strolled over to me wearing a scowl across his face. “Careful lass…he’s known ta bite,” he said coming up standing next to me. He placed one foot on a fence rung and eyed me from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head. “So, ye’re Jillian. The one who has punished us all,” he sneered.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Didna ye? ‘Twas no ye who broke the pact with the Guardians and traveled through time with Cameron?”
“I didn’t mean to get anyone in trouble.”
“Weel lass, ye did.”
“What happened? What did the Guardians decide?”
Alexander glared at me. “Nothing…yet. Cameron wants us Immortals ta travel ta the Guardian’s lair and plead ye’re case. He wants ta help ye get home.”
“When are you guys leaving?”
A nasty smile slowly curved his mouth. “We’re no goin’.”
“But why?”
“We always vote amongst ourselves on personal matters that affect us all. If one Immortal is against it…we all are,” he said coldly.
“Who voted against going?” I asked. Did Merrick want me to stay? Alexander ignored me, turning toward the stable door.
“Stay away from Merrick,” he said over his shoulder. “He doesna need an insignificant chit chasing his heels.”
“I don’t think that’s your choice,” I said making him stop abruptly, noticing the tension build in his shoulders.
Alexander swung around and strode up to me. I took a step back as he leaned his face down inches from mine. “I ken what lasses really are,” he sneered. Ye’re all lyin’ whores who’ll bed anything just ta get what ye want. Merrick doesna ken any better,” he spat. He stormed away into the stable, with me left staring in awe at Alexander’s retreating back.
“Are ye ready?” Grant asked coming up behind me with my plaid. I smiled, hoping I hid my disconcerted look and followed Grant into the stable.
“Buttercup is the best horse for a beginner,” Grant said, steering me over to a stall with a small dapple-gray mare eating a bag of feed.
“Are you sure?” I asked warily as the dapple-gray neighed and tossed its head into the air. I wished I had the mellow, sagging horse from the other day, which was more my speed. “Grant, I don’t know about this. Maybe I should just watch you ride for a while.”
“Och, nonsense!” Grant led Buttercup out of the stall and stopped her in the aisle near a mounting block. A scoff sounded from a stall behind us where Alexander pitched hay. “Come on up, Jilly,” Grant said patting the saddle. “Ye’ll be fine. I’ll lead ye and Buttercup around the training field a few times first.”
“Horse riding,” I said holding back a sneeze and rubbing my itchy nose, “isn’t for me. I think I’m allergic.”
Grant smiled and shook his head. “Come o’er here, Jilly. I’ll help ye mount.” He patted the saddle on Buttercup’s back again holding his other hand out to me. I got the feeling, Buttercup didn’t like being touched, because now, she stomped her front legs and vigorously shook her head side to side.
“You don’t have a donkey or perhaps a small pony?” I asked. Grant smiled shaking his head once more. I held my head up high edging past Buttercup’s hind quarters, staying close to the side of the wall. I heard about getting kicked by a horse. I didn’t want to be Buttercup’s first casualty of the day. “All right, I’ll do this, but if I get hurt….” I stood up on the mounting block, placing one hand on Buttercup’s mane and the other on the saddle.
“Ye’ll do fine.” Grant hoisted me up and next thing I knew, I sat atop Buttercup’s back. Grant cinched the saddle straps, making sure they fit tight and snug. I looked up finding Alexander leaning against a stall with a pitch fork in his hand watching us. I gave him a dirty look and turned toward the open door facing the meadow. The sky glowed a brilliant pink-gray while the bright autumn leaves on the few trees surrounding the meadow shook from the slight breeze.
I brought my hand up to my nose just as I sneezed. “Ah-choo!” Buttercup reared up on her hind legs while I held on for dear life. She bolted from the stable knocking Grant to the ground. Alexander whistled. I passed the black war horse which trotted past me, meeting Alexander.
Buttercup and I sped in the direction of a low stone wall at the end of the meadow. “No, bad Horse! Don’t even think it, Buttercup, noooo!” I yelled as Buttercup lifted off the ground with a strong push clearing the stone wall and touching down with a heavy thud. I flew off Buttercup, landing in a small patch of heather. My breath knocked out of me as I hit the ground. Lying on my back, unmoving, I heard shouting in the distance. Strong, loud hooves stomped up on the ground next to me, stopping at my side.
Alexander glared down at me from his seat on his horse as I slowly sat up. “I guess I forgot ta mention, Buttercup is verra skittish.” A cruel smile crossed his lips.
“Listen,” I said through clenched teeth leaning on my elbows, “I know you don’t like me, but if you tell me what I can do to fix this, maybe we can be friends.” Silence. “Say something!”
He whirled on me so fast he took my breath away. He jumped down from his horse and crouched next to me with his face inches from mine. “Ye dinna ken me little girl,” he spat. “I’m older than ye can imagine. I’ve seen empires fall, civilizations rise and I’ve played a part in it all. I’ve killed men, women and children in the blink of an eye. I’ve seen hundreds o’ centuries before and
past ye’res. I’ve even kenned women like ye…I ken every type o’ woman. Ye’re all the same. Every last one o’ ye are liars. Ye use ye’re femininity ta lure us in, then ye take what ye want and no give us a second thought when ye’re done with us. So tell me ‘little girl’, ye think ye still want ta be friends with me? Do us both a favor and leave things be, and when the chance comes for ye ta go back home…take it. Leave Merrick alone. In the end, ‘tis better that way.” Alexander stared hard at me in disgust if the look on his face was any indication, and abruptly jumped back on his horse galloping back toward the stable.
Grant ran over giving Alexander a dirty look as he passed him. “Are ye all right?” he asked with a fear stricken expression. I slowly stood up with his help brushing off my skirts.
“I’m fine,” I gritted out through clenched teeth. I glared at Alexander as he disappeared into the stable with his horse. “I just want a long soak in a hot bath.”
“Anything ye want, Jilly,” Grant said as we slowly began our hike back to the keep.
* * * * *
I entered the hall for dinner feeling bruised in my tailbone region. As I entered the great hall, I saw two guards talking to Cameron and Elise with the Immortals flanking their sides. Elise threw her hands over her mouth and her eyes grew wide. Cameron’s mouth was pulled in a thin line and the Immortals seemed to be following every word the guards relayed. I walked up next to Elise. “What’s going on?” I asked in a hushed tone. I couldn’t help myself, I glanced over at Merrick. He stared at the floor with a look of disgust.
“Oh, Jilly,” Elise cried, “’tis terrible. They found Lorna in the loch. She drowned.” My gaze quickly caught Merrick’s. We held each others stare.
“Do you know how long she’s been in there?” Cameron asked the guards.
The shorter guard with red hair answered. “Aye. Since last night…at least we think. She looks pretty—.“ The guard glanced over at Elise and I, and back to Cameron. “She’s bloated me lord.” I cringed at the mental image running through my head.
“Could she swim?” Gideon asked.
All heads turned toward Elise when she answered the question. “Aye, she was a good swimmer,” Elise said with watery eyes.
“I ken who was with her,” Grant sneered shouldering past the guards and into the small circle. “Why dinna ye ask Merrick why he was in the garden with Lorna last night!”
Alexander stepped forward as Merrick held out his arm stopping him. “I willna lie,” Merrick said. “I was in the garden with Lorna, but we only talked.” Merrick turned, studying me. “I told her, her ‘services’ were no longer wanted.”
“Ye’re a liar!” Grant spat.
Alexander tried to take a step closer while Merrick continued to hold him back. “Ye tread on dangerous grounds mortal,” Alexander gritted out as his hand went to the hilt of his dagger.
“This will stop now!” Cameron roared. “We have no proof of anything to place Merrick as the killer.” I must have made a noise, because suddenly all eyes were on me. “Do you want to add something, Jillian?” Cameron asked.
I looked over at Merrick. A muscle ticked at the side of his cheek. “I-I saw Merrick and Lorna together in the garden,” I said diverting my gaze from Merrick. I couldn’t help to feel like I betrayed him, but that had to be him last night. If I knew something that might solve the murder, wasn’t I obligated to say? “They were…’together’ at the fountain and then, Merrick mentioned a swim in the loch. They both disappeared into the forest.”
“I warned ye about her, Merrick,” Alexander spat as he glared at me with a look full of hate. “All women are liars!”
“Take it easy, Alex,” Cameron said. Cameron turned to look at me. “Jillian,” he said softly, “these are very serious accusations. Are you sure it was Merrick you saw?”
I swallowed. “All I could see were their silhouettes, but—.”
“What?” Cameron asked gently.
“I knew it was Lorna, because she talked about…biting.”
“Ye filthy bastard,” Grant yelled. “Ye killed her and ye ken it!” This time, Merrick let Alexander go after Grant.
“Enough!” Cameron said jumping in-between them. “I won’t have fighting between anyone in my home!”
“Then make him prove he wasn’t with her!” Grant yelled enraged with a flushed face.
“I dinna ha’ any proof except my word,” Merrick said frostily. “I didna kill Lorna.”
“I know something that would prove his innocence,” I said softly. “If Lorna was a…biter, than he’d have teeth marks if he was indeed with her last night.”
“Lass,” Cameron interrupted, “Immortals’ bodies heal very fast. Even if he was there and she did bite him, any mark that marred his skin would be long gone by now.” I stared down at the floor. What had I done? For some reason I believed Merrick now. I thought I knew what I saw, but now I began having doubts.
“Uh, excuse me, me lord?” a skinny bucktoothed guard said. Merrick and Alexander parted to make way for the guard.
“What is it?” Cameron said sounding very annoyed.
“I-I found s-something that might help.” The guard’s gaze darted at the Immortals as he handed Cameron a torn piece of cloth. “We found this in Lorna’s closed hand. It doesna match anything she has on.” The guard shifted uncomfortably. “I think this could be from the killer’s clothing.”
Cameron studied the small piece of fabric. “Thank you,” Cameron said smiling to the guard. “I know for a fact Merrick wasn’t there. This fabric is silk.” He smiled up at Merrick. “In almost four hundred years, I’ve never seen Merrick wear silk. As chieftain of Clan Murray, I’m declaring Merrick innocent.”
“That’s absurd!” Grant yelled.
Cameron continued talking as though Grant hadn’t said anything. “I do not want to hear any ill words toward Merrick or anyone else,” Cameron said glancing over at Grant. “As of now, everyone is a suspect, but Merrick. Enough now, let’s eat, our food grows cold.” Cameron turned with Elise and headed toward their seats.
I took a step toward Merrick. “I’m sorry, I—“
“Ye’re right, Alexander,” Merrick interrupted as a look of repulsion filled his face, “she’s nothing ta me!” Merrick stormed out of the hall. Alexander’s lip curled as he glared at me, and then succeeded Merrick out of the hall.
That night I lay in bed repulsed with myself. I betrayed Merrick. I knew I hurt him with what I’d done. I let out a sigh and turned into the pillow letting it muffle my cries.
* * * * *
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Jilly, I insist,” Elise said pushing a beautiful emerald gown into my arms.
“I can’t take this Elise,” I said trying to give it back. “I’ll wear one of the other dresses.”
“Nonsense! Ye’ll be wearin a gown fit for a queen at the ceremony today.” Elise didn’t budge. She crossed her arms and began to tap her toe. I was beginning to understand that Elise always got her way.
I rolled my eyes upward. “Fine,” I said taking the dress from Elise, “but I’m not the one who everyone will be watching.”
“Trust me, Jilly, me dress is just as gorgeous!” Elise smiled brightly. “Now then, ye better start getting ready. The Ceremony o’ Beginnings starts at noon.” Elise smiled again and retreated from my chamber.
A trumpet blew as the noon sun hid behind partly cloudy skies. The large crowd of guests, serfs, and villagers headed out toward the field where a cluster of red and yellow striped tents sat lined-up for all to sit under to observe the event.
I walked out to the tents with Elise and her maids with my emerald silk dress swooshing around my legs with every step. Small emeralds trimmed the low scoop neck and adorned the sleeves which had slits from the top of my shoulders down to my wrists exposing my white leine underneath. Elise had also given exact instructions to her maid on how to fix my hair. The young girl had piled a small amount of my hair on top intertwining emerald ribbons which coordi
nated with my dress. She left the rest of my hair cascading down my back in soft waves.
I felt pretty, but Elise radiated magnificence in a light blue silk dress with a square neck line. Silver embroider covered the bodice and small crystals adorned the edge of the long bell-shaped sleeves. Elise’s maid had piled her hair on top of her head in tiny ringlets with small white flowers peaking out here and there.
“Och, I’m so verra nervous,” Elise said squeezing my hand. “I think I ha’ a thousand butterflies in me stomach.”
“Cameron will be speechless when he sees you,” I said sincerely. She made a wary smile and we made our way under the center tent. A wooden half-wall stood in front of our tent adorned with banners and flags. We stood behind the wall resting our hands on top as we waited for the ceremony to start.
Warriors filled the mock battlefield stretching and warming up. Some donned tunics, a few wore thick brown leather vests, and a couple covered themselves in armor. The only bare-chested man was Cameron. I tried to find Merrick, but I couldn’t make him out, especially since the men on the field began moving around, picking up Spears, Broadswords, Halberds, and Sghian Dubhs from the ground where they had sat.
“Greetings lasses,” Grant said bowing to Elise and I.
“Oh, Grant, I’m so nervous!” Elise said grabbing his forearm.
“Ye’ll be splendid,” he said. “Ye look bootiful.” He kissed Elise on the forehead. “Ma and Da would o’ been proud o’ ye.” I occupied myself from Grant’s and Elise’s private moment by looking out at the crowd of warriors on the battlefield. I still couldn’t find Merrick.
“Och, here comes Cameron, excuse me,” Elise said as she raced around the wall ending up in Cameron’s embrace on the sidelines.
The trumpet blew a second time and the warriors arranged in formation on both sides of the field. The Immortals stood along-side friends and family, which made the total count of warriors a little more than fifty. Cameron quickly kissed Elise once more and ran out on the field taking his position.
Immortal of My Dreams Page 13
