Soul of a Highlander

by Melissa Mayhue

  Whatever the girl prayed for, it was obviously something of utmost importance to her.

  Mairi hesitated at the doorway, torn between her reluctance to interrupt the private moment and her need to let Alycie know her family had arrived.

  Practicality won out.

  She cleared her throat, hoping to garner the girl’s attention. When that failed, she crossed into the room and placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder.

  “Alycie?”

  Alycie’s body jerked and her eyes flew open, unfocused and wild. At first, Mairi thought it was panic she saw reflected there, but the moment passed so quickly she wasn’t sure. More than likely her own out-of-control imagination taking flight again.

  Mairi withdrew her hand, lacing her fingers together in front of her. “I’m truly sorry to interrupt you. Rosalyn asked me to bring you down to the courtyard. Yer family has arrived.”

  Alycie nodded her head slowly, leaning against the table to maintain her balance as she pulled herself up to stand.

  “Verra well.” The girl glanced around the room, fingering the cross at her neck. “I’ll come with you.”

  As Mairi turned to leave, she was surprised to see large crosses painted on either side of the doorway they passed through.

  “I suppose Lady Rosalyn and Sallie are waiting with my family?” Alycie pulled the shawl she wore tighter around her shoulders as she accompanied Mairi down the hallway.

  “Rosalyn has gone out to greet them, I believe. But Sallie was still working in the Great Hall when I came to get you.”

  Alycie’s steps slowed to a stop.

  “I suppose there’s naught to be done for it but to go down,” the girl mumbled, her fingers still playing over the cross hanging from her neck.

  “Is there something amiss here? Are you no anxious to see yer family?”

  “Aye, but…” Alycie paused, casting a nervous glance back toward her chapel as if she might break and run down the hallway for the safety of that chamber. “Yer no like them, Mairi—you said as much yerself. You should have yer guardian take you away from here as soon as possible.”

  “I dinna understand yer meaning. I’m no like who?” Mairi turned to look at the girl, reaching out to touch her shoulder.

  Alycie flinched at the contact, looking as though she were near tears. “The women of this family, that’s who. Yer nothing like them. Yer clearly a refined lady, with good Christian values. You turn the other cheek to Sallie’s hateful behavior, bearing it all with quiet dignity. And when Lady MacPherson attacked you with vile accusations, you held yer tongue. It’s only because I admire you so that I’m telling you this. Until you leave, yer welcome to join me in my chapel whenever you like. You’ll be safe there.”

  “Safe?”

  “Aye. The entryway’s protected by the Holy Cross. The evil canna pass through.” The girl looked up and down the hallway before lowering her voice even further. “Though you should leave while you can. Before it’s too late.”

  “Too late?” Mairi heard her own voice squeak the question. Surely this girl couldn’t have any idea what the future held for Sallie or of the danger presented by the visiting Duke. Crosses painted on a wall would be no deterrent to a man like him.

  “Aye.” Alycie nodded, her large serious eyes watery with unshed tears. “Can you no feel the vile taint of evil here? It’s them. The women. It’s their unholy magic, born of their Fae ancestry.”

  Mairi wasn’t sure whether to laugh or to sigh in relief. Yet another example of allowing herself to jump to conclusions. The girl was simply overzealous. But what an odd choice for Caden’s future wife, considering her feelings about his mother and sister.

  “If you feel that way, why do you stay here?”

  The girl bowed her head. “I’ve no choice in the matter. It’s what my mother and father have agreed on with Lady Rosalyn as the best thing for me. To marry Caden. To live here. They approve of the joining of our families. Two of my brothers are even apprenticed here at Dun Ard. My family is blinded to the evil.”

  “There’s no evil in my cousins, Alycie. Surely you canna believe there is.”

  “But it’s true! Brother Peter said all who claim unnatural heritage and practice the pagan magic are children of the devil.”

  “Though I’ve no idea who this Brother Peter is, I can assure you, he’s wrong about my cousins.”

  “He’s a great man, sent from the Archbishop himself to visit our village priest. He spends his life traveling the world, spreading the work of the Church. It was God’s own blessing that I had the good fortune to meet him.”

  “Well, however great a man he is, he’s wrong on this count, I’m sure. There’s no an evil bone in Rosalyn’s body. Surely you feel that? And Sallie is a decent person when you get to know her.”

  “Aye, well, blood is thicker than water, is it no? But I’ve done my duty. I’ve warned you.”

  Alycie clasped her hands together, her pursed lips announcing the end of their conversation as she turned and headed down the stairs, leaving a bewildered Mairi to follow.

  Behind them in the dark hallway a door, which had been open only the tiniest crack, quietly closed.

  “The witchwood or the blackthorn. The berries of either will do equally well. I’ve only to find some.”

  Sallie clasped her hands together in her lap, a sparkle in her eye as she confided her plan to Mairi.

  They sat in Rosalyn’s solar, waiting until the proper time to enter the Great Hall for the feast. Alycie had joined them, though she shrank into a chair against the far wall, her hand tightly clasped around her cross as she listened.

  All three wore their finest gowns for the evening. Sallie had finally settled on the light green overdress that perfectly complemented the red hair she wore loose this evening. Alycie’s gown, an ivory-colored wool, looked all the more plain for her having pulled her light brown hair back into a severe braid. Mairi’s overdress of blue perfectly matched her eyes, according to Sallie, who had insisted that she wear her hair loose, too.

  “I still dinna see what you hope to accomplish with this…” Mairi searched for the right word. “…concoction yer thinking to make.”

  “A love potion,” the girl announced dramatically, scooting to the edge of her seat. “What do you think?”

  Mairi’s heart sank. Had she gotten nothing through to her little cousin? She’d almost convinced herself the girl had given up on marrying the Duke.

  “Sallie,” she began, but was surprised to silence as Alycie sprang from her chair.

  The girl ran to the door, but stopped before she went out, speaking to them without turning to look their direction.

  “’Tis the devil’s own magic you think to use.”

  The smile on Sallie’s face grew. “It’s no such thing, Sister. It’s Faerie magic.”

  Alycie’s back stiffened at the words. “Yer no a sister of mine, Sallie Rose. And well you ken magic of any kind is evil.”

  “But I will be yer sister as soon as Caden weds you. Then you’ll be part of the Faerie family as well.”

  Alycie didn’t look back as she slammed the heavy wooden door behind her.

  Wyn Servans leaned against the door to the balcony, watching as the timid little Mortal stormed into the hallway, her cheeks pink with emotion. It was the first time he’d seen any life at all in the dull wench.

  It was also exactly the opportunity he had waited for. After what he had heard this afternoon, he wouldn’t miss this chance. While he still preferred the more direct approach he intended for later this evening, he knew the value of a good backup plan.

  Alycie jumped, barely containing a squeal, when he stepped from the shadows and into her path. Just as he’d known she would. Her kind were so easy to predict.

  “Och, but you frightened me, yer grace,” she stammered, her hand on her chest.

  “I beg your pardon, good lady. I’d no intent to alarm you, but I do have need to speak to you in private.”

  “I’m no sure that wo
uld be at all proper, sir.” The girl glanced around as if looking for someone she might call to her aid.

  “I understand your reluctance, but I assure you, I’ve nothing other than the highest purposes in mind.”

  “Aye?” She laced her hands primly together at her waist and waited.

  “I’ve observed you, Mistress Maxwell, and it’s apparent to me—and to the Duke, I might add—that you’re a devout, God-fearing young woman.”

  Her chin rose and he knew he was on the right track.

  “It’s the others here we’d like to help. You see, on our travels we met a man named Brother Peter, who told us of this place.”

  Her little gasp delighted him.

  “You know Brother Peter?”

  “Oh yes.” He smiled. Mortals were so easily convinced of what they wanted to believe anyway. “And, at his request, we decided to do what we could to make a difference.”

  “You feel the evil in this keep? You and the Duke himself?” Her eyes shone with her fervor.

  Yes, he’d read this situation correctly.

  “Indeed. And we have a plan to cleanse it, if we could but count on your assistance.”

  “Of course, yer grace. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

  He took her elbow, steering her out onto the balcony where they wouldn’t be overheard. She accompanied him through the door eagerly.

  Wyn smiled to himself. Patience was indeed a virtue. And all of his was getting ready to pay off at long last.

  “Sometimes I dinna understand you at all, Sallie. Why do you do that?” Mairi shook her head at her grinning cousin. It was as if the girl intentionally went out of her way to be disagreeable.

  “Bait Alycie, you mean?” When Mairi nodded, she continued. “She disna belong here. I ken that Mother is good friends with Grizel Maxwell, but the two of them forcing this marriage is a great mistake. Caden deserves better than a woman who wants nothing more than a life spent in prayer. My brother should have a wife who loves him.”

  “A fine one you are to be talking about love in one breath and making some potion to snare the Duke in the next.”

  Sallie’s eyebrows drew together in a frown. “Whatever are you babbling about? I’m no making a potion for the Duke.”

  Mairi felt her own frown mirroring her cousin’s. “But you said you planned to make a love potion.”

  Sallie’s burst of laughter was totally unexpected.

  “Aye, a love potion, but no for the Duke.” She tilted her head, a dreamy, far-off expression in her eyes. “No, you were right, Cousin. I’d thought it myself, but yer words convinced me to action. I dinna want the Duke. I’d only considered him to make another jealous, anyway, but it dinna work.”

  “Then who?”

  Sallie leaned close, lowering her voice. “My own true love, of course. I decided I’d settle for no less. But I’m no willing for the man to take till my youth is gone to come asking for my hand. I’m going to hurry him along a bit.”

  “That’s wonderful news.” Mairi threw her arms around her cousin’s small shoulders, hugging her close. “What can I do to help?”

  “I was hoping you’d ask.” The girl sat back in her chair, grinning conspiratorially. “On the morrow, we’ll slip out to the woods. It’s no yet Samhain, so we should be able to find the berries I need.”

  A knock sounded at the door just before it opened, bringing an end to their planning session.

  Drew entered, but stood still in the doorway, his mouth open as he stared at them.

  “What?” Sallie asked sharply as she rose from her chair.

  Her brother shook his head and grinned. “Dinna take that tone with me, Sister. You surprised me, is all. Come along with me now. They’re gathering in the Great Hall.”

  “And how is it that we surprised you?”

  He stretched out his arms in an obvious invitation to join him, waiting until they reached his side before answering.

  “To walk in expecting to find my plain little sister and cousin, but instead to be confronted by the sight of two beautiful women—well, it fair took my breath away.”

  “Och, Drew. At times I truly believe yer my favorite brother.” Sallie curtsied and favored the young man with a dazzling smile.

  Mairi took the arm Drew offered, feeling a strong sense of relief and accomplishment. For the first time since she’d arrived, she no longer had to worry about the Duke having an opportunity to harm Sallie. She had accomplished her purpose in keeping the girl safe.

  As she accompanied her cousins toward the Great Hall, she allowed herself to relax and grow excited about the festivities. There would be music and food, and she would have the opportunity to spend time with Ramos, whom she’d not seen all day.

  They stopped at the entryway to admire the scene before them. The Great Hall sparkled. All the torches were lit, as were the candles on the great hanging candelabra. The room was already filling with people, all visiting and laughing. The musicians were taking their place in the far corner of the room.

  Mairi smiled as the smell of evergreen and dried herbs tickled sweetly at her nose.

  “Oh, it’s going to be a wonderful evening,” she breathed, just before the sharp stinging started in her chest.

  Seventeen

  She’s here.

  Ramos had no need to look to the doorway to know the precise moment Mairi entered the room. He could feel her presence.

  After the disaster he’d made of last night, he had lain awake berating himself for his colossal lack of self-control.

  When he first realized it was Mairi in his room again, he had decided to frighten her enough to ensure this would be the last time she showed up in the middle of the night, certain his actions would scare her into staying safely in her room in the future.

  But he hadn’t counted on his own weakness.

  He was a Guardian. Her safety and well-being was his paramount responsibility. And what had he done? He’d taken advantage of her.

  Dallyn should have chosen someone else to look after her.

  She was too good for someone like him. No matter how hard he tried, he was still tainted with the evil of his father. Still his father’s son, corrupting everything he touched.

  Nearing dawn, he’d finally dozed off, only to wake moments later as Mairi had slipped from his bed.

  It was then it had begun.

  Without opening his eyes, he had felt her passage across the room, as if some internal tracking device had been planted in his brain. Though he pretended to sleep, he could clearly see her movement in his mind’s eye as she silently let herself out and hurried down the dark hallway. He had lost her for a few moments after she’d entered her room, a black void descending that had filled him with an unexplained sense of loss. But then she was back, a tiny blip on the screen of his thoughts, and there she remained. At any given time during the course of the day he had but to think of her and he knew her exact whereabouts. He’d never experienced anything like it.

  Suppressing the confusion his acknowledgment of this new connection brought, he forced himself to concentrate on his conversation with Caden and Ran. He kept his back turned toward the door.

  This awareness was surely nothing more than a temporary aberration and would pass soon.

  It had to.

  “By Heaven,” Ran breathed, his eyes fastened behind Ramos.

  “Ah, my sister’s grand entry at last.” Caden unsuccessfully hid his grin in the cup of ale he lifted as he shifted his gaze from Ran to the doorway.

  Ran pushed past Ramos as if drawn that direction.

  Ramos turned, his gaze following the young man’s path, knowing before he did so that Sallie would not be alone.

  Mairi’s hair was loose, silken gold draped about her, as it had been last night. His pulse quickened at the memory of its feel between his fingers. She reminded him of a princess, her head held high, one hand lightly touching Andrew’s arm as he escorted the women into the room, the other clasped to her heart.

  And
why shouldn’t she look like a princess, Ramos wondered ruefully. She was, after all, the descendant of a very powerful Faerie prince.

  Mairi scanned the room, searching, until her eyes captured his. She smiled and it felt as if everyone else in the room disappeared, the noise about him fading to background.

  “And lovely Cousin Mairi, of course—let’s not forget her,” Caden added.

  The young man’s knowing chuckle so near his ear broke the hold Mairi had on Ramos, allowing him to turn his back to her once more. He clasped his fingers tightly around the tankard he held.

  “But no Alycie,” Caden sighed. “You’ll excuse me?”

  Ramos nodded as the young man left, but he refused to allow himself to turn and follow Caden’s progress from the room. That would require his looking her direction, and he couldn’t allow himself that luxury. Another look and he risked being drawn across the room as Ran had been.

  A moment later, it was only by virtue of his intense training that Ramos prevented himself from jumping when a hand clapped on his shoulder.

  “Lord Navarro.” Wyn Servans bowed his head in greeting as he lowered the offending hand. “I wonder if I might have a moment of your time, sir? Privately.”

  What was wrong with that man, anyway?

  Mairi watched in frustration as Ramos accompanied Wyn Servans out of the Great Hall without so much as a glance back. There was no doubt he’d seen her. She’d felt the jolt down to her toes when their eyes met. Then he turned away and left without acknowledging her presence in any way. It almost seemed as though he was intentionally avoiding her.

  Now there was a thought that could easily bring her to her knees if she allowed herself to dwell on it.

  “Bollocks!”

  Sallie’s whispered irritation drew Mairi’s attention away from the far door and back to her immediate surroundings. She almost wished it hadn’t, as the stinging sensation over her heart intensified.

  “Dinna fash yerself, Sallie. Colin and I have decided to champion yer cause. You see? Even now it begins.” Drew patted his sister’s hand, grinning as he left them, and swaggered straight ahead.