“Hypocrite,” she said out loud. Alex had asked for her trust and still, like a coward, she hid, locked away from the world, no different than Murdock. She took a deep breath. Love was stronger than fear. She tore her worn kirtle over her head and pulled on the fresh clothing. Smoothing the folds into place, she found the belt he had left for her embossed with the MacKenzie coat of arms.
Throwing her shoulders back, she took a deep breath and opened the door, striding out into the hallway. She would be caged no longer—this time she would choose life.
CHAPTER 14
Jamie raced up the stairs to the high dais and took his seat beside Alex. “I’ve just come from the stables. The dam from Ross is pregnant.”
Alex’s heart started to drum in his chest. He moved to the edge of his chair. “That’s impossible. She won’t be in heat again until spring?”
Jamie laughed and leapt to his feet. “Her stomach is starting to round out. ‘Tis only a matter of a few months and we’ll have a new foal.”
Pure joy jolted Alex’s body. “She must have come to us already pregnant.”
“Indeed,” Jamie said. “An occasion worthy of a toast.” He grabbed his cup and raised it high. “To…Sweet Jesus.”
Alex frowned. “That’s uncharacteristically religious of ye. Don’t tell me? You’ve grown tired of the fairer sex throwing themselves at your pretty face. Ye wish to join the priesthood.”
Jamie reached down and placed his hand on Alex’s head, turning it in the direction of the stairs. Cora stood on the last step. Her golden braid rested over one shoulder and a hesitant smile curved her lips. The sight of her pushed all other thoughts from his mind. His chair scraped the floor in his haste to stand. Then he ran around the high dais and across the great hall.
“My lady.” He offered her his arm. She burned hot but smiled with ease. He kissed her cheek. “Come what may, I’ll stand by ye.”
Together, they made their way back to where Jaime stood waiting behind the lady’s chair.
He bowed as they approached. “’Tis wonderful to see ye up and about, Lady Cora.” Then with a wink he whispered, “I beg your pardon for that little incident with the sliver of wood and my attempt to kill ye.” Alex worried Cora might not appreciate Jamie’s particular taste in humor, but she only smiled and said, “Likewise, I should apologize for nearly ripping out your throat.”
Jamie threw his head back and laughed. “She’s a spitfire for sure,” he said, slapping Alex on the back.
The hall was abuzz with chatter. Many were seeing their new lady for the first time. Alex turned and addressed the eager room. “We’ll not ask ye to wait another moment. Come forward and meet your lady.”
Alex stood by her side, his hand locked on her lower back while his kinfolk stood and formed a line. One by one, they came forward and knelt before Cora. She shone with warmth and returned each greeting with kindness and gratitude, except when she was introduced to Edmund.
“Edmund keeps our books,” Alex said.
Cora smiled politely but Alex noticed her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Edmund nervously bent over her hand with a kiss. Then he stood straight, releasing what sounded to Alex strangely like a sigh of relief. “Welcome to Sonas, my lady. This calls for a celebration. There shall be a gathering here in the hall tomorrow evening.”
Alex’s brows came together. “That’s an oddly festive suggestion for ye to make, Edmund.”
“I can think of no finer reason for a gathering and high time, too,” Fergus said, shouldering his way in front of the bookkeeper. “’Tis a great pleasure to meet ye, my lady.”
Fergus’s voice boomed out over the din of the hall. Curly, red hair grazed his massive shoulders, and his warm brown eyes twinkled when he smiled. Cora laughed, clearly appreciative of Fergus’s candor.
When it was Margaret’s turn, she wept and pulled Cora into her arms.
“Och, but ye’re a trifle warm,” she said, touching Cora’s forehead.
Cora pressed a kiss to her cheek. “’Tis just the excitement. Ye’ve no cause to worry.” The maid blushed having received special affection from the lady of the keep.
After the procession finished, Alex escorted her back to her chair.
“What do ye think?” he asked, leaning close.
She smiled. “I like Fergus.”
“I thought as much.”
But then she cast her eyes at Edmund who was sitting alone in the rear of the keep. His thin shoulders were stoop over a ledger. “But I will tell ye, that man is hiding something.”
Jamie looked over her head at Alex and raised his brow in question.
Alex shook his head. “I’ll explain why later, but I want ye to question Edmund. Go to his room this evening and bring Fergus. Find out what he’s hiding.”
Alex turned back to Cora and watched her taste the stew. “This is our first meal together.”
She placed her hand over his and smiled. “So it is.” She brought another spoonful to her lips but paused, her eyes trained on the narrow stairwell that led to the kitchens. A moment later, Aggie’s soft, red waves came into view as she climbed to the top and stepped into the great hall with eyes downcast.
Brows drawn, Cora set her spoon down. “Who is that?”
Alex leaned close. “’Tis Aggie,” he whispered.
Tears flooded Cora’s eyes as her gaze followed Aggie across the room. “She struggles to contain her grief. She can hardly breathe beneath the weight of it.” Her head jerked around and she looked up at him. “Why?”
“Her husband, Kendrick, is missing.” An ache formed in the pit of his stomach. “Weeks have now passed.” He swallowed hard. “We’ve lost hope of his return.”
Cora’s hand rushed to her heart, her gaze turning back to Aggie who had just slumped onto an empty bench. “I will go to her.”
The chair scrapped the floor when she stood, drawing the eyes of everyone in the hall, but she seemed impervious to the stares as she rushed to aid his kinswoman. Her body curled around Aggie, when she sat down, immediately pulling her into her arms. He could not see her face, nor could he hear what she said. But he watched a wave of emotions cross Aggie’s face. She seemed alarmed at first but only for moment, and then she crumpled and hid her face against Cora’s chest. Cora rocked her gently. Alex found himself moving to the same soothing rhythm as he watched.
After a few minutes, she stood with a firm hand at Aggie’s waist and escorted her up the stairs to their room. Once there, he knew Cora would sit with her and let her cry out her sorrow. His heart filled with pride as they left together. In that moment, she had truly become the clan’s lady. His gaze swept the hall, noting the many appreciative gazes that also followed his wife from the room. Hope continued to grow in his heart when next his eyes settled on sunlight streaming through the arrow loops. He shook his head in disbelief. Another sunny day?
“About that toast,” Jamie said, standing. “To miracles.”
Alex turned and looked up at his friend. Grasping his cup, he stood and raised it high. “Nay,” he said. “To the compassion and strength of a great woman.”
CHAPTER 15
Alex pressed a kiss to Cora’s full lips. Sweat from their lovemaking glistened in beads across her hot skin. He dug his fingers through waves of golden hair intent on making her sweat even more when suddenly she became very still. “Are ye expecting company?” she asked.
He raised a questioning brow at her, and was about to ask what she meant when someone rapped on the door.
“Damnation,” Alex cursed, sitting up with a jerk. “Who could that be?”
“’Tis Jamie, Fergus, and that old, little man I disliked at dinner.”
His eyes widened.
“I can smell them and hear their hearts beat,” she explained.
He kissed her hard on the lips. “I’m a lucky man.”
“Don’t speak so soon,” she warned. “Jamie brings ill news.”
He swung his legs over the side of the
bed, and without bothering to cover his nakedness, he crossed the room and flung the door wide. Fergus’s broad frame filled the doorway.
“Can this not wait until morning?” he said.
In answer, Fergus dragged Edmund into view. The old man’s shoulder’s quaked, and his eyes fixed on the floor.
Wrapped in a blanket, Cora opened the door fully and motioned for the men to come in.
“I’m certain this can wait,” Alex whispered as he belted his plaid around his hips.
But she shook her head. “Jamie’s worried.”
Alex stepped back, glowering at his men, but Jamie ignored his displeasure. “We did as ye said and went down to this snake’s room after everyone was asleep. He was packing a satchel, and in it we found this.” He produced a bag of coin from beneath his cloak. “’Tis gold,” he said. “’Tis a small fortune in gold.” He seized Edmund and threw him at Alex’s feet.
“Tell your laird what ye told me,” he snarled.
Edmund bolted across the room, curling up into a ball beneath the open window.
“Do ye need me to persuade ye?” Fergus growled.
“Have mercy on me,” he begged, covering his head with his arms.
Jamie lunged forward, grabbed Edmund from behind, and pressed the tip of his dirk against his throat. “Tell him!”
“’Twas the Munro. I was approached by a man of the Munro. He…he led me to where Hamish Munro had made camp not far from here.”
Jamie released him and looked at Alex. “What do ye make of that?”
Alex shook his head not believing a word Edmund had said. “Clan Munro is leagues away. What would they be doing on Mackenzie land?”
“I tell ye ‘twas the Munro,” Edmund cried. “On your lands. He gave me the coin.”
“In exchange for what?”
Edmund shrank back against the wall. “For arranging a gathering in Lady Cora’s honor tomorrow night.”
Alex grabbed him off the floor, bringing his face a breath away from his own. “What happens tomorrow night?” he growled.
“Please don’t hurt me,” Edmund cried.
“Don’t force my hand. Tell me!”
Edmund shook his head. “I…I do not ken.”
“He’s lying,” Cora said quietly.
Alex shook him. “Ye’re lying. Ye know his plan.”
“Nay,” Cora said, coming to stand at Alex’s side. He glanced down at her. She was staring hard at Edmund. “He’s not lying about that. He really doesn’t know. He’s lying about the Munro. ‘Twas not Hamish Munro who gave him the coin. There’s someone else.” She glanced up at Alex. “Put him on his feet.”
Upon release, Edmund’s legs gave way. He collapsed into a trembling heap.
Cora tilted her head to the side as she slowly circled him. “There’s someone else, someone who terrifies him far more than anyone in this room.”
“Who is it?” Jamie demanded. Alex’s arm shot out, holding Jamie back from seizing Edmund again.
Cora squatted down beside him. “’Tis alright. Ye can tell me,” she said, her voice soft and velvety.
He shook his head, burying deeper beneath his arms.
“Ye needn’t be afraid. I’ll protect ye.” Holding the blanket about her shoulders with one hand, she reached out and touched his silvery hair. “Tell me.”
He raised his head and looked up at her. In a shrill voice he said, “I’ve told ye everything.”
Cora gave him a curt nod before she stood and took Fergus by the hand, leading him to the door. “Please go and prepare a cell for him.”
“Aye, my lady,” Fergus said. Then he left.
Cora spun around, her hair fanning wide, and stalked toward Edmund. “Tell me,” she demanded.
He scurried back, shaking his head. She dropped the blanket, leapt into the air, and released the wolf, landing on all fours in front of him. He screamed, his eyes bulging wide as he scurried away, but she followed, slowly opening her jaw. He shrank against the wall, his fists pressed to the sides of his head.
“They were men,” he cried. “But they weren’t natural. Their eyes glowed, and they had fangs, fangs as sharp as yours.” His feverish eyes locked with Cora’s. “He wants ye,” he shrieked. “He’s coming for ye!”
Alex’s heart pounded in his chest. He sunk to his knees. “Come to me,” he said. Cora turned and padded back to him. He wrapped a blanket around her snowy shoulders, and she exhaled away the wolf.
Jamie started toward Edmund, but he leapt to his feet, sobbing, his back against the window. “This land is cursed.” He clutched his arms around himself. “We’re dead men,” he wailed. Then his head jerked up, and he locked eyes with Alex the instant before he pitched forward out the window. Jamie dove for him but was too late. Alex hastened forward with Cora in tow and peered down into the courtyard, but he straightened up, recoiling from the sight of Edmund’s broken body. Jamie pressed against the wall and slid to the ground. “Saints above, what just happened?”
Alex had no answer. His mind remained fixed on Edmund’s warning. He’s coming for ye. He pulled Cora closer, pressing her hard against him. But she tore from his arms.
Cora stormed to the center of the room. Gripping the sides of her pounding head, she sank to her knees unable to breathe. “Oh God.”
Alex rushed to her side. “I won’t let anything happen to ye.”
“Ye don’t understand. The night I took to the moors, I smelled a presence, someone dark and old. It must have been him. He must have sensed me too.”
His arms came around her, but she wrenched free. “Did ye not hear what Edmund said? He described creatures like the demon who attacked my family. If I’m right, they feast on humans. I’ve seen it. We don’t stand a chance.”
“Is this true?” Jamie said
Cora’s chest heaved as she struggled to breathe.
“We mustn’t panic,” Alex said.
Cora fought for calm. Still, her mind raced. She reached out and fell into Alex’s open arms. He touched her cheek. “Everything is going to be alright. I promise ye.”
She looked up into his mismatched eyes and whispered, “Ye don’t believe that.”
*
“Keep the line moving,” Alex shouted to the villagers filing into the courtyard. “Fergus, get those people moving. Everyone must be within the inner wall before sundown.”
Fergus nodded. Then he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Ye heard our laird. Make haste.”
“Alex,” Jamie called as he crossed the courtyard. “The watch is set on the outer wall. The garrison is also in place, and the great hall has been cleared, ready for the villagers if the outer wall is breeched.”
Cora shook her head. “’Tis a waste of time.”
“What do ye suggest?” Alex said, stepping forward.
Their pounding hearts mingled with her own heartbeat, blaring above the din of villagers and the call of birds crossing the evening sky. “Enough,” she shouted, blocking her ears with her hands. Her canines sharpened. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Alex’s brows drawn with concern and the naked fear weighing down Jamie’s fine features. Sweat beaded her forehead, and stung her eyes. But she did not care. Power surged through her. Her finger grazed the points of her now razor sharp teeth. She was no simple maid. Speed and strength lived within her body. Throwing back her shoulders, she turned and looked Alex straight on. “I will not hide.”
“Are ye suggesting we ride out to meet them?” Alex asked.
“I ride alone.” She turned on her heel and headed toward the stables.
Alex grabbed her arm and spun her around. “Ye will not.”
Cora took a deep breath. “We must do what is best for the people and keep the enemy as far away from Sonas as we can.”
“Ye’re not going anywhere without me,” he said.
“Where are ye going?” Jamie asked, coming up behind them.
“I’m riding out to meet the enemy,” Cora said.
Alex frowned at
her. “We’re riding out.”
Jamie crossed his arms over his chest. “If ye’re going, then so am I.”
“Ye’re not,” Alex said. “Cora has told ye what hunts her. I’ll not have your blood on my head. Ye’ll do as I’ve ordered and remain behind. I am your laird.”
Jamie planted his feet wide. “True that, but ye’re also the closest thing I have to a brother. In your own brother’s absence, I will stand by your side.”
Alex’s thoughts turned to Murdock. Wherever his brother was, Alex could only pray he was far from MacKenzie land.
“What we face isn’t human,” he said, gripping Jamie’s shoulders. “I do not believe our blades will be of much use.”
“Ye’ll be like children, brandishing wooden sticks,” Cora said.
Both men turned to look at her. She could smell their fear.
She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. Then she moved to stand before Alex. She took his hands in hers and brought them to her lips. “Please stay,” she implored. “’Tis me he wants.”
“Ye already know my answer. Ye’re my wife. I will protect ye.”
“Protect me?” she said, backing away. “I could kill both of ye right now before either of ye had time to unsheathe your blades. And I am no match for what comes this way. Ye’ll be lambs to the slaughter.
“Then I shall die,” Alex snapped, closing the distance between them. He reached out and cupped her cheek, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Ye’ll not face this foe alone.”
She shook her head. “There are worst fates than death.”
“And I would accept them all if it meant protecting ye.”
She wanted to fight his honor, but she knew the only thing more hopeless than her effort to change his mind was the prospect of any of them surviving the night.
Cora turned from Alex and tried to reason with Jamie. “If Alex will not stay, ye must. He will need ye to lead in his stead.”
“Nice try,” he said. “There is naught ye can say to make me back down.”
She looked into his dark blue eyes. His blond hair was pulled back and tied at the nape of his neck. She closed her eyes and listened to his racing heart.
Highland Shadows (Beautiful Darkness Series Book 1) Page 10
