by Cherron Riser, Ashley Nicole Davis, Tara Ann Moore, & Taylor Lexus Brown
I couldn’t remember the last time I looked upon Foulis Castle. From what I had heard, the castle was still occupied by members of the family, human members who were adopted in over time. Of course, the current owner and occupier was a distant descendant but family all the same. I only hoped she would believe me when I told her who I was and allow me to stay. There were things within the castle I needed. Secrets no one had been allowed to know about.
Walking to the front door, I knocked, hearing the echo of it sounding through the old stone walls. So much had changed over the years, but yet it was still the same. It was still my home.
An older man opened the door, giving me a bit of a nasty look. “May I help you?”
“I’m sorry. I know this may be rather inconvenient, but my name is Liam Munro. I was hoping to speak with the mistress of the house. It is very important,” I answered, letting my old accent slip back into place as if it had never left me.
The old man gave me a curious look and then peered behind me to see Sparrow. “Please wait here. She does not usually receive guests today. I will see how she feels about this surprise.”
The man closed the door and left us waiting on the steps. “Well, he seems friendly.” Sparrow giggled from behind me.
I arched a brow at her and grinned. “He is just doing his job. They don’t know me. I haven’t been here at all during the time they have been alive. I could be anyone for all he knows.”
Sparrow just chuckled more as we waited. A few minutes later, the door opened again and the man showed us in. Nothing inside was the same, which was probably for the best. I didn’t think I wanted to see my old home in all its former glory. It would have felt too real. As it was, memories were already starting to pour in.
He led us through the great hall and into the sitting room. Above the mantel was a portrait of my father and myself standing in our tartans, proud and strong. “Her lady is not feeling well, but she said if you are who you say you are, then you may stay as long as you like. My name is Rodrick. I will be happy to help you with anything you may need.” The man looked up at the portrait and then back at me, nodding his head with recognition.
“Oh my Goddess, Liam, that is you. You don’t look any different.” Sparrow moved over to the mantel and reached out for the painting. The shock on her face made me smile. It was one thing to hear the story. It was quite another to see proof.
“That portrait was done right before I got married to Spearwa. I am surprised it has lasted all this time. After Gwyneira’s family attacked us and the village that surrounded us, we were hunted down. There was so much death and destruction. I blamed myself for a long time, and maybe I was to some extent at fault. But it wasn’t all me, and it certainly wasn’t because I chose love. I have never seen hate like I do when I look at Gwyneira, and that isn’t something we need in our lives,” I answered, looking around the room. My father had loved this room. We would sit here and talk all the time. Now it felt foreign to me.
“I feel bad for her. She feels betrayed, and maybe she had hopes for what the two of you would have. Maybe she needed the hate. I don’t know, but I do feel bad for her. I wish there was something we could do to help her.” That powerful heart of hers made me love her that much more. I hadn’t told Sparrow those words. It was far too early to say them, but I felt them. In time, I hoped she would feel them too.
“If there was a way, I promise you, I would do it. Now come on. We have had a long trip. Let’s get some rest, and then we can plan for what comes next.” I gave her a kiss and then led her out of the room. Rodrick was waiting for us and showed us to a bedroom we could use. I thanked him again, grateful to have someone to help me.
