"Serena, she's gone," Gavin said, touching her shoulder. She shoved his hand away. "Nay, she's not! It's like the house fire. She'll be fine." Serena pulled her mother's limp body to her chest and wrapped her arms around her, but there was no heart beating against her. No warm breath leaving her nose or mouth. "Mither, wake up. Ye canna leave me. Not like this. Wake up!" She rocked back and forth, cradling her mother's body.
When no response came, her situation began to take root in Serena's mind and heart. She let out a deep wail that ripped through the air and lingered like a gut wrenching tide. "Nay! Ye canna leave me all alone!"
Gavin felt like he'd failed Serena. The way she had looked at him before she came to realize the truth, pierced him through the heart like a dagger, thrusting him each time she cried out in pain. He tried to comfort her, but she rejected him. Unable to leave her, he sat by Serena's side, grieving in silence with her.
Not far away, Quinn leaned over Beacon trying to wake him, but his wee lungs hadn't been able to handle the smoke. When the giant finally realized his friend would never wake again, he let out a long moan that shook the ground beneath them.
Birkita broke through a crowd of people and dropped by his side, wrapping her thin arms around his huge, awkward frame. "I'm here, Quinn. Ye're not alone."
"Birkita?" Quinn looked up, his face wet with tears.
"Aye, it's me." Birkita wiped a lock of brown hair from Quinn's forehead and pressed his round cheeks between her palms. "Beacon is no longer suffering. What ye did was brave— more so than any noble knight I've ever read about."
"He's gone!" Quinn took her in his arms and buried his face against her shoulder. Birkita's long hair hid his grieving expression as she stroked his head like a child.
"Lock him up!" The King pointed at the town magistrate. "I want a full investigation conducted on the seizure of Braigh Castle, the crimes against the villagers, and the murder of this innocent woman." He gestured to Evelina.
The King's men grabbed the magistrate.
"It was all a mistake. I didn't know she was the wrong woman," the magistrate said.
"Did no one bother to look beneath her veil before you set the woman on fire?" The King raised his voice as he walked toward him. "Such negligence is unpardonable." The King braced his fists on his hips and whirled around to the crowd. "Is this murdering priest the only one involved?" He pointed at Devlin lying on the ground.
People stepped aside to reveal Father Kendrick, who linked his hands in front of him and bowed his head. Father George stood beside him, also bowing his head.
"Come forward. Both of you," the King commanded.
The priests inched toward the King as if they expected to be whipped.
"Was an exorcism attempted in this case? And on whom was it conducted?" the King asked.
"Father Broderwick tried to cast out a demon from Serena Boyd, the lass weeping over her dead mother." Father Kendrick pointed from Devlin to Serena.
"That's the girl's mother?" the King asked, raising a dark eyebrow. "How is it one cannot see the difference between the two? Did you help with this exorcism?"
"Not in the exorcism itself, but I was notified of her strange fits and stayed at Braigh Castle to observe her for a fortnight. After witnessing her fits, I wrote a report and recommended the demon to be cast from her. Father Broderwick is well known for his successful excorcisms."
"I want to see that report. Have it sent to me at Braigh Castle on the morrow," the King said.
"Permission to speak, Your Highness?" Gavin rose and bowed before the King.
"Granted."
"This man they call Father Broderwick was Develin Broderwick, an English subject. He was Serena's father and the husband of her mother, Evelina," Gavin said. "He had a personal grudge against them for leaving him."
"Interesting." The King laid a finger on his chin. "A married man who lied to the church to become a priest? Such an odd predicament. I'd like to hear the tale when I've more time. Right now, prepare the dead for burial, put out this inferno, and the rest of us will take our leave to Braigh Castle where more business is to be done."
Gavin and Bryce laid Evelina and Beacon on a wagon bed, while the town took care of Devlin's body. Serena sat beside her mother, and Quinn took his place on the other side of Beacon. Gavin drove the wagon with Akira sitting beside him. On the way back to Braigh Castle, no one spoke. The tense silence was hard to bear as Serena wept as quietly as she could. Once in a while her breath caught on a sigh and she'd cough, trying to catch her breath.
Iain warned the King of the steep incline so he made provisions to leave the royal carriage in town and mounted a horse. Now he, Iain, Birk, and Bryce rode ahead, leading the rest of the King's army, as well as the MacPhearsons and the MacKenzies.
When they arrived at the castle gate, Philip leaned against the gate for support. He peered through the black bars, straining to see. "Who goes there?"
"King James the Third of Scotland, if you please, and I accompany the rightful owner of Braigh Castle, Iain MacBraigh."
"Oh, the King and Iain, ye say?" Philip bowed in an awkward manner. "An' a whole army 'twould seem. Just a moment, yer Highness. My bones don't work as fast as they used to." Philip hobbled over and pulled on the rope that raised the gate inch by inch. It groaned and squealed. When it was high enough, they rode through.
Leith showed the men to the barracks. Birk and Bryce followed Iain and the King inside the castle. Gavin trailed behind the women, watching as Serena withdrew and appeared to move on instinct without any conscious thought. She wouldn't look at Gavin, which made him ache all the more for her.
Akira paused and turned, offering Serena a warm smile. She draped an arm over Serena's shoulders and led her down the dark hall. To Gavin's relief, Serena didn't refuse Akira as she had him. Mayhap Serena needed female company now that she'd lost her mother. Content that she would be fine in Akira's care, he moved on around them to catch up with the others.
Iain and the King stormed into the great hall. Startled, Lord Lennox bounced in his seat knocking over a chess piece. Realizing the King stood before him, the earl grunted as he stood in a bow. Lady Fiona gasped and rose. She curtsied, allowing her eyes to peer at her father as she adjusted her plaid skirts.
"Yer Highness, I wasn't expectin' ye," Lord Lennox said. "I suppose not since this isn't your rightful home. Braigh Castle and all its lands will be restored to Iain MacBraigh. He holds the original will. I've seen it with my own eyes. What you've produced for the town magistrate is false. I'm verra disappointed in you, Lord Lennox. I've a good mind to strip you of your title."
Alarm came to Hogan's eyes. He glanced at Iain and then Gavin. "There must be some mistake. Please . . . I haven't forged any documents."
"Be careful," the King's voice took on a hard edge. "I intend to have experts examine both documents and compare them to the signatures on other documents signed by Iain's uncle now in possession of the crown. Do you insist on digging deeper troubles?"
"Nay, of course not," Hogan said, bowing again. "But they haven't told ye everything. Iain's hiding a cave on the estate. It contains valuable diamonds that would be verra important to the crown." Hogan pointed at Iain. "He didn't want to pay taxes to the crown so he kept it a secret."
"I knew naught of it. Indeed, I thought it was a myth— some legend the villagers might have made up," Iain said. "If I'd have known, would I have not filled my coffers?"
"Lord Lennox, gather your things and be gone from here. I'd better not hear one more word concerning the ownership of this estate or you'll not only lose your title, but your lands. Your children will have no inheritance. Be gone within the hour." Lord Lennox and his daughter hurried to collect their belongings.
"Your Highness," Iain stepped forward. "We've reason to believe that Lord Lennox may have had men attack the villagers in an effort to frighten them."
"For what reason? What did he do?" the King asked.
"A lass was attacked and beaten, a cow butc
hered, and someone ran a burning wagon into the church Sunday morning while everyone was inside. While we've no proof, would an attempt to murder an entire village be worth a royal investigation? He would have stopped at naught to discover the cave's location." Iain glanced at Lord Lennox and back at the King.
"Indeed. Lock him up in the dungeon below. I'll have my men begin on the morrow." His Highness waved a hand at his men and turned to Iain. "Call your servants and have chambers readied for us." He stepped back and gestured to everyone else. "But even before we all rest, I'd like a warm meal. I've been traveling awhile and I'm hungry."
"Of course, I'll see to it posthaste." Iain strode away.
"What about Lady Fiona?" Gavin asked.
"She may be confined in a chamber upstairs until we can question her. One of my men will stand guard," the King said.
Serena stood with her hands linked in front of her and burst into tears. She looked down at the floor as her shoulders trembled. Gavin strode to her and tried to take her in his arms, but she stepped away.
Akira met his gaze over Serena's head, a look of sympathy in her eyes. Once again she wrapped her arm around Serena's shoulders and wasn't rejected as he'd been. "Come . . . show me yer chamber. We'll order a warm bath for ye. I know that cell was filthy."
Serena sniffled. "My mither shared my chamber while she was healing from the first fire." Her voice broke again.
Gavin turned away, unable to bear it. The women's soft footsteps faded across the great hall. Each step compounded his grief and vexation. He paced in a circle, rubbing the back of his neck. "I need to make sure they remember to take a tray up to Serena."
"And one for Akira as well," Bryce said. "I doubt she'll leave Serena's side this night."
"Nay, I wouldn't want her to." Gavin stroked his chin. "If she'll not allow me to comfort her, then I pray she would at least let Akira keep her company."
"Son, the lass only needs some time," Birk said. "She'll be back to herself again after she grieves. Besides the death of her mither, she's been through a terrible ordeal."
"I know, Da." Gavin closed his eyes. "But what concerns me is that she might blame me. How can she forgive me for being there and not saving her mither?"
Serena woke to the sounds of a maid building a peat fire in the hearth. The scent of burning wood revived her senses, reminding her of a new day, God's gift of a fresh beginning. Her mother used to say that God's mercy was new every morning.
Her mother!
How could the smell of burning wood be welcome after what her mother had endured? Despair consumed her, sinking Serena into a pit of devastation. An image of her mother's smiling face came to mind as she had sat by the fire beside Gunna in their comfortable cottage, listening to her read The Canterbury Tales. She'd never see them again, hear their encouraging voices, share a warm and comforting embrace. An empty ache pressed against her until she turned her face into the pillow, desperate to drive the horrible feeling away. She moaned against the pain, drowning in distress.
Her stomach lurched in protest, and Serena laid her hand upon the area as if to smooth it down. Memories of yesterday flooded her mind barring any escape. Sickness claimed her. Having skipped the midday meal yesterday and dinner last night, there was naught to release, only the churning of a restless soul and a rolling stomach.
She leaned over the bed, the dry heaves making her weak until she wished she could vomit and be done with it.
"Oh, I'm sorry to wake ye, miss," said Mary, the maid.
Serena couldn't find her voice to greet Mary. She crawled out of bed and sank to the floor, still heaving. Her mouth watered, but naught came to the surface. Tears filled her eyes. What a wretched existence she had now that Gunna and her mother were gone.
"Lass, are ye ill?" The maid ran to her and bent down.
"Serena?" Akira stirred from sleep and moaned. Sitting up, she stretched a hand out feeling the empty space.
"I'm afraid she's verra ill," Mary said.
Akira rubbed her tired eyes, threw the covers back, and knelt by Serena's side. "Quick, some water!" She pointed to the basin.
"Aye, that should 'elp," Mary said.
"Mayhap, yer stomach is revolting at being so empty." Akira wrapped her arms around Serena. "Ye're naught but bones to begin with."
Serena couldn't answer, as trembles quaked through her. Under Devlin's merciless care, she'd been starved and her mind oppressed. Losing a bit of weight had been the least of her worries.
Fresh tears flooded her eyes and she sank back on the bed, rocking. She deserved no sympathy, no kindness. Serena had allowed her mother to take her place. If she had not agreed to trade places, her mother would still be alive. Nay, she was a rotten daughter.
Akira lifted a goblet of water to her lips. Serena turned her head, content to remain miserable. "Please . . . 'twill help. It breaks my heart to see ye this way."
Gavin's sister was too kind. Ever since she'd arrived, Akira had stayed by her side encouraging her to keep going. She took care of her needs as if she were a child. Serena no longer cared about her own comfort, but she still cared about those around her—Gavin and his family. Out of respect for them, she sipped, not wishing to be a further burden.
The cool water smoothed her parched throat so she drank more, suddenly craving it. The liquid swirled in her belly and settled down with each breath she took. Her lungs were sore from all the smoke she had breathed yesterday.
"There, is that better?" Akira asked.
Serena nodded, not yet trusting her voice.
Akira turned to Mary. "Go to the kitchen and ask the cook for some fresh warm milk with a dash of ginger. Tell her it's for Serena's hurting stomach."
"Aye, I'll do it right away." Mary bobbed her head and hurried from the chamber.
"Do ye have enough energy to sit by the fire? There's a wee chill in the room and ye look cold." Akira touched Serena's arm.
"To tell the truth, I don't know if I'll ever want to see another fire again." Serena leaned on her palm. She used her other hand to shove her tangled hair from her face.
Akira smiled. "I'd feel the same way if I were ye. However, our whole lives are built around the warmth of a fire. Try to think on good thoughts the fireplace used to bring before yesterday. The sooner ye get over this, the better. We canna have ye freezing all winter. It simply won't do, lass." Akira covered her hand with her warm one and tightened her hold with encouragement.
"That's what happened this morning. I woke to the wonderful smell of the fire, and I was happy—because for a moment I'd forgotten. I could understand if it had been a fortnight, or mayhap a month, but she only perished yesterday. Her burial hasn't even taken place yet." She looked away and wiped her eyes. "One would think I'd run out of tears by now."
"Serena, I'm no stranger to grief. While both my parents still live, I've lost a brother, one in the prime of his youth. I thought he'd died by my hand. We were sword playing, and I accidentally stabbed him. I know firsthand the guilt ye're feeling. Yer grief will take time, but yer ability to wake up this morning with such a bright outlook is a promise, a slight glimpse of the happiness that is still available in yer future if ye're willing to grieve and then heal."
"No wonder yer brother thinks so highly of ye. He's told me much about ye." Serena attempted to smile through her tears. Her chest felt like it would soon burst with all the pressure building inside.
"I've missed him, both he and Leith." Fondness lit Akira's eyes.
"How did ye know I was referring to Gavin?" Serena asked.
"Because Gavin's last seven letters have all been about ye. Leith rarely writes me, and when he does, I get a few sentences. Gavin is thoughtful enough to write me pages."
Highland Sanctuary Page 32
