Highland Blood (The Celtic Blood Series Book 2)

by Melanie Karsak

  “Thank you,” I whispered in her ear. “For everything.”

  “If you need anything, we are always here for you.”

  I nodded then turned to Madelaine.

  “I’ll need to say good-bye to Sid,” I told her.

  Madelaine nodded. “She went back to her house. I’ll let Epona know we are planning to leave.”

  “I’ll get Kelpie ready. I’m sure he’ll be keen to ride.”

  “Thank you, Uald,” I said, setting my hand on her shoulder.

  I turned then and crossed the square to Sid’s little house. I knocked lightly on the door.

  “Come,” she called. She was already packing up my old things. “We stored your belongings here,” Sid said. “I looked after them.”

  I nodded then sat down on Sid’s bed. I gently touched the hem of one of my old dresses. So much life had passed. Six years. How had that happened? I sighed heavily.

  “That sigh says a lot of things,” Sid commented. “I’d sigh too if I had to get married.”

  “And to the wrong man, nonetheless.”

  “You are lucky to have so many to choose from.”

  “Am I? Soon I’ll be in Moray counting bricks on the wall.”

  “You will be in charge of the women. You can force them to like you.”

  “Am I so awful that I need to force people to like me?”

  “Yes, but at least you will have the power to do so.”

  I smiled. “Be careful or I may just force you to come with me.”

  “If only I could. The wrong man, eh?”

  “Wrong man. Wrong title. Wrong lands. Wrong, wrong, wrong. So much is wrong here, Sid.”

  “One man is as good as another.”

  “You don’t really believe that.”

  “The only difference from one man to the other is the color of his hair.”

  “You have a poor opinion of men.”

  Sid stilled then turned and looked at me. “Shouldn’t you?”

  I stared at her. Did she know?

  “Nadia,” Sid said gently. “The fey saw.”

  I felt like someone had wrapped their hands around my throat. Terrible shame swept over me, but then that shame turned to anger. Why should I feel disgraced because of the evil in others? “The fey should not gossip other’s sorrows.”

  “It was not gossip. They were afraid for you. They have foreseen…life springing forth in you.”

  “Yes.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Take my new husband to bed as soon as I can force myself to do so, give the innocent flowers growing inside me a respectable family name, then avenge myself when the time comes.”

  “I have taken that offence more times than I care to say.”

  “He will pay.”

  “May the Morrigu let it be so,” Sid said then smiled at me. “You will be a mother.”

  I nodded as I studied my friend. I remembered what Epona had told me when I first came to the coven, that Sid had a child that lived amongst the fey…or so Epona believed. And worse still, I remember what Epona had said about the child Sid had killed in her madness after being sexually violated. “Sid…” I began, but I didn’t know what to say.

  She exhaled deeply then shook her head. “You are stronger than I am. You will be fine.”

  “What of your child?” I asked her. “Does your second child live?”

  She nodded. “My sweet boy. He’s nearly ten now and more fey than human,” she said then shrugged. “Even in the unexpected, we can find blessings.” She handed me my bag. I heaved it over my shoulder, and we turned and went outside.

  Thora ran across the square and joined me.

  Madelaine, Epona, and Uald were waiting with the horses, which were already saddled.

  Aridmis crossed the coven square and took my hand. “All seems dark now,” she told me, “but the clouds will pass. I’ve seen it in the stars.”

  “Thank you, dear sister,” I told her.

  Bride, too, waited for me. She handed me a bundle. “Honey cakes. It is a long ride to Moray.”

  I kissed her on both cheeks. “Thank you, Mother.”

  “I hope I will see you again in this life. If not, I’ll find you in the next,” Bride told me.

  I inclined my head to her.

  Druanne, who looked like she was smothering her jealousy, nodded to me. “Farewell, Gruoch.”

  “Druanne,” I replied stiffly then turned from her to look once more at Sid.

  “Don’t leave me alone. Please come and see me,” I told her.

  Sid nodded. “I will. Don’t worry. We’ll be together again. All of us.” She pulled me into an embrace.

  I felt tears threaten, but I choked them back.

  I let her go then and went to Kelpie.

  Uald helped me mount my horse. “Farewell,” she told me. “May she ever keep you safe,” she added, patting the scabbard.

  “Thank you, Uald.”

  She nodded.

  Once I was mounted, Epona came to me. “Remember your promise?”

  “I remember.”

  “Fair travels,” she said then let me go. “May the Mother Goddess watch over you.”

  “And you.”

  I smiled at Sid once more then tapped on the reins. Kelpie turned and we followed Madelaine out of the coven. I was leaving to wed, not Banquo, not my raven-haired man, but a complete stranger.

  Chapter 4

  It had been awhile since I’d been on horseback, in Madelaine’s company, or amongst normal, common people. I wondered how the world had changed. From what I’d seen so far, it was much the same. Men were as violent as ever, and my country was ruled by cutthroats. I stared at Madelaine’s back as we rode into the forest. My mind felt like it was breaking apart at the seams. More than anything, all I wanted to do was run off and find Banquo. But six years was a long time. Surely he would have given up on me by now. Once more, I was the daughter of Boite, niece of the king of Scotland, and he’d commanded my marriage to Gillacoemgain of Moray. The raven in me wanted to defy them all. The spirit of Boudicca decried the outrage. And I nursed an awkward ache between my thighs and wondered about the children growing inside me. None of this felt real or true. In less than ten moons, I would be a mother. I had been a poor girl violated in the rain, and as a result, I would now raise my cousin’s children. Where was the justice in that? And even worse, I questioned myself: was there any difference between being assaulted and whoring myself to Gillacoemgain of Moray? I wasn’t sure. Nothing made sense.

  Madelaine chatted as we rode through the woods. She told me about the entourage waiting for me. She also spoke of her new husband who, she said, praised her constantly. I could barely focus on her words. I set my hand on my stomach and tried to feel the life inside me. I felt different but no more than that strange sense of change. I knew I was pregnant. I’d seen the child in my vision. But Epona, whose prophecies were never wrong, had said I would bear twins. If so, why had I only seen one child?

  “Madelaine?” I heard Tavis’ familiar voice call.

  “We’re here,” Madelaine told me.

  So soon? Lost in my thoughts, I’d barely noticed the passage of time. Perhaps my body was not yet in tune with the world of the living after all.

  “Gruoch,” Tavis called, smiling with welcome. “More beautiful than ever.”

  “Merry met,” I told him.

  He saddled his horse quickly, and we all set off once more.

  Memories flooded my mind as we rode back to the castle. It seemed like yesterday that we’d travelled this path together. I was too naive then. I knew nothing of the world that lay beyond the castle walls. Now, I had felt a dark goddess’ hand on my throat, travelled to the other world, and I was one of the Wyrd Sisters. Me. More than that, I was a killer. But I didn’t regret what I had done to Alister. I was relieved to know I would never have to lay eyes on him again.

  As we rode over the knoll toward the castle, a strange sensation overcame me. The person who�
�d lived behind those walls was dead now. The innocent girl who’d worried about her embroidery was lost. The castle looked smaller, and grimier, than I remembered. It paled in comparison with Ynes Verleath’s decayed beauty.

  The field outside the castle was full of tents that flew the banners of Moray. Farmers and tradesmen selling their wares intermingled amongst the strangers. The familiar stench of roasting meat and ale filled the air. I choked the anxiety that rose up in me as I thought of the ale hall and the men. Alister, I reminded myself, was gone. And I was no longer a girl who would sit idly by and watch. I hoped Gillacoemgain of Moray was prepared to wed a woman who would speak her mind. And if not, it mattered little to me, I would speak anyway.

  Tavis led us through the front gate. I dismounted from Kelpie.

  “I’ll see to it that he has his old stall. No doubt he’ll be anxious to meet the new herd,” Tavis told me, taking charge of my steed.

  I patted Kelpie on the neck then handed my bags to the fleet of servants who’d met Madelaine and me at the door.

  “So where is my fiancé?” I asked.

  “Most likely in conference with my husband. They will give you a chance to freshen up before you make his acquaintance,” Madelaine replied.

  I rolled my eyes. Wonderful. Just what I needed, a man who expected me to look like a pampered pet.

  Madelaine then led me to a room on the opposite end of the castle from where both she and I used to stay. “We’ll leave old memories on the other end of the castle,” Madelaine said, opening the door to one of the large guest chambers. The room was airy and nicely decorated. Bright tapestries covered the walls. A fire was burning, and a wash tub had already been set out.

  “I took the liberty of having a few dresses made for you.”

  “Thank you,” I said absently as I eyed the place. “It’s all so lovely.”

  “Gruoch…I am sure you feel very strange being here. I know you are unhappy. When I was wed to Alister—”

  “Please. No. Think nothing of it. It is only the strangeness I feel after my time in the otherworld.”

  “Epona said you were with the Wyrds,” Madelaine said, her forehead furrowing. “Such a dark place. Such dark magic,” she whispered. “That look on your face in Uald’s smithy. It reminded me of something that happened the night Alister had died. I heard…I heard a raven.”

  I shook my head as if to say I didn’t want to speak of it.

  Understanding, Madelaine nodded.

  A moment later there was a knock on the door.

  “My Lady? We’re here to assist Lady Gruoch if she’s ready?”

  Madelaine raised an eyebrow at me.

  I nodded.

  “Come,” Madelaine called. “I’ll go now and make myself suitable. Someone will come from the hall to fetch you.”

  I nodded again.

  “So pleased to have you home,” she whispered once more, kissing my cheeks. “Even if just for a couple of days!”

  I smiled. Madelaine was as bright and cheery as ever. It was hard to feel sullen around her.

  She left me then with a fleet of serving women who set about heating my bathwater. They perfumed the bath with something that smelled of roses. The hot water sent spirals of steam up in the cool air.

  When they moved to take my clothes off, however, I stopped them.

  “No, I’ll see to it myself.”

  “Are you sure, My Lady? We always help your aunt.”

  “Yes. I’m certain.”

  With that, the women left me.

  I pulled off my gown, dropping the sweaty garment on the floor, and lowered myself into the warm tub. The ladies had left all manners of combs, creams, and oils beside the wash basin. I took my time, feeling the water.

  “Wash away the terror,” I said, dripping water over my skin. “Let my heart be light again. Let my heart be free again.”

  Once I was clean, I rose and rubbed my limbs with the perfumed oils. I then sat down before the looking glass and brushed out my long, dark hair, braiding it from the temples. I affixed it with a silver comb sitting on my dresser. I then slipped on a purple gown I found in my wardrobe. When Madelaine said she’d had a few dresses prepared, she wasn’t joking. The wardrobe was full. The purple dress was much the same color as the clothes I’d worn in Ynes Verleath. When I was finally done, I studied myself in the looking glass. I had been transformed. Cerridwen was gone. Once more, I was the daughter of Boite. And when I looked at my reflection, I saw my father in my features: dark hair, heather-colored eyes. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, calling up the deep well of energy inside me. I just brushed its surface, and from it, I took strength. Opening my bag, I took out the raven amulet and torcs I’d found in Ynes Verleath and put them on. I turned then, not waiting for any royal summons, and headed downstairs to meet the man who would usurp Banquo’s love and title.

  Chapter 5

  I travelled down the familiar hallways to the first floor of the castle. Once more, the ale hall was brimming with rowdy laughter and loud talk. But something was different. The scene inside was nothing like the drunken Sodom and Gomora that Alister had preferred. Instead, I found nicely dressed gentleman and ladies seated at the table. The fire burned cheerfully. Bread and wine heaped the table, but the meat had not yet been served. Had they been waiting for me? As well, the men who’d become such a familiar part of Alister’s household were missing. Instead, I was greeted by the eyes of strangers. From their dress, I understood that these were the men of Fife, Madelaine’s new husband, and of Moray, my fiancé. The room fell silent when I walked into the hall.

  “Gruoch?” Tavis called. He’d been standing beside the fireplace smoking a pipe and looking noticeably relaxed. It seemed that having Alister gone had brought relief to many.

  Tavis crossed the room quickly and took my arm. “They didn’t announce you.”

  “I know. I wanted to catch them off guard. Which is he?”

  “Standing. End of the table,” he said but turned me in a different direction. “My Lord of Fife,” Tavis called, escorting me across the hall to a white-haired gentleman with a kind smile, short beard, and twinkling blue eyes. The man’s stomach ballooned over his belt. “May I introduce the Lady Gruoch?”

  I kept my gaze on the Thane of Fife, but flicked my eyes just once to the tall man standing at the end of the table. He was watching me intently but said nothing. Madelaine was right. He was handsome. In the least, there was that. But he was not Banquo.

  “My Lady!” the Thane said in surprise, reaching out to take my hand. “We would have sent a page for you. We thought to give you more time after your long journey.”

  “I’ve little use for waiting around,” I replied.

  The Thane looked taken aback by my words, but then he grinned. “So, you are like your aunt after all. I warned Moray that the line of MacAlpin didn’t breed wilting flowers.”

  “Gruoch?” I heard Madelaine call from behind me. She crossed the room to meet me. “How wonderful. I was just about to send someone to fetch you,” Madelaine said, taking me from Tavis who stepped dutifully away.

  “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my uncle,” I told the Thane. “The serenity of my aunt’s smile has led me to be predisposed toward you already.”

  Madelaine’s new husband smiled. “Well, I hope I can put a smile on your lovely face as well.”

  By the old gods, I hated courtly pleasantries. “I’m certain there is another gentleman in attendance that will vie for that right?” I said then cast a glance around.

  The assembled audience giggled.

  I scanned the room until my eyes fell on Moray. He stepped away from the end of the table and moved toward me. He was older than me, perhaps thirty-five years in age, but by no means old. He had squinting eyes and a rugged, square jaw. His tanned face spoke of days in the sun. He was clean shaven and dressed in a handsome dark green tunic, the blue and green cloth of Moray, and recently-shined riding boots. Had he dressed up in anticipation of meet
ing me?

  “It is my hope to best you, Fife, for the smile on this Lady’s face,” he said.

  Remembering my manners, I curtsied to him.

  “I am Gillacoemgain of Moray, Lady.”

  “I am glad that you are, or I would have offended my betrothed by falling in love with your countenance,” I replied. Play the game. I had to play the game.

  Gillacoemgain laughed quietly, his stance relaxing. “Well, I’m glad it pleases you. I see you take after your lovely aunt.”

  Gillacoemgain was playing the game too. I smiled. He was charming. I could deal with a charming man.

  I inclined my head to him.

  Fife clapped his hands happily. “Well done. Well done. Now that our fair ladies are here, let’s have music and wine. What do you say, Moray?”

  Gillacoemgain nodded.

  A servant came forward and led Gillacoemgain and me to seats at the head of the table.

  The hall erupted with the sound of flutes and lyres. The music was soft and sweet. Fife must have brought his own musicians with him. The servants from the kitchen, most of whom I recognized, began moving quickly about carrying large trays of food.

  “How was your journey from the nunnery?” Gillacoemgain asked me then. He lifted the wine carafe and poured me a glass.

  “Without consequence,” I replied.

  He smiled then, causing a dimple to form on his left cheek. He chuckled to himself.

  “Something amusing?” I asked, sitting back into my chair.

  Gillacoemgain shook his head. “No. It’s only…I was told you’ve lived at the nunnery for several years. I expected a churchish girl. I was worried that you wouldn’t fare well in Moray where the weather can be harsh. I see now my fears were unfounded. You take after your uncle.”

  “I’ll assume you mean that as a compliment,” I said, lifting my glass of wine.

  Gillacoemgain laughed. “Oh, well, now I see the family resemblance even more clearly.” He clinked his glass of wine against mine.

  When Gillacoemgain drank, I set down my cup and waved to a servant I recognized.