by Victoria Zak
“How? Do ye have a plan? Because every nook and crevice in the castle is heavily guarded.”
“Aye, but if we dinnae leave, I’m afraid by morn the witch hunters will come. I saw a map in the solar. If we head west, we’ll have a chance. Clan Gunn’s land has a wide reach and we can no’ go south.”
“Aye,” Adaira agreed. “I might be able to help.”
Masie followed Adaira into the bedchamber. “We’ll need our horses. We can no outrun the guards on foot. There’s too many of them.”
“The trick will be making it to the stable without getting caught.”
Adaira ripped the furs from the window.
“What are ye doing?” Masie asked as she donned her cloak.
“Escaping.”
“From the window?” Masie thought it the daftest idea she’d heard. “We’ll fall to our death. I dinnae think Leana is well enough to travel, let alone climb a ladder up a castle wall.”
“Sister, I’ll be fine.” The sound of Leana’s voice made Masie’s breath hitch.
“Leana.” She rushed to her sister, hugging her. “I’ve been so worried about ye. Ye haven’t said a word since—” Masie paused, not wanting old memories to surface and cause Leana to slip back into shock.
“Oh, my sweet Masie.” Leana tightened her arms around her. It was just then Masie knew she had her sister back. “I’m ready to leave this place.”
Adaira put her hands on her hips. “How do ye expect us to escape? By walking out the front door?”
“Do ye have a better idea?” Masie spouted.
“Remember the ladder I told ye about?” Adaira asked.
“Aye.”
“The only other way out of the castle is through the battlements. The other night I climbed the ladder and found what I think is a secret passage out.”
Masie had a difficult time trusting Adaira’s plan, but she knew she was right. She’d lost control of her anger and jeopardized their safety. She’d accept her sister’s plan.
Masie walked over to the window, observing the thin ledge. Maiden, Mother, Crone. “If ye think ’tis best, then I’ll do it.” “Masie, whatever happens, promise me ye’ll never look back. Keeping running.”
She shook her head, for she couldn’t swallow past the nervous lump in her throat.
Adaira leapt up on the window ledge, then faced Masie. “And dinnae look down.” She winked.
Masie rolled her eyes. When she couldn’t see Adaira anymore, Masie followed her sister’s lead. Before she took the first step off the window ledge, she glanced at Leana. Her sister smiled, encouraging her. Masie looked up and climbed on the ladder, following Adaira up the wall.
The wind blew, her cloak snapping in the air. Masie fought the urge to look down. Aye, she was immortal and the fall wouldn’t kill her, but she’d feel every broken bone in her body. She’d never experienced anything of that nature and wasn’t going to start tonight.
Adaira finally reached the battlements. Masie caught up with her. One more step and she could reach her sister’s hand.
“Make haste, Masie,” Adaira called out.
She climbed the last step and reached up, barely brushing the tips of Adaira’s fingers. “I can no’ reach.”
“Keep trying, Masie.” Adaira encouraged. “We dinnae have time to waste.”
As she tried again, her foot slipped and she lost her grip. Chunks of rock crumbled from the wall as she held on with one hand. Terrified, her body swayed, her feet dangling. Masie peered down—she was going to die.
“Masie, grab my hand!”
With all her might, Masie swung her body back against the wall and desperately tried to reach her sister’s hand, praying she wouldn’t end up falling. In one swift motion, Masie felt herself being pulled up and over the battlement wall.
“Masie, dinnae ever scare me like that again.” Adaira hugged her sister.
“Dinnae fash yerself. I’ll never climb a castle wall again.”
“Dinnae worry,” Leana called out sarcastically as she heaved herself up and over the wall. “I dinnae need any help.”
Once all three girls were safely on the battlements, Adaira led them to a door. She opened it, revealing a narrow stairwell that twisted down into the darkness. “Masie, ye go first.”
Masie’s eyes widened. “Why?”
“Ye would rather stay here and burn?” Adaira bit back.
Masie shook her head. Adaira pushed her forward. Every step she took felt like she was descending into a black pit. Usually, she’d be able to see in the dark, but her nerves were besting her. If they were caught…she shook the thought free.
She swatted at cobwebs, held her breath through the dank smell of death, and jumped once or twice from something furry running across her foot. The stairs finally came to end. A wood door blocked their exit from the stairwell. Masie pushed and pushed, but the door wouldn’t budge. “The door is stuck.”
“It must open,” Adaira said as she pushed on the door with Massie.
With all their might, the three sisters forced it open. They tumbled through it, landing on the ground. Masie gasped, her eyes widened as she saw where they were. Waves crashed into the cliffs, spraying sea water into the air. One more step forward and she would be swimming with the fish.
She retreated from the edge. “That was close.”
“We need to keep moving.” Adaira grabbed Masie’s arm, helping her up.
“Aye,” Masie agreed. “From what I can recall from the map, we’re on the east side of the castle.”
“Good. Keep to the shadows and follow me,” Adaira instructed.
With their backs flat against the castle wall, they made it unseen to the stables. The next challenge, getting by the guards.
Masie heard footsteps and men talking. “Shite, guards!”
Adaira pressed her finger to her lips. “Shh.” She held her arm against Masie’s chest, pushing her back as two guards passed by.
Masie’s heart was beating so fast she didn’t know how much more she could take.
“See the cart next to the tree?” Adair whispered.
Masie searched the area. “Aye.”
“If we hide there, we’ll be closer to the stables, but we’ll have to make a run for it.”
Masie nodded.
“Remember what I said?” Adaira asked.
“Dinnae look back. Keep moving.”
“Good. Now run.”
Masie hiked up her dress and took off in a full run. Her legs pumped faster and faster.
“Halt!” a guard shouted out.
Shite!
Masie looked back. The guard was following her. Keep running!
“Masie, go!” Adaira called out, gaining the attention of the guard.
As Masie looked back, horror ripped through her. The guard was now running after Adaira and Leana, heading in the opposite direction of the cart. Nay! Masie halted. They can no’ leave me. She began to run after them.
Someone grabbed her arm, keeping her from moving. “Come, child.”
Masie yanked free and when she looked up, saw it was the auld woman from the village. “I have to save them.”
“Nay, lass. Ye need to get to safety.”
“I must go after them.” The woman grabbed her around the waist, stopping her. “Yer sisters wanted ye safe. Why do ye think they drew the guard’s attention? Ye will no’ spoil their bravery.”
“Please, I have to go.” Masie fought the woman’s hold, but the sheer thought of her sisters in danger made her weak. “Adaira! Leana!” She screamed and reached out to them as the woman dragged her to the cart.
She lost sight of her sisters and she fell to the ground sobbing. What was she going to do without Adaira and Leana? What if they were fleeing right into the grasp of Cormag? Flooded by despair, she knew there was nothing she could do to help them.
“Hurry child, we must go.” The woman helped her up and Masie followed her to the cart.
She climbed into the back of the wooden cart and sat
on top of a pile of hay. She just hoped it wasn’t full of cow dung.
“Stay put or yer sisters’ effort will be for naught. Promise me ye will no’ try to escape.”
Too exhausted to move, Masie nodded.
“Good. Relax, child, everything will be well.” The woman gave her a smile.
Minutes later, the cart was rolling forward and she heard the woman click her tongue at her horse. She lay back in the hay, tears streaming down her face. “Why Adaira, why did ye leave me?” she sobbed. Would she ever see her again?
Masie curled into a ball, tugging her cloak around her cold body. She reached into the top of her dress and pulled out her mother’s brooch. She kissed the only thing she had left of her family, then squeezed the metal in her hand. “Maiden, Mother, Crone, please watch over Adaira and Leana.” She repeated her prayer over and over again until she fell asleep.
Chapter Twelve
Bhaltair sat in his chair behind his table with a heavy heart, holding a missive. He’d broken the seal moments ago and still couldn’t believe what he’d read. He leaned back and sighed. What was he going to do? Frankly, it was too early in the morn to be making such decisions. He scratched his chin and reread the missive, hoping by chance he’d missed something.
“Nay.” Bhaltair exhaled. “Murder?”
A knock at the door interrupted his thought.
Kerr entered the room. “Ye wanted to see me, Brother?”
“Aye, I’m afraid I’ve received some disturbing news.” Bhaltair stood and walked over to Kerr, handing him the missive.
Giving his brother a concerned look, Kerr took the missive.
Bhaltair walked to the window, looking across the bailey, waiting for his brother’s response.
“Shite. Murder?”
“Aye,” Bhaltair said. “According to Laird Keith, Masie and her sisters are wanted for questioning in the murder of his son. Does no’ look good for the girls.”
Kerr dropped the parchment on the desk. “What are ye going to do?”
“If we dinnae return the Keith girls willingly, they’ll come and take them by force.”
“Another war.”
“Aye,” Bhaltair exhaled.
Kerr shook his head.” Something does no’ feel right. Masie couldn’t be capable of murder.”
Surprised by his statement, Bhaltair glanced at his brother. “Ye’ve had a change of heart?”
“I can no’ explain it. Masie’s—”
“An angel.”
“Aye.”
“Ye dinnae have to tell me. I felt her magic, too. I couldn’t be more proud than to have Masie Keith as part of our family.”
Kerr swallowed. “Och, I’m no’ talking about forever.”
Bhaltair grinned. “I know. But I’ve seen how she looks at ye. If ye dinnae make an honest lass out of her, I will.”
“So what are ye going to do?”
“I’ve sent Liam to fetch the girls. I want to hear their side of the story.”
“And if Masie or one of her sisters murdered Laird Keith’s son, what shall we do?”
Liam rushed into the solar. “My laird.” He bowed.
“Aye?”
“The Keith girls are gone.”
“What do ye mean, gone?” Kerr advanced on Liam and grabbed a handful of his tunic. “What did ye do?”
“Nothing. I swear on my father’s grave. I was asked to fetch the girls and when I went to their bedchamber, they were gone. I had the rest of the men search the castle. ’Tis like they vanished.”
Kerr let go of Liam’s tunic. “Bhaltair, we must find Masie before Laird Keith does.”
“Aye. Gather yer men. We’ll ride out together.”
With haste, Kerr left the solar with Liam. Bhaltair grabbed his sword and followed behind. For his brother’s sake, they had to find Masie. There had to be an explanation. He just hoped she was innocent, for war was about to break out.
Chapter Thirteen
The cart jostled and jumped over uneven ground, waking Masie as she hit her head on a trunk. How long had she slept? Masie sat up, trying to figure out where the woman was traveling to. With speed, the cart wove through the trees as the auld woman raced her horses through the thick vegetation. Barely missing a low laying branch, Masie ducked and closed her eyes tight. Maiden, Mother, Crone! The woman’s trying to kill me.
The horses slowed down and Masie drew in a breath of relief. She opened her eyes. They were in the middle of the glen, and not a soul was in sight.
“Whoa, beasties,” the woman called out.
Pulling straw from her hair, Masie sat on her knees, ready to get out of the rickety cart. Her head pounded from being thrown around. Mentally, she vowed never to ride with the auld woman again.
“Welcome home.”
Cautiously, Masie stepped out and followed the woman into a cottage. Once inside, the small space seemed quite cozy. A black pot hung over a fire pit in the middle of the room. Two chairs and a table were off to the side and a pallet arranged in the corner.
“Is this yer home?” Masie asked.
“Nay, ’tis yers.”
Masie looked around. “I can no’ stay here. I must find my sisters.”
“Sit.” The woman pointed at the chair.
Masie obeyed, watching the woman’s every move. “Why did ye help me escape?”
“Because a mum always protects their children.” The auld woman stood in front of her and removed her cloak. Her hunched body straightened, her wrinkled skin smoothed, and her hooded eyes changed to a vibrant blue. She shook her head and the white strands of her hair turned bright red.
“Mum?” Masie jumped out of her chair, knocking it over. “’Tis a dream. They all said ye were dead.”
“Masie, my sweetling. The moment I saw ye in the village, I knew I had to tell ye the truth.”
Masie threw her arms around her. “I’m so sorry, Mum,” she sniffled. “We should have listened. The queen did verra bad things to us.”
“Shh, my sweet. ’Tis I that should have been honest wit’ ye.”
Masie stepped out of her embrace. “What do ye mean?”
Helen picked up the chair and joined her daughter. “My sister is Queen Galanthus Snowdrop, the Winter Fae Queen and ruler of the Unseelies. Her heart is as twisted as the branches of a blackthorn. I’m afraid she took her vengeance out on my children.
Masie looked at her mother, puzzled.
“She wasn’t always evil. We were born into the Seelie fae court, living among the humans and playing in the sunlight. Until jealously clouded her heart when yer father took me as his bride instead of her. Soon after she took her vows with the Unseelie, to gain the power to one day take what she thought was rightfully hers; my children.”
“Oh, Mum.” Masie squeezed her hands.
“You girls were never meant to become Baobhan sith. A Seelie fae, aye. She tricked ye into taking a blood oath to the Unseelies.”
Masie sat back, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Mum, we were only trying to save ye from Doughall, to change our fates. We wished upon a shooting star—”
“And she took yer innocence for granted. Trust me, Masie, my sister was waiting, lurking in the darkness to make her move.”
“Then ’tis true. I am a monster.”
“Sweetling, look at me.” Her mother lifted her chin.
Goddess, she’d missed her mother’s warmth.
“No one can change yer true heart. Ye’re still my kindhearted, sweet wee lass.” Helen caressed her cheek. “But all grown up now.” She smiled. “A bonny lass, indeed.”
Masie smiled. The last time she saw her mum, she was seven summers old. Dread filled her heart. They had escaped the queen only to find bigger trouble.
“Masie, what be on yer mind?”
“I dinnae know what to do. Leana is in trouble. I found her with two dead men on Samhain. One of them was Cormag’s son.”
Helen stood. “Did Leana kill him?”
“I want to believe sh
e’s innocent, but I saw the bite marks on their necks. She does no’ remember what happened.” Masie exhaled. “There’s more.”
“More?” Helen moved to the window and looked out.
“We had to leave Dornoch. Cormag blamed us for his son’s death. When we left, we were captured by Clan Gunn. They think we are spies for Clan Keith. Mum, I dinnae know what to do or who to trust.” Masie swiped a tear from her cheek. “And now I’m alone.”
Helen rushed over to Masie and hugged her. “Sweet lass. I was wondering how ye came across the Gunn lads.”
Masie looked up at her. “I saw the tapestry in the lairds solar of ye. Is it true? Did Doughall take ye away from yer true love?’
Helen nodded. “Aye, but he gave me three of the most precious gifts. I can no’ change the past. But I do know ye can trust Bhaltair and Kerr. They’re like their father, good at heart.”
Masie couldn’t let go, she hugged her mother tightly. “I can no’ believe ye’re alive.” Her mother ran her fingers through her hair, easing her worries. Oh, how she had missed her.
“Masie?”
“Aye?”
“Ye must promise me ye will no’ tell anyone ye’ve seen me.”
“Why? Aren’t ye staying?”
“I wish I could. Trust in me, I’ll see ye again verra soon.”
With hesitation, Masie nodded. “I promise.”
“Be careful, my sweet, the queen will soon come. This time we’ll fight back.”
Helen pulled on her cloak and walked to door.
“Mum,” Masie called out and her mother turned.
“I love ye.”
Her mother smiled. She blew Masie a kiss. “Verra soon.”
The door shut. Masie sat on the pallet of furs staring at the door, hopeful her mother would return. She just had to come back, for she’d lost everything else already, her clan, sisters, and Kerr.
Chapter Fourteen
The Gunn warriors thundered through the glen, a pack of hunting dogs barking ahead. Kerr had to reach Masie before Cormag. God’s bones, if the man laid a hand on her, he’d gut him. Anger beyond measure coursed through him. The lass would have been safe at Raven’s Landing. He’d given his word that he’d protect her and her sisters. Why did she flee? Why didn’t she trust him?
