Enchanted Lover

by Scharon, Connie C.

  “Milord, it could take a week to search every nook and cranny. Dunbocan is riddled with secret passages even we dinna know about. We could waste valuable time,” Liam objected. “Let's go after Osred and Glenna.”

  Throwing a dark look at Liam, Jared continued. “I want one group of men to search Burnum Woods. Morven, you shall lead them. I'll take Liam and go after Osred and Glenna. The rest of you shall search the castle. If anyone finds anything, get word to me at once.” Grabbing Ivy's arm, he led her over to Ross. “Lock her in the dungeon.”

  Jared looked into Ivy's tear-streaked face. “If you remember anything which would help me now is the time to speak.”

  “Milord, I beg you, not the dungeon. I am a foolish old woman and I have done a terrible thing. Please have mercy.”

  “Who else was involved besides Osred and Glenna?”

  “No one I know of, Milord, they approached me the day after you left and asked me to take Lady Asilinn some warm milk before bed. The next day they went to her room when she slept late as if they expected to find something amiss. I realized they had probably tried to poison Lady Asilinn. But she didna drink the milk and Liam put a bolt on her door to keep them from entering without her leave.”

  “Why didn't you tell someone?”

  “I have no excuse, Milord. I was frightened. When they came to me and asked me to pretend she was ill, I went along with them. They talked as if she was not dead, but held captive somewhere. I dinna know why they tried to kill her or why they changed their plan. Glenna once mentioned everyone was too suspicious and they must act with care. Oh, Milord, please forgive my stupidity,” Ivy begged. “I was afraid they would kill me too if they revealed their plan to me and I said no.”

  “You had only to come to Garrick or me,” Liam said. “We would have protected you and Lady Asilinn.”

  Garrick nodded his agreement. “I dinna see your logic, Ivy. Therefore I must believe you joined them of your own free will.”

  “We waste our time in argument,” Jared said. “Ivy, if you have any clue to Asilinn's whereabouts you will tell me now. It is your only hope for mercy.”

  “I only know she must be somewhere close because Glenna took her food and water every day. I was forced to be lookout while she pilfered food from the larder. It was the only time I left the tower.”

  “Take her away,” Jared ordered. “If you remember anything else, tell your jailor.”

  Ivy began to cry when Ross led her away but Jared had a deaf ear to her suffering. For the first time it struck him how empty his life would be without Asilinn. She had become a part of him—part of his existence at Dunbocan. The castle seemed empty without her shinning face. If his plan had caused her demise, he didn’t know how he could live with it. Asilinn and his unborn son were in danger and he felt helpless to save them. It was plain he cared for her more than he ever allowed himself to believe.

  ***

  Glenna struggled to keep up with Osred while he moved at a relentless pace through the thick woods. “Wait for me,” she called.

  “There is no time. Keep up or be left behind,” he told her.

  They moved swiftly down the shortest trail to the road to Edinburgh. It was narrow and winding, little used except by the masked riders. Just when this thought entered Glenna's mind three men moved out of the woods to block the trail ahead.

  “Sweet Glenna, do you come to entertain us?” one of the masked men asked. “It has been long since you shared yerself with any of us.”

  “Get out of the way,” Osred warned. “We are on urgent business.”

  “Perhaps we should hold you until we receive orders from our benefactor,” the man suggested.

  Glenna blanched at the thought. All her dreams of being the consort of their benefactor had evaporated. He would be seething by the time he caught up with them and she didn't wish to face his wrath for it could very well spell death for her and the sour-faced counselor.

  “Move aside or deal with his anger when he finds you have kept us from his mission,” she threatened. “If we are caught by Laird Jared because of your incompetence, our benefactor will surely end your life.”

  The three men hesitated standing their ground. “Let us pass,” Osred chimed in, his voice squeaking in fear.

  “Let's hold them awhile,” one of the men suggested. “They seem too anxious to be on their way. Mayhaps they have deceived our benefactor and now seek to flee. One of us should go to the castle to see what's happened.”

  “Fools,” Glenna admonished. “You will die for your impudence!”

  The men chuckled and led Glenna and Osred to a small clearing where they drew straws to see who would ride to Dunbocan. The lone rider took off and the other two tied Osred to a tree.

  “Glenna, I see no reason to waste this waiting time,” the taller man chortled, roughly grabbing the front of her dress. “I'll have a little of yer softness to tide me over.”

  “Bloody bastard!” she shouted. “I share myself only with those of my own choosing.”

  “Ah, but Glenna, you choose many. What is one or two more?” Both of the masked men laughed. “We'll even leave our masks on so you can pretend we are men of power and wealth.”

  Glenna could see they meant to have her one way or the other. “How about a drink while we decide who goes first?” she suggested, feeling in her pocket for the vial of poison she had used in Asilinn's milk.

  “That's more like it,” the taller man said. He moved to get some wine from a skin on his horse.

  “Let me have it.” She ran her hands down his chest while she took the wineskin from him. She drank deep, allowing the fiery liquid to dribble down over the creamy softness of her breasts. “Sit,” she urged. “I will disrobe before you.”

  Turning her back to them, she quickly dumped the entire vial of poison into the skin, swirling it gently. She whirled around. “Here, drink while I provide the entertainment.” Seeing them start to drink from the tainted wineskin, she turned her back to them again easing her dress off her shoulders to their rude urgings.

  “Show us the front!” the taller one demanded. He grabbed her wrist and jerked her to face them with her tempting display. He stood up with a lecherous leer and ran the wine over her full breasts, licking it off with his slimy tongue. The other man erupted into gales of laughter.

  “Here,” he offered. “Have some wine.”

  He grabbed Glenna's hair, pulled her face around, and ran a stream of the poison liquid into her mouth. Glenna feigned a choke and spit some of it out but she knew she had swallowed some of the poison. Her heart beat wildly with the knowledge.

  Osred was no help. He sat tied to the tree quaking in fear while he watched them torture her with their crude suggestions. Before she knew it, her dress lay in a heap at her feet as the taller one explored her ripe flesh with his hands.

  His companion watched, cackling with laughter at his friend's performance. They passed the wineskin back and forth, drinking deeply. Glenna prayed for the poison to take effect before she was forced to copulate with this rabble, but luck wasn't with her.

  The taller man, now completely aroused, shoved her to the ground and entered her roughly, riding her to his climax while she struggled beneath him.

  It was like some garish nightmare. Neither of them had removed their masks. They drank the wine through the slit which allowed them to talk. The first one rolled away, sated for now, but the second was down on all fours, eager to take his place. She just lay there and took it, powerless to prevent the assault on her body.

  The shorter man was more abusive, striking her several times across the face when he prepared to mount her. When she gave out a shrill cry, he slapped her so hard she lost consciousness for a few seconds. She woke for his release deep within her.

  The second man rolled off her into the grass where the other man sat. They were both beginning to feel the effects of the drug. Glenna tried to rise, pulling herself upright. Her body was quivering uncontrollably. Every inch of her felt bruis
ed and her lip had already begun to swell from the shorter man's vicious attack. She scrambled for her clothes.

  “What did you do to us?” the tall one cried out, holding his stomach. “Witch!” he screamed as he fell back on the ground writhing in pain.

  The other man tried to come after her, but his legs would not support him. He fell backwards striking his head on a rock.

  Glenna dressed and ran over to free Osred. “If you tell anyone of this, I'll kill you,” she threatened. They mounted their horses and rushed down the winding path.

  For about an hour, they made good time. Then they came to the last stretch of bad road. In her hurry to keep up with Osred, Glenna took the trail too fast and her horse stumbled throwing her into the ravine that ran along the narrow roadway.

  She struggled to her feet and called to Osred for help. He pulled his horse up and looked down at her. “Your horse has broken its leg,” he called.

  “I'll have to ride with you,” she answered. “But my ankle is sprained and I need yer help to get back up to the road.”

  “Good-bye Glenna,” he shouted as he wheeled his horse around and took off at gallop.

  “Come back,” she screamed. But she knew the bastard had deserted her. In anguish, she threw herself on the ground and cried.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Milord, the men are ready. Did you get much information from Ivy?” Morven asked as Jared stood in the main hall preparing to leave.

  “Ivy participated in the ruse Asilinn was ill in the tower, but I think she knows little else.”

  Skye came running into the hall in tears. She threw her arms around Jared and buried her head in his chest. “You must find her,” she sobbed. “Please find her.”

  “I'll do all in my power to find Asilinn.” He stroked Skye's long, dark tresses.

  “I couldna bear it if she were dead.”

  “Dinna give breath to such thoughts,” Jared chided. “She's alive and I will find her. I'll tell you a secret which may ease your mind.” Skye leaned back from his chest and looked into his eyes.

  Jared glanced up and noticed Morven stood by listening attentively. “Asilinn told me to leave for Cairngorm Castle after her last vision. She saw me holding her hand while she gave birth to our son in the tower room. I cling to this as my assurance we will find her.”

  “‘Tis true, Jared. I know it. It was Asilinn's vision that foretold us finding you alive in Burnum Woods. ‘Tis truly a gift from God,” Skye assured him.

  “I pray you're right,” he said, kissing her lightly on the forehead. “And now I must go.”

  Flanna and Wynne arrived to comfort Skye and Jared left with Morven and Liam trailing behind him. While they walked toward the stable, Morven questioned Jared. “Do you believe what you told Skye about the visions?”

  Jared studied him a moment. “Aye, Asilinn’s visions have not been wrong since I met her. I sense you're skeptical, Morven.”

  “It is a strange gift.”

  Jared walked on to the stable where Fergus greeted him. “Ailleagian has been fed and groomed as you ordered, Milord,” he told Jared.

  “Thank you.”

  “Milord,” Fergus said. “I want you to know our thoughts and prayers go with you.”

  “I appreciate that,” Jared replied, mounting his horse. “I know you and Flanna support me.”

  “Most of the people of Dunbocan support you, Milord. Lady Asilinn used her cures to help them. They are grateful for her generosity.”

  Jared managed a wry smile. “That's good to know.”

  The column of men filed out of Dunbocan. They rode hard until they got to Burnum Woods. Jared pulled up.

  “Morven, take the men and search the woods,” Jared ordered. “Liam and I will ride after Osred and Glenna.”

  “I'd like to go with you, Milord,” Morven entreated. “Liam is more than able to guide the search here.”

  “Liam saw them leave. He rides with me.”

  “You seem always to choose others in my stead of late. Could it be you no longer value our friendship?”

  Jared stared at him in disbelief. “Are you jealous of your own brother? I have no time for this bickering. Do as you have been told!”

  Morven drew his troops up in the clearing and barked out orders. Jared and Liam struck out along the other trail.

  ***

  It was past time for Glenna to bring her food. At least that was what Asilinn's stomach told her. Perhaps they meant to starve her she thought with a shudder. Alone in the endless midnight, she had looked at her situation from every angle and still she couldn't comprehend their plan. On the rare occasions when Osred and Glenna came together to her cell, they talked as if they awaited some event which would justify their action against her. Asilinn wracked her brain for the answer, but it eluded her.

  A tiny noise in the corner interrupted her musings. Glancing over, she saw the feral gleam of a pair of eyes in the darkness. The rats were getting bolder. Asilinn feared they saw her as a potential food source. Digging a small stone out of the wall behind her, she threw it at the gleaming eyes. She must have hit her mark because there was a squeal and a scurrying noise in the blackness.

  Tears coursed down her cheeks in the loneliness of her cell. She leaned her head back against the hard stone wall behind her. “Hurry, Jared,” she whispered into the darkness. “I need your strength to comfort me.”

  ***

  Thundering hoof beats awakened Glenna from her stupor. Shakily she rose to her feet watching the trail above to determine who was coming. She recognized his broad shoulders the minute she saw his silhouette against the trees. “Laird Jared,” she called, but it came out as a raspy croaking noise. At first, he did not hear her, but when he and Liam stopped to examine her injured horse, her dim cries drew their attention.

  “Please, I'm down here.”

  Jared dismounted and rushed down the steep slope. She threw herself into his arms but he pushed her back, grabbing her arm and jerking her around to face him.

  “What have you done with Asilinn?” Glenna hung her head sobbing. “Answer me! Where is my wife?”

  “In the dungeon,” Glenna sobbed. “Osred locked her in the dungeon, but you'll need me to find it. The cell is far back a little used passage.”

  Jared let out a sigh of relief. “Asilinn is not ill?”

  “Nay, Milord, she is fine. I'll take you to her.”

  Seeing Glenna could barely stand, he scooped her into his arms and carried her up the steep slope. Reaching the roadway, he handed her up to Liam. “Dinna drop her. She knows where Asilinn is.” Mounting Ailleagian, he turned and headed back towards Dunbocan.

  Jared had a thousand questions for his ex-mistress, but he held his tongue. Glenna was in no shape to give him the details and he was determined she should conserve her strength in order to lead him to his wife. It was several hours before they reached Dunbocan. Night had fallen over the castle and their entrance was not observed.

  Jared slid off his horse and walked over to take Glenna from Liam. His heart sank when he felt the limpness of her body. “She passed out on the way in,” Liam said.

  They carried her into the first floor of the castle and laid her on a cot in the armory. “Fetch Flanna,” Jared ordered.

  Liam went off to find Flanna and Jared brushed Glenna's red hair back from her pale face then dipped a cloth in cool water and wiped away the dirt.

  “Glenna,” he whispered. “Come on Glenna, you must wake up.”

  She tossed and moaned. Her eyelids fluttered. “Jared,” she said in a hoarse whisper. “I was such a fool. Please forgive me.”

  “Glenna, you must tell me where Asilinn is.”

  Her head rolled back and she gave out a throaty laugh. “The virgin bride has stolen your heart from me,” she moaned, tears running down her cheeks. “And now I am dead by my own folly.”

  “Dead, what do you mean? You will recover. Now tell me of Asilinn.”

  “I have drunk poison and all you can d
o is beg for your wife. I was raped and beaten….” Her voice faded as she started to drift from consciousness. Jared grabbed her face and shook her.

  “Glenna, right the wrongs you have done before you meet your maker. Tell me where Asilinn is.”

  She stared at him with glazed eyes. “In the main dungeon there is a cell with a secret staircase which leads to a separate level. Asilinn is in the last cell on that hallway.”

  “Which cell holds the staircase?”

  “It is the one with the window facing the east gate.”

  “Thank you, Glenna,” he said, rising to go after Asilinn.

  “Laird,” Glenna pleaded. “I'm dying. The poison runs through my body like fire. Have mercy, I ask for one last kiss.”

  Jared's face clouded. He was in a hurry to find Asilinn but by Glenna's color, he knew she wasn't lying. He bent over and kissed her lightly on the mouth. “God watch over you, Glenna. Everyone has used you badly, including me. I shall pray for your eternal soul.”

  She grabbed his jerkin when he sought to leave. “Jared, there is a traitor on the High Council. He plots to kill you and take your place.” Her voice was growing dimmer. “Come closer, the traitor is….” her voice fell to a weak whisper. She tried to tell him but fell back on the cot, her eyes rolling back in her head. Jared let out a heavy sigh and reached over to close her lifeless eyes with his hand just as Liam arrived with Flanna.

  Jared looked up at them. “She told me where Asilinn is before she died.” Rising he hurried to the appointed cell and examined the floor. Before long, he had uncovered a trapdoor leading to the stairway. Taking up a torch, he hurried down the narrow hall. The ceiling was so low he was forced to stoop over to make his way down the passage. “Asilinn,” he called.

  Asilinn couldn't believe her ears. “Jared!” she screamed. Straining to the limits of her chains, she peered out of the small window eager for the sight of him. He ran to her reaching into the tiny cell to stroke her hair as she sobbed with joy.