Heart of a Warlock [Celtic Series Book 3]

by Lyn Armstrong

  How did she know he was thinking about that?

  “Aye.”

  “Why is he so important to you?”

  Callum shifted on the saddle. “He knows where the sorceress resides and I will seek my revenge when I find her.”

  “What did she do to you?”

  “She has my father and…” Callum paused, anger filling his body.

  “And?”

  “The sorceress killed my betrothed.”

  After a long pause, she whispered, “I am sorry.”

  They rode in silence, each in their own thoughts.

  He pulled her closer to his chest as if his very embrace would keep her by his side forever. Tentatively, she twisted around to face him and he focused on her pink lips, full and inviting. He leaned down and kissed her, gently with longing. His body thrummed with need to be closer to her, to be inside of her. His tongue snaked into her mouth, tasting her sweet essence. He had never felt such desire for a woman as he did for Alayne.

  She pulled away, sighed and smiled sleepily. His heart leaped at the thought that he affected her just as much.

  In the distance, a thick border of white lilies lined the grassy floor. It went for as far as the eye could see east and west.

  Callum pointed to the ground. “Those flowers mark the edge of our lands. No evil can pass beyond the lilies.” Their horse stepped over them with reverence, not crushing a single petal. “You are safe here.”

  Alayne hung her head again.

  “Tell me what is amiss?” he asked.

  “Callum … I…”

  “Hazzah!” Shouts came from nearby and they turned to see two Roberts’ soldiers racing toward them from out of the woods.

  “These are my men,” he explained to Alayne and waited for his guards to draw closer.

  “Good day, my laird,” they called and sidled their mounts next to his.

  “Good day. Allow me the honor of introducing Lady Alayne of the Duncan clan.”

  His men bowed their heads; both had the same sandy-brown hair tied in a knot.

  “Milady, the large soldier on the left is the constable, Master Gilleabart and the strapping lad beside him is his youngest son, Scott.”

  “Greetings,” Alayne said.

  “What be the report on Gleich castle?” he asked his constable.

  “Her ladyship is vexed that you left without word. I fear you will feel the iciness of her glare on your return.”

  Callum grinned. “Mother will soon be soothed. She can never stay angry with me for long. What of my sister and Laird Tremayne?”

  The constable’s curious gaze strayed from Alayne, “Your sister fares well, but her husband is another matter. The Campbell walks around the battlements giving orders like he is the chieftain. If not for your dear sister, he would not live to see the morn.”

  “Aye, he is arrogant to be sure.”

  Callum felt Alayne stiffen in his arms.

  “My laird, would you like me to go ahead and tell them of your imminent arrival?” Scott asked.

  “Aye.” Callum leaned forward. “Milady, are you comfortable to ride faster?”

  She nodded and he rubbed her shoulder. He could not wait to get her back to his chamber. Just the thought of her naked body drove his need to urge the horse into a gallop.

  Comfortable? Aye, her derrière was comfortable, but her emotions were not. Meeting Laird Tremayne was not something she wanted to do. Again, her past was coming back to plague her. What would Callum do when he found out about her and Laird Tremayne?

  Alayne took a deep breath. The breeze whipped through her hair while the horse galloped beneath the expert hand of his master.

  After they rode over the hill, a large fortress rose from the side of a dominating mountain. Gleich castle’s intimidating walls surrounded the keep, cradling the village within like the protective arm Callum wrapped around her waist.

  Although the castle offered safety, a rush of apprehension skidded down her spine. There was no turning back. She had to meet Callum’s family and Laird Tremayne. Would their magical powers penetrate her defenses and discover her true intentions, help them see the treachery she would commit? And what would they do to her if they found out?

  Alayne walked into the great hall next to Callum. His hand on the small of her back offered her encouragement, but it did not stop the pounding of her heart.

  “Callum!” A startling lady with honey-colored hair adorned with jewels threw herself into Callum’s arms and he swung her around, laughing. “Why did you leave suddenly? We were worried about you,” she admonished. Her pale yellow skirt settled around her feet.

  “I pray your pardon, wee petal, but I had to leave immediately if I was to catch the sorceress.”

  She gasped. “You went alone to catch Lady Torella?”

  “Aye.”

  She lightly pinched his arm. “Have you gone mad? She is too powerful to face alone.”

  Callum scowled and rubbed his arm. “Worry not, I came to no harm. Instead I found something more valuable…” He turned his sister to face Alayne. “This is Lady Alayne from the Duncan clan. She was going to be the sorceress’ sacrifice.”

  Callum smiled and tilted his head to Alayne. “This is my sister, Lady Gavenia.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Alayne said and curtsied.

  His sister did the same and Alayne envied her glorious hair that fell in waves down to her mid back. So this was the lady love of Laird Tremayne. She was exquisite.

  “Welcome to Gleich castle, milady,” Gavenia said, her gaze sizing up Alayne.

  Does she see through my deception?

  Alayne nodded, resisting her negative thoughts. She had to remain strong and in control, lest she made them suspicious.

  Another lady, slightly older in appearance than the first, ran up to them and grasped Callum around the shoulders. Although her face was plain, she had beauty that seemed to shine from within. A graceful energy radiated from her being. This had to be Callum’s mother. But she looked so young in her cobalt velvet gown. Alayne wished she had a mother who worried over her, but she had died after giving birth to her sister.

  Wynda—she must be so scared without Alayne.

  “Mother, I would like you to meet Lady Alayne Duncan.”

  Alayne curtsied, but kept her eyes lowered. If anyone would be able to see the betrayal in her eyes, it would be this Celtic witch.

  “You are welcome here, child.” His mother’s voice was soft and soothing.

  “Thank you, milady.”

  Callum turned to chat with his sister and the constable while his mother stepped closer to Alayne.

  “You may call me Adela,” she replied and picked up one of Alayne’s chilled hands.

  The heat of the witch’s touch shot through her fingers and up her arm. Alayne jerked her head up to find the witch’s piercing gaze. After a while, she smiled at her and nodded.

  “You are troubled by much. There will be a lot of pain ahead, but if you are true to your heart, you will find light where there is darkness.”

  Alayne snatched her hand away and clasped them behind her back. “I … I do not know what you mean.”

  His mother smiled with knowing. “I am glad my son has found his chosen one at last.”

  “Chosen one?”

  Callum instantly glanced over at them. “Um … ah … let us eat. I am famished.”

  “Son, I hope you do not think to evade my vexation at you leaving without word…”

  “I would not consider it. But I have good tidings—thanks to the bird you sent, I have my Celtic powers!”

  “What bird—you have your Celtic powers!” Adela threw her hands up and screamed with joy. “Oh, I am so happy.”

  Callum’s sister threw her arms around them both. Alayne felt out of place amid the family celebration.

  “By Jupiter, is that you, Alayne!”

  Alayne cringed. She would recognize that deep voice anywhere. Turning, she watched the handsome sorcerer run down the remain
ing stairs. Garbed in black with a sword strapped to his hip, Laird Tremayne granted her a courtly bow and then kissed her hand.

  “It gladdens my heart to see you here and well. I wanted to come back for you, but the chieftain here would not let me leave until his father was found,” Tremayne said. “By the Gods!” He looked closely into her eyes. “You can see, but how?”

  “Ah…” Alayne stuttered. Silence from behind felt heavy upon her back. She twisted to see three sets of shocked eyes on her.

  “Do you know him?” Callum asked her, his tone suspicious.

  Alayne went to explain when Tremayne answered for her. “Of course she knows me. Alayne helped me get my powers back to break my mother’s spell on the cottage.”

  Callum’s eyes darkened when he faced Alayne. “You told me you did not know Laird Tre—”

  “Tremayne!” Gavenia interrupted, an edge to her voice, “you only gain powers by having sex with someone.”

  “Gavenia,” her mother gasped.

  “What?” Callum asked. “That cannot be. I took Alayne’s maidenhead.”

  “Callum!” Adela gasped again. “This discussion is not appropriate…”

  “Nae, I was her first,” Tremayne replied, his tone firm.

  “You lie!” Callum snarled.

  “You dare to impugn my honor?” Tremayne placed his hand on his sword hilt. “A chieftain who leaves his clan unprotected.”

  Fury darkened Callum’s eyes and he mumbled under his breath.

  Tremayne’s body lifted into the air and slammed against the wall. The sorcerer slid to the floor and shook his head.

  With a flick of Tremayne’s wrist, Callum’s body also flew through the air, landing against the high table, knocking over trenchers of food and wine.

  Alayne could not believe the spectacle before her. Humiliating tears threatened her eyes, her heart tightened with dread. Again, the warlock and the sorcerer used magick to fight one another, destroying the place.

  Unable to watch them any longer she ran outside, tears blurring her vision while shouts from Adela echoed behind her, ordering Tremayne and Callum to stop fighting.

  She leaned against the well outside and buried her warm face in her hands. Alayne felt like a whore. Having two men fight over who took her maidenhead. It seemed every time she tried to do the right thing, it ended up making her feel dishonorable.

  Footsteps came closer to her and she opened her fingers to see two feet in yellow slippers standing before her. Lowering her hands, Gavenia gave her a slight smile and leaned on the well beside her.

  “This is my fault,” Alayne offered.

  “Nae, those men have despised each other since the moment they met.”

  “I am sorry that you found out about … well … you know.”

  “I am not sorry, Alayne. In fact, I came out here to thank you.” Gavenia waved at a serving maid standing in the doorway. The tall, thin girl carried a bundle in her arms and gave it to Callum’s sister.

  “You want to thank me?” Alayne asked in astonishment.

  “Do not misunderstand, I am not happy that Tremayne made love to you, but I also know the reason behind it. If you had not given up your maidenhead, then Tremayne would not have gained his powers back to escape his mother’s curse. And I would be dead.”

  Alayne stared down at the sweetest baby girl she had ever encountered. With golden locks curling around her chubby cheeks, the baby slept in peaceful bliss.

  Gavenia pushed away from the well and faced Alayne, swaying gently with the babe in her arms. “You sacrificed much to help me and Rhiannon. Thank you.”

  She muttered uneasily, “You are welcome, milady.” Alayne was impressed with the Celtic witch that looked so much like her brother. “So you are not jealous?”

  “Nae. Besides, something tells me your interests lay elsewhere.”

  Alayne looked away. “Aye, but it would never work.”

  “Why not? Callum can be a rogue sometimes, but he has a good heart. Even if he chooses to hide it from the world.”

  “I … I do not want to disappoint him,” Alayne whispered. If only Gavenia knew she was the enemy. That she would have to betray them all…

  Alayne stared at the baby, lost in her thoughts and misery.

  “Would you like to hold her?” Gavenia offered.

  “Nae, nae…”

  “Oh, do not be silly. Rhiannon will not mind, here…”

  Gavenia passed the baby over to Alayne. Awkwardly, she cradled the bundle in her arms and smiled down at the charming infant. The sweet smell of the baby’s soft skin invaded Alayne’s senses, making her face flush with dread. How could she take this innocent away from her parents and deceive these nice people along with Callum?

  She could not do it. She just could not.

  The baby woke abruptly and stretched her little hands out. After a while, Rhiannon grumbled and squirmed in Alayne’s arms.

  “I think she needs a feed,” Gavenia said and gathered the bundle into her arms, patting the baby on the back. She smiled at Alayne and walked toward the castle entrance.

  Over her shoulder, she called back, “Do not worry about the men. Mother has doused them with buckets of water. Come back inside and join us for a meal.”

  Alayne nodded and gave her a smile that did not reach her heart.

  She went to follow when someone grabbed her wrist from behind. Alayne whirled around to find an older man in a hooded cloak leaning close to her.

  “The sorceress sends a message,” he whispered in a familiar voice.

  She instantly stiffened her spine.

  “Bring the babe to her this eve outside the ring of enchanted flowers, and she will save your sister.”

  “Nae, I cannot,” Alayne returned and tried to free her arm from his bruising grasp, but he tightened his grip.

  The man leaned closer to her and Alayne smelled the stench of onion on his hot breath. “Sir Rutger married your sister this morn. The child will be in his bed this eve and will taste his brutality if you do not bring the babe to the sorceress.”

  “Dear Gods.” Alayne’s fear gnawed at her insides, making her sick.

  “Do you want your sister to die?”

  Alayne shook her head, her throat aching with anguish. “Even if I can get the babe, how can we escape without the gatekeeper noticing?” Alayne whispered, grasping for any excuse.

  “I will wait for you in the stables. Bring the babe and we will walk past the porter as man and wife.” He pinched her tender skin. “Fail the sorceress and your little sister will be raped every night until she dies.”

  Alayne nodded and the man left abruptly.

  How could she take the babe? But then how could she bear the thought of her sister being abused by Sir Rutger, punishing Wynda because of her? How long could her little sister take his violence before her body gave way?

  What if she found a way to trick the sorceress? It might work. Dangerous, aye, but she did not have a choice. Her sister’s life depended on her.

  Alayne walked back into the great hall and found a soaked sorcerer sitting at one end of the high table and a sodden warlock sitting at the other, both scowling at each other.

  She took the seat in the middle, next to Lady Adela.

  Alayne glanced at Callum, but he refused to look her way. She could tell he was furious with her. Whether it was due to having made love to Tremayne or that she had lied to him again, Alayne did not know. Sighing, she regarded a bowl of barley soup when an old serving maid placed it before her.

  Soon it would not matter what Callum thought. After what she was going to do this eve, he would never talk to her again. Her heart broke with the thought. She guessed it was for the best. In the end, she planned to return to her sister, perhaps even explain to the regent the treachery of Sir Rutger and the sheriff of Mawrth.

  “This is your last chance to make things right,” Adela said to her.

  Alayne jolted in her seat. “I pray your pardon.”

  “Go to Callum thi
s eve. Talk to him.”

  Does she know what I have planned? Alayne searched Adela’s deep brown eyes. Not a hint of suspicion lingered there; only acceptance.

  “He is a lot like his father.” Adela glanced away, her shoulders slumped.

  “You must miss him.”

  She nodded. “Aye. But I have faith in the Goddess’. Phillip will return to me.”

  Alayne sighed again. “Is there no sign to his whereabouts?”

  “Nae, the sorceress has shielded him as if he is lost from the world. But I know he is alive. I would feel it if he was dead.”

  She lifted her head and found Callum’s glare on her. For a moment, his eyes held a sensuous light then quickly darkened to distrust. She did not blame him. She had not earned his trust, however, it did hurt to see him displeased when every instinct in her body yearned to throw herself into his arms and ask for forgiveness.

  She massaged her temple. Focus! Your sister needs you to focus on the plan.

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  Chapter Nine

  After the silent meal, Callum’s mother rose from the table and offered to show Alayne to the guest chamber.

  They walked down the wide hallway and Alayne cleared her throat. “Where is Callum’s room?”

  “At the end of the hallway on the east side.”

  “It must be hard for him sleeping close to his rival.”

  “Nae, the Campbells sleep in a spacious chamber near the solar on the third floor. I am sure one day, he will forgive the past.”

  Alayne’s head swiveled. Was she talking about the clan’s feud or about her?

  Callum’s mother opened a door to a chamber overlooking the village below. The lush furnishings and large bed were more luxury than she had seen in a long time. She wandered around the chamber in awe. A faint scent of heather floated in on a cool breeze from the open window, soothing her jumbled nerves.

  “If you need anything, let me know.” Adela smiled and then closed the door.

  Alayne breathed deeply and sat on the soft bed. She stared at the Roberts crest on the opposite wall. Framed in silver metal, a black wolf looked fierce and commanding. Just like the Roberts chieftain.

  Falling back on the bed, she groaned.