Highland Blood

Chapter 11

The week following the wedding, Gillacoemgain left. Before his departure, however, I began making plans to visit the local families. When Gillacoemgain caught wind of my plans, however, he intervened.

“I don’t understand,” he told me as he prepared for his departure. I helped him slide his riding tunic over his head, lacing up the sides as he pulled on his gloves. “Why do you want to ride out? There is more than enough to keep you busy here in Cawdor. Mind the castle or do nothing at all, it’s up to you.”

“I don’t like to be locked up in the keep. The castle makes me weary. I am the Lady of Moray. I want to meet her people.”

Using his teeth, Gillacoemgain attempted to tighten the laces on his wrist.

“Here, My Lord,” I said, taking his hand. “You have a wife now who can help with that,” I added with a smile.

Gillacoemgain reached out and touched my chin. “Stay inside, little Corbie. War is brewing, and you are a valuable prize. You are my bride, and I will protect you, but your pretty head would make for a rich ransom.”

“Ransom? And who would abduct me?”

“More forces than I can name.”

“I’ll take a guard with me. It will be safe, and I have my sword.”

Gillacoemgain smiled lightly, but I saw irritation growing behind his eyes. “Stay in the castle. Moray’s people, and their problems, will make their way to you. You are my wife. I want you safe. I’ll leave Artos here to assist you. Your voice is the law, but he knows my will, so follow his suggestions.”

“My Lord, I do wish you would let me ride out to see the people. Even if just briefly—”

“Enough! Do as I ask, no more. You have a whole castle to run. Is that not enough?”

I opened my mouth to protest, but Gillacoemgain set a soft kiss on my forehead.

“I know you are strong. And you are no doubt stubborn, given your blood, but please stay safe while I’m away. I cannot go into battle worried about you. When I return, we shall ride all day if it pleases you.”

I studied the man. It felt odd to have someone look after me. Madelaine, of course, had mothered me, loved me. I wasn’t sure if I should take Gillacoemgain’s concern as adorable or suffocating. He was no Alister, so I was not running to the woods for a scant breath of freedom as Madelaine had, but Banquo would never have penned me in. And no one dares cage the raven. I felt confused.

“All right,” I said hesitantly.

Once more he kissed me on the forehead, and we headed outside.

Fergus waited with Gillacoemgain’s horse in the castle ward. The Mormaer mounted his steed.

“How long?” I asked Gillacoemgain.

“First we’ll silence Lochaber and Echmarcach of the isles. Then, we’ll see what Thorfinn does.”

“Lochaber?” I asked in alarm. The word came out of my mouth with more emotion than was seeming. “I…I knew a lass from there,” I lied.

“If I can convince the new young lord of Lochaber to see reason, war will not reach her doorstep,” Gillacoemgain said.

“Lochaber’s loyalty blows with the wind. Let’s see if the son is any brighter than the father was. No doubt word of your marriage has reached him. Perhaps Malcolm’s niece in your bed will keep him quiet,” Fergus said.

“We’ll see. Thorfinn,” Gillacoemgain spat, “is busy stirring the beehive. I’ll have that Viking’s heart on the spit if it’s the last thing I do,” he said then turned back to me. “May the gods watch over you, little raven,” he told me then.

My body shaking, I nodded. “Farewell, Gillacoemgain. May the Morrigu ride with you.”

Fergus laughed. “Now that’s a blessing I’d take.”

Gillacoemgain nodded to me then turned and rode out of the castle.

I watched as they rode off to confront…Banquo. And what if Banquo didn’t see reason? What if…I couldn’t think of it. I swooned.

Ute came up beside me. She reached out to steady me. “Gruoch? Are you all right? Come inside. You’re pale as milk. I’d swear you are already with child. And with a strapping husband like our Mormaer, it won’t be long if you aren’t already pregnant.”

“Yes,” I said absently, mindful of how Ute’s eyes were glued to Gillacoemgain’s shape as he rode away. “Yes, he is my husband,” I said, feeling annoyed. I shook Ute’s hand off and headed back into the castle.

“Gruo—My Lady?” she called.

“I’ll send for you if I need you,” I replied then headed back to my chamber. Seized with a sudden and fierce desire to know, beyond all shadow of a doubt, I barred the door to my chamber and closed the heavy drapes, shutting out all light.

I opened my bags and pulled out all manner of herbs. Stoking the fire, I dashed the herbs on the flames. The room filled with smoke. I sat before the fire and stared into the small cauldron hanging there.

Cerridwen of the cauldron.

Raven goddess.

Mother.

Queen.

Come to me.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. The room was filled with the scent of heady white sage. Once my spirit loosened from my body, I opened my eyes and stared into the cauldron.

Banquo.

Banquo.

The water in the cauldron stirred and soon I saw a rocky coastline. The moment I saw it, my spirit leapt into the scene. I was the raven once more.

Wind rushed against my face, and the sound of my raven’s wings beating in the air made my heart quicken. I dived, feeling the rush of the wind, smelling the sea air. With my sharp raven eyes, I looked down the coastline. Ahead, I saw a bay wherein at least a dozen ships were preparing to set sail. I flew toward the scene. Soldiers boarded ships as a party on land made their good-byes.

From above, I circled the scene. Something, someone, glimmered silver amongst the assembled crowd. I swooped lower to see.

There he was.

Banquo.

Keeping a distance, I landed on a dead tree nearby and watched as my husband, my real husband, embraced a man I had seen once before. Before Banquo stood the same blond-haired giant who had saved my raven-headed man in battle. Banquo said something to him that I couldn’t quite hear. The man laughed out loud.

“Jarl Thorfinn, we’re ready for you,” a soldier told the man.

Thorfinn. I eyed him closely. He seemed…merry. That was a surprise. Banquo embraced the Viking.

I studied Banquo closely. He looked older. Worry clouded his handsome features. The others would not have noticed, but I did. How handsome he was. How sweet and wonderful he was.

“Farewell!” I heard a lady call.

The raven turned and saw a woman come to stand beside Banquo, taking his hand in hers.

“My Lady of Lochaber,” Thorfinn called cheerfully in reply, lifting his massive ax in salute, then headed with his men in the direction of the ships.

I could not take my eyes from her. She had dark hair and light eyes. In truth, she looked a bit like me. And in her arms, she held a small child.

She smiled up at Banquo.

Banquo sighed, buried his worries, then turned and smiled at her.

The raven could not bear it.

I shrieked loudly at them.

Banquo trembled then turned and faced me.

It was all true. He was allied with Thorfinn. He had wed another and had a child with her besides. He had forgotten me.

I opened my mouth to speak, to scream in anguish, but only the raven could call. She screeched in angry tones.

Banquo took a step toward me.

“Cerridwen?” he whispered.

I gasped then turned and fled. But I was overcome, suddenly, with the sensation that I was falling. And a moment later, I found myself lying on the stone floor beside the cold fire.

Unable to stop myself, I wept. Everything caught me then, and I dropped down into a dark oblivion. Sharp pains shot through my skull, and I felt my body shake and shake. I couldn’t stop myself, no matter how hard I tried. The pain felt too real. It was too much. I shook and rocked until my body had worn itself out. After, I fell into a deep sleep. In that dream, I walked the deserted streets of Ynes Verleath in complete quiet and darkness. Nothing plagued my soul. I walked and walked, breathing in the deep scent of wisteria. I traveled down the crumbling hallways until I found myself at the cauldron terrace once more.

Andraste’s familiar huddled shape sat near the fire.

“Andraste?” I asked.

But when the figure turned, it was the Morrigu. Blood dripped from the corners of her mouth. “Wake up, and get to work,” she snapped.

Startling me awake, I found myself lying still on the cold floor.

I rose and crossed the room, pulling away the window covers to discover it was already night.

The yard was empty save one small boy who was looking up at my window. When he saw me, he bowed then ran off to the stables.

I sat down on my bed and stared up at the moon shining in through the open casement.

“As you wish,” I answered the bloody goddess.