Highland Queen

Chapter 15

That morning, Tira and Rhona finished packing my things then headed off to get their own belongings ready to take to Glamis. I was in my chamber making the final preparations to depart with Fife when there was a knock on the door.

“My Queen,” Killian called.

A moment later, the door opened. Macbeth pushed past Killian.

“A word?” Macbeth said.

“Well, you’re already here,” I said then motioned to Killian to shut the door.

He did so with a frown.

“I don’t like that your guard tried to stop me. I am king,” Macbeth said then crossed the room to the table where he poured himself a glass of wine. He sat down and took a long, slow drink as he gazed around the room.

“They are charged with protecting me.”

Macbeth set down his goblet with a clatter. “From me? From their king?”

“Of course.”

Macbeth blew air through his lips.

“What do you want, Macbeth?”

“When will you come to Glamis?”

“I don’t know. But I will come. I am sending my household ahead to join you if you are hunting for reassurance. Though you will not harass any of my people.”

“Harass your people? What nonsense.”

“Nonsense? Tell that to Ute. You will leave my people alone. That is not a request.”

Macbeth turned and poured himself another drink. “And in the meantime, what am I supposed to tell the lords and ladies who want to see you? The ladies who want to come to court to join you?”

“Tell them Queen Gruoch is traveling and that I will invite them when Dunsinane is ready.”

“And will you?”

“Perhaps. We shall see…once Dunsinane is ready.”

“Why are you going with Fife?”

“Because I wish it.”

“There is work to be done.”

“So there is. I have already begun my work. Have you?”

Macbeth huffed then ran his fingers through his hair. The action was so rough I thought for a moment he might rip his hair from his scalp. “I know what to do.”

“I hope so. The southern lords are rich beyond any reasonable measure. They scowl and talk behind your back. Crinian, who holds all the silver in this land, is noticeably absent. Duncan’s son, Donaldbane, is still unaccounted for, and we have no more allies today than we did when the war began.”

Macbeth threw his wine goblet across the room, the red liquid splashing the skirt of my dress. The cup hit the door then fell with a clatter.

“I know what to do,” Macbeth shouted at me.

I set my hand on the hilt of Uald’s Gift. “Then go do it. Besides, I think it’s time for you to leave.”

Macbeth glared at me. He eyed my blade and then his eyes went to my gown where the red wine marred the pale green fabric of my dress. He furrowed his brow as if he were confused by what he saw. Then a look of realization crossed his face.

“Gruoch, I—”

“It’s time for you to leave,” I repeated.

Macbeth let out a noise that sounded like a growl then rose roughly, the chair falling in his wake. He stalked to the other side of the room and wrenched the door open.

Outside the door, my guard stood waiting. Their blades were drawn.

I motioned to them, and they stepped aside to let Macbeth pass.

Macbeth thundered down the hall and out of sight.

I took a deep breath, calming the beating wings of the raven that were echoing at the edges of my senses. Pulling on a placid smile, I went to Killian. “Killian, please divide our men. I want most of the Moray guard to go to Glamis to keep an eye on my household while I am gone. You and two other men will ride with me to Fife.”

“Yes, my queen. Are you…are you all right?” he asked, glancing down at my hand still resting on the hilt of my blade.

“How can I be anything but well?”

He smirked but said nothing else.

I inclined my head to him then closed the door behind me.

I couldn’t wait to leave Scone.