Highland Queen

Chapter 36

The road was long and cold. Even though spring had come, snow still trimmed the landscape. The first spring flowers pushed through the snow. A deep sadness fell over me as we rode south. Despite the beautiful scenery, I was returning somewhere I didn’t want to go to someone I didn’t want to see.

It was a three-day ride to Dunsinane. As we rode through Birnam Wood, again I felt the eyes of the forest on me. Soon, the forest thinned out, and we spotted the massive old fortress sitting on its high hill.

A sense of dread washed over me.

“What a tall place,” Greer said, her eyes wide.

“It’s an ancient fortress, from the kingdom of the Parisi.”

She stared up at the castle then turned and looked behind her, a smile on her face. I followed her gaze to see she was looking at Killian who had returned her grin. But when he saw me looking, he stiffened his expression, taking on a formal stance.

Sighing, Greer turned around in her saddle.

“I’ll work on him,” I whispered to her.

Greer raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing.

We rode up the winding path that led to the fortress. When we were spotted, trumpets blasted, and a fleet of servants rushed forward.

I was relieved to see a mop of red hair in the crowd.

“Corbie? Corbie,” Madelaine called.

I slipped off Swift, handing him off to a groom, then rushed to my aunt.

“Oh, there you are,” Madelaine said, embracing me. She eyed me over. “You look well. Is everything…is everyone well?”

“Very well,” I told her, linking my arm in hers. “We shall talk tonight. But she is very well.”

“Thank the Goddess,” Madelaine said, patting my arm

As we headed toward the castle, Macbeth appeared at the wall of the second-story rampart. He looked down, eyeing over the party, then me.

I met his gaze.

He lifted a hand in greeting.

I returned the gesture.

“How is everyone here?” I asked Madelaine.

“Decidedly unwell,” Madelaine whispered. “It’s good you’re back, but we need to talk.”

I unlinked my arm from Madelaine’s. “We shall, but for now, I should go,” I said, gesturing toward Macbeth.

She nodded. “All right. I’ll see to your staff. Where are Tira and Rhona?”

“At Cawdor. I have a new girl, Greer.”

Madelaine nodded. “I’ll take care of her,” she said then patted my arm and let me go.

Taking a deep breath, I climbed the steps to the second-story rampart. Macbeth stood watching the activity in the yard. I crossed the space and joined him at the wall.

“Those are Lochaber’s men,” Macbeth said, eyeing the group.

“Yes.”

“And where is the thane?”

“He is very ill. I went to see him before riding here.”

“Will he recover?”

“Yes, but he is much weakened.”

“How…unfortunate.”

“And you, Macbeth. How are you?” I eyed him over. Once more, he looked sleepless and agitated. When I had first met him, he had the cut of a soldier. Now he looked thin and weak.

Macbeth frowned. “I… You will not need to go to Ireland.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Echmarach and Thorfinn reclaimed some of the lands stolen from Echmarach. We have had success there.”

“And Donaldbane?”

Macbeth didn’t answer.

“And Donaldbane?” I asked again, my voice growing dark.

“I don’t know. Our operatives never returned, and the Irish king has ceased all communication.”

“Of course he has.”

Macbeth blew air through his teeth then roughly ran his fingers through his hair.

“It is no matter. It’s done now. What plans have you made for Crinian and Siward?” I asked.

At that, Macbeth grinned, a wild gleam in his eyes. “Many, many plans.” He gripped the stone wall hard and rocked back and forth.

“We should go in and discuss,” I said, motioning to the castle.

Still smiling, Macbeth stared out onto the horizon. He didn’t move.

“Macbeth,” I said gently. “I haven’t seen the finished castle. Let’s go inside. You can show me Dunsinane.”

He turned to me. His eyes searched my face. “You came back.”

“Yes.”

“Come, let me show you,” he said. Motioning for me to follow him, his footsteps hurried, we headed back inside.

I turned and looked behind me, unsurprised to find Killian there.

He nodded for me to go on. He followed just behind us.

With a heavy sigh, I trailed the mad king.