Highland Vengeance

Chapter 10

I woke the next morning to the sound of happy laughter and the smell of something sweet. When I opened my eyes, I found Macbeth sitting in the chair beside the small hearth in my bedchamber holding Lulach. He was widening his eyes then leaning forward to kiss Lulach on the forehead. Thora sat beside them, eyeing Macbeth skeptically. In a pan near the fire was a large honey oak cake.

I rose sleepily. I hardly cared that my hair was a mess, my sleeping gown rumpled. What was he doing there?

Both Thora and Macbeth turned when they saw me move.

“Good morning,” Macbeth said. “I had them prepare you a honey cake. It’s taken all my willpower not to eat it myself. And I suspect your dog was feeling the same,” he said then rose, smiling happily. “Oh, and while no flowers are growing, I brought in some winter pine boughs,” Macbeth said, motioning to the clutches of winter greens tied to the end bedposts. Their heady scent perfumed the air.

“I… Thank you. That was very…thoughtful.”

Holding Lulach gently, cradling his head with care, Macbeth rose and came to sit beside me.

I smiled down at my tiny boy. His eyes looked from Macbeth to me, squinting as he tried to make out shapes. His tiny fingers opened and closed on the air. He lifted his eyebrows, his forehead crinkling.

“He does that a lot,” Macbeth said, smiling down at him. “It’s as if he’s not sure what to make of this world. He has an angel kiss on his brow,” he added, touching the mark.

“A blessing from the faerie world.”

“Gruoch,” Macbeth began, his voice soft. “Things did not go as I planned last night. You have endured so much. I was thoughtless. You deserve better. I just… I don’t know what to do. I expected a pious lady who would be frightened and need my guidance. I didn’t expect the woman from my visions. And I most certainly did not expect you’d be less like the ladies at Malcolm’s court and more like Banquo,” he said with a laugh which I couldn’t help but join. “I must temper what I imagined with what I find myself blessed with, a wise and strong woman. And a son full of wonder,” he said, bending to kiss Lulach.

I raised an eyebrow at Macbeth. His words had a priestly ring to them. Was this what Father Lawrence had advised? Either way, his peace offering was appreciated.

“I was out of sorts last night,” I admitted.

Macbeth laughed. “That is to be expected. Look at all you have endured. Now, please tell me that you’re hungry so we can eat some cake. Otherwise, I may go mad from waiting.”

“Go mad? Well, we wouldn’t want that.”

Macbeth handed Lulach to me then crossed the room. Fetching the pan, he served the cake into two bowls. I lay Lulach down in his cradle. The baby kicked his legs happily.

Macbeth set the bowls on the small table not far from the fire and motioned for me to join him. He poured us both water then set about eating. I eyed him, feeling amused to see him get completely lost in his bowl. For several moments, it seemed like he forgot I was there. Very soon, the dish was empty.

“Another for you as well?” he asked, rising.

I chuckled. I had not yet taken a bite.

When Macbeth looked at my dish, he grinned sheepishly. “I developed a taste for sweets at court, I’m afraid,” he said then went and served himself another piece.

I inhaled the sweet scent of the cake then took a bite. The Morrigu was right. It did not do to dwell. I needed to make the best of things.

I motioned to Thora, who looked like she, like Macbeth, was going to die from waiting. I broke off a piece and handed it to her, patting her on the head. She ate the bite whole then looked at me expecting another.

I chuckled and handed her another piece. “Chew it this time.”

“Your dog doesn’t seem to care much for me, but at least we have some common ground,” Macbeth said as he watched. “I have many matters I must attend to in the coming weeks. I am afraid I will be very busy. What can I arrange for you? I want you to be comfortable. Shall I ask the other lords to bring their ladies to court? Or do you like music? I could try to find—”

“No. Nothing like that,” I said, trying not to wince at his suggestions. “I need to rest. When I recover, I will keep myself busy. As Lady of Moray, I will continue my work with my people. I need to make inquiries, check on the welfare of Moray’s people. I know you have left a sentinel at Cawdor, but since the castle is Lulach’s birthright, I will continue to stay involved in the keep’s management.”

Macbeth paused, as if he was reminding himself of his own words, then nodded. “If there are matters that need my attention, I’m sure you will seek my counsel.”

In other words, don’t overstep your boundaries. “Of course.”

“Gruoch, if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. I want you to be happy,” he said. Setting down his spoon, he reached out and tepidly took my hand.

I gazed at him. He was every bit the man I’d seen in my cauldron. My king. He was here in the flesh, yet it was all I could do bring myself to give him a chance. “I can tell you mean it,” I said with small smile.

“Indeed? How?”

“Because this is the first time you’ve let go of your spoon.”

Macbeth laughed.

I couldn’t help but join him. And at that moment, some of the sorrow that seemed to own me fled from my heart.

* * *

True to his word, Macbeth’s manner shifted. I was not a lapdog and would not be treated like one. Macbeth, it seemed, was learning. There were times when I thought his eyebrows might shoot off his forehead when I spoke my mind, but still, he held his tongue.

Within the month, a rider wearing Malcolm’s colors and insignia arrived at Inverness. I had been passing from the stable where I’d been checking on Kelpie when I saw a commotion. Macbeth and Banquo stood conversing with the messenger who handed Macbeth a sealed scroll.

Raising the hem of my skirt, I quickly crossed the yard to join them.

By the time I reached Macbeth, he’d already unrolled the parchment and was reading.

Banquo met my gaze as I approached. We both stood and waited as Macbeth read. When he was done, he looked up at me.

“Duncan has been wed to the sister of the Earl of Northumbria.”

“An alliance with the south,” Banquo said as he thoughtfully stroked his beard.

I felt like a rock was sinking to the bottom of my stomach. I reached out for the scroll. Macbeth paused a moment then handed it to me.

The letter, written in Malcolm’s hand, glorified the alliance with Northumbria and bragged about the pageantry of the lavish wedding that had taken place. Then it took a turn.

“I regret that I will not be there to see you wed my brother’s daughter, Gruoch. I am very pleased with your success in the north thus far. Please know that your mother sends her blessings and happy tidings for your nuptials. With a strong alliance in the south, and the future of the north firmly in your loyal hands, soon we shall have peace in the realm. I look forward to news of your defeat of Thorfinn the Mighty. With the Lady of Moray as your wife, you have a strong grip on the north and will serve as a valuable and loyal supporter of the crown, now and in the future,” I read aloud.

I looked from Macbeth who seemed truly happy, to Banquo who was frowning visibly.

“Well, he has certainly outlined his plans for me. But more immediately, we now have his word on our marriage,” Macbeth said. “I shall make arrangements at once.”

Banquo sucked in a deep, shuddering breath.

“Banquo?” Macbeth said. “Are you all right?”

“A chill. I… You must excuse me,” Banquo said, his voice weak. “I’m suddenly not feeling well. Please, excuse me,” he said then turned and headed back into the castle.

Macbeth and I both turned and watched him go. “I’ll send someone to check on him,” Macbeth said absently then turned to me. “My father kept a small chapel here on the castle grounds. We’ll wed here.”

I nodded. Once more, I would be married in the shadow of Findelach’s faith. “Very well. And Thorfinn? Malcolm is rather specific on that point.”

Macbeth laughed. “Come spring, we will go north to meet Thorfinn…so I may introduce my new bride to the brother of my heart. And then, we will begin making plans.”

“Plans?”

“For war…against Malcolm.”

* * *

Macbeth headed to his council chambers, calling his advisers to attend him, while I went after Banquo.

I rapped softly on his chamber door.

“Banquo?” I called. “Can I come in?”

A few moments later, the latch scraped then the door swung open.

Banquo motioned for me to enter. He went to his bed where some packs were sitting out. He’d been packing up his belongings.

“Are you… Are you leaving?” I asked.

Banquo turned and looked at me, tears clinging to his eyes. “I love you, Cerridwen. I love you. I cannot stay and watch you wed to another man. My heart cannot bear it. I’m going to leave for a little while.”

I stepped toward him, setting my hand on his cheek. “Where will you go?”

“To the woods. Somewhere quiet, somewhere away from this place.” He took my hand and pressed it to his lips. “By the old gods, I swear, you will be mine again in the next life. I don’t care what it takes, what promises I must make.”

Hot tears welled in my eyes. I nodded. “Be careful what you promise away. But yes, in the next life.”

Banquo reached out and touched my lips. His hand shaking, he pulled it away. “There is a place not far from here that’s sacred to our people. One day, I will take you there.”

Turning my eyes to the floor, I nodded. A tear rolled down my cheek. I brushed it away.

“Cerridwen, I do wish you good fortune and happiness. I truly do. It’s just…”

“I know,” I whispered. I exited and went to my own section of the castle. Rather than going inside my sleeping chamber, I headed downstairs to the small courtyard Macbeth had told me about. There, I found a small patch of land and a single apple tree, a stone bench underneath. It was snowing lightly. I sat on the bench, leaning my back against the trunk of the tree, then wept until I had no more tears left in me.