Celestial Land and Sea by Amy McLean

would notice him, think of him as more than a humble devotee.
    He sighed to himself, then coughed: "Your Majesty?"
    She jumped, startled by the intrusion. "Lord Bingham. You have returned from Ireland. What is it?" She made sure there was a level of anger in her voice to assert her authority over the disruption, but she would secretly confess to herself that she was glad for the company, as the boredom to which she was so accustomed had once again started to develop. She was beginning to grow weary.
    Lord Bingham entered the room as Elizabeth stood up.
    "Your Majesty, I bring you good news," he spoke quickly, his nervous excitement causing him to rush his bow. "I thought you ought to know that Tibbott Bourke has now been captured. Please allow me to assure you that he is held securely. He cannot escape."
    "The boy has been imprisoned? He is no longer free. Very good. And does he confess to his treason?"
    "He has spoken very little, Your Majesty. He certainly does not confess anything, but merely asks to see his chieftain."
    "And who is this chieftain? Where is he now?"
    "The chieftain, Your Majesty, is the boy's mother. She—"
    "What?" Elizabeth blinked, wondering if she'd misheard.
    Lord Bingham gulped: "Your Majesty?"
    "You say the boy's chieftain is his mother? A female captain?"
    "That—that is correct," he stuttered.
    "How extraordinary. And do we know where this female chieftain is now, Lord Bingham?"
    "She remains on the west coast of Ireland, on Clare Island."
    "And her name?"
    "Gráinne O'Malley, Your Majesty." His palms were beginning to sweat as he rubbed them together. Elizabeth stood and moved closer to him now, and he could smell the natural scent that lingered on her pale skin. He couldn't help but notice the eager look that had flared in her eyes.
    "Seize her and bring her to me then."
    "You—you wish to see Gráinne O'Malley?"
    "That is what I said, was it not?"
    "Yes, yes. Certainly, Your Majesty. Right away."
    "You may go now."
    Elizabeth turned her back and paced to her chair by the window. Lord Bingham bowed behind her and scampered out of the room, having accepted his mission. He had a duty to do and he could not let Her Majesty down. He must do whatever was required of him to find this female captain and bring her to the Queen.
    Gráinne O'Malley must be captured.

 
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    G race's heart had raced when she heard the news, her head weightless and dizzy. She turned pale as Donal grabbed onto her to steady her on her feet. If only in that moment, she was overcome with emotions that were not her own. In those minutes following the news of his capture, she knew also that she had known Tibbott, and that she had loved him as her own.
    They sat around the wooden table in the kitchen that Donal had led them to. Grace tried to remain calm as she studied the room. It became apparent that she was currently in the O'Malley household—this was Gráinne's kitchen—and part of her felt as though this were the most natural place in the world for her to be, a sense of belonging, a familiarity, and it provided her with a peculiar comfort that she hadn't expected.
    There was certainly no doubt in the minds of Donal or Cathleen that she belonged there. As far as they were concerned, she was Gráinne O'Malley. They didn't seem concerned in the slightest by the difference in her accent or her lack of understanding of pretty much everything they said to her. They had no knowledge of Grace Byrne, and that didn't seem to matter to anybody. Right now, Grace had to put her own identity aside and concentrate on helping them.
    "When did this happen?" she asked.
    "Yesterday. Word only reached us this hour."
    "Who was it?"
    "Lord Bingham's men: I can't be certain Bingham was there himself, but it would not surprise me if he were. His thirst for blood has grown barbaric over the years. I should wonder whether or not he has any control over his own desires anymore." Donal's