hearty.” She choked on a sob. “I thought I heard him a few moments ago telling me he missed me. It was so real! Could he be reaching out to me from the netherworld, Da?” She looked up hopefully.
Alred stiffened. She had heard him? Their bond was much stronger than he had thought. He knew of no one who had ever spanned the two realms with their thoughts. But she did have the second sight and Garrick was an Ancient who has not even tapped the powers within him. It was possible.
“I do not know, Seonaid. Perhaps. But you must remain here and focus on the babes. It is too risky to do anything else. Now, come and eat so your wee ones do not starve.” He gave her a slight squeeze.
She acquiesced allowing her father to lead her to the hall. It was full of Garrick’s kin and loyal warriors murmuring quietly between themselves as they ate their meal. All bowed their heads to her as she made her way to the dais with her head held high. Angus stood until she was seated then regained his chair. She gave him a weak smile.
His ruddy face looked strained from the loss of his cousin and running the castle . A task he had sworn to see to until Li’l Garrick was of age to take over his duties. When Garrick had faced Athor a year past he had made the arrangements for Angus to be steward. He did so now reluctantly.
“Is all well with the castle, Angus?”
“Aye, m’lady. How be ye? My Mary says ye have nae been sleeping.”
She smiled ruefully. “My bed lacks the warmth of my husband, Angus. Twill take time to adjust to that.” Seonaid patted his arm. “What of you? Are you doing well?”
Angus was a bit surprised by her show of concern amidst her own grief. His voice was full of emotion as he replied. “Aye…I be fit enough. Do nae worry yourself about my well-being.”
He glanced at Alred as Seonaid nibbled on some cheese. He was worried about her. The light in her emerald eyes had gone out and was replaced with sorrow. She did not eat. She did not sleep. She barely spoke to anyone. Alred shook his head briefly.
Her father was equally concerned. She was wasting away before his eyes and there was not much he could do about it. He began to doubt the wisdom of keeping her and Garrick apart. He sighed inwardly. They were two halves of a whole…and it appeared that they cannot survive when they are not connected. This farce would have to end soon whether the traitors made their move or not. At least she will get some sleep this eve. He had placed some herbs in her milk and was pleased to see her drink it down. It was not long before she went to her chambers, inhaling Garrick’s scent as she dozed off.
***
Natasha’s eyes narrowed with hatred as she observed from the dark alcove outside of the hall. She must strike soon!
She scowled. It had taken five days to convince Athor to release her! The fool! He had thrown off all of her plans. She wanted them all dead! But the bairns would have to wait. She caressed the oak cane in her grasp as she plotted. First, I will get Alred to hand over his power. Then I shall kill him. Mayhap, I will force him to watch his daughters die first. She frowned. Where was Diedre? She had not been on the isle when she checked. Oh well. She would dispose of her once she had the power to go wherever she wished.
With that decided, she crept silently back into the secret passage that Castle Brodie was riddled with. She would have to let Athor into the passageway within a few days…but not until she had confronted Alred. She must have the king’s power first.
***
Lokai furrowed his brow. He was not having any success at ferreting out his quarry. He had kept a watchful eye out for Natasha but, so far, there had been no sign of her. Athor was even more elusive. He resided in an unknown body and no longer possessed any magic. Without these things Lokai would have to actually stumble over him to sense the Fae blood in him. He shook his golden head. He needed to find the woman and follow her back
Alred stiffened. She had heard him? Their bond was much stronger than he had thought. He knew of no one who had ever spanned the two realms with their thoughts. But she did have the second sight and Garrick was an Ancient who has not even tapped the powers within him. It was possible.
“I do not know, Seonaid. Perhaps. But you must remain here and focus on the babes. It is too risky to do anything else. Now, come and eat so your wee ones do not starve.” He gave her a slight squeeze.
She acquiesced allowing her father to lead her to the hall. It was full of Garrick’s kin and loyal warriors murmuring quietly between themselves as they ate their meal. All bowed their heads to her as she made her way to the dais with her head held high. Angus stood until she was seated then regained his chair. She gave him a weak smile.
His ruddy face looked strained from the loss of his cousin and running the castle . A task he had sworn to see to until Li’l Garrick was of age to take over his duties. When Garrick had faced Athor a year past he had made the arrangements for Angus to be steward. He did so now reluctantly.
“Is all well with the castle, Angus?”
“Aye, m’lady. How be ye? My Mary says ye have nae been sleeping.”
She smiled ruefully. “My bed lacks the warmth of my husband, Angus. Twill take time to adjust to that.” Seonaid patted his arm. “What of you? Are you doing well?”
Angus was a bit surprised by her show of concern amidst her own grief. His voice was full of emotion as he replied. “Aye…I be fit enough. Do nae worry yourself about my well-being.”
He glanced at Alred as Seonaid nibbled on some cheese. He was worried about her. The light in her emerald eyes had gone out and was replaced with sorrow. She did not eat. She did not sleep. She barely spoke to anyone. Alred shook his head briefly.
Her father was equally concerned. She was wasting away before his eyes and there was not much he could do about it. He began to doubt the wisdom of keeping her and Garrick apart. He sighed inwardly. They were two halves of a whole…and it appeared that they cannot survive when they are not connected. This farce would have to end soon whether the traitors made their move or not. At least she will get some sleep this eve. He had placed some herbs in her milk and was pleased to see her drink it down. It was not long before she went to her chambers, inhaling Garrick’s scent as she dozed off.
***
Natasha’s eyes narrowed with hatred as she observed from the dark alcove outside of the hall. She must strike soon!
She scowled. It had taken five days to convince Athor to release her! The fool! He had thrown off all of her plans. She wanted them all dead! But the bairns would have to wait. She caressed the oak cane in her grasp as she plotted. First, I will get Alred to hand over his power. Then I shall kill him. Mayhap, I will force him to watch his daughters die first. She frowned. Where was Diedre? She had not been on the isle when she checked. Oh well. She would dispose of her once she had the power to go wherever she wished.
With that decided, she crept silently back into the secret passage that Castle Brodie was riddled with. She would have to let Athor into the passageway within a few days…but not until she had confronted Alred. She must have the king’s power first.
***
Lokai furrowed his brow. He was not having any success at ferreting out his quarry. He had kept a watchful eye out for Natasha but, so far, there had been no sign of her. Athor was even more elusive. He resided in an unknown body and no longer possessed any magic. Without these things Lokai would have to actually stumble over him to sense the Fae blood in him. He shook his golden head. He needed to find the woman and follow her back
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