Madison sat with her hands clasped around her knees staring at the fire as it crackled in the hearth. Its orange glow danced against the stone fireplace enchanting her as her thoughts jumped around Theodore. The sensation of his lips on hers still lingered like something sweet on her tongue. Her body tingled and as quickly as the thought came, Madison beat it back into the shadows of her mind.
She couldn’t stop seeingthe moment, no matter what she did. Theodore’s eyes bore into her memory like a comet streaking through the inky sky. The way his eyes darkened before he leaned closer, and the hitch of his breath before his mouth crushed against hers… Madison pressed her fingers to her lips wishing he was there to kiss her again.
“I must be losin’me mind,” she muttered to the fire as she raked her fingers through her hair. But it wasn’t the place that was out of sorts, but her. She could feel something struggling to claw its way back to the light from the bitter depths of her being.
Even the poppingof the fire sounded different. It was strange how still everything was or even could be. Her ears strained to hear some throngs of bitter tears being shed. But there was only the wind rubbing the branches together outside the window. There were no dogs baying in the distance or any cracks of whips. Just a stillness that should have soothed the fear of her spirit.
She absentmindedly rubbedher leg and realized the pain was gone. The salves Edith had given her clearly were nothing shy of a miracle. Madison jumped to her feet, eager to test her theory further. As soon as she put the pressure of her weight down, she winced. She’d still have to walk with some care, but for the most part she was healed. The bruising around her ankle was nothing but a whisper of yellow splotching.
“I’m daft.That’s what’s goin' on here. That’s the only thing to explain it. I’ve finally taken the step off that edge of me sanity. Lewis and his men, they’ve finally done it,” she said as she paced the length of her room as she gnawed at the tips of her fingers.
Madison pausedat the fire to let the warmth consume her. The heat lapped her face until it burned the tip of her nose.
“Nay,I’m safe. See, there’s nothin’ to be fearful about this place. I’ve nae lost me wits. I havenae. And soon enough, I’ll have me family with me again and all will be as if nothin’ happened.”
Bong.
Madison froze at the clamor.The bell sounded throughout the chamber as if its source had come from her very room. She cupped her hands to her ears and dropped to her knees. Her heart jumped to her throat as another gong rang out through the castle. The sound vibrated through the floorboards and bounced about her bones.
She didn’t knowwhat to do. The thought of running for the door sprang into her mind. It was her first and only instinct she could comprehend. In a flash, Madison was on her feet and to the door. If the bell was to go off again, there was no telling the damage it would do to her ears if she stayed in the room.
Panic clawedat her chest as the bell tolled again. Her body moved before her mind could comprehend the command. She stumbled forward, knocking into the stool as she reached for something to steady herself. The hallway was worse than the room. Her hands went to her ears as she dropped to the corner of the hallway trying to drown the sound.
The bell filledher head as every echo clawed at her like a pack of wild dogs threatening to drag her back to Lewis. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the bell rang louder. She closed her eyes, shutting out all that she could. Her body rocked as she clung to the darkness.
“I cannae go back.I cannae do it again… I cannae.”
“Me lady?”
A small voicelulled her from the darkness and dread. As much as Madison wanted to answer it, she couldn’t. Her breathing grew ragged as she felt something tender brush against her skin. Holding her breath she dared not look. If experience had taught her anything it was to expect the worst.
“Ye’re safe,I promise. There’s nothin’ here that wants to hurt ye,” the voice cooed. Going against her better judgment, Madison pried open one eye then the other. A meek young woman knelt before her, concern and worried etched into her very forehead. “Ye’re safe.”
“Aye,”Madison answered as she glanced around double and triple checking exactly where she was. The hallway was familiar with its gray stone walls. But it was the tapestry hanging of a waterfall and the unicorn that told her she wasn’t where she thought she was.
“Come,let us stand before we cause a scene,” the servant said as she offered Madison a hand to stand. Embarrassment washed through Madison as she caught glimpse of other servants rushing down the hall giving her a side glance as they passed. “Are ye well?”
“I’m a bit flushed,”Madison confessed as she wiped the beads of sweat from her brow.
“Aye,I can see that. I daenae think it’s a good look for ye. Especially if ye’re to have dinner with the laird. What do ye say we get ye freshened up a bit?” the servant offered as she movedback to Madison’s chambers. But Madison didn’t want to go back in the room. Not if the bells were to ring again.
“The bells,”Madison managed to get out. “Can ye tell me what they were for?”
“The laird soundsthem for meals. It’s to let everyone come and join us if they daenae have somethin’ of their own. I ken it can be loud, but tis the only thing that can let everyone ken on the island.”
Madison tried notto winch at the memory of the jarring sound. "Will they ring often?"
"Three times a day for meals,and sometimes for gatherings." The servant's expression softened. "Truth be told, I hardly pay any attention to them anymore. Then again, I could be goin' deaf in one ear too,” she added with a slight smirk. It was clear she was trying to lighten the mood and tension.
Madison’s stomach clenched.Even knowing the bells meant food, not danger, she wasn't sure she could bear hearing them again.
She forced a smile,“Then I will have to get used to them, willnae I?”
For a time,neither woman spoke as their steps echoed softly down the hall. Madison kept her gaze low. She tried not to let hernerves be so troubled. After all, she was going to see Theodore again.
Her heart skipped.It was unmistakable. The mere thought of him was causing her heart to race She didn’t know if she was thrilled or fearful. It wasn’t like his kiss wasn’t wanted, if anything she couldn’t deny the fact she wanted to do it again. But the reason for it baffled her. It wasn’t like he owed her anything, but there was a comfort in his lips that she knew she’d never be able to find anywhere else.
“So,I’m Heather. I heard ye’re the one who’s to be the next Lady MacLeon,” the servant glanced expectantly at Madison.
