“Of course, Fergus, come stand here for a moment,” Maggie said.
Fergus stood perfectly still while Maggie placed her spell on him and when she was done said, “Thank ye, Miss.”
“You’re welcome, Fergus. We’ll be gone for a few hours, Cailin, but I feel confident that Brielle won’t cause any problems while I’m gone, I’ve charmed her cell, so she canna escape.” Maggie turned her horse towards the gate and said to Dylan, “Let’s go. I need to get as far away from Brielle as possible. I dinnae know if she can read my thoughts or if she can sense my presence, but if I’m going to plan her demise, I need to be sure she doesnae know what I’m up to.”
***
Brielle sat in her cell, waiting for an opportunity to escape and it seemed as if the time had come. She heard the sound of footsteps coming down the passageway and could feel the presence of the kitchen maid, Sophia.She’s here to visit her man, but she doesnae have the benefit of Maggie’s spell of protection.Brielle snickered softly to herself.
“Latharn,” Sophia called nervously as she approached. “It’s dark down here. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I’ve brought you something to eat.”
Brielle heard Latharn get to his feet as Sophia neared his position. “Sophia!” The warmth in Latharn voice made Brielle want to gag.Love is for fools,she thought.Are they kissing out there?The prospect disgusted her, even as she listened intently to the sounds she heard coming through the door. A moment ortwo later, she head Latharn speak again. “Sophia ye shouldnae be here. ’Tis verra dangerous.”
“I’m only staying for a minute. Mary would be so angry with me if she knew I were here, but I know you haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“Thank ye fer bringing me food. I be verra hungry.”
“I be verra hungry, too,” Brielle shouted.
Silence was the only response she received. After a moment or two, she could hear whispering between Latharn and Sophia. They obviously didn’t know that with a simple little spell, she could hear them, as clearly as if they were speaking aloud.
“She scares me,” Sophia said. “How long do you have to stay down here?”
“Not much longer. Cailin will send someone else to relieve me from guard duty soon.” The sound of Latharn settling back in his chair echoed down the passageway.
“Girl,” Brielle called. “’Tis hard to breathe down here. Dinnae ye think?” She wove a spell and cast it upon Sophia.
“Latharn, I… I…” The alarm in Sophia’s voice was evident, her fear obvious.
Brielle cackled as she listened to Sophia gasping desperately for breath.
“Sophia, are ye nae well?” Latharn’s voice was full of concern.
This will be child’s play,Brielle thought happily to herself.
The sounds of Sophia struggling for air and of Latharn, scrambling to her aid filled Brielle’s cell and surrounded her like a warm, comforting blanket.
“Witch, what have ye done to Sophia?” Latharn sounded alarmed.
“Nae a thing that cannae be undone, if ye open this door and let me out,” Brielle said. “She willnae last much longer. Do ye really want her death on yer conscience?”
She didn’t have to wait long for her answer, as she heard the jingling of keys and the sound of the lock releasing. He pushed the door open and Brielle sailed past him and down the passageway.
“Wait! What about Sophia? Ye said ye’d undo yer spell,” Latharn shouted.
Brielle cast a glance back to where he was crouched over Sophia, who lay still in his arms. “I did say that, didnae I. So be it.” With a flick of Brielle’s wrist and a burst of light from her fingers, Sophia gasped and gulped air into her lungs. Before Latharn could move, Brielle turned three times on the spot and disappeared from his sight.
***
Sunshine filtered through the trees, casting intricate, shadowy designs on the pine needle covered path and a crisp breeze was a strong reminder that autumn would soon turn to winter. Maggie took a deep breath and enjoyed the scent of the pine trees, so fresh and comforting. She pulled the hood of her cloak close around her head in an attempt to keep warm. Dylan rode alongside her and reached out to hold her hand.
“This was a good idea ye had, Dylan,” Maggie said. Despite the chill in the air, she was happy to be here with him. They reached a narrow spot in the road and Dylan let go of her hand. He moved his horse ahead of her and led the way.
“I’m glad we could spend some time alone together.” He turned in his saddle to look back at Maggie. “I’ve missed you since I’ve been here.”
“But ye had Brielle. Ye thought she was me,” Maggie reminded him.
“I missed the Maggie from Glendaloch. I missedyou. And I was sad that the feelings I’d been experiencing had changed. Ishould have realized from the very beginning that it wasn’t you. It never felt right and now that I know the truth, it sickens me to think I actually kissed that evil woman.” He made a face that communicated his disgust and had Maggie giggling. “Hey, don’t laugh at me. I didn’t know!”
