Thomas breathed a deep sigh that sounded like relief. “Ye dinna deserve to die. Not ye or yer dah.”
“’Tis over now. You can give me yer weapon.”
Once Thomas released his grip, Brian and his men came forward. Lachlann stood and handed Brian the bloodied dirk. No one was willing to fight. Their blank expressions reflected his own disbelief of the unexpected and ghastly event.
Coming to Lachlann with faltering steps, Ethne collapsed in his arms. Her warmth against him was a soothing boon that he was in no hurry to let go of. Finally, she cupped his cheek with a damp palm and searched his face.
“Are ye badly hurt?” Her voice trembled.
“I will be fine.” Lachlann’s breath finally eased. “Let us see this finished.”
“No!” The wild screech caught everyone off guard.
Lachlann placed Ethne behind him with a firm hand, even as he turned toward the source of the awful sound.
The sight of Domelch standing beside the rising waters of the pool with her innocent babe clasped to her bosom set Lachlann’s blood to boil.
“I was to be queen!” Her screeching voice was like claws clenching at his heart.
Aidan’s men began to murmur, all but Malcolm, who finally allowed Finn to go to Ethne. Running as quickly as his little legs could carry him, Finn’s petrified expression tugged at Lachlann’s heart.
“Domelch…” Malcolm’s voice remained calm as he moved closer to her. “Aidan could not make ye queen no matter what he promised.”
She turned on him with an ugly scowl. A mask of fury. “Ye’re wrong. We go through the ritual just as it was described, then the gods will make us powerful once again!”
The murmuring increased, as the water rose above her ankles. The tide was coming in and despite searching the area from where he remained riveted, Lachlann could distinguish no possible outlet for the water. The woman was about to be immersed.
“Malcolm, she killed our parents,” Ethne called out. The pain in her voice tightened Lachlann’s chest.
Malcolm halted. His shoulders rounded. He was a defeated man and his tone said as much. “Is that true? Did ye do that, Domelch?”
“I. Had. To,” she screamed. “I needed to come back here. It was Aidan who sent yer uncle to yer family. We needed more menhere, not to stay behind in yer weak little clan.”
“My mother was so kind to ye, Domelch. Have ye no feelings for another?” Malcolm’s expression shifted from pity to acceptance. He squared his shoulder and reached his arms out with purpose. “Give me the child.”
“I will be queen.” Domelch stepped nearer the center of the pool where the water rose above her knees. The baby cried out. “I will not be thwarted.”
Horses whinnied behind them, sensing the imminent threat of drowning. Brian yelled, “Retreat! Everyone! Before the path to higher ground is flooded.”
The water reached his wife’s waist. Malcolm lurched forward.
“Oh, dear Lord in heaven,” Ethne turned away so that Finn could not watch his baby sister be murdered.
With water sloshing around their ankles, Lachlann led them toward the entrance. Brian accepted Finn onto his horse, and Lachlann hefted Ethne onto his, then slapped its rump so that the mare lurched forward.
“Lachlann! No!”
But Lachlann headed back into the flooding cave.
Chapter 30
Back within the castle walls in the Great Hall, celebrations continued around them. Lachlann sat at a table surrounded by Niall, Aldred, Brian, and Ethne. She was close at his side, as if afraid if she left him, he might end up dead.
“The mormaer has placed a guard on the caves to be certain no one returns,” Niall said.
Ethne’s silence pushed Lachlann to place an arm around her. In a quiet voice, he asked, “Do ye worry for Finn and Mongfind?”
“I will miss them.”
