Laughter began to bubble up in her, rich and full of spite, dissolving the painful memories. Covering her mouth with her hand, she slipped into a robe she’d left warming near the fire. Only when she’d let the heavy weight of the door close behind her did she allow her mirth full rein. It started as a chuckle and then built to a full-blown shriek of laughter. When it was over she wiped her eyes, relishing the hard, dark feeling that remained in its wake.
Morgana pulled her robe tighter round herself and started down the hall to gather her provisions. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough, for tomorrow she’d begin her journey to revenge.
They’d pay. All of them. She’d make them rue the day they’d banished her to this place of cold nothingness. The day they’d hoped for her death. When she finished with them, they’d be begging for an end to their misery, and her power would reign supreme. As she imagined the moment, her heart beat faster and her breath came shallow.
Thirteen years. She’d waited thirteen long years to taste this vengeance. Nothing could stop the wheels of destruction now. Only one last piece still needed to be gathered, and with it secured, her powers would be complete; the true and final cycle would begin.
Success was a foregone conclusion.
For in a few days, the preciousEalachwould be hers again.
Chapter 19
“I’m glad to see you finally came to your senses, man.” Kinnon grinned from his position next to Duncan at the banquet table. Sounds of revelry and celebration clanged around them so that he had to speak louder than usual to be heard. He picked up another piece of roasted duck in his fingers and nibbled at it before leaning back with a sigh. “I’d hoped you’d see the light and ask her to marry you. I was beginning to think I’d never get a decent meal again.”
Duncan laughed softly, cuffing his cousin on the shoulder. “I wouldn’t let Bridgid hear you say that.”
“Aye, I’d better watch my tongue,” Kinnon agreed. But the silly look on his face spoiled any attempt he made at seeming fearful. He straightened, adding, “Where is Aileana? She should rest and eat. She’s hardly touched her food.”
“Aye, well, I’ve been too busy cooking it.”
Duncan twisted to see Aileana approaching, feeling the same burst of happiness he’d felt each time that he looked at her in the days since she’d agreed to become his wife. He’d spoken true when he’d told her how deeply he cared for her, choosing his words carefully for fear of how she might feel. Though they’d made love, he’d been afraid that she’d never accept him as her husband; so much darkness had come before for them, so much hurt.
It had been the greatest joy of his life when she’d said yes. Casting up a silent prayer of thanks, he’d promised to be patient—to do all he could to help her grow to love him as he loved her. When the time was right, he could speak the words to her without worry, and know that she felt the same.
A smile pulled at his lips. At least there was one place that needed no help in their life together right now; aye, they’d made a fine start in the bedchamber this past week. Averyfine start…
“I don’t know if it’s proper to let the bride prepare her own betrothal feast,” he teased her softly, as she came near enough for him to reach around her waist and pull her close to him.
“Better this than on the day we wed,” she clipped. “Besides, I’ve grown accustomed to being worked to the bone in this keep.” She grinned when Duncan pulled her across his lap in retaliation, resisting tickling her only when he realized that holding her was bringing up a familiar, pounding heat. And though he’d like nothing better than to disappear upstairs and indulge in some other, more pleasurable pastimes with her, he knew it wouldn’t be fair to those gathered to celebrate their betrothal.
“Saucy lass,” he whispered so that only she could hear, “you’ll pay sweetly for that tongue of yours once we’re alone tonight.”
“Truly?” she asked, her brows raising in mock alarm. She wrapped her arms round his neck as she sat on his lap and leaned over to whisper, “Well, mayhap my tongue will find other, more pleasurable pursuits this eve. Then you won’t wish to curb it, I’ll warrant.” Before he could answer, she scrambled off of him and skittered away, leaving him laughing and reaching to swat at her retreating backside.
“She’s a lively one, sure,” Kinnon said, raising his cup of ale in salute.
“Aye, she is, and glad I am of it.” Duncan picked up a sugared berry and popped it in his mouth before asking, “Any word from Dulhmeny yet?”
“Nay, nothing. When Gil returned from delivering your message, he said they’d received it without comment.”
“After what Robert MacDonell saw here little more than a week ago, I doubt he knows quite how to take a message telling him that his sister and I are going to wed.” Duncan ate another berry. “Just keep the guards posted as we discussed, in case he decides to disagree with the idea and attack us. I do not think he has the manpower yet to try it, but I cannot be sure.”
“It seems unlikely—a marriage is what they wanted at the start, isn’t it?”
“Aye, but after hearing about Gavin’s plot against me and their plans to seek retribution, I don’t want to assume anything.”
Kinnon nodded, and they fell silent until a sudden scuffling at the end of the hall drew their attention. A burst of long, red hair popped up at shoulder height, then two flailing hands. When the gathering people shifted, Duncan could see a laughing Aileana being hoisted up in the air by some of his kinsmen. Gil and Ewen led her pack of captors, with several of the women following behind, waving bits of plaids and making loud calls and jests.
“Bring on the nuts! The nuts must be tossed,” they called, as they carried Aileana to the massive open fireplace.
“It looks like you’d better join her.” Kinnon bit back a smile as he took another swig of his spiced ale. “You don’t want to miss such an important ceremony.”
“You put them up to this, didn’t you?”
Kinnon merely shrugged and stood. “It doesn’t matter much, now, does it? It cannot hurt. It’s only for sport to read the omen in them.” He winked. “Just think of it as an early present in honor of your union.”
“Aye,” Duncan answered wryly. “Just what I needed.” He stood. “With my luck both of the fruits will explode before they’ve sat in the coals for five seconds.”
