Sir James returned, with Torsten and Svørn lurking in the doorway waiting for their keeper, Lord Kollungr.
The northern lord smoothed his palms over his fur-lined shoulders as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “Well, my lady, it appears all is lost.” He glanced down to remove a speck of lint from his wrist before he met her unwavering gaze.Strong, Keirah,be strong, be silent, be still – he has to think it is his idea.
He met her gaze. “Or is it, my lady?”
Grind. She heard Aonghus’s jaw as his teeth clenched in contained wrath. “To what do you refer, Lord Kollungr?” the Lord Chamberlain advanced, hiding his eagerness.
“Lady Keirah knows my lord king.” Kollungr glanced at the Lord Chamberlain.There was the look Fálki gave when his thoughts were, ‘You underling.’She bit her tongue. Let the falcon spread his demonic wings. “See, Lord Chamberlain, my lord king Håkonsson was none too pleased my lady has strayed unto your shores. He seeks an audience with her upon his ship.”
“The others have not spoken upon this request,” the Lord Constable hissed, his face turning a violent crimson shade.
“‘The others’ do not hold the intimate terms I do with my lord king; would you care to argue this point, my lady?” The falcon’s piercing gaze flashed back at her.
They both knew it was true – he always had the king’s ear.But Fálki, this will also be your downfall.King Håkonsson trusted him as none other and he broke that with the coin held by her knight. “Nae, youaresuperior above those who have just taken their leave,” she confirmed, a bile rising in her throat – back trapped by his talons. Her eyes darted toward Aonghus; he would be at her side, her knight, love, and protector.It won’t be as it was before. Different. Shewasdifferent. Hadn’t the demonstration in the bailey just proved this? Aye! If only her damn pulse rising from panic would take heed. Somehow her tone remained calm. “Forthwith, what do you propose, Lord Kollungr?”
“Perhaps if you return with me before my lord king Håkonsson he may grant a slight leniency to the terms King Alexander has placed,” Kollungr replied, his lips harboring a sheen from saliva at his prospect. “However, I cannot promise he will hear all…”Of course not.She tightened her toes in herslippers. “But he will hear what you seek in the missive Sir Kolbein refused to deliver.” Kollungr nodded toward the folded parchment ‘lying dead’ on the table; yep, that was how she felt.“What say you…”
“My lord king,” Aonghus’s voice boomed through the room, “may I confer with my lady a brief respite?”
The king’s face reserved, he nodded, and Aonghus motioned her to follow him out the open doorway. Svørn and Torsten stepped aside, the pair wearing matching smirks any weasel would be proud to own. As soon as they cleared the gateway, he grabbed a hold of her arm, almost dragging her toward a concealed corner half-hidden down the passage overlooking the great hall.
Before she could speak, he broke her troubled thoughts. “My silence does not mean I concur, Cluaran,” he advised, concern weighting his words. “Icannotprotect you in the dead center of King Håkonsson’s ship upon open seas with a captor nippin’ at your heels. I will not chance you in such a manner – damn the Lord Chamberlain’s proposal to offer you upon a gilded platter before Lord Kollungr or King Håkonsson or…”
She raised upon her toes, her lips capturing his to silence them in a severe kiss. In the bailey, had MacCade’s belief in her cast away fears she held? Aye, every last one. Her knight at that moment showed her again how much he loved her,stillsought her touch, as he did now with his palm tightening upon her back.
They parted. Her breath moist upon his mouth, she murmured passionately, “I love you, Aonghus MacCade, for all you are and all you say, yet everything set in our path,this, is grander than both of us.” She pleaded with him upon the truth they were entrenched in. “We have nae choice; fate has dictated.”
His brow furrowed in worry which lined his words: “This glance regarding the treaty, are we present at King Alexander’s side?”
She brushed her fingers over his worried brow. “Nae. Oddly Sir James is not present either; however, Callum is there in his stead.”
“Cluaran,” he replied, fearful, “they could overpower me the moment we set foot beyond the bailey, force you upon your back against your will. I cannot risk…”
“This wouldnotbe if the bishops remain present,” she replied, confident. “They are the enemy, but honor runs to their roots. We are married in the eyes of God, and the bishops are God-fearing clergy. They would see us safely to King Håkonsson’s side even with Lord Kollungr lurking near. Once we are before King Håkonsson, the same would hold true. The king would hold us for ransom, ofthisI am certain. He has the same trait as King Alexander to see beyond the elements of emotion and stay the strongest course to his advantage, always.”
A dire look crossed his handsome face. He appeared ready to refuse but paused a second, altering the direction of his gaze toward something over her left shoulder. What was he looking at so intently? She glimpsed behind.There. In the great hall’s center was Edina, the lassie’s wee arms open wide and twirling a circle right under the re-hung chandelier as if silently saying,I dare you to try again!
Look at that shining spirit – incredible.
“Fierce,” he murmured, “Sheisfierce.”
Keirah smiled. “For certain; she is Scottish –fierceruns in our blood.”
He gave a sigh, then re-met her set stare to state, “Keirah, this will decide the future lands of Scotland, long after we are gone and it is passed to the wee ones we now look upon.” He bowed his brow. “Cluaran, aye, we proceed. Iwillfind a way to have our feet settled back onto Scottish shores.”
She grabbed his shoulders, kissing him reverently.Together, Aonghus, we will fight for Scotland – together.
***
Her stride more confident than her thoughts, she heard Aonghus state their terms. “Lady Keirah will stand before your lord king, but the condition must be met that I remain by her side.”
She watched Lord Kollungr nod in consent, then give a look at her knight. It was the same expression the Northern lord had before killing those he laid the blame upon for theft of the gold coins. Her heart dropped. Aonghus may fear for her, but he wasmorein danger.
“Then ’tis agreed,” the king concluded.
Sir James bellowed, “I seek to be present as well!” The king’s highest guard locked eyes on her before he turned toward…“My lord king, I implore you, grant my request so I may ensure this Scotswoman is earnest in her efforts. I have been more than clear proclaiming my fears she is simply a traitor to your crown.”Aye, squawking the same as a damn rooster.
“I agree with Sir James as actin’ escort to the delegation,” Lord Chamberlain popped in, his doubt showing once again at her trustworthiness.
