As they walked up the winding path that led through the village and up to the gates of Dun Mallach, villagers came out of their houses to stare. Rose smiled and waved at them but most didn’t return the gesture, too awed by the prospect of a MacFinnan spellweaver in their midst.
Finally, they reached the castle gates and the guards stepped aside to let them through. Cailean indicated for the gates to be shut behind them, keeping the crowd out. Maggie excused herself to go and check on Drew and, no doubt, to gossip to everyone in the castle about Rose’s arrival.
“Wow,” Rose muttered, craning her head back to look up at the keep. “This really is a castle. A real, proper castle.”
“Aye,” Cailean replied, feeling a flush of pride despite himself. “This is the seat of Clan MacNeil. Welcome to Dun Mallach.”
*
This was allhappeningwaytoo fast. Less than half an hour ago she had been making a cup of coffee in her kitchen and thinking about herdivorce. Now, she’d met a goddess, traveled back in time, fallen into the sea to be saved by a strapping Highlander, had a crowd of people gawping at her like she was a fairground attraction, and now, to top it all, she was in a castle. A real, medieval castle complete with battlements and guards on the walls. It was too much.
“I need to sit down,” she muttered, folding her legs and lowering herself to the cobbles.
A heavy hand settled on her shoulder and Rose jumped, looking up to find Cailean standing over her.
“Are ye well, lass?” he rumbled. “Do ye need to see a healer?”
She snorted. “That would look good wouldn’t it? The healer needing to see a healer the minute she arrives? No, I’m fine. Just a little… disorientated.”
That was as understatement. She felt like she’d landed on another planet. Why had she listened to Lir?
“Aye,” Cailean muttered, scrubbing a hand through his thick, dark hair. “Ye aren’t the only one.”
Rose studied him. He looked to be in his thirties, and his chest was broad and well-muscled, as though he liked to work out. Her mouth went a little dry and she forced her gaze to his face. His shoulder-length hair was dripping water down his shoulders and when it was dry, she guessed it would be a rich shade of brown. And his eyes… they were deep and dark beneath heavy brows. Right now they were full of wary suspicion as he watched her.
Rose swallowed. She got the impression this man was not someone you wanted as an enemy.
“You act as though you didn’t know I was coming.”
“I did not. The first I knew was when I saw ye fall off the rock.”
Rose frowned. “But you’re the laird, right? Aren’t you the one who asked Lir for my help?”
His expression darkened, something like anger flashing in his dark eyes. “I wouldnae ask Lir—or any of the gods for anything. Not if mylife depended on it.”
She suddenly remembered what the goddess had said to her.He willnae accept my help. Perhaps he will accept yers.
Was Cailean MacNeil the person she’d been referring to?
She opened her mouth to speak but her words were drowned out by the sudden sound of excited yapping and a shout of, “Papa!”
She turned her head just as a young girl and a black-and-white dog came zooming across the courtyard and skidded to a halt in front of her and Cailean. The girl looked to be around nine years old and had bits of hay sticking out her hair and rips in her dress.
“Catriona,” Cailean said in a low voice. “Ye are supposed to be at yer lessons.”
“I was!” the girl replied, looking between Rose and her father. “But then Maggie came in and said we had a visitor and Sister Beatrice said I could come look and… and… and…” She trailed off, a little breathless. “Is it true?” she asked excitedly. “Are ye really a sorceress? Have ye really come to save us?”
“Catriona,” Cailean growled. “Ye are being impolite.”
“It’s all right,” Rose said. She turned to the girl. “Catriona, is it? I’m Rose. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I don’t know about ‘sorceress,’ but I’m here to help. I’ll do whatever I can.”
She didn’t like making promises like that, especially before knowing the full extent of the problem, but the hope shining in the girl’s eyes made her want to say something.
“I knew it!” Catriona cried, clapping her hands together. “I told Patch just this morning that something would turn up, didnae I, boy?”
“Dinna get ahead of yerself, lass,” Cailean said. “Nothing’s been decided.”
“Have ye seen the stables yet?” Catriona said. “Or the kennels? Or the pond? How about the kitchens? Cook makes the best oat cakes ye’ve ever tasted!”
