“Rowan trees are a home to powerful Magic left behind in the world by the ancient Fae. It’s not just their smell that identifies them to me. It’s the sense of power in the wood.”
“Too bad we don’t have ourselves a rowan tree here, isn’t it? Maybe you could access your Magic then.”
Elesyria shook her head and stood up, stretching her back as she did. “I doubt one tree could overcome what I feel weighing down upon me here, but they do have power. You likely could have used a single bit of wood like that when you set about to contact the Faeries instead of all those stones you told me about.”
If only she’d known that at the time. It would have saved her the week’s pay she’d spent on those pretty little stones. Not that she would have had any idea where to find rowan wood in Wyoming. Besides, none of that mattered now. It was all history.
Or would be in seven centuries.
She replaced all the items as they had been. All except the little fork. That she tucked into the pouch she wore around her own waist. After all, she was sure Malcolm had meant it to be hers.
Carrying his blanket with her, she crawled into bed and drew the woolen close to her face, breathing in his scent. She wouldn’t allow herself to think about the circumstances Malcolm endured this night that prevented him from using his own things.
Instead she forced her eyes shut. She needed to sleep in order to try the dream again. She needed to see for herself that Malcolm still lived.
Thirty-three
DON’T LET HIMsee your fear or it’s all over. He’ll come after you.”
Aunt Jean’s caution played through Dani’s mind as she followed Torquil’s guard toward the dining hall, grating against her already frayed nerves. Maybe if she’d gotten any sleep at all last night it would have helped. Or if she’d been able to catch even a tiny glimpse of Malcolm in her dreams she might be less of a nervous wreck.
But neither was the case. Instead, she had only a head full of her aunt’s favorite words of advice.
Of course, Aunt Jean had been warning her about the old goose that wandered freely around their farm and not some Magic-wielding Scotsman who held people prisoner in his castle. But still, the caution might well apply. Both were vile, hateful creatures that bore careful handling.
Outside the entry to the hall, she lifted her chin and straightened her back, only moderately reassured by the squeeze Elesyria gave her hand before dropping her hold.
As before, the huge room was devoid of people except for the servants waiting at either end of the table where Torquil sat.
He neither stood nor looked up when they approached to take their seats. Apparently their negotiations had reached a new adversarial level.
She only hoped the bell ringing in her imagination signaled the beginning of the next round and not an all-out disaster alarm.
“I canna help but note that you’ve no brought along the wee bags yer to hand over to me today.”
At last he chose to acknowledge their presence. Two could play that game.
Dani made a point of thanking each servant for every item that was placed on the table before she allowed herself to so much as glance Torquil’s direction.
His amused expression did not inspire her to confidence.
“I saw no point in our carting the bags back and forth. You know where they are, and surely they’ll be safe there, won’t they?”
“Absolutely,” he replied, his expression darkening as his eyes darted over her head.
“May I join you?” Christiana stood at the door, her entry blocked by the guards at either side.
“Of course,” Dani replied brightly, her words drowning out Torquil’s simultaneous response of “No.”
His not wanting the girl there was all the reason Dani needed for including her. Anything to throw her opponent off his game.
She popped up out of her chair and hurried over to the door to reach past the guard and draw Christiana inside the room.
“Don’t be rude,” she hissed at the man, feeling almost sorry for him as he looked first to his companion and then to Torquil for guidance.
At a gesture from Torquil, the guard stepped aside and Dani led Christiana back to the table to take a seat next to hers.
“There now.” She forced herself to smile across at Torquil. “One big happy family.”
