Highland Queen

Chapter 35

I made ready to depart. I would not return to Moray but would ride straight to Dunsinane from Lochaber. Morag clicked her tongue and complained about Tira and Rhona who had—in Morag’s words—abandoned me.

“I will send for them,” I told Morag. “If they want to return, they can.”

“And what will you do in the meantime?”

“My aunt Madelaine has maids.”

Morag huffed. “No. That won’t due. You will take Greer with you.”

“Would she want to go?”

Morag laughed. “Lady Gruoch, I know your eyes have been on your man and your child. You’ve missed it completely. Wherever Sir Killian goes, Greer follows.”

“Have they formed an attachment?”

“Well, she’s certainly attached to him. I think he’s still deciding. I suspect his heart is hung where it shouldn’t be. It will take some time for him to realize it.”

“Ahh,” I said. His heart was still hung on me. “Well, I’ll see what I can do to get it unhinged.”

Morag laughed. “She’s coming up to speed as a lady’s maid, but it may still take her a bit of time.”

“She helped bring my daughter into this world. What else could I ask for? Morag, she does know that—”

“That Aelith does not exist? As I told you when you came, your secrets are safe in Lochaber.”

Killian organized my guard and some men of Lochaber to accompany me south. Word was beginning to spread about Thorfinn and Echmarach’s raid on the Irish king. Despite being opposed to the maneuver, I hoped it worked and wished them luck. Once more, Scotland’s blood was boiling.

The morning we planned to depart, I rose early to find Aelith awake and talking. She lay in her bed, lifting and lowering her toys, studying each one and talking to them as she did so.

I lifted her from her bed then lay her down between Banquo and me. Banquo sighed in his sleep but slept on.

“I will leave today,” I told Aelith.

She scrunched up her brow and looked at me. On some level, she understood. “But I will come home as soon as I can. Your dada will be here with you. And Morag. You won’t be alone.”

“Dada,” she said, patting—more slapping than patting—Banquo’s face, waking him in the process.

I laughed. “Yes, your dada. He will be with you always. He will always keep you safe.”

Yawning, Banquo lifted Aelith’s hand and kissed it.

“And your mother will keep us all safe. You see how perfect it all will work,” Banquo said.

“I need to start getting ready,” I whispered.

“I know,” Banquo said sadly. “Well, my Aelith, let’s get up and make sure everything is ready for your mum’s ride south. Shall we go see if Swift is saddled?”

Aelith grinned with excitement.

Poor little dear, if she only knew my heart was breaking.

Killian had been hard at work making the preparations. By the time I was finally dressed, everything was ready.

Carrying Aelith, Banquo waited while I mounted Swift.

“I will write as soon as I can.”

Banquo nodded. “Be careful, my Cerridwen, and not just on the road. Keep your man close,” he said, motioning to Killian. “But not too close,” he added with a wink.

I laughed. “Oh, my love. That is the last thing you should ever worry about.”

At that, Banquo chuckled. He handed Aelith up to me so I could kiss her once more.

“Be a good girl,” I said. “Listen to your father. Now, give me a kiss.”

Giggling, she planted a very wet kiss on my cheek.

“I love you,” I told her then I handed her back to Banquo.

Banquo gave me a soft smile. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I whispered. With a heavy heart, I tapped on the reins then turned my horse south.

As I rode out of the gates of Tor Castle, I fought back my tears. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to be.

Instead of staying with my husband and daughter, I was headed back to Macbeth.