Chapter 11
“Maggie, wait!” Dylan had to run to catch up with her as she fled the castle. “Maggie, it’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.” Dylan grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him.
“I can’t believe it! I can’t believe Auntie Edna would do this to me!” Maggie’s reddened face displayed her anger and frustration. Tears spilled from her eyes and Dylan wanted more than anything to find a way to comfort her.
“Do you think perhaps Brielle isn’t being totally honest with you?” Dylan tried to keep his voice calm and soothing, hoping to ease Maggie’s anxiety over her aunt’s betrayal.
“I dinnae ken. It doesnae make any sense. I know Edna didnae give me all the details and I’ve felt like a fish out of water from the minute I arrived, as I’ve tried to make my way through this. She should have told me the whole story. I would have helped her, regardless of the reasons.”
“There has to be something more to this. I know she’s a bit of a meddler, or at least that’s the impression I’ve gotten from Jenna and Ashley, but she always seems to have the best of intentions.
Jenna and Ashley were angry with her interfering to begin with, but they came around when they found Cormac and Cailin and realized that Edna had done what she had to do to get them together. ”
“Aye. I ken that, but this is different. She’s nae matchmaking here. This is dangerous! What am I supposed to do? How do I defeat Brielle without killing her? How do I do it without getting myself or someone else killed?”
“I don’t know, Maggie, but we’ll do it together.
I’ll help you and protect you as much as I possibly can.
” Maggie clenched her teeth tightly together and Dylan ran his finger along her jawline, in an effort to ease the tension he saw there.
The energy she was emitting was strong and filled with static electricity.
Were those real sparks flashing in her eyes, or was he seeing things?
As Maggie leaned into him, the hair on his arms stood on end.
Dylan took a deep breath to ground himself and in doing so, brought Maggie back from the brink of imploding with fury.
“Come with me. Let’s go for a ride and put some of that energy to good use.
” He offered her what he hoped was his most charming smile and Maggie nodded in agreement.
“I’d like that. I need time to think, to figure out what to do next,” Maggie said.
“Maggie!” Angus was heading their way and he didn’t look happy.
“Uncle,” Maggie responded.
“Is it true? Cailin told me what happened down in the dungeons. I cannae believe Edna would do this. Yer her niece and to think she knowingly sent ye into the lion’s den, all for the sake of that damn bridge!
I cannae tolerate this kind of deceit! She has gone too far this time.
She didnae even confide in me, her own husband, with this crazy scheme of hers.
” Angus, in his usual fatherly fashion, wrapped an arm around Maggie and held her close.
“I can tell ye this, my sweet Maggie, I will protect ye, no matter what happens. I willnae let that witch Brielle harm ye in any way.”
“I ken that, Uncle, but I dinnae want anyone to get hurt,” Maggie responded.
“Dinnae be angry with Auntie Edna, Uncle. She’s trying to protect the MacKenzies, not just the bridge.
We must believe in Auntie and not fall prey to Brielle’s lies.
” Maggie laid a gentle hand on Angus’ arm.
“I’m going to go riding with Dylan, to try and clear my head and figure out how to handle this situation. ”
“Do ye need me to go along with ye?” Angus asked. He sent a warning glare in Dylan’s direction.
“Nae, Uncle, I’ll be fine. Dinnae worry about me,” Maggie said. She gave Angus a big hug and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be fine,” she repeated, when he appeared as if he might protest.
“I’ll keep an eye on her, Angus. I promise.” Dylan wanted to reassure Angus. He knew that he was a very protective man and felt it was his duty to watch over his niece.
“Make sure ’tis just yer eyes, lad,” Angus warned.
“Yes, sir,” Dylan said. He had a great deal of respect for Angus and all the men at Breaghacraig.
They were men of honor and he hoped that they felt the same about him, although just now, Angus certainly seemed to be questioning it.
Dylan would prove himself to him. He wanted Maggie in his life and he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his chances.
“Fine then, see that yer back here before sunset, or I’ll come looking fer ye.” Angus turned away and headed back towards the great hall.
“Well, I guess we know what Angus is worried about,” Dylan chuckled.
“Aye. He’s a good man, Dylan.” Maggie searched his face and Dylan smiled again to put her at ease.
“I know he is, but I don’t think he trusts me with you.”
“Does he have reason not to?” Maggie teased.
As they prepared to leave, Cailin came around the corner with Fergus. “Maggie, I’ve brought Fergus.”
“Of course, Fergus, come stand here for a moment,” Maggie said.
Fergus stood perfectly still while Maggie placed her spell on him and when she was done said, “Thank ye, Miss.”
“You’re welcome, Fergus. We’ll be gone for a few hours, Cailin, but I feel confident that Brielle won’t cause any problems while I’m gone, I’ve charmed her cell, so she canna escape.
” Maggie turned her horse towards the gate and said to Dylan, “Let’s go.
I need to get as far away from Brielle as possible.
I dinnae know if she can read my thoughts or if she can sense my presence, but if I’m going to plan her demise, I need to be sure she doesnae know what I’m up to. ”
***
Brielle sat in her cell, waiting for an opportunity to escape and it seemed as if the time had come.
She heard the sound of footsteps coming down the passageway and could feel the presence of the kitchen maid, Sophia.
She’s here to visit her man, but she doesnae have the benefit of Maggie’s spell of protection. Brielle snickered softly to herself.
“Latharn,” Sophia called nervously as she approached. “It’s dark down here. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I’ve brought you something to eat.”
Brielle heard Latharn get to his feet as Sophia neared his position.
“Sophia!” The warmth in Latharn voice made Brielle want to gag.
Love is for fools, she thought. Are they kissing out there?
The prospect disgusted her, even as she listened intently to the sounds she heard coming through the door.
A moment or two later, she head Latharn speak again.
“Sophia ye shouldnae be here. ’Tis verra dangerous. ”
“I’m only staying for a minute. Mary would be so angry with me if she knew I were here, but I know you haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
“Thank ye fer bringing me food. I be verra hungry.”
“I be verra hungry, too,” Brielle shouted.
Silence was the only response she received. After a moment or two, she could hear whispering between Latharn and Sophia. They obviously didn’t know that with a simple little spell, she could hear them, as clearly as if they were speaking aloud.
“She scares me,” Sophia said. “How long do you have to stay down here?”
“Not much longer. Cailin will send someone else to relieve me from guard duty soon.” The sound of Latharn settling back in his chair echoed down the passageway.
“Girl,” Brielle called. “’Tis hard to breathe down here. Dinnae ye think?” She wove a spell and cast it upon Sophia.
“Latharn, I … I … ” The alarm in Sophia’s voice was evident, her fear obvious.
Brielle cackled as she listened to Sophia gasping desperately for breath.
“Sophia, are ye nae well?” Latharn’s voice was full of concern.
This will be child’s play, Brielle thought happily to herself.
The sounds of Sophia struggling for air and of Latharn, scrambling to her aid filled Brielle’s cell and surrounded her like a warm, comforting blanket.
“Witch, what have ye done to Sophia?” Latharn sounded alarmed.
“Nae a thing that cannae be undone, if ye open this door and let me out,” Brielle said. “She willnae last much longer. Do ye really want her death on yer conscience?”
She didn’t have to wait long for her answer, as she heard the jingling of keys and the sound of the lock releasing. He pushed the door open and Brielle sailed past him and down the passageway.
“Wait! What about Sophia? Ye said ye’d undo yer spell,” Latharn shouted.
Brielle cast a glance back to where he was crouched over Sophia, who lay still in his arms. “I did say that, didnae I. So be it.” With a flick of Brielle’s wrist and a burst of light from her fingers, Sophia gasped and gulped air into her lungs.
Before Latharn could move, Brielle turned three times on the spot and disappeared from his sight.
***
Sunshine filtered through the trees, casting intricate, shadowy designs on the pine needle covered path and a crisp breeze was a strong reminder that autumn would soon turn to winter.
Maggie took a deep breath and enjoyed the scent of the pine trees, so fresh and comforting.
She pulled the hood of her cloak close around her head in an attempt to keep warm.
Dylan rode alongside her and reached out to hold her hand.
“This was a good idea ye had, Dylan,” Maggie said. Despite the chill in the air, she was happy to be here with him. They reached a narrow spot in the road and Dylan let go of her hand. He moved his horse ahead of her and led the way.
“I’m glad we could spend some time alone together.” He turned in his saddle to look back at Maggie. “I’ve missed you since I’ve been here.”
“But ye had Brielle. Ye thought she was me,” Maggie reminded him.