Chapter 16
Duncan walked into the courtyard with Fingal on one side, and a guard on the other.
For someone who was invited into the stronghold, he was treated as if he was a prisoner.
Studying the enclosure, he noted that nothing seemed amiss.
The cobblestones were overrun with large weeds, but this didn’t stop the servants from carrying out their duties, nor did it prevent the chickens and geese from roaming the busy area.
Yet despite the usual hum of activity, the courtyard seemed oddly subdued when compared to the bustling energy of Tancraig Castle.
And while he had never put much credence to things like this before, he felt a distinct but heavy energy that lingered in the air.
Fingal was oblivious to the grim servants that hurried about the courtyard but continued to explain the various aspects of the castle’s structure. His behavior seemed odd, considering his position. Still, the man sauntered through the square as if he owned the castle and everyone in it.
Duncan feigned interest in the tour, and surveyed the two servants who were chasing a chicken for the evening’s supper. One of them glanced over at their party. And when he saw Adrina, he lowered his gaze, and expressed no joy at seeing that the laird’s daughter had returned home.
“Everything seems in order here,” Duncan said when there was a pause in Fingal’s monologue. “There’s nay need for me tae speak tae MacGill after all.”
“Guid,” Fingal said smoothly. “Ye may take your leave now.”
“I will, but first I must speak briefly with the lass,” he said, and moved off before Fingal could protest.
The guards watched his movements, although they showed no indication of stopping him.
When he reached Adrina, he took her by the arm, and led her a few paces away from the group. “I’ll be joining with my brothers,” he paused. “Ye will be safe here among those who love and care for ye.”
She looked up at him briefly, her eyes shimmering with tears.
But then her shoulders slumped and her chin dropped to her chest. The high color on her cheeks was noticeably absent, and she seemed a shell of the woman he knew.
This forlorn lass was definitely not the same one he had made love to at the cave.
Had Fingal finally cast his spell over her, or was her will affected by the dark energy that permeated the stronghold?
Duncan felt a strange twist in his heart, and he resisted the urge to fold her into his arms, and assure her that everything would be all right.
“I have nay need for anyone tae take care of me,” she said, her voice sounding husky. “I’ve cared for myself all these years, and I’ll continue tae do sae.”
Adrina gave him a wane smile and she lowered her gaze to his chin.
Her heart was breaking. It was impossible for her to look at him because if she stared at him any longer, she risked bursting into tears.
If she lost control of her emotions, Fingal would know her weakness, and would likely exploit it.
No matter what the cost, she had to remain strong. She had to let him go.
“Adrina.” Tucking a finger under her chin, he lifted it up so that their eyes were level.
He opened his mouth to say something more, but then he closed it again.
A small smile formed on his chiseled lips, and his gaze turned soft as if he wanted to kiss her.
What she would give to go back to the serenity that they experienced at the waterfall.
The sound of cascading water had swept away all their cares, and took them to a magical land where nothing existed except for the two of them.
Duncan seemed to have the same idea; his pupils darkened with desire, and he dropped his gaze to her lips.
Adrina held her breath. It was dangerous for him to embrace her, yet she wanted it more than anything.
Running his thumb lightly along her jaw, he left a trail of fire along her skin. “I’m glad that we had our time together, lass.” His soft words went straight to her heart, squeezing it. “I willnae forget ye.”
Dinnae leave me! she wanted to shout. But instead, she took in a staggering breath, and said, “For your own safety, ‘tis wise nae tae reveal anything tae Fingal, Duncan. I prefer that he disnae hurt ye.”
“Dinnae worry about me,” he said. “I can take care of myself as well.”
“Then ‘tis farewell,” she said, her throat tightening around the words.
“Aye, ‘tis farewell,” he said, but didn’t move.
Tearing her gaze from his beautiful green eyes, she couldn’t bear to witness the compassion reflected there.
Nor could she trust herself to say anything else.
If anything, she wanted to embrace him, to feel the comfort and protection of his strong arms, the solidness of his chest. But she remained motionless.
It was too dangerous to do anything else.
And with a heavy heart, she realized that she loved him too much to ever put him in jeopardy.
“Ye should leave now.” Adrina let out a jagged breath.
“Fingal and his men are watching us.” At her words, she noted Duncan’s compact frame becoming tense.
Even if he was under Fingal’s control, he must have realized that his life was in peril.
This was all her fault, she realized. If only he knew the truth.
But then it was likely that he would regret ever becoming acquainted with her.
Most of all, he would be sorry that he had made love to her.
A sudden sorrow filled her chest. And before she could stop herself, her palm slid along his steely arm.
But the muscles there jerked at her unexpected contact.
She withdrew her trembling hand, and reached for the brooch. However, her fingers encountered the hole in the plaid. For an instant, her hand clutched at the empty spot before it fell to her side. He watched her movements, a slight frown marring his firm lips.
“I’ll return for ye, Adrina,” Duncan said, his voice low and urgent.
“Of course ye will,” she said, smiling bravely. She knew that the further away he went from MacGill territory, his memory of her and the moments they shared would fade like the mountain mist.
He paused and looked as if he was about to say something. But the pleasant, vacant expression returned to his face.
“Be well, lass,” he said aloud. He adjusted his sword belt over his shoulder, and then pivoted on his heels, and walked back to the other men.
Adrina trailed after him even as she felt a heavy exhaustion pressing down on her.
From the moment that the bloodstone was taken away, a weighty fatigue had washed over her as if she wore thick chains around her neck, wrists and ankles.
For the most part she had ignored it. But now with sadness in her heart, she felt even more tired and weak, as if her energy was sucked out of her soul.
She clenched her teeth, trying to fight the weariness. Somehow she had to get the bloodstone back. At least then the heavy fog that imprisoned her would lift. And once that happened, she stood a better chance at breaking the curse that enslaved her people.
“The war is coming, and there’s nothing else I can tell ye about that,” Duncan said when he reached Fingal. “I must make my journey home. But before I leave, I desire tae replenish my supplies.”
“My men will take ye tae into town,” Fingal said, nodding at the two guards that stood beside him. His voice no longer sounded civil but was cool and unfriendly. “Ye can get what ye need there.”