Betha frowned. “I ken we will eventually travel north, deeper into the Great Glen. ’Tis not what Donal and I want to do. Though, it would be safer for us until this madness passes.” She brushed the crumbs off her gown and stood. “We will await your return before heading north.”
“Five days,” sighed Aileen, as she watched Ian come running through the grasses.
“Lady Aileen.” He waved. “Ye promised to dance with me and the other children.”
“I believe Lady Aileen must rest, since she and Sir Stephen will be making a journey to see the Great Dragon.”
Ian eyes went wide. “Truly?”
Aileen tried to smile at the boy. “Yes, it is. Have you met this
dragon
?”
“Nae. But I have heard she is wise and gentle.” Ian took her hands in his. “Do not fear her.”
“Her?”
Betha bobbed her head in acknowledgment.
“Aye. They say she is verra lovely. She will help ye seek the answers to your questions, too.”
“I didn’t know I had any,” Aileen muttered under her breath. “I think I’ll take that one dance with you and the others. Go fetch them, and I’ll meet up with you in a few moments.”
Ian gave a shout of joy before dashing off.
“Tsk, tsk, Lady Aileen, soon he will have ye listening to the bardic tales at dusk.”
“He does tend to sway me in my decisions,” she replied in a lighter tone.
“Mayhap, he can help your heart.” Betha gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “Try to get some rest. If I ken Sir Stephen, he will be starting out
before
dawn’s first light.”
Aileen’s shoulders stiffened. How could she have known such bliss only yesterday, and then today feel as if it was only one sided? Her face flushed as the memories of all they had done came tumbling forth once again.
Perhaps a few hours with the children and listening to stories would put her in a better frame of mind.
“Would you like me to make you a comfrey wrap before I leave?” Aileen asked, pushing away from the tree.
“Nae,” answered Betha, waving her off. “Donal is returning shortly and can help me.”
“What do ye need tending to, wife?” Donal interrupted, placing his arms around her. “Is there something special I can help ye with?” he asked, brushing a kiss along her upturned face.
Aileen couldn’t help but notice the mirth in Betha’s eyes as she moved into him. Understanding instantly what Betha had meant about Donal taking care of her
needs
, she rolled her eyes, and strolled away.
It seemed Beltaine had infected everyone with lustfulness.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“For no one saw the shadow pass over the land until the beast struck out at them with its mighty claw.”
Lachlan watched in greed as they carved into the deer they had slain, blood oozing from its neck and belly. So much blood, he pondered. His nostrils filled with the coppery scent and licking his lips, he clenched his hands in frustration at the loss. The ground was stained with it, and the magic called to him to drink.
At least he could request a portion of the animal. They had wandered aimlessly for weeks searching for the villagers, and his anger had only intensified. He was limited to the amount of magic he could use, and without a blood sacrifice, his vision was clouded.
Motioning to one of his most trusted followers, he waited until the man was close enough, so no one else could hear. “See to the heart and bring it to me immediately.”
The man nodded, slowly removing his dirk.
“Manus...take heed, and let no others see ye do this unless it is one of ours.”
“Understood,” replied Manus.
Lachlan turned from the site to prepare for what he hoped would be some insight as to where the people had fled. He was using the bishop’s men for his own purpose, yet, as soon as he found what he was looking for, they would all be slaughtered like lambs to their one God.
Passing his other two followers, Seth and Gavin, he nodded silently to them. They did not have to be told, for they understood when the time presented itself, Lachlan would require time alone to use his magic.
With the killing of the deer, it worked twofold for everyone: fresh meat to fuel the body and fresh blood to kindle the magic.
Earlier, Lachlan had noticed a small cave tucked behind some bushes, which had been searched earlier. Now, it would serve a much better purpose. He ducked within and stripped down. Instantly the damp cold seeped through his skin, when he seated himself against the back wall.
He removed his sickle and waited.
Time slowed, but Lachlan knew Manus would not fail him. A sinister smile formed when he heard footsteps approaching.
“Lachlan?”
“Bring it forth, Manus.”
The man stooped to enter, halting within a few steps.
“Leave it there on the ground. Go eat with the others. Be my ears and eyes for any knowledge. I fear they are getting restless to return to the abbey.”
“Aye, my lord.”
He waited until Manus left. The scent of blood immediately called out to him. The man was wise in leaving some blood on the heart. Yet, it would not be enough.
Taking his sickle, he stood, and sliced it across his palm. The blood seeped forth, and he clenched his hand into a fist causing it to flow freely. Walking in a tight circle around the heart, he let the blood drip onto the ground. Finishing the circle with himself inside, Lachlan picked up the heart with his wounded hand, letting the blood of the deer mingle with his own.
Chanting the words softly, he raised his hand above his lips and ever so slowly took the heart into his mouth. The only sound emanating within the cave was the deep suckling, and gorging noises he made.
Dark magic demanded the blood.
The tremors started to course through his body. Threads of blinding light pierced his thoughts, and he fought to control the demon of sight. It was always such. He knew better, but still the druid reached out with his power to take over.
In the end, the demon won out, demanding more of his humanity. And each time, Lachlan gave away a bit more of himself. He feared there would come a time when there would be nothing left of himself. But the power called to him.
Did it matter if he was man or demon as long as he had the power of the Gods?
It whispered inside his head, “
What do you seek
?”
“Where are the travelers?” Lachlan knew it could seek out the knowledge within him. However the demon always forced him to utter his request.
Black mists swirled like snakes in his mind, and laughter dark and malicious peeled forth. “
Are you sure there is not someone else
you seek
?”
The demon had never questioned him before. Why now? Unless... “Show me the Dragon Knight,” he hissed.
The blackness dissolved, and the mists opened up to a glen tucked against the hills. People were dancing to music, celebrating the feast day. Lachlan growled in frustration searching for the man. He was as invisible as the wind as he passed among the people searching for the man. His fury built as the demon kindled it within his mind.
At last, he spied him in the distance. Stephen MacKay! The man had been assisting the villagers all this time. Where were they?
“
Will you burn them all in my name
?” demanded the demon.
“Yes, anything,” Lachlan rasped out.
“
Anything? I shall require an additional sacrifice at the
time of my choosing
.”
His heart pounded furiously against his chest, and he feared his decision today would haunt him in the future. Did it matter? Druids were always known to travel unknown paths, and this was no different.
“You need only ask, and it shall be given,” he answered.
“
Done!
”
It was then Lachlan heard someone praise the kind people of Grenlee. His face turned to triumph right as the demon released its hold. His vision clouded over, but not before Lachlan noticed a woman watching the Dragon Knight. Her hair glistened in the sunlight like those of the...
fae
!
Gasping for breath, he slumped down upon the ground. He realized the price for seeing this vision was great. It would probably take his soul, and he no longer cared.
Violent laughter shook his body. “Ye sent one of your own to help the Dragon Knight?” he sputtered out.
Gathering what little strength he had, Lachlan stumbled out of the cave. Manus had left water outside understanding he would require cleansing. With shaking hands, he wiped the blood from his face and hand. It still oozed blood, but he would bandage it.
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he snarled. “
Now
, I ken where to find them all.”
Lachlan dressed quickly, making his way back to the camp with the smell of meat drifting past him. He walked toward the guards from the abbey, giving a passing nod to his own men. “After much prayer, the Lord has shown me another path where these heathens have traveled.”
The guards never thought to question him, since he had the confidence of the bishop. Yet, one stepped forward.
“Our Lord has spoken to you?” asked the leader of the guards.
Lachlan tempered his fury at his impudence. “Yes, through prayer and fasting, he has shown me a place I once visited. The place is called Grenlee. It is northeast of where we have been searching.”
The guard stood his ground for a moment longer, then relented. “Then we travel hard to this Grenlee at dawn’s light.”
Lachlan gritted his teeth, making a solemn vow that if this guard gave him any trouble, he would be the first to die. For the moment, all must go according to his new plan.
Grenlee was only five days away.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“They made a lover’s potion mixed with roses, honeysuckle, jasmine, and gardenias, but both refused to drink from the vessel of love.”
Stephen tilted his head up to gaze at the last dwindling of stars. Dawn was spreading its cloak of light in the east. A few birds chirped in the distance as the land awoke from its slumber.
He loved this time of morning.
Glancing back, he detected Aileen’s stiffness as she rode Buttertwill. He could sense her thoughts, and knew her to be angry with him. Hell! He was angry too. To finally find his stone, and then be told it had to be cleansed by another—yes, they were both angry.
In truth, he could not deny what he had felt out there in the water. His cock surged forth just recalling her sweet body as he took her in the stream. He could still taste her on his lips, and absently, he placed his hand over his cock and squeezed.
A flicker of movement caught his attention, and he came to a halt.
Bloody hell! How was he going to make it through these next five days, when he could not even survive a few hours without his body betraying him?
“What is it?” Aileen asked quietly coming up beside him.
Stephen briefly looked at her, noting how her hair shimmered like moonlight in the early dawn. Taking a deep breath, he cast his eyes at the falcon perched in a nearby tree. Its beady eyes narrowed at them.
He nodded to Aileen. “We have a follower.”
Aileen glanced toward the direction of the falcon. “I’ve seen that one before.”
“Aye. Indeed we have. It seems Cathal has his eyes everywhere,” he drawled.
Recognition dawned on her face. “That’s Sorcha! Does he think there will be problems? Is this why he sent her?”
Stephen choked on a laugh. “Druids don’t
think
—they meddle.”
“It is comforting to know that if we need help, she can send a message to him,” Aileen said smiling. “She is rather beautiful.”
He just sat there staring at her. “And ye think I cannot protect us?” He gave a nudge to Grian, taking off down the path, mumbling about interfering druids.
Aileen grumbled, “I can see it’s already going to be a long day.” Though, as she watched him, old yearnings surged forth. Her hands clenched the reins tightly, causing Buttertwill to give a loud snort of displeasure.
“Sorry, my friend,” she muttered softly. “Let’s get going, but if you don’t mind, I think we’ll keep some distance between Stephen and us.”
Aileen kept her gaze focused on Stephen who was riding ahead of them. If he kept them at this pace for the entire day, she feared her legs would never be able to move again. Grateful for the salve that Betha had given her to ease the pain, she allowed her mind to tease her with memories.
She tried with all her might to lock Stephen out, but it was as if they had created a bond that night, which could not be broken. Sealing her heart with chains didn’t help, either. For each time she gazed at him, they dissolved, leaving her open and reeling.
“Oh, Goddess, help me,” she pleaded softly.
Instantly a cool breeze gently touched her face, bringing peacefulness to her spirit. It was then Aileen reached out to the beauty of the land. She had been traveling without seeing what passed before her eyes. Heather and foxglove dotted the scenery. Wild poppies jumped out waving their petals at her. Mists hugged the giant mountain ridges, beckoning her. The air was cooler, yet, the scent of spring filled her head.
Rabbits skittered past and for a brief moment, she thought she saw a fox. Could Ian’s friend be following them, too? She had no doubt it was possible, especially since he would be the Master Druid one day.
She heard the ripple of a nearby stream, and smiled. The beauty of Scotland was all around her.
Feeling renewed, she let the vision feed her soul, tapping into the greatest source of energy—
Mother
Earth
.
****
The rest of the day passed quickly. Stephen stopped several times to let her tend to her “personal time,” as he often said. They had shared a light fare of honeyed bread, and berries, but ate without looking at one another.
Only once did Stephen see a rider in the distance, and he quickly led them away. He knew this part of the land. They were on Fraser soil, and he prayed Robert Fraser was still the laird. Being an old friend of his father, he remembered the times he had visited. Joyful, boisterous times.
Wiping a hand across his face, he slowed Grian. Thoughts of his family had been weaving their way into his mind daily. Again, he thought of his brothers...one in particular, Duncan.