Carron Castle, held by Coll MacKenzie, Scotland, 1210, the following day.
Kyla MacKenzie stood on the high rocky cliff overlooking the blue-green waters of the inner channel of Loch Carron as the dawn sun breached the horizon. A brisk breeze rose and whipped the brewing storm clouds farther out toward sea. If only the wind could whip her own unsettled emotions away just as quickly. For twenty years her true name of Christina Matheson had never been spoken again, and no man did she despise more than Colin MacKenzie who’d taken that right away from her. ’Twas just as well Coll and Duncan had brought her here for a little while, to give her a small reprieve from their chief and his devious demands.
“Come inside, Kyla!” Duncan leaned over the corner crenellation of the battlements, his great plaid belted at his waist and untucked tunic flapping in the breeze. “I must leave soon and wish to say farewell.”
“Coming.” The rising sun sent a swathe of vibrant gold and red shimmering across the curtain wall and she grasped her midnight-blue velvet skirts and hurried back through the main gate. Up on the battlements, Duncan tugged his leather riding gloves on and shrugged into his leather jerkin. She rushed up the side stairs. Since he was leaving, then their current chess game would need to be put on hold. Most nights they adjourned to the library and played together, the game one Coll had never had the patience for, but one she and Duncan most definitely had. She thrived on considering all the multiple strategies needed to win, always adored it when she managed to best Duncan in what many called the King’s Game.
Breathing hard, she reached the top of the barbican then giggled as Duncan caught her up in his outstretched arms and twirled her around. “Put me down, you big oaf.”
“Dinnae you go and move those chess pieces around while I’m gone, little sister. I know exactly what my next move shall be, although ’twill have to wait until my return afore I can make it.” He set her back on her feet, his expression turning somber as he murmured in her ear, “You looked sad out there on the cliffs. My father is far away at his own keep and you’re supposed to be enjoying yourself while staying here with Coll and I.”
“Your father’s threats follow me about no matter where I am. I also miss Coll. Have you heard any word from him?”
“Nay, but he’ll be somewhere to the far north of our MacKenzie lands. Hopefully he’ll send a messenger soon so we’ll know exactly how his mission fares. Our fighting force isnae yet as strong as we’d like it. That’s for certain.” Duncan stroked one finger under her chin, lifted her gaze fully to his. “I love you, just as Coll loves you, and as your mother told us in her vision twenty years ago, ’tis time for the fae to live. That includes the three of us, even though you’ve never been able to return to your true clan.”
“They’re your true clan too, no matter you’ve never lived amongst them.” She tapped his nose. “Where are you going?”
“I must ride for Ardan House to see how Niall Matheson’s training goes under Muirin’s guidance. There is much the fae sorceress can teach him, just as she’s taught Coll and I.”
“Are they getting along better, Muirin and Niall?”
“At first they argued night and day, but their soul bond is strong, has grown greatly this past month. ’Tis of course a shame Niall’s son escaped our dungeons afore I could officially release him as I’d wished to do.”
“Your guards beat Ronan to within an inch of his life and never should have. I’m glad his fae princess arrived and ensured his escape. I couldnae stand seeing him being so restrained behind our bars.”
“I left implicit instructions that Ronan never came to any harm while I was gone and the two guards who flayed him have been sent away. I had no choice but to ensure his captivity. Hamish had ‘seen’ ’twas necessary if Muirin was to have a chance in strengthening her bond with Niall. I certainly willnae have any of my men bringing harm to one of the fae.”
“The fae village has strong healers within.” She’d prayed the fae princess had gotten Ronan safely into her people’s hands.