The Betrayal

CHAPTER Eighteen

Kylia took deep, calming breaths until the first frantic feeling of panic passed. What was there to fear, after all? Hazlet hadn’t harmed her. She had merely locked her in the burial vault. Though it was dark and damp and chilly, it posed no threat to her life. She had suffered discomfort before. She drew her shawl more tightly around her shoulders and began sorting through her dilemma. The first thing she needed was light.

She extended her arms and began to chant the ancient words. Within minutes there was a faint glow of light. She looked over and saw a torch lying in the dirt, with a fire just beginning to burn at the tip. With a feeling of elation, she raced across the room and held the torch aloft until it was ablaze. After thrusting it into a niche in the wall she retrieved the other torches and candles and held them to the flame until they, too, were ablaze.

She stood in the middle of the room and experienced a wave of confidence. She now had heat and light.

Just then a fat mouse scampered across the toe of her boot. Although her first inclination was to cringe, she forced herself to stoop down and hold out a hand. “Hello, little creature. Am I intruding on your home?”

The mouse stopped, sniffed her fingers and stood on its hind legs.

“Let me see if I have any crumbs from Wee Lad’s meal.” She reached into a pocket of her gown and withdrew a tiny morsel of the biscuit she’d shared with her pup hours earlier.

When she held out her hand, the mouse eyed her suspiciously before moving closer. At last, too hungry to resist, it stepped into her palm and devoured the food.

“You see?” She laughed. “I was afraid of you, and you were afraid of me. But here we are, sharing your home and my food. Now, if only you were strong enough to lift the latch that is keeping me prisoner.”

When the mouse scurried away, Kylia turned to the door and decided to try another spell. Perhaps the one Gwenellen had once used to lift Bessie all the way to the roof of their cottage. How they’d laughed at the look on poor Bessie’s face. Of course, Gwenellen had been trying to make it rain. Poor thing. She did have a bad time of it with spells.

Holding her arms aloft, Kylia began to chant the ancient words. Moments later she heard the scrape of the heavy timber being lifted from the latch. As the doors opened, she turned with a smile.

But it hadn’t been her chanting that had opened the door. It was Hazlet, standing in the doorway, holding in her hand a very small, very menacing knife.

“Grant.” Dougal burst into the house, followed by the stable master. “Gresham told me that Kylia planned to join our aunt in the burial chambers.”

Grant turned, holding Wee Lad in his arms. “It’s odd that Aunt Hazlet never mentioned it.”

“It was hours ago, my lord.” Gresham pulled the hat from his head in a gesture of respect. “The lady Hazlet may have forgotten by now.”

“Aye.” Dougal eyed the wolf pup. “Why not turn Kylia’s lap dog loose to find her?”

Grant thought about it a moment before nodding. “Why not indeed? He dotes on her and she on him.” He lowered the pup to the floor and said, “Find your mistress, Wee Lad.”

The pup stood a moment, looking around in confusion. Then it bounded across the floor and headed toward the chapel, with Grant and Dougal following. Once there, the pup sniffed the stone steps before starting down, with the two men close on his heels.

As they made their way into the dank bowels of the castle, Dougal sighed. “I can’t imagine the lady Kylia venturing into such a place.”

“Nor I.” Grant was frowning as the pup raced ahead. “Had I known our aunt was spending her time in such as this, I’d have forbidden her to return. No wonder her spirits have been so low these many years. Just seeing this place has me yearning to breathe fresh air and see the light of morning.”

As they progressed along a dark hallway, they could see flickering light up ahead, and could hear the sound of feminine voices. Recognizing Hazlet’s, they paused to listen.

“It was wrong of me to lock you in here, Kylia Drummond. You did nothing to deserve such treatment.” Hazlet stopped speaking to look around, as the realization dawned. “I left you with no light, and yet the torches now burn. How is this possible?”

Kylia’s voice held no trace of anger or bitterness. “It is just one of the many gifts I’ve discovered, though in truth, I’m not certain if I could recall the proper words.”

“You…conjured up the light?”

“I was trying to lift the latch as well, and actually thought I had, when the doors opened. Alas, I see that my meager gifts apparently don’t run to such as that. But I’m grateful that you came back to free me, Hazlet.”

Spying Grant and Dougal in the doorway, she smiled a greeting. “How did you find me? Did your aunt bring you?”

There was no answering smile from Grant. He looked from Kylia to his aunt. “What is the meaning of this? Did I hear correctly? Did you lock Kylia in this dismal place?”

Hazlet’s lips turned into a scowl. “What transpired here was between the two of us. I’ve no intention of discussing it with you, nephew.” She started away, tucking the knife into the pocket of her coarse gown. At the door she turned. “I’m certain the witch will be happy to tell you everything. It’s why she’s here, after all.”

As the sound of her footsteps faded, Grant turned to Kylia. “My aunt spoke about locking you in this place. Is this true?”

Kylia looked from Grant to Dougal, seeing the same puzzled looks on both their faces. “Your aunt was vexed, and did something she now regrets. I must accept her apology and bear her no ill will.”

Dougal’s lips split into a smile. “By heaven, I see now why my brother loves you so. You’re a remarkable woman, Kylia.”

Instead of feeling joy at his words, she felt her heart sink. “We mustn’t speak of love now.”

Grant was watching her closely. “I agree. There will be time for that later. For now, tell me what transpired between you and my aunt that she would lock you away in this dreary place.”

Kylia shook her head and studied the toe of her kid boot. “I cannot tell you that.”

Grant strode closer and caught her chin in his hand, forcing her to meet his eyes. “You will tell me.”

“Nay.” She saw the range of emotions caused by her denial of his request. Pain. Anger. Puzzlement.

“Tell me the truth, Kylia. Have you learned something that is vital to me?”

“I have. But it is Hazlet’s secret, and only she can reveal it.” She took a step back, breaking contact. “I wish to return to my kingdom.”

His eyes narrowed. “We had an agreement. You would stay until you learned the name of the one who betrayed…” His words died as the realization dawned. For long moments he studied her before saying, “I will deal with this, and then we’ll speak of your future.”

Kylia shook her head. “I’d hoped…” The thought of her shattered hopes and dreams caused a pain around her heart like no other. But she knew that she could no longer remain here, knowing the secrets in Hazlet’s heart. “I must leave here, Grant. I cannot stay.”

His voice lowered with feeling. “Please, my lady. It isn’t possible for me to leave my people at this perilous time. I must see this thing with my aunt through to its conclusion.”

“And I must leave, for my presence here will only be the source of pain for you and for her.”

While Dougal glanced from one to the other, the silence stretched between them.

Finally Grant gave a slight nod of his head. “Very well. I’ll send my most trusted man, Finlay, to accompany you.”

“Let me go, too, Grant.” Dougal turned a pleading look on his brother. “It would be an honor for me to accompany the lady to her kingdom.”

Grant frowned. “Not to mention an adventure.”

“Aye. One I’ve long dreamed of.”

“Beware, Dougal. The journey isn’t a pleasant one. You’ll be sorely tested, both in body and in mind.”

Dougal stiffened his spine. “Do you think me less a warrior than Finlay?”

“Of course not.” Grant clapped a hand on his brother’s shoulder and drew him close. “But there are many who attempted to reach the Mystical Kingdom and didn’t live to tell of it. I love you, Dougal. You are all the family I have.”

“I’ll make you proud.” The younger man stepped back and gave his brother a radiant smile. “Then you and I will sit around the fire in our old age and talk of the wondrous things we saw in the lady’s kingdom.”

Kylia’s voice had him looking up. “You misunderstand, Dougal. You will be permitted to escort me only to the edge of the Enchanted Loch. From there, I will return alone to my kingdom.”

“Why must I stop at the banks of the loch?”

“There are forces that will prevent you from going on.”

“My brother overcame the forces.”

Kylia felt a pain at the memory. “Aye, Dougal. There was a fire burning in your brother’s heart that was strong enough to overcome the forces. No such fire burns in your heart.” She thought of Hazlet’s secrets. “At least not now. But perhaps one day.”

Grant turned to Dougal. “Do you still wish to accompany the lady?”

The younger man nodded. “Aye. For I’ll still get to experience the Forest of Darkness, and see the waters of the Enchanted Loch.”

“Very well then. Go and prepare to leave on the morrow.”

When Dougal hurried away, Grant caught Kylia’s hands in his and drew her close. “I must speak with Finlay and arrange for some of my men to accompany him. After that, I’ll come to you in your chambers.”

She sighed. “To bid me goodbye?”

“To try to change your mind, my love. For if you leave me, my heart will surely stop beating.”

“As will mine. But it must be done.”

He stopped her words with a hard, quick kiss. Then, gathering her into his arms, he kissed her again until they were both dazed and clinging.

He pressed his forehead to hers. “How can I bear to let you go, Kylia?”

“No more than I can bear to leave you. But I must.”

He took her hand, linking her fingers with his. At the doorway he stooped to pick up the wolf pup before handing it over to Kylia.

In silence they climbed the steps, knowing that each one brought them closer to the pain of parting.