Blessing The Highlander (14 page)

 
           Garrick was the Keeper of the Spear, although he was not aware of it yet. It was hidden away until his heir is conceived. That is when the Ancients will tell him what he needs to know to protect it. But if Malcolm waits until then he will lose his chance of acquiring it. It is said that if the line dies out then they will need to choose a new protector. He had been working toward this for years. Being Fae, he can sense an Ancient if one is near and it turns out that Hagar is. Malcolm has been steadily earning her trust over the years and knows that now is the time to end this. She will give him the spear when Garrick dies. He narrowed his eyes on Seonaid.
She will have to die, also, since she may carry his heir.
He smiled. This may work out better than he thought. If the young laird was fond of his bride and she turned up dead, all he would need do is find a good reason for King Alred to kill his own daughter. Betrayal perhaps? He would give it some thought.

            A strong chill crept up her spine. Her smile froze on her face as she began to tremble in fear. Her eyes glazed over, unseeing, as the malevolent feeling engulfed her senses. Visions appeared before her eyes. Strange sights of blood, fighting… and death. She did not comprehend it. She saw Garrick striking her father with his sword in a terrible rage. Her father struck back piercing his heart. He fell from his horse as she screamed out his name.

 
          
Garrick!

 
           Garrick spun around on his horse as he heard her cry out, unsheathing his sword in one fluid motion. He charged toward her at full run but could see no attackers. His men scattered to avoid his steed’s deadly charge. They believed he was crazed but they did not know the reason. They had heard nothing.

 
           He reached her side just as she swooned… catching her in his arms. “Seonaid!” He brought his stallion under control with his thighs as he sheathed his sword. Garrick searched her body for blood but found none.

 
           He dismounted, barking orders to his men. “We will rest here. Liam, fetch blankets for your lady!”

 
           He was alarmed to see that her face was ashen, her breathing shallow. She was cold to the touch.
What has happened?
He could feel her terror and grief even though she lay unconscious in his arms.

 
           “Angus! Bring your skin!” he bellowed in alarm.

 
           “Calm yerself, m’laird. Ye worry yer clansmen,” Angus said beneath his breath as he handed him the drink.

 
           Garrick’s head jerked up giving Angus a sharp look, then dipped his head, as he took a shaky breath. His hands trembled as he held the goatskin full of uisge beatha to her pale lips. “Drink wife. This will warm ye.” He poured a small sip between her lips and watched her swallow reflexively. A pink blush began to return to her cheeks as she swallowed another drink. Her eyes fluttered open as she began to choke on the burning liquid.

 
           “You are still trying to poison me with Angus’ brew, I see,” she said in a raspy voice as she coughed.

 
           Garrick eyed her speculatively and decided she was better. “What ails ye, Seonaid? Why did ye scream me name like a banshee?”

 
           Angus gave Garrick a puzzled look. “What do ye speak of Garrick? She never uttered a sound. Ask any of the men.”

 
           He cringed as his eyes met hers with unspoken words of caution. She understood and scoffed, “You must have been lost in your thoughts, m’laird and thought that I cried out.”

 
           Angus looked to them both not believing a word of it but accepting it just the same. Who was he to question them? He grunted and left them… muttering beneath his breath.

 
           “I heard ye, Seonaid, but it was different this time. I can nae explain how but it was.”

 
           She studied her husband’s worried expression wondering if she should tell him what she had seen. It may be nothing at all. But it had been so real. So real that she could still smell the metallic odor of blood. She shuddered. Garrick took her in his arms and held her in his comforting embrace. She felt safe here. Loved. She inhaled his unique scent of male and soap, serenity sinking into her very bones.

 
           As he held her, she began relating the vision she had experienced. When she had finished she said, “I do nae ken why you were so angry...nor my father. But I could sense a singular rage coming from you both. Please Garrick, promise me you will stay away from my father.” She clung to his plaid as she desperately searched his eyes. “I do nae want you to die!”

 
           “Shhh, hush wife. Nae one is going ta die. Do nae fash yourself.” he crooned in his deep voice. He had listened to her tale and, as much as he would like to ignore it, he knew that he could not. Her father said that she had the sight. But it simply warned of danger. It did not decide the outcome. “But I can nae insult your father by nae inviting him ta the wedding feast. It would be a slap in the face! I promise ye this though, mo gradh, I will nae raise a hand ta him except in companionship. This I vow on me honor.” He gave her a light squeeze and, tilting her chin up, brushed his lips against hers.

 
           She accepted his word but did not know how wise it was. The rage she had felt in the vision was palpable.

 
           Seeing that it was late, Garrick ordered his men to make camp explaining that her faint was caused by exhaustion. The men went about their duties settling in for the night.

 
           While she slept Garrick gave a lot of thought to her premonition. He was at a loss as to why he would wish to kill the MacGregor. He had already decided not to blame him for the loss of his father years ago. The only other thing that came to mind was if Seamus tried to steal Seonaid away from him. Surely he would not do such a thing knowing that her real father approved of the match. He dismissed the thought but could not come up with any other feasible answer. It simply did not make any sense.

 
           Angus walked over settling himself next to Garrick and offered him a drink from his skin.

 
           “Nae thank ye, Angus. Tis nae me favorite drink. Ye ken this.”

 
           “Aye. I just kenned this may be one of those times ye might need some strong drink.” He eyed Garrick thoughtfully. “Ye really did hear Lady Seonaid cry out for ye this day.” It was not a question. Angus knew that Garrick was a logical man not prone to panic, but this day...this day he had looked terrified for his lady’s safety. It was not something he imagined. No… he had heard her!

 
           Garrick let his eyes roam around the campsite noting that his men were asleep and out of hearing distance. He picked up a firebrand poking at the dying embers, adding more fuel to the fire before he spoke.

 
           “I would ask ye nae ta say anything, Angus. The clan would nae ken what it is between us. They may cry ‘witch’ and that would be false.”

 
           He nodded his red head leisurely thinking on what he had said. “Do ye ken what it is then? Why would ye hear her?”

 
           Garrick studied his lifetime friend’s ruddy face deciding whether he should confide in him or not. He trusted him with his life. He was Captain of his guard and honorable to the end. Making his decision he gave a brisk nod.

 
           “Seonaid is a MacGregor in name but Seamus’ wife was with child when he wed her.” He lowered his voice to a mere whisper as he confessed, “Her true father is King Alred of the Fae.”

 
           “Truly?” Angus was shocked! Of all the wild thoughts he had of her, being Fae was not one of them. He whispered, “How do ye ken this?”

 
           “He visited me on our wedding night.”

 
           Angus hooted. “Now that would have been awkward. Ah, ta have been a fly on the wall that eve!”

 
           Garrick punched him hard on the arm glaring at him. “Does nae explain what happened today though.” Angus shook his head.

 
           “Nae, it does nae. There is something unseen between Seonaid and I, like a silken thread that shackles our hearts and minds together...even our souls, I think.” He inhaled a shaky breath. “Tis a frightful thing ta be this close ta someone. Mayhap that is the reason I heard her.”

 
           Angus took a pull from his skin broodingly as he sorted out this information. “Twould explain ye hearing her but nae the reason she called ta ye.”

 
           Garrick agreed with his cousin. “Her father says she has the ‘knowing’...the ‘sight’. She had a vision today when she called out ta me. She saw me battling Seamus but I can nae think of a reason for it. That is what has me baffled. I must believe that her vision is true but I can nae think as ta the why of it.”

 
           Angus let the information sink in mulling over the facts… then finally shaking his head. “Whatever the reason, twill nae be solved this eve. We will just have ta be watchful so ta avoid it.”

 
           “Aye,” he agreed. “For the time being, I want two guards with her at all times.”

 
           “Ye do nae trust her?” Angus was astonished.

 
           “That is nae the reason, Angus.” Garrick’s eyes narrowed, his face resolute. “The one thing that I ken for certain is that I would fight anyone if anything happened ta her! Even her true father! That is the only explanation that makes sense ta me.”

 
           “Oh aye, that I can see. Who do ye wish ta guard her?”

 
           “Ye and William during the day. Henry and Robbie MacNab at night. I thought, mayhaps Malcolm, but I am nae convinced of his loyalties yet. He gives Seonaid peculiar looks when he thinks nae one is aware.”

 
           “I will see ta it, Garrick. Let yer mind be at ease. But ye will have ta deal with me Mary if she becomes envious.” He chuckled.

 
           Garrick smiled. “Why do ye think I said daylight for ye?”

 
           Angus grinned. “So tell me, m’laird, What is your father-by-law like? Did m’lady remember him?”

 
           Garrick gazed reflectively into the flames, gathering his thoughts before he spoke. “Seonaid has never met him and she must nae be told. Twas a promise he had made ta her maither. She wished for a normal life for their daughter but still that has nae come ta pass. Ye must vow ta me nae ta say anything, Angus. Seamus and I ken it...now ye. Nae one else.”

 
           Angus puffed out his chest with pride. It was a great secret Garrick entrusted him with. He would not betray it. “Ye have me most solemn vow, m’laird.”

 
           Satisfied, Garrick added, “Ye ken...I was amazed ta find that I actually liked King Alred. He has a sense of honor and a logical mind, much like me self. He is very impressive...for a Fae.” Garrick stood stretching his stiff muscles. “Time for some rest, I think. Good eve, Angus.”

 
           “Good eve, Garrick.” He swathed his plaid about himself and stretched out before the fire. Garrick went to Seonaid and lay down beside her, hauling her into his strong arms. She snuggled against his chest as he covered her with his tartan. Seonaid sighed in contentment as he kissed her brow then closed his eyes to sleep.

            It was midday when they finally cleared the thick forest growth, which thinned away to a meadow stretching for almost half a league in all directions. In the far distance, Seonaid could just make out the silvern towers of Castle Brodie against the azure sky.

 
           She was awestruck as she recognized that if it appeared this large from so far away then it must truly be monstrous up close. She began to gnaw on her lip questioning how she would ever be able to aid her husband as mistress. She was not equipped for such a task.

 
           Garrick perceived her distress as he glimpsed his bride. She looked stunning in the sage green velvet gown her father had gifted her. She had shed her cloak as the day warmed and the velvet material clung to every nuance of her shapely figure. He growled in disapproval as he thought of all the single highlanders in the castle.

 
           Seonaid smiled back at him as she appreciated that he was not actually distraught with her. She took the arsaid that she had draped across the pommel of her saddle and placed it over her shoulder, pinning it in place with the clan brooch. She looked to Garrick arching her brow inquiringly. His scowl fled as a huge grin replaced it. He was delighted that she had remembered his wish.

 
           He sidled Cadence beside her palfrey. “Take your lady’s steed, Liam,” he directed his squire. “Me lady wife shall arrive at Castle Brodie with her laird husband...as one.” Garrick placed his arm about her waist lifting her to sit in front of him on his stallion. He gave her a slight embrace then put his knees to Cadence coaxing him into a canter as they sped toward the castle.