Blessing The Highlander (30 page)

 
           “Your wife brought me boundless pleasure in our bed sport. I appreciate why you are so selfish with her attentions.”

 
           Garrick staggered back from the blow. Surely, she did not bed him!

 
           “Ah yes…most pleasurable. It always astounds me what some will do to save their miserable lives.” Athor snickered as he saw doubt cross Garrick’s expression.

 
           In an instant the distrust vanished.
She has never lied ta me…and she vowed she loved me. Nay. This bastard lies! If she bedded him…it was nae by choice. It was rape!
He rejoined him with a stinging blow, sending Athor’s sword flying out of his grasp landing several yards away. “Ye never touched me wife in that way,” he glowered at Athor…his breath heaving from exertion. “She does nae lie…particularly ta me!”

 
           Athor grasped the dirk in his boot as Garrick was distracted then leapt at him with a roar. He side-stepped the assault whacking the blade from his hand. Forsaking his sword, he chose his fists to vent his wrath. They traded blow for blow until Athor fell. Garrick pounced on him…pounding his knuckles in his face.

 
           Athor lay bloodied and senseless as Garrick stood up. He stared at him a moment, his fury spent, recognizing that he could not execute him. He was no butcher.   

 
           Lokai was only a few feet away when Garrick handed the staff to him. He raised his brow in question.

 
           “The spear can nae be used in vengeance. Only ye can do this.”

 
           Lokai spun his horse around just as Malcolm extracted a second dirk from his boot to fling at Garrick’s back. As the staff transformed into the Spear of Destiny he raised it high and released it at the same moment that Robbie loosed his arrow at Malcolm.

 
           The spear struck true and Malcolm fell, dead before he hit the ground.

 
           Garrick mounted Cadence, searching for Seonaid but did not see her. Perhaps she had tripped, he thought as he combed the high grasses. He rode round the meadow widening the perimeter… frantically looking for her.

 
           “Seonaid! Mo cridhe, where are ye?” The only sound was the wind blowing through the grass.

 
           “Over here, m’laird!” Angus shouted kneeling down on one knee.

 
           Garrick’s heart plunged to his stomach as he drew near. He saw her indigo skirts first. As he drew closer… he saw more. She was nae stirring. And why was her shoulder all red? The dress was blue. Then he saw the bolt protruding from her back.

 
           “Nay!” he roared in agony. Leaping from his steed he fell to his knees alongside her, squeezing his eyes tightly to hold back the grief.

 
           “She still lives, m’laird. See...m’lady draws breath.” Angus placed his hand on his shoulder. “Liam! Me skin! Make haste lad!”

 
           Garrick’s hands trembled as he brushed her flaming locks from her cheek. “Awaken, lass,” he crooned. She did not stir. He bent over kissing her brow then, looking up at King Alred, beseeched him. “Her wound must be healed...I beg of ye.”

 
           The king’s eyes misted with tears. If they healed her in front of his men then she could be branded a witch. He looked into Garrick’s pleading face and nodded brusquely. His decision was made.

 
           “Send your men home. Keep only the most honorable here with you. What we do this day must not be spoken about.”

 
           “Angus! See ta it! I wish Liam ta remain. He has already proven that he is trustworthy. Robbie. William. Henry, as well. The rest must return ta the castle.”

 
           “Aye, m’laird.”

 
           Shielded from the men as they arranged to leave, Lokai used his Fae magic to extract the bolt from her back. Garrick grew frantic as blood began gushing from the wound.

 
           “Stay calm, Son. Lokai is my best healer in the entire Fae realm. She will live.”

 
           He nodded as he drew an unsteady breath. His stomach began to roll as he sprinted a short distance away and bent over… purging it of its contents. Angus’ skin appeared before him.

 
           “I think ye may have need of it this day more than I.”

 
           Taking it gratefully, he took a long drink. “I have nae sickened like that since I was a lad killing me first buck.” He admitted in a trembling whisper.

 
           “Tis your fear for her. Tis understandable.” Angus shrugged. “Tis naught.”

 
           Garrick focused his eyes surveying their surroundings. “Are the men away?”

 
           “Aye. Robbie will travel with them for a wee while ta calm their concerns then return. Can the Fae heal her?”

 
           “Aye, I believe so. Her father says it can be done. I do nae believe he would lie about it. What transpired, Angus? How was she here?”

 
           “I am nae certain, Garrick. Ye were fighting and I was watching Malcolm, like ye said when suddenly, m’lady and another woman appeared next ta me. She was running toward ye before I could catch her.”

 
           Garrick’s face grew hard with animosity.  He would kill her for this! Did she hate him so much that she would see her sister dead? He was not certain. Diedre had a lot of clarifying to do! “Who shot her?”

 
           Angus shuffled his feet apprehensively. “M’laird. Twas an accident. The bolt was unleashed just as she ran in front of it. Twas nae apurpose!”

 
           He ground his teeth. “Who?”

 
           “Please, Garrick, he feels abysmal about it.”

 
           “Who!” he roared at him.

 
           Meekly, Angus looked toward William. Garrick followed his gaze… boiling with anger. William sat on the ground weeping into his hands like a babe. Garrick shook out the rigidity from his hands approaching William slowly. He counted to ten before he spoke; releasing the fury that well-nigh consumed him.

 
           “Twas nae your doing, William.” Garrick dropped his hand to his shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I do nae fault ye and neither would your mistress...so do nae blame yourself. Ye will see. All will be well.” William nodded mutely.

            The king established a large camp to shelter everybody. There was a large tent for meals and the king’s bed, a smaller tent for Garrick and his wife, and a third tent for Lokai and the men.

 
           Garrick sought his wife, discovering that she had been moved to their tent. Upon entering, he found Lokai bending over her rotating his hands in a circular motion a few inches above her wound.

 
           He straightened when he detected Garrick standing at the entrance. “I have healed her injury but it will take a little bit of time for her strength to return. She lost a lot of blood.”

 
           He nodded as he stared at her motionless form. “Has she wakened?”

 
           “No… not yet. But her weakness in all probability is the cause. It could be several days before she does. You must be patient.”

 
           “Aye. I will wait for as long as is required...for her to mend. However,” he turned cold eyes on Lokai, “I will nae be so tolerant with Diedre! I require answers! Where is she?”

 
           Lokai stiffened.
Diedre? Of course. How else would she have gotten there? And just where was she? I have not seen her since I left the palace.
His eyes hardened.

 
           “I have not seen her Garrick. But rest assured...she will explain herself to all of us as soon as I feel at ease leaving Seonaid.”

 
           Garrick walked slowly to the bed never removing his gaze from her. She was so still. He sat heavily in a chair next to her and stroked her bruised cheek. He had failed to safeguard her. The king was correct. His eyes grew weighty as exhaustion overtook him. He stripped off his weapons, laying them within reach and stretched out beside her in bed. Tucking her into his embrace, he kissed her cheek and slept.

 
           Comprehending that there was nothing else he could do for her, Lokai departed the tent to search out the king.

 
           King Alred was breaking his fast when Lokai arrived in the large tent. He glanced up as he entered.

 
           “How fares my daughter, Lokai? Will she be sound?”

 
           “Yes, your Majesty, I see no reason that she would not. She sleeps to regain her strength.”

 
           “Is she safeguarded? I will tolerate no more mishaps in her life.”

 
           “Garrick is by her side. It would take an army of Fae to drag him from there, I think.”

 
           King Alred smiled. “He does seem to be a bit attached to her. That is good.”

 
           Lokai’s grin left his face. “Or one sister.”

 
           Alred studied his face speculating what he had meant. He sighed despairingly. “What has Diedre done now?”

 
           Lokai sat as he snatched an apple to eat. As he meticulously peeled away the skin he asked the king a question.

 
           “I left both of your daughters at the palace before I joined you here. Have you questioned how Seonaid appeared in the lea? And just where is her sweet sister? Have you seen her?”

 
           Alred swore as he comprehended what Lokai was saying. “That girl will be the death of me yet! Locate her! I would speak to her of this!” His fist hit the table.

 
           Lokai bowed as he popped the last bite of apple in his mouth. “As you wish, Sire.” And he was gone.

            Four days had passed. Four days where Seonaid had not stirred. Garrick never left her side except when essential to relieve himself. He cleansed her, made plans for their future with her, murmured to her and, finally...beseeched her to return to him. Nothing worked.

 
           Lokai found him clasping her hand as he caressed it absently, watching her serene face. He walked over and examined her finding nothing amiss. Her spirit to live appeared to be draining from her body, yet he could find no basis for it.

 
           Garrick raised tortured eyes to him. “What is wrong with her, Lokai? Why does she nae wake?”

 
           “I am not certain of why… but she seems to have lost the will to live. Can you think of any reason for that? Perhaps something that occurred in the battle?”

 
           Garrick’s eyes widened with understanding. “She believed she saw me fall! That is when I heard her scream! The vision. She must think she saw me death!”

 
           Lokai nodded. “Yes. That must be it. Have you tried to reach her with your thoughts?”

 
           “Aye. After she had rested a couple of days...but I could nae locate her. She is too deep...too far away.” He shook his head wretchedly. “I can nae touch her, Lokai.”

 
           Lokai squeezed his shoulder. “Do not give up hope just yet, Brother. I will help you reach out to her...but know that there are risks. If she is too far away you may not be able to grasp her...or you could become lost there as well.”

 
           Garrick leapt up full of hope. “I do nae care! Without Seonaid I have nae wish ta return!”

 
           “It will not be easy to convince her that you live, and believe me...you will have to persuade her of that or she will not return.”

 
           “Aye. I can do that.”

 
           “I need assistance performing this effort...will you consent to it? Diedre must link her power with mine so that I do not lose your soul in this attempt.”

 
           “Diedre!” he scowled as his hands formed into fists.

 
           “Yes...Diedre. Will you accept her aid for your wife’s sake? Your heir’s?”

 
           His eyes were black with rage up until they brushed over Seonaid. Her face was so pale. His heart twisted in pain. “Aye. I will accept even her help if it will save me wife.”

 
           “Good! Go and eat. You will need all your strength. This could take a long time. But be mindful that she must come back soon...or she will be lost to us. I will watch over her while you prepare.”

 
           Garrick tucked the furs around her, kissed her brow and left her to make ready. He gave instructions to his men as he ate his fill, telling them not to fear.