“He had two blades,” Keenan said (21 page)

“I came to tell Serena that we leave within the hour.”

“So soon?” Olivia asked, but already began to issue orders softly to the maids.

Keenan turned back to Serena. “We’ve had a report of the Faw tribe of Romany moving just north of here.”

Mari was close. A wave of excitement washed over Serena.

“I’d like to intercept them to give them the recompense from Cumberland and let them know that William Faw is no longer a fugitive.”

“Well yes, that makes sense.” Olivia clapped her hands again and the platoon of maids began to strip Serena.

Keenan turned on his heel and headed for the door. “I will be back in less than an hour for ye.”

Serena hadn’t said a word the entire visit. “And how is Ewan?” she asked to his back. “He is able to travel?”

Keenan stopped at the door, but did not turn around. “Bad ale perhaps. He will live.”

Serena listened as his footfalls grew distant. While the maids pulled pins and untied laces, Serena fought within herself. She wanted to cry, wanted to scream. What had just happened? His cold emotionless stare. Where was the man who had rubbed her feet and stroked her hair last night? Where was the man who had claimed her as she stood naked and vulnerable before him? Anger welled up inside Serena, a protection against the worry and sorrowful pain she couldn’t quite admit.

Chapter 11

The tangy scent of rain clung to the unfurled spring leaves as they rode along the narrow path near the gypsy camp. Serena rode her mare silently in the blue gown she had found on her bed the first morning at Kylkern. She sighed. So much had changed, yet it had only been just over a fortnight since she fled with William. The prophecy, Drakkina, and then there was the elusive connection with Keenan Maclean.

He rode beside her or in the front, his men surrounding Serena. Several times his eyes had locked with hers, assessing, studying. What thoughts swirled in his head, what evidence did he weigh, what memories did he dwell upon or ignore? Serena screamed her frustration inside, which came out as a sigh.

“What ails ye, Serena?” Brodick asked. “Ye should be happy that ye’ll see yer clan again this day.”

Serena smiled at the kind man. They had all seemed a bit grumpy today. She felt some guilt from Brodick and Gavin as well and a bit of victory from Thomas. Ewan did look pale, so he had been ill. From the others, though, Serena could easily conclude that Ewan’s illness had not kept Keenan away all night. Rather the attitudes of his men had bound him to the stables. Had they also talked him into refusing his claim upon her? Did they even know? She rubbed absently at the back of her head and neck.

“Forgive me. I have come down with an ache in my head.”

As they caught the familiar sounds of a small camp, Serena’s stomach rolled. So much had changed in such a short time. The old worries over what her people would think coiled around her like an evil serpent. She took a steadying breath and mentally checked her protective wall. Just before revealing themselves within the circle of firelight, Keenan pulled his horse back and stopped. He motioned for his men to move on ahead and reached over to squeeze her gloved hand. His voice rolled low in the darkness.

“We’ve had only silence between us this day. And silence can create strife when none exists.”

Serena looked up into his face. It was softer than it had been before, but his eyes were still distant, devoid of the passion she had witnessed last night.

“You didn’t return last night.”

His face hardened. “I couldn’t.”

“Keenan,” Thomas called from the shadows before them.

“We have to go,” Keenan said. Serena nodded.

They walked their horses into the firelight together. A wildly chirping Chiriklò swooped through the camp and landed on Serena’s shoulder.

“Àngelas,” Mari yelled and ran toward Serena’s horse. Serena jumped down while Chiriklò flitted to a nearby branch. Mari wrapped arms around her. Serena laughed, tears stinging as she squeezed the woman.

“You’ve returned, my child,” Mari pulled away and touched Serena’s cheek. Relief, exhilaration, celebration raced along the contact. But there was an undercurrent of concern too.

Serena kissed her cheek. “William is alive, and well, Duy. We are both alive, and well.”

Mari laughed and hugged Serena again, and then held her at arms length.

“Let me see you, Àngelas.” She tilted her head. “It’s been not even a month, but,” the older woman paused, “you are different, grown suddenly.”

Serena smiled. King Will stepped forward, a kind expression on his usually stoic face. He was happy to see her. Serena turned and smiled at the stares, ignoring the questions rolling through everyone’s’ minds.

Keenan stepped next to Serena, and addressed King Will and Mari at once. “Serena has saved William Faw. He is alive and well at Kylkern Castle in the West of Scotland.” A murmur rose within the gathered group. “We have been to King George’s court,” he said indicating his men and Serena. “Serena risked her life to masquerade as a gentlewoman to prove William’s innocence in the death of Gerard Grant.” Keenan pulled out a rolled parchment, and motioned to Gavin to bring forth the small wooden chest off the back of his horse. Keenan unrolled the parchment, and read for several minutes.

“And in conclusion, William Faw of the Faw Romany Tribe, is held as innocent in the death of Gerard Grant in the year 1746. Signed King George II, King of all Britain.”

Keenan handed the letter to King Will and motioned to Gavin. “The man responsible for Gerard Grant’s death has been fined two hundred pounds for inflicting worry and grief on the Faw tribe and for endangering William Faw’s life and freedom.” Keenan transferred the heavy chest from Gavin to King Will’s arms.

Hushed elation rippled through the people.

“Serena’s courage and cleverness before the King and his court saved William and cleared his name. The Faw Tribe owes her the respect of a warrior, for she is one.”

Mari squeezed her arm and Serena blinked several times to stop her watery eyes from ruining her calm, courageous façade.

Keenan wasn’t merely repaying the debt from the Duke, he was fostering respect for her, respect from her tribe. Something she had never been able to do before. Again Serena nearly lost the battle with tears as the first waves of pride emanated from her adopted father.

King Will bowed slightly to Keenan with the chest in his hands. “We accept this retribution and will use it to benefit the entire tribe, as my daughter would want.” King Will looked to Serena and she nodded quickly. The old man quirked his lips into a smile showing the tips of his teeth. She had never seen him smile enough to see his teeth before, at least not in her direction.

King Will handed the chest to Ephram who hovered nearby. Even William’s cocky friend smiled shyly towards her. King Will clapped his hands. “Let us celebrate tonight!” A cheer rose from the tribe as they jumped about suddenly. “Raise the fire, raise the music.” King Will looked to Serena. “Will you dance tonight, before the fire?”

A tear of joy slipped from Serena’s eye. “Yes, I will dance.” King Will nodded his approval and turned toward the gathering fire.

Mari touched Keenan’s arm. “Thank you, Highlander. You gave yourself little credit, but I know you kept my children safe.”

Keenan nodded at her. “It is my duty to protect.”

A bit of Serena’s joy seeped away at his words. She had become his duty too, as soon as he had discovered her link to the prophecy. Serena looked at Keenan and glanced at the other Macleans who had been given drink and seasoned food. “We will stay for awhile, here?” she asked.

Keenan nodded. “Aye.”

Mari looked between them. “Of course, you will stay, child. You’ve come home. You’ve cleared William’s name.”

Panic clenched tight in her stomach. Was this then the end of her journey? Would Keenan and his men ride away tomorrow and never be seen again? No, she thought darkly, he wouldn’t walk away from her as long as she was tied to his prophecy.

“Come Àngelas, time to change,” Mari said aloud. And time to talk, her duy said within her mind.

Serena bent over to enter the small space inside the wagon. It had never felt cramped before. But after living under the open sky and in spacious rooms, its tight walls were no longer a comfort. Serena jostled past the table and bed rolls along the sides of the wagon. She bent her head to miss the lantern and sat on her bunk. Mari pulled out one of Serena’s dancing gowns, shaking the slightly wrinkled material.

“I didn’t have time to prepare it,” Mari said shaking the dress harder. “No matter, they look at you not your gown, when you dance.”

“Did you not receive my thoughts that we were near?”

She nodded and laid the garment across one bunk. “I hoped that I wasn’t imagining it. Then I heard your bird nearby. I knew.” Mari unbuttoned the bodice over Serena’s stays and then smiled broadly, nearly bouncing in excitement.

“What is it?” Serena smiled.

“Oh Àngelas, I am so happy that you are alive and returned to us. I have news that should please you very much.”

Serena nodded, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

“We’ve received news of a young man, Damin Yallow,” she said and smiled coyly. “He is Petra’s sister’s cousin by marriage.”

Serena frowned in confusion. What did this have to do with her homecoming?

Mari patted her hand. “King Will has negotiated with his family and with him for your hand in marriage.”

“What?” Serena stood up, hitting her head on the lamp, and flopped back down. “Duy, you know that I can’t marry someone. I mean, I won’t marry someone who can’t accept my powers.”

Mari smiled enthusiastically. “Of course you can’t, but he will accept them.”

Serena held her breath, trying to keep the alarm at bay while she pulsed a thread through Mari’s mind. It was taking too long for her duy to get it all out. Serena had to know what her mother was talking about.

“Damin Yallow was raised by his grandmother, a well known seer in the Yallow tribe. She was greatly revered,” Mari said and grabbed Serena’s clenched hands. “Don’t you see, Àngelas? He knows of magic, has lived with it, has loved it in his grandmother. He will respect yours.” Mari nodded sharply to punctuate her point, then sat back with a smug smile. “We didn’t know when or even if you would return, but I urged King Will to move forward once I heard about his background. Damin will be so pleased to know you are safe with us again.”

Serena’s probe of Mari’s mind confirmed all she said and all the details. The Faw tribe would receive two young milk cows and a bull from the Yallow tribe for Serena. Damin Yallow was reputed to be a bit rash but in very good standing in their community. He was also said to be handsome and was on his way to discuss the marriage compact with King Will.

Serena let out a little groan and buried her face in her open palms.

“Àngelas?”

“No, no,” Serena’s words were muffled. She felt sweaty and chilled at the same time. She looked up. “I can’t marry Damin Yallow. Keenan Maclean has already claimed me.”

Mari’s eyes widened. “Claimed you? In what way?”

Serena sat up. “Not with his body,” she looked into her mother’s eyes. “But with his words.” Over the next ten minutes, Serena rattled off every detail that she remembered of the last three weeks, eluding to, but keeping out the details of the intimate ones. Mari just sat, her hands folded in her lap, silently watching and listening.

Finally Serena came to their arrival. “So you see, Duy, he claimed me last eve.”

Mari nodded. “This Drakkina sounds very powerful.”

Serena nodded. “Yes, and she says that Keenan and I are soul mates, that we should be together for some greater good, to fight a battle in the future.”

Mari frowned and lowered her voice. “She could be evil, Serena. Deceiving you.”

“But she knows of my parents. She told me of my family, of my sisters.”

Mari shook her head slowly. “What if it is to manipulate you? All of it.”

“But for what purpose?”

Mari shrugged. “Who knows the purpose behind evil?”

Serena thought back on her interactions with the spirit of the great Wiccan. “But she helped me save William. I know he would have died from fever without her interference.”

Mari sat for a moment and then huffed loudly. “I don’t know how the future is supposed to work out, Àngelas. But I do know that Damin Yallow is handsome and strong and would respect your magic, child.” She shook her head. “You would be foolish to reject his offer before meeting him, before touching him to see if his actions are honorable.”

“You would have me compare him to Keenan, yet I cannot read if Keenan’s actions are honorable?”

Mari grabbed Serena’s hands in hers. “Àngelas, I want only happiness for you.” Her eyes pleaded as well as the flood of hope and worry washing through the contact. “This match with Damin, it sounds like a good one, one that will make you happy through your life. One that will give you children.” Her duy knew how to pull at her heart, but Serena could feel that she manipulated out of true love for her.

Serena still shook her head. “But I am unclean.”

“You said that he claimed you only with his words.” Mari sat back.

“Yes and no. He’s also,” Serena stopped and took a deep breath. “He’s seen me completely unclothed.” Mari sat up straighter. “And he’s touched me, my legs, my breasts, my neck, my…”

Mari held up a hand. “Stop.”

Serena couldn’t help but overhear Mari’s mind working through possibilities. Her mother’s thoughts nearly screamed at her. Disappointment, sadness for the loss of such a chance at happiness, worry. What would become of her daughter? No children, no one to love her as a woman should be loved. Serena bowed her head and tried to block the sad thoughts.

“Don’t tell anyone, Àngelas. Only you and I will know.”

“And Keenan.”

“Yes, he knows, but he doesn’t know the ways of our people.”

Serena shook her head. The Romany culture was very strict with regards to seeing and touching women who were not your wife. In some tribes, if a man touched the skirt of a woman who was not his wife, then he was considered unclean and must seek pardon from a council of elders. Serena’s encounters with Keenan Maclean would be as damning as if she had given him her maidenhead.

“He does not consider himself linked to you,” Mari said.

Serena felt her face heat. “He may honor his words.”