“He had two blades,” Keenan said (24 page)

“Damin,” Serena interrupted. “I think that wasp may try to harm you.”

Drakkina frowned at her and continued to disrupt and antagonize the insect. The wasp tried to sting Drakkina, but couldn’t contact with her form. Damin looked at the insect and shooed it a bit with his hand. “Never mind. It’s just a little insect.” He turned back to Serena, oblivious to the woman bent on attacking him in the only way available to her.

The wasp picked up Damin’s scent as he waved his hand near it. It had a new target. Drakkina smiled broadly as the angry insect zipped around Damin. Serena backed away as it buzzed loudly. Damin turned quickly and slapped at the undaunted wasp. It had been agitated to the point of obsessive fury.

“Damin, you best leave. I think it’s out to sting you.”

“Aaa!” Damin yelled as the wasp delivered its first sting on his hand. And then it dove in toward his face. “Blasted bee!” he swiped in the air as the wasp stung his cheek.

Serena cringed and hoped that he did not have a bad reaction to wasp stings. Drakkina threw back her head and laughed, but the only auditable sound was a gust of wind.

“Damin, I’m going inside the wagon now. I don’t want it to come after me.”

“Go, go, Serena. It’s bent on blood,” he said, swatting at the intent creature. Serena looked back just as she was ducking into the wagon. Damin ran toward the fire, his arms circling in wide arcs of defense.

Serena watched Drakkina’s image waver. “Good night, Drakkina,” she said into the darkness.

“Dream of the Highlander, child.” The woman’s words floated to her on the gusting wind as the misty form dissolved.

Chapter 12

“Good, I see you’re awake,” Mari said as she entered the bridal wagon.

Serena looked up from the pile of green ruffles and silk. “Yes, but all that is here is this beautiful court dress.”

“I brought it in for you.” Mari moved her finger in a circle. “Turn and I will pull the stays tight. Ah, what a slender waist you have, just like me when I was a bride.”

Mari didn’t see Serena’s frown. Her duy finished the ties and moved on to the heavy petticoats. As Mari’s fingers brushed against her back, Serena felt her duy’s excitement.

“Damin’s been to talk to King Will hasn’t he?”

“Yes, he has,” Mari could barely contain her happiness. “He says that you and he seem perfect for each other.”

Serena nodded but didn’t smile.

“What is it?” Mari asked, concern coursing through her touch.

Serena pulled the white fichu off and draped it around her neck to cover her swelling neckline. “It’s, well,” Serena sat down on the edge of the rumpled bed. “I don’t think I can marry Damin Yallow.” Serena stopped. “No, what I mean to say is that, I will not marry Damin Yallow.”

Mari flopped down on the chair and dropped her hands on the table top. “But why?”

Serena took a deep breath. “I love Keenan Maclean. And I cannot marry someone else when I love another. It would shame Damin.” Mari didn’t move. “And I would be miserable.” Serena’s eyes begged her duy to understand. She was afraid to try and read her, afraid that she wouldn’t find the understanding she craved. Instead Serena studied her duy’s face. They stared at one another for some time before Mari finally stood. She came over and kissed Serena on the forehead.

“I cannot tell you to marry Damin, Àngelas. But I fear that you are headed for heartbreak my child. Keenan Maclean is,” she hesitated, “he’s so different from us, and you can’t tell what he’s thinking or feeling. You can’t be sure of his motives. How could you put your faith in someone when you can’t be sure of them?”

“Blind courage?” Serena asked and smiled timidly. She could feel Mari’s reluctance.

Mari patted her shoulder and sighed. “But Damin is perfect for you.”

“Damin kissed me last night.”

“And?”

“And I felt nothing, Duy. How can I marry someone who makes me feel nothing?”

“Love can grow in time.”

Irritation surged through Serena at the words that so mimicked Keenan’s lectures regarding his brother. Her eyes narrowed. “How can love grow when I love another? Unless my love for Keenan dies, love for another cannot grow.” Her angry words caused Mari to sit back from her. Serena had never raised her voice to her duy before. “Forgive me, Duy,” Serena sighed. “I am just so tired of people telling me to love someone that I don’t. I want to love who I love.” Serena’s eyes lowered to her hands.

She felt her duy’s hand touch her hair. “There is more to your journey than you’ve told me. Who else don’t you love, Àngelas?”

“There is a prophecy,” Serena shook her head. “Which I don’t believe. It’s…it’s too much to say.”

Mari leaned in again. Serena felt her mother loop a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Ever since William brought you home to us and you became my daughter, I’ve longed for your happiness, Àngelas. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.” Serena looked up at the tears resting in her duy’s eyes. Mari nodded slowly. “And if you think your happiness lies with Keenan Maclean, then I support that.”

Serena threw her arms around her mother. “I love you so much,” she squeezed the woman until Mari laughed. When Serena released her, Mari pulled out the fichu exposing Serena’s cleavage.

“If you’re out to catch a Highlander, you better start showing off the prize.” Mari laughed and stood up in the quaint wagon. “Too bad, it was such a lovely wagon.” She looked back at Serena. “Hurry now, and fortify yourself. King Will has requested you to come to him.”

“Did he want me to wear this?”

Mari nodded. “He said you should look your best.”

Serena buttoned the snug matching jacket bodice embroidered with dragonflies, butterflies and flowers over her stays. Luckily there were no bees anywhere on it. Serena tried to slow the nervous thumping of her heart as she stepped from the wagon out into the bright spring sunshine.

The wagons seemed oddly quiet as people moved about their business in hushed tones. They nodded and smiled at her in her gown, practically bowing. Inside their minds, they had as many questions about the subdued atmosphere as Serena.

Chiriklò chirped from a tall birch, and then glided down to flutter daintily on Serena’s gloved hand. She trailed her finger down the sleek blue feathers and flashed the question to her pet. What did her sparrow know? Images of Damin Yallow talking with his father and King Will came to her in the fragmented bird version Chiriklò used to communicate. All the images were clear to the finest detail, but only viewed rapidly before flitting to other images. Her bird had seen Keenan ride away with Gavin at dawn. One glance around the camp told Serena he hadn’t returned, but the other three Macleans stood talking near some trees across the clearing.

Would Keenan return soon? Where had he gone? Chiriklò didn’t know the answers.

She stroked his feathers as he hopped up her wrist. King Will saw Serena from across the camp and beckoned her. Chiriklò shot off into the trees. As she walked, most of her tribe set down their tasks and followed until they made a semi-circle behind her as she stood before King Will, John Yallow and Damin. Serena looked over at Damin and gasped softly at the swollen side of his face.

“Damin?”

“Bengikanò bee,” Damin swore. He called it the devil’s bee, but Serena knew who was responsible for the poor man’s stings, not a devil but a witch.

“Oh Damin, I’m so sorry,” Serena pulled her glove off and laid her hand against the side of his face gingerly. His thoughts slid quickly along her touch. She stroked the side of his face, staring into his bloodshot eyes.

Damin Yallow hadn’t slept well last night. He’d been up late planning, strategizing with his father, realizing the amazing power he would possess in Serena. Thoughts of her beauty and a happy future as father and husband had given way to thoughts of power and possible riches. He would never lose a negotiation again once Serena could move inside his opponent’s mind. He still desired her, but the more he understood her powers the more he realized that he must have her.

Serena stepped back. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Macleans gather close as King Will spoke in Romany. The whole exchange so far had been in her tribe’s native tongue. Serena saw frowns on all three warriors. What must they think of her touching Damin? She purposely kept her wall up. She couldn’t become distracted now.

“Serena, my daughter, Damin Yallow of the honorable Yallow tribe, requests to marry you.” King Will smiled slowly and turned to the rest of the tribe. “He gives two milk cows and a bull to us for a bride price.” The tribe clapped and murmurings ran amongst them.

Serena waited until the chatter quieted. She curtsied. With a deep breath, she pronounced her words in firm English. “I am honored that Damin Yallow wishes to wed with me.” She saw Damin’s father smile. “However, I cannot marry him.” A hushed gasp hovered behind her. She lowered her eyes submissively.

“What is this?” King Will said.

“I respectfully decline his proposal of marriage.”

“Serena, last night you kissed me,” Damin Yallow said in English.

“Damin, you kissed me,” she corrected and felt her face flash heat. Maybe it was a good thing Keenan wasn’t here. “I am sorry, but I have decided that I cannot marry you.” Serena was polite but firm.

“Bring him,” King Will raised his voice over the crowd and Ephram led a man into the circle. It was an Anglican priest. King Will turned to Serena. “I have already accepted Damin Yallow’s offer on your behalf, and he has paid the fines to Father Banning for a hasty marriage, today, right now.”

Bile rose in Serena’s throat. She tried to pull in air, but panic gripped her like a noose. She shook her head. “No, I will not marry Damin Yallow, not now, not ever.”

Serena felt Maclean presence behind her. She looked to see Brodick and Ewan, legs braced as if about to battle. Their hands rested upon the hilts of their swords. Thomas ran for his horse. Brodick’s thick burr rose up in a threatening growl. “If the lass says she willna marry, then she willna marry.”

“This is none of your business, gurbeti,” Damin said. His black eyes, swollen from the bee, glared at Brodick.

“Damin, I tell you I cannot marry you.” Serena looked at King Will where he stood in silent fury. “I have already been claimed by another.”

The gasp she heard echoed through her tribe’s thoughts.

In the sudden silence, Mari’s panic pounded against Serena’s wall. Her mother begged her to elaborate, to defend herself. When Serena remained silent, Mari’s voice filled the clearing. She spoke in English.

“Claimed with words, just words. My daughter is still a virgin.”

Serena felt her cheeks flame. King Will finally controlled his rage enough to speak. “Claimed by whom?” he said in English and looked to the two scowling Macleans.

Serena raised her eyes to her father’s level. “Keenan Maclean claimed me two nights ago.” She held her gaze steady, refusing to look toward Damin, while King Will snorted skeptically. He held out his arms wide.

“Your Highlander is not even present to support you.”

“He didn’t know that you had my wedding planned for this morning,” Serena said with quiet defiance. King Will’s eyes snapped. He was not used to defiance. In the Romany culture, the patriarch of the tribe ruled and could only be questioned by another man. Women had no authority, and the fact that his own daughter disobeyed him in public was a grave insult.

Disdain, well controlled fury. “That he would leave you at all shows that he does not hold to this claim, a claim based on words alone.”

Brodick stepped forward. “Keenan is on an errand to cleanse yer son’s name. He rides to the surrounding authority to show the king’s letter freeing William from blame in the murder of Gerard Grant. It is an honorable errand, done to help the Faw family. He left his trusted men to safeguard Serena. He felt she would be safe amongst her own family.” Although the last was a statement, Brodick’s expression questioned its validity.

King Will regarded the huge warrior with narrowed eyes. Without a word he turned back to Serena. “Come here,” he said in Romany.

Serena took two steps closer until the edge of her petticoat nearly touched the toes of King Will’s leather boots.

“Àngelas, you will marry Damin Yallow. You will marry him now.”

Serena looked to the left, at Damin, his swollen face distorted more by his muted anger. “Forgive me, Damin, but I cannot marry you.” The silence that followed was so thick with tension that Serena could barely swallow the packed air.

King Will’s face turned a blotchy red. She wondered absently if her father would break out in hives over her defiance. With swift power unexpected in one his age, Serena’s father grabbed her arm roughly and shook her. Serena heard steel slide free behind her, as she tried to keep her head from snapping back and forth.

“Wait! Stop! I say I’ve been claimed,” she hesitated only briefly before plunging ahead. “He’s claimed me with more than words alone.” King Will pushed her from his grasp as if she were dirty. Serena caught herself and turned to face him. “He’s seen me naked, he’s,” she stopped to take a quick breath, “he’s touched me, with his hands, with his mouth.” Serena saw Mari shake her head and close her eyes as if Serena’s shame was too much for her to bear. Serena looked away from Mari to Damin. “I may yet be a virgin, but I am not pure, not pure to wed with you, Damin. Again I am sorry.”

Names like “whore” and “libnì” mixed with pity and fear for her. Serena turned slowly to face the semi-circle. “I am no whore,” she said looking directly at those with the name in their minds and watched their eyes grow wide. “I love Keenan Maclean. I will wed no one, unless it is he.”

“Taynè!” King Will yelled and pulled her around to face him, his hand raised high to strike her face. Ewan’s large hand engulfed King Will’s fist, forcing it to his side while Brodick shielded Serena behind his massive body.

Serena heard the deadly cocking of flint pistols. She watched Ephram center one on Ewan and another of William’s old friends aimed his weapon at Brodick. Brodick turned slightly to better shield her, obstructing her view of the gun.

Please no! Please no!
Serena desperately peeked out from under Brodick’s raised sword arm. She reached under her skirts and pulled free her own dagger, not that it would do much against pistols.

Chaos erupted. Ewan cursed loudly in Gaelic. Mari wailed in maternal terror. The clergyman dove into the tent while beseeching God. The women screamed and grabbed their children, running toward the safety of the wagons.

Serena turned her back up against Brodick, her own dagger raised. Her eyes moved across the scattering people of her tribe and came to rest on the woods.

The leaves quivered along the north path. Chiriklò darted out of the trees, beak closed like an arrow bent on a target. Following out of the dense trees and bushes thundered Keenan’s lathered horse. Keenan’s face boiled with war rage. He steered the horse with his legs alone while loosing two drawn daggers into the air. They hit their marks splintering the shafts of both pistols, scattering their fragments around the two men. A shower of gunpowder covered them like fine ash as they covered their heads in defense.