Awakening Her Soul to Destiny (19 page)

Small elfin girls gracefully flitted through the crowd, offering refills of bulana to everyone. One tiny blonde sprite giggled shyly as she offered Kaitla a glass of the sparkling ruby liquid. “Bless ye, Mistress Healer,” she quickly whispered with a curtsy, before bounding off to serve another guest.

Surprised, but touched at this tiny gesture, Kaitla called a quick, “Thank you!” to the disappearing creature. Raising the glass to her lips, Kaitla suspiciously sniffed the shimmering liquid within the goblet. A strong fruity aroma wafted from the glass, tingling her nose enough to warn her of the strong alcoholic promise of the beverage. Arching her brows warily, Kaitla stared down into the goblet as though trying to analyze the contents by sight alone. She’d never been much on alcohol, the effects of drink making it too difficult to maintain complete control of her emotions.

“
Try it, child,” Laird Caymber urged, watching Kaitla with a slight smile. Words couldn’t describe the joy he felt in his old heart right now. He’d been waiting forever for the child to return home. Fascinated at her every move, Laird Caymber couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.

Eyeing her father over the rim of the goblet, Kaitla gingerly sipped at the fragrant liquid. Searing heat raced behind the drops of bulana flowing down her throat, ending in a burning pool deep in the pit of her stomach. Alcoholic fumes wafting through her nose, Kaitla’s eyes began to water as she inhaled noisily in an attempt to douse the liquid flame.

“
Whew!” Kaitla sputtered as she carefully placed the goblet on the floor beside her chair. “Water!” she coughed, fanning her reddened face.

Laughing, Laird Caymber quickly motioned for an elfin girl to fill Kaitla’s request. Kaitla cleansed her throat with the icy spring water appearing at her elbow, thankful to have the fire extinguished. Setting his own glass down, Macvorn bowed before Kaitla, “Might I invite ye to a dance, Mistress?” he asked as he gazed adoringly up into her eyes.

“
Well, uh, I r-really don’t know,” Kaitla stammered, risking a glance at Jared’s glowering face. He’d been silently pleading with her to be wary of Macvorn ever since the hall had calmed down from the healing. Kaitla thought to him silently in frustration, “
Jared, you have got to trust me
!” Turning once more to Macvorn, she smiled politely, “It’s not that I don’t want to, I’m afraid I just don’t know how,” she whispered to him in embarrassment. Kaitla wasn’t interested in Macvorn’s play for her affection but she had no desire to hurt the young man’s feelings.

Taking her hand and pulling her gently to her feet, Macvorn grasped Kaitla firmly by the elbow and led her purposely to the floor. “Just relax in my arms, m’lady. ‘Twill be easy, I promise ye.” Kaitla sighed in resignation as she joined him in the middle of the room. Obviously, Macvorn was not going to accept “no” for an answer.

Struggling to be polite, Kaitla took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the haunting music flowing from the violin. Macvorn’s arms were strong and welcoming, gently guiding Kaitla easily through the dance. As the lilting music slowly enchanted her, Kaitla closed her eyes and relaxed into the steps, studiously closing out Jared’s simmering jealousy banging at the doorways of her mind.

From his seat beside Etain, Jared glowered darkly at Kaitla swaying so easily in Macvorn’s arms. Jaw clenched and eyes narrowed; he curled his hands into tight fists, imagining the pleasure of landing each of them squarely across Macvorn’s jawbone. He would request an audience with Caymber tonight to ask him for his daughter’s oath. There was no reason for them to wait until they’d defeated Ravon to wed…especially not since Macvorn had decided to show such an interest in the woman he loved. He and Kaitla had just recently worked through the first rift in their relationship; granted he had caused it by his lies, but they had finally been able to resolve the breach and had become even closer in the process. The separation from Kaitla had nearly killed him; he’d not risk losing her again.

Wallowing in the prison of his jealously, Jared failed to notice Laird Caymber watching him closely. Unable to read minds as the gifted ones could; the old chieftain had learned long ago to watch people, reading them and knowing them by their movements and gestures better then by their words. Reading Jared’s feelings for Kaitla quite clearly, Laird Caymber was not pleased with what he observed. Kaitla’s feelings toward Jared had also not escaped his notice. The child obviously had no idea what was best for her. Turning to rest his eyes once more upon his daughter, Laird Caymber silently formulated a plan to guarantee Kaitla a better future.

Quietly summoning Etain to his side, Laird Caymber leaned close, whispering to her inclined head. At his words, Etain’s eyes widened as she shook her head in vigorous disagreement. Sternly glaring at Etain, Laird Caymber curtly nodded his head but once, settling the decision without further argument. Bowing her head in acceptance, Etain returned quietly to her seat, eyeing Jared sadly.

Returning to her seat from the dance, Kaitla noticed the strain on Jared’s face and silently pleaded with him to stop feeling threatened by Macvorn. However, as she studied his furrowed brow closer, she realized this wasn’t jealousy playing across his features, but another emotion she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Trying to read the troubled gray eyes, she clearly heard him say, “I must talk with ye outside. Please come with me, lass.”

Squeezing her father’s hand affectionately, Kaitla smiled and whispered into his ear, “I’ll be right back, Father…I’ve got to go outside for a moment.” The word
father
felt strange upon her tongue, but it came easily to her as she looked into Laird Caymber’s kind face.

Nodding at her with a smile, Laird Caymber watched Kaitla weave her way out of the room, closely followed by Jared.

“
She will be verra angry, my Laird,” Etain observed mildly, quietly appearing beside Laird Caymber’s chair.

“
She will get over it, Etain,” Laird Caymber replied, never taking his eyes off the retreating form of his daughter. “It’s important they be separated. I have greater plans for my daughter then ta’ be joined with a descendent of Ravon’s.” Caymber spoke quietly, his tone cold and laced with finality.

“
Jared is also my descendant, my Laird.” Etain lifted her chin with pride, challenging Laird Caymber to comment.

“
Aye, that’s true. But it isna’ your blood in the lad’s veins that I dinna want mixed with my daughter’s.” Caymber spoke gently. Etain had been loyal to him for centuries and he had no wish to hurt her. “But I willna’ allow my grandchildren to have a single drop of Ravon’s evil flowing through their veins. Kaitla will wed Macvorn. I’m sure he’ll be asking for her oath. In time, the lass will grow to love him and forget her tryst with young Jared.”

“
Ye havena’ known Kaitla long, my Caymber. Ye may be surprised at the child’s willfulness.” Frowning at Laird Caymber’s smug expression, she continued, “She’s a great deal like her father,” Etain remarked sarcastically as she turned and left the tent. Frowning at her last statement, Laird Caymber reassured himself that he was still doing what was best for his daughter. Someday, Kaitla would understand and thank him…he was quite sure of it.

As soon as they were out of the tent, Jared crushed Kaitla to his chest, holding her as though he’d never let her go. Gasping for breath at his tight embrace, Kaitla squeaked fervently, “Jared, what’s wrong! Please don’t be jealous of Macvorn.”

“
The Laird is sending me to Cuchailard Keep,” he blurted, loosening his grip on her enough to stare forlornly into her eyes.

“
Well, what’s wrong with that?” Kaitla asked in exasperation, “We’re going there anyway.” Confused at Jared’s distraught face, Kaitla struggled to understand why he was so upset.

“
Ye dinna understand, lass,” he snapped as he shook her shoulders gently, “He has ordered Etain to transport me there tonight…alone. I’m to defend the Keep until Macvorn arrives with ye in seven days.” He searched her face for understanding, silently pleading with her to listen to what he was telling her.

“
Until Macvorn arrives with me?” Kaitla repeated slowly, “Why Macvorn? - - And where’s everyone else going?” She set her jaw firmly as she waited for Jared’s reply.

“
The Laird says he must meet with the Auld Ones before he returns to Cuchailard. That’s a three-day journey in the opposite direction,” Jared explained wearily. “He also said he must have Etain stand with him before the council. You and Macvorn will have to travel alone.” Jared paused as he waited for this information to sink in; “Laird Caymber feels Macvorn can protect ye much better then I, since his gifts are so much greater. He also feels ye should take the long way to Cuchailard, to properly acquaint yourself with the land.”

A cold gnawing feeling was beginning to grow in the pit of Kaitla’s stomach. With every word from Jared’s mouth, her father’s plan unfolded clearly before her eyes. “How stupid does he think I am!” She snapped, whirling to storm into the tent and confront the Laird as he sat comfortably in front of his guests.

“
Kaitla! No! Ye mustna’ challenge him. He’s the Laird…and he’s your father.” Jared’s hollow voice pleaded with her. “We must do as he asks. When ye finally reach Cuchailard, perhaps we can convince him to give us his blessing. Just be verra careful…and please dinna forget how I love ye.”

Crying out in dismay, Kaitla quickly pulled his mouth to hers. She kissed Jared deeply, pressing her body firmly against his. “How could I forget that?” She whispered against his lips, “I’ll beat my father at this game…I promise.” She held him in her arms tightly, maybe if she wouldn’t let go…somehow, he wouldn’t have to leave. How dare her father do this to her!

“’
Tis time, Jared, I’m verra sorry,” interrupted Etain gently as she appeared from the shadows of the tent. Eyeing the loving couple sadly, she hated dispatching the orders her Laird had bid her do. She understood Laird Caymber’s concerns about his daughter’s future, but she also understood the bond that had grown so strong between Kaitla and Jared. How could Laird Caymber ever believe anything bad could come from the joining of these two?

“
Wait, Laddie!” called Hobart anxiously, as he hurriedly hitched his way across the clearing to the space between the tents. “I’m comin’ wi’ye!” Hobart’s shrewd eyes hadn’t missed the Laird’s attentiveness to Macvorn. The least he could do was attempt to keep his godson company.

Kaitla kissed the weathered cheek of the bent old man, whispering softly in his ear, “Keep him safe for me, Hobart.” Her eyes filled with tears and her voice trembled with her emotions.

“
I’ll do m’best, Lassie, I promise ye,” Hobart solemnly replied.

Kissing Kaitla one last time, Jared reluctantly tore himself from her embrace, turning to face Etain with resignation. Tears silently slipping down her cheeks, Kaitla sadly watched as Jared’s form slowly dissipated and began to fade. Turning to Kaitla before fading completely, Jared called out, “I love ye, my own.” Then completely disappeared into the darkness of the night.

Chapter IX

Kaitla stood before the mirror, mindlessly brushing the curls from her long silky hair. After Jared’s abrupt departure, she was in no mood to face anyone in the main tent. So, she’d quietly returned to her own chambers to muddle over her bleak predicament. Tossing the sparkling gown aside, she’d imaged herself in a simple white shift, forlornly preparing herself for what she was sure would be a long and sleepless night. The more she thought about her father’s plans for her future, the more frustrated and agitated she became.

It was rather ironic, she thought to herself. All her life, she’d wondered and wished to be reunited with her parents. Fantasizing for hours about what they might be like, or how they would finally become a family again. Now that she’d finally found and rejoined her father…he seemed hell bent on ruining the rest of her life!

A low deep voice just outside the entrance to her chamber broke through her unhappy musings, “Kaitla, ‘tis yer father, are ye awake?” Laird Caymber quietly called, waiting patiently for permission to enter.

Sliding the tent flap aside, “Oh, I’m quite awake, Father. Do come in,” Kaitla answered sarcastically. She clipped her words impatiently as she attempted to control her temper. Returning to the mirror, she refused to look at her father…Positive, that if she made the mistake of looking into those eyes so much like her own, she would immediately lash out in a rage.

“
Ye left the gathering early, lass,” Laird Caymber observed as he cleared his throat nervously. “ There were still many who wished ta’ meet ye,” he gently scolded. He slowly paced back and forth across the room, dreading this first confrontation with his daughter. He was well aware of the fact that she was quite unhappy with him. Her cold demeanor and controlled expressionless face only confirming how angry she actually was. Laird Caymber had also not missed Kaitla’s tone, as she had impatiently admitted him to her chambers.

Silently staring at her reflection as she methodically brushed her hair, Kaitla’s eyes narrowed as she carefully chose her next words, “I had to say goodbye to Jared…and tell him that I loved him.” She watched Caymber closely for a reaction. “I promised to marry him, once we defeat Ravon.”

At the word
promised
, Caymber’s head snapped to attention. Drawing a deep breath, Caymber asked just a little too loudly, “What exactly d’ye mean by
promised
!”

Turning to meet the argument head on, it was Kaitla’s turn to take a deep breath. Raising her chin defiantly, she coldly replied, “I told him I’d beat you at this game you’re playing with my future.” She glared at the Laird defensively, silently challenging him to battle.