True Love Brides 02 - The Highlander’s Curse (28 page)

But they had forgotten the dark knight.

Elizabeth saw him slip out of a dark portal, his knife gleaming in the shadows, as he stalked the happy pair. “Annelise!” she screamed, to no avail. “
Annelise!
”

“What price?” Finvarra whispered from behind Elizabeth. His hands hovered over her shoulders, but he did not touch her.

“Any price!” Elizabeth declared in her fear. “I will pay any price you demand to see Annelise warned!”

Finvarra laughed again. Elizabeth spun to confront him, but her protest never crossed her lips. Instead he caught her face in his hands and held her captive, his move startling her so that she hesitated.

Then she looked into his dark gaze. His eyes seemed to be filled with a thousand stars, just the sight of them rendering her speechless.

“Welcome, my Elizabeth,” he whispered, then he kissed her on the lips.

As soon as his mouth touched hers, Elizabeth swooned.

*

Annelise dreams.

She is in the clearing near Kinfairlie, the one created when the forest was burned the previous winter. To her surprise, her sister Elizabeth is playing chess with a stranger, a man with dark hair and darker eyes, a man garbed as a king.

She hears the tale he recounts.

She sees the board come to life.

She recognizes herself and Garrett amongst the pieces, sees the dark knight draw his blade, and is afraid.

But before she can discern the knight’s face, the dream fades to mist.

*

Elizabeth awakened in her own chamber in Kinfairlie’s tower. She sat up in her pallet and held the linens to her chest. The fire in the brazier had burned down to glowing embers, and the shutters on the window were open to the night. The breeze was pleasantly cool and all seemed to be at peace. She could hear the sea lapping at the coast and see the stars in a clear night sky. There was a murmur of voices from the hall below, and some chatter rising from the kitchens, but all seemed normal.

How had she returned to the keep?

When?

What had happened when she had swooned in Finvarra’s embrace?

What had he claimed as his reward? This last question troubled her deeply, for she was certain he would not forget any pledge like the one she had made. She lifted away the linens, not even certain when she had disrobed to retire, and then she saw it.

On her chest, between her breasts, was a dark whorl. It looked to be blue or black, stark against the fairness of her skin. She could see it through the front opening of her chemise.

She tore open the knotted lace and pulled off the chemise, surveying herself as best she was able. There was only the one mark, no bigger than the circle she could make with her finger and thumb.

It might be small on this night, but Elizabeth was fearful it would grow. She could not bear to imagine what would happen then, but she remembered Finvarra’s resolve.

The world was changing. He would not permit the Fae to fade.

Portals would be closed.

Elizabeth shivered, then blew on the coals to coax them to burn more brightly again. She was chilled to her very marrow, and the shadows seemed to be filled with threats she could not name. Finvarra would come for her, she knew it, just as she knew there would be little any mortal could do to stop him.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and prayed that true love might find her first.

*

Annelise awakened with a pounding heart, her dream vivid in her mind. She reviewed it, seeking more detail, and recognized the truth within it. It was a gift.

She understood why Garrett had not been able confide in her.

She understood his curse and the threat against him, as well as what awaited them at Killairig.

Even better, Annelise knew that she alone could save him.

Her love was the key.

But who was the knight who threatened Garrett? Annelise wished she had glimpsed his face. It had been a knight riding toward them on the road: she had seen the glint of his mail.

Was it Orson?

Andrew?

Annelise wished she knew. Why had the dream stopped so suddenly? How had Elizabeth sent it to her? Was Elizabeth well?

The dream left Annelise filled with both questions and a new sense of purpose. She had been given this information and had to act upon it to secure her future with Garrett.

She could save Garrett, but needed these details to do so.

Annelise realized that the wolf pelt was nestled around her shoulders and beneath her cheek. She sat up abruptly and pulled it away. Now that she knew what it was in truth, she did not want to touch it.

It had ceased to be a symbol of Garrett’s bravery and become one of his curse.

She slipped from the warmth of Garrett’s embrace and studied the pelt, uncertain what to do with it. Did it carry some Fae sorcery that could reveal them, or lead another to them? Was it best left behind or would they have need of it in future?

“You no longer like the pelt?” Garrett asked, his voice deep with sleep. Annelise turned to smile at him, liking how his eyes gleamed as he watched her. His hair was tousled and his chest was bare, that half-smile tempting her to return to bed.

“I had a dream,” she said instead, keeping her voice low. “It was yet another tale of the two Fae sisters, but in this one, the fair sister had a son who could hear the thoughts of other mortal creatures.” Garrett frowned, but Annelise continued. “The dark sister had a daughter, who could become a wolf, a wolf of silver grey with black paws and snout.”

Garrett rose from the pallet, his gestures decisive. He did not interrupt her, but Annelise feared he gave little credence to her dream.

Still she carried on. “The dark sister also had a son, a son she would see inherit his father’s holding over his older brother.”

Garrett examined his chemise and checked that the blood had dried. He folded it and placed it in the bottom of his satchel with care. “And had he a Fae gift?”

“Not beyond good looks, skill in many pursuits and long life.” She frowned. “A beauteous voice.”

“And what has this to do with a fine and thick wolf pelt?”

“The dark sister sent the daughter after the older son, the golden one, in the guise of a wolf to kill him.”

Garrett gave her a steady look, and his skepticism was clear. “You think this wolf was a Fae shape shifter?”

“In the tale, she chose to attack a woman, a woman who looked just like me, because that woman’s love was the sole thing that could save the older brother.”

Garrett shoved a hand through his hair, clearly impatient with this tale. “Annelise, it was a wolf. It was a hungry wolf that attacked you, and I killed for its deed.”

“What if it was a Fae woman who could become a wolf?”

“Nay.” Garrett’s conviction was clear. “I will hear no tales of wolves becoming women or women becoming wolves. They are
wolves
, Annelise. They are predators. They kill when they choose and without remorse, and I will not have you believe them to be more than they are.”

“But I dreamed…”

“It was a dream!” Garrett’s eyes flashed and Annelise realized she had never heard him raise his voice so. He shook his head and frowned, then appealed to her. “Annelise, I have lost much to wolves, more even than you know. I will not lose you. Believe what you must, but I would not hesitate to repeat my deed in your defense.”

“Could you hear this wolf?” she demanded, holding out the pelt.

“I tracked it,” he said tightly.

That was not sufficient for Annelise. “Was it the same as other wolves?”

Garrett frowned and turned away.

“The same as the white wolf yesterday?” she demanded.

Garrett shook his head immediately, then his eyes flashed with concern. He came to her side and bent to give her a sweet kiss. “Let us not argue,” he said, his gaze searching hers. “Please do not discard the pelt.”

Annelise nodded reluctant agreement.

Garrett studied her. “What else happened in the tale in your dream?”

“The dark sister’s son hunted his older brother.” She lifted her gaze to his. “He was a knight.”

“Who?”

“I do not know.” Once again, Annelise wished she had seen the knight’s face. “But I think we should leave this place, and soon.”

“I agree.” Garrett shook out his tartan which he had wrapped around them the night before, then donned his boots and laced his jerkin. There was something different about him on this morning. He seemed to be filled with a purpose that echoed her own, and there was no hint of his former malady.

“Where shall we go?” Aware that they might be overheard, she mouthed the name of the holding
‘Killairig?’

Garrett shook his head and held a fingertip to his lips. “There is a place I would like you to see first.” He cast her a smile that warmed her heart.

“Then I should like to see it very much.” She eyed him thoughtfully. “You seem most hale this morning.”

He laughed, something he did rarely. It was an engaging sound, for he had a rich and deep laugh, one so genuine that it prompted her own smile. “I feel better than ever I have.” He crossed the loft with measured steps, putting a finger beneath her chin. His touch made her heart leap. “Perhaps you are the tonic I have sought all my days, my Annelise,” he murmured.

When he looked at her with such intensity, Annelise could scarcely take a breath.

When he kissed her as soundly as he did a moment later, Annelise could not summon a care for anything else in the world. The tale in the dream must be true, and she would heed its message even if Garrett did not. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him back, losing herself in the pleasure he could so easily give.

At the sound of a step below, they parted, then smiled at each other. Garrett smoothed back a stray strand of hair from her cheek, his touch making her heart thunder.

This was all she desired, and more.

She would do whatever was necessary to secure their future.

Then Annelise realized the sound below was the ostler arriving in the stables. Yet Garrett did not seem to be troubled by the presence of another person or that person’s thoughts.

“Hoy there!” said the ostler. “It is a fine day. Do you mean to ride out, my lady? Or is your husband yet ill?”

Annelise saw surprise flicker in Garrett’s eyes and guessed he had made the same realization.

Garrett strode to the ladder to speak to the ostler. “I am recovered on this day,” he replied to the ostler, who was visibly shocked by the change in his appearance. “It seems that a talent for healing runs in the line of my lady’s family.”

Annelise hugged herself in her delight. She had been right!

“Then would you have me brush your steed?” the ostler asked.

“Nay, nay. I will tend Yseult myself. We will be in her care all this day and I would ensure her fine mood.”

The ostler laughed. “A mare can be capricious in her favor,” he said, casting a glance to the loft. Annelise guessed that he thought little of females regardless of their kind. She blushed a little, wondering if his words meant that he had heard her cry of pleasure.

“But once a man earns the regard of one, she will show a loyalty beyond all others,” Garrett replied as he claimed the brush. He winked at Annelise, looking so strong and resolved that she believed they could conquer every obstacle.

“Father Thomas has sent provisions for you, for he believed you would likely leave on this morn,” the ostler said, offering the food and a wineskin, as well.

Annelise descended the ladder, gasping with surprise when Garrett seized her by the waist and swung her down from the third to last step. He grinned at her, then returned to his labor. Annelise, meanwhile, accepted the food and packed their bag with care.

The ostler lingered, even after she descended, watching Garrett at his work. Annelise guessed that he was protective, even of visiting steeds to his stable, even of mares. He folded his arms across his chest. The bell at the chapel rang and he did not move.

Annelise smothered a smile. Perhaps he was evading the prayer services.

“That is a most uncommon dog you have,” he said finally. “I might have killed it, if it had not been so protective of your horse.”

“Dog?” Garrett asked, frozen in the act of saddling Yseult.

“A white dog, much like a wolf.” The ostler shrugged even as Annelise’s eyes widened. “Indeed, I thought it a wolf, until it kept me from this end of the stable. And the mare was most untroubled by its presence, so I knew she knew the hound. No horse would take so kindly to the presence of a wolf behind it.” He gestured to the floor in the middle of the stable. “It remained here, like a sentry watching over all of you, all the night long. Its eyes were blue, and most curious, almost like those of a person.” He shivered, then fixed Garrett with a suspicious look. “It is a most strange choice for a hound.”

Garrett held the man’s gaze, but Annelise dared to make a guess.

“Then your dog is not lost, after all, husband!” she declared with feigned relief. She turned to the ostler. “I was certain the hound had been lost when we came through the hills. We are from home, after all.”