Highland Dragon

by Kimberly Killion

  “Evie, what is it?” Akira asked. “Do quiet your voice. Ye will wake the entire west wing.”

  Relieved faces lit up when the maids scurried down the corridor and entered their laird’s solar. Evie’s footing came to an abrupt halt between the two chambers. Her gaze fixed on the adjoining doors—splintered and partially hanging from the hinges. Cautiously, Evie stepped into the lady’s solar and retrieved the battle-axe from the floor, which probably weighed as much as she. Tara assisted her in returning the weapon to its mount above the hearth at which point both the young maids pinched their noses in an effort to extinguish the potent smell of mixed perfumes. Evie made a dramatic production out of fluffing the decorative pillows atop the untouched bed.

  The wicked smirk touching the dimple in Evie’s cheek spoke louder than the words Akira felt certain were near to jumping off her tongue.

  “I apologize for the muss. M’laird and I had a wee bit of a disagreement. I think I won, but I cannae be sure until I’ve the chance to fully awaken. What are ye doing here at such an early hour?”

  “Early.” Evie giggled and lifted the tapestry covering the arched window. “’Tis past noonday. Ye’ve missed mornin’ mass, and the council has been awaiting ye since they broke their fast.”

  “The council! Noonday!” Akira darted to the arrow-slit window and cringed. It would do naught for the kinfolk to think their new mistress such a sloth. Thankfully, she’d bid her family farewell the eve before. Though hesitant, Kendrick left Isobel in her care. Akira insisted she stay at least until Maggie delivered her baby. She heard water sloshing and turned to find Tara carrying two pails of water.

  “M’laird has arranged for ye to meet with the elders and the chaplain. He said ye would want another bath, though I argued ye just bathed yestereve, he insisted ye would be wanting another. I fear the water is not verra warm anymore.”

  Her cheeks heated. Calin already knew her so well. Akira’s fixation for cleanliness stemmed from a young age. She scoured for hours at a time to remove the demon-shaped mark on her backside, which caused her such turmoil as a child. Once old enough to realize the blemish was simply a birthmark, she’d already become obsessed. She accepted her flaw and the habit didn’t seem to bother Calin. She assumed he enjoyed the taste of her skin, as he’d dined on almost all of it. The remembrance of all the places he’d kissed her brought the heat in her cheeks to a fevered flame. Akira ran her fingers over the coverlet of the disheveled bed she and her husband shared. Her mind became lost in the memory of the passion they’d shared just hours before. She straightened the linens and smoothed the coverlet over the bolster.

  “M’lady, please. If ye clean the solar, I’ll be out of a job.” Evie scuffled in behind her gathering loose garments from a cuttie stool for the laundress.

  Akira snatched back Calin’s léine shirt out of the pile overflowing Evie’s arms. She shoved the soiled tunic beneath the bolster on his side of the bed. “I dinnae want that laundered until m’laird returns.”

  “Aye, m’lady.” Evie dipped her head dutifully, but still, she giggled.

  Akira would miss him. She’d grown to like having him near. His smell seemed so familiar, and if she closed her eyes, she could feel his kiss. A tickle fluttered through her stomach.

  Shaking off the giddiness making her head light, Akira focused on her duties. His absence would allow her time to prove her value to Clan MacLeod—starting with the council. She already discussed schooling the children with four of the five elders at the games and each of them seemed favorable to her ideas. The fifth elder, however, would prove difficult to sway. She’d been informed Gordon resided on the council. The man made no effort to hide his dislike of her. Fortunately, his wife took to her like a cow to a salt lick. Nonetheless, a formal meeting awaited her and she would respect the council’s decision. Elsbeth’s timid voice mumbled over the ruckus of the maids. “M’lady, I can see you’re very busy. I might be of service to you another day.”

  “Wait, Elsbeth. I have a verra important task for ye.” Akira caught her arm as she attempted to back out of the solar. “If ye’ve the time, would ye listen while Evie and Tara transform me into something more appealing.”

  Elsbeth waited on a stool until Akira bathed privately and Evie and Tara completed her informal attire. A long blue-black braid fell to her waist, and her plaid kirtle pleated to perfection around her waist. Her toes clenched a bit inside new leather brogues while Tara fastened the MacLeod brooch to her shoulder.

  “Do the gowns displease you, m’lady?” Elsbeth asked, somewhat contrite.

  Akira sensed her disappointment, but had no intention of wearing any of them. Elsbeth probably labored for hours on each and every one of them, which made Akira’s request all the more difficult. “The gowns are exquisite, Elsbeth. Never have I seen such artistry in clothing. Howbeit, I wondered if mayhap ye’ve ever quilted?”

  For the first time since meeting the woman, Elsbeth smiled. A generous toothy grin. “Me and my grandmum used to stitch the most wonderful floral designs when I was just a child.”

  “Then ye wouldnae mind making a quilt for me? I would solicit some of the kinswomen to assist ye and have the children sift through the hen feathers to find the softest eider for stuffing.”

  “’Twould be an honor, indeed, but ’twould take ells of material for such a task. I would need to—”

  “I have material aplenty for an entire quilted garden.” Akira closed her arms around a handful of gowns from the wardrobe and dropped them at Elsbeth’s worn leather toes. “As I am certain Catriona worked your fingers to the bone over these gowns, they dinnae belong to her anymore. They belong to me, and I dinnae want them. ’Tis not my intention to offend ye, but I’ll not wear them. Return the precious stones to Calin’s Aunt Wanda and as for the beads, mayhap, the children can make jewelry for their mothers. Use them all, but leave the plaids. I’ll need something to wear. I want a quilt big enough to hold all the children for lessons.”

  Elsbeth raised a purple gown from the pile and brushed her thumb over the silk. “I am not offended, m’lady, but my si—I mean, Catriona will be—”

  “What?” Akira caught Elsbeth’s slip. Elsbeth looked more like a Scot than Akira did with her red-gold hair and freckled skin. How could she possibly be that vile woman’s sister? Catriona was easy to hate. She was a whore and she was English. Two qualities Akira despised equally.

  Elsbeth gave a sidelong glance at the maids, who made no bones about their interest in the conversation.

  “Evie, Tara. Ye are dismissed. Apologize to the council for my delay and let them know I’ll be there posthaste. Send for my sister, Isobel. I want her settled into the lady’s solar by nightfall. Also, have Jaime and Alec repair the adjoining doors. Send word to Aileen. I’ll require her assistance, as weel, after I meet with the council. There is much to prepare.” The maids curtsied their way out the door after which Akira settled in beside Elsbeth.

  “Forgive me, but I find it difficult to believe Catriona is your sister.”

  “Aye, m’lady. Though I do not like to admit either, Catriona is my half-sister. Our mother—God rest her soul—was King Henry’s niece. Catriona is of blessed and noble blood. Her father is the Crown Prince of Malaga and our mother’s legal husband. I, howbeit, am daughter to my mother’s paramour.” Elsbeth appeared to have found her emotions. As if she held Catriona’s limbs in her hands, she ripped the garment at the seam then tore each sleeve from the bodice. “Mother spent her days fawning over her prized daughter. She attended the finest schools. Wore the most luxurious gowns. Mother worshipped her and flaunted her beneath the noses of every prince and duke betwixt London and Venice. Before Mother could secure Catriona a title, she died of an ague. Being the eldest, I cared for Catriona and she repays me with her…well, suffice it to say, she…”

  “She beats ye?” Akira guessed then reached for Elsbeth’s cold quivering hand. The pads of her fingers were completely callused. “Does your husband not protect ye?”


  She shook her head and pinched her eyes tight when a sob overtook her body. The purple material in her hand now served as a kerchief to catch her tears.

  Akira desperately wanted to help this woman, but worried about trusting a woman of English blood. “First, I would know how ye came to live among the kin of Clan MacLeod, then ye will tell me how your husband and sister mistreat ye or I’ll send for them and hear the words from their mouths.”

  “No, m’lady. That will not be necessary. Catriona was sent as a gift to your laird by our most gracious King Henry to further his ongoing machinations to maintain peace with Scotland. Arrangements were made for Catriona to travel under the king’s guard alone, but she insisted on having a maid in tow and King Henry obliged her request to take me. Your Scotsmen brothers murdered our escorts then tied us to a couple of ailing garrons and pointed us in the direction of MacLeod soil. We traveled for two days unattended until your kinsmen found us. Brady suffered the most.”

  “Your son?” Akira interrupted.

  “Aye. He is just a child. Only years of five now.”

  “Then your son does not belong to Ian?”

  “No.” Elsbeth answered forcefully. “Brady belongs to Robert, my English husband.”

  Akira’s brows pinched. “Your late husband?”

  “No.” Elsbeth lowered her lids.

  “Ye were married when ye came here? Why did ye not tell m’laird?”

  “Catriona forced me to hold my tongue about my marriage and accept Laird MacLeod’s gracious offering to find me a husband. My Robert had been at battle for three months prior to our leaving England. Catriona told m’laird my husband died.”

  “Do ye believe him dead?”

  “I did when I left England. ’Tis why I accepted my place with Ian. Brady needed a home and a father. Ian was kind at first. But Catriona used her wily ways on him after the laird dismissed her, as she has half the MacLeod warriors.” Elsbeth paused to blow her nose and Akira patted her on the back. “It would be most improper for me to discuss my sister’s relationship with your husband. I do not wish to insult you, m’lady.”

  “Calin has told me about her, and I dinnae wish to hear about their relationship either. I am more interested in the way she mistreats ye.” Akira’s gut clenched at the subject. The knot in the pit of her stomach grew with every heartfelt word coming from Elsbeth’s mouth.

  “Catriona is easily angered. She tosses me around a bit from time to time when she is refused.”

  The casual tone of her voice infuriated Akira. “Tosses ye around? Elsbeth, I saw the bruises. Why would ye protect her after what she has done to ye?” Akira laid her palm against Elsbeth’s stomach. “Ye are with child and Ian does not protect ye from her abuse. If I am to help ye, I must know what I am dealing with. I cannae understand why ye wouldnae tell m’laird ye were married.” Akira spoke in a relentless tone, but by accepting Ian as her husband, Elsbeth broke kirk law. The act of bigamy was punishable by death.

  Elsbeth burst into a torrent of cries. She fell against Akira’s shoulder and clutched her around the waist. “I thought my husband dead, but when Catriona’s father sent gifts I learned my Robert had returned home. I did not want to betray him, but Catriona insisted I forget England and accept my duties as Ian’s wife. She’s evil and I am ashamed to call her sister.” Elsbeth inhaled several shaky breaths. “Ian likes for Catriona to watch us. At first, they were discreet. Catriona would hide in the larder while Ian had his way with me then he would ask me to leave whilst he lay with my sister in our marriage bed. I feel so unclean, m’lady. And I desperately want to return to my Robert. ’Tis why I am telling you this. I beg you to help me.”

  Her confession sickened Akira and made her hate Catriona all the more. She smoothed Elsbeth’s hair and allowed her time to weep. “I dinnae like your husband, and I’ve never even met him,” Akira calmly stated, unable to contain her opinion. Elsbeth popped her head up, nearly catching Akira’s chin, and wiped her swollen eyes. “If I provided you with information that could banish Catriona from Clan MacLeod and send her back home to her father, would you protect me and my son?”

  “Of course.” Though afraid of what Elsbeth might reveal, Akira wouldn’t deny this woman refuge, nor could she stand by idle while a boy’s safety was at risk.

  “Vow it,” Elsbeth insisted.

  “I vow it.” Akira wiped a tear from Elsbeth’s cheek and brushed the loose hair from her scared eyes. “I will do everything within my power to help ye. Please, trust me.”

  Elsbeth held tight to Akira’s hand as if what she was about to say would send her racing. “My husband, Ian, and his brother abducted you. They are the ones who took you to Tigh Diabhail. They acted on Catriona’s behalf. When I tried to go to the laird, Catriona threatened my son. She gave me no choice but to remain silent.”

  Akira would have smiled if Elsbeth hadn’t been so distressed. Elsbeth trusted her with a great deal of information, and Akira intended to use what Elspeth told her with discretion. “I’ll petition King James to have your marriage to Ian annulled. The marriage is not legally binding as ye were physically threatened into accepting the contract. I’ll send m’laird’s seneschal to retrieve your son before I meet with the council. Ye and Brady will move into the keep until the arrangements are made to send ye home.” Akira’s gaze fell to Elsbeth’s belly. “Will Robert still have ye, if ye carry another mon’s child?”

  “Yes, m’lady, but I cannot return to England. The child I carry will be born with Scot’s blood—enemy blood. I cannot put my child’s life at risk or my husband’s. My return will be perceived as a treacherous insult by the English nobles. My Robert is a soldier to England and would be accused of seditious acts, punishable by imprisonment or even death.”

  “Would your Robert betray his country for ye?” Akira asked while she considered their limited options.

  “Yes. I believe he would.” Elsbeth held her hand tight. Hope shined in the tear falling from pale green eyes.

  “I realize the danger ye’ve put yourself and your son in by trusting me, but I can assure ye, ye will suffer the cruelties of your sister nay more, nor Ian. I am going to help ye, but I need time.”

  “Thank you, m’lady.” Elsbeth kissed her knuckles as Akira stood to leave. “And I will never reveal your secret either.”

  Akira halted beneath the archway genuinely perplexed by her comment. “What secret?”

  “That you are a witch.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Calin said a fortnight. He’d been gone three times longer. Akira vowed if her husband didn’t return by this Sabbath she would go in search of him herself. Neither the elders, nor a single member of the mesnie seemed the least bit concerned by his delay.

  Granted, not a moment of her days were spent in boredom. She worked with Isobel’s recovery every morn, and she’d acquainted herself with the servants, the baker, the brewer, the butcher, and devoted a great deal of her time to the elder kinswomen who worked diligently on the quilt. The children consumed the remaining hours. The first few days only a dozen matrons brought their children to the keep following morning mass. But within a sennight, Akira relocated her entourage to the front lawn when more than sixty children arrived, eager for tutoring.

  Elsbeth and Brady had settled into a vacant chamber near the scullery and the kinswomen arrived in droves to help her with the quilt. They stitched the last patch the day prior and presented it to Akira beneath the shade of an old oak as she schooled the children in French. Unable to control her sentiments, Akira had cried outright at the kindhearted display. Never had she seen a more beautiful quilt. Multicolored flowers surrounded the focal point, which oddly enough was a deep plum dragon with eyes of tiny sapphires. Elsbeth wouldn’t divulge how she conceptualized the creative motif, but Akira was nonetheless pleased. Catriona had not shown her despicable face, and for that Akira expressed eternal gratitude to her Maker. Her responsibilities elevated without facing another confrontation with the woman she felt in
ferior to. Elsbeth assured her Ian wouldn’t seek her out. He had admitted to Elsbeth that he was a wee bit frightened of Akira’s pagan powers. Akira had assured her new friend she possessed no unearthly powers, but Elsbeth only winked and grinned. The women befriended her, accepting her as part of their kin, and Akira warmed with their attentions. Mam would be proud of her and she felt Papa’s presence as she walked among her new family with honor. She hoped Calin would be pleased with her accomplishments when he returned. His absence made her heart ache, and the fear that something horrible happened to him grew in her gut daily until the worrisome knot became too much to bear. She had learned it was useless to fight the deepseated emotions she felt for her husband. Instead, she tried to focus her energy on the children. Andrew was perched in her lap sucking his thumb, while Akira occupied the children. She entwined their minds around the tale of a mighty dragon. Her voice altered in high and low pitches for each character, making the story more dramatic. “…And after the brave knight buried the steel of his sword into the heart of the fire-breathing dragon, he fell to his knees. A bright pink light beamed from the dragon’s wound. Suddenly”—Akira paused, every child’s eyes rounded like silver shillings—“the dragon transformed into a—” her words caught in her throat, for over top the knoll she sighted her husband. Calin walked alone.

  Her heart pounded against her ribs when his strides lengthened. Akira tossed Andrew into a quartet of young lasses, raised her kirtle, and rounded a corner of the quilt.

  “M’lady, ye cannae leave. What did the dragon turn into?” A tiny voice asked from within the throng of children and then a multitude of begging voices protested.

  Akira blew a breath then quickly concluded her tale. “The dragon turned into a beautiful maiden with hair the color of a raven’s wing and eyes of sapphire blue.”