The Queen (MacBride Sisters Trilogy Book 1)

by Kira Freitas

  - Damn it! - ...I've stirred up.

  - Calm down, Prince! - a soft voice echoed from the stairs.

  Soon the shadow of a slender person covered by a hooded cape revealed itself. She came walking up to the cell and I could see her face.

  - Annabel? - I said amazed. - What are you doing here?

  - I've come to release you! - she responded by opening the bars. - You'll have to follow me in silence. There are guards in the main hall and much of the castle.

  - How come I didn't see them when I came in? - I asked by frowning.

  - Because they were waiting for you. - she answered seriously.

  - Waiting for me? - I asked confused. - How can I wait for myself if I didn't even tell you I was coming?

  Annabel took a deep breath, walking again. Even though I was suspicious, I started to follow her. He might as well be drawn into a trap, which wouldn't make much sense, because she herself had opened the cell to free me. What if she was trying to figure out what I was doing there?

  - My mother found out that a black knight had been asking questions about Aideen and by description, assumed he would be her cousin. - she took a break staring at me. - At this point, I believe you know about what happened to my sisters.

  - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

  - I don't know what upset my mother, but I heard her talking to some men who arrived a few days ago. - she paused looking one way and the other when we got to the top. - I don't know where they came from, but they were ordered to arrest him and kill him. You'd be executed tomorrow morning before more soldiers came...

  - Why did she request men and who did she request them for?

  - Probably because he thinks you came to take her to the gallows, so it happened to Aideen. - Annabel said stopping to face me. - I told her it wasn't your fault. It was Roy who raped my sister and almost killed Aila. On top of that, the guards disobeyed her and didn't come to her rescue. All she had to do was tell us everything that had happened and justice would be done, but she was afraid.

  I stared at her without believing what she was saying. Annabel was an excellent actress, or she didn't really know anything about what had happened.

  - Annabel, why do you think I'm here with so few guards? - I asked.

  - Well, she shrugged her shoulders, getting serious. - You came to question her about not taking the matter to the king so that Roy could be tried. Did I get it right? I know that you condemn this barbarism and, as he is one of the lords, I believe that you would like Roy to be subjected to the laws and customs of the clans.

  I was stunned by the theory she had in mind. Annabel pulled a big cloth that wrapped something hidden behind a curtain. It was my sword and the bow I was carrying.

  - She was very angry at Aideen because she had disobeyed her. That's why she locked us in the castle and blamed my sister for all that tragedy. - Annabel sighed. - Actually, part of it's my fault. If I hadn't helped Aideen get to the lake...

  She shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

  - As for the part of coming with little garrison, I believe that you are very foolish or severely insane.

  She looked around again and then put on the hood. Pulling a part of the curtain, Annabel revealed a wooden door painted black.

  - I'll take you out of the castle and you can return to Dunhill to bring more men. - she said opening the door quietly. - I will try to delay the departure of my parents so that they can explain themselves when you return to question them.

  Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. I followed Annabel until we walked through the door and left in a dark corridor.

  - We should go this way and get out in the yard. - she said smiling. - I don't mean to brag, but I know every passage of this castle. That's how I sneaked out to ride.

  Annabel started chatting about how she ran away from her mother whenever possible to see the world beyond the walls. I had a strong heart beating, apprehensive about what was waiting for us outside. I was watching every step of the way while my brain was deciding whether to tell the truth or not. Unfortunately, my vigilante side spoke louder.

  - Annabel, wait! You said you'd make her stop. - I need you to know something before we leave.

  - Say it, but be brief, because...

  - I didn't come to interrogate your mother, but to get you arrested for treason and conspiracy. - I fired.

  Annabel frowned.

  - Treason? Like treason? - Annabel laughed. - She's crazy, but she'd never be able to betray anyone.

  I took a deep breath before I started telling you everything Bruce had discovered. I saw the shock growing in her eyes as I reported it all. Annabel listened quietly and attentively, horrified by the whole story.

  - Are Aila and Aideen the daughters of King Phillipe? - she asked in shock.

  - Yes. - I answered by putting my hands on his shoulders. - I didn't want you to know this way, but I don't see any other way out. You're not Loch's daughter either. He only served as a decoy to cover up a Machiavellian plan that Ravenna had been working on for years.

  Annabel put her hands on her chest and stared at me. Her beautiful blue eyes reflected the pain she was feeling. There was a mixture of anger and fear that joined the tears that stubbornly shed.

  - Who... - She swallowed it dry. - Who's my father?

  - Roy MacGregor! - ...I answered without beat around the bush. - His mother was always in love with him and continued to meet him even when she returned to be Phillipe's lover.

  - No! Roy is my uncle!

  - I'm sorry, but it's not! Actually, he was raised by his grandparents when his parents died.

  - You're lying! - she screamed. - Loch is my father!

  - No, Annabel! Unfortunately, Loch never had children with Ravenna. She bought it to keep up appearances and so no one would suspect the real fatherhood of you. That's why she's the one who makes the rules at Inverness.

  I watched as Annabel leaned against the wall and slowly slipped to the ground. She stuck her face in her hands and started crying.

  - You lie! I can't be the daughter of the man who disgraced the life of my dearest sister!

  - I wish it was just a nightmare, but it's true.

  I approached her trying to hug her, but Annabel shied away by pushing me.

  - Don't touch me! - she screamed before she ran out into the hallway.

  - Annabel, don't run away! You're in danger if you go with Ravenna! - I screamed. - Annabel! Come back with me to Dunhill!

  Grumbling, I ran in the same direction as Annabel. The corridor was long and well lit by torches. She wasn't very fast, but she knew the way and I didn't. It left her with a huge advantage over me. We walked the corridor for about ten minutes and even lost sight of it for a few seconds until I saw the exit. Each step of mine made my head spin and I was happy to have reached the end of that tunnel. I stopped abruptly when I hit the wide courtyard of the entrance. He was surrounded by some Scottish soldiers, armed with beasts and swords. Two of them hit me until I got on my knees. I looked at Annabel who was trapped in the arms of one of the soldiers.

  - Well, well. - Ravenna came up the part of the hill that led to the lake. - Then we have a little traitor!

  She passed her daughter and stroked her face slapping her next. Annabel screamed.

  - You're just like those bastards! - she whispered cold. - I should have kept her away from those two, who only caused me trouble.

  - Ravenna, you bastard! - said taking a break.

  She had a laugh.

  - You know how much I was worried when you picked that useless bastard for a wife? - she laughed at me. - It took a tremendous amount of work to fake anger so he wouldn't suspect a thing. Stay with a woman who's already been touched? Your ego is just the size of the moon.

  She put her fingertip on my chin and lifted my face so that I could face her. There were at least six men in the siege and I didn't know how many more were hiding in the boat that was waiting for them at the small pier or the surrounding area.


  - You monster! - he said between his teeth. - She stole a girl's life and convinced her that she was guilty of everything she had been through.

  - But she was to blame! - Ravenna shouted out giving a squeeze on my head wound. - If she hadn't opened her mouth, at this point I'd be parading in court with all the pomp I deserve and Roy would be on the throne instead of that old fool.

  I growled when I heard her talking about my father.

  - Why didn't you use Aila? - I fired. - She was the firstborn. No one would contest her birthright.

  - Aila was an outsider. Roy could never touch it. She tried to kill him when she found out about Aideen. - she said between her teeth. - Because of that useless girl, I missed my chance to go back to court.

  - You knew all this time that Aila was dead. - I shook my head. - She must have been relieved.

  - Of course I did! - she fired. There was no remorse in his tone of voice. Ravenna was cold as ice. - I was relieved when I received the letter informing me of the death of that plague.

  I went into shock because of the way she was telling sordid details of her plan.

  - Aila's dead? - Annabel screamed in an anguished voice. - It can't be! How much for the letters we received from the mother superior of the convent? The lady read all the ones that came in.

  Ravenna stood up and walked to where Annabel was being taken prisoner.

  - All forged! - she confessed. - I was the one who wrote the letters to disguise it. Aila never wrote them.

  - You witch! - Annabel screamed. - Let me go now!

  Ravenna laughed even harder and then squeezed Annabel's chin.

  - Luckily I can fix all that. - she said. - You go to Edinburgh, where you marry the Duke of Kent, Phillipe's cousin. This will ensure me a good passage to court and an army for your father.

  - What's that? What's that? You can't do that! - Annabel screamed. - I don't want to marry any disgusting duke!

  - Edward is not disgusting! - Ravenna said. - He's very handsome if you ask me. He is eager to secure heirs who will help him jump to various positions in the succession line to the crown. Maybe we can even kill Phillipe so he can take power in his place.

  - That's enough! - Loch's voice echoed from the darkness. - I won't let you hurt Annabel. My cowardice didn't let me protect Aila and Aideen, but I won't let Annabel have the same fate as the sisters.

  Ravenna looked at Loch with coldness and nodded to one of the nearby soldiers. She ignored the fact that he was carrying a beast and drew dangerously close to Loch.

  - Stop or I'll shoot! - he threatened.

  - Is that so? - she challenged him. - Why do I think you're such a coward that you won't do anything you say?

  - Stop it, Ravenna! - he screamed again.

  Loch walked on his back until he was met by one of the guards who crossed him with his sword. Ravenna went to him and removed the beast from Loch's hands. Then she pulled the trigger, hitting an arrow in her husband's heart.

  - I don't need you anymore. - she said before she saw him drop dead on the floor. - Until that idiot served me for a long time.

  Ravenna turned to the guard delivering the beast and then raised the skirt of the dress.

  - Take her to the boat! - Ravenna ordered it. Turning towards me she smiled coldly. - As for him, kill him and throw the body in the water. By the time they find out, we'll be long gone.

  - No! Annabel screamed her head off. - Let go of me!

  Ravenna turned her back on me and followed the soldier who was dragging Annabel to the boat. I tried to let go, but I was hit again, falling to my knees. The soldier who had been ordered to kill me approached me stopping in front of me. He pulled the sword out of the hem and raised it. I kept my eyes on his, and as the man was about to hit me with a fatal blow, I saw him being hit by a dagger. The other two soldiers were hit by arrows and fell by my side. I looked confused at the hill and widened my eyes. Arriving almost at the entrance of the castle, Aideen appeared mounted in Quimera. Bruce was right behind some other soldiers who started a battle.

  - Ravenna! - Aideen screamed. - Let go of my sister, you bastard!

  Chapter 20

  Aideen

  My dagger went through the chest of the guard who was trying to kill Alistair. Bruce's arrows knocked down the other two who tried, in vain, to react in some way. My eyes were watching the movements on the pier. I had led Bruce there with surprising mastery. Thanks to the instructions that Alistair had given me, I followed the shortest, but most dangerous path. Bruce was convinced that we were lost, until we saw the castle towers. He decided to take the lead when he saw that everything was too quiet. I didn't think twice when I picked up one of the daggers when I saw Alistair, helpless, almost killed by such a small soldier. I couldn't imagine a situation like that where Alistair was being held hostage. He took the sword and started a fight against the other guards. Bruce joined him. I took the opportunity to run towards the pier. My head was at a thousand and my despair grew when I heard Annabel scream. She was dragged into one of the little boats that were anchored. Next to them, there was a guard riding a horse.

  - Stop it! - I screamed a horse jump. - Let her go!

  I ran with the sword I got from Alistair and prepared a dagger. My mother was getting ready to get on the boat and turned to face me.

  - Look who got brave in such a short time! - my mother said.

  - Ravenna MacBride, in the name of Brice MacCalister, is under arrest for conspiracy and treason! - said pointing the sword as Alistair had taught me.

  - You don't know how to use this thing. - she laughed as she mocked me.

  - We'll see! - I said before I went in and attacked her.

  Before I did anything, a soldier intercepted the blow preventing me from hitting Ravenna. The blow caused the sword to fly away, so he punched me and I fell to the ground. Without thinking I was dragging myself back scared. The soldier smiled coldly raising his sword. When he was about to seal my fate, I hit him with one of my daggers. My mother widened her eyes when she saw the man fall on her knees. I prepared another dagger, but trying to throw it I felt the leather whip burn my wrist.

  - Damn it! - I screamed holding my fist.

  I frowned when I saw he was bleeding and then I squeezed him.

  - You've always been a rock in my shoe! - Ravenna said as she approached and grabbed my throat. - Always so stubborn! I thought you could bring me some compensation for carrying her nine months in the womb, but she was always ungrateful. Useless.

  She grabbed my hair hard and pulled.

  - Do you remember that? - she smiled showing the whip she'd used to beat me to death. I had a laugh.

  - You think I'm afraid of you? - he said between his teeth. - You don't scare me anymore.

  - Then we must correct that.

  She threw me down on the ground and then fell down. An arrow went through the sound of the battle hitting Ravenna's arm with a scratch.

  - Argh! - she grunted by putting her hand on the wound. - You bastard!

  He smiled looking in the direction of Alistair, who was standing on the highest part of the hill with his bow in hand. He was getting ready to shoot one more time. A soldier jumped on Alistair trying to stop him from using the bow. They started a body fight. I could see all the warrior skills Alistair possessed. He was agile and strong. When he knocked down the soldier, he raised his back to us and took the bow.

  - Let go of me! - Annabel screamed.

  I saw her push the rider who was trying to put her on the boat and then she ran towards the one under the horse. With a push she knocked him out of the saddle and then rode.

  - Aideen! - she screamed, making mention of coming to my rescue.

  - Run, Annabel! - I commanded. - Run away!

  She nodded and fired off into the dark forest. Annabel had a great sense of direction and knew all those trails. I knew she'd be safe until we found her.

  - Damn you! - my mother screamed at me to see that she was running away. - Go after her!

>   Several soldiers walked out into the woods. Alistair was busy with another soldier who was fiercely attacking him with his sword. My mother took her hand to her waist and quickly pulled a little beast that I hadn't seen her carrying. I ran towards her and jumped over Ravenna. That gesture was useless, because the gun went off the same way. I heard Alistair scream in pain and then he fell to the ground.

  - Alistair! - I screamed in despair. - What have you done?

  - Consider it a divorce. - she replied with coldness. - Isn't that what you wanted from the beginning? As far as I can remember, I didn't even want him as a husband.

  I stopped the crying and started to get up.

  - You're the most wicked person I've ever had the displeasure of meeting! - ...I've stirred up. - Alistair?

  I tried to run towards him, but Ravenna grabbed my throat and then brought me closer. I choked when she squeezed hard.

  - Did I understand you correctly? Did you fall in love with Alistair? - she whispered. - It's okay! It's okay! Like Romeo and Juliet, I will have the pleasure of sending you together to hell.

  She pulled a dagger and stuck it on my shoulder. I screamed falling to the ground.

  - Damn you! - grunhi.

  She let out a laugh and turned towards the boat.

  - May you bleed to death!

  Ravenna walked and boarded the boat that was anchored. I watched as she looked down on me.

  - Coward! - I screamed.

  I heard Bruce calling the name Alistair. Tears came into my eyes as I remembered that he was seriously wounded. I looked where Annabel ran with several soldiers on her trail. If I went to Annabel, I'd lose Alistair. If I went to Alistair, I'd lose Annabel. I prayed for God to protect her and ran to where Alistair was. The pain in my shoulder was making me dizzy, but my concern for him was greater than my fear of dying.

  - Alistair! - ...I called, pulling the hair out of his face. - Please come back!

  She was weeping when I realized that her breathing was slow and the blood flowed from the open wound on her back. I had to take out that arrow or he'd die slowly.