by Kira Freitas
- I need a hot cloth and iron. - said looking at Bruce. - Let's get that arrow out and stop the bleeding or he'll die.
- Aideen! His shoulder! - he pointed. - He's bleeding pretty bad. You can't lose blood. Do you remember...
- Forget my shoulder! - I screamed. - Do as I ask!
He sighed by settling down. Then he took an arrow, a torch and took off his cloak. I tore Alistair's shirt. It had to be very fast. Taking the arrow and the torch, I heated the tip until it turned red.
- Hold him steady! - I asked Bruce.
- Guards! - he screamed. Then two guards came to us. - Help me keep the prince still.
The men pushed Alistair so he wouldn't move. Taking a deep breath, I removed the small arrow with a pull and then burned the wound. Alistair opened his eyes and bellowed. He struggled trying to get loose, but Bruce held him tight. When I was finished, he laid his head against the grass that covered the hill.
- Lift him up! - said looking at Bruce. - Let's get him inside. I'll finish using the herbs in the castle.
- But, your sister? - Bruce said stunned.
- Don't worry about her! - I answered. - Annabel knows these trails well and will certainly follow to Dunhill. She's safer there than we are here.
- Are you sure? - Bruce questioned.
- Yes. Scotland's future is dying and with it my heart. - I said in tears. - I need Alistair, Bruce! Scotland needs him! His son will need him!
- What's that? What's that? - Alistair whispered.
I widened my eyes and turned him on his back leaning his head on my lap.
- Alistair? - I cried. - Talk to me!
- Are you pregnant? - he whispered with difficulty.
- Yes. I'm carrying your child in my womb. - I answered in tears. - Please don't die! Don't leave me!
- Your shoulder? - he sighed. The voice was weak. - She's hurt.
He smiles in tears, passing his hands on his face.
- It's nothing I can't handle.
- I'm sorry I couldn't rescue Annabel.
- We'll talk about it later, but now we need to get him inside the castle so I can take care of you.
- Aideen? - he held my hand tightly, swallowing it dry. - Where did you get those robes? You look awful dressed like this.
I laughed and kissed him.
- I didn't want to wear a dress so I wouldn't get in the way, so I grabbed one of his pants and shirt.
- Aideen? - he whispered weak. - I love her with all the strength of my heart! I don't know what I'd do without you. You brought color to my life.
Alistair's voice was fading. I realized he was getting weaker and weaker. I kissed his forehead before I looked at Bruce.
- Then keep it beating and keep it to me!
Alistair smiled closing his eyes. I felt the grip on my hand become weaker, until Alistair lost consciousness. With the help of some men, Bruce raised Alistair and took him into the castle. I kept stopping them when I felt a breeze shaking my hair, so I turned to the sea, where I could no longer see the boat because of the fog and the darkness. I knew it would be hard to find Ravenna again, but I would find Annabel soon.
- I'll find her, Ravenna! And when that happens... - I whispered when I thought of Ravenna. - I swear I'll kill her!
Epilogue
Aideen
Two months later...
Dunhill's throne hall was full. I was smiling behind a curtain that adorned the sides. Everyone was waiting for Alistair's coronation ceremony, which had to be postponed because of his injuries. After the failed attack in Inverness, I managed to close Alistair's wound with the same process I used in his cut, but it was a little more painful. Thank God, he was a strong man and he was recovering well. My shoulder didn't hurt so much anymore and that would be one more scar that I would sustain. Lowenna was shocked when she found out what had happened and I had to calm her down. Brice got possessed. He swore vengeance against my mother and Roy. Thanks to Bruce, the search for my sister continued tirelessly, but there was still no news of her.
- Nice party, huh? - Lowenna whispered behind me.
- Your Majesty! - I bowed to her by saying hello.
- No! Don't bend. - she asked with a smile. - I'm the one who should bow to you. You saved my son and brought him back.
- He saved me! - said smiling. - I'm grateful for that!
Lowenna took my hand and we started walking side by side. The people in the hall greeted us with a slight nod of their heads and made room for us to pass by.
- I'm sorry for your loss! - she whispered. - I mean... your big sister. I had a brother, very brave and loyal. I lost it a long time ago and it's still painful for me.
- Aila was more than a sister. - I swallowed dry. - She was the only mother I knew or had. It'll be hard to get over.
- I suppose so! - she smiled solemnly. - Until then, I want you to count on me for whatever it takes. I raised Bruce as my youngest son and I'd love to have a girl to drive.
Lowenna stopped in front of me holding my hands tightly and looked at me lovingly.
- Especially one so brave!
Smile at her and we'll walk again. Lowenna's smile was very warm and pleasant. I felt peace when she looked at me and an unconditional love that emanated through her serene countenance.
- You do? Alistair never had much time to love anyone. - she said softly. - Since Cora's death a few years ago, he has stopped in time and lived only for the battlefields.
- Yes, I heard about Cora and I'd like to say I'm very sorry for her loss.
- That was a long time ago. - she sighed. - As a queen, I had to quickly overcome the death of a subject, but as a zealous mother, I still feel the loss of my daughter.
- I see!
- But not Alistair! - she smiled. - He always kept the promise of vengeance alive in his mind. I've always been very afraid of losing him and when I knew Brice would bring him back, I confess I was relieved.
- He's an excellent warrior. Today I know you're very brave and zealous. It's nothing like I heard. - I fired. - I confess I've misjudged his image and even called him an ogre.
Lowenna laughed.
- He was furious when he heard about the arranged marriage, but when I saw him coming with you and the glow in his gaze when he talked about you, I knew that my son's heart was bewitched. - she took a break.
- I love your son!
- And he loves her too!
The priest called us saying it was time to start.
- Excuse me, Your Majesty! - said bowing and bowing. - I'll see how Alistair's doing and try to rush him.
- Go, my child!
I left in large steps towards the room where Alistair was preparing. The coronation ceremony was just the beginning of a battle that was coming to an end. I put my hand on my belly. Soon the grandson of two nations would be born. She was aware of the political problems that this would entail, but she had the most protective husband a woman could ask for. Smile as you open the door and face Alistair.
- My lord!
- Ma'am!
- You're late. - he said approaching me. - Everyone's waiting for you in the throne room.
- A prince is never late! - He replied with arrogance. - It's the others who are too early.
I let out a laugh helping Alistair put on her shirt. I ran my hand over the bandage that protected the wound on his shoulder. I felt Alistair's body recoil and automatically his hands hovered over mine. Pain! Alistair still felt a lot of pain. By the time we took him into the castle, Alistair had already lost a lot of blood. He was pretty pale and I was afraid he'd die. After days of treatment, we begin the process of bringing him back to Dunhill. I've been driving Chimera while Bruce was carrying a Sovereign in the saddle of Esperanza. Luckily they were docile animals and we didn't have much work to do. I still could not believe how he had survived that beast's arrow, but I prefer to attribute it to the power of prayer. I prayed hard, night and day for your recovery.
I've finished trapping the pie through your chest. After holdi
ng the sword at his waist, Alistair gave me his hand and we headed for the salon. He paraded with me by his side with great pride, greeted all the representatives of the clans. There were a lot of people in the hall and sometimes he stopped because of the pain that was still fresh. The ceremony took place in the traditional way with a priest picking up Alistair's vows, and Brice passed the crown to her son.
- Do you solemnly swear to protect all the peoples gathered here in the name of God? - the priest asked while holding the crown.
- I swear! - Alistair answered seriously.
- Do you swear to act with justice and benevolence?
- I swear!
- By the powers vested in me and by the most holy trinity, I crown Alistair MacCalister, king of Scotland.
I kept my smile directed at him when the priest lowered the crown over his head. A cloak was placed on his back. Brice stared proudly at him while Lowenna wept in tears. The priest stopped in front of me holding a delicate gold crown adorned with emeralds.
- Do you swear to be faithful to your sovereign and your people in the name of God? - he asked.
- I swear! - I answered firmly.
- Do you swear to be at his side, even in adversity, and to act with justice and serenity?
- I swear!
- So, by the powers vested in me and in the name of the Most Holy Trinity, I crown her Aideen MacBride...
- It's MacCalister! - I whispered.
- What'd you say? - the priest asked distractedly.
- Aideen MacCalister, please!
Alistair smiled at me. It was common to keep the names of our old clans, but I was keen to use the surname I was given as soon as I married Alistair.
- Moving on. - the priest got serious again. - I crown her, Aideen MacCalister, queen of Scotland and the people who live here.
The priest put the crown on my head and then Alistair took my arm. We walked out in the middle of the people who were watching us. Everything was perfect and, after the ceremony, we went to the ballroom. Everyone danced, ate and drank happily.
- Are you happy? - he asked.
- Sure!
- Even with a troubled start?
- Alistair, you saved me! I love you with all the strength of my heart, my ogre.
He smiled arrogantly at me.
- You bewitched me with that smile and those beautiful eyes. I love you, my little witch.
Other Works
Treacherous Hearts Series
Book 01 - Heart on Fire (Alec)
Book 02 - Indomitable Heart (Alex)
Book 03 - Wild Heart (Dominic)
Book 04 - Ruthless Heart (Allan)
Book 05 - Heart Forever (Alec's Diary)
Destinations Series
Book 01 - Friends Only (Ryder and Brooke)
Book 02 - Second Chance (Casey and Ryan)
Book 03 - Irresistible Attraction (Maise and Valerie)
Book 04 - When I return (Viola and Mike)
Book 05 - Ice Castle (Erick and Scarllet)
Book 06 - Redemption (Mia and Raze) Soon
MacBride Sisters Trilogy
Book 01 - The Queen
Book 02 - The Duchess
Book 03 - The Princess