“Only one,” said Hecuba, grasping Medea’s hands harder. “I beg you, Daughter, don’t help MacKay. Because if you use your magic to pull the shard out of his heart, he will live. However, the consequences of that action will mean that I will die instead.”
Chapter 17
MacKay awoke the next morning in the cave to find himself covered with a blanket. The first rays of the morning light filtered in through the cave’s entrance. He felt drained of all energy, barely having slept at all because of the struggle of dark and light going on inside him all night long.
He had hoped to find solace alone in this cave, but his chest ached, and his mind felt like a dark fog was hanging over him. He looked up to see the graves of Eira’s family who were buried there. Today is the day when their murderer, Ailbert Halkerston would come with his troops to fight for this land, Eira’s throne, and everything that had ever meant anything to her.
His heart ached for her, and all he wanted to do right now was to protect her. He hadn’t planned on staying in this frozen hell, but going back to England without her wasn’t an option anymore. He would fight for Eira, his wife, and his queen. And whatever it took, he would protect her.
MacKay got up and, when he did, his dagger dropped to the floor of the cave with a loud clank. He bent over to get it, and that is when the curse reared its ugly head. As his fingers wrapped around the hilt, he felt like he wanted to kill everyone and anything that dared get in his way.
“Nay,” he said, with a shake of his head. He had to get rid of this feeling or he might end up turning on Eira. If this curse caused him to do anything to hurt her, he would never forgive himself as long as he lived.
He held the dagger up. The light coming in the entrance hit it, and then the scar on his chest started to glow. Pain, horrible pain shot through him. Thoughts of hatred lodged in his mind driving him mad. He couldn’t control this curse. He couldn’t control his actions. With thoughts as dark as these, he couldn’t take the chance of doing anything to jeopardize Eira’s life.
He held the dagger tightly with two hands now. His body shook uncontrollably. And then almost as if it had a life of its own, the blade turned toward him. Yes, he thought, not able to push the darkness away. To kill himself would be the way to stop this curse. It was the only way to ensure that he wouldn’t hurt Eira. He had to take his own life and he had to do it quickly.
The thought oddly enough brought him peace. Just like the way Eira’s yelling had made him feel lusty, the thought of hurting – nay, killing himself held such satisfaction that he couldn’t deny it.
He raised the blade up high, aiming it at his chest, preparing to end all this agony. Never again would he have to deal with pain, anger, and the darkness that had invaded his soul. It would all be over within a second.
The sunrays shot through the cave opening, lighting up an area behind the grave. He stopped, focusing on the vision of a beautiful woman who appeared. She was ethereal, and he could see right through her, making him realize she was a ghost.
“MacKay, don’t do it,” he heard the woman whisper. He took a closer look, trying to focus, and then he realized who was talking to him.
“Mother,” he whispered. “Is that really you? Have you come to take me to the other side?” His mother died years ago, horribly murdered. He missed her dearly. She was the sweetest woman who ever walked the earth. He never thought he’d see her again.
“Think how Eira would feel if you took your life,” came her soft, melodic voice.
“Eira,” he said, suddenly realizing by taking his life, it would leave Eira all alone. He couldn’t do that to her. Could he?
“She loves you,” said his mother. “Go back to her, MacKay.” He stood there frozen, staring at the ghost of his mother. In a black cloud, Medea magically appeared next to him. She looked over at his mother as the ghostly form faded from sight.
“What are you doing?” Medea reached out and took the dagger from his hands, having to pry his fingers from the blade.
“I – I don’t know,” said MacKay, feeling very confused. “One minute I was thinking about being with Eira and telling her I love her, and the next minute I was planning on killing myself.”
“That’s the dark magic taking control,” said Medea. “What made you stop?”
“I saw my mother.”
“That ghost? I saw her, too. She was beautiful.”
“My mother was an angel. I loved her, Medea.”
“How did she die?”
“She was murdered.”
“Murdered? That is horrible. Did you ever find her killer?”
“The killer is right here on the island,” he told her. “Medea, I thought you knew – Hecuba is the one who killed my mother.”
“She did?” Medea dropped the dagger and it landed on the ground. “Why would she have done that?”
“Dark magic took control, I guess. It also had something to do with her wanting my father. All our curses are because Hecuba wants to punish my father. She tricked him by turning into a beautiful woman and sleeping with him.”
“She did that?”
“You are proof of one of her many romps with Lucio. Medea, why are you here?”
“Eira wanted me to check on you. She is distraught and wanted to come here herself, but I told her it wasn’t safe since you couldn’t control the dark magic within you.”
“Were you the one who brought me the blanket?”
“It was by Eira’s request.”
“Thank you, Medea. And thank you for helping Eira discover who she wants to be.”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw her new look and her new demeanor. She is a beautiful woman inside and out, but she is also very lonely.”
“Yes, she is lonely. But aren’t we all?” Medea’s eyes filled with longing and sadness.
“Medea, can you help me? Can you remove the curse?”
“I probably can, but I won’t,” she told him.
“You’re my sister. Why won’t you help me? I know there is darkness in you, but you also have the light of my father.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to help you. It’s because I can’t.”
“You can’t remove the curse, then? So, I am doomed forever?”
“Nay. I think I can remove it, but if I do, my mother will die.”
“Oh,” he said, trying to sound sympathetic so she would help him. But the darkness inside him was rising to the surface quickly. “Your mother was the one who killed my mother. Hecuba deserves to die! If by helping me it causes her death, then so be it. This world would be better off without people like her.”
“Stop, it, MacKay!” shouted Medea. “She is my mother. What do you expect me to do? Help you live and purposely kill her in the process? I am sorry, but I won’t do it.”
“Then you’ll let this curse consume me until I die instead?”
“I have no choice.”
“I thought the light in you was stronger than that, Medea. You are weak after all, and I despise the fact you are my half-sister.”
“That’s the curse talking.”
“That is me talking. Now, if you won’t help me, then at least transport back to England and get my father. He will do something to help me, I know he will.”
“It’s no good, MacKay. Mother said this curse is different. Since it is made in her blood, your father cannot break it.”
“You have her blood in you. You can do it, then. Help me, Medea. For Eira’s sake, don’t let her be lonely for the rest of her life. I don’t want her to have to live without me.”
“Well, what about me?” asked Medea. “You are not only asking me to take my mother’s life, but the action will leave me all alone – or haven’t you thought about that?”
“You can live with Father. He said he wants you.”
“Nay.” Medea shook her head and backed away from him. “I am not going to kill my mother to help you. Nor am I going to be left feeling lonely either. I am only your half-siste
r. You and your siblings will never accept me.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is, and you know it. Plus, Lucio will look at me and always see in me the woman who killed his wife. Hecuba is all I have in life, and no one is going to convince me to do anything against the only person who truly cares about me.”
Medea raised her hands over her head and disappeared in a puff of black smoke.
Ollie came running into the cave next.
“My lord, Ailbert and his army have arrived. We need to help Lady Eira because Hecuba just broke her deal. She and Medea won’t be fighting off the army after all.”
Darkness filled MacKay’s soul as he bent over and picked up his blade. He ran two fingers over the edge, drawing blood. He smiled and lifted his hand, inspecting the cut.
“Lord MacKay, what are you doing? Please don’t tell me you are thinking about taking your life?”
“Nay, not anymore,” said MacKay feeling hatred filling his body. Whatever little light or fond thoughts of Eira were there a minute ago had now disappeared. What he wanted now more than anything was a good, bloody battle. “Prepare your weapons, Ollie, because we are going to fight.”
“Aye, my lord. I am sure Lady Eira will be pleased you decided to help her protect her lands after all.”
“The Snow Queen is not who I’m fighting for,” he said with a deep chuckle. The curse took over his body completely, and he felt like a prisoner to himself.
“My lord, I don’t think I understand. If you’re not fighting for Lady Eira then whom are you fighting for?” Ollie’s eyes opened wide when he figured out the answer.
“That’s right, Squire,” said MacKay with a laugh that sounded so evil he couldn’t believe it came from him. “We are fighting today, but we will be fighting with Ailbert, not against him. The Snow Queen will be dethroned today. When we are done, I will rule Skol Island instead.”
“But you are her husband, my lord. You can rule side by side.”
“There is only room for one ruler here, and I have decided it is my turn to be king.”
Chapter 18
Men, get to your posts,” commanded Eira, donned in her tunic and breeches again, ready to battle Ailbert and his forces. “The ships are arriving. We need to defend Skol.” She stuck another dagger into her weapon belt and hurried toward the stable.
“My queen, where are you going?” asked Angus, hurrying after her.
“Angus, get my horse. I am going to the cave to talk to MacKay.”
“Nay, I’m sorry, but I can’t let you leave,” said Angus, stepping in front of her.
“Get out of my way,” she warned him. “I don’t have time for this. The messenger just announced that Ailbert and his men have docked.”
“You are our queen and need to be protected. Stay here. I will go to the cave to find Lord MacKay.”
“Nay. I need you here to protect the castle. You are my best warrior, Angus.” Eira scanned the courtyard. “Have you seen Medea? I asked her to go to the cave, and she never returned.”
“You also made a deal with Hecuba and Medea to protect us, yet they went back on their promises.”
“Hecuba’s powers are almost drained because of the curse. She wouldn’t be able to do it anyway.”
“Medea could probably take on the entire army by herself. What is her excuse?”
“I don’t know. Medea never wanted to fight to begin with, so I won’t force her to do it.” Eira liked Medea and didn’t want to do anything to turn the girl against her.
“You have become weak, my queen. Ever since you married that fool, you have forgotten how to make proper decisions and how to be a warrior.”
In one motion, she pulled her sword from the sheath and held the tip to Angus’ neck. “Say that again, and this blade will move a little further to prove to you that you are wrong.”
“My queen, I am sorry.” Angus held both hands up in the air.
“Now, I am not going to tell you again. I am leaving for the cave and no one better try to stop me.”
“Then go, but I will escort you,” said Angus. “I will not let you leave here alone, my lady.”
Something about the word alone struck a chord within her. She didn’t want to be alone . . . ever. And if she didn’t get to the cave to talk to MacKay, she might never have the chance to tell him that she loved him.
“All right, then come with me,” she said. “But don’t try to change my mind again. I will make the decisions, do you understand?”
“Aye, my queen,” said Angus, leading the way to the stables.
MacKay stood on the docks, facing Ailbert, having just told him he was there to fight in his army.
“I don’t believe you,” snarled the man. “This is a trick, isn’t it?”
“Nay,” said MacKay. “I am here to fight at your side, so why do you question me?”
“My lord,” said Ollie from beside him. “Perhaps this was a bad idea.”
“On the contrary, it is an excellent idea,” said MacKay, no longer knowing right from wrong.
“What do you get out of it?” snarled Ailbert.
“When we conquer, Skol, I will be king.”
“Nay! I will be king. Men, kill the fool and his squire,” commanded Ailbert, walking past MacKay, heading down the docks. He was a big man and very ugly. MacKay couldn’t see Eira ever being married to him and was glad she wasn’t.
“My lord, this might be a good time to run,” came the squeak of his squire’s voice as the troops piled off the ships and headed right toward them.
“I have never run from a fight in my life, and I most certainly am not going to start now,” MacKay told Ollie.
“Then, how about at least drawing your weapon,” suggested Ollie, holding up his sword, ready to protect MacKay against so many men.
“Put away your weapon. You aren’t going to need it,” said MacKay.
The men stomped down the docks, heading toward them at a run with their weapons drawn.
“I suppose it’s useless,” said Ollie. “We are going to die.”
“Not by their blades we won’t.” MacKay swiped his hand through the air, and the soldiers were pushed off the dock. They went down screaming as they made a big splash when they hit the water.
“What the hell just happened?” growled Ailbert, turning back to MacKay.
“Still don’t want me to fight for you?” MacKay chuckled.
“Y-you have magic,” said Ailbert, seeming a little leery of MacKay.
“Dark magic,” he said with a grin and a nod of his head. “Now, are you going to agree that I’ll be king or did you want me to practice some of my magic on you next?”
“Nay, my lord,” said the man. “I believe you. I will make certain my men do not give you trouble again.”
Eira made it to the cave first, slipping off her horse and running inside. “MacKay,” she called out, hearing her voice echo off the cavernous walls. “MacKay, where are you?”
“He’s not here, you fool.” Hecuba emerged from the shadows. She used a stick for a cane, hobbling as if she could barely walk.
“Where is he?” asked Eira.
“He’s betrayed you, just like everyone else in your life.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, thinking it was true since Hecuba betrayed her as well. She’d made a deal and then decided not to help Eira after all.
“He’s fighting at Ailbert’s side.” Hecuba chuckled. “So, you see, your husband is now your enemy.”
“That’s not true,” she cried. “MacKay would never do that.”
“Look down at the docks if you don’t believe me. Your husband is leading your enemies to the castle right now.”
Eira hurried back to the cave entrance, crashing into Angus who was just coming inside.
“My lady, I thought I saw Lord MacKay and his squire down at the docks.”
“They must be in trouble,” she said, straining her neck to look toward the water. The winds were harsh today, biting at the ex
posed flesh on her face. She usually wasn’t bothered by the cold but, for some reason, today she was. However, that didn’t sting half as much as when she saw MacKay leading the enemy to battle, just like Hecuba had said.
“He’s not in trouble; he has turned traitor, my lady,” Angus told her.
“Then it’s true,” she said, feeling as if her world had come crashing down around her. “The curse has taken control of him. The only way he can be released is to die.”
“What shall we do, my lady?” asked Angus.
“There is nothing we can do about MacKay,” she said, feeling her heart break. “We have to get back to the castle before the army gets there.”
“So, you want us to fight against your husband?”
She didn’t want that, but neither did she want to lose the lives of her people, or lose her land. Why did this have to be happening? What was she supposed to do? She had tried her hardest to help MacKay, but there was no reasoning with someone who only had darkness in his heart.
“We have to stay focused if we want to win this battle,” said Eira, mounting her horse. “We will do whatever it takes to secure my holdings and to protect my people.”
“What about your husband, my queen? What will we do with him?”
She turned a full circle with her horse, saying the words she never thought she’d say. “He is no longer my husband, Angus. He is naught but a pawn of dark magic. If my love for him won’t break the curse, then I don’t know what else to do. If he tries to kill us, we must protect ourselves, no matter what it takes to do so. I am sure if MacKay were in his right mind, that is what he would want us to do.”
Chapter 19
MacKay led the enemies up the hill to Eira’s castle, darkness and bloodlust clouding his judgment and taking control of his actions. He felt the need and the urge to fight and kill. The more Ailbert’s army shouted, the more it roiled him up. Why the hell did something so wrong make him so excited?
“My lord, I beg of you, don’t do this,” said Ollie, following at his heels. “Your wife, Lady Eira is in there. Why would you want to do anything to hurt her?”
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