Katie wiped back another tear from her cheek. “How did my little brother suddenly get so wise?” she asked.
“Will you do as I ask and begin a slow recovery?”
“Aye.”
“Good, I will tell Sorcha you seem a bit better and might be able to eat something.” He kissed her again then rose and walked to the door. “I will come to visit every day so we can compare what each of us has learned.” With that, he left the room.
Katie inhaled sharply. Could her lover be alive? Would he come for her and ease the terrible ache in her chest? If only Tessa was right.
In the late afternoon, Ian and Ross reached the entrance to the cave that led into Duntaigh Castle. They had been riding for hours, first through the murky night then keeping to the woods when the sun rose. Ian felt sure no one had spotted them.
Ross gazed up at the magnificent structure perched above them on a sheer rock outcropping. “A fine keep,” he commented.
“Aye and I pray my love is safe inside those stone battlements.”
“What will you do alone?” Ross questioned. “I should stay and help you.”
“That is not the plan, Ross. You must return to Jared and lead him to this place if I am unable to return.” Ian gave him a grin. “Although I fully intend to rescue Katie and be at your side when we come to rout this bastard.”
Ross laughed. “I am sure of it. You are hard to kill, Ian. Many have tried and failed. Something inherited, no doubt.”
“Aye,” Ian agreed, tears welling in his eyes. “Let us pray my father continues to be stubborn and refuses to succumb to his injuries.”
“Lady Asilinn wilna allow him to die, Milord, and we all ken she always has her way. If anyone can help him cheat death, it is your sister.”
“You’re right. Asilinn will perform her magic and he will survive. ‘Tis what I must believe.” Ian straightened. “Dismount and let me show you the entrance to the cave.”
Ross obliged and they entered the ink-black cave. Ian grabbed one of the torches from the wall bracket and struck his flint to give them light. Shadows danced across the walls as they walked ever upward. At each junction of tunnels, Ian showed Ross what route to take. Finally, they reached the entrance to the dungeon passageway. Ian stopped and turned to Ross. “Beyond this door is the dungeon level of the castle. It is a little used area. I was the only prisoner in this section. You should be able to surprise them with an attack from here.”
“Shall we go in?” Ross asked.
“I must go alone. Rannoch might have someone else in the cell block.” Ian’s mind flew to Katie. If only her rescue could be as easy as plucking her from the chamber not far beyond the secret door, but he didn’t think Rannoch would keep her here. Looking back at Ross, he smiled. “I will use stealth. Can you find your way back?”
“Aye, but I dinna like it.”
“Katie’s kin will help me. I pray they will ken where Rannoch is keeping her.”
Ross sighed. “I will keep to the plan, Ian, but have a care. I have grown used to your ugly face.”
Ian grabbed Ross’s shoulder. “Go with God and find your way safely back to Jared.”
Nodding, Ross took off the way they had come. Ian leaned back against the cold stone wall of the passage. His body ached. Every time he closed his eyes visions of the battle rose up to torture him. There would be no time to rest until he once again held Katie in his arms. Ian had to free her before Rannoch hurt her.
Opening the door to the dungeon, Ian made his way cautiously up the hallway and into the cell block that had been his home. The stale air brought back memories of his meetings with Katie in the dank and dirty cell. He felt her anger when he fired her temper, her hesitance to believe him, and the desire that flowed through her when they kissed. He shook his head to stop the images. If Rannoch had taken her or hurt her, there would be nowhere for him to hide. Ian would tear him limb from limb.
His old cell sat empty. He could not see any other prisoners in the entire cell block. Carefully he made his way to the passage that would take him above stairs. Tessa would help him find Katie, if he could just make it to her chamber without detection. The girl reminded him of Asilinn. Tessa seemed wise beyond her years because of her incredible gift. If Ian had not experienced it with his own sister, he would doubt Tessa’s powers. Living with Asilinn gave no room for doubt. There was more to God and man than any earthly being could grasp. God granted a special few peeks into the future. Asilinn and Tessa had this ability.
Chapter 23
The key rattled in the door and it sprung open. Katie took a deep breath. Sorcha stood in the doorway. Katie needed to eat, so she would follow Jamie’s advice. When Sorcha walked closer, Katie turned to face her. Surprise showed on the Red Witch’s face.
“You are getting better,” she said sitting on the bench beside Katie and looking deep into her eyes. “Do you ken who I am?”
Katie nodded.
“Do you ken where you are?”
“Aye,” Katie said, trying hard to convey a hesitance she did not feel.
Sorcha gave her a brief hug and Katie fought the bile that rose in her throat at the woman’s touch. Leaning back, Sorcha took Katie’s chin in her hand and checked her eyes. “You are back with us, but you have suffered a great loss and seen things no innocent should have to witness.” Sorcha smiled. “But then you are not entirely innocent, are you? Rannoch tells me you knew Ian Innes well before you ran off with him.” Sorcha patted Katie’s belly. “Perchance Ian’s seed is not lost forever. You should eat. I have some stew in the other chamber. Let me fix you a plate.”
“I am hungry,” Katie murmured in a quavering voice.
“Good, that is an excellent sign of your recovery.” Sorcha rose. “I will fix your food and be right back.”
The Red Witch was true to her word. In no time, she returned with a bread bowl of hot venison stew and a steaming cup of murky broth. She pulled a small table over in front of Katie’s bench, placed the bowl on it, and then sat in a nearby chair watching her eat.
The aroma enticed Katie to dig in. She had not eaten anything since the massacre. Now her hunger overtook her stubbornness. She tore off some of the bread and dipped it into the hot stew savoring every bite.
After Katie devoured most of her meal, Sorcha sighed. “You havena drunk any of my elixir,” she said. “It is infused with herbs that will nourish and sustain you, especially if you carry his child.”
Katie lost the fight to keep her temper in check. She stood and walked over to Sorcha, glaring down at her. “You poisoned my father. Why would I take any of your potions? Did you think I dinna ken what you were doing? I hid and watched as Rannoch took you. I heard the two of you discuss the poisoning. What reason do I have to ever trust you?”
Sorcha smiled. “So you have not been as ill as you pretended to be and you have been a little spy about the castle.” She met Katie’s anger without faltering. “I pick and choose who to help and who to destroy. It is necessary for my survival.”
“And you chose to kill my father to help Rannoch with his devious plan.”
“Your father is not dead, is he? I gave him a careful dose and my intent was never to kill him.”
“I dinna believe you.”
Sorcha got up from the chair and walked over to the table. She picked up the cup intended for Katie, drank it, and then slapped it down hard. “There is nothing in this brew to harm you. I saved your lover from castration in the dungeon. I find Ian interesting. I thought him a good choice for your husband, certainly better than Rannoch.” She dropped her gaze to the floor. “Alas, I couldna save him or any of the Innes clansmen from Rannoch’s wrath.”
“Whose side are you on?” Katie’s whole body flushed with heat. “You play God! You make my father an invalid so your sick and twisted lover can take his castle and lands. You claim to have saved Ian from maiming. How do I ken anything you say is true?” But Katie did know. She witnessed Sorcha saving Ian from certain gelding at the hands of
Rannoch. How could this woman play both sides of this dangerous game?
“Unfortunately Ian wilna be able to confirm the truth of what I have told you.” She hung her head. “It is such a shame. He was a magnificent creature, strong and powerful.” She looked Katie in the eye. “I am sure he must have been a good lover to entice you to give him all.”
Katie could feel her face color. The glow Sorcha’s words brought made her feel the fire of Ian moving inside her. How could this be? She took a seat to keep her legs from quivering as her body writhed. It was as if her lover even now took her.
Raising an eyebrow, Sorcha came close. “I am impressed. Your memories of Ian are so strong they make you come by the very thought joining with him.”
Breathless, Katie glared at the woman hovering over her. “Aye, perchance these vivid feelings will keep me warm on the cold, dark nights that are to follow.”
“I am sorry you have lost him,” Sorcha said, “but he would want you to go on. I will do all I can to help you.”
“I dinna want your help. You have done enough to my family!”
With a sigh of resignation, Sorcha once again took a seat beside Katie. “So Jamie told you.”
Every nerve ending in Katie’s body flew to attention. “Told me what?”
“I initiated him to the ways of the bed chamber and showed what to do with a woman. He discovered his manhood with me.”
Shrieking, Katie grabbed Sorcha by the hair and threw her off the bench, kicking her soundly in the ribs once she tumbled to the floor. As Sorcha rolled away holding her midsection, Katie heard a noise behind her. She turned to see Rannoch towering above her. He slapped her so hard she fell on the floor beside the Red Witch, who now scrambled into a sitting position.
“I see you are back to your feisty self, Katie,” he said as he offered Sorcha his hand and pulled her to her feet. “Are you all right?” he asked.
Sorcha nodded. “’Twas not her fault. I inflamed her by telling her of my night with Jamie.”
“Is this what broke her from her trance?”
“Nay, Milord, she started to come out of it with the help of my medicine and then I couldna resist taunting her.”
“It seems this has brought her fully back to the real world.” He looked at Katie then at Sorcha. “Leave us. I would speak with Katie alone.”
“Milord, I could be of help if you let me stay.”
Rannoch’s eyes turned bright. “You will help me later, for now, leave us.”
Sorcha nodded her assent and left the chamber closing the door on her way out.
The sound echoed through Katie. She stood alone with him. Would he rape her now that Ian was dead? Getting to her feet, she brushed off her dress. “What did you want to talk about, Milord?” she asked with more confidence than she felt.
He walked in a slow circle around her examining her from every angle then finally stopped in front of her and gazed down into her eyes. “Sorcha is not the only one who has been busy with your family,” he said with a slow smile. He reached over and dabbed a small drop of blood from Katie’s lip. “My anger made me strike you harder than I intended. I didna not mean to cause you to bleed.” He paused then ran his hand down her body. “Speaking of blood, have had your monthly flow since you were with Ian Innes?”
“Nay, Milord,“ she answered quickly. “I pray that I carry his child so his seed wilna be lost forever.”
He frowned. “We will give it a little time and see. In the meantime, I will wed Brianna.”
“What? She is a child.”
“Katie, Brianna is only two years younger than you. She is ripe. Trust me. I ken exactly how ripe she is.”
Katie flew at him pounding his chest with her fists. It was as if he did not feel her blows. Finally, she left off sobbing. “What did you do to my sister?”
“I proposed to her then led her to drink from the well of desire so that she would be anxious to become my wife. Already we prepare for the ceremony.” He put his finger under her chin and made her look into his eyes. “Brianna canna wait to be mine. I all but took her this very day.”
“You are a monster,” Katie shrieked. “Take me in her stead. Dinna ruin her life with your perversion. I am already dead without Ian.”
“Exactly, my dear, I dinna want a lifeless wife beneath me. I want the fire and enthusiasm of one who desires my attention.” He stared at Katie, his eyes cold and foreboding. “That doesna mean that I wilna sample what you have to offer as well as soon as I am assured you dinna carry Ian’s child.”
“And if I do?”
“I will use the child against the remaining Innes clan. They survive the loss of their leader and his heir. What would they concede to get Ian’s child back? I can only wonder.”
At that moment, there was a light rap at the door. “Milord, Draco is back and begs to speak with you.”
Rannoch pulled the door open and stared at Sorcha. “Where is he?”
“He awaits you in the great hall, Milord.”
“This better be important.”He looked back at Katie and then turned to Sorcha. “Keep her under lock and key. If she escapes, it will be your head.”
“I understand, Milord.”
He grinned and glanced back at Katie again. “Perchance you should leave her guarded by another this evening and go to visit Jamie again.
Katie flew toward the door. Her hands met only solid oak as he slammed it in her face. Pounding it repeatedly, she slowly slumped to the floor in tears.
Draco stood gazing into the fire when Rannoch entered the great hall. “It better be important. I was so enjoying my visit with Katie Blackburn.”
Turning to face him, Draco frowned. “I ken when ‘tis of import, Milord. I had the kitchen maid bring us some refreshment for our discussion. ” He motioned to a pitcher of ale and two cups sitting on the nearby table.
“Well?”
“The Dragon of Dunbocan killed the men you left to see to our dead. He and his troops rode out from the inn in the direction of Dunbocan Castle. No doubt, he rallies an army to bring to our door in vengeance for those slain. Laird Innes was his father-in-law, Ian his brother by marriage. He wilna let this rest and he has many powerful friends.”
“Including Robert the Bruce,” Rannoch said slowly. “The MacLean and Innes clans heed his call to arms, so he supports them in all things.
“Did you think your actions would go unchallenged?”
“Nay, Draco, but I thought I had more time before it occurred. Old Angus must have sent riders to gather other clans in their defense. He always was a smart old goat.” Rannoch poured himself a heft draught of ale and offered one to Draco.
“And now we drink and ponder? Milord, I rode as fast as I could to get you this news.”
Taking a seat, Rannoch motioned Draco into a chair beside him. “There are missives I sent you are not aware of. Before we went after the Innes clan, I sent word to Robert that Katie, in her misguided actions, had captured Ian and held him in Duntaigh Castle dungeon. I told him Ian broke free and raped her as a punishment, then took her with him when he escaped to use at will. I spun a tale of abuse and tragedy. I explained this compelled me to go and retrieve her by whatever means necessary. This will at the very least give Robert pause in offering his support.”
Draco relaxed back in his seat with a shallow laugh. “But, Milord, there are others who will join the MacLean against us.”
“I said missives, Draco. I sent similar messages to all I thought might join him against us.” Rannoch smiled. “I even told Robert that in light of this, I planned to marry Brianna so I could better carry out my duties as ward of Duntaigh Castle and protect Brian’s heirs from harm.”
“You foresaw all of this?”
“I prepared for anything that might arise.”
“Some wilna believe your tale.”
“Perchance, but if Katie carries Ian’s child this might be the proof they need. Ian is not here to tell a different tale nor is his kin.” He slid his cup over for Dra
co to refill it. Draco obliged with a grin. “For the first time, I find myself hoping the little chit did get herself pregnant.”
“What if she is not? Will you take her yourself until you sow your seed?”
“Nay, Draco. If Robert came now and asked her, she would tell him Ian took her virginity. I could spin a tale of how he made her think ‘twas her idea because of her innocence.” He sighed and drank deep. “Now I must move my wedding preparations along. If I am aligned with the Blackburns by marriage, ‘twill be harder for Robert to make a judgment against me.”
“What is the wedding date, Milord?”
“Brianna wishes to be married on the same day her father and mother were wed. She thinks this will bring us luck. That is only five days from now. I will bend to her wishes because I dinna think the MacLean can rally his troops and attack that quickly. ‘Tis practically two days ride from here and he will need time to prepare now that he has seen the carnage.”
“The girl is willing?”
“Aye, I gave her a taste of what was to come. When girls are young and innocent, they are easy to handle. Look at what Ian did to Katie. Sorcha gave me some enticement to add to her wine. Brianna had never been touched, but drunk on Sorcha’s potion she developed an appetite for the way I made her feel. I am eager to quench her thirst for more. Perchance I will stir those fires in the next few days to assure her eagerness to get to the altar.”
“Why not take her now and assure your place?”
“Draco, there is a subtlety in the way these things must be done. I wilna have her until she is legally mine.” He smiled. “And then I will take her over and over until she can barely walk from my use of her.” Drawing a deep breath, he licked his lips. “I can almost taste her.”
Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander Page 16