"Aye, it could mean that," Galen acknowledged, his face grim. "But he could also be tricking us into a false sense of security. Letting us assume that all's well… then returning worse than ever when we let our guard down."
Julia sighed, shaking her head as she reached out to put a consoling hand on his forearm. "I'm sorry, Galen. I wish there was more I could do."
"You do plenty," he said, giving her a small smile. "Just speaking with you seems to ease my mind. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear the villagers were right about you."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, yes. Moral support is definitely witchcraft. It's not that it's good to talk about your problems."
He smiled at her, his face shadowed. "I used to talk to Eamon," he admitted, shaking his head. "Once he passed… well, I had nobody to talk about the grief with, I suppose."
She nodded. "It's hard, getting through things like that without support. We underestimate how important it is just to have someone to listen to us." She tilted her head, struck by an unexpected thought. "Perhaps that's why Glimmerbright turned Unseelie."
"You're not getting sympathetic over that monster again, are you?"
"No," she said quickly, squeezing his arm reassuringly. "What he did was unforgivable. But maybe… maybe he was driven to it by loneliness. By the loss of his best friend."
Galen heaved a sigh. "Aye, I had some dark thoughts myself when I lost Eamon," he said heavily, shaking his head. "And vengeance is no way to make decisions. It only does more damage, in the end."
"Maybe he's learned that," Julia said, unable to resist a hopeful theory. "Maybe in killing William, he realized that revenge doesn't mend any of the damage. It didn't bring his friend back, it wouldn't have made the pain any better… maybe he's returned home to apologize for turning Unseelie. Maybe that's why the crops are mending."
Galen gave her a little smile, patting her hand gently. "Aye, I hope so," he said softly. "It's certainly a nice thought."
And nice thoughts were few and far between in the days that followed. The Keep was devastated by the loss of young William – every servant, scholar and soldier was out in force for his memorial service the next day, and the somber mood in the Keep persisted. But there was no more sign of Glimmerbright, no casualties on the patrols. It was for all the world as though the Fae had disappeared overnight, and Julia allowed herself to hope that he really had – that they were free of him, albeit at a terrible cost.
And then, something utterly unexpected happened.
It was the day after the memorial, five days since the death of William. Julia had been finding ways of making herself useful around the castle in Galen's absence – helping in the kitchens when she wasn't training alone with her blade in the courtyard. Night was falling, and she was weary but satisfied after a particularly good training session – a couple of passing guards had lingered to offer her advice on her form, and she'd made a couple of breakthroughs. Then she heard it – the unmistakable sound of significant footsteps coming across the land bridge toward the castle gates. Hoofbeats among them… but not all footsteps. Frowning, she turned and headed for the gates, where she could hear the surprised shouting of guards atop the wall. Galen was among them – Brendan hadn't been able to stop him from volunteering for just about every patrol shift going, but he'd insisted on making him take at least a few shifts atop the Wall, which were a little less dangerous and more restful than the alternative.
But this wasn't looking like it was going to be a restful evening. Because coming across the bridge was a small army of hulking beasts that temporarily defied comprehension, leaving Julia blinking and wondering if she was having some kind of awful dream. Huge, shambling shapes, like a dozen different animals combined… and among them, bright and gleaming, were what looked like orbs of light, flitting between the monsters in a way that threatened to mesmerize Julia until she tore her eyes away. Galen had described wisps to her, strange, glowing Fae creatures that misled travelers on the road... could that be what she was seeing?
But she was pulled from those thoughts when her eyes finally moved away from the wisps. Because there, at the head of the strange gathering, was a familiar face that made her heart sink into her boots.
Glimmerbright had come to visit. And to her dismay, he'd brought an army.
Chapter 55
There was no sign of Captain Brendan atop the Wall, but it seemed that that wasn't a problem. Galen strode forth, and she could tell even from here from his body language that he was furious – the tension in his body, the way his hand flew to the sword at his hip, for all the world as though he was going to leap down from the top of the wall and engage in single combat with Glimmerbright and his entire army. For a horrible, lurching second, she was worried that he would… but then he cleared his throat and shouted an interrogation down, and she relaxed a little. She had hastened across the courtyard when she'd seen Glimmerbright at the gates, but she was hiding behind the wall, not wanting him to see her from his vantage point. But it seemed she needn't have worried… his eyes were fixed on Galen at the top of the wall, a cruel smile playing across his handsome face.
"We meet again, Galen Grant."
"Keep my name out of your mouth," Galen snapped back, his hand twitching on his sword. Julia felt irritable, being down at the bottom of the wall having to crane her neck to see what was going on – she bit her lip then turned and headed up the stairs that led to the top of the Wall. Technically, she wasn't allowed up here – Galen had made that clear – but she had a suspicion it was just because he was worried about her falling from the edge. And right now, she had bigger problems. Like the Unseelie Sidhe standing at the gate, threatening her lover.
When she reached the top of the Wall, she kept low, lingering behind the crenellations at the top to avoid Glimmerbright or his unpleasant army seeing her. She didn't want to be involved in this conversation, whatever it was… it looked worryingly like a siege unfolding, and she knew for a fact that her input wouldn't be helpful.
"You're not going to invite me in?" Glimmerbright was calling up to Galen, amusement dripping from his voice. "I suppose you humans aren't exactly famous for your hospitality…"
"You can come in when I'm dead," Galen snarled… and Julia bit her lip. He was just being threatening, she knew… but saying something like that to a Fae was a bad idea. Sure enough, Glimmerbright's eyes were dancing with amusement.
"You ought to be careful with your words, little man," he purred. It was strange – Galen was shouting down at him to be heard, but Glimmerbright barely seemed to be raising his voice, and yet he was effortlessly audible to all the men atop the wall. "You might give me ideas."
"You're not coming in," Galen snarled. "Now tell me what you and the rest of these beasts want from us."
"Just to talk," Glimmerbright said innocently, spreading his hands and glancing behind him at the assemblance of monsters.
Julia was doing her best not to look at them, not particularly wanting to turn her stomach… the wisps were one thing, not much more than glowing orbs of light dancing in the air — though the closer she looked, the more she began to make out wings, sharp claws and insect-like eyes that made them a lot less charming… But the hulking beasts that stood behind Glimmerbright… those were unpleasant indeed. Were those really the kinds of monsters that lurked in the woods out there? Not for the first time, she reflected on how foolish she'd been to go wandering by herself, unarmed. Still, it was a comforting feeling to have her blade tucked into the bodice of her dress, and she reached up to touch it as she listened to the conversation continue.
"So, talk," Galen snapped, arms folded across his chest. "You've got an audience. That's all you really want, isn't it?"
"You know us Fae folk well," Glimmerbright chuckled.
Even at the head of a repulsive army of monsters, he still managed to be charming, somehow. But when Julia looked over at Galen, she knew exactly where her loyalties lay.
"I have a proposition for you. Something of a tr
ade."
"What do you have that we'd want to trade for?" Galen said, sneering a little.
But Glimmerbright was unfazed. "It's less what I have," he said thoughtfully, looking down to examine his delicate fingernails. "And more what I can do for you… or, at least, stop doing."
Galen stiffened. "Are you referring to the attacks?"
"Oh, yes. The attacks on your people, the attacks on the villagers… I can even ensure that the crops go back to normal and those poor old cows recover from that dreadful wasting illness. Children will stop going missing in the woods, guardsmen will stop returning to the Keep with their hearts stopped…"
Galen's eyes narrowed at that, and Julia watched as he spat on the ground, fury evident in every line of his body. Still, he was interested … she could tell he was itching to ask what the price would be.
"I don't trust you."
"I'm hurt, Galen Grant," the Sidhe purred, pouting in mock dismay. "Haven't I proven it over these last few days? Haven't the crops been growing and the cattle recovering?"
"Aye, after you murdered a man." Galen folded his arms across his chest.
And Glimmerbright's glowing green eyes shifted a little. "I think you humans ought to be very careful how you throw around that word," he pointed out, his voice light and dancing though there were daggers hidden in it. "Especially given your recent history."
"Aye, we know all about that," Galen snapped. "Your friend picked a fight he shouldn't have."
"My friend died a lingering, ugly death because one of your pathetic men didn't trust his wife's loyalty," Glimmerbright snapped.
Julia's eyes widened as she saw him lose control, just for a moment, of the glamor that enveloped him. For a moment she saw him again, saw him truly – saw the cold, strange, ancient being that he truly was, standing on the land bridge down there with pale skin and hard eyes – a thousand miles from the charming, handsome, glowing creature she'd fallen for, if only briefly. A shiver ran down her spine as she reflected on how grateful she was that she'd managed to get out of that particular trap.
"Aye, and you had your revenge," Galen snapped. "William died a horrid death, too, and leaves behind a wife and unborn child."
But Glimmerbright didn't look dismayed – quite the opposite. A smug, satisfied gleam came into his eyes for just a moment. "That brings me neatly back to my point," he said lightly, taking a few steps forwards as his army waited for him to finish his conversation. "The price I'll charge you for peace."
"How about this?" Galen growled. "You leave this place and never set foot here again – and in return, I'll not have my men shoot you so full of iron arrows your great-great-grandchildren will be feeling it."
Glimmerbright laughed – a high, unpleasant sound that seemed to grate on the edges of Julia's ears. "A tempting offer. Here's a counter-offer, Galen Grant. I will return to Faerie and you'll never see hide nor hair of me again. And in return, all I ask is for my bride. Come out here, my love. It's a crime to hide that fair face of yours."
Julia felt her spine stiffen. Galen's eyes shot over to her, incredulous and full of fear. But Glimmerbright was staring right up at her hiding spot… and with a shiver of dismay, she shook her head and took a few steps out onto the top of the wall to join Galen. Glimmerbright clapped his slender hands together in delight, his green eyes glittering.
"There she is. My bride to be. What do you say, Grant? She'll live a life of luxury that you could barely imagine," he said, eyes shining. "Truly, you'd be doing her a disservice to refuse. And in return… peace in these lands again. I'll even throw in a blessing for the harvest, how about that? Your crops will flourish, your cattle will give sweet milk for the rest of their lives, your children will play safely in the forests and nary a guard will be struck in the heart with venom… and you, Julia, will be happier than anyone. I promise," he said, his voice echoing oddly as his eyes glittered.
"No," Galen said immediately, his jaw tight as his eyes blazed with anger. She moved to his side, worried he was going to order an attack on Glimmerbright – she had a suspicion that the army behind him wouldn't take too kindly to that. But he controlled himself. "The answer is no. Not on your life."
"Don't be so hasty," Glimmerbright advised him coolly. "The decision isn't yours, after all. Take some time to reflect, Clan Grant. I'll return this time in three days for my answer. And my bride," he added, giving Julia a wink that sent a chill down her spine.
And just like that, he was gone. A great mist suddenly sprang up from the surface of the Loch, enveloping the army and Glimmerbright in its embrace, and when it faded away, the land bridge was empty. Julia exchanged worried glances with Galen… then turned to look at the guards who'd been privy to the whole exchange. The looks on their faces weren't encouraging. Julia had a suspicion that some of them might be considering Glimmerbright's offer.
She only hoped that the Laird wouldn't be so quick to trade her for peace.
Chapter 56
"We have to speak to Laird Donal," Galen said, his teeth gritted as anger blazed on his handsome face. "Right now. Before word spreads too far."
The two of them headed down the stairs, into the courtyard and back toward the Keep. The guards atop the wall were all deep in conversation when she looked back, and she bit her lip, knowing full well that it would be a matter of hours, if not minutes, before the entire castle knew about the ultimatum that Glimmerbright had offered. What if news spread to the village? They'd been more than willing to sacrifice her when they thought she was a witch who'd had something to do with the problems in the area… now that there was a direct solution that involved sacrificing her, surely they'd be calling for it.
It wasn't even that unpleasant a sacrifice, on the surface. It wasn't as though Glimmerbright was calling for her death – quite the opposite. He wanted her to be his immortal bride – hadn't he spun her all sorts of beautiful tales about what it would be like? Of course, she didn't trust him as far as she could throw him. But that didn't mean that the people of the village, exhausted and frightened as they watched their livelihoods vanish, wouldn't think it was a decent idea. What was one life in exchange for many?
And it wouldn't be her life, she thought, frowning as Galen lead them through the castle. She'd have a life… a very strange one, in a completely new land, with a creature at her side who she didn't trust or even particularly like… but it would be a life, at least. And hadn't she already started a new life in a strange new place once this year already? If she did it once, she could do it again… especially if it meant keeping the people she'd met safe from harm. They'd all been so kind to her since she'd arrived, they'd taken such pains to care for her and keep her safe… surely she could do this thing for them.
But when she looked at Galen, she found it a lot harder to consider that course of action. Because leaving to be with Glimmerbright, even if it meant saving his life and the lives of his men… it would mean leaving him. And that would break his heart as surely as it would break hers.
"Laird Donal," Galen said breathlessly when the Laird opened the door to his quarters, a confused look on his face.
Julia almost laughed as she remembered that day – it felt like years ago now – when she'd first arrived at the Keep, when Galen had escorted her to the Laird's quarters to introduce her to him. If she'd only known what was going to happen after that day… she fought the urge to either laugh or cry, she wasn't sure which one. Was this goodbye? There was a beautiful symmetry to it…
Galen gave the Laird a quick summary of what had gone on, and the bleak, pinched expression on his face made her heart sink. Was he considering it too? she wondered. Considering trading her away to Glimmerbright to ensure the safety of his people?
"We're going to need to gather everyone," he said heavily, shaking his head as he called for a handful of worried-looking servants.
Galen took Julia's hand in his as they sat at the large table in the Laird's quarters, waiting for the other men to arrive – Brendan had been called for,
as had Malcolm, Laird Donal's tanist. To her surprise, he called for her friends, too – the other time-lost women. It would be nice to have them there, she supposed. Moral support… women who knew what she was going through. And it would be good to speak to Elena, who had had similar dealings with the Fae in her time. Had she ever considered the notion of disappearing into Faerie, of starting a new life in an even stranger land? Maybe she had… maybe that was what that strange, distant look in her gray eyes meant…
Within an hour, the whole group had assembled. It did feel good to see her friends – they all embraced her, telling her she'd be okay, that they'd do whatever it took to keep her safe… but she couldn't help biting her lip. What if they were wrong, to want to protect her so badly? What if the right thing to do here was to let her go – to give Glimmerbright what he wanted? As Laird Donal filled the group in on what had happened, she excused herself for a moment, slipping out into the cool hallways to catch her breath and take a moment to center herself and settle her nerves. But unfortunately, what she heard on her walk only made her feel worse, not better. A gaggle of servants, deep in conversation, so focused on each other that they didn't see her behind them…
"It's for the greater good, right?" a young woman said, her eyes worried. "If it means that we'll be spared starving when winter comes, surely she should go ahead and do it—"
"I think we should use her for an ambush," a young man countered – she'd seen him around the stables and knew that he nursed ambitions of joining the Guard when he was old enough, and skilled enough with a sword. "Tie her to something and lure that creature close – then shoot him full of iron. It would be the least she could do after we took her in –"
Biting her lip hard, Julia slipped away before the little group could see her, her heart pounding sickly in her chest. Of course, word had spread about Glimmerbright's ultimatum. Of course, the people of the Keep thought she should sacrifice herself. Grimly, she reflected that this was probably exactly what Glimmerbright wanted… for her new friends and fellows to turn against her.
Woken By The Highlander: A Scottish Time Travel Romance-Highlander Forever Book 7 Page 25