Page 66 of Highland Queen

Chapter 19

I kept my focus on the path forward: nine oak, nine ash, nine thorn. Soon, I made my way to the glen Madelaine, Tavis, and I had visited when the Goddess called me to come to the coven. So much life had passed since then.

The moon was climbing into the sky. It cast a silvery sheen on the water, the stars glowing like gems on the surface of the loch.

Pulling Swift to a stop, I gazed out at the placid surface. I thought about everything that lay in front of me. There was so much to do. So much to consider. But all I really wanted was to turn around and ride back to the coven.

Crearwy was not wrong.

I had a lot to answer for.

I had done my best for her, made the best choices I could based on what I knew. If I had suspected that Gillacoemgain was truly her father, things might have been different. I might have made different decisions, which could have changed both our fates. But I hadn’t.

A cold wind swept across the water. I shuddered. As I gazed down the shoreline of the loch, I realized there was a man standing there.

Setting my hand on my blade, I turned Swift and rode toward the figure.

There was something strange about the man. When the wind blew, his wraps twisted in an odd manner.

Swift took a deep breath and snorted as if he didn’t like what he saw. He stepped higher, his gait telling me that he was ready to bolt at any moment.

“Easy,” I told the horse. “Don’t you dare knock me on my ass while I’m with child, or I’ll have you roasted for dinner.”

At that, he snorted.

The wind blew once more. While the apple tree nearby was vacant of blossoms, I distinctly caught the scent of the spring flowers on the wind.

The figure stepped toward me.

I gasped.

Tavis.

“Tavis?” I called.

He lifted his hand. It was at that moment that I realized I was seeing him and seeing through him all at once.

“Tavis,” I whispered, my hand covering my mouth.

He smiled softly. The wind blew once more, carrying with it the smell of apple blossoms, then Tavis disappeared.

“Oh, Great Mother, watch over him. Farewell, friend,” I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks. I tapped Swift’s reins and turned him in the direction of Madelaine’s castle.

Nadia was right.

I needed to get to Madelaine.

Riding as quickly as I dared, I reached the castle late in the night. Ute met me in the hall. Her face looked pale and drawn. There were dark rings under her eyes.

“Ute,” I said, rushing quickly across the hall.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Gruoch. The lady you brought is a very talented healer, but it was too late.”

“Where are they?”

“Upstairs with Madelaine. She’s…inconsolable. It’s good you came back.”

Ute and I went upstairs to Madelaine’s chamber. Inside, I heard Uald’s voice.

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