Page 100 of The Forest Bride
“So we are wed now?”
“In the eyes of the law, we are married.” He drew her toward him, cupped his hands on her shoulders. “It rests on the intent of the groom and bride. This groom is set on it. Does the bride agree? It needs the consent of both parties.”
“She agrees,” she murmured, as he kissed her. “Will we have a wedding, then?”
“A wedding, handfasting, private pledge, whatever you desire, love. Wife. My wee faery queen,” he whispered, brushing tendrils of hair from her brow. Then he kissed her, lingering and deep, until she was breathless and leaned into the circle of his arms. “Say what you want, and it is done.”
“I want you to come back to me quickly and safely, with Lilias. Then will I decide what sort of wedding I want, if we both agree.”
“We will. And I will bring her back—if I have to ride to Loch Roskie with all my men to do it. One more patrol, then I will muster them. For now, take up your shoes and I will escort you down—the turning stair can be dark as pitch.”
“Hurry back with Lilias. Oh!” she said suddenly. “I began to tell you last night—and just thought of it again. You might not think it important.”
“I am listening.”
“When I looked through the hole in the stone, I saw something else. I just wonder if it might help, if you believe me.”
“You convinced me when you described seeing me in that stone. Tell me the rest.”
“I saw Lilias. At least, I think it was Lilias. A girl was running in mist or in rain. I saw a waterfall and a cave on a hill. It came and went very fast, the images. She was watching a falcon in the sky.”
“Was it a dream? It sounds symbolic.”
“It was not a dream. I was awake when I saw it through the hole in the stone. Are there caves near the waterfall we visited? Could it be that place? I cannot say if it was the same one. And because I had been there with you, perhaps it was just in my mind.”
“But we should consider it,” he said. “If she managed to get away—well. There are caves there, but Scotland is full of caves and waterfalls, in truth.” He shook his head. “I will give it some thought.”
“Thank you.” She sighed. “I am not very experienced with this, I suppose. My sister sometimes has visions that come to her suddenly. She has learned to understand them better. But I do not yet.”
“It will come with time, love. We should go.” He opened the door.
Margaret picked up her shoes. “And thank you for looking for her this morning.”
“Every day until she is found. I swear it.” He pulled her close and kissed her.
Entering the greathall, Duncan walked past a dozen or more men sleeping on pallets as he crossed the room to the library that Lennox and Constantine were using for a temporary sleeping chamber. Easing the door open, he nearly tripped over Malcolm Lennox, stretched out on a mat partially blocking the door. Beyond him, Constantine snored, and Andrew Murray slept on a pallet in the corner. Duncan gave Lennox a kick in the shin.
The man sat up abruptly. “What the devil?”
“Pray the devil has naught to do with us this day,” Duncan growled. “Get your boots on and come with me. We are riding out to find a wee lass.”
“Good,” Lennox grunted. “Con—wake up.” Constantine sat up.
“Just Lennox and I need go out,” Duncan told them. “Con, gather a patrol and meet us in Glen Falloch. We will need at least a dozen in case we must ride to Roskie.”
Constantine ruffled his sandy mop of hair, then called to Andrew to wake him up.
Lennox yanked on his boots in the dark and stood. “Where are we searching?”
“We are looking for a cave,” Duncan said.
“Huh. There are plenty of those.”
“Lady Margaret dreamed the lass was in a cave by a waterfall.”
“Did she! Well, then, best start at the Falls of Falloch. Lead the way.”
Years ago, heand his brothers used to run all through here, Duncan remembered as he and Lennox entered the rocky gorge where the river cut through and the falls flowed. They had played knights and lords, sheriffs and brigands, elves and ogres among these caves and hills. Memories flooded him as he went: there, the pointed rocks they had called giant’s teeth; over there,cascades of water spilling into a stream; further on, a rowan tree burst forth from a rock with unmatched persistence; all around, dense woodland enveloped the gorge and made it seem like a magical realm.
