Page 38 of It Began With A Kiss
“Yer new living quarters await ye, dear Iona.,” she sneered, before letting go of her hair and walking around her captor.
Iona’s eyes widened when they went into the kitchen and through the doorway leading down into the depths of Dunborough.Nay! Not the dungeon. No help would come from above if they had no knowledge that she was down here and as far as Iona knew, the cells were completely empty. Iona swung her arms at the man’s back but ’twas of no use. Her mind might be telling her to fight but her body could do nothing whilst her head was injured. She was doing everything in her power not to pass out.
They continued their way down into the bowels of the castle. Once on the level of the cells, Deidre took hold of one of the torches held in a wall sconce. They continued onward into the back portion of the dungeon. ’Twas dark and no light from the main room lit this place, since they rarely used these cells.
Iona was dropped inside and a loud clank echoed when the bars shut behind her. She did her best to sit up on the filthy floor and quickly scanned her surroundings. A rat scurried from a mattress that appeared as though it had been here since the beginning of time. A wooden bucket sat next to a stool that looked as if it would crack if anyone chanced to sit upon it. All in all, ’twas not a place any human being would want to reside. And once the torch was gone that Deidre held, Iona would be in complete darkness.
“Enjoy yer new chambers, Iona. Mayhap I may even remember tae feed ye… or maybe I will not…” Deidre said, chuckling. She turned her attention to the man next to her. “What are ye still doing here? Go! Yer job is done, ye have been amply paid, and yer services are no longer needed.” Diedre turned the lock with a key on a string that disappeared beneath her gown and then left.
The light from the torch disappeared with the pair and Iona was plunged into complete darkness. A rat ran over her legs and a weak scream left her lips. Her head pounded. Iona reached up to feel a growing bump and blood upon her fingers. She knew once she was coherent, she would need to come up with some sort of plan so she could escape, although she knew not what. Her situation was grim, and Aiden was too far away to be of any help. Who would come to her aid now? And with that final thought, Iona passed out cold.
CHAPTER 29
Aiden halted his horse on the beach whilst Finlay did the same. Staring off into the distance, he gave a heavy sigh of contentment.Home!The sight of Berwyck Castle sitting on the distant hill almost brought tears to his eyes. How long had it been since he had entered the great hall? Seen his family and niece and nephew? ’Twas clear too much time had passed, and guilt swept over him for not coming home sooner.
A quick glance at Finlay showed Aiden his friend was feeling as nostalgic with the castle at last in sight. They would surely be just as overwhelmed once they passed under its barbican gate and entered the keep. Aiden nodded toward Finlay, who returned the gesture. No words were necessary as they put their horses into a gallop to reach the castle as quickly as their horses would carry them.
The horses thundered over the beach, causing clumps of sand to fly off behind them. They crossed the river and went into the trees at a slower pace as they began the climb to the higher elevation. Soon, their steeds clip clopped over the wooden bridge whilst knights on the battlement walls above called out their greetings to the weary travelers. ’Twould be good to have the ground beneath their feet and to find comfort in a goblet of mead and food to fill their bellies.
Word spread rapidly of Aiden’s arrival and soon a small crowd had gathered in the inner bailey to welcome them. Jumping from his saddle, he saw his sister leaving the keep with her two children at her side. With their deep black hair, there was no mistaking who their sire was. She leaned down to the boy and whispered in his ear before the lad of eight summers went down the stairs and came to stand before him. He gave his uncle a short bow.
“Welcome home, Uncle,” Royce proclaimed. “We have been expecting you.”
“You have?” Aiden asked pondering how they could have known of his arrival.
“Mother has been hoping for your return for many a year now.” He crossed his arms over his chest much like his father Dristan had done, and Aiden tried not to laugh at the boy’s copy of his sire.
“I see. Well, young Royce, I am home now for a brief visit. Lead the way back to your mother,” Aiden said, whilst his gaze took in the crowd. Finlay was also being welcomed by several of the MacLaren clan and was being whisked away. As for himself, a man whom he had thought of as an uncle came to stand before him to pull Aiden into his arms for a fierce embrace.
A rumbled harrumph left Killian when he finally let go. “It took ye long enough for yer feet tae finally make yer way home,” he grumbled. “What took ye so long?”
“’Tis a long story and best told behind closed doors. Has all been well here?” Aiden asked. Lady Ella came to join the man before him. Killian took the lady’s hand and brought it up to his lips. Aiden lifted one brow and gave the couple an amused look.
“My wife,” Killian announced, with a sly grin.
“’Tis long past due,” Aiden said before bowing. “My lady…”
Ella swatted his arm. “Enough of that,” she chided. “That title no longer is necessary when addressing me… as if ’twas ever needed.”
“Aiden!” Amiria called, waving to him once her son rejoined her.
Aiden smiled. “I best not keep her waiting any longer.”
Killian laughed. “Nothing has changed on that account. ’Tis good to have you home, Aiden.”
Ella went to him, stood on the tips of her toes, and kissed his cheek. “Aye. Your sister will be happy about your return.”
Aiden nodded to the couple before making his way up the steps to the keep. He bowed to his sister but once he rose, she wrapped her arms around him. A small sob escaped her, and he held her at arms-length.
“Tears for me, dearest sister?” He asked with a cocky grin.
Amiria turned away to wipe the moisture from her eyes. “I admit to nothing,” she replied before turning back to him. “I am certain you remember Royce who just greeted you. Liliana was only a babe the last time you were here.”
Aiden gazed at his sister’s children whilst Liliana went to hide behind her mother. His heart lurched in his chest with regret that he was not closer to his own nephew and niece but there was no way to change the past nor what lay in his future.
“I have much to discuss with you,” Aiden said, looking into the same violet eyes as his own.
“Why do I have the notion this visit will be short?” she asked, linking her arm through his.
