Page 40 of It Began With A Kiss
“If that had been your desire, then you should have entered Berwyck from the hidden passageway instead of our front gates. Word will spread quickly, and before long every MacLaren clan member will be here to help celebrate your return.”
His eyes became wide in panic. “I will not put you in danger.”
She waved her hands as though she had not a worry in the world. “Nonsense. ’Twill not come to that. Now take your ease and know you are safe here in your home. I will see you at the evening meal.”
Amiria rose from her chair and came over to kiss his cheek. “I have missed you, brother,” she whispered before taking her leave.
With the closing of the door, Aiden took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. He was home and home had never felt this good.
CHAPTER 30
Iona awoke with a start, shivering in the sheer darkness of her cell where she could not even see her hand in front of her face. Remnants of her dream shook her to her core, leaving her with a dismal sense that no help would be arriving soon. She sat up, leaning against the cold stones at her back whilst the image of Ewan cursing her from her dream echoed in her mind.’Twas but a nightmare… he would wish for me to be happy. Still… she continued to be plagued by the words in the dream Ewan spoke about how she had betrayed him and their clan by falling in love with their enemy. She could not help where her heart had led her, and she would not forsake the love she bore for Aiden.
“Aiden… where are you, my love?”
There was no answer to her heartfelt plea. Her husband did not miraculously appear and sweep her from this God-forsaken dungeon of despair. How long had she been here? Days? A se’nnight mayhap more? She had no sense of time and yet she had to remain strong, not only for herself but her son. Only God above knew what Deidre had in store for Gregor.
She had to get out of here. Although Iona could now see clearly again, her head still ached. When she could finally stand, she had gone to the bars of the cell and rattled them until her fingers hurt. Calling for aid got her nothing except a raw throat. She had finally given up hoping that anyone above would hear her. She would have thought that, at the very least, Aiden’s friends would be searching for her, but how was she to know what was happening above? ’Twas hopeless…
But she had her faith… faith in God and faith that Aiden would return and find her. ’Twas the only thing that had been keeping her sane. She fell to her knees and began to pray as she had done every day since her captivity. Surely her petitions to God would be heard today. If not, she would continue to lift them up to the heavens until they were answered.
Time once more stood still in the musty cell that was now her home. Her stomach rumbled in hunger. Her mouth parched from lack of water beyond the rivulet that occasionally ran down the wall, perhaps when it rained beyond the castle. She had found it when she put a hand to that part of the wall, and it came away wet. It was all that sustained her. No other sustenance appeared to be forthcoming, and Iona feared she would waste away to nothing before anyone would find her. A sob escaped her as she continued to bemoan her plight. Why would God not answer her? She refused to give up hope. She prayed to God on Aiden’s behalf. Prayed that God would keep him safe, and he would return home to Dunborough soon. Tears raced down her cheeks with worry for her husband and son.
Aiden… where are you, my love?
* * *
Aiden lifted his head from his meal and quickly scanned the room He could swear he had heard Iona’s voice in the crowded hall. ’Twas but a whisper, but still he felt her presence as though she was near. Perchance ’twas a sign. One he should take to heart. He had already told Amiria that he had been at Berwyck far longer than intended, but she had insisted Aiden wait for Dristan’s return. He had waited nigh unto six days. Six days! Days when he should have been riding north to ensure his family and clan’s safety instead of feasting and making merry. ’Twas certain that the MacLaren clan knew how to welcome home their prodigal son.
He raised his goblet to his lips and drank the heady red wine. Amiria sat to his left. The trencher they had shared still contained some food but since she sat back in her chair, Aiden assumed she had eaten her fill. To his right sat his younger sister Sabina. She still had not revealed all her story, only that she had been spending most of her days at Haversham Abby, although she had never taken her final vows as a nun. Aiden assumed that the good sisters allowed her to live among them because of the monies Dristan continued to gift them. He shuddered at the thought of living a life of chastity. He could not imagine any sister of his devoting her life to God, but that would be up to Sabina.
He took hold of Sabina’s hand and she gazed at him with soft brown eyes. She returned to her meal and once more, Aiden wondered at the horrors that her sister had endured years ago. Amiria would not tell him, and it appeared Sabina did not wish to relive the memories either. She had become very tight-lipped, only speaking when spoken to. Perchance some of that could be laid at Aiden’s feet. He had not been kind to this particular sibling in his youth and he prayed Sabina would one day forgive him.
He turned in his chair and was about to voice his thoughts when the keep’s door opened, and a loud cheer arose in the great hall. A small contingent of men entered, whipping off their rain-drenched dark red capes. Their black tunics emblazed with a golden dragon proved they were the men of Dristan of Berwyck, and there was the man himself, making his way to his wife. Amiria rose from her chair and began running toward him and when she reached Dristan, he lifted her high in the air. Her laughter filled the room until she was brought back down, and Dristan bent forward to kiss her lips. Another cheer went up and knights and ladies raised their chalices to toast their returning lord.
Toward the rear of the knights who made their way to several tables was a young man and Aiden could scarcely believe his eyes. His younger brother Patrick made his way to the raised dais, bowed before Sabina, and then was pulled into her embrace. Patrick widened his eyes when he espied Aiden sitting next to the woman who refused to let him go, and Patrick gave Aiden a wink. The young scamp.
“Here now, Sabina, let the young man go before he has no energy to give his favorite brother a fond hello,” Aiden teased whilst watching Sabina laugh for the first time.
“Of course,” she said with a bright smile. “So many years have slowly passed by since we have seen him last. Almost as long as you, Aiden.”
Patrick gave Aiden a quick hug. “Hello, brother. The years apart have been long, have they not?”
“Long enough for you to become a man, it appears,” Aiden said, looking the boy over. Patrick was about to take a seat next to Sabina, but she quickly stood.
“Nay, Patrick. Sit next to Aiden. I am certain you have much to have speech about and you must needs eat your fill,” she ordered, moving to the next seat down.
“My thanks, sister,” Patrick replied. He turned his attention to the food spread before him. A clean trencher was given to him by an ever-efficient servant, and he began to fill it with various meats. Soon he was stuffing his mouth as though the food was going to be taken from him. He finally looked up at Aiden, who continued to stare upon him. “What?”
“You have grown,” Aiden stated the obvious. “Where is Riorden de Deveraux? Are you still serving him?”
Patrick shook his head and then pointed toward Dristan, who was attempting to take his place at the table but continued to be halted by several clansmen. “Riorden released me whilst at Bamburgh. Said ’twas time I returned to Berwyck and Dristan’s care. He said there was nothing further he could teach me, but I would learn much by returning home.”
“I must do the same… return home that is,” Aiden replied with a worried frown. He could feel something in his gut that told him he must needs return to Dunborough, and quickly.
“Are you not home already, brother?” Patrick asked, halting his fork as it rose to his mouth.
“Only for a short visit, and I have already stayed longer than I should have.”
