Page 122 of The Splendor of Fire
Turning toward the prison, clutching his head in remorse, he bent forward and screamed. He screamed with all his might for all the things he’d lost. For Maman, and for Théa. For Father Allen and the broken vow to safeguard his daughter. For the brothers who’d hated him since the moment he was born. For their wickedness as they’d trapped and tortured his little bird and forced her to choose to die in the way she feared most. For his own failure in letting her out of his sight. For Aileen and her foolishness in giving herself up for him. For the love they’d shared, and what they should, but never would have together. He screamed for all of it, from the most guttural parts of his soul. Like a hungry and agitated lion, he screamed.
As quickly as his anguish had come, something else took its place. Something ferocious and avenging.
He sprinted through the prison and down to the sea gate, taking a tendered skiff. In under five minutes he was on his way. Sailing toward Dun Ringill. Sailing toward his destiny.
Niall and Fingon would die this day.
Chapter 41
LOCH SLAPIN - SEPTEMBER 28, 1385
Aileen should have been there hours ago but somewhere on the road she’d gone the wrong way in the heather. Thirst burned in her ragged throat, so she began to travel east, praying she was far enough along in her journey that she would pass a burn or a pond. And then, she saw it. The banks of Allt na Dunaiche, the freshwater burn that emptied into Loch Slapin.
Running forward, she collapsed onto the pebbles and lifted leaky handfuls of fresh water to her dry mouth. Rinsing blood from her throat, she drank greedily until the front of her black tunic was soaked. Tired, face and head throbbing, she sat on her bottom and looked toward the sea trying to decide what to do next.
On the horizon, she could see hundreds of bìrlinns with distinctive sails. MacDonald, MacLean, MacLeod, and the MacKinnon contingents from Mull. It was happening. The attack was underway, and she was missing it. Wishing she had more energy, she wobbled to her feet again, looking for something she could eat to strengthen her.
“AILEEN!”
At the sound of her name she went rigid. It was the first time she’d ever heard it aloud. The deep voice boomed across the peaceful watersof the loch, and she turned around and around, knowing at once whose voice it was.
“AILEEN!”
She swiveled, hearing Hector, but not seeing him. Where was he?
“AILEEN!”
Sprinting through the heather, three men burst onto the shore. Calum, Hector, and another man.
“AILEEN MACLEAN!”
Frantically, she waved, relieved that someone had come to help—but something was different about Hector. His face was contorted. It was wet with tears.
“AILEEN MACLEAN!”
Why was he yelling her Christian name and his clan name?
Faster and faster he raced, outpacing Calum, and she was suddenly overcome by the emotion from a man so strong and tough. Getting to her feet, she ran, stumbled, and got to her feet again, racing toward him. Hector knocked into her like a destrier, sweeping her up in his arms and squeezing her so tight she couldn’t breathe.
“Aileen.” He was sobbing now, his hand cradling her head. “Our girl…our girl…” He passed her to the man she didn’t know who squeezed her just as tightly, and bewildered, she patted him on the shoulder.
The man held her close. “Thank God you are alive. We thought you drowned. And then we thought you drowned again…” The man was sobbing now too, and she didn’t even know him. She continued to pat his back trying to comfort him, and he put her on the ground.
Calum was next, picking her up and crushing her. “We sailed into Cràdh this morning just after the prison break. They said you jumped from the boulders and were pulled under. How did you make it?”
She signed.Something pulled me through the water, and then I hit driftwood. It carried me to shore. I’ve walked all the way from the other side of the island.
Hector got to his knees in front of her, taking her face in his palm. “Do you know who I am?” He pointed to the blond man. “Do you know who this is?”
What was he talking about? Her face scrunched up and she wincedagainst the pain.You’re Beithir. I’ve never met this man.Calum repeated her signs out loud so the man could understand them. Eyes glassy, Hector shook his head. “Nay, lass. Nay. You have. This is Lachlan.”
Oh.Hector’s brother. You live at Duart. But I’ve never met him…
Lachlan’s eyes misted over. He nodded. “Aye, you have. I’m Hector’s brother. I’m your brother too.”
Unable to comprehend the meaning of his words, she shook her head.I have no brother. What do you mean?
Hector unfolded a battered piece of paper, holding it out to her. She took it.
