The promulgator coughed to clear his throat before continuing.“I will introduce the young men in order of competition results starting with the winner. The winner is Alasdair of the Munro Clan. Alasdair, come here at the front, and so will all the others whose names I shall say."The young man stepped forward with a huge smile and greeted the crowd on the terraces, who gave him a standing ovation."The next young man is Trevor of the Gordon Clan," continued the promulgator when the applause died down.The young man stepped forward, where he received applause too."Next are Hogan of Sinclair Clan, Eamon of Chattan Clan, Oisin of MacLeod Clan, Whelan of Borthwick Clan, Muir of MacDuff Clan, Gilroy of Hamilton Clan, Fraser of Carnegie Clan and Hector the second son of our King Cinaed."The young men made a new line based on their performance in the competition.They stood next to each other. To the opposite were the terraces with the guests.Hector couldn't help but look over at Skye, b
Her heart was thumping wildly. Her mind was working fast to seek a solution. She was seriously thinking of at least making a try to escape and go to the lowlands, to her village. She remembered the house of that villager who had taken care of her for the first time after the fire that destroyed her life. She couldn't remember exactly where it was, but she would know when she saw it. She would ask that woman for help. Skye wasn't aware of what that woman's fate was after all these years, was she alive? Was she dead? That woman’s image was still there in her mind, blurry, but it was there. Skye was sure that her face had no wrinkles, so she was young, and not many years had passed, close to nine, so there was hope.She had decided to run on the left side. She would meet the gardens they had encountered when they entered by carriage following the road to the castle entrance. She would go through the gardens to the great gate. Would it be open? If it wasn't, she would find a way to climb.
Skye hoped that this was all a bad dream and that any moment she would wake up and find herself in the soft bed of the beautiful chamber Talisha had provided her. Skye secretly pinched the top of her hand to make sure she was asleep, but the sharp pain she felt confirmed her worst fear, she was awake. It was not a dream but a bitter reality.Talisha!?! Skye furrowed her brows. Is it possible that Talisha knew about today and didn't apprise her? Skye pursed her lips and her palms into fists. If something like this happened, she would never forgive her. Never!The more she thought about it, the more likely she found Talisha knew all about it. Talisha lived in the castle. She held a relatively high position in the rank of office. She was the castle keeper. The king could call her at any time for any matter that arose concerning her duties.She was free to move everywhere in the castle.Skye lowered her head regretting her thoughts. Whatever stance she was taking toward Talisha, it was to
Skye felt a sudden chilliness strike her to the core and took a step back.What did Donncha mean by Hector being a murderer? And who had he murdered?"Damn, Donncha, stop it." Hector whispered harshly and gritted his teeth, stealing a glance at Skye, hoping she hadn't heard what his brother had said. He didn't want to find out this way. He would tell her himself when the time came."It's the truth, isn't it?" Donncha answered."You will never come back in your right mind, will you? Hector fretted. “Let me help you get up, and lay you on the bed. I will also call the doctor just to be sure.""Do not touch me!" Donncha shouted, pushing Hector's hands off of him."I'll get up myself." He turned his body to the side and rested his hand on the floor, he put strength in his hand to stand up, but his hand wasn't able to hold him in the condition he was in, and the body collapsed on the floor.On his second attempt to get up, Hector grabbed him despite his objections, carried him to the bed,
Immersed in her thoughts, she gazed out the window at the setting sun. The high heat had begun to subside, and she opened the window to breathe in fresh, cool air. Today was a long and intense day.So that was it! She was going to get married, and there was nothing it could be done, to prevent it.Her life as she knew it had changed radically, and there was no going back. She would get a husband by force. She felt cold and crossed her arms, rubbing her arms to warm them. She didn't want to close the window, although the cold wasn't coming from outside.The soft knock on the door made Skye flinch slightly and turn sharply towards the door."Who is it?" She asked. She didn’t expect anyone."It's me, Talisha," came the reply."Come in," Skye replied as she started walking towards the door.The door opened, and Talisha appeared with a huge smile."I just saw your uncle's carriage leaving and I won't hide from you that I was sad that you didn't come to say goodbye before you leave, but the
Sitting in the royal carriage, they passed the castle's great gate bound for Lord Malcolm's castle.Skye had Hector opposite her and Talisha next to her.In the morning, Talisha visited her in her chamber and happily announced that she had received permission from the King to join them on the trip. Skye felt so relieved.That permission had saved her from the enormous embarrassment of being alone in the carriage with Hector for many hours. She straightened her white dress at her feet and rested her hands on her lap.She couldn't wait to get to the castle and meet Maysie. Hector had already explained to her that if Maysie agreed to come with them, nothing could stop them. He had with him a decree written by the king himself. All they needed was Maysie's positive response.Skye sighed. Deep down, she was sure Maysie would agree to follow her, and she wished her instincts hadn't misled her.As the hours passed, her heart swelled with yearning. It would be great to have a loved one by he
Talisha walked over to Skye. She stroked her shoulders and hair. But she didn't say a single comforting word to her. What could she say to her that would give her the slightest comfort? How could she ease her pain? There were no words that could do it. She was shocked herself. She knew Maysie herself. She met her whenever she came to the castle to see Skye. Maysie pampered her by bringing her tea and biscuits.Talisha liked her very much. She remembered that Maysie was a cheerful girl, full of vitality and love for life. Talisha was secretly grateful for the existence of this girl because that way, Skye wasn't alone; she had company.And now that Skye was ready to offer her a chance at a better life, away from here and together, that happened. Maysie was no longer with them.Fiona stared blankly at Skye."How did it happen?"Fiona turned and looked at Hector, who had asked her the question."When we came back she was already on her last breaths. The servants told us she was bitten by
A new scream escaped from Skye's mouth and covered it with her palm.Her heart began to pound at the hope that blossomed in her chest.She laid a hand over her heart, her eyes welled up. "And where is she now?" he asked him.“They have her dumped in a small storage room outside the house. They have forbidden all of us from helping her. Lord Malcolm threatened us that we will suffer the same, but I don't care if Maysie can be saved. And you are her only hope. That's why I was waiting for you. In her fever she babbles, and whispers only one name" Fergus paused and his eyes filled with pain, "Only your name, Skye." he whispered. His voice cracked.“Hector!?” Skye said and looked at him. Now tears were running from her eyes and her lower lip was trembling.Hector nodded. "Of course. We're going to get her. We're going back to the castle" he shouted toward the coachman.Hector looked at Skye who smiled with the new hope born in her heart. He took a deep breath, feeling his own heart swell