Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

The morning sun painted the keep's stone walls with a gentle glow as Leona made her way down the corridor, her heart heavy with a mix of determination and apprehension. Maisie's chambers waited for her at the end of the hallway, and with each step, she prepared the apology in her mind.

Summoning her courage, she raised a hand and knocked softly. She had never had a fight with her friend and had never once lost her temper with Maisie. Now, she dreaded facing the day of festivities without her.

The door swung open, and she was met with a pair of wide, blue-gray eyes. Before Leona could open her mouth to speak, Maisie leaped at her. The other woman wrapped her arms around her, pulling her in and squeezing. "Ye are so very infuriating, Leo," Maisie's voice held a teasing note, but there was still the underlying tension. "But I cannae stand to be cross with ye. I understand ye're nae ready to share what bothers ye with me, and it's all right. I'll be here if ye need me."

A rain of relief washed over Leona, and she returned the embrace. After a moment, the pair pulled away, and Maisie looked at her. "I daenae ken what's shorter, yer temper or yer height."

Leona snorted, rolling her eyes. "I will let the slight slide once, lass."

She had always hated comments on her height, or lack thereof.

"Good morning, what's all this about?"

Both turned to face Isobel, who had appeared in the hallway. She smiled at them both, her head tilted as her eyes scanned the scene. Her curious gaze shifted between Leona and Maisie.

"Nothin' of importance," Maisie replied with a small smile, exchanging a quick glance with Leona, who nodded in agreement.

Shrugging, Isobel motioned from the way she had come. "Shall we?"

As they walked, Leona thought about the festival. They would be arriving at Gleann Cloiche before sundown, where there would be a feast. But tomorrow was what she was most excited for. Tomorrow marked the official beginning of the games, the dances, and the celebration.

"I heard that yer brother and Jamie both are plannin' to enter sparrin' and the Sword Dance," Isobel said, looking at Maisie before turning her gaze to Leona.

She had no idea and raised a brow. "Who'd ye hear that from?"

"Ah, the servants," Isobel nodded. "Ye can learn much from the staff about the inner workin's of a keep, ye ken. 'Tis almost like research in a way."

Leona swallowed, her mind shifting to Flora and her own personal inner workings. She shook the thought away, not allowing it to ruin her mood. "I cannae wait to dance," Leona smiled. "And the music will be magical, no doubt."

Maisie, grinning, was in her element. She had taken lessons throughout her life, something she had begged and pleaded for. Leona had only seen her dance once before when they first met. But there was no denying the impression it had left.

As they entered the dining hall and took their seats, the servants brought out trays of fresh fruit and bread. The meal was light and simple, as the head cook had already been sent to Gleann Cloiche to prepare for the feast. Leona did not mind this as she picked at her plate. "Maisie, where's yer mother?"

Maisie, tearing her chunk of loaf apart and dipping it in preserves, blinked and then looked about the table. It was as if she had just noticed her own mother's absence.

"She rode ahead to meet with yer parents," Isobel stated.

"'Tis unnerving how ye ken so much about me own castle, Isobel."

Isobel, smiling down at her plate, shrugged her shoulders. "Nay, lass. I simply listened to her when she told us last night. Ye were too busy gushing over the thought of seeing…"

"Isobel."

"Seeing who?" Leona laughed.

Maisie, not one to blush, was red. "Daenae ye dare–"

"Some Laird, I cannae recall his name," Isobel smirked.

Leona shot Maisie a look. "Is he handsome then?"

Maisie's mouth formed a tight line signaling she was not willing to say anything about the situation. It wasn't unusual for men to look at her, to even request to court her in some fashion, and though Maisie had a flirtatious nature about her, she had never shown much interest in anyone.

Or so Leona thought. Just as she was about to press further, her attention was drawn to the doorway. Standing there, with his piercing gaze boring into her, was Caelan.

He glanced at them all, one by one. "We're to leave at noon, no later."

Leona felt herself flush as his gaze fell on her. Her mind raced with thoughts of what had happened only a few hours ago, and she quickly grabbed her cup, taking a big gulp in a weak attempt to hide her red hue.

Behind Caelan, Jamie appeared. "Good morning, lassies."

Jamie moved past Caelan, almost shoving him aside as he entered. The man sat down at the table, reaching for an apple that seemed tiny in his hands. He took a bite, the crunching sound of it breaking whatever tension was between him and Caelan. Did something happen?

Caelan stared down at Jamie before turning on his heel, leaving the hall and vanishing from view. Leona, Maisie, and Isobel all looked to Jamie expectantly. Watching as he chewed at his food, the annoyance barely masked on his scarred face. Something definitely did happen.

"What was that all about?" Maisie asked.

Jamie looked over at her and swallowed. "'Tis nae me place."

The way he said it, the coldness behind his words, was enough to make Leona shiver. She did not know Jamie well but had interacted with him enough to know that this seemed out of character. Maisie was watching him, her eyes boring into him as she frowned.

Jamie smiled. "Daenae fash yerself, Maisie. Ye ken what he's like."

Her hair waved in the wind like golden silk in the mist-filled air.

Caelan could not help but look over at her, watching as she stared forward with a look of determination. When she had insisted on riding her own horse, as opposed to the carriage, he doubted her abilities. But she proved him wrong, surprising him with her skill.

"Who taught ye to ride?"

Leona glanced over at him, smiling. "Me brother, Graham. He would teach me in secret before dawn," her voice floated through the air and filled his senses. "Father would never allow more than the basics. When I'd ask, he'd tell me that lasses rode in carriages and men rode into battle."

"Are ye comparing our weddin' to a battle, lass?" He laughed.

She winked at him. "'Tis nae much of a fight, I'm afraid."

With that, she urged her mare into a gallop, and he was left in her wake. Caelan shook his head, smiling, as he did the same. His eyes were inevitably drawn to the curve of her waist, the movement of her body as she raced.

All of this was almost enough to make him forget about this morning, but as he glanced back to see how far they had ridden ahead, he saw Jamie speeding up to keep pace. Caelan turned away, swallowing back his annoyance.

Jamie had always been a close friend, someone he depended on and trusted. But his closeness, the boldness he knew he could show, had reached a limit. He had disrespected his laird, and his marriage to Leona.

Leona slowed to a halt as they came to a river, and Caelan stopped beside her. The water rushed lazily, filling the air with the gentle sound of the waves lapping, passing over and through jagged rocks. He watched as she slipped from her horse with ease and moved for the water.

They had been riding for well over two hours now, and this was the first stop. The river was said to be magical, with a tragic story tangled in the lore. Caelan slid down and joined her, watching as she knelt and splashed water on her face.

"Do ye ken the story of this river?" He asked her.

Leona shook her head. "Nay, tell me."

"This river runs up to Mackenzie land, ye ken?"

She nodded slowly.

"Well, a long time ago, there was a bonnie Mackenzie lass. Almost as bonnie as yerself. She was promised to a Grant lad, but she dinnae love him. She had her eyes set on another lad from up near Wick, a Sinclair."

Leona watched him; her eyes seemed to meet his gaze and then slowly moved to his lips. Watching them as he spoke slowly, careful to tell the story with as much respect as possible. "She wrote to him, telling him to meet her at a special place in Mackenzie lands. In the dead of the night, she stole a horse, rode to the spot, and waited for him there. But the man daenae come to meet her. She returned home, learning that the man had married another lass on the day they were to meet."

Caelan knelt and swooped some of the water into his hand, cupping it and splashing it against his brow. "From her home, she cried all night and all day of a broken heart. She never wed and never left her castle. Over the years, her tears poured from her eyes into this very river. And," he cupped some more of the Maiden's tears into his hand and motioned for her to do the same. Caelan drank from it, watching her do the same with a slight smile on her face. "It's said that if a man and woman drink from it at the same time, they will have a long and happy life together."