Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

T he next afternoon they said their goodbyes to their host and Mary thanked Maggie for training her and being patient with her.

“You have come through for me again and I hope that you do not mind that I call you and Darter my friends,” Mary said.

"I would not wish you to call us anything but your friends, dear girl," Maggie said. "Now don't go forgeting all we've taught you. Keep your focus." It made Mary smile. “I won't forget. I won't let you down when the time comes to fight is sorceress.”

“Just be sure to stay safe. You are strong and powerful, but Nellie is an ancient old Noble goblin and has many magic powers. Do what you must but do not be afraid to run if it comes to that and you will live to fight another day,” Maggie said, offered some sage advice.

“I understand,” she said, then she gave Maggie a hug as well as Darter.

They let Maggie know that they would send word to her as soon as the false Mary was sighted. They warned her to be wary in case she showed up at the cottage. Maggie said not to worry, Nellie's transition can be seen through by those with Fae ties. She'd be able to see beneath to her soul and know that it was Nellie.

Hamish helped her up into the saddle after once again tying their bags to the saddlebag. He climbed up behind her and pulled her close to his chest. They both waved to Maggie and Darter as they set off at a leisurely pace.

Mary was glad the ride was slow, she wasn't quite sure she was ready to return to the castle yet. She hated giving up the days of lying in their tent together. She wanted to wake up in his arms every morning, but she didn't know how they could do that at the castle.

Hamish must have felt some of her unsettled nerves because he asked, "Something bothering you, love?"

Mary sighed and leaned her head back against his chest. "I'm going to miss our sleeping together. Things are going to change once we're back at the castle. You'll have your room, I'll have to be in mine, you'll go back to your duty, and I'll still be transforming at night… it's just… I don't want this to end."

He kissed her cheek. "It doesn't have to end. We can still be together. I patrol at night, so while you are dealing with your transformation you won't have to hide from me, which I wish you would not do anyway, by the way. And during the day, we can easily spend it wrapped in each other's arms, if that is what you wish."

"That's possible? I mean, won't there be some kind of moral outrage about it?"

Hamish chuckled. "No."

"Huh."

"Why did you imagine there would be?"

"Well, yeah. I mean we're pretty lax in my time period but that was after centuries of men telling women that if they were sullied, they weren't worth their time…" she said, feeling her face getting redder.

"Well, I wouldn't say we're lax and uncaring about it, just more practical, I suppose. Plus we've had issues with the English and them asserting rights that they shouldn't."

Mary recalled that the English lords of the time often took brides before they could be with their husbands and gasped. "They won't be taking me anywhere!"

Hamish chuckled. "We don't have much issue with English lords now. Especially here."

"Good."

Soon they were crossing the land bridge and passing through the large iron gates. Hamish slowed their horse near the stables and dismounted. He put his hands on her waist and helped her down from the saddle.

The castle was bustling with activity. A stable boy came out and grabbed the reins of the horse ready to water and feed him and remove his saddle.

The blacksmith worked underneath the shaded part of the courtyard and women carried baskets full of grain and fish here and there.

As soon as Mary looked around she had an overwhelming feeling. She was home. It had not felt like home until this moment. Everything she saw made her feel happy. She enjoyed living at the castle and watching the workers take part in contributing to life at the castle. It made her happy. She wanted to do more and perhaps she would ask Ivy where she could fit in with her limited ability to only be around during the day.

She was even excited to get back to her cozy room. Yes it truly was home and in her mind she kept saying, I'm home, I'm home.

"You should go up and rest. I have to see the Laird, but I'll be up to join you soon, then we can perhaps have dinner together?"

"I'd like that." Mary smiled. She took her bag from him and together they walked up the steps of the castle. As they entered the great hall, she saw Ivy heading her way.

“Ivy! I'm so happy to see you. I have so much to tell you about our trip. I can't wait to tell you everything.”

Ivy's jaw dropped and she stared at her.

“Why are you looking at me that way? Is something wrong?”

"What are you doing here? Where did you come from? You've been here for an hour, haven't you? I don't understand," she said looking from Mary to behind her in confusion.

“What are you talkin about? We have just arrived back from Maggie's. We just walked in the door,” Mary answered.

“No. I saw you ride into the courtyard on a horse about an hour ago. I saw you from the roof when I was up there with Edward earlier. I swear I saw you ride up to the stables and go into the castle. I thought it was weird you weren't with Hamish but I thought maybe he joined the guards in the village to check on things and had only escorted you to the gate. I've been looking for you ever since to ask you how things went with Maggie. But if you just arrived, then who did I see? It doesn't make sense.”

"I can't ride, I don't know how," Mary said, her eyes going wide. "Hamish!" She grabbed his arm.

“It makes sense if it was not Mary that you saw. But somebody that looks like her.” Hamish growled.

“Do you really think she is here?”

“There is only one way to find out. Stay at my side. I don't want anyone confusing you with that sorceress.”

"Crap, you need to inform the guard," Ivy said. "And the Laird."

"Aye." Hamish gripped Mary's hand tightly. He turned for the guard station and sent up the alarm. He made sure to let them know that the real Mary was with him and would not be leaving his side.

Mary was frantic. She knew that she would have to face the sorceress at some point but she did not think it would be immediately upon arriving back home. Home. That word resonated with her.

The sorceress had dared invade her home. A place that she had grown fond of. Suddenly the need for a buffer zone between arriving home and facing the sorceress was gone. She no longer needed it. Her anger was growing inside of her that the goblin had decided to infiltrate in such a way.

Mary looked at the sky overhead and it was still a few hours until the sun would set. For the first time this actually upset her. She had always wanted the days to be longer so that she would not transition. Now however, with the danger of the sorceress around, she wanted to transform into the goblin right in that moment. She didn't have access to her powers in her human form and now she needed them. But there was no way that she could transform into the goblin without the sun going down. It was infuriating. All that training and now when she needed them most they were unavailable.

Mary thought of herself as a trojan horse. That was what Nellie had used her for. Using her identity to get inside the castle. The idea of it served to increase her anger. How dare she destroy the fragile happiness and regard she'd built for herself here.