Chapter 23

23

They split up, determined to search every inch of the castle. Lana had tearfully explained how she lost track of Skye as the hard-faced councilmen stared at her. Every time she told the story, she heard all the things she had done wrong.

Ye let her out of yer sight. Ye let her play with Genevieve's child. Ye let her outside.

She had expected Daniel's wrath, but Cameron's worried look was even more disheartening. She had taken such pride in how quickly she had bonded with Skye. She was proud of the relationship she was forming with the girl. But now all of that felt miniscule compared to this huge mistake.

"Ye search the gardens," Daniel ordered as he split his councilmen and his guards into groups. "We'll take the road and look for hoofprints."

"Hoofprints?" Lana asked. She was off to the side, nearly forgotten now that the men had the information they wanted from her. "Do ye really think someone could have taken her?"

"I must consider it," Daniel snapped. "After soldiers showed up at our wedding, I cannae afford to discount any possibility."

"I'm sorry," Lana mumbled, nodding as her eyes filled with tears.

But Daniel had already moved on to continue organizing the search party.

"And where shall I go?" she asked, but she instantly regretted it.

Daniel's glare made her wither, and she dropped her gaze to her feet.

"Nowhere," he replied. "Ye have done enough. Stay here."

Lana watched him storm out of the room, leaving her alone. But she couldn't stay put. There was no way she could sit around while everyone else searched for Skye.

She rushed out of the room and took a hard turn, following the narrow staircase down to the kitchens.

"Anything?" she asked as she burst into the heat of the room.

Mary was in the kitchen, squeezing the fabric of her apron hard. "Nay," she replied. "We cannae find them."

Lana rushed through the kitchen door and emerged into the small courtyard. It was a paved patio, with small plants and flowers Mary used for cooking. Genevieve was there, calling for her daughter.

"They arenae here," Lana said.

She could see the whole courtyard, and there was nowhere for two little girls to hide. Her eyes found the narrow path that led around the castle.

"Let's go!" she cried.

She pulled at Genevieve's sleeve, and the maid followed her, looking numb with concern. The whole castle was searching for Skye, but Genevieve's daughter was also missing. Lana felt compelled to help her, hoping that if they found one child they would find the other.

"Where does Clara like to play?" Lana asked. "Let's think like the children."

"What if someone took them?" Genevieve cried. "What if Laird MacDougal came back?"

"Daenae think like that," Lana urged.

Those thoughts were running through her head as well, but she couldn't allow herself to dwell on them. She remembered the angry soldiers who had stormed into the wedding and Laird MacDougal's outraged face. She couldn't imagine two little children having to face them.

"Sometimes Clara plays near the chickens," Genevieve said.

Lana nodded at her, and she took off in that direction. Soldiers were combing the grounds, calling out Skye's name.

"I'm sorry, Lana. I'm so sorry."

"That's enough," Lana said, squeezing Genevieve's hand. "This isnae yer fault."

It's mine.

Lana held back the tears pricking her eyes. She focused on her steps, putting one foot in front of the other as she moved closer to the sounds of clucking and scratching feet.

Ye should never have let her out of yer sight.

"I told ye to stay put."

As Lana and Genevieve rounded the corner, they nearly collided with Daniel and two of his men.

Lana stopped short as her whole body tensed up. "I must do something," she protested. "I cannae sit and wait."

"Now ye will do something?" Daniel asked. His words were dark and dangerous, full of a threat she couldn't understand. "Perhaps ye shouldnae have sat still in the kitchen while me child played by herself. Ye saw what happened yesterday."

He stormed past her, leading his men to the gardens and all the small hiding places a child might enjoy, calling out to his daughter.

"Papa!" Skye threw herself into her father's arms, with tears in her eyes that made his blood run cold.

"Are ye alright?" Daniel asked.

He bent down to put her on the ground before checking her for injuries. Another little girl stood behind her, hovering on the edge of the woods. Daniel saw his men rush over to scoop the girl up.

"Did something happen?"

"Clara showed me her favorite tree."

Skye pointed in the direction of the woods, and Daniel looked up in confusion. His mind was too full of scenarios about kidnappings and injury, a certainty that all was lost.

"A tree?" he asked. He saw Skye's scraped knees and the dirt on her hands. She looked like a girl enjoying the forest. But still, he needed to be sure. "Who… was anyone else with ye?"

Skye looked back at Clara, who was in the guard's arms. She looked spooked, her eyes wide as she shrunk in the arms of the soldier. Unlike Skye, the girl seemed to understand that something was wrong. It wasn't an everyday occurrence for the whole castle to search the woods, calling your name.

"I was only playing with Clara," Skye said carefully.

Daniel saw her scan the area around them as more people came running. Word was getting around that the children had been found.

"Lana!"

She pulled away from Daniel and raced toward Lana, who was running toward her.

Lana lifted the girl into her arms, hugging her tightly. "I was so worried," she sighed. "It isnae right to run off like that, Skye. Ye cannae leave without telling me," she spoke gently.

Skye nodded, her lower lip slightly protruding. "Clara wanted to show me her tree," she said, though her enthusiasm was replaced by caution.

Cameron came up behind Lana, summoned by a guard. He looked at Daniel, who was glaring in Lana's direction, and took Skye into his arms.

"Take that child back to her mother," he ordered, nodding to the guard holding Clara. "And notify the council the child has been found. Ye can call off the search."

The soldiers began to disperse after the brothers thanked them and dismissed them.

Daniel waited until most of them were gone before he turned back to Lana, still fuming. "Anything could have happened," he barked. "We could have lost her."

"I ken ye were worried, but she was only out playing," Lana argued. "We daenae need to worry."

"After everything that happened yesterday, ye can still say that?" Daniel snapped. "There are people who want to take her away from me!"

Lana glanced at Skye, her face etched with worry. Daniel noticed his daughter regarding him, clearly trying to understand his words.

"Daniel," Lana said carefully, "perhaps ye should let Cameron take her inside."

"Aye," Daniel uttered, turning to his brother. "Take her with ye and stay with her."

Daniel glanced at the main entrance of the castle, feeling suddenly vulnerable. He had done everything for his daughter's safety. He would not risk her life now.

"Put more guards at each entrance. Bring men from the villages if ye need to. Nay one gets in or out of this castle without me say-so."

"Nay one can leave?" Lana asked. "Isnae that a little extreme?"

"Yesterday, at me wedding, a laird snuck into me castle with armed soldiers. Today me daughter disappeared without a trace. Does that sound extreme to ye?"

"Can I still see the cows?" Skye asked.

Daniel knew the girl was worried she wouldn't be able to visit the creatures she was getting so attached to. He tried to tamp down the frustration he felt at her question, telling himself that she was young and could not understand the situation.

"I'll take Skye to her room," Cameron interjected.

But as he turned around, Daniel stopped him.

"Daenae leave her," he ordered, his voice strong and authoritative, leaving no room for argument. "Until we ken what threats we are facing, ye willnae let Skye out of yer sight. Wherever ye go, she goes."

He caught his brother's gaze and saw him nod, accepting the responsibility.

"And Lana?" Cameron asked. "Shall she come with me as well?"

Daniel glanced at his wife and remembered the sunshine streaming through the windows this morning. It was hard to believe the day had taken such a dark turn. He wanted to comfort her, but he couldn't find the words.

"Ye watch Skye," Daniel replied. "Lana will stay with me."