Duncan (Immortal Highlander Clan MacMar #5)

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

A bright, silvery stream in a gorgeous forest glinted in impossibly green sunlight, dazzling and yet calming to Nicole’s eyes. From the water rose a male-shaped pillar of the same that solidified into a tall, beautifully built man with dark hair and eyes who looked like Duncan and Shaw. His strong body seemed wrapped in millions of tiny droplets of rain that danced over his skin. A moment after the man walked out of the stream and onto the mossy bank, an ash tree began to shake, and then the bark on its trunk split open vertically, the edges glittering with green and brown lights. A woman who could have been her twin sister stepped out of the opening, her wand-slim pale body wreathed in hundreds of thin vines blooming with golden ivy leaves. She went to the man from the stream, stepping into his open arms as if his embrace was a private paradise.

“Mar,” the woman said, as if she knew no other word but his name.

He held her tenderly, resting his cheek against her bright hair. “Eilonwy.”

A hand touched Nicole’s shoulder, and when she looked, Duncan stood at her side watching the embracing couple.

“Why are we here? How did we get here?” she murmured to him. “We were just making love in your infirmary.”

“I reckon we’re yet there, and ’tis a dream or a vision we’re sharing.” He watched the embracing couple for another moment before he added, “That man, he’s my sire, Prince Mar, and since the lady resembles you, she’s likely Princess Eilonwy.”

“She’s not my mother,” Nicole told him, unable to stop watching the couple.

He took hold of her hand. “Yet you’re the same. You share blood with her.”

Just as Duncan shared blood with Prince Mar, she thought as the dream began to spin around them. The blurred images made her dizzy, and something was stripping away their clothes. Before the whirling stopped Duncan wore nothing but rain, and all she had covering her was the same golden ivy that had wreathed the princess. Just like Mar and Eilonwy they were holding each other. The silver had vanished from his hair, Nicole thought, enchanted now. He looked more like Shaw, but he was still Duncan.

Wasn’t he?

The couple disappeared along with the stream and the forest, leaving Nicole and Duncan holding each other in a black void. He pressed her closer as tiny blue and green lights began to dance around them, and then came together to show an image of a large vessel sailing through a terrible storm. The crew appeared to be all women, and they snarled and snapped at each other as they clung to ropes and rails while huge waves washed over the top deck and poured through the scuppers.

“They’re coming for you now, and naught shall stop them.” A petite dark-haired woman came to stand beside them, and smiled as Duncan gave her a wide-eyed look. “Hello, Healer.”

“Joana, my brother’s first wife,” he murmured to Nicole before he said to the woman, “My lady. I’m sorry for what Derdrui and the Cait Sith forced you do.”

“I always imagined my time with Connal, ’twould no’ last long.” The woman’s lips curved into a sad smile. “Give Valerie my thanks for saving our love from his broken heart.” She made a sweeping gesture, and Duncan vanished.

Nicole turned her head as her Aunt Merry stepped into a pool of green light on the other side of them. “Why are you here?”

“I did not wish to be, believe me,” the Fae princess snapped. “I hate intruding on the fate of others.” She pointed at Joana. “It was all her idea.”

The laird’s first wife smiled at her as her face began to bulge and darken. “You have no idea what I can do to you and your spawn, you silly bitch.” She seized Nicole with one hand and Merrivane with the other. “Perhaps I’ll squeeze your scrawny necks until your heads pop off. I love the sound that makes.”

Nicole tried to wriggle free and call for help, but the enchantress dug her talons into her neck, and grinned at her with bloodied teeth.

“Why should anyone help you? Who do you think you are, really?” Derdrui asked, laughing in the same way someone else would scream.

A hard slap in the face wrenched her out of the nightmare, and she stared at Duncan, who had her pinned to a wall in the passage outside the infirmary. Both of them were naked, and he was panting.

“’Tis me, Nicole,” he said. “You’re awake now?” When she nodded he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back inside, placing her on the pallet and covering her with a blanket before he pulled on his trousers. “I woke when you began crying for aid in your sleep. I couldnae wake you, and then you ran from me.”

“I had a terrible dream.” It had seemed so real, however, she wondered if it had been more than that. “Can Derdrui come into the mind of a halfling while we’re sleeping?”

“My sire never spoke of her abilities beyond her talent for shape-shifting, yet ’tis possible. He warned us she had no equal in dark power among the Fae.” He brought his tunic to her. “I ripped your gown.”

“Thank you.” She pulled on the tunic and stood, unable to bear the way he was looking at her. She was either going to die or leave him, which seemed to be almost the same thing. “It’s late, so I should go. Good-night, Duncan.”

“You’ll share my bed—or need I toss you over my shoulder and carry you there, my lady?” he asked softly, and held out his hand.

They shouldn’t do this, Nicole thought. Yes, she loved him, with so much passion and intensity that she knew she’d never love anyone else after she left him. Duncan made all her wealth and privilege seem utterly meaningless. In the future also waited her malevolent brother, who might have already seized control of the Fairburn fortune. The fallout of the scandal she’d create when she accused Hudson of trying to murder her would be huge and destructive; it might even cause her father’s empire to collapse. But the more immediate threat, the one that would kill everyone on the island, was still coming for them.

One more night. She reached out and twined her fingers through his. That’s all I want.

The door to the infirmary flung open, and Nyall came in, halted and turned his back on them. “Forgive the interruption, Mistress, but the watchers report an attack on the village that came from the sea. ’Tis likely the hybrids.”

“I must go with the men so I may treat the wounded,” Duncan told her.

Nicole nodded. “I’ll go with you.” When he started to shake his head she added, “Only the two of us can heal each other. If there are a great many wounded, you’ll need me.” She regarded the captain. “I just need to grab some pants from my room.”

Nyall held out a cloak and a change of clothes. “Aye, I suspected you might, so I brought these from your chamber. Duncan, a word with you while the lady dresses?”

After giving her a frustrated look the healer picked up his case and followed the captain out into the hall.

“The laird ordered me bring you both,” Nyall said before Duncan could demand they leave without Nicole. “We dinnae ken how many villagers shall need healing, just as the lady said.”

“Would you send Caroline if she possessed healing powers?” he countered.

“I love the man, but he doesn’t get the final say on that.” Nyall’s wife joined them. “I do.” She regarded her husband. “I’m coming with, and we signaled Jamaran, so he’ll be bringing the Selseus garrison. I don’t want to stop time unless it’s absolutely necessary, because we don’t know if my power affects the enchantress. Still, if there are hundreds of hybrids trying to eat the village, I might have to. The three of us will then have about an hour to kill them.”

“Agreed.” The captain regarded him again. “I must go and meet Jamaran to explain on the way. The laird and Fletcher remain here to safeguard the castle. Shaw left moments ago. I shall leave my lady with you and yours.”

Caroline kissed Nyall before he rushed off, and then sighed. “This night is going to suck. Why are your boxers in a knot about letting Nick come along? She might actually be able to control these freaking things, and put an end to the attack without any bloodshed.”

“Or they may prove the end of her.” He turned as the door opened and Nicole stepped out. “My lady, please, remain here. I shall send for you when ’tis over–”

“No, you won’t.” She walked up to him, wrapping an arm around his neck to tug down his head and whisper against his ear, “Haven’t you figured it out yet? The only way our powers really work the way they’re supposed to is when you and I use them together.”

His case fell from his hand as he held her close for a long moment before he drew back.

“’Tis likely we shall attend many wounded.” He draped her with his tartan. “You’re certain you wish endure such horrors?”

“If you’re beside me, I can handle anything.” She kissed his cheek. “Come on. Let’s go help these people.”

Several guards carrying torches met them outside the stronghold, and escorted them along the shadowy trail through the forest. Just before they reached the village, Duncan heard the cries of the wounded, and Nyall calling out orders to his men.

Inky darkness swirled about them just before Shaw appeared at his side. “The shifters fled into the water where the Finfolk now fall upon them. I go to join them.” He glanced over his shoulder. “The wounded lie in the village.” Then he fixed his eyes on them both, lingering on Nicole. “Some suffered grievous attacks.” In the next moment, a dark shadow hovered in front of them before rushing off into the night.

But Shaw’s words hadn’t prepared them for the sight that awaited as they approached; dozens of mortals lay on the ground where they had fallen; some already dead. He glanced at Nicole, who looked pale but determined, and hurried toward the nearest man. Before Duncan could reach him, a group of battered-looking women led by a short, heavyset figure came out of the shadows to block his path.

“I’ve told you time and again, MacMar, you’ve no business in the village,” Angalan the herbalist said, folding her plump arms. “If you ken what’s good for you, leave that witch here and go back to the castle. We’ll deal with her proper.”

“I beg your pardon.” Nicole gave her an astonished look. “ What did you call me?”

“You’ve tried fooling the vassals at Dun Ard, evil one, but we ken you.” Angalan held out a scroll, shaking it out to reveal an ancient painting of a woman with red-gold hair and sapphire blue eyes. “You’re the image of that cursed Fae princess who drove the first MacMar laird mad.” She gave Duncan a scathing glance. “Much as I dislike the nosy bastart, we cannae permit you do the same to his son.”

The other women formed a ring around her and Duncan, each one drawing a dagger as if they meant to attack them.

“Just because someone resembles another person, it doesn’t mean they’re the same inside.” Nicole kept her gaze locked on the mortal healer. “You remind me of my Aunt Sheron, whom I don’t like very much. Just because you have almost the same features and coloring doesn’t mean you’re as heartless and greedy as she is.”

“We shallnae be deceived,” Angalan insisted. “The maid told us how you’ve seduced every clansman who’s crossed your path.”

“Come, now, Mistress. If ’twere true, that would mean she’s taken hundreds of my brothers as her lovers.” Duncan glanced around at the other women. “Reckon you my clan should tolerate such a female? Name the maid who told such lies.”

“Wait.” As the village healer surged forward, Nicole stepped between them. “Was it Eilidh?”

The older woman hesitated, and then scowled. “What if ’twas? The lass wished warn us of your wicked ways.”

“That must be who Shaw and I found in the cove.” His lover turned to him. “The hybrid who murdered her must have taken her place. That’s who knocked me out and tried to strangle me, I’m sure of it.”

“Someone killed Eilidh, Angalan.” Duncan spoke in a low, serious tone now as he related the discovery of the body. “After she died it could take on her form, and use her memories so it might sway you with its lies.”

The other women exchanged confused glances as they lowered their blades. Angalan’s expression darkened even more, however, and she tightened her grip on her dagger.

“Then this wench, she’s the shifter,” she insisted. “We’ve all seen how swiftly she healed from being trampled by that horse. ’Tisnae natural.”

Telling the superstitious woman the reason her wounds vanished so quickly might only make the situation worse, Nicole thought.

“I wasn’t trampled. A tree branch scratched my back. As I’m sure you know, Healer MacMar is very skilled at treating the sick and injured.” She held up her hand. “If I do heal quicker now, it’s thanks to Lady Joana’s ring. It also saved me from drowning just before I came here.”

The village women murmured to each other before the oldest said to Angalan, “Long you’ve stewed your fury, mistress. Dinnae boil over onto the lady. She’s explained all, and we need the clan for the war that’s coming.”

“While you bicker, your men suffer. Go home.” Duncan pushed through them to crouch down by the wounded man, and Nicole went to join him.

“You stupit wenches reckon the MacMar shall protect you and your families, when one of the monsters already walked among us in another shape?” Angalan spat on the ground. “Fack the clan. I shall take me and mine on the ferry for the mainland.”

As the herbalist stalked off on the forest trail, the other women glanced at each other before they went toward the village.

In the thinning darkness just before dawn, Nicole walked with Duncan back to the stronghold, followed by Nyall and most of the garrison. Despite their ability to heal each other, the hours she had spent with him treating the wounded had been exhausting; blood stained her clothing and the terrible smell from the shifters the men had killed still clung to her. The twenty-two vassals who died before they could reach them would be buried in the glen alongside the members of their families who had passed away before them, and both she and Duncan had been invited to come to the mass funeral.

“Come report with me before you retire,” Nyall asked Duncan, and looked at her. “If you would as well, my lady. The laird shall wish hear all the details.”

Connal had gathered all his senior chieftains in the great hall, and listened without comment as his captain related details about the skirmish, and the number of villagers lost. Valerie and Meg joined them, and some of the servants came to stand in the archways and listen, many crying softly as Nyall described the villagers’ bravery during the attack.

Nicole wished she could help them with their sadness, but her efforts in the village to heal the wounded had left her very shaky. She couldn’t imagine how Duncan handled this work alone every single day. Then she noticed a hooded, cloaked figure standing with two guards behind the laird, and saw a lock of dark hair peeking out of the hood.

Why had they brought Fiacail to the hall?

“Mistress Fairburn,” the laird said, startling her. “We’ve a report that you’re a witch that bespelled the shifters so they would attack the village.”

“’Twas Angalan, aye?” Duncan made a disgusted sound. “She attacks my lady so she might harm me through her. Bring her here and I shall force her admit ’tis all lies. ”

“You shall do naught, Healer.” Connal nodded to two guards, who came and seized Duncan’s arms. To Nicole he said, “’Tis a serious charge against you, Mistress. What say you?”

“It’s complete nonsense.” She glanced at Valerie, expecting her to defend her, but the laird’s wife looked just as grim. “I have no reason at all to hurt the villagers.”

“You discovered I didnae intend permit you leave Caladh,” Connal said, his expression growing remote and chilly. “You told us many lies, such as your name, and that you share blood with the Fae. You refuse tell us what sort of Fae blood you possess. For all I ken you’re a Therion shifter who serves the enchantress.”

“You’re mad,” Duncan told him, his expression darkening.

“No, he’s partly right. I’ve lied to all of you about who I am, and I’m sorry.” Nicole slowly curtseyed. “My mother was the Princess Sylvaen, Eilonwy’s younger sister. My father was her mortal lover, so I am a halfling like the MacMar.” She glanced at Valerie. “Please forgive me for deceiving you.”

“I shallnae.” Connal walked around her, studying her as if she were an interesting insect. “Every calamity served upon my clan, ’tis come from my sire’s love for that wretched princess. Now you tell me her blood courses through your veins. ”

“No one can pick their relatives.” She squared her shoulders. “My aunt was very clear about what the Fae would do to me if they discovered I was Sylvaen’s daughter. She told me to hide what I am, and never to let anyone know about my mother or my Fae heritage.”

“There, she’s explained,” Duncan said. “End this, Brother.”

“The lady didnae trust us, when we’re the same as she.” The laird looked disgusted now. “How may we ever trust her again?”

Nicole wondered if he even heard himself. “You certainly don’t trust anyone outside your clan. Your father created Caladh so you could hide away from the world here. When mortals leave the island, you make Merrick wipe their memories so they won’t speak of the MacMar or the island to outsiders. You haven’t even been completely honest with your brothers about why Derdrui wants to murder all of you.”

The laird stiffened. “You ken naught of our affairs, my lady.”

“As it happens I know everything. Prince Mar made the enchantress believe he loved her so he could use the Therion she ruled during an ancient war between the Fae,” she told him. “Once his side won, he dumped her and married my aunt, his real love. That’s why Derdrui wants revenge. Merrivane told me everything.”

“My sire would never promise to wed the enchantress,” the laird muttered.

“No, and I’m sure because the Fae can’t lie that he was very careful about what he said to her. She was just too much in love with him to be on her guard.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Eilidh step through an archway, her avid gaze fixed on the laird. “Are you going to punish me for protecting myself? Because you have another, much more serious problem to deal with right now.”

“Aye, ’twas the reason for my farce this morn. My apologies, my lady.” Connal gave her a wink before he said in a louder voice, “Take her, lads.”

A group of guards came up behind the fascinated maid and swiftly encircled her. One tossed a net over her as she tried to dart between two of them, but it still took all of the men to drag her to the ground. She screeched and fought, her body writhing as she changed form from a replica of Eilidh to that of a small, fair-haired girl and then a hybrid.

The two guards holding Duncan released him, and the healer strode up to the laird, his hands knotting into fists. “You tormented and terrified my lady just so you might catch a shifter?”

“’Tis what I reckoned would draw her out of the shadows,” Connal told him, and patted his shoulder. “Go and clean up, for we shall need you both when we question the hybrid.”

“She shallnae tell you any truth, my lord. The enchantress yet controls her.” Fiacail pulled back her hood as she approached the trapped shifter. “Or did you come to save me, Dearg?”

“Why should I care for a traitor like you?” The hybrid punched her hand through the net and clawed at her with long talons that shot out from the tips of her fingers. “I shall rip out your throat this time, Fia, and then end that Woodland Fae slut’s whelp.”

“You were the one who tried to strangle me,” Nicole said.

Dearg flashed her shark’s teeth. “Aye. ’Twas that red-haired serving wench saved you.”

“Say no more in her presence,” the dark-haired shifter told the laird. “For she will share what she learns with the other hybrids loyal to Derdrui.”

“Lock her in the dungeons,” Connal ordered the guards. Once they had left with Dearg, he regarded Fiacail. “Only twenty-one hybrids attacked the village. How many more infest our waters?”

“The spawn that escaped us during the last moon, they’ve grown large enough to mate. Hundreds, mayhap thousands.” She nodded in the direction of the bay. “Permit me return to the sea with some of your men and nets, and I shall summon them.”

“You said they’re mindless,” Nicole said. “Won’t they just kill you and the men?”

Fiacail smiled. “Dinnae fret. They shallnae end me, for I’m their màthair .”

“’Tis too dangerous,” the laird said to the shifter. “These creatures show no regard for any other life. They may end you before we can stop them.”

“Not if I’m with her, Laird,” Nicole said. “If I touch them, I can control them.”

Duncan shook his head. “They are too many, and they move too fast. Dinnae act the fool.”

“I’m not stupid,” she countered. When he gave her a lofty look she added, “Fine. Since I’m too dumb to take care of myself, I won’t help you heal anyone anymore.”

“We don’t need to risk any lives at the moment,” Valerie told her husband. “And I can find out what Dearg knows.”