Draco A Medieval Scottish Roma - Jayne Castel Page 0,25
Gavina’s throat. The Lord forgive her, but part of her was relieved that man was dead.
Gavina realized then that Elizabeth was watching her with an expression she’d come to know well over the past six years.
Her sister-by-marriage knew something was amiss.
“Ye’ve been back nearly two days, Gavina,” she said after a pause, “and ye’ve barely said a word to me. Does something ail ye?”
Gavina shook her head. She’d been busy since her return. With threats to Dunnottar coming from two directions now, she met with Cassian, the Wallace, and Donnan daily to discuss Dunnottar’s defenses. Work on the ditch outside the landward walls had been completed—and they’d just received a wagon of rocks from Stonehaven to use in catapults.
Keeping busy was best.
Her thoughts turned then to Maximus and Cassian’s wives. Heather had wanted to visit her this afternoon, but Gavina had made an excuse. Aila still attended her morning and evening, yet neither spoke of the disastrous peace mission she’d just returned from. Was it her imagination, or did Gavina sense a reserve between them now?
She knows I am likely their only hope.
Guilt squeezed Gavina’s chest then. Of course Aila knew—and she wouldn’t be surprised if her maid resented her for refusing to aid them.
“Surely, yer brother’s reaction can’t come as too much of a shock?” Elizabeth pressed. “Especially after that missive he sent David in late spring.”
“It doesn’t really,” Gavina admitted. Her gaze went then to the open window, where the rumble of men’s voices on the walls drifted in. Dunnottar was so crowded these days—more men had arrived this morning, stout-hearted farmers who’d come to help defend De Keith lands.
A sigh gusted out of her; she was tired of keeping her worries to herself. She trusted Elizabeth, and like her, the woman knew Maximus, Cassian, and Draco’s secret—for she too had seen Cassian heal from that mortal wound. It was time to confide in her.
“It’s not Shaw,” she admitted finally. “Although our estrangement saddens me … it was inevitable in a way.” She paused then, turning back to her sister-by-marriage. “Do ye remember Aila talking of a riddle … one that would free Maximus, Cassian, and Draco from the curse that binds them?”
Elizabeth’s smooth brow furrowed, her shoulders tensing. She didn’t like mention of the immortality of those three men. Unsurprisingly, it put her on edge. “Aye,” she replied cautiously, “although I don’t know the details of it.”
“Neither did I … until yesterday. Maximus recited it to me, and I really wish he hadn’t. I learned something rather disconcerting.”
Elizabeth’s frown deepened. “Like what?”
“Like I’m supposed to wed Draco Vulcan, if the curse is to be broken.”
Elizabeth’s dark-blonde eyebrows shot up. “What?”
Gavina gave a tight smile. “That was my reaction too. The riddle refers to the White Hawk and the Dragon. It’s the final piece in the puzzle.” She paused there, her fingers tightening around the tapestry beater she was holding. “That’s what our names mean … Gavina and Draco … the ‘White Hawk’ and the ‘Dragon’.”
Elizabeth didn’t reply for a few moments. Gavina’s admission had clearly stunned her. On the deerskin before her, Robbie gave a squeal of delight as he chased one of his wooden horses across the floor. “It sounds …” Elizabeth said after a pause, before breaking off as she struggled to find the right words to continue.
“Preposterous … ridiculous?”
“Aye,” Elizabeth agreed, her frown returning. “Surely, ye haven’t agreed to it?”
“Of course I haven’t.”
“Ye are a new widow … in mourning.”
Gavina swallowed the laugh that clawed its way up from her chest. That wasn’t the half of it.
“And ye are the laird. Yer responsibilities are to this clan … not to three men ye barely know,” Elizabeth pressed on, her voice hardening.
Gavina nodded. Elizabeth didn’t need to convince her. “Worry not, Liz. I told them it was impossible.” She broke off there, just as a knock sounded on the door to her solar. Tearing her attention from her sister-by-marriage, Gavina turned. “Aye … who is it?”
“Captain Gaius, My Lady,” Cassian’s low voice rumbled through the oaken door. “May I have a word?”
Gavina tensed, her pulse quickening. Although she’d seen Cassian a few times since her return, it had always been in the Wallace and Donnan’s company. They hadn’t been able to speak openly. She’d been wondering when he’d seek her out. The dogged captain of the Dunnottar Guard likely had some choice words for her.
“Aye,” she replied, swallowing hard. “Come in.”
The door opened, and a tall, heavily-muscled man entered, a cloak of turquoise, blue, and