The Betrayal - By Ruth Langan Page 0,42
my lady?”
“Nay.” She shrank from his touch and turned away. “I must first see to the servants. But I’ll be along shortly.”
“A pity your aunt can’t enjoy herself as other women do.” Lord Giles MacCallum dropped an arm around Dougal’s shoulders and the two followed Grant and Kylia through the crowd until they’d reached the head table.
Grant took the place of honor at one end of the long table, with his man-at-arms Finlay at the other end. Kylia on his left and his brother on his right. Lord Giles eagerly sat on the other side of Kylia and immediately engaged her in conversation. By the time Hazlet arrived, trailed by her cousin Culver, the servants had begun making their way to the tables with trays of pheasant, salmon and mutton, along with baskets of bread and goblets of ale.
Hazlet took her place beside Dougal and fell silent, bowing her head until the others at table followed suit. Though she spoke no words aloud, her lips moved and the others waited respectfully until she lifted her head and accepted food from a servant.
“Now.” Giles leaned toward Kylia. “I must hear all about your Mystical Kingdom, for I’ve heard the stories since I was but a lad.”
“What did you hear, my lord?” Kylia helped herself to a piece of fish.
“About dragons and monsters and all manner of fearsome guardians of your kingdom.”
“That much is true, my friend.” Grant sipped his ale. “For I first had to slay the dragon before crossing the Enchanted Loch.”
“Is it enchanted?” Giles arched a brow.
“It would seem so. I saw water that not only sparkled like diamonds, but was filled with the precious stones. And then rubies, as the dragon’s blood was spilled into it.”
“A trick of the mind.” Hazlet’s eyes narrowed with indignation.
“I know what I saw, Aunt.” Grant thought about the jewels he carried in a tiny pouch in his tunic. Though they would prove the truth of his words, he was reluctant to share them with others, for they were special to him.
He turned to Giles. “I was so weak I should have drowned, but the water refused to let me sink. Instead I was allowed to drift until I reached the far shore, where I fell at the lady’s feet.”
The others around the table were silent, watching and listening. Most were fascinated by all they heard.
“What other amazing things did you see, my lord?” Culver glanced at Kylia. “We wish to hear everything.”
Grant deliberately refrained from any mention of the fairies and winged horses, knowing there were some who might be willing to risk the fierce guardians of the Mystical Kingdom in order to steal such treasures. This world was filled with unscrupulous men who would use such innocent creatures for their own gain. Likewise he made no mention of their experience in the Forest of Darkness. It was, like the dragons and monsters, a barrier that stood between his world and Kylia’s. He did, however, recount their harrowing encounter with the barbarians, and Kylia’s courage.
All who heard were amazed that this lovely, gentle woman could reveal such strength of purpose.
“Were you not afraid, my lady?” Giles tugged on his beard.
“I was. But I was even more afraid of doing nothing, for that would surely have doomed us both.”
“You should have seen her.” Grant described the way Kylia controlled the barbarians with lifted arms, until the two of them were able to make their escape. “The lady was magnificent.”
As his narrative continued, Hazlet’s frown deepened, revealing just how repulsed she was by the images conjured by her nephew’s tale.
“Dragons. Monsters. What nonsense. It is obvious you were under a spell, nephew, for we all know such things do not exist.”
“Perhaps not in our world, Aunt, but I saw them with my own eyes.” He turned to wink at Kylia. “I saw other things too amazing to speak of, for you’d then swear I was daft.”
While the others laughed, Hazlet pursed her lips. “Perhaps you are still under a spell, nephew.”
Giles made an attempt to lighten the older woman’s mood. “And why not? When a young, healthy warrior meets a maiden as lovely as this, how can he help but fall under her spell? I believe I’ve fallen as well, my lady, though I’m well past my prime.”
Hazlet got to her feet. “Such ribald remarks are beneath you, Giles, and insult me, since you know I tolerate no levity concerning the baser instincts.”
“Please, Aunt. You know Giles meant no harm.” Dougal attempted to lay