I closed and bolted the door behind me.
“I would offer you wine…” Banquo said, pouring himself a glass. “But…”
I chuckled. “Alas, no wine for me. And it’s all your doing.”
“I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not,” he said then polished off his cup.
I slipped into bed, motioning for Banquo to join me.
Setting his drink aside, he slipped under the blankets with me and pulled me close. He kissed the back of my head then breathed in the scent of my hair.
“How I miss you when we are apart,” he whispered. “And now—” he set his hand on my stomach—“what are we going to do?”
“I don’t know. Once she is old enough, we could send her to fostering.”
“I cannot,” Banquo whispered. “I’d rather quit the court life.”
His words stung my heart. Banquo still didn’t know about Crearwy. I planned to tell him when he came to the coven, but now I wasn’t sure I’d ever find the right time.
“Lochaber is quiet. I have a small but loyal staff there. If you come to Lochaber, it’s possible we can hide the truth. No one will ever know you bore a child.”
“Perhaps. That may work. But I will need to return. I will need to rule. Otherwise, we are all in ruin.”
“Yes,” Banquo said, kissing my cheek.
“And you?”
“I will not be separated from my child because I have placed the wrong man on the throne.”
“If Macbeth ever learns—”
“If Macbeth ever dreams of touching my child, I will murder him.”
“Don’t tempt the gods,” I whispered, remembering the terrible vision I’d had.
“No. I won’t tempt the gods,” Banquo said then took my hand. He paused when he saw the gloves. “I saw you wearing these. I thought you were cold. But now that I see them under the light… Cerridwen, this is no normal stitching.”
“They were a gift.”
“From whom?”
“Sid brought them to me from the Unseelie Queen.”
Banquo rose up on his elbow and looked at me. “Why?”
“Because…because my hands are marred.”
“What do you mean?”
I swallowed hard then pulled off my gloves. When I did so, I instantly saw both hands as though they were slick with blood. “Can you see?” I whispered.
“See what? There is nothing there.”
“With your druid’s eyes.”
There was a strange hum in the air, and a moment later, Banquo gasped.
Sighing, I pulled the gloves back on.
“What is that?” Banquo whispered.
“A curse. Blood of my blood. The gloves are bespelled. They disrupt the enchantment.”
“Oh, Cerridwen. Why would the gods do such a thing to you?”
“I don’t know. But no matter what, I cannot get rid of the spots.”
“They set us on this path, they move us toward our fates, then they punish us for following the trenches in the road they’ve dug,” Banquo said, a hard edge on his voice. “Sometimes, I wonder about the teachings of the White Christ. The doctrine, unpolluted by his priests, promotes love and forgiveness. Maybe—”
“Oh, my love, don’t even speak the words.”
“Yes. You’re right. But your hands. And the Unseelie Queen…such a dangerous creature. She must want something from you.”
“Perhaps. One day.”
“What could you give her?”
“Only time will tell,” I said, then turned and looked at Banquo. “Let’s leave off these things for now.”
Banquo smiled down at me. He pushed my hair away from my face. “I’ve missed you terribly. Are you well?”
I grinned slyly at him. “Yes, I am well.”
“Good,” he said then leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my lips.
Once more, Banquo and I carved out a moment for ourselves. And like every time, I hoped it would not be the last.
The following morning, Madelaine met Banquo and me in the yard to wish us both farewell. Banquo would ride from the Madelaine’s castle to Lochaber. I would return with my guard to Glamis.
Dressed in black, her face pale, Madelaine was a portrait of misery. My heart broke when I saw her.
“We will leave tomorrow,” Madelaine told me. “We’ll return to Fife’s keep. Ute is inside getting everything ready. She told me to say goodbye for her.”
“Wish her well for me.”
Madelaine smiled weakly. “I think she will leave me soon. She and one of Fife’s men have formed an attachment. I suspect they will soon be married.”
“I’m glad for her but sorry for you.”
Madelaine shrugged. “I can lace a gown myself if I have to. I may need some time, but I will come to Glamis to help you when I can.”
“Do not rush. I will go to Glamis to set my affairs in order then return to Moray.”
“And then?”
“Nothing is decided yet.”
“Oh, Corbie. I cannot stand the thought of you being separated from another child. Please, try to find another way,” she whispered.
“I will. I promise. Things will be different this time. I will choose better.”
“Take care, my little raven.”
I pulled Madelaine into an embrace. “And you, my beloved aunt. And you.”
Once I let her go, we joined Fife and Banquo.
Fife smiled gently at me. “We shall see you soon, Queen of Scots,” he said, giving me a bow. “And Thane,” he said, turning to Banquo. “I wish you safe travels.”
Banquo nodded.
“I hate to see you ride off alone,” Madelaine told Banquo.
“I will take great care, Lady Madelaine,” Banquo reassured her.
I went to Banquo and took his hand. We walked over to his horse. “Send a rider when you can.”
“And you. Please, my Cerridwen, be careful and stay safe. My heart and my child go with you.”
Our eyes lingered on one another for a long while. There were too many eyes on us. I squeezed Banquo’s hand. After a long moment, we finally let each other go.
Leaving Banquo, I went to Swift and climbed on. I motioned to my guard that I was ready.
“Farewell,” Madelaine called to me. Fife stood beside her, his arm wrapped comfortingly around her waist.
I waved to her then looked one last time at Banquo.
We exchanged a glance then both of us turned and headed on our separate paths, Banquo home to Lochaber and me to Glamis and Macbeth.
Chapter 21
We rode all day, finally arriving at Glamis as the sun was setting. The castle looked beautiful framed with the backdrop of a pink and orange sunset. It was made of reddish-colored brick and stone. The center building was tall with high watchtowers all around. Two small sections of the castle formed wings on each side. From a glance, I could see that either Banquo or Macbeth had housed the army in the south wing of the palace. The grounds around the castle were neatly kept, but forest covered much of the land nearby, which was not ideal for preventing subterfuge.
In spite of all my courage and sincere desire to rule the land, a knot formed in my stomach as I approached the edifice.
I had married Macbeth.
My fate was tied to his.
Now, I would need to find a way to make everything work.
While I was carrying Banquo’s child.
We were met by guards who escorted us to the castle gate. Grooms came to fetch the horses. Killian spoke to Macbeth’s men, nodding as he listened.
“Your Majesty,” he said, returning to me. “We have been housed in the northern wing of the castle, not far from your lodgings. Shall I go see to the Moray staff?”
“Yes, please.”