Banquo huffed a laugh. “So we have said, time and time again, but we didn’t. We had our reasons. Now, here we are.”
“Do you think Macbeth will believe you? Will he believe the story of the ailment?”
“He has no reason not to. And if you confirm it to him, he will have no doubts.”
“Will you regret giving up your duties?”
“No,” Banquo said very matter-of-factly. “I have caused enough harm on Macbeth’s behalf. Now, I will live my life. I will care for our daughter and look after our boys as best I can when I can. And I will rule the land of my fathers. I love Lochaber. I want to be home.”
“I will miss Lulach and Fleance’s return,” I lamented.
“Yes, but one day, you will come back.”
“Yes. I will.”
“Yes, you will,” Banquo echoed, but his voice had taken a faraway sound. When I turned and looked at him, he was staring into the fire. The look on his face was one of fear.
Chapter 35
I made ready to depart. I would not return to Moray but would ride straight to Dunsinane from Lochaber. Morag clicked her tongue and complained about Tira and Rhona who had—in Morag’s words—abandoned me.
“I will send for them,” I told Morag. “If they want to return, they can.”
“And what will you do in the meantime?”
“My aunt Madelaine has maids.”
Morag huffed. “No. That won’t due. You will take Greer with you.”
“Would she want to go?”
Morag laughed. “Lady Gruoch, I know your eyes have been on your man and your child. You’ve missed it completely. Wherever Sir Killian goes, Greer follows.”
“Have they formed an attachment?”
“Well, she’s certainly attached to him. I think he’s still deciding. I suspect his heart is hung where it shouldn’t be. It will take some time for him to realize it.”
“Ahh,” I said. His heart was still hung on me. “Well, I’ll see what I can do to get it unhinged.”
Morag laughed. “She’s coming up to speed as a lady’s maid, but it may still take her a bit of time.”
“She helped bring my daughter into this world. What else could I ask for? Morag, she does know that—”
“That Aelith does not exist? As I told you when you came, your secrets are safe in Lochaber.”
Killian organized my guard and some men of Lochaber to accompany me south. Word was beginning to spread about Thorfinn and Echmarach’s raid on the Irish king. Despite being opposed to the maneuver, I hoped it worked and wished them luck. Once more, Scotland’s blood was boiling.
The morning we planned to depart, I rose early to find Aelith awake and talking. She lay in her bed, lifting and lowering her toys, studying each one and talking to them as she did so.
I lifted her from her bed then lay her down between Banquo and me. Banquo sighed in his sleep but slept on.
“I will leave today,” I told Aelith.
She scrunched up her brow and looked at me. On some level, she understood. “But I will come home as soon as I can. Your dada will be here with you. And Morag. You won’t be alone.”
“Dada,” she said, patting—more slapping than patting—Banquo’s face, waking him in the process.
I laughed. “Yes, your dada. He will be with you always. He will always keep you safe.”
Yawning, Banquo lifted Aelith’s hand and kissed it.
“And your mother will keep us all safe. You see how perfect it all will work,” Banquo said.
“I need to start getting ready,” I whispered.
“I know,” Banquo said sadly. “Well, my Aelith, let’s get up and make sure everything is ready for your mum’s ride south. Shall we go see if Swift is saddled?”
Aelith grinned with excitement.
Poor little dear, if she only knew my heart was breaking.
Killian had been hard at work making the preparations. By the time I was finally dressed, everything was ready.
Carrying Aelith, Banquo waited while I mounted Swift.
“I will write as soon as I can.”
Banquo nodded. “Be careful, my Cerridwen, and not just on the road. Keep your man close,” he said, motioning to Killian. “But not too close,” he added with a wink.
I laughed. “Oh, my love. That is the last thing you should ever worry about.”
At that, Banquo chuckled. He handed Aelith up to me so I could kiss her once more.
“Be a good girl,” I said. “Listen to your father. Now, give me a kiss.”
Giggling, she planted a very wet kiss on my cheek.
“I love you,” I told her then I handed her back to Banquo.
Banquo gave me a soft smile. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I whispered. With a heavy heart, I tapped on the reins then turned my horse south.
As I rode out of the gates of Tor Castle, I fought back my tears. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to be.
Instead of staying with my husband and daughter, I was headed back to Macbeth.
Chapter 36
The road was long and cold. Even though spring had come, snow still trimmed the landscape. The first spring flowers pushed through the snow. A deep sadness fell over me as we rode south. Despite the beautiful scenery, I was returning somewhere I didn’t want to go to someone I didn’t want to see.
It was a three-day ride to Dunsinane. As we rode through Birnam Wood, again I felt the eyes of the forest on me. Soon, the forest thinned out, and we spotted the massive old fortress sitting on its high hill.
A sense of dread washed over me.
“What a tall place,” Greer said, her eyes wide.
“It’s an ancient fortress, from the kingdom of the Parisi.”
She stared up at the castle then turned and looked behind her, a smile on her face. I followed her gaze to see she was looking at Killian who had returned her grin. But when he saw me looking, he stiffened his expression, taking on a formal stance.
Sighing, Greer turned around in her saddle.
“I’ll work on him,” I whispered to her.
Greer raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing.
We rode up the winding path that led to the fortress. When we were spotted, trumpets blasted, and a fleet of servants rushed forward.
I was relieved to see a mop of red hair in the crowd.
“Corbie? Corbie,” Madelaine called.
I slipped off Swift, handing him off to a groom, then rushed to my aunt.
“Oh, there you are,” Madelaine said, embracing me. She eyed me over. “You look well. Is everything…is everyone well?”
“Very well,” I told her, linking my arm in hers. “We shall talk tonight. But she is very well.”
“Thank the Goddess,” Madelaine said, patting my arm
As we headed toward the castle, Macbeth appeared at the wall of the second-story rampart. He looked down, eyeing over the party, then me.
I met his gaze.
He lifted a hand in greeting.
I returned the gesture.
“How is everyone here?” I asked Madelaine.
“Decidedly unwell,” Madelaine whispered. “It’s good you’re back, but we need to talk.”
I unlinked my arm from Madelaine’s. “We shall, but for now, I should go,” I said, gesturing toward Macbeth.
She nodded. “All right. I’ll see to your staff. Where are Tira and Rhona?”
“At Cawdor. I have a new girl, Greer.”
Madelaine nodded. “I’ll take care of her,” she said then patted my arm and let me go.