She took a tiny sip of wine. The four of them were alone but for Anna’s guard who was stood to attention against one wall. After Maria’s visit earlier, Anna had been given the freedom of the castle but she soon realized that this so-called freedom was just another lie. Her guard followed her wherever she went and had firmly but politely turned her aside if she’d gotten close to anywhere she wasn’t supposed to go—such as the gates.
Lady Maria dabbed at her lips with an ivory napkin, then gracefully pushed away from the table. The emeralds at her throat glinted in the light. “A pleasant meal,” she murmured noncommittally as she rose, her eyes sweeping over Anna with a look that might have been akin to satisfaction. “Now it is time. Duncan, Anna, we will see ye at the chapel shortly.” She looked at Anna’s guard. “Make sure she is there on time.”
Anna’s stomach flipped, her pulse suddenly hammering. She felt like a trapped animal with no way out. She looked around wildly, but there was nowhere to go.
Duncan grunted and took another swig of his drink. Laird Alexander took Lady Maria’s arm, and they swept from the room, leaving Anna alone with Duncan and her guard. Duncan drained his goblet and stood. Without even looking her way, he walked out the door, weaving a little.
Anna had to take her chance. This might be the only one she got. She pushed back her chair and ran after Duncan.She caught up to him in the corridor outside and grabbed his arm, pulling him around to face her.
“Wait,” she said. “I need to talk to you.”
“Oh?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Is that what ye call it? Ye will have to wait until our wedding night I’m afraid.” He gave her that charming, cocky smile of his, but it seemed brittle and forced.
“Listen!” she hissed stepping close. “I need to talk to you about your grandmother.” She glanced around. Her guard waited several paces down the hall, out of earshot. “I know she’s forcing you into this just like me. You don’t have to do this. You can refuse. We can both refuse. She can’t force us.”
Duncan gave a humorless laugh. “Oh? Is that right?”
“You don’t have to do what she says!” Anna said. “You don’t owe her anything! I know she’s your grandmother but she’s been lying to you! She’s not even human, Duncan. She’s a Fae and she’s got you all dancing to her tune!”
Duncan studied her. His gaze was steady and she got the impression he wasn’t as drunk as he was trying to make out. Finally, he gave her that humorless laugh again. “Do ye think I dinna know that? Aye, she’s a Fae, and she is also the power in Clan MacDonald. She has been ever since my father was too weak to send her packing like my mother would have done. Now she’s got her claws into him. Into all of us.”
“What? You knew? Then how can you just—”
He put a finger against her lip to silence her. “Accept it, Anna. I have. Fighting only makes it harder.”
“Accept it? Accept it? Are you insane? I’ll never accept it! I won’t do it, do you hear? I won’t!”
She thought she saw a flicker of sympathy in Duncan’s eyes. “What choice do ye have? Ye are alone, Anna. Ye are an outlander with no family and no friends. Nobody is coming for ye. This is yer only choice if ye want to survive.”
His words were like daggers. That black tide of despair that had been washing at the edges of her consciousness threatened to rise up and swallow her.
You are alone. Nobody is coming for you.
Duncan was right. Only Emeric cared about what happened to her and he was...he was...
She was a friendless, clanless outlander with no ties to anyone or anything. The tide of despair crashed over her and she felt her throat close and her chest tighten. Alone. She was alone.
Then suddenly a racket sounded from the bailey outside, the harsh clanging of a bell. Duncan spun towards the window and Anna’s guard stepped closer, drawing his sword. Anna heard the tramp of running feet and the ring of weapons. The bell continued clanging.
“Close the gates!” somebody shouted. “It’s the Mackintosh! They’ve come!”
