“Maria,” Emeric’s voice was low and dangerous. “I didnae want this fight. But ye forced my hand. The Order will learn of yer treachery. There is no way out for ye.”
Maria scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “The Order? Those old wheezing gasbags canna tell their arses from their elbows!”
Emeric’s gaze hardened. “Is that so? Then how come we have thwarted ye and yer army of Disinherited at every turn? How come we have stopped every evil scheme yer people have dreamed up? Just like we’ll stop whatever sordid scheme ye have devised this time.”
Maria’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Oh, brave words, Emeric Mackintosh. Is that what ye tell yerself at night to stave off the nightmares?” She moved closer, her steps silent on the stone floor. “Ye are fighting a losing battle, hero.”
She seemed suddenly taller, as though her presence filled the room. Anna was reminded once again of Irene MacAskill but whereas Irene’s presence was benevolent, kindly even, Maria’s was a dark storm that was about to break upon them. It took all of Anna’s courage to hold her ground.
“It seems we are a witness short,” Maria announced, changing the subject abruptly, “since ye have so expertly incapacitated my son-in-law.” She tapped her chin as though in thought and then her eyes lit up. “I know!Yecan be the second witness! Ye can stay and watch yer lady marry my grandson. Willnae that be nice for ye?”
Emeric’s lips pulled back in a snarl. “That isnae happening.”
“Oh aye, I’m afraid it is.” She turned. “Duncan! Duncan, where are ye?”
Duncan MacDonald straightened from behind the altar where he and the priest had been sheltering. His skin was pale, almost bloodless, and from the stain down his shirt, Anna guessed he’d vomited. Nevertheless, he affected his usual, cocky smile.
“Ye called, grandmother? Just been admiring the floor tiles down here. Exquisite. Positively breathtaking workmanship. I must find out who laid them, I really must.”
“Shut yer blathering and get over here,” Maria snapped. “And bring that sniveling priest with ye.”
Duncan shrugged then reached down and dragged the priest to his feet.
“Let me go!” the man wailed. “I didnae agree to this!”
Duncan shook him until his teeth rattled. “Aye, well I think we’d all rather be somewhere else but that’s life isnae it?” He dragged the man to the altar.
Emeric stepped ahead of Anna, pushing her behind him. His gaze quickly roved across the chapel, assessing their options. To get to the main door they would have to get pastMaria, to get to the vestry door, they would have to get past Duncan.
Anna saw his gaze narrow on the vestry door. That was their best chance. She clung to his hand tighter and nodded.
“Go!” Emeric shouted.
They sprinted for the vestry, their hands still intertwined. Anna’s pulse raced, her dress swishing and rustling with every hurried step. She could hear Maria’s furious shout behind them and she felt rather than saw Emeric throw a glance over his shoulder.
The vestry door loomed ahead, its wood worn but sturdy-looking, but as they reached it a force slammed into them like a battering ram. Anna cried out as she was wrenched off her feet and flung backwards. Emeric fought against it, his muscles straining as he tried to protect Anna, but it was futile.
They skidded across the floor, Emeric’s knees scraping on the hard stones, until they hit the chapel wall. Emeric grunted in pain but didn’t let go of Anna’s hand. He propped himself up on one elbow, shaking his head as if to clear it.
Anna’s head spun, her ears rang, and for a moment all she could do was gasp for breath. She felt Emeric’s hand tighten in hers, a grounding point amidst the chaos.
Maria strode over, grabbed Anna’s wrist in an iron grip, and yanked her to her feet. She wobbled, woozy and disorientated.
“Get yer hands off her!” Emeric roared, scrambling to his feet.
Maria glanced over her shoulder, a look of irritation flashing across her features. “Enough!” she snapped, flickingher fingers towards him. “Ye will witness but ye willnae interfere.”
Emeric tried to reach for the dagger at his side but his arm suddenly froze in mid-movement. He glared at Maria. “What...what have ye done to me?”
“If ye willnae behave then ye leave me no choice,” Maria smiled. “The Fae have rules, as ye are no doubt aware. If I am to have control over Duncan and Anna’s children, then they must be descendants of my family line. Which meansAnnamust be of my family. Which means her marriage to Duncan must be legitimate. Which means there must be two witnesses. It’s all a little tiring, really. Rules, rules, rules. I am one witness. Ye are the other. Now kindly shut yer wailing or I will gag ye.” She turned away. “Duncan! Get on with it.”
Duncan set the priest in front of Anna, who tried to pull away. But she was still dizzy and shocked from Maria’s attack and could barely think straight.
“Well?” Duncan snapped. “Stop dallying, man! Marry me and Lady Anna.”
“This isnae right!” the priest protested weakly, looking wretched.
“Does it look like I care? Just do it!” Duncan hissed back at him.
