Page 80 of Deception of a Highlander

Kieran’s hold on her loosened, but she did not dare to attempt escape. She allowed herself to be escorted to the bottom of the cellar steps. The entrance to the cold, barren cell stretched ominously before her.

Another nudge against her back urged her toward her destiny. She had no choice but to enter. Her feet scuffed on the hard-packed floor, and eerie plinks of dripping water echoed off the cold walls. She turned to face Kieran. There was much she needed to say; much he needed to hear.

Her throat tightened. How could she speak if she could not even breathe? From the indifference radiating off him to the way he avoided making eye contact, there remained no question in Mariel’s mind that he was no longer her lover. He had become her enemy.

The plea died on her lips, and he did not speak. He slammed the cell shut and locked it. He did not look at her before turning away.

* * *

Mariel’s rounded shoulders pressed against the unyielding wall of stone behind her, and the wet ground left her stiff and aching with cold. She hugged her legs for a warmth that would never come.

Hamish stood guard before her locked door. He did not speak, nor did he attempt to gaze upon her. Instead, his blade whipped toward invisible opponents in the subtle glow of the single lit candle.

The door above the stairs creaked open, and a familiar voice spoke in the dark. “Go get yer breakfast, lad. I’ll mind her.”

Alec.

Hamish did not wait to be told twice and disappeared into the darkness.

Mariel’s fists clenched against the wrenching burn in her belly. She wanted to bury her face against her knees and slide from sight. But she could not; she would not. Alec deserved to see her for what she was.

The sounds of his movement echoed around her. She waited in the terse silence of her cell. Each footstep set her heart racing until, at long last, he stuck his face to the bars of the door and stared at her, accusation hot in his blue gaze. “Is it true?”

“I’d like to speak to Kieran, please.” Her voice rasped from thirst and lack of use.

“I dinna think he wants to see ye. I canna say I blame him.” Alec glanced to the wall behind her and added, “If it’s true, that is.”

He searched her face in the muted light, his cold eyes skeptical. He didn’t want to believe what he’d been told.

“There is so much more than anyone knows,” she said quietly. There in the face of one of the few she called a friend, she still could not admit the truth.

His grunt indicated he understood far more than was said.

“Alec, I have to speak with Kieran. He has always relied on your counsel, and I know he will listen to you.” She sighed, not sure exactly what to say to convince him. “I know I have no right to be asking this given my position, but if you could speak with him on my behalf, I would be forever grateful.”

Before he had a chance to answer, Hamish’s footsteps thumped on the stairs. The sound was followed by the mouth-watering salty aroma of cooked ham. “Best get yers while it’s still warm,” he said.

Alec stared at Mariel a moment longer, his face blank. Without word or promise, he backed away from her prison and took his leave.

Mariel’s stomach churned. If she were going to save Jack, she would need to leave by nightfall.

Aaron was not known for his patience, and already she had taken so long. She curled up on the earthen floor and allowed herself to wallow in her misery. Several rounds of guards came and went. Plates of food were delivered and left untouched in the corner of her cell. In a haze of timeless existence, the sounds overhead lessened and eventually fell into silence. Night had descended.

She could not depart for Inverness, and Kieran was not coming.

* * *

Kieran sat alone in his darkened chamber. The servants had attempted to light a fire, but he had callously chased them off. He wanted his room black, still, and cold. Like his mood.

His hand clenched into a fist in a vain effort to squeeze out the anger festering within. To no avail. The pounding in his head intensified.

Damn Mariel with her heated gaze and insurmountable beauty. He should have known she was a trap. He’d had his doubts about her the moment they met and yet still allowed her to force her way onto Skye—and into his heart.

The simmer of his anguish bubbled over. With all the force of his rage, he hurled his cup across the room, where it connected against the wall with a satisfying clang.

He was not the only victim to fall prey to her charm. Blair and Dougal both loved Mariel. Trusted her. They would be heartbroken to learn of her betrayal.

With all he had told Mariel, how could she so easily lie to them all?