“Have Dermid brought to my chambers. I would speak with him now.”
The words echoed down to Malcolm seconds before the heavy wooden covering was replaced over the opening to the oubliette.
They’d found Dermid!
That explained why seeing his things in the room above had felt wrong. He’d left them behind at the campsite when he’d set out for the castle. Obviously, when they’d captured Dermid, they’d gathered up everything at the site.
Malcolm dragged himself to the wall and leaned his weight against it. His priority had to be regaining his strength if he was to have any chance at escape.
And escape was no longer just an option, but an imperative now, because the lives of both his sister and his brother hung in the balance.
Twenty-seven
WHAT DID ITmean when a Faerie wouldn’t look you in the eye?
Dani doubted it could be anything good.
“Very little is known about Dream Mating. Not just because it’s so rare, but also because when it does occur our people view it as an intensely personal and private event.”
In spite of the cold, Elesyria had assured her a walk in the gardens would do her good. She claimed it had been one of her favorite pastimes when she’d lived at Castle MacGahan as a new bride.
For Dani it simply felt depressing to wander among the rows of dead plants. And if there was anything she didn’t need right now, it was another way to depress herself. She was doing just fine in that regard all on her own.
“I can see how that would be the case.” She certainly had no intention of sharing all the particulars of her experience. “But what do you think it means that for the past week I haven’t been able to see Malcolm at all in my dreams? It’s as if a door has been slammed in my face each time I close my eyes.” As if he didn’t even exist. A big black door. Or maybe a curtain. Or a shroud. “You’ve got to have at least a guess. Please, Elesyria. I need your honesty. I’m making myself sick imagining all sorts of horrible things.”
They’d reached a bench at the far end of the garden and Elesyria sat, patting the spot beside her in invitation to Dani.
“As long as you understand this is pure speculation on my part.” The Faerie’s lips pursed as if she carefully considered the words she would say. “I can think of only two reasons. The first is very likely the one you’ve already considered yourself. That something has happened to Malcolm.”
Yep. That was the big one that haunted her thoughts every single moment of the day.
“And the other?”
If there was any hope at all to hang onto, she was desperate for it.
“Perhaps Malcolm himself has shut that door. Perhaps he has reason not to want you wherever he is right now.”
Not want her with him? But why would he—
“Lady Danielle!” Jeanne, the kitchen maid, scrambled through the brambles of dead plants, not taking the time to stay to the paths. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you.” She held a hand to her chest, panting as if she’d been running.
“And now you’ve found her,” Elesyria pointed out. “What is it you want, girl?”
“Laird Malcolm’s brother has returned. Him and his man both. I saw them enter into the bailey with my own eyes and I began my search for you.”
“Malcolm?” Dani asked, knowing what the answer would be even before the girl shook her head.
“No, my lady. Just his brother and the man who rides with him.”
“Where did you see them last?” Elesyria asked.
“Mounting the stairs to the keep.”
Dani didn’t wait to see what else Jeanne might have to say or even to see if Elesyria followed. She was on her feet and running. Since the men would most likely report in to Patrick before anything else, that was where she was headed, too.
The news the kitchen maid carried weighed heavily on her heart.
Dermid had returned to Castle MacGahan. Dermid and his man Rauf.