Page 144 of Highland Queen

Chapter 43

Twice, Siward would rise only to be beaten back by the forces of Scotland. Twice. And on each occasion, it was the Mormaer of Moray and the younger Thane of Lochaber who rode into battle to deter the Earl of Northumbria and Malcolm, son of Duncan, who sought to reclaim his father’s throne.

In the meantime, I ruled Scotland with a steady hand and guided Macbeth as best I could. The man I knew had returned somewhat, but the same darkness lurked within him. Old jealousies, those I thought long-forgotten, resurfaced one evening when I announced I would ride to Lochaber.

“Why are you going there?” Macbeth asked, a hard tone in his voice.

“To see Banquo.”

“I think Banquo has lied to me all these years. I think he quit me because of you,” Macbeth said.

“Banquo was ill. You, too, have been ill. This kingdom has been ruled in peace all these years while you brooded. What more could you want?”

“The truth,” Macbeth replied. “I want the truth.”

“About what? That I don’t love you? I do not. That I love Banquo? I do. What have you done to deserve my love? What have you done to earn anything I gave to you? Nothing. Yet here I am, your wife, and I have tended to you these many years. Me. Is there anyone else around? No. It’s me who has cared for you.”

“Without love.”

“That’s right, without love, but I tended to you all the same.”

“Ride off to Banquo if you want, but don’t come back. I don’t need you. I shall rule this land with Lulach at my side. Already there is talk that Siward is gathering forces once more.”

“So he is, which is why Fleance and Lulach are rallying the north and readying for war once again.”

“I am king here.”

“You are a king of shadows. A king of nothing. I have ruled this land, not you. Now, if you please, stay in Dunsinane and do not interfere in Lulach’s work. I will return within the month,” I said then headed outside to where my horse and guard were waiting.

To my great relief, Macbeth didn’t follow.

Part of me worried. With Macbeth so unsteady, I should stay. But if war was coming again, it would be too long to wait to see Aelith. And I had not seen Crearwy in years. I could no longer cast, the skill having left me in the many years that had passed. If I wanted to see my child, I needed to ride out.

Lulach held the country safely in his hand. For a moment, just for a moment, I wanted to be with my family once more. I rode away from Dunsinane feeling swells of anger. Why now, of all times, would Macbeth revisit such nonsense? What did he hope to gain? Did he seriously think that we would ever reconcile? That would never happen. Surely, he knew that by now. And if he didn’t, then he was truly mad.

It was three days’ ride to Lochaber. A great sense of relief washed over me when I saw the towers of Tor Castle appear on the horizon.

I rode through the gate only to be met by an excited scream.

A girl, followed by a dozen puppies, rushed from the stable to meet us. She was a wild thing with tousled brown hair, which looked like it hadn’t been brushed in days. Her gown was dirty at the knees, her hands a match.

“Dada,” she screamed toward the castle. “Riders!”

Soldiers appeared to greet us, including a man wearing the badge of the castle sentinel. Killian.

“Your Majesty,” Killian called.

The girl, who had been jumping and clapping her hands, froze.

She turned and stared at me, her blue eyes meeting mine. Her eyes went wide, and a second later, she turned and ran.

“Aelith?” I called after her.

Killian came and helped me off my horse. “How good to see you, Lady Gruoch. We were not expecting you.”

“Didn’t my messenger arrive?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

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