Page 97 of Highland Queen

“Gruoch, where were you?” Killian asked.

I shook my head.

A moment later, Macbeth turned the corner. His sword was drawn. He had a look of panic on his face.

What in the world was happening?

“Gruoch,” Macbeth called, crossing the hall toward me as he slipped his sword back in its sheath. “Thank god. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Please, there is no cause for alarm. I’m fine. I think I…I got turned around in the castle.”

Macbeth turned on Killian, rage in his eyes. “How did you let this happen?”

“Your Majesty,” Killian said, his voice stiff. “We didn’t even know she was out of the room until this morning.”

“How is that possible?” Macbeth spat.

“We…we don’t know. We had a guard on her door all night.”

Both men turned and looked at me.

“I think I was walking in my sleep,” I said, knowing then how ridiculous the excuse sounded.

“But how did you get out of the room without your guard noticing?” Macbeth asked.

“When the watch changed, maybe,” I said, meeting Killian’s dark blue eyes. I begged his help.

“Yes. Yes, I forgot about that. When the watch changed, there may have been enough time,” Killian said, his gaze on me.

“Change your procedures, soldier,” Macbeth said roughly. He reached out to take my arm, but I moved away from him. “Please, Gruoch,” he said. “We were afraid someone had abducted you. We turned the castle inside out searching for you.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Please come. Let’s have some of your sweet herbs and settle all our nerves,” he said. It was then I realized how pale he looked, his eyes wild.

I nodded. “All right.” I set my hand on Kilian’s arm. “I’m all right,” I said, reassuring him. I then turned and went with Macbeth.

“Gruoch, are you sure you’re unharmed?” Macbeth asked.

“Yes. I’m sorry I frightened everyone.”

Macbeth nodded. “I was…I was frightened,” he said in a soft voice. “If something ever happened to you, I would never have the chance to win your forgiveness.”

I felt my heart harden. I would hear nothing from him. Nothing. “Well, we wouldn’t want that.”

Macbeth sighed.

I ignored him, my mind turning to what I had seen.

Despite how strange and horrible Andraste’s truth was, the truth was revealed at last. Andraste had deceived and lied to me.

But in the end—in the end—Lulach and Crearwy belonged to Gillacoemgain. Knowing that gave me a piece of my husband back, something I thought had been lost forever. And no matter how angry I was at Andraste, I also blessed her.

No one had ever told me a better lie.

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