Page 100 of Promises to Keep

“Aye, it has been too much. But she miscalculated and has overplayed her hand, focusin’ on ye, and in return what hae ye been focused on?”

“Staying alive.”

Magnus said, “Afore that — ye were living with artists, and opening museums, and guardin’ a kingdom, she is a jealous wee midge tae yer royal mastery. She is naething tae ye. She tried tae break ye, are ye broken?”

“I feel like it.”

Zach put a plate of food on the table beside her. “Your favorite, marmalade covered toast with two poached eggs. This is a start, more if you’re still hungry.”

She said, “Thank ye, Chef Zach,” then she took a bite and chewed and said, with a slight tremble to her chin. “Tis verra good, ye made it perfectly.”

Magnus watched her chew, then he said it again, “Are ye broken, Lady Mairead?”

She exhaled. Then she raised her chin and met his eyes. Her eyes were the only thing about her recognizable, no makeup, her skin tanned and peeling, her hair a gray halo with a faded-brassy color five inches from the roots, very thin, looking as if she would gain ten pounds just by moisturizing her skin.

“Nae, I am nae broken, this has just been a minor setback.”

Magnus said, “Good because we need ye.”

She scoffed. “I am nae sure what use I will be… I am nae broken, but verra weakened. What do ye expect me tae do?”

Fraoch said, “We need ye tae be there tae dance upon her grave.”

She gave him a weak smile. “That canna be easy for ye, but I agree, for that purpose, I will make sure tae be strong enough tae tie on m’dancing shoes.”

While she ate I ushered Isla out of the room to go to sleep.

CHAPTER 48 - MAGNUS

Twas my turn for guard duty so during the night I had been walkin’ the perimeter, taking the view of the edges of the land, admiring the fine maples growing there, leaning on the gate for a time. There were cameras at the far corners, but we dinna want tae rely on the cameras alone, we walked everywhere, watched everything. Now, as the dawn brightened the forest I stood on the dock with a view of the road ontae the property and the fields on the other side.

The lake was still and quiet. The birds singing in the trees.

The sun cast a pale orange glow across the land and the light was verra beautiful. I turned back tae look at the house, strong and large enough for all of us, appointed with all the best of everythin’ and more than we needed.

The front door opened and Chef Zach strode down the steps carrying a mug of coffee out tae me. “You looked thirsty.”

“Ye read m’mind, Chef Zach — it has cream in it?”

“Yep.”

I took a sip. “Perfect.” I rested m’hands on my gun, strapped around m’shoulder. I was wearin’ a camouflage coat because the mornings were chilly, but the sun was already warmin’ up the place.

Colonel Quentin came from the house. “Hey boss, ready for me to take over?”

“Aye, but I think tis James’s turn?”

“Beaty is nauseous and when she’s nauseous I get nauseous, so I ought to get out before she starts...” He made a retchin’ noise and held his stomach. “I think it might be too late.”

Zach chuckled. “You have sympathy morning sickness? Oh no, are you going to be like that dad on Good Morning America who had sympathy labor?”

Colonel Quentin’s eyes went wide. “That could happen? No, no, tell me that doesn’t happen.” He held his stomach. “Ugh, I feel sick.”

I joked, “Colonel Quentin, seems ye are putting on a bit of weight as well, tis truly a sympathy pregnancy ye are havin’?”

Colonel Quentin said, “Very funny, I’m here to take over the watch, unless you want me to go in and lay down beside Barfing Beaty?”

“Nae, ye can hae the watch.”

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