Page 37 of The Curse of McMillan Castle
Chapter 23
Madeline
After we all crossed back over into the seventeenth century and settled into the grand hall for Morna to cast her spell, it occurred to me that my own mood stood in stark contrast with the moods of everyone else in the room.
While the rest of McMillan Castle’s residents seemed anxious for the spell and what might or might not happen as a result of it, all I could think of was how full my heart felt. For the first time in years, the possible future before me filled me with hope rather than dread.
Still, understanding the seriousness of the situation, I tried my best to hide my smile as I settled down onto a loveseat with Rosie and tucked her in close as we watched Morna begin her work.
For a while, she fiddled around in the room, scattering objects she’d packed with her, until we all sat inside the boundary she’d created. Once she was finished, she turned to address us.
“When I begin, Osla’s spirit will be called to this space, so doona let her sudden presence concern or frighten ye. She will be relieved to be called forward this time, I am sure. The curse Osla placed on herself is no’ a difficult one to break, and it shouldna take me long to release her into the next place. I only ask that ye all remain as still as ye can be.”
Without a word, Rosie reached over and sought the comfort of my hands. I gave them a tight squeeze as Morna began uttering her incantations.
Once Morna began, it didn’t take long for Osla’s ghost to appear. To my surprise, the translucent figure resembled nothing of the frightening, banshee-like creature I’d imagined after Cooper and Rosie’s retelling of their encounter with her. Instead, she appeared peaceful, relieved even, and I couldn’t help but believe that some part of her knew that the witch’s presence meant her long nightmare had finally come to an end.
Morna continued her recitation, and as Osla’s figure began to fade, the ghost quickly scanned the room. I knew she sought Baodan. When she found him, I watched Baodan’s breath catch as he locked eyes with his late wife. His eyes filled with tears as Mitsy reached for his hand. Wordlessly, Osla made her way over to Baodan, and slowly she lifted her right hand and placed it upon his cheek.
A lump rose in my own throat as I watched Baodan reach up to place his own hand over Osla’s ghostly one. He smiled at her, gave her a gentle nod, and with that, she was gone.
Peace filled the room.
Osla’s curse on herself and McMillan Castle was finally lifted.
* * *
Three Days Later
Cooper
“We have to hurry, Rosie. Duncan and I finished our work this afternoon, and he said he was leaving for home early tomorrow morning. I bet he’s already at the inn. We gotta catch him before he goes to bed.”
Cooper watched as Rosie nodded and hurriedly continued to light the candles they’d so carefully scattered around the room.
With the help of the castle cook, Rosie and Cooper had created a romantic feast for Duncan and Madeline to enjoy together—if only they could convince them to go along with their plan.
“I’m hurrying as fast as I can, Cooper. We need to make sure everything is perfect. Do you have the bag of petals?”
Cooper reached for the rose petals they’d gathered from the village and began to delicately scatter them over the table.
“Okay. Let’s go. It’s almost dark out.”
Together, they looked over the room one last time before hurrying from the sitting room. As they rounded the corner leading to the back door of the castle, they stopped short at the sight in front of them.
Madeline and Duncan were wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing—right out where anyone could see them.
“Mom…ew!”
Rosie’s voice was horrified as Cooper snickered at the sight. At least it wouldn’t be hard to get them to enjoy a romantic meal together.
With red cheeks, Cooper watched as Duncan and Madeline peeled themselves away from one another to face them.
Madeline spoke first, her nose crinkled up in an apology.
“Sorry, Rosie. You two are usually sitting down at the dining table right about now. What’s going on?”
With Rosie’s mouth still agape in horror, Cooper spoke. “We were pretty sure you two were going to mess up your relationship and you’d need somebody to help you see the way. We cooked a romantic dinner for the two of you.”
