Eilean Donan Castle (or the island of Donan), Scotland, 18 July 1309 Skye realized he was a new groom-to-be as soon as the door opened, and she saw him standing tall, with his long black hair neatly combed and groomed in his formal clothes. His kilt looked new, vividly highlighting the blue and yellow colors of the clan he belonged to, but Skye couldn't identify which that clan was, and besides, she didn't care at all. She couldn't remember seeing before in her life a whiter white shirt than the one this unknown young man was wearing. On the other hand, her uncle seemed to know him very well as he welcomed him warmly with intimacy, which was something Skye knew well he didn't usually do. Skye headed somewhere out of the way and sighed out of boredom. Another dull and meaningless night awaited her, enduring her uncle and the guest talking about business. She watched them from her corner until she saw her uncle searching the place. Once he tracked her down, he beckoned her over, and
Skye glanced at Lennox to catch sight of his reaction. That was what interested her anyway. The sooner she was rid of his presence, the sooner she would find her peace again.She smirked in triumph at the reddish color the guest's cheeks had taken. He was holding the cup in his hand and twirling it.The uncle abruptly stood up from his chair and looked at Skye with narrowed eyes.Skye prepared to face him, but Lennox stood up."My lord, let's put aside all this. It don't matter at all, and believe me, it don't concern me anyway. You have done an excellent job with the scotch, congratulations," he told him.The uncle looked at him and seemed to calm down. He sat back in his chair."Yes, you are right, Lennox, and forgive me. I don't know what happened to me. I usually don't react like that."Skye brought her cup to her mouth. "Right, not usually, but you always reacts that way uncle" he muttered to herself and took another sip. "How is your father, Duke Cameron?" the uncle asked Lenno
Skye chose to return to the dining room after seeing the servants leave.She made her way with soft steps toward her seat. "Here I am," she said. "I wasn't late, was I?" Added avoiding looking at them. "Oh, dessert is here too. Lovely!" she said, trying to make her excitement sound realistic. Wearing a big smile, she served some of the forest fruits and nuts on her plate. She took a blackberry with her fingers and put it in her mouth. Her aunt turned and looked at her; her eyes opened wide. Skye took the message and picked up her fork."Is everything okay, Skye?" Uncle asked her as he took his cup to drink some of his drink- he wanted to appear calm and that it was a simple question without meaning, but his glance over his cup burned her."Yes, uncle, everything is fine," she replied as she turned her attention back to her plate.Suspicions began to arouse in her mind that the uncle had understood the reason for her absence.But what mattered to her was that the servants would not be
Skye growled and stood up. She grabbed her silver cup and raised her hand to throw it at the closed door, but Fiona wrapped her fingers around her wrist."Don't dare!" she snapped. "The noise it will make will be heard where Malcolm and Lennox are sitting. You have given us enough humiliation for today. That's enough!"Skye winced. "Aunt, you are hurting me!" she said, trying to free her wrist, but aunt's grip was tight.Before she let her wrist, Fiona grabbed the cup from Skye's hand and put it away from her. Then, without another word, she returned to her seat."I'm going to my room." Skye announced, but her aunt glared at her."No, you are not! It's a rule, have you forgotten?'Skye sighed and sat back down. The truth was yes; for a moment, she had forgotten about that rule. She could do nothing more but wait.She sighed again. Waiting was so annoying!Her aunt suddenly started sniggering.Skye turned and looked at her, her brows furrowed. "What are you laughing about?""I laugh be
"Little brat," Malcolm growled through his gritted teeth lowering his hand."And now? What are we going to do, my lord?' Fiona asked. Her trembling voice carried desperation.She had followed Malcolm to the bottom of the stairs, but she had stayed back a few steps and watched the entire scene.Malcolm turned and looked at her. "What can we do?" he asked her calmly as he started to walk towards the living room, clasping his hands behind his back.His head was slightly bowed, which Fiona had learned to recognize over the years at his side. Malcolm was cogitative.Fiona followed him in silence."You know very well that every prospective groom is not obligated to marry Skye," Malcolm continued. "He has the right to choose. This was the king's order when I had first submitted my request to the king's scribe. And the same was in force for all the times I had applied for the same request in the last three years.""When can you apply again?" Fiona asked, putting her hand to her forehead. All
Skye ran to her room. She got inside and closed the heavy door behind her. She leaned against the door, trying to regain a normal rhythm in her breathing.Her eyes were filled with tears of despair."Monster!" she muttered through her gritted teeth."My Lady, what happened?" A young girl approached her with quick steps. She touched her gently on the shoulder. "Come let me help you sit down."Skye was lost in her thoughts, but the girl's voice brought her back to reality, and she left herself in her care.Skye broke away from the door, taking a step forward. Her legs were shaking, and so were her hands. The girl saw this and wrapped her arm around her waist to support her better."Are you okay? What happened, my Lady? You worry me." She led her to the bed and helped her sit down."Let me get you some water. I just brought a jug of fresh and cool water. It will benefit you."She came back holding a glass of water. She put it to Skye's lips and responded by taking a few sips."Very good!
The next day Skye woke up very early due to her worry.The darkness inside her chamber was starting to break, and she could make out the silhouettes of objects. It was beginning to dawn.She got off the bed and walked over to the window. Her chamber faced the east, and when she drew aside the curtain, the sun was beginning to rise, outspreading an orange-red color over the mountain slopes.Oh! She had to hurry.She took off her nightgown and put on one of her dresses without wasting valuable time choosing one as she used to do every day.As soon as she was ready, she hurried out of her chamber, heading to the kitchen. She knew that most of the servants were there at this time early in the morning.She went down the stairs and saw Maysie carrying fresh water in a wooden bucket."My Lady, has something happened? Why did you wake up so early? I'm just now bringing you your morning water," Maysie ran to her and sputtered without taking the appropriate breaths.Skye gently touched her arm.
The official courtier left, and a few moments later, Lennox entered the royal throne room with a broad smile."At last, Lennox!" he was welcomed by King Cinaed. The wrinkles of the long waiting had disappeared from King's forehead."King Cinaed, I understand your agitation, but the journey from Lord Malcolm's castle was a long one. My men and I came directly here, without stopping, not even to sleep at night. We only rested the horses for a couple of hours so that I could be here as soon as possible as you had asked me to."A relaxed smile crossed King's face. "That makes me doubly pleased, Lennox, and I want you to know that. So, before you tell me everything that happened at dinner in every detail, I guess you're hungry, aren't you?'Lennox placed his hand on his stomach. "The truth is, that yes, I'm hungry.""Good, because I have ordered to have food ready for us in the dining room. Let's go before the food gets cold," the King encouraged him.Lennox straightened his body, taking o
"I'm sorry I'm late," Iona said, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "With those clouds hiding the sun, I couldn't tell if it was noon yet. I decided to come and wait for you anyway."Anise's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gestured for Iona to take a seat. "We have so much to discuss," she said eagerly. "Let's begin with why you decided to move to the town, I never expected you to leave the castle," Anise asked.Iona's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "There's a plan," she revealed, raising Anise's eyebrows."Plan? What plan?" Anise leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper."I want to make Hector fall in love with me and leave Skye. I want to be a princess in her place."Anise's eyes widened. "That would be amazing. But how?""I'll seduce him somehow. I'll have to find his soft spots first and use them to my advantage," Iona replied, determination gleaming in her eyes.Anise's eyes lit up. "And that means Skye will be out of the castle," she said."And out of o
Maysie knocked on the door."Come in, Maysie," Skye called from inside. Maysie entered and found Skye pacing anxiously.The room was warm, the fire crackling in the hearth, contrasting sharply with the cold outside.Skye's face lit up with relief as she hurriedly approached and hugged Maysie. "You're finally here." Maysie's eyes widened in surprise; Skye wasn't usually this emotional."Mary told me that you need me. Are you okay?" Maysie asked, feeling Skye's fragile, trembling body. "You are trembling. Are you cold?""No. I'm scared." Skye whispered, her voice barely audible.Maysie looked at her, concern etched on her face. "Did something happen between you and Hector?""Not yet, but I'm afraid it will," Skye admitted, her eyes darting nervously."I don't understand, Skye." Maysie said, her brow furrowing."I will explain to you as we drink our tea," she said, gently guiding her toward the small living room. A large tray with tea and side dishes waited on a small table. Skye's hands
"Wait, Toren," Malcolm called, but Toren continued without looking back.Fiona leaned out the carriage window, her eyes narrowing. "What should we do now?" she asked her husband, her voice tinged with frustration."Moving on alone is our only option," Malcolm said, pressing his lips together thoughtfully."Let's move on, then. The noise here is dizzying," she said, squeezing her temples with a pained expression.Around them, the square buzzed with activity. Merchants hawking their goods, horses clattering on cobblestones, and the distant melody of a street musician's lute created a cacophony. The air was thick with freshly baked bread, mingling with the earthy aroma of vegetables and the tang of salted fish.Several moments passed without the carriage moving. Fiona glanced at Iona, her jaw clenched. "What is your father doing?" she asked, her voice tight."I don't know," Iona shrugged, her eyes wide with uncertainty."Stay here. I'll see what's happening," Fiona said, pushing the carr
Iona looked at her mother as she approached. She stood up, clutching the fabric of her skirt in her fists. Fiona was unhappy with the situation, her eyes wide, face red, and lips pursed."Oh, mother, I hope nothing went wrong in there . . .""Did you hear how he talked to me?" Fiona hissed at a low volume, interrupting her as if she hadn't heard anything she had said."He is uncouth, rude, and a boor," she continued in a low yet intense voice. Fiona paced back and forth; every time she turned, she violently kicked back her skirt as it gathered around her legs."Mother, please remain calm. You're right, but they must not perceive your anger. Remember, we rely on them. We must not upset them, or they might leave."Fiona stopped short in front of her, very close to her face. "I know," she replied. "That alone prevented me from causing a scene."A droplet of saliva flew from her mouth and landed on Iona's left cheek, just below her eye.Fiona began pacing back and forth again, and Iona se
Castle Eilean Donan: The UnexpectedThe day started with bleak gray clouds obscuring the sky. As winter approached, the sun had become a rare sight, and the chill in the air grew increasingly biting. Fiona held Iona by the shoulders, tightening her grip as Malcolm rode through the castle courtyard door. The echoing of the horse's hooves on the hard ground slowly faded. "Be careful," Fiona whispered. Tears welled as she watched him cross the narrow bridge connecting the castle to the mainland. They stood there until his figure disappeared behind the trees. "Let's go inside, mother. I'm frozen," Iona complained, clutching her cape tightly to protect herself from the cold wind."Yes, let's go," Fiona agreed. They headed towards the large wooden door, which was wide open, waiting for them. Fiona shut the heavy door and wiped the tears from her eyes. What would she do without Malcolm? He was left alone, unaccompanied. If he was attacked on the street, he could hardly get through on his o
Eilean Donan Castle: Iona's RegretMeanwhile, Malcolm's family endured a miserable life at Eilean Donan Castle. It was a daily struggle for everyone, especially Iona, who regretted hastily throwing away the broken glasses. Now, she also had to assist with the daily chores.Two days later, after disposing of the shards of glass, the doctor concluded that the wounds were healing normally. He assured the parents that the little girl would be fine before leaving, annoyed by their exaggerated urgency compared to more serious incidents.A few days ago, when she expressed her desire to destroy Skye by taking her husband, Iona believed they would quickly leave the castle. She was convinced that her parents also wanted to take revenge for everything that had happened to them because of Skye. Still, much to her great dismay, things differed from what she had in mind. Days passed without her father telling her anything about this issue.What the hell was going on? She had to learn. Her thoughts
Eithne studied Hector, her gaze lingering on the contours of his face. His features were familiar—the strong jawline, the scar that traced a jagged path across his cheek. She furrowed her brows in concentration, trying to pinpoint the change. "Hmm... Anything different about Hector?" she muttered as she observed him."No," Eithne concluded, shaking her head. I don't see anything different.""Oh, come on, Eithne. Focus. It's impossible to miss it, trust me," Skye urged her.Eithne looked at Hector once more and sighed in defeat. "I really don't see anything different, Skye. Please, just tell me.""Okay, he's not wearing his mask," Skye exclaimed."Oh! That's right. Maybe it's because I've been seeing him without a mask for years and I didn't realize it now. He only started wearing a mask recently." Eithne said.Skye raised her eyebrows. "Oh, really? It's only been for a while? And why is that?" She turned and looked at him."For you." Hector answered.His unexpected answer caught her
"Talisha, finally!" Hector said as he stood up. Skye rose beside him."Oh, my beloved ones!" Talisha exclaimed, joining her palms in a prayer position at the height of her chest. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I am so happy to see both of you together! Based on your faces full of happiness, I assume everything is going well between you," she said, gazing at them.A smile graced their faces. "Yes, everything is fine." They replied, even though it was obvious that Talisha was aware of everything. Most likely, she was seeking confirmation of what she had heard.How? Wasn't it already obvious? Only one person could tell. "Oh, Maysie!" Skye thought."Do you know where Maysie is, Talisha?" Skye asked her."Yes, she is in the kitchen. She helps out there.""You already knew what was going on, right Talisha?" Hector asked. "Maybe from Maysie?"Talisha looked at Skye. "Yes," she replied, "but please, Skye, don't scold her for spoiling your joy by saying the news before you do. Her exci
Skye furrowed her brows in bewilderment. When did this happen? And where was she? Maybe it was during the days they were apart? One of the days he spent with Eithne? She shook her head in the negative. No way, that's out of the question, because when she saw him standing outside her door, he didn't look like someone who had recently met the best day of his life.Then, which day did he mean? Did it occur before they were apart? But if that were the case, wouldn't he tell her? Sure, he would, but maybe he forgot to say to her. Ugh, she couldn't make sense of it. Her mind had become a tangle of assumptions.She studied his expression more carefully, hoping to draw a better conclusion.He folded his arms across his chest and observed her ever-changing expression. He was sure that something was brewing in her mind.Skye didn't draw any conclusions from his manner. She chose to stop thinking and let him reveal the information himself. Her heart started pounding; she feared what she was abou