Page 115 of Come the Morning

“Mellyora,” he repeated firmly.

She couldn’t leave Ewan, but Waryk wouldn’t understand why. He had been her friend forever, he was the MacKinny. He had always been willing to die for her.

“I don’t question your healing talents,” Waryk said sharply, “nor the tremendous value of this man’s life. But you will come with me now.”

She swallowed hard, staring at Igraina. If she didn’t walk across the room, Waryk could come and take her, and she was very afraid of his temper and suspicions should he have to do so. She lifted her chin, angrily staring at Igraina for a moment, then turning to her husband. “My uncle didn’t cause any attack here, Waryk. You may say what you wish about my father being a conqueror who raped my mother, but she conquered him in the end, he became Scottish. This is a Scottish isle, day by day, we have followed the ways of the old Scotia, and all that my father ever forced upon this isle was better boats—and himself. Daro respected my father; he has fought with you, he fought with you for King David.”

“Mellyora,” he repeated. “Come with me now.”

“I have not betrayed you or anyone to any Viking forces.”

“Mellyora, come with me now.” His tone was very sharp. She felt ill. He was suspicious of her. Igraina had simply accused her without doubting the word of their enemy.

Behind her, Phagin urged, “Go, Mellyora.”

“I will tend my brother with Phagin,” Igraina said, coming to her and setting a hand on her shoulder. Perhaps, hearing Waryk’s tone, Igraina was sorry, and perhaps she at least believed that Mellyora was innocent in what was happening, if Daro was not.

“He will need constant care, someone by his side every minute, hour after hour.”

“Aye, Mellyora, I will take this hour!” Igraina said. “Phagin will be with me.”

Mellyora lowered her head. She was alarmed when she realized that Waryk had lost patience with her, and was coming across the room. She found life, hurrying toward him. His fingers bit into her arm. “You may return to tend this man you love, my wife, but at this moment, you will come with me!” he said with quiet menace.

She bit into her lip, very aware that he was furious with her. They exited the cottage together. Angus waited just outside.

“The lad?” Angus inquired softly.

“Lives. And may survive.”

“There is, just arrived, a messenger from David. There is more trouble breaking out at the border.”

“At Tyne?”

“East of Peter’s lands. They will surely try to draw him into whatever action is taking place.”

“Ready our forces. We’ll ride with the morning.”

He urged Mellyora toward the dragon-prowed boat, her father’s boat, a Viking boat, that waited to take them across the high tide. She was reminded painfully of the night they had first met as he seated her, stepped into the water and pushed the boat from the shore, then took his position center to row.

They shot across the moonlit water. She felt him staring at her, and she still felt numb. She wished that she could explain thatshe loved Ewan like a brother now, that things had changed. But she was accused again, for being what she was, and she knew her uncle, and knew that he was not guilty, just as she knew her own innocence. He had no right to accuse her.

“I am not guilty of anything! I didn’t—”

“Don’t talk. I don’t want to hear it right now.”

“But I—”

The hard crystal look in his eyes silenced her for the moment.

They came to the isle. Mercury awaited. She made no protest when she was seated on the great destrier with Waryk behind her. She knew the path they were taking. Back to the fortress, to the tower.

Angus had preceded them. Already, the tower was filling with men, wagons, horses, implements of war. They moved grimly, a man here or there pausing to ask quietly after Ewan, then go about his business again. She knew that Waryk needed to ride with a force, and she knew as well that he had to leave Blue Isle guarded. Jon of Wick stood his post at the gatehouse, and she knew that Jon would remain. No man could see as far as Jon, none knew the defenses of the fortress walls nearly so well.

Indeed, when Waryk left, the fortress would be guarded.

For her …

Or against her?