Highland Destiny (37 page)

Mackenzie fumbled her way through the passages, stumbling and tripping in the dark closed-in space. She was beginning to get nervous; she still hadn't found the dungeon, and she didn't want the Campbell to find her missing. If Connor had made his way in through a secret tunnel, the Campbell obviously didn't know it existed or it would have been guarded, and she didn't want to be the one to expose the network of tunnels to him. It could be a valuable tool for the opposing clans in accessing the Campbell.

Eventually Mackenzie found herself in the lowest levels of the castle; she had to be near the dungeon. Seeing a light up ahead, Mackenzie followed it, pausing to make sure it was safe to continue. It was. She stepped carefully out into the dim light outside the castle walls. Wow, she'd found her way out. She took in a deep breath and released it slowly.

Mackenzie was so tempted to take off and run; the self-preservation instinct kicked in. She took another deep breath and reminded herself of why she would stay. Why she had to stay.

Turning back into the dim tunnel, she stepped back into her prison.

Mackenzie did find the dungeon, and the small boy in the far cell. It was easier to sneak him her food, than she'd dreamed. And while the boy was skittish at first, when she offered him her untouched breakfast, he nearly jumped up for it. She spoke quietly with him and turned to leave, so that 367

A movement in the back of the cell had her whirling about in shock. Connor! Her hand flew to her throat and she froze.

"Hullo, love, miss me?"

"Connor?"

"Who else?"

"What are you doing down here?"

Connor held up his free hands, "Escaping. And you?" He glanced down at the boy greedily gobbling up the food she brought. "Bringing joy to the less fortunate?" His eyes darkened as he reached out from his cell and yanked her to the bars by the laces on her kirtle. "Or a quick tussle before I'm executed?"

Mackenzie had never seen Connor like this, hostile and angry, and it was her fault. This whole damn mess was her blasted fault! She tried to calm her pounding heart and her heavy breathing. Gently disentangling herself from his grip, she stepped back and hardened her gaze and her heart.

"I am truly sorry at that, Connor, but I cannot help you with either."

She registered the shock and pain on his face before she turned and ran. But it was better if he hated her. Easier.

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Connor couldn't believe her! She had left him in this prison! She had turned and run. What was going on? He heard booted footsteps and motioned the young lad to keep to the shadows. He placed his hands behind his back, loosely in the manacles.

The Campbell walked in and gently pulled at the fingers of his gloves, taking each glove off and meticulously folding them into his jacket pockets. Being English, he had no desire to dress like the Scots did. He took a castle and its lands that did not belong to him, he insulted the people by raping the servants, and having anyone who opposed him slaughtered.

"Ah, Connor MacRae, welcome to Urquhart Castle. Or should I say welcome
back
?" He was taunting him. "I trust your accommodations are to your liking?" And the laugh that followed didn't sound human. It was the wild laughter of an animal. It was the laugh of a madman.

"Your wife belongs to me now. You really put a kink in my plans when you abducted her, you know. And marrying her?

Quite a wily move on your part. I must say that I underestimated you. I never thought you'd be bold enough to take something that belongs to me. While ingenious, it was 369

Connor knew that he planned on executing him as soon as he possibly could. He didn't bother to ask what was to become of his people, his clan. He knew that the Campbell would decimate them; they would be hunted. His lands and his keep would be plundered and his people killed or beaten until they agreed to serve the Campbell.

"What, no witty remark? No parting words? I'm disappointed in you. I expected better out of the fabled MacRae laird. It must be difficult to think that I will soon have what you cannot."

"I will kill you." Connor said it calmly, conversationally, but his jaw was tight, and his eyes were glaring murderously at his hated enemy.

The Campbell laughed. "No, I'm afraid you won't. I will however, have your wife. She is such a tempting morsel, isn't she?"

At his smug declaration, Connor saw red. The idea of his hands on Mackenzie, of him touching her, running his hands down the soft smooth satin of her skin...

He couldn't let his enemy see how much it got to him. So he forced his tone cool and aloof.

"Did she tell you of the babe?"

"What?" That stopped him cold.

"I see your bonnie wee bride has yet to tell you I got her with child."

"No! She can't be!" His rage was showing through his carefully cultivated facade. He took a deep breath in through 370

And I doubt even
she
would care."

"What are you talking about?"

"Why it was she who gave me the information and location of your allies."

"You're lying!" Connor knew Mackenzie wouldn't do that.

"Ah, but I'm not. How do you think I found your reinforcements so easily?" He laughed again. "Did you really think that you could defeat me? That I wouldn't be expecting such a pitiful move on your part? You know, I'd expected more from you." He clucked his tongue, "Such a disappointment."

Connor couldn't believe that Mackenzie would betray him like that.

He knew she wouldn't. Whatever game she was playing, she was not heartless, and she would never knowingly allow innocent people to be slaughtered. But how else could he explain the Campbell's knowledge of his men? Or the intimate knowledge of his wife. Or Mackenzie leaving him to rot.

The Campbell continued on, "And as for the child, if you are telling me the truth, well, of course the child will be reared here under my tutelage and guidance. He will become the son of the most powerful man in the Highlands, and I will generously mold him to my image. What more could you want for your son?" He laughed sadistically as Connor 371

He had to remind himself not to give away that his hands were free.

"You're mad!" He glared at his enemy.

"No, I am enlightened. I have seen the way and it is not living by the sword, or the way of men. It is through me! I am a god!" he crowed. "Once you are out of the way, I will rule all of Kintail and reclaim the title of Lord of the Isles. The fragile king will have nothing to say, and there will be nothing he can do. Even his son is too wrapped up in American politics to care what happens here in the barbarous lands of Northern Scotland! Rumors of his father's madness are abundant...."

Connor cut him off, "You are calling the king mad? Is that no' a wee hypocritical of you?"

"I am not mad!" he hissed and backhanded Connor across the cheekbone.

It didn't hurt, however Connor knew the blow was meant to injure naught but his pride. It was incredibly demeaning.

A slow smile replaced the anger on his face as he glared at Connor.

"I trust you'll enjoy your last meal, for within the hour, you will be executed in front of
my
bride."

Connor said nothing, his gaze never leaving his enemy's empty eyes, and his mind constantly working.

John Campbell came to her room as before, and they walked to the Hall in silence. Mackenzie tried not to betray her nerves by her shaking hands. While he gripped one, she clutched her long flowing sleeve with the other so as not to fidget. They entered the Ballroom, and she recognized the colorful scene from her dreams, and it frightened her. At least this time, she was an active participant in the scene before her, rather than just waiting helplessly for the dream to finish. This was real. It was more than real, it was reality, and everything hinged on this one night, this one act. She must kill him before he could execute Connor. She had the advantage of foresight, but she still felt as if it hadn't quite

"clicked" for her yet; Mackenzie was still unsure.

Beneath her satin-clad feet, Mackenzie could feel the floor vibrating with the music that had started when they walked in the room. Keeping her face serene, Mackenzie stomped down all of the fears she felt, trying to be as calm as she hoped she appeared.

Standing on the raised dais, he looked out and addressed the crowd. "My guests, you have come to witness my long awaited marriage. The clan MacKenzie is in attendance, and I see several acquaintances from court, oh this shall be festive indeed. Please, enjoy my hospitality; eat, drink, dance, for what a joyous occasion this is." He raised both hands and as he did Mackenzie's eyes widened when all of the hundreds of candles flared and then settled down to a normal flame. The 373

Before he joined her, the Campbell leaned over to her, his breath brushing her ear as he spoke, "My dear, I have quite a wedding present for you." He paused, waiting for her to look at him. Mackenzie didn't disappoint. When her wide green eyes met his ice cold blue ones, he continued, "You will be widowed before you are married!"

Her stomach fluttered as his words sank in; he was going to kill Connor! Mackenzie had pointlessly hoped that he had made it back to his own lands, knowing full well that he was here in the possession of the Campbell. She had to keep her reactions from showing.
Stay calm, stay calm
she chanted to herself.

"I am pleased to see you understand. I have your husband in my possession, and I will do you the favor of dispatching him tonight."

Mackenzie bit the inside of her cheeks to keep from telling him go to the devil.

"First we shall have him displayed as he is; broken and disgraced. Then, my men will show him the true meaning of hospitality."

She couldn't keep calm anymore. "You bastard!"

"I am shocked. Are you not pleased with my wedding gift to you?"

"You're disgusting."

He merely laughed, obviously enjoying the play of emotions in her eyes. He still held her hand and his grip was 374

The Campbell called out, "Bring out the prisoner."

Mackenzie knew it would be Connor, yet she was still shocked at how badly beaten he was. His right eye was swelling and from his lip and nose poured blood. It looked as though his face had borne the brunt of the attack. Although his shirt was torn and bloodied, it appeared as if the blood was from his still bleeding face. He was shoved to his knees, in disgrace. Mackenzie saw that there were a few fresh wounds on his back as well and almost gagged as she understood that they were from a whip. Connor had been flogged!

If he hadn't come to find her this never would have happened, if she could have kept her hormones in check he would never have come after her and he could be safe in his own castle right now. This was all her fault. She met Connor's eyes, and even as they beat him in front of everyone, he kept his gaze on hers. When the Campbell announced, "We gather today to celebrate my impending marriage," he glanced at Mackenzie, whose eyes never left Connor.

He then addressed the crowd, "And as a wedding gift to my lovely bride, I shall kill Connor MacRae." He turned back to Mackenzie, but still spoke loudly enough that it was intended for the ears of the crowd, "Tomorrow you will be free to marry me." He jerked his chin in the direction of Connor, and several men descended upon him. Standing and 375

Her dream was unfolding before her eyes, but for the first time since she was a child, she wasn't scared anymore.

Mackenzie's nerves steadied. Of course she wasn't nervous, this is why she had been born; it was who she was. Every part of her felt the calm settle over her as she accepted and understood what she must now do. Suddenly Mackenzie felt powerful. More than powerful; she felt electricity rather than blood running through her veins. She felt strong, and she felt as if everything had just slowed down. All of the too sharp colors, all of the too bright lights; it all became muted background. Everything was in slow motion, and it was only she who felt the normal passage of time. All of the noise quieted to a dull roar akin to waves crashing, and all of the anxiety and fear had fled.

While Connor vainly fought off more men than one man could humanly withstand, she vaguely noticed he had a hand free, Mackenzie turned her head to see the Campbell cheering them on and hurling insults at Connor. Now was her time.

With the events in the room running in slow motion, Mackenzie was able to notice everything. She saw several heads turn away from the horror of an unarmed man being slaughtered, she saw several men running to help, and she saw a group of men rushing in from the back of the room.

There was a man dressed in a plaid forcing his way through the crowd with his sword raised above his head.

Liam! There was enough of a distraction that the men who were to kill Connor were now protecting their own backs.

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