Chapter Four

 

Gwen tiptoed through the dense woods, the thick moss and ferns tickling her bare feet. Dawn had scarcely broken, and she needed to arrive at her destination before sunrise. The bullfinches had begun singing, their sweet song lifting her heart.

Calum had been gone nearly a fortnight, and the ache in her heart grew with each passing day. She shook her head. How was it she felt this way for a man she barely knew? While she believed in immediate attraction, she was not so sure about love. Still, there existed a connection between them that defied explanation. Was that not the definition of love…that which defies logic?

She came to the clearing like so many times in the past. A part of her longed to perform a love spell for herself, but she never would. She was not willing to force Calum’s affections in that way. No, if they were meant to be together, it would happen in its own, natural way. But there was no harm in hoping.

Today her task was simple—another protection spell for her lady. Near the far edge of the clearing, she located the old stump she used. Nature had created the perfect altar, and she loved the way the moss and grass hugged the base of the long since fallen tree.

She spread out a plaid across her altar. Dropping her satchel on its edge, she opened it and withdrew candles, dried sage, and angelica. Placing the candles around the perimeter of the stump, she lit each one then the sage and waved the smoke in a wide circle enclosing her and the ritual tree.

“Away, foul spirits.”

Gwen swayed and chanted until she was sure she had cleansed the area well. She then snuffed the sage and placed it aside.

Drawing a deep breath, she separated the angelica and inhaled its distinct scent. She crumbled the leaves in her hands, ensuring their essence was released and waved them over the candles. She placed the herb inside the candle circle and knelt back.

Closing her eyes, she listened to the sounds of the morning. A light wind blew through the trees and morning birds called in the distance.

She pushed all the air out of her lungs and then inhaled deeply through her nose. The fresh scent of tree sap mixed with sweet grass and damp moss stilled her thoughts.

Pushing her fingers into the mossy grass, she spread her fingers wide to take in as much of the many layers there. Something light crawled over her hand and she smiled. The connection was here, in all these things.

With permission, she had taken an arisaid from her lady. She had blessed the plaid scarf, evoking a protection spell to ensure the best effect.

Gwen placed the angelica and her favourite tree of life amulet on the garment and knelt back, then raised her head to the sky and stretched her arms wide.

 

With this amulet I lay,

Protection here both night and day.

And the one who should not touch.

May their fingers burn and twitch.

I now invoke the law of three.

This is my will, so mote it be.

“I call upon you, Brigid, to bless my spell.

Protect those whom I love.”

 

Gwen opened her eyes and focused on the colours before her; greens, browns, purples, yellows, all becoming brighter by the second as the sun’s light kissed everything in the clearing.

In these moments, she knew true peace. Morning sounds delighted her, as frogs and other smaller creatures came to life and joined in life’s beautiful song. The trees spoke to the wind, and in turn, the wind spoke to the grass. All living things around her made themselves known in their own way.

“I call upon you, Brigid, to bless my spell. Protect those whom I love, and stay the hand of those who would harm them.”

She was cautious about the last part. The law of three—any energy she channelled outward, could come back to her threefold—kept her mindful of what she wished for. This included negative energy. So she would not project harm towards anyone.

She listened for the change she knew was coming. The wind picked up and lifted her hair and then dropped it again as it moved away from her. Inside her safe circle, all was calm, but outside the wind swirled. Her goddess had always appeared when called upon in the past, and she was delighted that today was no different. The energy she had sensed earlier surged through her body.

Protect those I love.

For several moments, she knelt there enjoying the beauty and magic she had the great privilege to witness. How anyone could deny this enchantment was beyond her fathoming, yet it was a special thing and most people were not open to it.

Once the energy peaked within her body, Gwen opened her eyes and released a great breath. Such a surge was draining, and she lay down on the plaid to rest for a moment.

“Thank you, my goddess. I shall forever praise your generosity.”

Then the wind stopped outside her circle. She did not move for several moments. Each time she experienced this magic, she became filled with such an elation, it took a few moments to process.

Her soul sang as she looked up through the trees toward the sky. A hawk circled high above. Her calling had even drawn the great hunter out this morn. A rare sight she took as a sign of success.

After a time, she blew out the candles and packed up her belongings, then slowly retraced her steps to the castle and returned to her chamber. Her lady would not need her for another little while yet and so she sat in quiet contemplation of the journey ahead of them. They were to travel to Edinburgh at the behest of the king and queen. Gwen had only been once before and was excited about the journey. The fact that she would be in Calum’s company for much of the trip was a definite part of her elation.

* * *

“I trust your lady is well settled now?”

Their journey to Linlithgow Palace had been uneventful, but due to a crowded carriage, this was the first time he was able to be alone with Gwen.

“Aye, as settled as she can be under the circumstances.”

“Is she really so opposed to my brother?”

“I do not think it is as much that as the entire situation. She has had much to digest these past few weeks, my lord. Between losing her uncle and having a betrothal thrust upon her, she has hardly had the opportunity to process any of it. Forgive me if I speak out of turn, but your brother has a reputation as a womanizer. It is surely understandable that she still holds trepidation.”

“Aye, that he does, but he is an honourable man. And you?”

Gwen tilted her head and caught his gaze. “What about me?”

“Do you hold the same trepidation toward my family as your lady?”

She frowned. “I apologize, my lord. I did not mean it like that.”

“I wish to know you better, Gwen. I would very much like to know you do not think ill of me, or my family as your lady sometimes appears to.”

He was aware his words were not coming out exactly right. What he needed to know was if there was any barrier between them. As impossible as their situations might appear, he had never been so captivated by a woman in his life, and somehow there would have to be a way for them to be together.

“I do not think ill of you. Or your brother.”

“I am very pleased to hear it. Now I fear we must head back to the palace. Your lady and my brother will be wed on the morrow, and I believe it will be a sight to behold.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“I do not mean it to be. You were somewhat correct in your description of him. My brother has always been very free with women. To see him become attached to one woman makes me wonder how he will fare, knowing he will never be with any other woman for the rest of his life.”

They walked in silence and Calum struggled to build the confidence to ask her the question plaguing him for days now. One way or another, he needed to know. Had there ever been anyone else? He was certain the answer was no, and he thrilled at the thought of being the only man to ever enjoy her charms.

But something she had said once tugged at him. Still, he could never come right out and ask her. An uncomfortable knot formed in his gut from thinking of her with another. That was why he was sure he had to find some way for them to be alone together—so they could talk.

“What is it, my lord?”

He smiled. She was so very perceptive. It would appear she could already read him well, and they had only just begun to know one another.

“I wish to ask you a question, but do not want to appear disrespectful.”

“You may ask me anything you like, my lord.”

“Very well. If you are certain.”

She smiled. “Of course. Please, ask your question.”

“’Tis no secret I am fond of you. Very much so.” He waited to gage her reaction and the soft pink forming on her cheeks was encouraging. “I do not know a man alive who would not want you, Gwen. Surely, there must have been…I mean has there been…anyone who has asked for your hand? Please forgive me, if I overstep.”

She stopped walking and put her head down. Oh God, he had overstepped. He was the world’s worst sort of fiend for offending her so. Of course, there had never been anyone. She had been raised a lady up to a few short years ago. As maid to another lady, there was a certain decorum that would have been expected. He wished now he hadn’t said a word. She deserved more respect from him than that.

When she opened her mouth to speak, he shook his head. “No, please do not answer that. I was way out of line to ask it at all, and I retract the question. I should have known better than to question your integrity.”

“My lord, please—”

“No, I promise to never ask you anything of that nature ever again. You are a lady and I should not have let my jealous nature see the light of day. Please forgive me.”

“There is nothing to forgive, you see—”

“Good, then I shall return you safely to your lady, as I am sure she will need you this night.”

They walked the remainder of the way to her door in silence. When she opened the door and turned to him, she still wore a small frown. He would find every way possible on the morrow to change her frown into the beaming smile she usually bestowed upon him. He bowed deeply before her and then went in search of his brother. He had his own arrangements to make for the next day.