Chapter 28

 

Elyssia pushed the needle through the tapestry she was making as a wedding present for Alice. The picture was taking shape. Reds and golds depicting falling leaves—the image with which she had comforted Alice over the years and soothed her when her damaged body threatened to convulse and shake. It would serve as a reminder of Elyssia and Richard when they were gone.

Margaret’s body had been buried in a quiet ceremony in the forest. Only Tavish, Callum, and a handful of others had attended. The two brothers had returned arm-in-arm across the courtyard while Elyssia watched, alone in her chamber.

The morning after the burial, Elyssia had returned to her chamber to tend to the baby and had encountered Tavish holding the child in his arms in the very spot where he had killed his betrothed. Mumbling an apology, he had returned the child to his cot and hurried out in his eagerness to be rid of her.

Whenever he was near, her treacherous body tightened with need, her heart following in its wake. But soon she would be gone. The day after Alice’s wedding they were leaving for de Montford Castle—Richard, Elyssia and her child, along with their half-brother Conall and the barbarian girl.

Once free from his influence, the pain would recede, even if it could never fully be extinguished. But a dull ache was better than the searing agony of heartbreak.

She would be content with the love of her son and the knowledge that Alice was happy.

Finlay doted on Alice and followed her everywhere. He tended to her at the table when the clan gathered in the hall for the evening meal, and even sang to her, ignoring the ridicule of the clansmen. His desire to make Alice smile surpassed any shame at his lack of talent for ballads.

That very morning Alice’s laughter had echoed across the courtyard, accompanied by Finlay’s voice and the thud of hoofbeats as they prepared for a ride in the mountain air. Not even as children had Elyssia heard Alice laugh so much.

She would miss her. Alice had been her main responsibility, the one reason she had for living until the birth of her child. But Alice had another to take care of her now.

A deep scream cut through the silence, and a sharp pain jabbed at her thumb as her needle slipped. The scream was that of a man.

Finlay.

Moments later, Isla burst through the door.

“Come quick! Your sister’s had an accident.”

Pushing her chair aside, Elyssia raced out of the chamber and followed Isla.

A small crowd had formed outside Alice’s chamber which parted as they saw Elyssia, pity, and horror on their faces.

Alice lay on her bed. Finlay leant over her, clutching her hand, soft cries shaking his body. Her right leg was twisted at an unnatural angle, as was one arm. Scarlet streaks marred her face, her lip torn where she had bitten it.

“Alice! What happened?”

“Lyssie,” Alice whispered. Lorna lifted her broken arm, and she screamed.

“Forgive me!” Lorna cried. “I can do nothing. Her injuries are too great.”

Was this what happened as soon as Elyssia relinquished her responsibility? Had she handed her beloved sister over to a man unworthy of her?

“Finlay, what have you done!”

The young man lifted his face. Tears smeared his cheeks.

“Forgive me… she… she had a seizure! She wanted to ride, to feel the wind in her hair…”

“You fool!” Elyssia cried. “I’ve told you not to let her ride too fast. Why couldn’t you take better care of her? I thought you loved her!”

“I do. I love her more than my own life and wish I had fallen instead! You think I don’t regret this?”

“It’s not your body which lies broken and shattered as the result of your foolishness!”

“Lady, I must protest,” Isla cried. “It was an accident. Alice may yet recover.”

Lorna shook her head, the motion almost imperceptible, but it told Elyssia more than any words could. Alice already knew. Despite pain etching furrows across her forehead, her eyes glistened with sorrow, resignation, and acceptance.

Pushing Finlay to one side, Elyssia took Alice’s hand and kissed it. “Oh, Alice! Why did I let you go?”

“Lyssie,” Alice whispered, “we all deserve freedom in the end. You deserve it, and so do I.”

“Look at what it’s done to you!”

“I made my choice.” Alice smiled, her eyes dulled with pain. “Even if only for a few days, I have been happy with the man I love.”

“But your life, Alice. You have so many years ahead of you.”

“None of us know how long we have, Lyssie. It’s up to us to make the best of our time, to make wise choices, be happy and follow our hearts."

“Oh Alice, what shall I do without you?”

Alice’s fingers squeezed Elyssia’s hand, the gentle pressure weakening as her life essence began to fade.

“Find love, Lyssie. Give my nephew a name and be the best mother you can to him. Conquer your anger and break the cycle of vengeance.”

Her body spasmed and a cough erupted from her throat.

“She’s not long for this world.” Isla crossed herself and fell to her knees.

“Alice…” Elyssia whispered, “I’m so sorry…”

“Don’t be sorry, Lyssie,” Alice smiled. “Be happy.”

She pulled Elyssia close.

“Be happy with him.”

Another spasm racked her body, and she cried out in pain as a pulse of blood erupted from her shattered leg.

“Finlay! Don’t leave me!”

“No,” Elyssia snarled as he drew near. “You took her from me, do not deny me her last moments.”

Strong hands took her shoulders and pulled her back, and she came face-to-face with Richard, his eye blazing with anger.

“How dare you condemn that young man when his only sin has been to love her. Are you so selfish as to think you’re the only one worthy of her love?”

She struggled, but he held her firm.

“Go to her, Finlay. Ignore my fool of a sister whose jealousy hampers her judgement. It’s you Alice wants.”

“No!” Alice cried. “I want you all beside me.”

Shame flooded Elyssia’s heart. After condemning Tavish for treating her as an object he could lay claim to, she had treated Alice in the same manner, denying her the one thing she wished for—to be in the company of the man she loved at the moment of death.

“Forgive me, Finlay.” She wiped her soaked face.

“Come, dearest, let us comfort her.” Richard knelt beside Finlay as he leant over Alice and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Elyssia joined the two men Alice loved most, and the three of them linked hands.

“Thank you, my love.” Alice’s lips lifted into a smile. The pain in her eyes began to dissipate, the pale blue strengthening as she took the first step on the path to peace. Her chest rose in a single breath before sinking, the muscles relaxing as the air left her lungs for the last time. Her body grew still, her face radiating peace as she took her leave of the people she loved.

Salty tears stung Elyssia’s eyes, but she refused to wipe them, clutching onto her sister’s lifeless hand as if it would bring her back.

A large hand touched her cheek.

“Come away, sister dearest. There’s nothing you can do for her now.”

“I can’t let her go.”

“Yes, you can. Her soul has departed. Alice was an angel sent to bring light into our lives and teach us to love and be strong. Now she has returned and resides with her fellow angels in heaven.”

“Oh, Richard, what shall I do?”

He kissed her on the forehead and held her close.

“Honour her last wish, Lyssie. You owe her that.”