True to the Highlander(87)
Hunter’s smile lit the room. He nodded and scrambled off the bed, bolting for the door. Malcolm’s attention returned to his wife. “What happened?”
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. “Oh, Malcolm, it was so horrible. Have the men come to us before I tell you. I don’t want to repeat it more than once. I had a vision.” Her voice shook as she reached for his hand. “I’ve never had one before, and hope never to have another.”
“All will be well, love.” Malcolm stroked her hair and held her to him. “As soon as Hunter returns, we’ll send for them. Dinna vex yourself.”
“John lied, Malcolm.”
He snorted. “Of course he lied. He’s a Comyn.”
After a quick rap on the door, Beth entered carrying a tray, Hunter on her heels. She executed a quick curtsy toward Malcolm. “How do ye fare, milady?” She placed the tray on the table near the hearth and bent to stir the embers, adding bricks of peat, poking and prodding until they caught. “We’ve all been worried sick about ye. Come, Lady True. Sit here by the fire and eat.”
“I’m fine, Beth. Thank you for bringing food. I’m so hungry I could eat an entire ox.”
Beth glanced at Malcolm, her brows raised. He smiled over True’s head before he helped her out of bed and over to the table. Concerned about her comfort, he’d removed her clothing hours ago, and managed to dress her in a night rail. He fetched True’s robe, and then he signed to Hunter to gather his men. The lad once again ran out of their chamber.
“I’ve brought enough food for two.” Beth grinned. “Or mayhap three. I know you have no’ taken your evening meal yet as well, milord.”
“My thanks.” Malcolm helped True into her robe before settling her into a chair. He sat next to her, amused by her appetite as she tore into the meal. “Mayhap we’ll have to send for more.”
True stopped eating to frown at him, a blush rising to her cheeks. She swallowed the food in her mouth. “I’m sure we have enough.”
He laughed, just as his mother and sister entered the chamber to take their places with True at the table. A short time later, Liam, Angus, Galen and Gareth arrived, and their chamber filled with the people he trusted most in this world. For an instant, Malcolm suffered Robley’s absence acutely. He would send for his return on the morrow. “My wife has had a vision.” Everyone turned, wide-eyed, to stare at True.
His wife pushed the tray of food away from her. “John lied. The invitation is a trap.”
The chamber erupted with cries of outrage. “Cease,” Malcolm commanded. “Let us hear what True has to say. Save your outrage for our retaliation.”
“You cannot accept the invitation.” She looked at him with wide eyes. “They plan to slaughter all who attend. When the head of a black boar is brought out, the Comyn laird will make a toast to the dead. Once the toast is finished, they all rise with daggers drawn and slit your throats.” She shuddered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “Many of you were drunk. Part of their plan is to see that you all drink to excess.” She raised her eyes to his, pleading. “Don’t accept the invitation. The Comyns will far outnumber the MacKintosh. You cannot go. I forbid it. In my vision you died before my eyes, Malcolm. I can’t let it happen.” She frowned and cocked her head as if trying to remember something.
“What is it, True?” He took her hand in his, alarmed by how cold it felt.
“I don’t know. I feel like I’ve forgotten something important.” She took her hand back and rubbed her temples with her hands, her eyes haunted and helpless as she looked to him for help.
Seeing her thus upset him beyond reason. His instincts to protect surged through him. “You’ve had enough excitement for one day.” He stood abruptly and nodded to Liam. “Remove to my father’s solar. I will meet all of you there once my wife is settled.”
“We will see to her.” Lydia crossed to True, putting her arm around her shoulders. “Go with your men.”
Torn, Malcolm stood in the middle of the room with his hand on the dagger at his waist.
“Go,” True said. “I can’t believe I slept the afternoon away, and I’m still tired.” She smiled. “I’ll go back to bed. I’m fine, really.”
Malcolm walked to the door. “Stay with her until my return?” His gaze went from his mother to his sister.
“Of course,” Elaine said.
His mood as black as pitch, Malcolm made his way to the solar. There he found his men in the midst of a hot debate. All turned to him as he entered.