kirkyard, where they’d camped. Niall, Kade’s brother. Why had he chosen her to help him?
He’d said he’d help her, but he’d led her right into the arms of Kade when she’d tried to escape their encampment in the woods. She couldn’t even trust the spirits in this part of the world!
13
In the morning, the bolt being lifted from the door awakened Maighdlin. Kade barged in, followed by a serving lass and several stout men carrying a washtub and steaming buckets of water. Another man came in with a meal for Maighdlin and a tankard of ale, which he placed on the table before leaving.
“ What is this?” Maighdlin demanded.
“ Ye smell like a wild animal,” Kade said.
The men who’d brought the washtub and buckets deposited them and left. The servant girl was small, with deep blue eyes and straight blonde hair. She held soap and rose petals in her hands.
“ What's yer name?” Maighdlin asked.
“ She’s deaf,” Kade said.
“ She still has a name.” The girl watched Maighdlin's lips move. “She may be deaf but she’s no’ dumb.”
“ Of course she’s no’ a dumb mute,” Kade said. “It’s just that she doesna talk to anyone. So dunna think ye’ll be making a friend ye can twist around yer little finger and convince her ye deserve yer freedom.”
“ My name is Lillias.”
Kade looked surprised.
Maighdlin started as she heard male laughter float from the corner of the room. Deep male laughter. Niall’s spirit. He stood with his arms crossed and wore the same plaid and boots she’d seen him wearing in the kirkyard. “My little brother, always so dramatic.” He smiled but there was something sad in his dark eyes. “Dunna fash yourself, Maighdlin,” he said. “Ask them for a mirror. Convince them ye are vain.”
“ What?” Maighdlin said to Niall.
“ My name is Lillias,” the girl repeated, clearly confused by Maighdlin’s gaze into the corner of the room.
Maighdlin cleared her throat and looked at the girl. Maighdlin, of course, was the only one who could see Niall. Niall, ye didna help me before, she thought, in the wood. Ye led me straight into yer brother’s arms! Why should I trust you?
Niall rolled his eyes. Lass, ye can break the mirror and use a sharp piece as a weapon during yer escape. I know the keep like the back of my hand, or what used to be the back of my hand. He held up his hand and put his other hand through it and laughed. You won’t have to use the jagged glass to hurt anyone lass, if ye follow my lead, but if ye need to threaten someone, it’ll do just fine. I’ll help ye get a horse and guide you to the kirkyard. My spirit is stronger there. I haven’t yet learned how to manifest myself for long periods of time away from the chapel.
Why help me? Maighdlin thought.
Because I need yer help.
With what?
I have unfinished business with my brother.
He knows he’s a spirit , Maighdlin thought.
Of course I know I’m a spirit. I’m no’ daft.
Dear God. You and Fenalla were burnt in a fire when Brodie’s men attacked. Ye were trying to help the villagers defend the keep. I am so sorry. Kade thinks I’m Brodie’s long-lost daughter, but I am no’. Why would ye help me?
Niall’s image began to fade. Quickly! Convince them ye are vain and need a mirror. I dunna have much strength here. I am strongest near the kirkyard, where my earthly body is buried. I will appear to ye again once I am stronger and ye have the mirror.
I dunna know that I can trust you, she thought. And mirrors are a luxury item. Why would they give one to a prisoner?
Ye’ll have to trust me. Yer the only person who has been able to see me since…I passed. I brought ye here because I have things to show ye. I need yer help. I give ye my word that ye shall then have my help in return. A cold draft brushed her face, and Niall was gone.
Maighdlin took a deep breath. She’d been a giving, gentle person all of her life. She cared not for mirrors and fancy things, yet Niall was her
He’d said he’d help her, but he’d led her right into the arms of Kade when she’d tried to escape their encampment in the woods. She couldn’t even trust the spirits in this part of the world!
13
In the morning, the bolt being lifted from the door awakened Maighdlin. Kade barged in, followed by a serving lass and several stout men carrying a washtub and steaming buckets of water. Another man came in with a meal for Maighdlin and a tankard of ale, which he placed on the table before leaving.
“ What is this?” Maighdlin demanded.
“ Ye smell like a wild animal,” Kade said.
The men who’d brought the washtub and buckets deposited them and left. The servant girl was small, with deep blue eyes and straight blonde hair. She held soap and rose petals in her hands.
“ What's yer name?” Maighdlin asked.
“ She’s deaf,” Kade said.
“ She still has a name.” The girl watched Maighdlin's lips move. “She may be deaf but she’s no’ dumb.”
“ Of course she’s no’ a dumb mute,” Kade said. “It’s just that she doesna talk to anyone. So dunna think ye’ll be making a friend ye can twist around yer little finger and convince her ye deserve yer freedom.”
“ My name is Lillias.”
Kade looked surprised.
Maighdlin started as she heard male laughter float from the corner of the room. Deep male laughter. Niall’s spirit. He stood with his arms crossed and wore the same plaid and boots she’d seen him wearing in the kirkyard. “My little brother, always so dramatic.” He smiled but there was something sad in his dark eyes. “Dunna fash yourself, Maighdlin,” he said. “Ask them for a mirror. Convince them ye are vain.”
“ What?” Maighdlin said to Niall.
“ My name is Lillias,” the girl repeated, clearly confused by Maighdlin’s gaze into the corner of the room.
Maighdlin cleared her throat and looked at the girl. Maighdlin, of course, was the only one who could see Niall. Niall, ye didna help me before, she thought, in the wood. Ye led me straight into yer brother’s arms! Why should I trust you?
Niall rolled his eyes. Lass, ye can break the mirror and use a sharp piece as a weapon during yer escape. I know the keep like the back of my hand, or what used to be the back of my hand. He held up his hand and put his other hand through it and laughed. You won’t have to use the jagged glass to hurt anyone lass, if ye follow my lead, but if ye need to threaten someone, it’ll do just fine. I’ll help ye get a horse and guide you to the kirkyard. My spirit is stronger there. I haven’t yet learned how to manifest myself for long periods of time away from the chapel.
Why help me? Maighdlin thought.
Because I need yer help.
With what?
I have unfinished business with my brother.
He knows he’s a spirit , Maighdlin thought.
Of course I know I’m a spirit. I’m no’ daft.
Dear God. You and Fenalla were burnt in a fire when Brodie’s men attacked. Ye were trying to help the villagers defend the keep. I am so sorry. Kade thinks I’m Brodie’s long-lost daughter, but I am no’. Why would ye help me?
Niall’s image began to fade. Quickly! Convince them ye are vain and need a mirror. I dunna have much strength here. I am strongest near the kirkyard, where my earthly body is buried. I will appear to ye again once I am stronger and ye have the mirror.
I dunna know that I can trust you, she thought. And mirrors are a luxury item. Why would they give one to a prisoner?
Ye’ll have to trust me. Yer the only person who has been able to see me since…I passed. I brought ye here because I have things to show ye. I need yer help. I give ye my word that ye shall then have my help in return. A cold draft brushed her face, and Niall was gone.
Maighdlin took a deep breath. She’d been a giving, gentle person all of her life. She cared not for mirrors and fancy things, yet Niall was her
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