The Queen (MacBride Sisters Trilogy Book 1)

was loyal to him, except those who turned against us. Only Loch MacBride's clan, which was located in Inverness, remained neutral in that crash. I've always considered Loch a coward who took orders from his wife. We thought his lack of involvement in the war was on account of the three daughters, whom he and Ravenna treated as objects. His wife, Ravenna, had always had a strong pulse and controlled Inverness according to her interests and whims. The fief was the only one closest to Dunhill, being a day's ride away. And the MacBride clan had three daughters, Aila the firstborn, Annabel the middle daughter, and Aideen the youngest. They were seen as the "guarantee of a long and prosperous life" for Ravenna, who wanted to become a member of the court at all costs. From a very young age, daughters paraded in banquets offered by their mother. I was introduced to Aila when she was only thirteen. For me, although our customs did not prevent us from marrying at such a young age, she and her sisters were nothing more than mere children.

Almost three years ago, a mystery hovered over Inverness and to this day no one has been able to explain exactly what had happened. Aila was sent to a convent in Gretna Green for no apparent reason and the other two were confined to the castle. Ravenna's banquets have been suspended and none of them have been seen since then. It was at this same time that Roy was last seen on our land and everything had changed since then. Many speculate to this day what may have happened to the MacBride girls. The hypothesis that everyone very much believes is that Ravenna has discovered that they are actually witches with unimaginable powers. It's a bizarre theory for those who don't believe in ancient magic, but in Scotland, anything can happen. Our country dates back to ancient peoples and pagan traditions. A lot about magic has been taught us. There are those who believe that there are trolls and elves living in the caves near the canyons. As a good Christian I am, stories like that are nothing but superstitions. Not that I don't believe in witches or anything like that, but from there to speculating that someone is a witch because they're locked in a castle, it's too much exaggeration.

- Do you think he might have gotten sick? - Bruce asked, taking me out of my daydream.

He was my only cousin and joined the army in order to see Roy's death, as well as many others. Thanks to his ability to infiltrate the leftovers, he was declared the best batsman of the troops and became my loyal companion. Recently, my father made Bruce the captain of Dunhill's guard. He was with me in front of the army and he was escorting me back home. Bruce was overprotective and took care of us since we were children, especially Cora's.

- I don't think so. - I responded by making a face. - Otherwise, the letter that Alec had sent would ask for a little more urgency.

My dad had a thing for sending letters since I left for the front. Twice we had to return under the threat of an illness, but when we arrived, we saw that it was just another pretext to get me out of the way of the army and force me to get married. I had no idea why he wanted to crown me king and next to a wife so badly. For months I was able to contradict his ideas using our agreement as a justification, until he stopped requesting my presence. I was on the east front when I received a letter from my brother informing me that my father was requesting my presence. I was afraid this was another attempt to marry someone.

- Can't you really imagine why my uncle took him off the battlefield? - Bruce insisted on a tone of derision. I turned my eyes to him.

- You know you do, so stop trying to provoke me. - I said between my teeth, then I sighed. - I just hope I'm really wrong about that.

Bruce let out a loud laugh, causing his horse to whinny with the fright he received.

- He doesn't give up, does he? - Bruce fired in an ironic tone, which made me even more angry. - Even though Alec knows that he can occupy the throne in his place, and that this is long overdue, he insists on crowning him king only because he is the firstborn.

I took a deep breath settling down.

- I hate those stupid traditions! - I sighed, shaking my head. - I hope he doesn't come with this conversation again and that he doesn't waste my time.

- Take it, my cousin! - Bruce provoked again. - As the eldest in the line of succession to the throne, he is destined to rule our country, as well as our ancestors.

Laughing, I shook my head from side to side and faced him with debauchery.

- You're right! Just don't forget that, besides Alec and I, you're also in the line of succession to the throne. - I fired. - You gonna tell me you believe you're a duke just for luck?

Bruce locked his face in a frown and snorted. His short, straight hair stubbornly fell into his eyes. That pissed him off even more.

- Don't talk nonsense! Looks like a witch begging for a plague. - he grumbled and made me laugh. - It's not in me to take the place that belongs to you. It's enough to have a fiefdom to look after.

Bruce de Dunvegan was the sole heir of his parents, who died in a tragic ship accident. He'd been raised by my parents since he was six.