I had a laugh. I could've imagined the reason he thought that way.
- Don't be fooled by Annabel. She's turrid and hardheaded at times, but she's very brave. In fact, Aila taught us to be brave, so Annabel did everything she could to make me run away from that castle. If I'd acted like I do today, maybe I wouldn't have suffered so much.
- Your sister has a very sore tongue and hands that look like rocks, so heavy. - he made another face. - I still have the marks of the blows she pulled on me.
I had another laugh.
- Sometimes Annabel's thought, I went out of her mouth without her noticing. Close to our mother she can contain herself, but far from her, my sister makes no effort to make it happen.
We kept quiet for a few moments until Bruce suddenly broke it.
- Alistair will send Ravenna to hang for treason. - Bruce said. - I'd like you to be prepared to participate in the trial, since you're the future queen.
I took a deep breath. I already imagined that I would have to participate in that action and I was not at all sad or nervous.
- I expected that! - I sighed.
- Doesn't it bother you? - Bruce asked.
I made a face and then I stared at him.
- Bruce, Loch is not and never was my father. As for Ravenna, that's a witch who was condemned to put me in the world. - I answered with coldness. - After everything she's done to me, dying is too little for her. I think I'm going to suggest that you die like witches.
- At the fire?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Oh, my God! Oh, my God! You didn't look so Machiavellian!
I had a laugh. Bruce shook his head from side to side and then got up.
- I'll let you get some rest. Maybe he'll wake up more willing and hungry later.
I nodded and then I closed my eyes. I fell asleep quickly falling into a deep sleep. Sleep was quiet, without my usual nightmares, despite Alistair's absence. No big wolves with sharp teeth. Just a very well-lit garden with an angel with a bright smile and black wings standing under a tree. He was sitting with me on his chest contemplating the sea. I could feel the sun warming my face and the freshness of a breeze running through my skin. It was a wonderful feeling of peace and I allowed myself to rest.
Three days went by without me having any news from Alistair. Bruce was getting worried too. Inverness wasn't that far away and he was supposed to be back. Alistair's delay was making my nausea and dizziness worse because of the nervousness I felt. Wally looked at me suspicious every time she saw me pass out. I didn't know what was going on, but she seemed to know. That morning, I decided to work a little in the garden. After lunch, I decided to get some sleep so that the hours could pass faster. Maybe Alistair was on his way home. I woke up a little later hearing voices whispering in the hallway outside. It seemed like a man and a woman talking. I looked around and realized it was still day. Taking a deep breath, I slowly sneaked out of bed. With slow steps I approached the door. The floor was cold, so was the bedroom. The voices became clearer and I realized that it was Adam and Elaine talking in the hall. She was holding a bowl with several pieces of clothing.
- I still can't believe he went down that road alone. - said Adam. - Luckily I saddled the Sovereign with the best saddle and put the best horseshoes to walk in the snow, otherwise my master would be lost.
- The eastern road is very dangerous, winding and overlooks the abyss. Not to mention that there are several hungry wolves that can attack at any moment. - Elaine was sorry. - I just hope my lord knows what he's doing.
Damn it! Alistair took that damn road! I thought I'd sigh.
- Yeah, but it'd be better than getting caught and getting stuck in a dungeon.
- Oh! God! Aren't there soldiers camped out near Inverness?
- No! - Adam said in desperation. - The troops were sent north. Only a small contingent is found at the border, but they are still far away.
I rolled my eyes out. A chill went up my spine thinking that Ravenna could do something to Alistair. I knew those dungeons, so I'd spent the night in one of the cells. It was cold, therefore, the sea hit against the back walls. A void dominated my being and the anguish of the thought of losing it made me dizzy. I grabbed my neck without being able to scream because of the dryness that took over my throat. I tipped forward, falling against the half-open door. On the journey to the ground, I felt my head crash into the wood and then into the cold stone, so everything turned black and my eyes closed. I don't know how long I was disagreed, but when I could open my eyes, I was lying on my bed. Bruce looked at me with apprehension.
- Aideen, are you all right? He asked in a worried tone.
- Yeah. - I responded with a face and took my hand to my forehead. - What's going on?
- Don't you remember? You fainted and banged your head against the door. - Bruce answered. - It was nothing serious, but there's an
