Chapter 15 Transformation

EMRICK

As I bathed and got ready, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I was also excited about claiming Kerrienne as my bride, even if she wasn’t an ideal political match I’d still want her for my wife. I felt invincible whenever she was around, as if her magic somehow amplified mine. I took special care to comb my hair back, tying it with a piece of cowhide. I buttoned up my shirt and made my way to the great hall. It was empty. Since Kerrienne was the outdoors type, the festivities would be held in the courtyard, that way all of my people could attend the festivities.

I made my way outside where the tables were now covered with food and drinks. Lars had sent more men hunting to make sure there would be plenty of meat for everyone. I made my way to the glade where the ceremony would be held. Everyone was already there, buzzing with excitement.

I made my way towards the druid and took my place. I knew the moment Kerrienne started walking towards me with her father. Everyone turned to watch her, and a hush fell over all those present. And what a vision she made. She looked breathtakingly beautiful.

The torches seemed to dance and reach towards her as she walked towards me. She was wearing a lovely gown. But what took me by surprise was the tartan she had draped across her shoulders depicting our colors. When she got closer I realized that she was actually wearing two tartans. My clan colors as well as hers braided into one.

KERRIENNE

I’ve never felt more alive as I did, walking down the aisle towards my husband-to-be. If possible, he looked even more handsome than before. He smiled at me and I felt my knees go weak. I caught a few jealous looks from the crowd. I put it out of my mind to ask Emrick about it later. As we turned to face the Druid, I caught a flash of steel and shoved Emrick out of the way.

He’d just tried to stab Emrick but I deflected the blow and disarmed him. Without pausing to think about it, I buried the dagger in his heart. As he fell to his knees, he glanced up towards one of the battlements. I turned to see what had captured his attention when I felt a sharp piercing pain propel me back into Emrick’s arms.

I looked down in confusion and pain at the arrow protruding from my chest as warm blood ran down the front of my bodice. I blinked and looked up into Emrick’s devastated face. As he held me tenderly in his arms.

“Bring me his head.” He all but growled.

“No,” I gasped out. “I need him alive.”

A look of understanding dawned in his eyes as he took my hand and placed it on his cheek.

“Take what you need.” He said.

“No, bring me the assassin.”

“Take just enough so you can last until we find him.”

I nodded and slowly brought his lips to mine.

EMRICK

She kissed me softly, tasting better than the sweetest wine. At first I didn’t feel anything, then I felt my life force leave my body and flow into hers. I gasped and she pulled back, still looking pale.

“Ready?” I asked. She nodded yes. I broke the tip and pushed the arrow deeper until the tip was poking out of her back, then I pulled the shaft free from her chest. I heard a screech coming from above us and looked up to watch in awe as Scota in her true form dove into the courtyard. People screamed and ran to get out of her way. At the last minute, she transformed in mid-air and came galloping towards us. She wouldn’t fit in the courtyard in her true form

‘She’s too weak, she needs more energy.’ She said, looking at me.

“No..” Kerrienne rasped out weakly.

“I’ve only exchanged energy with my own kind before but since I am your familiar, it should work. Theoretically.” She said into both our minds before she laid down next to Kerrienne.

KERRIENNE

I reached for Scota weakly. The moment I touched her neck, I could feel her life force pulsing under my hand. So different from Emrick’s or mine. At first it seemed like it wasn’t going to work but then I felt her life force hit me. I pulled my hand back as my body filled with so much raw power, I thought that it might rip me apart to escape. I felt my wound knitting together and breathing became easier.

Emrick helped me stand up. I looked out at the faces of my men and Emrick’s and saw fear. Even my father was looking at me in disbelief. Lars came back dragging a man between him and one of my men. Since they hadn’t witnessed my miraculous recovery or Scota’s true form, they weren’t looking at us in fear but curiosity.

“We’ll explain later.” Emrick said.

Lars nodded and threw the man at our feet. He was looking at the blood on my dress with a look of pure terror on his face.

“Can I eat him?” Scota asked. ‘Horse feed tastes like crap.’

I burst out laughing and the people in the courtyard looked at me like I’d grown two heads. Emrick shook his head and chuckled darkly.

I grabbed the man by the neck as I addressed him, drawing some of his life force into me. “Who sent you?” I asked, as if I didn’t already know.

He answered in a gasp “Alastair. He raided my village a few days ago. I am one of the best archers in my village. He told me to come here and kill the Laird but I declined because I’ve heard that you are a fair leader.” He said, looking at Emrick. “I tried escaping with my wife and daughter but his men captured us. As punishment, he tied me to a post and made me watch as his men took turns raping my wife. She died while I looked on and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do.” He spit out in rage.

“Why didn’t you try escaping again instead of coming here to do his bidding.”

“He is holding my daughter until the deed is done. Should I fail, he will give her to his men as well. She is only twelve, my lady.”

I let him go and turned to Emrick. “Who is Alastair to you?”

“He’s my father’s nephew, my cousin. He feels that my title should’ve gone to him after I killed my father since I was only sixteen at the time.”

I turned back to the man. “What’s your time frame for killing us?”

“He gave me a week, my lady. He’s held up in a village three days from here.”

I turned to Emrick.

“What’s your name?” He asked the kneeling man.

“Daniel, my lord.” “Is your daughter with him?”

“No, my lord. She’s still in my village with my parents. He has them under guard.” He didn't have to name him. I knew he meant Alastair. Emrick looked toward Lars then back to the kneeling man. He held out his hand and I placed my hand in his.

‘What do you think, Kerri?’ He whispered in my mind.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, calling up a vision of Alastair.

‘He’s already back at his keep in case Daniel fails. We should act as if he succeeded. Spread the word that you have been killed and I’m leading our armies towards his keep to seek revenge for your death.’

‘So I don’t get to eat him?’ Scota asked disappointedly.

‘No Scota, but you’ll get plenty to eat where we’re going.’

‘Oh goody.’ Scota exclaimed happily in my head.

Emrick took me at my word as he turned to address our people.