Page 108 of The Changeling

‘To thine own self be true,’ he replied gently. ‘So, you are a changeling child and your mother is the faery queen … and you think she has cursed my boy? Why?’

‘She seeks to force me to do her will. I have been resisting her with all my strength. She’s hurting Robbie, so I will give in and do what she wants.’

‘What does she want you to do?’

‘I dinna ken. But it will be naught good.’

‘What is the nature of the curse? Can it be broken?’

I shrugged my shoulders. ‘I hope so. I am doing my best to find out.’

‘Will he die?’ Lord George’s voice broke.

I shook my head, my jaw set with determination. ‘I will do whatever my mother wants me to do.’

‘You must love him very much.’

Tears suddenly rushed to my eyes. I bent my head and nodded mutely.

For a moment he did not speak, then he said in a thick voice, ‘Thank you. I’m sorry.’

I nodded in acknowledgement, then said in a shaky voice, ‘Lord George, no-one else can ken. If Lord Patrick found out … he would kill me too. I’m trusting you with my life.’

‘So you are,’ he said in a tone of surprise. ‘Why?’

‘Mam gave you her charm-stone. And Carlin likes you – she wags her tail when she sees you.’

He smiled. ‘Dogs are good judges of people.’

‘The best.’

‘So why have you told me?’

It took me a while before I could trust my voice. ‘My lord, you know I love Robbie … you know I’ve always loved him. And I think he loves me still. He saved me from the witch-hunters, even when he thought I’d worked black magic to entrap him. If I break this curse … if he still wants me … would you let us be together?’

‘Let you marry?’

I nodded.

‘Will you still try and save him if I say no?’

‘Aye, my lord.’

‘Then that is my answer too, Caiti.’

I let out my breath in a long sigh. ‘He may no’ want me anymore.’

‘I think you will find he does.’

‘I hope so. I have to break the curse first, and to do that I need to know more about my mother … more about the faery folk.’

‘I cannot help you there, Caiti, I know naught about them. History is my subject, not faery lore.’

‘That’s why I’m here. Do you ken … can you tell me … who ruled here more than seven hundred years ago?’

He looked puzzled. ‘Why?’

‘I think it will help me understand.’