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from me the moment she was weaned. Diedre is her name.” She failed to mention that she had dumped the child at his feet, swearing she would destroy her if she ever saw the babe again.
    Athor studied her contorted face. There was so much hate hidden beneath the surface. He could use it if she control led herself. “What do you get out of this unholy alliance? Revenge? I will not make you my queen when I receive the throne…on that you can rely.”
    Her eyes narrowed craftily as she uttered her falsehoods. “Of course I will not be queen. But I will have retribution and, perhaps… a position as your leman?”
    He knew she was insincere. But he would let it stand for now. She could be useful to him. He smiled as he sat back in his chair. “Perhaps.”
    Natasha did not care if he believed her. Once her plan reached fruition, Athor would be as dead as the rest of them. She smiled to herself , then mentally shook herself out of her reverie. “I am going to Brodie Castle to befriend the laird and his lady. We must slay Garrick first. Then we can use Seonaid as bait to draw King Alred out to eliminate him.”
    “He will send Lokai to retrieve her . He could always sense a trap. And how do you plan to murder Garrick? His battle skills are exceptional.”
    “Maybe…but I do not plan to fight him…I plan to kill him. Poison should do the trick. As for Lokai being sent in his stead…he will be busy with his own dilemma. You are going to abduct his wife.”
    Athor arched his brow in question. “Considering that Diedre is on the Isle of Remembrance, which can only be reached with magic, how am I to abduct her? Do you forget that Alred took my magic when I battled Garrick?”
    “I did not forget. But I have a few mystical skills that I have learned…one of them being the power to open certain portals. It drains my energy somewhat but I believe I can get you to the isle and back. When it is time, I shall return to open it for you.” She spoke nonchalantly, not wanting to reveal how vulnerable she would be when she performed the task. It would not do to allow Athor to know her weaknesses. “Until I return you should build your strength and practice your battle skills. This will take some time.”
    His amber eyes glowed with venom as they narrowed at her retreating back. He was not her lapdog to do her bidding. He smiled maliciously. Athor had his own plans as far as Garrick was concerned and he was not about to permit Natasha to ruin his enjoyment of them.

Chapter IV
    How long has she been here? Seven , no, eight moons and still Lokai has not declared himself to her. Diedre sighed heavily as she stared at the vacant side of her bed. Every morn it was the same. It was almost as if he did not spend the night with her…although she was certain that he did. Just as she was certain of his feelings for her. She did not understand why he would not say the three words that she desperately wanted…no…needed to hear.
    Her stomach spasmed suddenly as bile rose in her throat. She leapt from the bed rushing to the chamber pot just in time as she emptied her stomach. Diedre sat back shakily when she had finished, wiping her hand across her mouth. Oh bother! Something else to clean. It is not bad enough that I am a prisoner. Now I am a sick prisoner. Lokai will not want to be near me at all at this rate. A wayward tear splashed down her porcelain cheek…then another…and another until she could not stop the onslaught. She wept till there were no more tears in her reservoir of self-pity. She crept back to bed feeling drained and fell into a dreamless sleep.
    ***
    “How does my daughter fare, Lokai? Do you see improvement?” Alred stared pointedly at his heir. He missed Diedre and was anxious to visit her.
    Lokai finished his apple as he mulled over the King’s inquiry. He had seen definite improvement in her tendency to be rash but he was not certain that she understood that she had to quit meddling in mortals’ lives. There was