Chapter 29 Part One- Two sides of Every Coin
Disclaimer! This is part one of a mirror chapter. Check back to chapters 16-17. Sometimes you have do know both sides of the story in order to continue :) Happy Reading.
**Three Months Earlier**
On the ride back to Leoch following their attack on the hill, Daniea might as well have been riding next to a ghost. Jamie didn't dare look or speak to her after seeing her darker side rear its bloody head. She stared at his ridgid form as they rode along. His jaw clenched tighter as she called his name once again, a silent beg to acknowledge her presence. Her temper rose to new heights as she watched his knuckles whitened, a visible sign that he was keeping a grip on his temper as well. She cursed the whole situation under her breath as she spurred her mount on to meet up with Murtagh.
One look at her and he could tell she was about to implode. "I can't do this anymore Murtagh, I need to tell him...now!" She spat, gesturing towards her weary husband.
"And what exactly would ye tell him Lass." He replied, worry in his eyes.
"I...I don't know. But I can't hide the fact that I'm no longer the weakling I was before."
"Ye have never been a weakling." he was quick to remind. "Ye were caught off guard and ill equipped."
Shivers ran down her spine as she vividly remembered her attack on the moore.
"Lass, when ye came to us and asked to be trained to better handle yourself no one thought twice about helping."
Her stare met his as he continued, "But…when ye told us about your past with the watch."
Daniea's eyes began to burn, a mask of shame forming upon her face.
"Lass, listen here! We all do what we must to survive. Good and kin." He urged her.
"The way he looked at me Murtagh, the way he won't look at me now...I've done him so wrong. He deserves so much better."
A loud groan escaped Murtagh, "You two. I pray spare me from the both of ye…Lass this is something that could be deadly in the wrong hands. If I were ye I would keep it quiet unless absolutely necessary."
She watched him for a long time, unsure of what he meant but as she twisted around in the saddle she spotted Castle Leoch standing in the distance.
It wasn't until they crossed through the empty courtyard and into the main hall that Jamie finally resumed his position next to her.
Daniea took in a deep breath as they walked side by side to the head table, yet as the figures sitting made themselves known she knew she was done for.
"Why Colum ye did do it after all, ye found my daughter. The assassin!" Daniea made sure to stare him down while he subjected the entire court to his accusation, she had to show no sign of weakness. Her face contorted instantly into the mask she had prayed to never don again.
"Father." She cooed to him before turning towards the Mckenzie's. As she made her greetings she dared to glance back at Jamie who stood frozen to the spot. She made small work of backing away from the table to rejoin him as Colum began to redirect everyone's attention.
"I believe there is congratulations in order, my nephew and yer daughter have been married."
"I agreed to no such match!" Taran growled.
She had to make this conversation come to an end but how?
"Father?" She purred, stepping up towards the table. He leaned forward as she whispered in his ear.
"Now, now... you wouldn't want to reveal yer true nature in front of all these people. Besides...I'm no longer yours. I'm free." His hand shot forth, wrapping his fingers around her neck. She couldn't help but laugh at his outburst, even as her breathing began to slow.
From the corner of her eye she could see all the men draw their weapons, readying to remove Taran forcefully but she knew it would only end badly, so she threw up her hand halting them. She leaned deep into his grip, her jaw now pressed tightly against his ear.
"Mother... Told ...Me... Everything." His grip tightened more, his anger on the verge of killing.
" And Randall... I would hate for him to learn... that it was you... who orchestrated my marriage to the Laird's... nephew... in order… to… break... your agreement." She hissed. Her words barely shaking free, "As well... as... the... right... people... getting... their... hands... on... your... kill... lists."
His grip loosened as the color leached from his skin. Deep bruises began to blossom upon her alabaster skin. She made sure to never allow her stare to falter, a sickly smile spreading across her lips as a reminder to him that she now held the power between the two.
Dougal used the silence as invitation to break the tension around the hall by not so gently slapping Taran on the back.
"I believe it is a match that you will come to approve of. And we will be able to discuss this at length later on, but for now we are all tired and wish to eat and rest. Colum? Shall we continue tomorrow?"
Daniea made her way down the steps and around Jamie as Colum agreed with Dougal and told everyone to disperse for dinner. She quickly grabbed Jamie by the arm and dragged him upstairs to the room she once called her own, the room they would now share.
Jamie never gave her a chance to catch her breath from the ordeal with Taran. As the door clicked shut behind them he seized her shoulders and began mauling her with his temper.
"Who...are...you?" He seethed.
Every muscle ached in her body but she stood firm and calm against his grip.
"I'm yer wife." Daniea stated as her voice grew weary.
"Ye are not my wife! He growled. "My wife is a sweet, loving woman who could never…"
She knew where this was going. Had expected it in fact but his words gutted her all the same.
"James, let me go." She told him, not moving a muscle to fight.
"Who are ye! What are ye?" He continued to seethe.
She drew in a deep breath, the pain of his grip worsening as he tightened his hold.
"Let me go and I will explain." She stated once again.
His grip clamped down even further as his rage grew, his hands crushing her.
"Ye think me a daft fool... let a viper like ye go."
Two heartbeats later she had maneuvered out of his reach thanks to her new training, and drew the blade she had hidden on her person.
"I am not a viper ye horses arse! I am yer wife! And if ye ever lay a hand on me ever again in such a way James Fraser I will cut off yer manhood and feed it to the dogs! Do ye understand me?!" She roared, no longer able to contain her fiery Irish temper a moment longer.
He became silent at the tongue lashing.
Her anger swiftly turned to anxiety and guilt as she looked long at her husband. Her breathing becoming labored as her feelings started to spill forth.
"I told them this was a terrible idea, we should...I should have told ye but Murtagh said it shouldn't be known unless it was necessary."
Daniea panted, trying to stop hyperventilating in front of him.
"Jamie." She began, turning towards the silent and furious highlander.
"Please calm down! Just listen to me before ye go doing or saying something ye will regret." She pleaded, putting down her blade as her breathing returned to normal.
The glare he gave her ushered her to add, "You owe me at least that much ye hot headed ninny."
A weak smile spread across her face. She needed him to lighten up just a bit, just like before when her teasing could draw him back to himself.
"Are ye what he claims? An assassin?" He finally asked, his voice a mere whisper.
Finally he was talking. Daniea let out a deep breath.
"Yes and no, I was...once. But no more."
"How can I believe ye? The woman I saw in the hall was hideous and cruel...I don't know ye at all."
"Jamie please?" She begged. "It was all an act. I promise! I developed it long ago to deal with my father and men like him." She explained, her eyes falling to the ground in shame. "Jamie...I told ye on our wedding night that most men who tried to rape me paid with their lives…"
She slowly began reaching a hand towards him when he pushed past her to sit on the bed, burying his head in his hands.
Tears began to well up in her eyes as she saw him sitting there, utterly broken.
"Jamie. I'm so sorry for not telling ye every grisly part of my past but I didn't want to burden ye with it...All ye need to know is yes, at one time in my life I did what I had to... to survive. Which was to make sure certain people didn't remain breathing. People like Randall."
She knelt in front of him, gently running her hands down his arms.
"Jamie...I have never lied to ye. I am the same person I was yesterday and the day before that. I have a past that is misunderstood...much like ye do."
Jamie took a deep breath and finally looked up at her.
Aye, but I never murdered people in cold blood."
Her hands dropped to her lap.
"That's not fair...I had to.."
Jamie grabbed Daniea's arms and pulled her into his embrace, his lips crashed upon her mouth with an angry hunger. His scalding body trembled beneath her touch as she deepened the kiss, her tears rolling down her cheeks just as he broke free.
Leaving her once more kneeling on the ground, he stood and made his way to the door behind her.
"Jamie? What was?" Daniea began to ask, her fingers lingering on her lips, when he cut her off.
"I was kissing my wife goodbye, she might as well be dead to me because the woman who stands before me could never be her...If ye can murder then only God knows what else ye have done... or are willing to do."
"But!"
The door slammed shut behind him.
"Yer mine." She sobbed as she sank once again to the floor. His anger and the finality of his last words ran through her like a knife. Drawing her knees into herself she cradled herself, rocking back and forth uncontrollably.
Hours later as she was still huddled on the floor, humming a song sang to her by her mother there was an urgent knock on the door.
"Jamie?!" She called, rushing to the door in hopes he came back to her but it was Taran and one of his men leaning against the frame instead.
"Sorry to disappoint ye fox, but no I am not yer...husband."
"Don't call me that!" Daniea growled, trying to slam the door in Taran's face.
"Come now daughter, you use to take such pride in being my sly fox."
"Ye lied to us my whole life, I only did those things to keep us in yer good graces… to keep them safe."
Taran sauntered in the room, signalling his man to keep guard at the door.
"Well it should bother ye no longer, it is just as ye said. Yer free of me."
A smirk appeared upon his face as he sat down and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"Yer Mrs….MacTavish now...is it?" He questioned, swirling the amber liquid around in his glass.
"Aye I am, and I am under the protection of my new clan."
Taran couldn't hide his snicker.
"Oh yes, certainly my fox...oh I beg yer pardon I meant to say... Mrs. Fraser."
Daniea's blood froze in her veins. How did he find out? No one knew except those closest to Jamie.
"Don't ye…" Daniea began to warn.
"Don't what? Now ye may still be under the protection of the McKenzie Clan true enough but yer husband is not. If my memory serves me right he is a very wanted man to the red coats. In fact he has a death sentence attached to that pretty red head of his." Taran chuckled as he finally took a drink.
Daniea stood frozen to the spot, her nails creating bloody crescent moons upon her palms.
"I have to say ye had me going for a bit back in the dining hall. But ye should know by now that no secret stays secret for very long around the watch."
"What do ye want?" Daniea asked, her soul filled with dread. Much like she use to experience as a child.
"Why, I only want yer safe return to me just as yer dearly departed mother wished."
"My mother was blinded by love and worry."
"Don't speak ill of the dead child, ye should know better by now."
"And what if I refuse."
"Refuse. Agree. No matter what ye choose to do my fox, ye will be a widow soon enough."
"What?"
"Ye heard me dear heart. I will collect the fines for handing over yer...husband... to the red coats. And once he is swinging from a noose at Fort William, ye will come home with me."
"I won't let ye touch him!" She yelled.
"Ye have no choice. Ye have actually made things quite comfortable for me with this arrangement. Yer marriage to the boy broke my deal with that red coat captain. And yer marriage to a much wanted fugitive fills my pockets and gets me back my most beloved asset. Ye know..in all the years I swore to leave ye be I never had another with such a talent for poisons." Taran smirked.
"I would sooner die than ever work for ye again."
"Oh I believe that...but if ye don't do as I say ye would be putting this entire clan in jeopardy."
Think...think...think...she had to find a loophole around all the threats. Daniea racked her brain, going over every encounter and task set upon her by Taran and then it finally came to her.
"Father?"
Taran took another long sip before looking up at his haggard daughter.
"If I present ye with an offer ye could never refuse will ye swear to leave Jamie and his clan be. I I know ye have the power to clear him of his charges... Promise me ye will make him a free man and to never harm his family."
"I doubt such an offer exists my fox but please go on?"
Daniea took a deep breath, she couldn't believe what she was about to suggest.
"If ye agree I will give ye my total obedience father. I will do whatever ye ask of me without question or refusal. I...I will never fight against ye again."
Taran coughed on the whiskey,
"Well now that is an offer! To finally have my wyly fox broken and obedient. I never thought I would live to see the day."
"Does that mean ye accept my terms?"
Taran sat for a moment in silence...pondering. He then rose from his seat and went to the door giving orders to his man outside the door.
The suspense was unbearable but finally Taran turned to his daughter. "I accept yer terms dear heart. We leave tomorrow. Get yer beauty sleep I need ye at yer absolute best." He smirked, turning away to leave her be. "I will get your husband's papers... shortly"
"Father?" Daniea called.
"Yes,"
"May I write a note to Jamie to say my goodbyes."
Taran's eyebrow rose, "Of course, but I want Deacon to read it first."
"Thankyou...Father."
"Oh I believe I will thoroughly enjoy this." Taran cooed, kissing her on top of the head before he finally took his leave for the night.
The image of Jamie swinging from the hangman's noose and his final words to her were the only things that allowed her to write the letter.
After Deacon, Taran's guard, read it. She allowed her final tears to flow as she gently tucked in his pearls and her beloved wedding band. Sealing the wax seal with the last bit of hope she had left. Her hope that now he would be a free man able to live the life he always dreamed of. And that perhaps maybe their short time together did some good in the world of hurt she caused him and his family.
Meanwhile Taran's spies congregated outside the tavern that Jamie and his men were drinking away his sorrows at. Carefully a vial and tiny dagger were handed to a waiting woman in the darkened alley way.
"Do it." He ordered the woman. Once she nodded in understanding he returned to Taran at Castle Leoch.
She waited.
Biding her time, pouring drinks and keeping an eye on Jamie and his men. The drunker they became the better.
She made sure every pass to their table the potency of their drinks were more than they ever asked for. As the night progressed and he sought the company of one of the whores; she gingerly followed Jamie into the back and waited. Hours later when the savage noises had long since ceased and she was confident they both were passed out; she snuck into the room.
Taran's handmaid scowled at the couple as she dipped the tip of the knife into the translucent powder. Careful to not make a single sound she then racked it deeply down into his flesh, making sure to draw fresh blood but ever so carefully following a deep clawmark already placed there by his partner.
An hour later Taran's spy reappeared, checking in on the progress.
"Is it done?" He asked the operative.
"Yes, it should be very slow, painful and appear natural." She commented with a smirk.
"Very good." He answered, handing over a sack of coins to the woman then disappearing back into the night.
The next morning Daniea awoke to a gorgeous black gown waiting for her on the foot of her bed along with a note.
Make yourself immaculate my fox
She knew exactly what he wanted and set out to obey his first of many commands.
Taran made sure to bogart the morning meeting, twisting it to his benefit but thankfully Colum and Dougal, knowing their adversary all too well, looked through the mounds of lies. They could have left early but Taran wanted to parade his victory around as long as he could and Jamie had not yet made his way back to Castle Leoch.
Daniea was informed early on to not come to the meeting with the clansmen until she was called, so she took the extra time to perfect her new mask, the mask she condemned herself to wear for the rest of her life...weapon.
Taran was almost giddy when his spies informed him of Jamie's arrival. But when he finally stood before him, looking completely disheveled, he couldn't help but feel like a cat when it catches the canary.
Daniea had been instructed to finally leave her room and as she rapped on the door, she took in a deep breath for her first test was just beginning.
"Ahhh doesn't she look bonnie." Taran called as he walked over to her. She was no longer a person, she was no longer allowed to want or love or simply to be. She was whatever Taran ordered till she died.
She kept her head high and allowed him to speak in whatever way he liked. Nudging her in the back to fully face Jamie.
"Doesn't this gown make her beautiful breasts look so plump lad?" He asked Jamie as he ran his hands along the contours of her chest. She simply watched as Jamie lurched towards Taran at the inappropriate gesture. She could feel her fathers horrible laugh ring through her as he moved her long hair to expose her bare neck. The powders she applied thankfully covering the black and blue bruises.
"I believe it is almost time my fox, are you ready?" He tested, waiting for a sarcastic answer but instead received a simple nod. His smile grew, his first true test of obedience passed. He gently swept her cloak across her shoulders, but as Jamie's anger rose Taran couldn't help but prod him again by kissing Daniea on the soft skin below her ear as he clasped the fox clasp shut, which in fact symbolized to her that she was his.
Jamie's face contorted and green seemed to flush his cheeks at the action.
"Oh don't look so sad boy, I saw yer face yesterday when you found out who my fox really is. I thought you would be most happy to be relieved of her ill gotten presence so soon."
Daniea could see Dougal's grip on him straining as he fought against him.
Taran knew what triggers to pull and he was saving the worst for last as he twisted behind her.
"Oh! And don't worry, I shall make certain that they are both taken care of." He chuckled as he placed his hand in a possessive manner upon her tightly corseted abdomen.
That was it, that was the final nudge Taran sought to torture the room with since Jamie was practically frothing at the mouth like a rabid dog.
"May I say goodbye father?" Daniea finally spoke.
"Of course dear heart." He agreed as she stepped from his grasp.
First she made her way to Colum who was closest, gently kissing him on the cheek. Then as she leaned into a long hug she whispered in his ear.
"Don't worry about me, thankyou for everything my Laird."
Then she shifted to Dougal who finally released Jamie, repeating the kiss and hug.
"Stay safe, don't worry about me." She told him.
Then she turned towards Jamie, but Taran was quick to grab her arm before any communication took place.
"Did you leave the note you asked me to let you write?"
She tore her eyes away from Jamie's face, "Yes father, it's in my room."
"Then we shall be going."
Daniea nodded, she looked at Jamie one final time trying to look past the marks left from his night at the tavern, but the pungent smell of the woman's sweetly perfume upon his skin made her want to get sick. Taran allowed them to stare at each for a minute more before pulling her hood forward and escorting her to her fate.
