And so began the relationship between Longshanks and his bastard granddaughter that he legitimized within in three months. Five months later, for her birthday, he gave her three hundred acres in Scotland. And after two years, he found her a suitable match.

"My Lord, the Lady Skye is here."

"Out of my way, fool!" Skye swept past the solider and dipped a curtsey to her grandfather. "My Lord."

Longshanks smiled. "Welcome, Lady Skye. It has indeed been long since you graced my court with your presence."

"Fuck your damn court," snapped Skye. "Where the hell is my mother?"

"I've sent for her." Longshanks looked around the room. "Leave us."

The room quickly emptied.

"Now Skye, perhaps you'll tell me why you are in such a rare temper."

"For several reasons, my lord." Skye was now thirteen, closing in fast on her fourteenth birthday and with each passing year, she grew more gorgeous. Her thick dark hair was left hanging free and it was in a glorious dark cloud around her head. "I received court news less than year after I left for my estate in Spain. Is it true your son is a homosexual?"

Longshanks said nothing. News travels fast, he thought. Far too fast.

"If he has sodomized my mother, I swear to God that I'll kill him."

"I have little doubt that you would," said Longshanks. "Your mother has not been sodomized. My son doesn't visit her bed unless I force him to. But as I see that your mother is fertile and yet there are no children, I have concluded that my son's seed must be weak."

Skye swore again. "But that's not all! I here you have been speaking to Robert the Bruce, the Earl…"

"I have indeed. I wish to align England and Scotland."

"With me!" Skye's eyes where burning. "I'll not marry the damn man!"

"He was quite taken with the portrait I provided him with." Longshanks stood. "The thought has come to me to give Scotland to Robert the Bruce. He's a trustworthy man. A bit weak but I'm sure you can cure him of that."

"I won't marry him!"

The doors flew open and Isabelle ran into the room. She threw her arms around her daughter. "Skye!"

Skye kissed her mother's cheek. "Mama, I have returned." She shot Longshanks a dark look that made him smile. "For a short while."

"Princess, you must wait to speak with your daughter," Longshanks said at last. "We have matters of business to discuss."

Isabelle squeezed her daughter's hand. "My deepest apologies, my lord." She curtsied to him and to her daughter and then glided through the doors.

Skye at last took off her cloak and tossed it over a chair. "Perhaps now you will speak plainly with me, my lord."

"About what?"

"You're not well."

"No, I am not. I probably won't live much longer."

"That's not all." Skye studied her grandfather. "What's this I hear of William Wallace?" she asked quietly.

Longshanks frowned darkly. "The man is a rebel!" he shouted.

"He seeks only to free his home land!" Skye shouted back. "He has a good heart and a good military mind. He's certainly kicked your ass more times than enough."

Longshanks studied her. "You've seen the man?"

"Aye, I've seen the man."

"I did not send for you to discuss the merits of William Wallace." Longshanks stood. "On the morrow, we leave for Robert the Bruce's castle. There, you will accept his offer of marriage, thus uniting Scotland and England. We had a bargain, him and I. We each had two parts. One part of mine was to give him your hand and one part of his was to accept it."

"What where the other parts?" asked Skye.

"That is none of your business. Now, go greet your mother and Henry. The dressmaker has sewed a whole new wardrobe for you and you must be certain it fits. We leave tomorrow."

Skye had known all her life who her Father was. And as she received news of his victories across Scotland, she fell to her knees and thanked God.

"My dear Skye, may I present to you Robert the Bruce, the 17th Earl of Bruce and one day…King of Scotland."

Robert the Bruce took Skye's hand and brushed his lips over it. It was a cold but tiny hand.

"Robert the Bruce, the Duchess of Bella Callagone, Skye." Longshanks stood. "I'll retire now," he said stiffly.

Robert didn't let go of Skye's hand and he didn't even notice as Longshanks left. "Your portrait didn't even begin to do you justice, my lady."

Skye studied him. He was one of the handsomest men she had ever seen. "You're flattery will have little affect on me, my lord. I've grown up listening to men, young and old, whisper sweet nothings in my ear." She withdrew her hand from his.

"I see you do not give yourself easily."

"One of the world's most costly thing is the love of a Princess."