He found Skye in the library with a glass of wine in her hand. She was staring into the fire, the glass in her delicate but capable hand.

"I had nothing to do with this, Skye. You must believe me."

"I believe you." Skye's rich voice was toneless. She downed the glass and wiped the tears from her face.

Robert picked up the decanter and filled her glass again. "Drink. It'll dull your pain," he said quietly.

"My…Longshanks will be dead before the week is out," Skye said quietly. she looked up at him. "You and I…we will be wed before the month is done. Your own Father will be dead in a matter of days. And my father…" she took a deep drink from the glass. "He will be dead as well."

Robert poured his own glass of wine. "Then Henry will be King of England."

Skye smiled slightly. "My mother or I are the consorts for the throne if the King's heir is dead. My mother is with child and she will rule in his stead until he is of age."

"You seem quite certain that Henry will not sit on the throne of England."

Skye looked at him for a long moment then she tossed back the rest of the wine. "I ride for England."

Isabelle was pacing the halls of the castle. "Nicolette, where is she?" she whispered in agony.

"I am here, Mama."

Isabelle turned.

Skye came quickly down the hall, her black cloak billowing out behind her.

"The most awful thing has happened," cried Isabelle.

Skye took her mother's arm. 'I know. Put this on." She handed her mother a cloak. "Has he already been tried?"

Great tears filled Isabelle's eyes as she quickly wrapped herself in the thick black cloak. "My God, Skye, he was so brave. He would not confess so…so tomorrow…"

"No more," said Skye. She hurried her mother down the halls and into the dungeons.

The guard stood and shifted nervously. "My lady! Princess…"

"We will see the prisoner," demanded Skye.

"We have orders from the King…" began the guard.

"The King is dying and his son is a weakling," snapped Isabelle. "Who do you think will rule this kingdom in a weeks time? Now open this door."

The guard looked at her for a long moment. "I kin only let you in one at a time."

Skye nodded at her mother and then took a deep breath. She had ridden hard and the mud from the journey was still scattered across the bottom of her black ridding habit. She leaned her head against the cool stone wall. She was so tired. Tears fell down her cheeks and she didn't even try to stop them.

"Skye."

Skye quickly wiped the tears away and turned.

Her mother was deathly pale. "Go."

Skye entered the cell and shut the door behind her. She looked at her Father just in time to see him spit a dark liquid out.

William looked at her. "I took it to comfort ye mother. But…"

"I understand." Skye looked at him for a long moment.

William had never seen her looking more fair. She was standing there, her dark hair in a thick braid that hung down her back. The black and silver habit showed of her cream skin and bright eyes.

She stepped closer to him. "I won't even ask you to confess," she said quietly. "I give you my word that Scotland will be free. Your son…Your son will rule England one day."

"And your mother?" William managed as his throat grew tight. "Will ye take care of her?"

"Aye, I will."

William turned away from his daughter. "Tomorrow…I'm afraid, lass. I'm afraid."

Skye ran to her father and threw her arms around him. "Oh Father!" she whispered. "I…Oh God, please…"

"Ye said ye wouldn't!" cried William. "You said you wouldn't do it!"

Skye slid to her knees and pressed her head against his feet, weeping. "I cannot do it! God, give me strength!"

William pressed his face into the stone wall. He too prayed for strength. Strength for his daughter. "Lass," he said at last. "Skye."

"Yes?" she asked quietly, not moving from where she was.

"Has Robert won your love? Has he your heart?"

"Aye."

"For the love of a princess…there is nothing more precious."

Skye at last got to her feet. "Tomorrow, I shall be there. I will be there until your last moment."

William looked into hr eyes. "Ye give me strength."

"No. It is God who gives you your strength." Skye took his hands and pressed her lips to them. "Farewell," she said quietly.

"I love you, lass. I'm proud of ye."

Skye stood in the doorway. "I love you as well, Father." Then she was gone.