Highland Fires

by Donna Grant

  “How dare you enter this palace! You were banished from this realm, and there is no reason for you to have returned. Leave now before I throw you back into the Realm of Shadows.”

  Lugus stared at his brother and wished with all his heart that he could apologize to Theron, but an apology wasn’t enough. Nothing he did would ever make up for the destruction he had wrought.

  Theron was right. It was time for him to leave. Lugus didn’t bother looking at Ahryn as he turned to leave. He couldn’t stand to find the hate shining in her beautiful mystical blue eyes, not after everything they had shared.

  He hurried from the throne room, feeling suddenly as if his heart was dying. But leaving the palace wasn’t enough. He had to get farther away.

  Lugus waited until he was clear of everyone, then touched one of his tattoos. He had no idea where he was going, but then again, it really didn’t matter anymore.

  ~ ~ ~

  Ahryn stared aghast at her king. “What have you done?” she cried and tried to chase after Lugus.

  “Stop her,” Theron bellowed.

  And before Ahryn could leave the throne room, two guards had a hold of her.

  “You have no idea what you have just done. Do you even care what he risked to help you?”

  Theron laughed. “Help me? Lugus has only helped himself.”

  “Not true,” Rufina said as she strode into the throne room. “Theron, what is going on?” she asked when she saw Ahryn being held.

  “She’s trying to leave to follow Lugus. I’ve stopped her. She doesn’t belong with him.”

  “Aye, she does. Tell me you didn’t do what I think you’ve done.”

  Theron leaned back and regarded his wife. “I’ve just returned from near death, Rufina. What is it that you think I’ve done?” “Interfered where you had no right,” she said. “And the only reason you’re back from near death, dear husband, is because Lugus risked his own life to go into the Realm of Shadows to find you.” Her voice shook with anger.

  Theron’s face fell. “You mean he came after me in hopes that we would restore his immortality?”

  Ahryn watched as Rufina shook her head.

  “Then why did he come after me?” Theron asked.

  “Because we asked him to,” Ahryn replied when Rufina didn’t.

  Theron closed his eyes and ran a hand down his face. “By the stars what have I done, Rufina?”

  “Where did he go?” Ahryn asked, impatient to wait for Theron.

  Rufina and Theron raised their gazes to her. “I don’t know,” Theron answered. “But I have to find him.”

  “Nay,” Ahryn said and jerked her arms out of the guards’ grasp. “I will find him.”

  She turned to leave the throne room when Theron bellowed for her to stop. Ahryn sighed and turned back to her king. He had risen, and with the help of Rufina, was slowly walking towards her.

  “You’re going to need help,” Theron said. “He could be anywhere on this realm.”

  “I don’t think he is on this realm,” Rufina said.

  Theron’s gaze turned to her. “What?”

  “There hasn’t been time to tell you everything, my love,” Rufina said softly. “But there is so much you don’t know. Lugus risked his life to bring Ahryn here who had been trapped on the Earth realm, then risked his life again to save you. He intended to stay in the Realm of Shadows, but you were unconscious and so he had to carry you home.”

  “I don’t understand,” Theron mumbled. “How is it that Ahryn was trapped?”

  Ahryn stepped closer. “A mortal bound me to him with an ancient Celtic Slave bracelet. It prevented me from using my Fae powers, and that included opening the doorway. It was Lugus who opened it.”

  “How?” Theron repeated and looked between Ahryn and Rufina.

  “His tattoos, my love. They are special, and from what I’ve found out, they were given to him because he was heir to this throne.”

  “We’ve got to find him,” Theron said. “I’ve....” He turned beseeching eyes to Ahryn. “Forgive me, Ahryn. There is no excuse for what I’ve done.”

  Ahryn shook her head. “Just let me leave to find him.”

  “I will as soon as I find Aimery. I’ll send him with you.” “Nay,” Ahryn said more harshly than she intended. “I reached Lugus before. I’ll do it again,” she said and left the throne room.

  “What do you suppose she meant?” Theron asked Rufina.

  Rufina smiled as she turned and walked Theron back to their quarters. “She linked to him while he was searching for you.”

  “What?” he asked, disbelief widening his eyes.

  “I know. I was just as surprised. I don’t think she knows how rare it is that she has that link to Lugus.”

  “She loves him.”

  “Very much,” Rufina said. Theron stopped and turned to his wife. “I cannot believe I acted such the fool.”

  Rufina touched his face and smiled. “He’ll forgive you, my love. He isn’t the man you once knew. Your parents would be proud of what he’s become.”

  Theron sighed. “He belongs here. We must bring him back.”

  “Well, Tane said he had a destiny to fulfill.”

  “Tane?” Theron had nearly had enough surprises for the day, but he realized he was probably in for more. “Who is Tane?”

  “I’ll tell you all about him as we take a bath and give you a tongue lashing for what you nearly did to Ahryn and Lugus.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Lugus stepped out of the doorway and found himself gazing at three moons. He blinked. Three moons stared back him.

  “Astonishing,” he said as he looked around him.

  The realm was in darkness, but amazingly, the darkness didn’t frighten him as it used to. With the moons shedding their light upon the land, he let his eyes rove over the tall mountains, thick forests and dark beauty.

  A sound he thought never to hear again reached him. “Dragons,” he whispered as he raised his head to the sky and found the dark shape of a massive dragon circling above him.

  “This I didn’t expect,” Tane said as he walked from the forest.

  Lugus was amazed to find himself smiling. “I must be on Draconia.”

  Tane nodded. “What do you think?”

  “It is very beautiful.”

  “That she is. Why have you come?” Lugus stared at him a moment. “You knew I would come, just as you know why I left my realm.”

  “Aye. I do.”

  “So why do you ask?”

  “In the hopes that you’ll realize what it is you need to know.”

  Lugus sighed. “I just want to be alone for awhile. If I’m not welcome here, I will leave.”

  “Of course you are welcome here,” he said as he turned back to the forest. “Just remember that....” His voice trailed off as he disappeared into the trees. Lugus rolled his eyes and sank to the ground. He didn’t bother to call Tane back and ask him to repeat what he had said. If he had wanted Lugus to hear it, he would have said it louder.

  With his arm pillowing the back of his head, Lugus stared at the sky and watched the many dragons as they danced upon the night air.

  “Lugus?”

  He jumped and sat up. That had been Ahryn’s voice in his head, just as it had been on the Realm of Shadows.

  “Lugus.”

  This time she was more insistent, as if she expected him to reply.

  “Answer me please.”

  He heard the desperation in her voice and longed to answer her. He had no idea how she was reaching him through another realm and part of him didn’t care, but another part knew it was best if they parted ways.

  “I know you can hear me,” she went on. “If you won’t answer me then you’ll have to listen to me.”

  He laid back, but he no longer watched the dragons. Instead, he closed his eyes reveled in the sound of her voice.

  “You shouldn’t have left me. Again. There is much that we need to say to the other.”

  She wa
s right, he knew.

  “Lugus, I...I love you. It was what I was waiting in the throne room to tell you.”

  His heart leapt at her words and he longed to tell her what he felt.

  “It doesn’t matter to me what you’ve done in the past. I know the man you are today and that’s all that matters to me.” He wanted to believe her, but he knew the Fae would never forget or forgive him. He hadn’t even forgiven himself.

  “Come back to me, Lugus. Let us explore what’s between us. I’m not whole unless you’re with me. I need you.” After several moments he realized she was gone and he regretted not speaking to her.

  “Ahryn,” he called out, testing to see if she was listening. But he didn’t get an answer.

  He sat up and rested his elbows on his knees as he thought over her words. Maybe he hadn’t given her enough credit to make her own decisions. Maybe she really did care.

  Maybe....

  ~ ~ ~

  Ahryn let the tears fall. She had failed. Lugus wouldn’t even speak to her. She wasn’t giving up though. She would continue to reach out to him, to tell him of her love. Maybe one day he would see how strong her love was.

  She heard the door to her chamber open and she let out a soft sigh. Theron had been to see her several times, begging her forgiveness each time. She didn’t think she could stand to hear him say it once more.

  “I just want to be alone,” she said and kept her back to the door. Maybe he would understand and just leave.

  “I must have the wrong chamber because I was sure you called to me.”

  Ahryn’s mouth dropped open upon hearing Lugus’ voice. She spun around to see him filling her doorway, an uncertain smile on his face.

  “Did you mean it?”

  “What?” she asked.

  “What you said to me. Did you mean it?”

  She smiled and fought the urge to run into his arms. There were things that had to be said before she could rejoice. “Aye. Every word.”

  “You aren’t ashamed of what I’ve done?”

  “Any man would have done what you did if they were able. I would have done it.”

  He walked into the room and closed the door. “You’re parents don’t approve of me.”

  “I don’t care. I do and that’s all that should matter.”

  He took a step toward her. “I’m no longer immortal.”

  “We’ll work around that. I’m not worried.” He didn’t need to know yet that she had already spoken with Rufina and Theron about giving up her immortality.

  Another step toward her. “We won’t be able to live here.”

  “I don’t care where we live as long as I’m with you.”

  One last step that brought them face to face. “All I have to give you is my love.”

  She closed her eyes at finally hearing him say it. When she opened them it was to find him regarding her solemnly. “That’s all I ask for.”

  Relief washed over his face and he reached for her, bringing her hard against his body.

  “I never thought...,” he started but was unable to finish.

  “I know,” she said and leaned back to look into his eyes. “Me either. I’m glad you came back.”

  He smiled and kissed her tenderly. “How could I resist you?” Ahryn gave in to his intoxicating kisses until her body was on fire and her sex throbbed for release. She plunged her hands into his thick hair as her breasts grew heavy and her nipples hardened in anticipation.

  “We need to see Theron and Rufina,” she said between kisses.

  “They can wait,” Lugus said as he picked her up and laid her on the bed. “I’m going to love you first.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Lugus fisted his hand again and again over the hilt of his sword. He blew out a breath as he could well imagine what words Theron wished to impart upon him, and he just wished Theron would do it without Ahryn next to him.

  Before he and Ahryn went to the throne room, Lugus had wanted a moment alone. During that time he visited his parent’s portraits in the gallery hall.

  For some reason he didn’t feel as unworthy as he used to. Maybe loving Ahryn had set him free, or maybe it was her love that had done it. Either way, he was at peace and ready for whatever the future held for them.

  Now, as he stood waiting for Theron and Rufina he found himself as anxious as he used to be when standing before his father when he had been in trouble.

  The door opened and Aimery walked into the room. The Fae commander made his way to Lugus where he held out his arm. Hesitatingly, Lugus clasped forearms with Aimery.

  “Thank you for everything you have done,” Aimery said. “I’m proud to call you friend and would proudly call you king.”

  Lugus blinked and didn’t know how to respond to Aimery. All he could do was nod.

  He wasn’t given long to think about it though as Theron and Rufina walked into the throne room. Rufina gave him a bright smile and one he gladly returned. He watched as Theron seated Rufina, touching her rounding belly softly before taking his seat.

  “Lugus,” Theron called out, his face stoic.

  Lugus glanced at Ahryn and then walked toward his brother. He bowed his head and waited for Theron to begin.

  “It seems as though I’ve acted a fool.”

  Lugus head snapped up and he stared into the eyes of his brother. “What?”

  “I had no idea what you had gone through to save Ahryn, nor did I realize who it was that risked their life for mine.”

  Theron rose and walked down the steps until he stood in front of Lugus. “My brother, thank you. Thank you for saving me, for bringing me back to my wife and child. And please forgive me for what I did to you and Ahryn.”

  Lugus blinked. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

  Theron smiled. “I would ask you to return here, but I don’t think you would.”

  “Return to what?” Lugus asked. “I’m no longer immortal. I don’t belong here.”

  Ahryn squeezed his arm. “Aye, you do, my love. Immortal or not, you have always been, and will always be, a Fae.”

  Lugus shook his head. “I don’t know.” “I do,” Ahryn said. “I’ve already spoken to Theron and Rufina. I’m giving up my immortality.”

  A jolt of fear plunged through Lugus. “Nay,” he bellowed and gripped her shoulders. “I’ll not have you put your life in danger.”

  “And neither would we,” Rufina said. “Which is why we are offering you immortality, Lugus.”

  He stared at the fruit in Theron’s outstretched hand. He had forgotten of the special fruit that grew on a tree in the back of the palace, a tree kept secret from all but a special few.

  “Are you sure?” he asked Theron.

  “It’s time we right a wrong, my brother.”

  “I won’t take over,” Lugus said and took a step back.

  Theron smiled. “I knew you wouldn’t. Take it, Lugus.”

  It wasn’t until Ahryn reached for the fruit and brought it to his lips that Lugus opened his mouth took a bite. One obstacle had been overcome.

  “Thank you,” he said to Theron and Rufina.

  “Now,” Theron said as he walked back to his throne. “If you won’t take over as rightful heir to this realm, we have another alternative. You belong here, and we want you to stay.”

  “But the rest of the Fae--” he began.

  “Will adjust,” Theron interrupted. “We would like to offer you the position of Royal Ambassador. With the responsibility, you’ll be expected to do more than a regular ambassador. The ‘royal’ attached with let everyone know that you come from the royal family. You may not have the throne, brother, but you will have the next best thing. Besides, with your special tattoos, you’re able to move through realms where others wouldn’t dare.”

  Lugus couldn’t believe what Theron was offering him. He turned to Ahryn. “What do you think?”

  She smiled and leaned up to kiss him. “I say do whatever makes you happy. I’ll support whatever decision you make.”
<
br />   “Even if it means leaving your family?” “Even that,” she replied with a wink.

  Obstacle two had been overcome.

  Lugus turned back to his brother. “I accept.” Before the words were completely out of his mouth, Theron had bounded down the steps and wrapped his arms around him.

  “It’s good to have you back, brother. I’ve sorely missed you.”

  Lugus returned the hug. “I’ve missed you as well.” They pulled apart and looked at each other. “I think our parents would be proud.”

  Lugus smiled and waited until Theron returned to Rufina before he turned to Ahryn. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Aimery. He glanced and returned the smile the Fae commander sent him.

  “Shall we tell my family?” Ahryn asked. “I’ve refused to speak to them since I’ve been back. My grandfather has kept them abreast of everything that has been going on.”

  Lugus frowned. “I’ve always admired Michyl. I would have liked to have him approve of us.”

  “Oh, but he does,” she said. “I must have left that part out. I’m ready to face my family with this news.”

  “Not yet,” Lugus said.

  She cocked her head to the side and regarded him. “Why?”

  “I have one other question I need for you to answer.”

  “What is that?”

  “Will you marry me?”

  Her face broke into a huge smile as she flung her arms around his neck. “Aye. Oh, aye, I will,” she said and buried her face in his neck.

  Lugus smiled and held her tightly. Obstacle three had been overcome. He had all he ever wanted, but most importantly, he had Ahryn.

  Epilogue

  “What do you think he wants?” Ahryn asked.

  Lugus shrugged and pulled her against him to wrap his arms around her slim body. “I don’t know. I told him if it was important he would have to meet us here. We’ve traveled too far and too long to turn back now.”

  She smiled up at him. “I still can’t believe we’re about to see the blue dragons.”