by Donna Grant
She thought about that a moment before she asked, “Can his power be returned?”
“Only if he has a reason to believe in his Druid blood again.”
“That will never happen,” Glenna said. She had hoped to be able to bring Conall some good news.
“Don’t ever say never. Can’t you think of one person who could give him a reason to believe?”
Glenna stared into her sister’s green eyes. An image of her and Conall laughing and holding a baby flashed before her. She shook her head and looked to Moira. “It’s the truth he wants me for a wife but only if I give up the Druid way.”
“Don’t give up hope,” Moira cautioned. “Without hope there is nothing. Do you love him?”
“So much I would die for him.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
* * * * *
Conall stood atop the round tower and watched as Glenna walked into the bailey from the caves. He didn’t need the sight to know she had been to see Moira, and by the look of her downturned face he knew the news wasn’t good.
With a sigh he looked out over the land that had been the MacInnes’ for hundreds of years. Since the beginning his ancestors had accepted and hidden the Druids from harm, and the laird was expected to marry one.
Yet he could not.
He couldn’t deny his soul yearned to have Glenna by his side for the rest of their lives, but his heart refused to disregard she was a Druid. It was just as well. The Druids had all but been driven out of Scotland, and the rest hid in fear of their lives. Nay, he wouldn’t follow his ancestors. His wife wouldn’t follow the Druids, of that he would make sure.
On their own, his eyes found Glenna, her slight form standing next to Angus. She was perfect for him. His mate. And his heart and soul knew it. She did as well if she would listen to her heart.
She would be his wife, and he would rule his clan without his power. He didn’t need his power. His instinct would lead him.
* * * * *
Glenna looked around the bailey as Conall’s clan readied themselves for an invasion. Emotions were strung tight at the prospect of MacNeil’s arrival.
Many of the clan still didn’t look upon her favorably, but they didn’t harbor hatred in their hearts any longer. Of that she was most grateful.
“He’s lost it, hasn’t he?”
She looked up at Angus, his hazel eyes creased with worry. “Lost what?”
“He can’t tell if Gregor is lying, can he?”
She didn’t know whether to tell Angus the truth or not, but in the end she knew he would find out. “Aye, it’s gone.”
He stroked his red beard and followed Gregor with his eyes. “Then we’ll have to make sure it’s returned.”
She couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. “Exactly my thoughts.”
“Go talk with him. He may say he doesn’t need the power, but I know he’s troubled more than he’d like to admit. He’s brooding atop the east tower. I’ll stay here and make sure Gregor doesn’t run off.”
“Gregor won’t leave, Angus. Trust me on that.”
“I wish I could, lass,” he said sadly.
* * * * *
By the time Glenna reached the top of the east tower her breath came in great gulps. She leaned against a wall and struggled to even her breathing after the many winding steps she had made.
She looked up and found Conall staring at her. One shoulder was braced against the stone and his arms were crossed over his muscular chest. A gust of wind whipped around them, and she longed to see his hair unbound and blowing in the wind.
“Did Moira have anything to say?”
She ignored his question and pushed from the wall. “Angus was right. You are brooding.”
“I’m not brooding,” he said, and turned his back on her.
She came to stand beside him and looked over the land. “I’ve never been to this tower. The loch is my favorite to look over, but this view is magnificent.”
He cast her a brief glance.
“The loch gives me a bit of solace but watching your clan is quite intriguing. I think I’ll come up here next time to watch you train.”
“You watch me train?”
Glenna could have bitten her tongue off. She had never meant for him to know she watched. “On occasion.”
He laughed, the sound pleasing to her mind and spirit. “I don’t need my powers to know you’re lying.”
“Oh all right. So I like to watch,” she confessed. But she would never tell him how much seeing his muscles ripple caused her heart to pound and her body to sweat.
“Then I’ll have to do something extra for you from now on.”
She chanced a glance and found a genuine smile upon his handsome face. Her eyes found his lips and she forgot everything except how they felt on her body.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he warned softly.
She put what she hoped was an innocent look on her face, and asked, “Like what?”
“Like you want to devour me.”
She flipped her hair over her shoulder as she had seen a woman do yesterday and looked back at the bailey. “It just so happens I do want to devour you.”
Disappointment shot through her when he didn’t say anything. Obviously her attempt at being coy didn’t work. She would definitely have to work on her flirting skills, she thought sadly.
Suddenly his hard body pressed behind her and his mouth did delightful things to her neck while his hands grabbed her hips and pulled her against him.
“You can’t say things like that to me and not expect me to do something,” he whispered before his tongue traced her ear.
She shivered. Her body longed to be joined with him again. She was only half a person when she was parted from him. “Oh, I most certainly want you to do something.”
“You’d tempt a saint.” He turned her to face him. “All right. I admit. I was brooding, but I’m not anymore. I can never brood when you’re near.”
She smiled, her heart doing a little leap. “Then it’s a good thing I came up here.”
“You came because you saw Moira.”
His silver eyes held hers and waited. She had wanted to put off telling him, but she could see he would probe until she confessed all. “Aye, I saw her. I wanted to know why you’d lost your ability.”
“Because I’ve turned from the Druids.”
“That’s right.”
“Then explain why it’s stayed with me until now? I’ve turned from the Druids long ago,” he said, and ran his hand through his hair.
She hated to see him hurting and debated on whether to tell him all of what Moira said. In the end, she knew she had to tell him everything. “Moira says it’s because of me. I’m a reminder of what you wanted to be.”
“Can I get it back?” he asked, ignoring her words.
“You want it back? I thought you hated it?” She wouldn’t have been more surprised if he had have said he wanted to become a Druid.
“I never wanted it, but now that it’s gone…”
She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. “You’re a great laird. You don’t need any special ability to lead your clan, and they know it.”
His face softened into a small smile. “I hope you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. A Druid is always right.”
His smile broadened before he claimed her lips.
* * * * *
That evening after supper Conall sat with Angus and went over their strategy against MacNeil.
“I know Glenna is going to try something.”
Angus nodded and looked at her sitting by the hearth. “I think ye’re right, but next to locking her in her chamber, I don’t know what to do.”
“I’ll have to think of something. Are the men prepared?”
“Aye. The people have also been warned and are ready for any surprise attack.”
Conall nodded. “We need to get as many inside these walls as we can.”
“It’s being seen to.”
He looked close at his friend. Angus wanted to say something. “Just spit it out.”
“We could use Frang and Moira’s help on this.”
“Nay.”
“Ye aren’t being reasonable, Conall,” Angus hissed. “MacNeil will do everything to get what he wants. Yer father would’ve asked for their help.”
“I’m not my father,” Conall said.
“That’s for sure. Ye’ve made a great laird, but don’t be making mistakes now just because ye hold a grudge against the Druids.”
Conall thought on Angus’ words after he left. He was mixed up inside, and what had seemed right yesterday didn’t today. His clan needed a laird who could make decisions based on their welfare. He didn’t know if he was that man anymore.
Glenna grabbed his attention when she rose from her chair by the fire and walked toward him. Her smiled dropped the closer she came to him.
Her small hand came to rest on his shoulder. “Decisions will be hard to make without a clear mind.”
“I suppose the Druids taught you that.” As soon as the words were out his mouth he regretted them. “Glenna, I—”
“Shhh,” she said, and put a finger on his lips. “It’s true I learned this from Moira, but it’s the truth regardless of who taught me. You’re making this more difficult for yourself.”
“How’s that?”
“You can’t see anything other than your hatred of the Druids. It’s the truth I don’t know how you can stand the sight of me.”
He longed to push aside his past and think clearly, but he couldn’t. He was a laird, a warrior. Not a Druid.
For long moments he stared into her brown depths. She had said she would give up the Druids, but had she really told him the truth? He ached to tell her of his feelings but the words tangled in his throat.
“I need you.”
“And I need you. I always will. Please remember that.”
He grabbed her hand as she started to leave. “I’ve lost everyone. I couldn’t stand to lose you as well.”
“I’ll always be here. Besides, you will have Ailsa and Iona returned to you. Of this I promise.”
He stood and turned her face up to his. “I need a promise from you. I want you to stay away from MacNeil. I will get Ailsa and Iona home, but I can’t if I’m concerned about you.”
“I can’t give you that promise. You need my help. Even if you won’t admit it.”
* * * * *
Aimery looked down at Moira and wished he could ease the pain within her. Despite the calm the stone brought the Druids there was restlessness in her that couldn’t be calmed. Instead, he focused on the task at hand. He inhaled deeply and looked around the stone circle and the Druids.
“The traitor is very near. He’s also powerful enough to cloak himself so even I cannot say who he is.”
Frang’s eyes widened. “A Druid?”
“Glenna said as much when she talked of the tattoo,” Moira said.
“I know. I just didn’t want to believe.” Frang leaned against a stone. “Few Druids have the power to shield themselves from the Fae. Not even I can manage it for an extended period of time.”
Aimery put his hand on Frang’s shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself. Besides, I’m not so sure it is a Druid. This man has done everything to cover his tracks. But he needs to be found soon. He’s already attempted to kill Glenna once. I’m afraid he’ll do so again.”
“What about Moira?” Frang asked.
Moira shook her head. “I’m safe. The traitor has had plenty of opportunities to kill me while in the circle. He hasn’t, which leads me to believe this has nothing to do with the prophecy.”
“Oh, but it does,” Aimery stated. “Either he doesn’t know you are Glenna’s sister, or he thinks Glenna is an easier target.”
Frang sighed. “Either way isn’t good.”
“I have many of the Fae already among you, and they shall stay until this is over.”
Aimery turned to Moira. “Make sure Glenna is prepared.”
“She’ll be prepared,” Moira stated.
Aimery smiled and nodded. Moira held the bulk of her power back, but there would come a time when she would unleash its full force and he would be sure to be there to see it. “I have faith in you.”
Moira’s eyes jerked behind him.
Aimery didn’t need to turn around to know Dartayous stood there. The warrior was the best among them, which was why Aimery kept him here. That and another reason, he thought with a smile as he looked at Moira. “Just in case the traitor does come after Moira I want Dartayous nearby.”
Moira’s eyes narrowed. “I can take care of myself.”
Aimery hid a smile and turned his head to see Dartayous’ brow raised in question. “True you can, but Dartayous knows what to look for. I need you to concentrate on Glenna. Let Dartayous look after you.”
He knew Moira wanted to object, but Frang had put his arm around her. For now she would accept Dartayous, and that’s all that mattered.
Chapter Twenty-One
The night had claimed the sun yet sleep would not claim Glenna. She had gone over every conversation she and Iona had had in their brief time together. In all the warnings Iona had said nothing about Glenna’s heart being ripped in two. Her heart ached with the decision she had to make, and she didn’t know how much longer she would have before Conall would demand an answer.
She almost laughed at the irony of falling in love with her kidnapper. From the very beginning she had trusted him with her life and just recently her heart.
But one question remained. Would he turn her over to MacNeil for his sister and daughter? He had said nay, but if it came down to it she wasn’t so sure. After all, he had made a vow to his mother, and everyone knew how Conall thought of a vow made.
There was only one thing she was sure of, and that was Conall wouldn’t kill MacNeil. Her heart knew it for fact, but she also knew it was folly to try to tell Conall. He was a laird, a warrior, and would never listen to a woman, much less a Druid.
And she was both.
Restlessness claimed her. She couldn’t look at her bed without thinking of Conall. A walk would soothe her body as well as her mind. It wasn’t until she stood on the cliff above the loch that she knew what had called her out of her chamber.
Conall.
He swam with strong, sure strokes, the water glistening off his body in the moonlight. He rose up and shook his head, sending water spraying everywhere.
She tried to swallow, but couldn’t. He raised his arms and smoothed the hair back from his chiseled face. His creased forehead showed he was tormented just as she was.
Her feet brought her to the edge of the loch. Her hands had never moved so fast in shedding her clothes. His head swiveled to her when she stepped into the water.
No words were spoken as she walked to him. Their need for the other suffused the air. He took hold of her when she was close enough and dragged her against his chest. Their bodies came together frantically, searching for comfort only they could give each other.
Their mouths collided frantically in an attempt to calm their racing blood. She couldn’t get enough of him, never did. His hands moved across her naked body as though he knew every inch of her.
She leaned back as his mouth trailed kisses down her stomach. The stars winked down at her in the cloudless sky, and the full moon surrounded them in its white light.
Conall gazed down at the woman in his arms, her dark hair spread across the water. Her eyes turned to him and he wondered at her thoughts. So much pain. Would there ever be a time when he could love her and not have to worry about MacNeil or the Druids?
“Don’t think,” she whispered. “Let us love each other and forget for a brief time the world around us.”
Right now he didn’t even care if she could read his mind. He wanted her with a need that only increased each time she was in his arms. The time would soon come when she would have to make a choic
e, but he already knew he couldn’t let her go. And that was the trouble.
He had taken her so he could get Iona, and now Ailsa, returned. But that would mean losing the woman who had his heart. A woman who had shown him how to have hope for the first time in many months, a woman who had let him dream of a family and love. What would that woman think of him if he turned her over to MacNeil?
But he knew the answer. She would hate him. Regardless of his vows, she would hate him. Though he had to wonder if Moira would allow her to be returned to MacNeil. If what she said was true, then they would do everything in their power to make sure Glenna was safe. In which case maybe he could maintain his honor and adhere to both vows.
Glenna twirled the water around with her hands, sending it dancing on her breasts. He didn’t let himself dwell anymore on dark thoughts as he leaned down and ran his tongue around a pert nipple.
He couldn’t wait for her. He needed her now, desperately or he would explode. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the water’s edge. There, he gently sat her down.
“Ah, you must be a Druid,” she said, and leaned over to kiss his neck.
“Why’s that?”
“Because you read my mind.”
With that, she wrapped her arms around his neck and lay back. He followed her and marveled at her soft body beneath his. The water lapped around them as he entered her.
It was over far too soon and, as they lay there, he thought he sensed Glenna pulling away from him. Though surely it was his imagination. He knew she felt strongly about him. Love hadn’t been mentioned, but he didn’t need the words to know stronger forces bound them.
But there were things that needed to be discussed. “The MacNeil will come soon.”
She sighed and ran a hand down his chest. “Couldn’t we pretend, just for a bit, that he didn’t exist?”
“My thoughts are centered on making sure you and the clan are safe while I get Ailsa and Iona back alive before I kill him.”
“I thought I was to be exchanged for them.”
She had said the one thing he hadn’t wanted to discuss. Now he didn’t have a choice. “I’ll kill him.”