Highland Nights

by Donna Grant

  Once in the room, both rulers let their full emotions show. Aimery was staggered to see the haggard expression on his king's face.

  "What has happened?" he asked as he looked from one to the other.

  The queen's hand shook as she raised a goblet to her lips. "Something I had forgotten."

  "As did everyone, I presume," the king stated and slumped into a chair.

  Aimery continued to stand as he waited, his nerves strung as tightly as they could be. He wanted to yell at them to tell him, but knew dire consequences would occur for such a rash action. Instead, he casually clasped his hands behind his back and waited.

  His queen didn't keep him waiting long. She pushed her long blonde hair off her shoulder and sat beside her husband. "It was something you told me that made me stop and think of . . . an incident ages ago. So long ago in fact, that we all assumed he was dead."

  "Does this have something to do with someone using Faerie magic?" Aimery asked.

  "You know as well as I only the Fae can use our magic," the king said and ran a hand down his face.

  Aimery couldn't believe his ears. "So this rouge Druid is one of us?"

  "My brother, in fact."

  "Tell him the story," Rufina said softly and drank from her goblet.

  Theron nodded and motioned for Aimery to sit beside him. "It is a story that should never have been forgotten, and one that might cost us everything."

  Aimery held still as his king battled with himself and the queen paced the small room.

  "My brother always wanted power," the king started suddenly as he shook off his white cloak and stood. "He was actually in line to be king since he was older than I."

  Silence filled the room. Aimery leaned forward. "What happened?"

  "My father was told of the prophecy."

  "How does that involve your brother?"

  The queen came to stand beside her king. "The entire prophecy has been forgotten. It took some doing, but we managed to find the original document that it was written on."

  Aimery's lungs felt as though a dragon's claw squeezed them. "What is the prophecy?"

  The king raised his blue eyes to Aimery and said:

  "In a time of conquering

  There will be three

  Who will end the MacNeil line.

  Three born of the

  Imbolc, Beltaine and Lughnasad Feasts

  Who will destroy all

  Samhain, the Feast of the Dead.

  One who refuses the Druid way

  Inherits the winter and in doing

  So marks the beginning of the end.

  For the worthy to prevail, the fire

  Must stand alone to vanquish the inheritor,

  Water must soothe the savage beast, and

  The wind must bow before the tree.

  But if the tyrant lives again

  The secret magic of the Fae

  Will be unlocked for all to witness

  For the tyrant to inherit the kingdom

  He must take the place of the noble one

  When the Three unite powers; In doing so

  The tyrant will rule for eternity."

  Aimery sat in silence as the impact of the prophecy settled around him. "Who is the tyrant and the noble one?"

  "For the longest time, no one knew. My father refused to believe that any of the Fae would be involved in the world of man, but the prophecy was very clear on that."

  The queen put her hand on the king's shoulder and said, "It wasn't until the old king was murdered that it became clear who the tyrant was."

  "Your brother," Aimery said.

  The king nodded. "None of us could believe it. We all knew he wanted to rule the Fae, but to also rule the world of man. Although we once lived with the humans, it didn't last long."

  "Your brother was condemned because he murdered the old king," Aimery said as he recalled his teachings of youth.

  "Yes, he was imprisoned."

  "Where? Couldn't you bring him back?"

  Theron laughed bitterly. "He was thrown into the darkness where none would follow him."

  Aimery sucked in a breath. The darkness was a place that the Fae shied away from. It was oblivion. Once you went in, you never came out.

  "We watched him enter the darkness," the queen said and shuddered. "That part of the prophecy was soon forgotten since the tyrant was no longer here to carry through."

  "If this Evil One is your brother, how did he get out?"

  The king sighed. "I don't know. He had millions of years to figure out a way though."

  "Do we know who the noble one is?"

  His king and queen shook their heads. He had his work cut out for him. "I must get back to the Druids. This addition to the prophecy will aid them.

  "No," his sovereigns yelled.

  "Ironically, you aren't allowed to tell them," his queen said. "In truth, we allowed ourselves to share more with them than we should have."

  "We want to keep their world as it is. The Fae do not belong with them," the king added.

  Aimery stood and began to pace as his mind raced. "How then did MacNeil get involved in this?"

  "My brother needs a sacrifice. Someone so evil that it would take the combined powers of the three Druids to destroy him."

  "What am I to do?"

  "Keep a vigilant watch," his queen said. "Let us know if anything changes. Fae have already gone missing."

  * * * *

  By the third evening of Gregor's silence, Fiona was about to scream. But in truth 'twas for the best. With every minute of his silence, it made leaving him that much easier. Apparently, he didn't want to have anything to do with her, but she wasn't about to allow him to leave first.

  Nay. She would do the leave-taking just as she always planned. Nothing could deter her from her course now.

  She didn't wish to think of the future since she didn't have a clan to return to. Even the thought of staying with the Druids didn't appeal to her because of Moira. Maybe she would stay and visit with Glenna for awhile. Then … she would see what happened.

  The thought of looking into her own future had crossed her mind, but she didn't want to know. She learned long ago that sometimes 'tis better not to know what's going to happen.

  This was one of those instances.

  She glanced up from the fire to find Gregor walking away. Again. Every night since they had left the MacLachlan's he had disappeared. She didn't know where he went or why. She knew he wouldn't leave her alone. He made an oath and he would carry through with it, of that she was sure.

  She watched until the darkness claimed him. Something told her they would arrive at the Druid's Glen soon, very soon. Tomorrow perhaps.

  Then what?

  Then she would concentrate on the prophecy. Everything else would be forgotten.

  * * * *

  Gregor leaned against a tree and watched Fiona. He had been surprised, but relieved, at her silence these past two days. He hadn't known what to say to her. He was afraid if he looked into her eyes he'd see her hatred of him for killing his sister.

  He knew she wanted to know the story, but he would die before he told her. It was one thing she didn't need to know, no matter how hard she pried.

  Tomorrow they would arrive at Conall's castle and the Druid's Glen. He wondered how Fiona would react when she came face to face with Moira. It didn't take a Druid to know that Fiona wouldn't ask him to stay by her side while there. She was a strong woman who didn't need anyone.

  Too bad he needed her so desperately it hurt.

  He ran a hand down his face. Life always dealt out the unexpected, especially to him. He thought of his father and the words they exchanged, but no amount of words could undo Anne's death.

  There was no way he could be laird of any clan after what he had done. They had been right to banish him.

  "Are you always going to think that way?"

  Gregor whirled around to find Aimery leaning a shoulder against the tree. "What?"

  "Are you
always going to think you deserved to be banished?"

  "Probably."

  "Only a fool would do that."

  "Then I suppose I'm a fool," Gregor said and went back to leaning against the tree.

  Aimery came to stand beside him. "Aren't you even going to ask why I'm here?"

  "You are here to torment me."

  He laughed. "Nay. I came to tell you what a great battle you put on at the MacLachlan's."

  Gregor shrugged and kept his eyes on Fiona.

  "What do you think will happen once you reach the Druids tomorrow?"

  "I think she will get to know her sisters and forget about me," Gregor said.

  "What are you going to do?"

  "I haven't thought about it."

  "You will be double a fool if you let her go," Aimery warned.

  " 'Tis no affair of yours."

  "Really? I beg to differ, Highlander."

  Gregor faced the Fae and ground his teeth together. "I cannot let go of something I never had."

  "Both of you are fools," Aimery said, disgust marring his face.

  "Just keep Fiona safe. That's all I ask."

  Aimery peered at him. "Is that all you want? Is there something else you want more than anything? Something you have been too afraid to even think about?"

  Gregor backed away. How had Aimery found out? Even he hadn't allowed himself to think of it, even in his sleep.

  "Answer me, Gregor?"

  He swallowed and looked at the tall Fae. Even though it was going to kill him for giving up this one and only chance, he shook his head. "I just want her kept save."

  "Then, I will see to it once you bring her to the Druids," Aimery said in resignation.

  In a blink, Aimery was gone.

  Gregor almost called him back, but decided he had made the right decision. How would he begin to tell Aimery that he knew Fiona was closing herself off to him?

  He would sound like a lovesick fool.

  Fiona would be much better off without him. Besides, he didn't have anything to offer her, a powerful Druid. She was everything that was good and right in this world, and just because he had chosen the right side this time didn't erase his sins.

  After tomorrow, he would leave Fiona with the Druids and never look back. He had his memories. It was enough. It had to be.

  * * * *

  Fiona didn't know how long they had ridden that morning. Gregor had been in a foul mood when she had woken, and with the little sleep she had gotten her mood matched his.

  She noticed they came out of the mountains and made their way over some hills. The lush green of the valley made her think of her home with the MacDougal's. She missed them terribly but they would be avenged.

  They crested one of the larger hills and she spotted a large loch. She pulled up on the reins and stopped. This was it. She had finally arrived.

  She took the opportunity to look around. Off to her right was a large forest, and she knew that was where the Druid's were. Soft music filled her ears. The Druid's called to her and her soul urged her to hurry toward them.

  When she opened her eyes she found Gregor staring at her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he quickly turned around and clicked to Morgane.

  She watched him ride away from her, but she wasn't ready to follow him yet. This scene was her first of the Druid's Glen, and she was going to enjoy every moment of it. Just as she was about to ride after Gregor, her eyes found the gray stone of a castle.

  "Glenna," she said.

  Moira.

  After all these years she must face her elder sister. There were many things she wanted to say to Moira given the chance but she didn't wish to do it in front of Glenna. There would be time. She knew Moira would make that time.

  Before she changed her mind, she kicked her mare into a gallop and caught up with Gregor. But with every step her horse took her stomach twisted into knots.

  Apprehension took hold and refused to let go. She had to grasp the mare's mane to stop her hands from shaking.

  When they rode over a small hill and the castle came into view, she nearly lost her breakfast. In just a short while, she would have to face everything she had refused to speak about. There was no turning back now.

  It was a good thing she hadn't known they were so close the previous night, because she would have come up with some reason to delay their arriving.

  A cry went up at one of the gatehouse towers. She was close enough now that she could see people running along the parapets. One woman in particular took her notice. Her long dark hair flowed behind her as she ran into the castle. Could that have been Glenna?

  "Gregor," a shout came from the gatehouse as they neared.

  He waved in response and continued riding, not giving her another glance. Despite the pain his silence caused, she knew it was for the best.

  But Gregor was forgotten as she rode through the gates into the bailey. People milled around them as a tall, muscular man with long black hair strode towards them with a bright smile.

  "Welcome," he said when he reached them. He turned toward Fiona and reached up to help her dismount. "You must be Fiona. I'm Conall, Glenna's husband."

  Fiona leaned to the side and searched the crowd for her younger sister.

  "She will be right out. She wanted to make sure she looked her best for you," Conall said.

  "Oh," she said, not quite hiding her disappointment.

  "But Moira is here."

  And into her line of vision stepped the one person she could have lived the rest of her life without seeing again.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Fiona turned her back on Moira and tried to control her rapid breathing. She hadn't expected to encounter Moira so soon. The instinct to run had taken hold. Fiona's fingers had gathered in her skirts and slowly lifted the material so they wouldn't hamper her escape.

  "Fiona?"

  She raised her eyes to see a small beautiful woman standing in front of her. Dark wavy hair fell nearly to the woman's hips, and there was no mistaking those brown eyes.

  Fiona blinked away her tears at the memory of her father's eyes and gave the woman a big smile. "You must be Glenna."

  Before she knew it, Glenna flew into her arms and wrapped her in a tight hug. Warmth surrounded Fiona's heart and the urge to run vanished. Glenna was safe and happy. After all this time!

  Glenna stepped out of her arms and wiped away her tears. "Forgive me. I knew I would cry, but I hoped I could contain myself."

  Fiona laughed with her sister as Conall walked up and wrapped an arm around Glenna. "I'm sure you and Gregor could use some rest. Come inside and we will see to your needs before the Druid's call for you."

  She started to follow Glenna, but Conall's furrowed brow caught her attention. She turned and found Gregor mounting Morgane.

  "Where are you going?" Conall asked him.

  Gregor refused to raise his eyes as his rubbed the mare's neck. "I have things I need to see to."

  Fiona stopped herself in time from crying out for him to stay. She looked down to find Glenna peering at her strangely.

  "Come," Glenna said. "Let the men talk. We three sisters have much to catch up on."

  But Fiona wouldn't budge. "I have no wish to speak to Moira."

  There was pain in Glenna's eyes when she looked over Fiona's shoulder to where Moira stood. "But she is our sister."

  "Things happened you know nothing about. I'm here for the prophecy and you. That's all." Fiona waited to feel Moira behind her or hear her voice. Instead, Glenna nodded and led the way into the castle.

  Fiona sighed. She had a brief reprieve before she had to face Moira.

  * * * *

  Gregor watched Fiona walk away without a backward glance his way. He had hoped she would at least wish him Godspeed. Maybe thank him for bringing her safely.

  But once again he was the fool.

  "Care to explain?" Conall said beside him.

  "Nay."

  "You cannot leave yet."

  Gre
gor looked down at the one man that had called him friend. He owed Conall for making him see what was right and wrong, and that debt would never be repaid.

  "If you need me, just say the word."

  "I do need you," Conall said. "Now, get off that mare and come inside to rest."

  Gregor hesitated. Something wasn't right. He had a sneaking suspicion Conall had just tricked him. "What do you need me for?"

  "There's always the need for extra men for any surprise attack MacNeil might make."

  "And," Gregor prompted at his friend's silence.

  Conall shrugged. "I need help rebuilding the barn."

  "I knew you were in too good of a mood to have someone threatening the clan," Gregor said and dismounted. "I'm a warrior, not a builder."

  " 'Tis all right. We will teach you," he said and clapped Gregor on the back.

  * * * *

  Moira turned and made her way out of the bailey. The comfort of the forest and the stone circle would soothe the pain of Fiona's cut.

  She reached the nemeton, a sacred clearing in the midst of the forest, and kneeled beside the faerie mound. Tears coursed down her face. She had longed to have her sisters together again, and hadn't given a thought that things might not be happy between them.

  The last time she had seen Fiona had been the night of their parent's murder when she left Fiona to return for Glenna. Could Fiona hold some ill will toward her because she hadn't taken her back inside the castle?

  Her spine tingled of a sudden. She looked over her shoulder and spotted Dartayous. Would he never leave her in peace?

  "Go away," she told him.

  "You are in no condition to be left alone."

  "Really?" She laughed and looked up at the bright blue sky and the puffy clouds that drifted slowly by. "Are you offering me a shoulder to lean on?" she asked and looked at him.

  He stiffened and narrowed his eyes before he spun around on his heel and stalked off. If there was anything she could do right, it was irritate Dartayous.

  "He was right, you know."

  Moira looked up to find Aimery standing beside the faerie mound. "I just want a moment by myself."

  "I warned you that Fiona might be angry."

  "I didn't expect her to be so angry that she turned her back on me," Moira said and wiped away another tear that had escaped.