Highland Nights

by Donna Grant

  He gaze found Fiona as she walked toward Glenna. Frang was no longer with her, and he wondered what their discussion had been about. The one person he noticed absent was Moira.

  His eyes scanned the area until he caught a flash of white blonde hair before she disappeared behind one of the giant stones. Moira was giving Fiona time to get to know the Druids without her near.

  He looked to Fiona and found her deep in conversation with Glenna. Fiona hadn't wanted him here today. That had been painfully obvious when he stepped into the bailey. He and Moira had something in common, and maybe he could help Moira.

  If he could help reconcile Moira and Fiona before he left, then he would feel as though he accomplished something. He slipped away unnoticed and walked to where he had glimpsed Moira. Her long, white blonde hair was easy to spot through the dark foliage and boulders.

  She walked away from the center of the circle. Gregor lengthened his stride until he neared her. That's when he felt the presence behind him. He pulled his sword from his scabbard the same time he whirled around to face his opponent.

  He stopped his sword from slicing into Dartayous a hair's breathe away. Dartayous never moved. He stood as still as a statue while his bright blue eyes stared at Gregor.

  "By the saints! I could have killed you," Gregor said and sheathed his sword.

  "Afraid not, my friend. What is your business with Moira?"

  Gregor had seen much since coming to MacInnes Castle and the Druid's Glen, but the Druid Warriors were different. Especially Dartayous. There was something about this warrior that made men like Gregor stand up and take notice.

  "I want to talk with her about Fiona," Gregor finally answered.

  Dartayous snorted. "Good luck. She's in a surly mood and her nails haven't been retracted since Fiona came. Watch yourself."

  His warning surprised Gregor. He had known Moira to be the epitome of calm and grace. For Dartayous to suggest that Moira raised her voice was unthinkable.

  To his utter amazement, Dartayous slipped away without him noticing it. That bothered him immensely. He was supposed to be a great warrior who perceived things. Was he losing his edge? Was his mind too occupied with Fiona?

  Whatever it was, it had to stop. And maybe Moira could aid him.

  It wasn't hard to find her. She stood on the cliff where Conall and Glenna had been married, overlooking MacInnes Castle. It was a breathtaking spot.

  "I come up here often," Moira said. "I love to look down at Glenna and Conall and know that they are happy and at peace." She turned and looked over her shoulder. "You are troubled."

  "I have been troubled for many years. Nothing will change that," he said and walked to stand beside her. " 'Tis a beautiful spot."

  "Tell me of your troubles."

  "Actually, I came to talk with you about Fiona." He felt rather than saw her stiffen. "She holds a lot of anger inside of her."

  "That is evident to see."

  Gregor was beginning to think he should have heeded Dartayous' advice. Even though Moira hadn't raised her voice it had become decidedly icier.

  "She needs some time," Gregor continued. "She lost the MacDougals and found out you had known where she was all these years. She didn't take that well at all."

  "I wanted her to have a normal life. Something Glenna and I never had the chance to have."

  "You should tell her that."

  Moira laughed. "She won't acknowledge me. What makes you think she would listen to anything I had to say?"

  "I don't know." He sighed. "I know she's giving you a difficult time, but I wanted you to understand why."

  "You aren't telling me everything are you?"

  He looked into her green eyes so like Fiona's and wanted to tell her. But it wasn't for him to speak of. That needed to come from Fiona.

  "'Tis the truth I'm not nor should I."

  "It doesn't matter," she said. "What matters is that you got her here. Safe and sound, just like I asked. I knew I had chosen the right man."

  Gregor ducked his head. He liked the pleasure her words gave him. If only he was as good a man as she thought him to be, but he knew she would change her opinion of him if she knew everything.

  He looked up to find her staring at him. "You worry overmuch," she said.

  "Do I?"

  "I cannot read your thoughts," she assured him. "I can tell that you have old memories that you have buried deep within you."

  He turned away and made sure no emotion showed on his face. "You are guessing."

  "Nay. 'Tis clear to see if one knows how to look. Frang taught me that."

  "I didn't come here to discuss me."

  "So much pain," she said and ignored his words. "You try very hard to appear detached and unaffected and you have fooled many people."

  "But not you," he bit out.

  "Nor Fiona."

  His breath lodged in his chest. How had she known that?

  "I've seen the way Fiona watches you. She feels your pain yet wants to keep you at arms length. Why is that?"

  "She's a Druid. I don't claim to understand you or your ways."

  Moira laughed. "Good answer."

  " 'Twas a mistake coming to speak with you."

  "Only if you don't heed my words," she warned.

  He stopped as he began to turn away. "And what words are those?"

  "Don't keep those dark memories buried. Remember that regardless of what you think of yourself, you are a good man."

  He nodded and walked back toward the stone circle. He had come to speak of Fiona, but in the end Moira had turned the conversation to what she wished to discuss. He should have known better than to try to talk to a Druid.

  By the time he reached the circle, Glenna and Fiona sat with the other Druids. He briefly wondered if she had noticed his absence, but knew he was only hurting himself with those kinds of thoughts.

  "Where did you venture off to?" Conall asked as he came to stand beside him.

  "I went to talk to Moira to try and give her an idea of why Fiona is doing what she's doing."

  "She changed the subject on you, didn't she?"

  "Aye."

  "Glenna does that when she doesn't wish to talk about something. Still, it was good that you tried. I didn't realize you had come to care for Fiona that much."

  Gregor ground his teeth together. Damn. He'd have to watch himself. "Don't assume more than it is."

  "And what is it?"

  The truth? That I can't get her out of my mind, that I think about Fiona constantly.

  "I think 'tis much more than you are telling me, but I'm a patient man. I can wait."

  "You will wait for eternity then. There's nothing to tell." It didn't help when all Conall did was give him a knowing smile.

  Gregor rubbed his neck as the tension built. He raised his eyes to find Fiona's gaze on him. She hastily looked away, but not before Conall saw it.

  "I know that look."

  "What look?" Gregor said not holding back the sigh.

  "The look that says there is much more between the two of you than either is letting on."

  "Let it be," Gregor said before he walked away.

  Conall caught up with him as he left the stone circle. "You're leaving."

  "I have to," Gregor said.

  "I really could use your help. Give yourself some time here to rest. Ailsa doesn't wish you to leave yet."

  Gregor knew he was staying the minute Conall had said Ailsa's name. "You just had to use Ailsa."

  "I know how much you adore her. If that's the only way I can hold you here, then I will use it."

  "A real friend would allow me to leave," Gregor said and turned to face him.

  Conall's gray eyes twinkled. "A real friend would make you stay. A real friend would show you what you have to gain by staying. A real friend would try to give you the happiness they have."

  * * * *

  Fiona couldn't take her eyes off Gregor and Conall. From the look of resignation on Gregor's face and the elation on Cona
ll's she had a feeling things were about to change for her.

  "Well, it looks like Conall won," Glenna beamed next to her.

  Fiona slid a glance at her sister. "What?"

  "Conall told me last night that he had a feeling Gregor was going to leave even though Conall asked him to stay."

  Fiona ignored the flash of panic that ensued upon hearing Gregor's intentions. It didn't make sense for her to feel that way since she told herself she didn't want to have anything to do with him.

  She was the one that was supposed to leave. Not him.

  "What made Conall think Gregor meant to leave?" she finally asked.

  Glenna smiled widely and shrugged. "I suppose it could be because of the way Gregor looks at you."

  Fiona didn't bother to respond because Glenna would believe nothing she said.

  "I cannot believe you aren't going to admit that you have seen him look at you with longing."

  Fiona found herself rubbing her neck and quickly stopped, but not before Glenna's eyes followed her hand. "Gregor looks at a lot of people. I'm no different."

  "I admit to not knowing Gregor that well, but I will tell you that I have never seen him act like this before."

  "Like what?" Fiona couldn't help but ask.

  "Like he cannot wait to leave. 'Tis as if he thinks if he stays that something will happen."

  Something has already happened.

  "After Conall and I married we could tell he really didn't want to leave. I saw him looking around the bailey at the people, especially Ailsa, and he couldn't hide his longing. I wish I knew what happened in his past."

  "Nay, you don't." As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them. She squeezed her eyes closed. "Please, Glenna, don't ask."

  She heard Glenna sigh loudly. "All right. But one day I would like to know. There is so much pain in him."

  "He left the glen because he came to retrieve me," Fiona said to change the subject.

  "Aye. Moira thought he would be the perfect man to send. Not many clans in the Highlands will interfere with Gregor. I suppose it has something to do with his livelihood."

  "Being a mercenary," she finished for Glenna.

  "He told you?"

  Fiona nodded. "Not at first. Trying to get him to speak of his past is like trying to move a mountain."

  " 'Tis the truth." Glenna laughed and pointed to her husband. "Conall seems awfully pleased with himself."

  "So he has convinced Gregor to stay?"

  She must not have kept the disappointment from her voice because Glenna turned toward her with a deeply furrowed brow. "I thought you liked Gregor."

  "I like him fine."

  "Then why don't you want him here?"

  Why indeed? Because if she saw him another day she would give in to her desires. Because she found herself wanting to soothe the pain from him. Because of so many reasons she didn't want to name. Not to Glenna or herself.

  "What happened on the journey?" Glenna asked. "Did he hurt you?"

  "Never," Fiona said much too forcefully. "I just like my distance."

  "From everyone."

  It wasn't a question, and she knew she had hurt Glenna. The words hung between them like a stone wall.

  "I won't intrude again," Glenna said before she rose and walked away.

  Fiona wanted to call Glenna back but couldn't find the words. Since she had arrived she managed to hurt everyone around her. She didn't know what made her act this way, and it seemed to be getting worse by the day.

  * * * *

  So close, yet so far away.

  The Shadow moved closer to Moira. He couldn't get too close because that Druid Warrior was near and would sniff him out. Something wasn't quit normal about that warrior. He would have to see what he could discover to make sure Dartayous didn't get in his way.

  But right now, he just wanted to gaze upon Moira's beauty. He closed his eyes and imagined her lying naked upon the ground before he covered her with his body.

  "Moira."

  His eyes jerked open at the sound of Dartayous' voice. He was near, very near.

  "I'm not ready to return," Moira said as she continued to stare out over the cliff.

  "He's here."

  That simple statement made her whirl around, the bottom of her gown swishing around her legs. "Who?"

  "You know of who I speak."

  The Shadow ducked as Moira's eyes scanned the surrounding trees and boulders. Neither of them could see him, but the warrior was able to sense him.

  He wanted to scream his fury as Moira quickly walked past Dartayous. The Shadow had a mind to follow. Until he saw Dartayous draw his mighty sword.

  "Not today," The Shadow whispered. "But one day soon, Moira."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Fiona walked beside a now subdued Glenna as they left the stone circle and forest. She could hear Conall whispering in Glenna's ear to make sure everything was all right.

  She lagged behind not yet ready to return to the castle and to give Glenna and Conall some privacy. Only a little ways behind her, Gregor followed.

  Everyone gave her a wide berth and she couldn't blame them. Her wicked tongue had managed to hurt everyone, even the stoic warrior who had brought her here and saved her life.

  She wanted to run and hide, but that would be the coward's way out. And she wasn't a coward.

  "I see you managed to wound Glenna."

  She wasn't surprised by Gregor's statement. "Unintentionally, but nonetheless I did."

  "At least you admit it. What has come over you?"

  Her eyes didn't need to see his face to know that he was annoyed. "I don't know. I told you I shouldn't have come."

  "You really didn't have much of a choice."

  "True."

  He stopped and put out a hand to halt her. "They are your sisters. You cannot replace them. Take my word for it. Let go of the past."

  "I see those words are easy for you," she said as anger welled up in her at thinking of the past. "Have you done the same?"

  She quickly turned away so he couldn't see the tears in her eyes. Once again she managed to speak without thinking, and this time she had gone too far. What Gregor lived with was much worse than her own problems.

  "Gregor, I'm sorry," she said and turned around. Only to find herself alone.

  She deserved to be alone. She had hurt the one person who still spoke to her, and the damage she did was probably irreparable.

  Returning to the castle wasn't something she could do now. Nor could she return to the Druids and chance a meeting with Moira. She looked at the trees surrounding her. This was a large forest, she would see where it took her.

  Despite her resolve not to, she couldn't help but realize that no one noticed her absence. She had hurt everyone with her cruel, hateful words.

  She stumbled through the forest not paying attention to where she was going or the beautiful things around her. It wasn't until she walked into a clearing that she took notice.

  "A nemeton," she murmured. "A sacred clearing in the midst of a forest."

  Helen had told her the nemeton was like a fortress of nature separated from the rest of the world and sacred to the Druid's.

  Magic drummed around the clearing and Fiona realized why when she spotted the Faerie mound. Her heart lightened from the heavy burden she had been under as the magic seeped through her. She found herself lulled by the peace and tranquility of the nemeton.

  And she was content to stay forever.

  She had just begun to explore the trees and bushes surrounding the nemeton when evil sliced through her soul and coldness began to overtake her. She recoiled from the hawthorn bush she had been studying.

  Her eyes scanned the trees beyond the hawthorn, but she couldn't see anything. Yet, her body sensed the evil nearby.

  "Leave now."

  She whirled around to find a man she had seen inside the stone circle. He wore trews like Gregor's yet they weren't quite leather nor where they a common material.

&nbs
p; It was obvious by the many daggers and swords he wore that he was a warrior. But it was his eyes that captivated her. The intensity of his blue eyes reminded her of someone, but she couldn't quite remember who.

  "Don't just stand there, woman. Get away. There is evil here."

  "I know," she answered and walked toward him. Instantly, the evil dissipated until she could barely sense it. Once she got even with the warrior, she tilted her head back and looked into his face. " 'Tis behind me."

  "You shouldn't be alone," he said and drew his sword.

  Fiona's eyes were drawn to the unusual sword. From the tip to the hilt the blade was smooth on one side and the other jagged. The blade had teeth.

  Her gaze then caught sight of the unusual ring on his right hand and the Celtic tattoos as well. "Can you see it?"

  "I can smell him," the warrior said.

  Fiona opened her mouth, but the warrior stopped her. "He is about to attack. He wants you dead. I would suggest that you run as fast as you can to the stone circle. I will hold him off."

  She didn't hesitate, but lifted her skirts and ran for her life. Her ears picked up the sounds of footsteps behind her, but she refused to look back. If she did she might trip and fall, and then where would that leave her?

  "Faster," the warrior bellowed behind her. "He is after you."

  She burst through a group of trees and spotted the circle ahead of her, but just when she thought she might make it, she was jerked to her back. The cold seeped into her skin and around her heart.

  The breath left her in a whoosh. As she struggled to breathe, she waited for her death. When she finally caught her breath, she opened her eyes to see Aimery and a score of Fae surrounding her.

  Aimery held out his hand and helped her to her feet. "Are you all right?" he asked.

  Warmth once again filled her. "I am now. Where is the warrior that helped me?" she asked as she searched the faces around her.

  "He is following the evil that was after you."

  Death had narrowly passed her over, and she would be sure to thank the warrior later. "I'm glad you were here."

  "Did you see him?"

  The hope she heard in Aimery's voice made it hard for her to tell him. "Nay. I sensed the evil the same time the warrior came upon me."

  "That warrior's name is Dartayous," Aimery explained as he led her into the stones. "He is the best Druid Warrior there is, and 'tis his job to guard Moira."