Highland Nights

by Donna Grant

  "Guard Moira? Are you afraid she is going to run away?"

  Aimery shook his head and his long blonde locks barely moved. "You, Moira and Glenna are in constant danger until the time of the prophecy. Dartayous is able to smell the evil."

  "Just as I felt it."

  "Aye. The Evil One attacks when you are alone. If you stay with someone you should be fine."

  Moira walked up then, her green eyes looking Fiona over. "Are you all right?"

  Fiona nodded unsure of the concern in her sister's eyes.

  " 'Twas the Evil One," Aimery said.

  " 'Tis a good thing Dartayous was near," Moira stated and looked over her shoulder.

  Fiona followed her gaze and spotted the Druid Warrior. The tension between the two of them was palpable, and Fiona found herself curious to know why.

  She watched as Dartayous shook his head, and she turned her head in time to see Aimery sigh and briefly close his eyes.

  "Maybe he should guard Fiona instead of me," she heard Moira say.

  "Nay," Aimery said. "Dartayous will guard you."

  Fiona watched as Moira took a step closer to the Faerie. "What have you seen?" she asked him.

  Aimery looked away from Moira. "Nothing. 'Tis blocked. But my instincts tell me the Evil One is after you."

  "Then why the attack on me?" Fiona asked. "If he wants Moira why bother with me or Glenna?"

  "What do you mean you haven't seen anything?" Moira asked.

  He ignored Moira and turned to Fiona. "He wants Moira."

  That's when it hit Fiona. The Evil One wanted her and Glenna dead, but he wanted Moira. The distress that caused her didn't sit well.

  "Answer me," Moira demanded of Aimery.

  "I don't know why," he retorted, his voice dangerously low. " 'Tis never happened before."

  Fiona listened closely to the conversation, but it was the quick furrow of Dartayous' brow when Aimery said he couldn't see the future that triggered something within her. "Who has the ability to hinder your sight?"

  "Only the king and queen," Aimery said. "And they have not issued such a decree."

  Fiona wasn't able to ask more questions as Aimery took her arm. "Come," he said. "I will return you to the castle."

  She didn't wish to return to the castle, but she also knew there was nowhere else for her to go. Much to her disappointment he took her through the caves.

  It was dark and damp, but with his fast pace she didn't have much time to look around. By the time they reached the bailey she was out of breath. She turned to Aimery only to find he was no longer with her.

  She didn't think she would ever get used to the disappearing Fae. After a deep breath, she made her way to the castle. No one stopped her or questioned her. Glenna, Conall and Gregor were nowhere to be seen either.

  Her chamber was the best place for her at the moment she decided and quickly made her way into the castle and up the stairs. Once she was safely inside her chamber, she locked the door and sank onto the bed.

  Her first day here had been a disaster and it wasn't even noon yet.

  * * * *

  Gregor lifted the board and placed it in the spot that Conall had designated. As soon as he left Fiona he had come straight here to begin work on the barn. He hoped the work would take his mind off her, but so far he hadn't been that lucky.

  He was sure as he sweated under the sun that Fiona was with Glenna inside talking of everything but him. Even if she did manage to say anything about him it wouldn't be good. He didn't know why he continued to put himself through the torture of being near her.

  Yet, he allowed Conall to talk him into staying, but only until the barn was finished. Then he must leave for good. Nothing could make him stay, not even little Ailsa.

  When the noon hour came, he took a brief respite with the rest of the men and ate a quick meal before he was back lifting the wood. The exertion on his body would make for a full night's rest. He wasn't taking any more chances of restless nights with thoughts of Fiona in his arms.

  He would sleep this night even if he had to drink himself into oblivion.

  The next time he looked up, it was to see the sun sinking into the horizon and Glenna striding toward them. Sometime during the day Conall had come to work beside him, but Gregor had never known.

  "The barn has come far this day," Glenna said as she leaned over and placed a kiss on Conall's lips.

  Conall laughed and took a long drink of water. "Aye. With Gregor working like a madman this should be done in a couple of weeks."

  "I was just working as any normal man would," Gregor said as he took the water skin.

  "If you call that working," Conall said with a laugh. "I finally gave up talking to you after being ignored. You must have much on your mind, my friend."

  Gregor ducked his head. He did have much on his mind but that didn't mean he should ignore friends. The problem was he had never known Conall was even beside him. Hopefully he didn't offend too many men this day.

  "Where is Fiona?" Glenna asked as she looked around.

  "Fiona? She's not here," Conall said.

  Dread quickly spread through Gregor. "I thought she was with you."

  "The last time I saw her was when we left the circle," Glenna said.

  Gregor cursed. "We had words and I left her in the forest, but I assumed she would follow you back to the castle."

  "Don't panic," Conall said as he wrapped an arm around Glenna. "Let's look in the castle first before we send up an alarm."

  Glenna raised fright filled eyes. "She could be with Moira."

  "Doubtful," Conall said and turned her toward the castle.

  Gregor hurried after them. If anything happened to Fiona the blame would lie with him. Once again he had let his emotions rule him. That was the reason Anne died, and he couldn't bear to think that once again it had claimed a life. Especially Fiona.

  Once they reached the castle, they separated and began to search. All Gregor could think about was not so long ago when they searched for Glenna only to find someone had tried to kill her.

  With every corner he turned he expected to see Fiona lying lifeless in front of him. But to his relief he didn't find her. Then, he heard Glenna call out. Fiona had been found.

  "Thank you," Gregor said and raised his face to the ceiling. "Thank you."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Fiona jerked awake at the sound of something banging against her door--hard. She slowly sat up when the knock sounded.

  "Fiona?"

  She sighed when she heard Glenna's voice and hurried to unlatch the door.

  "There you are," Glenna said and stepped into the chamber. "We have been looking for you."

  Conall walked up behind Glenna and gave Fiona a smile. "You had us all worried."

  "I have been in here all day," she said.

  "That's why I said to look in the castle first," Conall said. He patted Glenna's arm. "I'm off for a bath."

  "Aye, you stink," Glenna called after him with a smile.

  Fiona couldn't help the sinking feeling in her heart to learn that they had just realized no one knew where she was. She put aside her hurt and looked at Glenna.

  "I'm sorry," Glenna said.

  "You're sorry? 'Tis I who should apologize," Fiona said. "My words were overly harsh. I don't know what has gotten into me of late."

  "It doesn't matter." Glenna put a bright smile on. "Now, 'tis almost supper. Will you be joining us this evening?"

  Fiona couldn't believe that Glenna was giving her a second chance after the way she had treated her. "Of course," she said and was truthfully looking forward to it.

  "Good. I shall see you within the hour."

  Once Glenna left Fiona sat in front of the hearth and unbraided her hair. She ran the brush her through her hair and found herself thinking about Gregor. Had he helped search for her?

  Probably not, she decided.

  Not that it mattered. She was supposed to have forgotten all about him by now. But that was harder to do
than she realized. It could have something to do with the fact that he was still here. Or, it could be something more.

  Frang's words came back to her then. Could he be right or was he just trying to scare her into accepting her mate? Either way it was working.

  The thought that she might live a happy life like Glenna's was almost enough to make her give in and accept Gregor. Almost.

  But the thought of him leaving was enough to keep her resolve to stay away from him firm. Regardless of how she desired him or how he made her feel when his hands and mouth were on her. She would stay away.

  And that meant living a lonely life.

  I will be lonely either way once he leaves me.

  But what if he didn't?

  What if he did?

  It was the same argument she had had with herself from the first moment she realized Gregor was her mate. Nothing had changed despite her learning to trust him a wee bit. After all, he had saved her life. That did deserve a smidgen of trust.

  Just a smidgen but more than she had given another person in her life other than her foster parents. If she weren't careful she would hand him her heart to do with as he pleased.

  The fact was he was still at MacInnes Castle and would be for some time if Conall had his way. Which meant she would have to face Gregor again, and probably tonight.

  "Might as well look my best," she said as she ventured to the chest in front of the bed.

  She opened the lid and found all of her gowns freshly washed and folded. At the top was the gown that had always been Cormag's favorite. Her foster father had often said the green came close to matching her eyes. She had never thought her eyes were as remotely pretty as the green of the gown. The gown was made of a green somewhere between the color of the leaves in the spring and the hue of an emerald.

  Her eyes were just a plain green. Not as mystical as the gown or as lovely as an emerald, nor as beautiful to look upon as the green of the trees.

  Still, the gown gave her fond memories of her foster parents. She decided to wear it to honor them.

  She managed to get a bath and quickly bathed. Once she was dry and dressed in the gown, she sat before the small fire in the hearth and combed her hair.

  Afterward, she let the fire dry her hair as she prepared herself for the evening. Moira would most likely be there as well.

  Regardless of her feelings she was going to smile and make everyone believe she was happy. She wanted to put Glenna at ease, even if that meant speaking to Moira.

  That thought sent a stab of anxiety through her. Gregor had been correct. She was going to have to talk to Moira whether she wanted to or not. She just hoped she kept control of her tongue and didn't lash out as she had with Glenna and Gregor.

  She left her hair hanging loose around her and smoothed her gown nervously. Her plaid she left off since she didn't feel as though she belonged to a clan anymore.

  Before she changed her mind, she hurried from her chamber and down the stairs. She stopped on the last step and surveyed the great hall as was her habit. Many people were already there and seated, but there was no sign of Moira.

  Fiona looked toward the dais and saw Glenna wave to her. She smiled and walked to her sister.

  "You look radiant," Glenna said as she approached.

  Fiona smiled and lowered her gaze to hide her embarrassment at the unexpected compliment, a compliment that brought a rush of pleasure. Maybe she did look half as good as Glenna said.

  "Glenna's right," Conall said as he stood. "The green is perfect for you. You outshine everyone here. Except my wife, of course."

  Fiona watched as Conall leaned down and kissed the top of Glenna's head. A stab of jealousy so sharp and true throbbed within her. It would be so easy to have what they shared. So easy … and so difficult.

  She took her seat and tried not to notice that Gregor wasn't in attendance.

  "He will be here," Glenna leaned over and whispered.

  "Who?" she asked in an effort to appear unaffected by his absence.

  Glenna laughed and patted her arm. "You cannot fool me, dear sister. 'Tis your eyes. They give you away."

  Fiona turned to Glenna prepared to tell her that there was nothing between her and Gregor when he walked through the door. She feasted her eyes upon him, as did every other female eye in the hall, which bothered her much more than she liked.

  His hair, never free of the two small braids, was pulled away from his face. He walked like a man confident in himself and his ability, and it was that that drew women to him like flies to honey.

  Fiona found she couldn't look away from him, even when Glenna spoke her name. And when he smiled at a passing woman she was astonished to feel envy at not receiving that smile herself after everything they had shared.

  Her breathing quickened when she noticed his eyes roaming the hall. She hoped he would notice her, and then prayed he wouldn't all in the same breath.

  Then his eyes came to rest on her.

  He halted in his tracks as he simply stared. Her breath lodged painfully in her lungs as she waited for him to say something, do something.

  His head swiveled around at the sound of his name. Fiona looked down to hide her disappointment. It was silly to be jealous of a child, especially one as sweet as Ailsa. Still, when she looked up and found Gregor looking at Ailsa with adoring eyes, she couldn't help the feelings within her.

  She pushed aside thoughts of Gregor and turned to Glenna. The food was delicious and so was the company. She laughed at the stories Glenna and Conall told of their first meeting and made sure she paid attention, even though her mind and gaze ventured to Gregor often.

  "Where did you go today?" Conall asked.

  Fiona thought back to the nemeton and the icy fingers of evil that had nearly captured her. Instead of ruining the nice evening with such horrendous talk, she said, "I went for a walk."

  "What happened?" Glenna asked. "Did you run across more Druids? The woods are a wonderful place to be, very beautiful, peaceful."

  "Aye. Beautiful," Fiona said and swallowed past the memory of the nemeton.

  Regardless of how well she thought she hid her feelings, Conall must have seen something for he asked, "Where exactly did you venture?"

  "The nemeton."

  Glenna signed. " 'Tis one of my favorite places. No evil would dare to approach that place."

  Fiona didn't answer. She couldn't. Lying to her sister and brother-in-law wasn't something she wanted to do, but she also didn't wish to tell them the truth and worry them.

  "Something happened," Conall said.

  Fiona glanced at his face and saw the determined glint of his eyes. Her gaze slid to Gregor and found him avidly listening before she looked at Glenna.

  As nonchalantly as she could, Fiona reached for her goblet and said, "It seems the Evil One Aimery speaks of has returned."

  "What?" Glenna asked, her voice shaky and low as if it pained her to even consider Fiona's words.

  Conall scooted his chair back and crossed his arms over his chest. "I think it time you tell us the entire story."

  "There really isn't much to tell," Fiona said, trying to downplay it. "I went for a walk and encountered the Evil One. Dartayous arrived and escorted me back to the stone circle where Aimery walked me back to the castle."

  Glenna covered her eyes with her hand. "Oh, Fiona, you should have told me sooner."

  "Why?" she asked as the table was cleared. " 'Tis over and done."

  "I have the feeling there is much more to the story than that," Gregor spoke for the first time. "Maybe we should have Dartayous sent for."

  Fiona didn't want them to do any such thing, and Gregor knew it. "Oh, for the king's sake," she said with a loud sigh. " 'Twas not as bad as you will make it out to be, which is why I didn't wish to tell the entire story."

  "Tell us," Conall demanded.

  Fiona leaned back and clasped her hands in her lap. She didn't wish to think about how close she had come to death, but it seemed she had no choice.
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  "I was at the nemeton studying a lovely hawthorn when I felt something ... cold .. .evil. Before I could move, Dartayous was there calling me to him. Once I reached him, he unsheathed his sword and told me to run for the stone circle. I was nearly there when--" She closed her eyes as the memory of the heaviness, the darkness that had enfolded her.

  "When?" Gregor prompted.

  Fiona locked gazes with him, needing his strength to finish. "The Evil One caught me." She heard Glenna gasp, but refused to look away from Gregor. "The blanket of darkness and the cold surrounded me. And then, just as soon as it had hit me, 'twas gone. When I opened my eyes, Aimery and Fae were standing all around me. The rest you know."

  "Dear God," Conall said and ran a hand down his face.

  Gregor simply stared at her.

  "I know now to stay near the castle and the Druids at all times," Fiona quickly said.

  Glenna wasn't soothed. "But what if something had happened?"

  "It didn't," Conall appeased Glenna. "Fiona is smart. She will heed things now."

  The somber mood that had taken over was dispelled by the shout for music. To Fiona's delight, the bagpipes were brought out, as well as a fiddle and a lyre.

  Tables and benches were moved to make room for the dancing, and soon the entire hall was filled with music and laughter. At first, Fiona sat and watched the dancers. Glenna and Conall were one of the first to begin once the music started. Fiona's eyes found Gregor standing against the wall talking to a pretty blonde. She wasn't given long to be jealous, though.

  Conall pulled her from her seat and danced her around the room to a fast jig. She was breathless and laughing so hard she could barely stand, but she was having the time of her life.

  And when she didn't think she could dance another step, the music ended. There was an odd light in Conall's eyes as he continued to dance her back toward her seat. Except he didn't bring her to her chair.

  Instead, he swung her away from them. Fiona didn't know where she was headed until she collided with a chest of solid muscle and felt strong arms lock around her.

  Gregor.