by Donna Grant
She raised her head looked into his black eyes. There was no emotion evident on his face, and her smile quickly faded. Before she could utter a word he whirled her around so that his back was to the crowded hall while hers was against the wall. This left her hidden to everyone except him.
He reached up and touched a strand of her hair that had fallen over her shoulder. As he twirled the strand around his finger he closed his eyes and sighed.
Did he even know what his actions did to her? The hall and all the people ceased to exist in the tiny world Gregor had placed them in.
When he opened his eyes and brought his hand to her face she didn't stop him. She kept her gaze on him, fascinated by the sudden show of emotion.
His thumb traced her bottom lip while in his dark depths the pain and loneliness surfaced to be seen by one person. Fiona.
"Your smile makes my heart sing," he said, the baritone of his voice low and husky. "But when I see a frown I would gladly crawl on my belly through the fires of Hell to see that smile once again grace your beautiful face."
No one had ever spoken such words to her, and they brought tears to her eyes. His words were from the heart, something he kept hidden from the world.
A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek before she could stop it, but she didn't care. She wanted him to know his words had affected her.
Gregor wanted to taste Fiona's sweet lips. All he had to do was lean down. He began to do just that when something splashed onto his hand. He blinked, unsure what it was. Then he raised his gaze to Fiona's face.
Her green eyes glistened with unshed tears. But why? Then he recalled his words, words that had only been spoken in his head, but now had somehow made their way past his lips.
He took a step back. "Leave. Leave now before I do something you will regret."
She shook her head and stayed where she was.
Didn't the wench know how close he was to losing control over himself? He wanted her as he had never wanted a woman before. She was near, yet out of his reach. He could never have her again. She had made that painfully clear.
To have her looking at him as though she wanted him to kiss her was too much. He was only a man after all. There was only so much torture he could take.
He quickly walked away from her before he threw her over his shoulder and made his way to his chamber. Just thinking about it made him sweat with a need that had become unbearable of late.
Some air would be just the thing, he decided as he made his way up to the battlements. It was then he spotted Moira hiding as she looked down from the stairs at the hall below.
* * * *
Fiona licked her lips and almost called Gregor back. Maybe it was for the best that he left. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder why he had said those beautiful, wonderful words to her.
It wasn't a trick. That wasn't something Gregor would do. Those words had indeed come from his heart, and if his startled expression told her anything it was that he was surprised he had said the words.
She looked around the hall. The dancing and merriment continued. Her eyes caught the sight of Glenna and Conall as they smiled up at each other, the love shining in their eyes for all the world to see.
Fiona closed her eyes. She could still feel the strength of Gregor's arms around her, the safety his body brought her.
Maybe it was time to give in. Maybe Gregor could help dispel the melancholy that surrounded her.
* * * *
Gregor stepped onto the battlements and spotted Moira. She looked up at the moon, her hands holding onto the stone as if to anchor her.
He looked around for Dartayous but didn't see him anywhere. "Am I disturbing you?'
"Not at all," she said without looking at him.
He stood beside her and looked out of the calm waters of the loch. "Why didn't you join us for the meal?"
"It had been my intention until I saw how at ease Fiona was. I didn't wish to disturb that."
He nodded. "Where is Dartayous? He is always near."
She snorted and turned to face him. "He is here. I can feel him. He just doesn't wish to be seen at the present."
"Ah," Gregor said.
"I wish she would talk to me."
Gregor saw her pain and knew she had been hiding it from everyone. They had much in common. "She will. Give her time."
"We don't have much time."
"As a Druid, you should know there is much within Fiona that is in turmoil."
She wiped at her face and he was surprised to see tears. "Moira?"
"I'm fine," she said as the tears poured down her face.
Without thinking he drew her into his arms to offer what comfort he could. "All will be well."
She looked up at him and placed her hand on her cheek. "You are a good man, Gregor."
* * * *
Fiona ran up the steps, excitement coursing through her. It felt right to be giving in to her desire for Gregor. She rounded a corner to find Dartayous blocking her way.
"Don't go up there," he told her.
" 'Tis only Gregor. I have a need to speak to him."
He refused to move. "Let it wait until morning."
"What is wrong with you? Most everyone here has been urging me to talk to Gregor. That is all I wish to do. Now, please move."
For a moment, she thought he might argue with her, then he slowly stepped aside. When she went to walk past him, he put a hand on her arm. "I will ask you once more. Let it wait until morning."
Why did he want her to wait? Something wasn't right. Then it dawned on her. Someone was with Gregor.
She jerked her arm out of his grasp and ran up the last remaining stairs. As she stepped out onto the battlements, she wished she had listened to Dartayous, for standing in each other's arms was none other than Gregor and Moira.
Anger and resentment pooled in her stomach. Gregor dropped his arms from around Moira as Moira stepped away from him.
How dare Moira seduce Gregor! Fiona took a step toward them to tell Moira exactly what was on her mind. Then, she remembered how she had pushed Gregor away. Mate or not, she hadn't claimed Gregor as hers, and therefore he was available.
Even to Moira.
Tears quickly gathered in her eyes. She turned away before they spotted them.
* * * *
Gregor stood dumbfounded at the sight of distress on Fiona's face. The fact she was upset at him comforting her sister didn't make sense to him.
He started after her only to have Dartayous step in front of him. "Get out of my way," he told the warrior.
"You have done enough damage this night," Dartayous said as he looked from him to Moira. "Leave Fiona be."
Gregor opened his mouth to argue only to find that Dartayous was gone. He looked over the stone wall at the bailey below and saw Fiona running toward the caves. It wasn't long before Dartayous followed her.
"I'll be damned if he's going to comfort her," he mumbled and charged after them.
"Don't," Moira said as she stepped in front of him. "She won't believe you now."
Gregor clenched his hands as his eyes followed Fiona into the caves.
* * * *
Fiona ran into the darkness of the cave, but she welcomed the shadows. They hid her pain and tears. She walked through the darkness, unmindful of where she was going. She just wanted some time alone.
She turned a corner and found a long stretch of cave with six torches lighting the way. Her mind refused to worry about finding her way back. She would think about that when the time came. As she walked through the cave, a sudden chill overtook her.
There was no mistaking the coldness that enveloped her. The Evil One had returned.
She slowed her steps and concentrated on using her ears to hear anything unnatural. Her eyes scanned the cave walls searching for him. Then, the torches blinked out.
Not only was she on her own and didn't have a weapon, she didn't know her way around the caves. And what had Dartayous told her? Never to be alone. Yet, that's exactly what she had done.
"We meet again."
The voice as frigid as the dark of winter surrounded her. She wrapped her arms around herself for warmth.
"Did you actually think you could escape me for long? There isn't anyone here to save you now."
The voice was all around her, keeping her off balanced and confused. "I don't need to be saved."
"Really?" The voice laughed eerily.
Her instinct told her that he was near, very near. "I am a powerful Druid."
"Ah, yes. But you are lacking one thing. The water in which to use your power."
Fiona tamped down the growing dread and straightened her spine. If she was to die, she wouldn't do it cowering in front of a man who refused to show himself.
His laughter rang through the tunnel. "Cowering or not, you will die."
The tunnel burst with light as the torch nearest her blazed to life. Her gaze found the man. He stood turned at an angle in front of her. The cloak still concealed his head, but she might be able to get a brief look at him. If she was lucky.
Slowly, his arm lifted to show he wielded a sword. And it was pointed at her heart. " 'Tis time to die."
The scream lodged in her throat as he made his attack. She fell to her knees and rolled away from him. Her legs got tangled in her skirts and she couldn't get to her feet in time.
She struggled to free her legs so she could kick out at him, but she knew she had failed when she heard his laughter. How could she die this easily? The Fae had blessed her with special powers. But how did one defeat something as evil as the thing standing above her?
"Nice try. I had really hoped you would give me more of a fight," he said and raised his sword over her heart.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Fiona's only thought as the sword plunged toward her was of Gregor. If she was to die, it would be with the memory of Gregor. She closed her eyes and recalled the feel of his lips on hers.
But there was no pain, only the sound of a roar of rage that filled that cave to a deafening pitch. The howl bounced off the stone walls until she had to cover her ears or chance going deaf.
After a moment she lifted a hand from her ear and heard only silence. She opened her eyes to find Dartayous standing over her. His sword was outstretched, preventing the Evil One from killing her.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" he hissed at Dartayous.
"I cannot stand your stench."
While they battled wits she crawled backward until Dartayous no longer stood over her. When she hit the cave wall she climbed to her feet, never taking her eyes off the two men.
"You cannot stop me. Nothing will stop me from gaining all the power," the Evil One stated.
"There is a way to stop you."
"But you don't know what it is," he taunted.
"Maybe not, but I think I could find out."
The torches once again distinguished and the coldness began to ebb.
"Fiona?"
She stretched out her hand. "I'm here, Dartayous."
Something bumped into her hand, and she touched the fabric of his vest. Then, she knew it was Dartayous.
Before they took two steps the torches once again lit themselves. "That's really beginning to unsettle me," she said.
She didn't know what surprised her more, his chuckle or seeing Glenna, Conall and Gregor running toward them.
"Are you all right?" Glenna asked when she reached them.
Fiona glanced at Dartayous. "I am now."
"It seems you have been in the right place at the right time lately," Conall said.
"It seems you have been doing a lot of that lately," Gregor said as his voice dripped with sarcasm. "I thought 'twas your duty to guard Moira?"
"I'm a Druid Warrior. I aid any Druid that needs it."
"Fiona, what made you run in here," Conall asked.
She didn't look at Gregor. "I encountered Moira."
"I see," Glenna said.
Fiona knew Dartayous wanted to leave. "Thank you. I'll be fine now."
"Will you truly?" Dartayous asked, his eyes boring into hers.
His blue eyes held hers for a long moment. He had seen what had happened on the battlements, but wasn't going to share it with Glenna and Conall. She nodded and watched him walk into the darkness of the cave.
Conall's brow was raised when she turned back to them. "What did he mean?"
"Nothing," she lied. "Would you be offended if I said I wanted to stay with the Druids tonight?"
Glenna stepped toward her. "Something happened. Won't you tell me?"
The kindness in her sister's brown depths nearly undid her. She swallowed and tried to smile. She failed miserably. "I just need some peace."
"You will find it within the circle." Conall's face was lined with worry, and she found herself growing to love her new brother-in-law.
Glenna nodded and stepped into Conall's arms. "Maybe 'tis best. Especially, after the attempt on your life this afternoon."
She didn't bother to tell Glenna of the recent attack. There was no need to worry her sister. There was no more talk as Fiona followed them to the stone circle through the caves. She really needed to remember this route for future use, she told herself.
When they arrived, Frang waited for her. "Dartayous has already informed me of what transpired."
She paused as she walked past Glenna. " 'Tis just for a wee bit," she told her only to have Glenna's arms wrap around her.
"Stay safe, sister," Glenna whispered in her ear.
Fiona looked back to find that Gregor no longer with them. Her heart ached terribly, but she would push it aside for now. Frang wrapped an arm around her as they entered into the circle. The peace she sought eluded her still, but maybe she hadn't given it enough time.
"Do you wish to talk about anything?" Frang asked her.
She shook her head. "I just wish to be alone."
"Then, I shall make sure of it." He led her to a room hollowed out one of the giant boulders that were everywhere in the circle.
She walked inside to find it roomier than she had imagined it would be. The welcoming glow of a fire lit the room. A bed had been carved out of the stone and many blankets were piled on it.
"I hope you find everything suitable."
She smiled at the Druid priest. "I thank you for making me welcome here, and this will do nicely."
"Before I go, I think you out to know a little more about what will happen if you refuse your mate. You might be able to live your life with what I described, but for your mate, 'twill be ten times as worse. Both of you will wander each of your lives alone and bitter, never knowing what love is." He stared at her a moment. "Good night to you."
After Frang departed, she sighed and sat on the bed. Surprisingly it was comfortable, yet she couldn't think about a stone bed being comfortable after Frang's words. Now she knew she wouldn't sleep this night.
* * * *
Fiona came awake with a start. Her breathing was labored even to her own ears. She looked around and saw only the dying embers of the pervious night's fire.
But the dream stayed with her. She sat up and wrapped her arms around her legs. There was no denying that her dream had been the future. And what a bleak future it was.
She was cruel and said harsh things to anyone who came around her. Nothing brought her pleasure. Not the sunsets, flowers or the sound of children's laughter.
She was alone. Forever.
Because she had turned away her mate.
The desolation of the dream still claimed her. She had thought the stone circle and the Druids would bring her peace, but there was no peace to be had.
There is one way to have peace.
It was too high of a price for her to pay though. She climbed out of the bed and readied herself for the day. When she walked from her little chamber the sun already shone brightly upon the day.
No one bothered her, just as Frang had promised, as she walked among the Druids. Her feet took her toward the forest. Out of the corner of her eye,
she spotted Dartayous.
She turned her head and gave him a smile. He nodded briefly, but she didn't dare stop. Wherever he was, Moira was close by. So far, she had been lucky in staying away from Moira and not having to talk with her.
With her mind occupied by her dream, she didn't pay attention to where she went, but she did know she was being followed. She looked over her shoulder and spotted Dartayous.
"Shouldn't you be guarding Moira?" she asked him.
"She is being kept inside the circle. You have yet to find your way."
She shrugged and looked out over the cliff. "What a beautiful spot. You can see everything."
Silence. She breathed in the clean air and tried to regain some of the calm she had possessed while at the MacDougal's.
When she opened her eyes she had regained some of the serenity. She looked down at the bailey of MacInnes Castle and wondered where her home would be.
It couldn't be with Glenna as long as Gregor resided there, yet it couldn't be with the Druids because of Moira. She couldn't even stay alone because of the Evil One that roamed the hills.
She would do better at the castle. At least there she could ignore Gregor. Moira wasn't so easy to ignore. With her mind decided, she turned and began the descent to the castle only to be stopped by a voice in her head.
"I will make your decision very easy."
She gasped and took a step back. Instantly, Dartayous was at her side.
"What is it?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.
"Since you won't claim your mate, I think 'tis time he died."
"Nay," she screamed and ran toward the castle, knowing in her gut that Gregor was indeed about to die.
Dartayous stayed by her side as she ran into the bailey. She stopped and searched for Gregor, but couldn't find him.
"Who are you looking for?" Dartayous asked.
"Gregor."
"He is building the new barn."
She raced toward the back of the bailey only to find it blocked with people. There wasn't time to spare, so she took the stairs to the battlements. Her eyes searched the men until she found him on the roof. She sighed her relief to see him safe and sound.
"What happened?"
She turned to Dartayous. "Nothing." Her gaze found Gregor again.