Highland Nights

by Donna Grant

She met his gaze and soon they were both laughing. How was it that he had a way of making her feel good?

  "You'll need more than that," she said still laughing. "I need to go to the castle for some real food."

  "I would rather you didn't leave."

  The laughter died on her lips as he once again stunned her with his words. She knew he wasn't afraid, so could it be that he wanted her company? "All right."

  * * * *

  "Something is troubling you?" Frang asked Aimery.

  "If the Evil One is attacking others beside Moira, Fiona and Glenna, then I must report to my king and queen. Things have gone astray."

  "How astray?"

  "I haven't heard from the king and queen. That in itself it extremely odd."

  Frang rubbed his beard. "The rogue Druid is causing more damage than you expected."

  "He's more than a Druid," Aimery admitted and looked over the Druids within the circle.

  "What are you saying?"

  "Nothing yet. I will keep some Fae around to keep watch over the lasses. I must get to the king and queen."

  "Are you sure 'tis safe?"

  "The Land of the Fae is the safest place to be."

  "Is it, I wonder? This rogue Druid is using Fae magic. I think I would be worried about him visiting your land."

  Aimery's brow furrowed. "He wouldn't dare."

  Frang tried to question Aimery more, but the Faerie quickly disappeared. Something strange was happening, and it didn't take a Druid to foretell that.

  * * * *

  Gregor couldn't take his eyes off Fiona. Her caring for him had a strange effect on him. Every time her hands touched him, his heart pounded loudly.

  He had been tempted to pull her down on him, but the fact he could barely take a deep breath stopped him. Soon, though, he would give in to his desires and suffer through the pain, if he was able, to hold her in his arms.

  "I need to check your stitches."

  He jerked at the sound of her voice so near him, then sucked in a breath at the pain.

  She reached out and touched his arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

  "You didn't," he said through clenched teeth. "I will be fine."

  Her raised brow said she questioned his words.

  He didn't bother to say more as her soft hands gently touched the side of his face. He wasn't worried about a scar, but he was worried about how she would look at him now. Would she recoil in distaste?

  "Is something wrong?" she asked.

  He waited until she finished her inspection before he said, "Nay."

  "The stitches should come out soon. 'Tis healing nicely."

  "Thanks to you," he said and reached for her hand. "Thank you for tending to me."

  She ducked her head and he could have sworn that she blushed. "It wasn't all me. Moira helped heal you with her powers."

  "But it is you that is here now."

  Her eyes jerked to his face. When her lips parted he stifled a groan. She had no idea the carnage she left in her wake.

  "May I ask you something?"

  He waited, afraid of what she would ask, but knowing that he would answer it. No matter what it was. "Aye."

  "Tell me what happened to your sister."

  He sighed and looked away. Maybe it was time to tell her. Then she would leave and let him forget about dreams he couldn't hold onto.

  "Did I tell you Anne was very beautiful?" he asked and patted the bed for Fiona to sit.

  She shook her head and laced her fingers through his after she had sat beside him.

  "She was. Even at her young age the lads chased after her. But she wanted no part of them." He laughed recalling old memories. "She would ask me what I thought of some of them. If I didn't like them, she wouldn't give them a second thought."

  "She adored you."

  He nodded. "That day she had asked me to take her on the boat. I hadn't wanted to, but she had begged, and I could never say nay to her."

  He stopped, unsure if he could continue. Then, Fiona gave him a smile.

  "I put her in the boat, but then a young lass that had caught my eye walked up. Anne said she would stay in the boat while I talked with the lass for a moment. I never thought Anne would actually try and row the boat herself."

  "There was nothing you could have done to stop her," Fiona said.

  "I shouldn't have talked with the lass," he roared. He closed his eyes and shook his head from the pain in his ribs and his stupidity at not staying with Anne. "I looked up when I heard the lass gasp. Anne had rowed out and had lost one of the oars. She couldn't get back."

  He took a deep breath and struggled to breathe as his memories crashed in on him of that day.

  "She stood up and began yelling for me. I ran into the water telling her to sit down or she would overturn the boat. She couldn't hear me, and before I knew it she was in the water."

  "Didn't she know how to swim?"

  "Aye. I taught her myself, so at first I wasn't worried. I knew I could get to her in time. Until she didn't surface. Then I remembered the currents that run through our loch. Many of my clansmen had died from those currents. It was why Anne wasn't allowed to venture out too far."

  "What happened?" Fiona asked softly.

  "I dove under the water. The current hadn't taken her far, but it had tangled her in the kelp. She couldn't get loose, and no matter how hard I tried to get her out she wouldn't come loose."

  "Didn't anyone come for help?"

  "The lass must have called for help, but by that time it was too late. Anne died in my arms, and I was also caught."

  "Everything happens for a reason, Gregor. You must know that. 'Twas as your father said, an accident."

  He looked into her beautiful green eyes. "I killed her. Why should I be alive and not Anne?"

  "First of all, you didn't kill her. You tried to save her, and nearly died yourself. Isn't that enough punishment?"

  He didn't answer her. His punishment was living while Anne was in the earth. She had been so full of life and beautiful. She should have lived to get married and have children, not die in her brother's arms.

  "Look at me," Fiona demanded.

  He raised his eyes to her.

  "I wouldn't be here without you. Glenna wouldn't be with Conall without you, and Ailsa wouldn't be here without you. Did you stop to think about any of that?"

  "The pain won't ever go away. I can't let it."

  "Why? Because you think you'll forget Anne if you do?"

  How had she managed to figure that out?

  She rose from the bed and put her hands on her hips. "I expected better of you. You, of all people, should know that you can mourn the loss of someone without punishing yourself for it."

  He watched as she began to tap her toe in annoyance. If it wasn't such a serious situation he would be laughing.

  "I don't think Anne would have wanted you to live like this. I think she would have wanted you to be happy."

  "You think so?"

  She looked around the room and licked her lips. "Aye."

  "Do you want to make me happy?"

  He knew the question startled her, and by her furrowed brow she was contemplating how to answer him. He didn't expect her to answer really, but he liked to see her squirm.

  "How?"

  The fact that she answered at all scared the hell out of him.

  "How, Gregor?" she asked and moved closer to the bed. "What is it that could make you happy? Have you ever been happy since Anne's death?"

  His throat refused to work and he tried to swallow. Fiona had sat on the bed and began running her finger down his chest. "Aye, I have been happy."

  "When?"

  He decided if there was a chance, even a remote one, that he could have Fiona in his life he'd take it now. "When you are in my arms."

  Her green eyes jerked to his face. She looked deep into his eyes and leaned forward. Her lips parted as her breasts pressed against his chest.

  It was the purest form of torture. H
e gripped the blanket to stop himself from grabbing a hold of her. At least that was his intention until her lips touched his, then he forgot about everything except her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Fiona gave up trying to resist Gregor. There was no point in it. When he said he was happy when she was in his arms it had broken a piece of her defense.

  Now, as she tasted his lips and had his arms around her, she had to wonder why she ever tried to avoid him. He touched her deepest places, as only a mate could.

  She moaned as his hand found her breast. "You are injured."

  "I'll survive. I have got to be inside you," he whispered against her neck. "I feel as though I'm dying without you."

  She let him roll her over until he was on top. He gazed down at her, and she couldn't deny the feelings that shown brightly in his eyes. It would be so easy to tell him that she cared for him.

  Cared? You do a lot more than care.

  That was true, but she wasn't ready to admit how she really felt. Not even to herself.

  "Do you wish to stop?" he asked.

  She shook her head and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm through running from you."

  "Damn good thing, woman, because I couldn't stand much more of it."

  She laughed, but it was quickly cut off as his mouth covered hers. It was a kiss meant to claim her, to remind her that she belonged to one man. Gregor.

  They shoved the blanket from him and off the bed. She couldn't get enough of him. Her hands roamed over his back and shoulders as he kissed her until she was breathless.

  She pulled back and placed a finger over his mouth when he started to talk. After she scooted out from beneath him, she rose from the bed and began to undress.

  The look on his face as she removed her gown fueled her own passion. When she stood naked in front of him he held out his hand.

  "I couldn't resist you the first time I saw you like this. I knew then I would never be able to refuse you."

  His words brought a goofy smile to her lips. She was sure she was acting like a young lass with her first love, but she didn't care. Her heart felt lighter and freer than it had in months.

  She gently pushed him back on the bed and climbed on top of him. "With your injuries I don't want you to overexert yourself."

  "We wouldn't want that," he said as his hands cupped her breasts. "God, woman, you have no idea what you do to me."

  Her heart fluttered at his words. She lowered her head and placed kisses on every one of his cuts he had received in the accident.

  "I need you, Fiona," he groaned.

  She understood his desire, and she was just as ready. She rose up and positioned him. Then, she slid down his manhood until all of him was inside of her. A sigh escaped her.

  Having him deep inside made her feel as though she was no longer alone. Almost as if she was a half of something that was finally made whole.

  She began to move her hips back and forth. He groaned and grabbed her hips. Already the tension was building. His hand reached down between their bodies and began to caress her.

  "Gregor," she screamed right before the world shattered around her.

  She heard him grunt and clasp her hips in a tight hold and knew he had followed her. She held herself up by her arms on either side of him as she breathing came back to normal.

  He reached up and parted her hair that had fallen around them like a curtain. "You were made for loving," he said before he kissed her chin. "But only by me."

  * * * *

  He was through waiting. He, Alisdair MacNeil, wasn't a patient man. Regardless of what the Shadow said, he would move his men. His spies had seen how vulnerable Conall's castle was, and if he timed it right he could do away with Gregor slowly and painfully.

  Then, he could kill Fiona and not have to worry about the prophecy.

  "Go," he ordered four of his men. They would be the lookouts, and if they saw a chance to attack, then they would send word.

  This would be over soon. It was getting too close to the time of the prophecy to leave matters into the hands of a man who didn't have a name.

  If he was a man at all.

  * * * *

  Aimery walked into the thrown room to find it void of anyone. It explained why he hadn't been able to contact his king or queen, but it didn't explain where they were.

  His instincts told him to run, but his oath to his king and queen halted any thoughts of fleeing. They were in danger and he would risk his new bow made of enchanted oak that the king's brother had a hand in this.

  They had all been fools if they thought he wouldn't venture back into the Land of the Fae.

  "Fools we were then," he mumbled and continued to search the room for any clues.

  When he had been over the throne room as well as the three rooms behind it four times, he began to walk from the room intending to check the rest of the castle when a voice stopped him.

  "I always hated the colors in here."

  Slowly Aimery turned around and faced his sovereign's throne. Standing between the two solid silver chairs was a hooded figure.

  "Well, that explains my king's absence."

  The figure took a quick step toward Aimery. "The throne should have been mine," he roared.

  "But you couldn't wait for it, so you killed your own father. Tell me, what is your real name?"

  An eerie laugh filled the room. "Wouldn't you like to know? I bet my brother or his wife could tell you."

  And with a wave of his hand Aimery looked up and saw two figures being lowered from the ceiling. They were tied with their hands above them.

  Aimery rushed towards them, but found himself thrown backwards as he landed with a thud on the white marble. He raised his eyes to the cloaked figure.

  "I would have thought you would know I wouldn't let you near them. I have been told how intelligent you are," he said to Aimery. "Obviously I was misinformed."

  Aimery got to his feet. "How long do you plan on keeping them thus?" he asked and pointed to his king and queen.

  "As long as it takes to take over the world," he cackled. "Speak, Theron."

  The king turned to Aimery. "Do not worry about us. You must save the others."

  "I would expect such words from you."

  Theron turned to the cloaked figure. "Show yourself, Lugus. Why are you hiding behind a cloak?"

  Aimery watched as Lugus jerked open his arms and the cloak fell away. Dark blonde hair and the blue eyes of the Fae met his gaze.

  "Satisfied?" Lugus asked his brother. He lowered them until they hung inches off the floor.

  Aimery stood still as he watched Lugus walk toward his queen. When Theron tried to speak, Lugus held up a hand taking away his king's voice.

  But, Lugus, it seemed had forgotten about him for the moment as he stared at the Faerie queen.

  "Oh, Rufina. You were supposed to have been my bride. 'Tis a pity really, but in the end I found someone much more deserving than you to rule the world by my side."

  Aimery had seen enough when Lugus touched his queen's face. He charged Lugus, but was brought up short and jerked into the air.

  "You didn't think I had forgotten you, did you?" Lugus asked. "I have big plans for you." He tapped his chin as Aimery continued to hang in the air. "Now, where should I put you?"

  Aimery tried to break free of his hold, but Lugus's power was too strong. With a last effort he concentrated all his magic together and propelled it toward Lugus.

  It worked to break Lugus's hold and Aimery came crashing to the floor.

  "Run," Rufina told him.

  Aimery got to his feet and ran to the door. He placed his hand on the door to open it when he was jerked backward until he was held in the air in front of Lugus.

  "You didn't think I would let the Noble One go free, did you?"

  Aimery looked to his king and queen as the realization sank in. He was the Noble One, and without him Lugus would take over the world.

  * * * *

  Gregor woke to the most
delicious feeling in the world. Fiona was in his arms, her head on his chest fast asleep. He was content and happy for the first time in his life.

  She stirred and tilted her head back to look at him. "Did you sleep well?"

  "Better than ever." Which wasn't a lie. The only times he seemed to actually sleep was when she was in his arms. "And you?"

  "Wonderfully."

  Her smile lit his day even though the sun had yet to rise. "How can you make a man feel invincible?"

  She laughed and ran her finger across his chest. "I didn't know I had that power."

  "Aye, woman, I feel as though I could slay a dragon with my bare hands just knowing that I could return to you."

  She sighed and her warm breath on his skin sent chills down his body. "That would be rather difficult since there aren't dragons in Scotland."

  "How can you say that? It wasn't too long ago that you didn't know that the Fae existed. Who knows what else is hidden from us."

  She sat up and it was all he could do to keep his eyes on her face and not her plump, full breasts. He gave up and reached up to cup a breast. He ran his thumb across a nipple and saw it hardened.

  He laughed when she swatted his hand away and playfully punched him on the leg.

  "What's the matter?" he asked her. "You don't like my touch?"

  "I like it so much that I can't think when you are touching me, and I wish to talk."

  He sat up and leaned against the wall and pulled her with him. He ignored the pain in his ribs. The last thing he wanted was for her to know he was still in pain, because she'd immediately get off the bed.

  "Then talk, but make it quick. I have a need to be inside of you again," he said and ran his hand through her dark locks.

  She moaned and snuggled against his chest. "Then I will be sure to make it quick."

  "I hope so."

  "Now, tell me about your dragons."

  He shrugged. "I'm not sure why I said that. I had a dream about them last night. They were beautiful."

  "What did they look like?" she asked and tilted her head to look at him.

  "They were all different colors. Some were red, some black, some green, and some white. Every color you could imagine."

  "Where they good?"

  He ran his hand down her bare shoulder. "Some were good, some evil. Just like men."