Highland Nights

by Donna Grant

  Fiona!

  * * * *

  Fiona surfaced and wiped the water from her eyes. She was thoroughly enjoying her swim and couldn't wait for Gregor to join her.

  She spotted him jumping up and down near the loch, but she couldn't make out what he wanted. Then, she felt the coldness of evil and knew she was about to die.

  There wasn't time to tell Gregor she loved him. She opened her mouth to shout it to him when pain exploded in her head and the world went black.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  "Nay," Gregor screamed as his voice suddenly returned. He ran down the hill unmindful of the rocks or the fact that he could barely breathe from the pain in his ribs.

  He had to save Fiona.

  While he ran, he watched her float beneath the surface. He could either follow the Evil One into the forest, or save Fiona. The Evil One would just have to wait because Fiona needed him.

  His feet hit the water and he didn't stop. Not even when the fear threatened to take hold. Nothing mattered but Fiona.

  The panic set in as it always did when the water reached his thighs. He tried to keep going, but his feet wouldn't move.

  "Not now," he cried as the terror took hold.

  He pictured the kelp wrapping around Fiona as it had Anne and he snapped. He roared up at the sky and dove into the water.

  As soon as the water hit his face he lost control. He began to thrash around in the water trying to reach the surface. His lungs burned for breath, and he knew this time he would die. And fail once again to save someone that he loved.

  Aye, he loved her.

  Then don't give up.

  He broke through the surface of the water and took a deep breath. His ribs ached painfully, but it didn't matter. He took a deep breath and went under again. This time to save Fiona.

  Her white shift caught his eye. She wasn't far from him, and he quickly reached her and brought her to the surface. As soon as his head broke the water he began to holler for Conall.

  Gregor carried her to the water's edge and laid her down on the sand. He leaned over her and saw that she wasn't breathing.

  "Don't do this to me, Fiona. You promised that everything would be all right."

  Conall and some of his men arrived and knelt beside her. Conall put his hand on Fiona's chest and sighed. "She's gone, Gregor."

  "Nay," Gregor roared. "I won't let her die. She can't die on me," he said and pushed on her chest. "Breathe. Breathe, damn you."

  He continued to push on her chest, unmindful that tears coursed down his face. He had finally found someone he could love, someone that made the pain disappear, and he had lost her.

  Conall reached for his hands, but Gregor shoved him away. "I can't give up," he said and laid his head on her chest. "Fiona," he said and covered her mouth with his. "Come back to me," he whispered and blew his breath into her mouth.

  He leaned up when she began to cough. Gently, he sat her up and held her while she vomited the water she had swallowed. He smiled through his tears, not caring that Conall and his men saw.

  "Fiona," he said and turned her face to his.

  She smiled weakly. "Hello."

  He tried to get to his feet and carry her to the castle, but his ribs reminded him that he wasn't healed.

  "Here," Conall said. "I will take her."

  Gregor climbed to his feet, keeping his arms around his ribs, and ran after Conall and his men. When they reached the bailey Glenna waited for them.

  "I already have a chamber ready," she said.

  Gregor followed them into the chamber. He still couldn't believe she was alive, and he wanted to stay by her side to make sure. He began to aide Glenna as they got Fiona out of her wet shift.

  "Where is Moira?" Conall asked.

  Glenna looked up from tending to Fiona. "I don't know."

  "What?" Gregor asked.

  "I've been calling to her," Glenna said and covered Fiona with a blanket. "Neither she nor Dartayous has come."

  "Something is awry."

  "Exactly," Conall said.

  * * * *

  "'Tis time," MacNeil rallied his men. "We have become fat and lazy. The men that ride with me are lean and hungry from battle. Are you those men?" he shouted.

  A resounding 'aye' rent the air.

  "Then we attack. Remember," he reminded them. "Gregor is mine."

  "What of The Shadow?" someone hollered.

  "He has abandoned us. We can do this on our own. We are warriors!"

  * * * *

  "My laird," a man said as he came into Fiona's chamber.

  Gregor looked up to find the man shifting from one foot to the other. Gregor turned to Conall and watched him walk to the man.

  After some hurried words, Conall turned to him. "I hope you're healed."

  "Why?" Gregor asked as he rose to his feet.

  "MacNeil has returned. He wants you."

  "Then let it begin."

  "Wait," Glenna stopped them. "You cannot go. The Fae are missing and I don't know where Moira and Dartayous are."

  "Which is exactly why we must go," Conall told her.

  "It could be a trap."

  Gregor leaned down and placed a kiss on Fiona's forehead. "Then might I suggest that you keep a look out of the window so you can aid us if needed?"

  Glenna nodded and ran into Conall's arms. "Be careful."

  "I will, though I don't think 'tis going to matter. MacNeil has come for Gregor, not me."

  "You cannot kill him," she warned Gregor.

  "The hell I can't," Gregor said. "He's done enough trouble."

  "If you kill him then the prophecy will never come to pass."

  "You ask the impossible," he said and walked out of the chamber.

  * * * *

  Moira tried not to panic. She knew Fae magic had been used on her, but that didn't stop the terror at not being able to see.

  And where was Dartayous? He was supposed to guard her. Had he been a part of this? Surely not, she thought. That would be too great of a betrayal.

  "There's really no need to be afraid."

  She stopped struggling against her bonds and stilled. "Who are you?"

  He laughed close to her ear. "You know me as the Druid William, also as the cloaked figure that tried to kill Glenna and Ailsa."

  A breath burst from her lips at hearing this. It couldn't be true.

  "But," he continued. "You will come to know me as Fiona's killer and master of Scotland."

  She listened as he moved to her other side. When he leaned down next to her she couldn't help but jump.

  "However, you will only remember me as your husband."

  She bowed her head and tried to register his words. It felt as if a battering ram had been shoved into her stomach.

  "Oh, aye, Moira, I've coveted you. I've longed to take you, and I've had plenty of chances."

  His breathe on her neck made her ill to her stomach. "What did you do with Dartayous?"

  William laughed. "You can forget him. If he isn't already dead, he soon will be. As a Druid warrior never fails, he will take his own life to make amends for his failure."

  "But he didn't fail. You used magic on him as you have done to me."

  His hand trailed down her jaw. "So smart. 'Tis why I want you by my side as I rule Scotland and the rest of the humans."

  "Never."

  "Oh, you will change your mind. Never fear," he said and kissed her cheek.

  "That will be hard to do since the prophecy will never come to pass without me and my sisters performing the ceremony."

  Silence met her words. "Another Druid can take Fiona's place."

  "Nay. 'Tis in the prophecy. If you had read it you would know."

  A hiss and a curse reached her ears before more silence.

  * * * *

  Fiona slowly opened her eyes. "Gregor?"

  "Fiona," Glenna said and leaned over her. "Thank God. I've been so worried."

  "Where is Gregor?" she asked as she looked around the room and spot
ted Frang. "What's happened?"

  Glenna and Frang exchanged a look. "Much has happened," Frang finally answered.

  Fiona could tell by their tone that whatever it was wasn't good. She sat up and grabbed her chest. It burned like fire had been poured down her throat.

  Then she remembered what had happened. "Is Gregor all right?"

  "He's fine," Glenna said. "He saved you from drowning."

  "Where is he now?"

  "Fighting MacNeil."

  That wasn't what she had expected to hear. "We must help them," she told Glenna.

  "You are in no condition to get out of that bed," Frang advised.

  "I cannot lose him," Fiona argued.

  "Why?" Frang asked. "Give me one good reason to allow you to get out of that bed and leave the castle."

  "I love him."

  He smiled. "About time," he said. "Glenna, help your sister get dressed so that the two of you can stop Gregor from killing MacNeil."

  Fiona licked her lips and wanted to laugh. She'd confessed aloud that she loved Gregor. Her heart felt as though it could fly. She was free, free from the bonds that had chained her for years.

  And she must tell Gregor. She wouldn't allow that chance to pass her by once again.

  * * * *

  Gregor flexed his hand and tried to take a deep breath. It was still painful, and he ended up coughing.

  "You aren't ready for this," Conall said next to him.

  "It doesn't matter. The battle is ready for me."

  "I have your back," Conall said as they walked out of the gates.

  Gregor spotted MacNeil immediately. "Are you ready to die?"

  MacNeil laughed loudly. "I came for your head, Gregor MacLachlan."

  "MacLachlan," Conall said.

  Gregor gnashed his teeth. "Later. I will tell you everything."

  "I will hold you to it, my friend," Conall warned. "If I had known you were a MacLachlan I would have pressed you more to learn what happened."

  Gregor snorted and turned to his adversary. "Enough talk, MacNeil," he shouted. "Draw your sword."

  MacNeil did as requested and kicked his horse into a run. Gregor looked around and spotted the boulder next to Conall. He shoved Conall out of the way and quickly jumped on the boulder just as MacNeil reached him.

  With a roar he leapt off the boulder and grabbed MacNeil as they fell over the horse. They both landed with a thud and rolled to their feet, swords drawn.

  Gregor laughed. "Your age is showing, old man. I hope there is more to this fight than that."

  MacNeil stepped and sliced his sword toward Gregor's head. Gregor easily blocked it, and slashed at MacNeil's chest. MacNeil jerked back and saw the thin line of blood.

  "You'll pay for that," he said and charged again.

  * * * *

  Fiona heard the sounds of swords clashing the same time as William.

  "I will kill him myself," William hissed.

  "Who?" she asked.

  He didn't answer her and she sensed that he had walked away. She tried again to loosen her bonds, but the rope was unlike any she had ever encountered.

  Where was Dartayous?

  Her fear for her sisters and the Druid's had nearly swallowed her. She had always been strong, but she was finding it hard to stay that way when the Evil One had caught her.

  How could they have been so blind as to not see that it was William? It all made sense now. William had left shortly before Glenna arrived for his pilgrimage, and he hadn't returned until just now.

  "Dartayous," she whispered. "Please hear me. I need you."

  Please don't let Fiona be dead.

  * * * *

  Gregor stepped aside and brought his sword down and around to block MacNeil. He thrust his sword, but MacNeil jumped out of the way before more blood could be drawn.

  Without hesitating, Gregor raised his arm over his head and brought his sword down. MacNeil managed to block the slice that would have cut open his face. But Gregor wasn't deterred. He used the force to push MacNeil to the right. He then used his left hand to grab MacNeil's shoulder and kicked his feet out from underneath him.

  Before he had a chance to plunge his sword into MacNeil, the aging laird managed to roll away and jump to his feet. Gregor grinned when he saw the anger in MacNeil's eyes, because angry men didn't think clearly.

  * * * *

  Lugus couldn't believe his eyes. MacNeil was about to die by Gregor's hand, and that couldn't happen.

  "You will pay for this, MacNeil," Lugus vowed. He could either keep Moira or save MacNeil since he couldn't move Druids like he could others. Besides, if he was to take over Scotland, then he needed to save MacNeil.

  He fisted his hands and felt the urge to kill. He had finally gotten Moira, and now he was going to release her. All because MacNeil couldn't listen to an order.

  With just a thought, he released Moira.

  Gregor saw MacNeil swing an underhanded slice toward his stomach and stepped inside to trap MacNeil's sword arm. Gregor then pushed MacNeil away while slicing open the top of his right shoulder.

  MacNeil grabbed hold of his bleeding arm and dropped his sword. Gregor threw down his sword and circled MacNeil.

  "You don't deserve a warrior's death," he said. "After the havoc you have plagued the Highland's with, you will die without your sword."

  Gregor knew that was the greatest insult he could give MacNeil. A warrior wanted to die a warrior, at any costs. He got the reaction he wanted when MacNeil bellowed and swung his fist at his head.

  Fiona, with Glenna by her side, watched as Gregor stepped forward and took hold of MacNeil's arm with his left hand. He then sent his elbow into MacNeil's jaw before he back fisted him.

  MacNeil staggered back, but quickly attacked Gregor again. This time he took a swing at Gregor's jaw. Gregor put up his left arm as a block then sent his own fist into MacNeil's jaw.

  Fiona was about to use her powers, but stopped when she realized Gregor didn't need her help. He had MacNeil right were he wanted him. But MacNeil's soldiers were about to interfere.

  She raised her hand and a wall of water the height of a grown tree rose out of the loch. The sound reached the soldier's ears and they backed away from Gregor and MacNeil. It was what Fiona wanted, but she would keep the water wall up in case one of them tried to help MacNeil.

  "Gregor cannot kill MacNeil," Glenna said.

  "I don't think anyone can stop him. Even Conall is just standing behind him," Fiona pointed out.

  "Frang refused to allow Conall to kill MacNeil. For whatever reason, the prophecy must come to pass. MacNeil must stay alive until then."

  Fiona looked from her sister to Gregor. "I won't let him kill MacNeil," she promised. Then her gaze found Dartayous as he ran toward Gregor and Conall. "If he's there, then where is Moira?"

  Glenna's brown eyes held much anxiety as she turned to her. "He would never leave Moira."

  "So that leaves only one conclusion. She's gone."

  "I cannot accept that," Glenna said.

  * * * *

  Moira blinked and stared around at the trees. She hastily looked around but found no trace of William or the Shadow, or what ever his real name was.

  She didn't question her returned sight, nor did she sit and wait for him to return. She jumped to her feet and raced toward the castle. Her feet flew even faster when she heard the sound of battle.

  With her stomach in her throat she burst through the forest and spotted the fighting. Her eyes scanned the crowd to see Gregor, Conall and Dartayous fighting. Her gaze then swung to the castle and she spotted Glenna and Fiona.

  Relief filled her. Fiona wasn't dead. Tears gathered in her eyes. If it took another three lifetimes she would give Fiona the time she needed to heal.

  * * * *

  While Gregor had MacNeil he sent another fierce back fist into his nose. Blood spurted everywhere as bone crushed beneath his fist.

  MacNeil doubled over and screamed in pain. Gregor took a step toward him and
slammed a fist into his shoulder before taking hold of his neck to keep him still while he jerked his knee into his face. MacNeil fell to the ground holding his face.

  Gregor's rage simmered to a barely controllable level. "'Tis time to die," he said and took hold of MacNeil's neck to break it.

  In the next instant he was flat on his back unable to move. He opened his eyes through the force and spotted the Evil One grab MacNeil.

  And then, as fast as he had come he was gone. Gregor sat up to find only Conall and his men around him as MacNeil's soldiers rode away. Then he spotted Dartayous.

  "Where is Moira?" he asked as he gained his feet.

  Dartayous looked down at the ground. "I have failed. The Evil One took her. He used Fae magic to hide her from me."

  "What?" Conall and Gregor asked in unison.

  Frang spoke as he walked up, "You didn't fail, Dartayous. The Evil One has freed Moira. For the time being. He cannot transport a Druid because of the powers that Druid's hold."

  They all turned to see Moira, Glenna and Fiona running towards them. Gregor had never been happier to see Fiona. He wrapped his arms around her and swung her around.

  "I thought I had lost you," he said as he sat her on her feet.

  Fiona smiled through her tears. "Never. I realized when I was hit over the head that I hadn't told you something."

  "It doesn't matter. You are alive. That's what I care about."

  "We are mates," she said and put her finger on his lips. "I've known from almost the beginning, but I tried to deny it. No longer. I want the world to know that we are bound. From now to eternity. I love you, Gregor."

  "And I will love you always."

  She forgot about everything and everyone as his lips claimed her in a kiss that only a mate could give. It touched her very soul and gave her the peace she'd been seeking. All was right with the world now.

  The sounds of cheering broke into their world. She and Gregor broke apart and were engulfed in hugs from Conall and Glenna.

  Fiona turned and spotted Moira. It was time to put the past behind her. She closed the distance between them. "I'm sorry. I should never have shut you out of my life. "

  Moira shrugged and smiled. "You were hurt. I understand. I should never have left you that night, nor should I have kept away all these years."