Highland Nights

by Donna Grant

  "It doesn't matter now," Fiona told her. "We are together. At last. Mother and Da would be proud," she said and pulled Glenna to her.

  They wrapped their arms around each other. Three sisters, blessed by the Fae and rulers of a prophecy, had finally been brought together.

  Happiness engulfed Fiona and her gaze met Gregor's. With his love she could do anything, and with her sister's beside her she felt complete.

  "For eternity," Gregor mouthed to her.

  "For eternity," she vowed.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  The merrymaking continued through the night. Fiona and Gregor stayed by each other, never venturing far.

  "What's next?" Conall asked them.

  Gregor had confided everything to him after the battle, and it had only deepened their friendship. "I must see to my father."

  "The prophecy is still a little ways off. There is time," Fiona said.

  Conall nodded. "Will you take over as laird?"

  "If the clan will have me."

  Fiona smiled brightly. "They will have him. They need him."

  The arrival of Frang dampened everyone's spirits. Fiona and the rest followed Frang into the solar. "What has happened?" she asked.

  Frang sighed deeply and seemed to age before her eyes. "The Evil One is not only the rogue Druid that tried to kill Glenna and Ailsa, but also a Fae. He was known to us as William. He has taken Aimery prisoner."

  "What does that mean for the prophecy?" Gregor asked.

  "It means," Frang said as he looked to Moira. "You must find the key that will allow you to enter the world of the Fae and free Aimery."

  Moira's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why me?"

  "Glenna and Fiona each had a journey to make to arrive here, and so must you. If William is here when the prophecy takes place, then he will assume control."

  "Control of what?" Glenna asked.

  "Of all of Scotland and the world. He must not succeed."

  They all turned to Moira. "Then I shall depart immediately."

  "With Dartayous," Frang said.

  Moira and Dartayous exchanged a brief look.

  Fiona ran to embrace Moira. "Be careful. If you need us …"

  "I know," Moira smiled and hugged Glenna. "Get to Gregor's father. He has stayed alive in hopes of his return. Don't keep him waiting any longer."

  Fiona nodded and stepped into Gregor's arms once they were in the bailey. "I wish we could go with her."

  "Dartayous will watch over her," Conall said as he and Glenna came to stand beside them.

  They watched as Moira with Dartayous ever by her side walked into the forest and the stone circle. After gathering provisions they would begin their journey.

  "Glenna, do you know what key Frang is speaking of?" Fiona asked.

  "Nay. I didn't know one needed a key to get into the world of the Fae. I thought we weren't allowed."

  Gregor and Conall nodded.

  "Frang said that we had a journey to make," Fiona said. "Our journey was finding our mate."

  "Then that must also be a part of Moira's," Glenna agreed.

  "Dartayous," they said in unison.

  EPILOGUE

  Fiona rode by Gregor's side as they entered the gates of MacLachlan castle. The people rushed toward them, but it was the woman racing down the castles steps that caught Gregor's attention.

  With a smile on her face Fiona watched Gregor jump down from Morgane and twirl his mother around in a fierce hug. She slid off her mount and soon found herself brought into their embrace. She finally had her family, and a home she could call her own.

  "Mother, I would like you to meet my wife," Gregor said.

  Helen smiled warmly. "I knew it," she said and kissed Fiona on the cheek. "Welcome to the family. Oh, I don't think I ever properly thanked you for saving Beathan."

  "Then he is alive?" Gregor asked.

  "Aye, son," Helen answered. "Come and see your father."

  They had no sooner entered the castle and started up the stairs than Helen shoved Gregor down a hallway. "You know what you need to do," she told him and took Fiona's arm.

  Fiona entered the chamber to find Beathan sitting up in the bed. He smiled at her.

  "I knew you would return," he said. "Have you come back for good?"

  "Aye, laird."

  He waved away her words. "There'll be none of that. You are family."

  Her heart nearly burst with joy. She was about to tell him that when Beathan's mouth fell open. She followed his gaze to the door and found Gregor standing there in the MacLachlan plaid.

  She raised her brow and walked to him. After she kissed him she said, "I like you in a kilt."

  He smiled and went to his father. She and Helen left the men alone. There would be time to celebrate later. Years in fact.

  Read on for a preview of the next

  DRUID'S GLEN romance from

  Donna Grant:

  Highland Dawn

  CHAPTER ONE

  Western Highlands

  August 1625

  "Now that's a man I would lay claim to."

  Moira jerked her head up from examining an apple, but the old crone who she thought had spoken began to mumble to herself. Moira shook her head and went back to her examination of the fruit.

  After many weeks of travel she and Dartayous had finally arrived at the small fishing town that belonged to the MacLeod's. They were on the last stage of their journey, or at least she hoped that was the case.

  "Aye. A man like him could warm even these old bones."

  This time when Moira raised her eyes the woman stared at her. Gone was the appearance of a doddering old woman, and in her place stood one with wise brown eyes. She followed the crone's gaze to Dartayous.

  Moira had been ignoring her traveling companion for weeks, but witnessing him smiling and talking to a village girl did little to ease her. His rugged, almost harsh face, was transformed with that smile. His wide, thin lips were actually tilted up in a grin, showing white, even teeth.

  "Is he yours?"

  She turned back to the crone. "Nay."

  "I would say he was," the crone said and reached out gnarled fingers to touch Moira's hand. "I spotted the two of ye as ye entered the village. He watches ye like ye belong to him."

  "You are mistaken." Yet her eyes sought out Dartayous. His shoulder-length wavy brown hair blew gently in the sea wind. "He is my guide. Nothing else," she replied and went back to examining the apple.

  " 'Tis not good to lie to oneself. Ye have done it far too long."

  Moira narrowed her eyes at the woman. There were few people she took advice from, but every fiber of her being urged her to listen to the crone.

  "You have a long journey ahead of you."

  Moira laughed. The woman was a fraud. "You are the one mistaken, crone. I have been on a long journey. 'Tis about to end."

  "So you think. In reality, yer journey has yet to begin."

  Her words halted Moira. She searched the woman's brown eyes. "You have the sight."

  "I do, and you'd be wise to heed me. Listen to your heart. It will guide you when the darkness comes."

  "What do you know? Tell me," Moira said and grabbed the crone's arm.

  The curtain behind the crone parted and admitted a young girl with hair the color of fire and eyes so green they would rival emeralds.

  "My granddaughter," the crone said after the girl sat.

  Moira raised her eyes to the old woman. "Tell me what you know."

  "I sense immense power in you, child. Ye have a great destiny to fulfill, and there is little doubt ye will fulfill it."

  Moira stood in awe. The sight was always a gift she had wanted. Both of her sisters had received it. Glenna had visions whereas Fiona had dreams, but that gift had not come to Moira.

  "Does your gift reside in your granddaughter?" Moira asked to change the subject. Whenever she encountered someone who had the sight, it put her off guard.

  "Nay, thank the saints. She does however have
the gift of healing, but nothing that compares to ye."

  Moira once again found the woman's gaze on her. "What makes you think I have any healing ability?"

  The old crone barked with laughter. "It fairly glows in ye. A person with the right eyes can see it. 'Tis been many years since I've come across a true Druid."

  Moira quickly looked around to see if anyone had overheard the crone. "You will have me hung with your loud ramblings."

  " 'Tisn't likely. No one pays me any attention unless they have a sickness they cannot cure. Then they seek me and my granddaughter."

  "What is her name?" Moira asked. There was something about the child that drew her interest.

  "Isobel."

  The child looked up at her name. There was no mistaking the sad eyes that gazed at Moira. "And what of her future?"

  The crone turned until her back was to Isobel. "The road ahead of her is full of peril. I fear she will not survive it." The crone's face, which had been lined with worry, suddenly blossomed into a bright smile.

  Then Moira heard the voice that always made her heart flutter. "Did you locate some fruit?"

  She turned to find Dartayous beside her. She was taller than the average woman, but still he towered over so that he blocked the sun. The urge to ask the crone about Dartayous was almost overwhelming.

  "Moira?"

  She jerked and turned her head away from him. "I did."

  "Good. The boat leaves tomorrow morning at the tide."

  Moira found herself staring at the crone who was in turn staring at Dartayous.

  "Mistress," she heard him address the crone. "Did my companion refuse to pay you? Is that why you stare at me?"

  "Not at all, warrior. I simply don't see such fine specimen come across these old eyes any more. If only I was younger," she said with a cackle.

  Moira glanced up and found his lips turned in a smile. He smiled so rarely that it always surprised her to see his handsome face turned almost boyish with that smile.

  "I have never been one to let age stop me."

  Moira's mouth dropped open. She had known Dartayous almost her entire life, yet this is the first time she heard him tease someone.

  The crone laughed. "I bet ye leave many a broken heart behind ye." She winked and touched his hand. Her smile slipped until sadness clouded her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

  For several heartbeats Moira looked from the crone to Dartayous as they measured each other.

  Finally, Dartayous spoke. "You should be around others like yourself."

  "Each of us has a road to journey. Mine ended here. My granddaughter's is about to begin. Ye and yer companion," she said and glanced at Moira, "are about to embark on a long adventure. Whether ye will come out of it is yet to be seen."

  "You know of the prophecy?" Dartayous asked.

  The crone nodded. "One cannot claim to be a Druid and not know of the prophecy." She turned her brown eyes to Moira. "You are one of the three, the eldest. For many years we thought ye dead."

  "My sisters and I were hidden."

  "And rightly so," the woman said. "Remember my words. Arduous choices are ahead of both of ye. Choose wisely."

  "If Scotland wants to remain the way it is, we don't have any choice but to come through it," Moira said. Her nerves were tingling from the intense magic radiating from the woman.

  Few people exuded that type of magic, and mostly it was the Fae with the exception of Frang, the Druid High Priest. She blinked and tried to focus her eyes but found herself struggling to see.

  "Our magic is clashing. Ye must take her away from me."

  Moira heard the crone's voice as though from a distance even though she knew the woman was but paces from her.

  "Dartayous?"

  "I'm here," he said and wrapped an arm around her.

  She didn't like the fact she enjoyed his strong arm around her. She was a Druid priestess, one of the chosen three to fulfill the prophecy. She was strong and didn't need anyone, let alone a man, to help her.

  Before they left, the basket Moira held became heavier as the crone put fruit into it. Moira pulled out of Dartayous arms. He hastily paid the woman as Moira began to slowly walk away. With every step she began to feel normal.

  "Better?"

  She smiled at Dartayous and nodded. "I have never encountered anyone whose magic affected me so."

  "She's more than what she seems."

  "Aye, I thought as much myself. But what, I don't know."

  No more was said as they traveled back to their small camp they had made the night before near the city. It was a comfortable silence between them though. In the weeks since they had departed from the Druid's Glen and her sisters, she had come to know Dartayous a little better.

  Though they rarely talked, there was mutual respect. At least that's what she told herself when there was no conversation.

  A sound drew her attention. She stopped and listened.

  "Moira? What is it?" Dartayous asked as he came to stand beside her.

  "A sound."

  They stood in silence as she strained to hear it. Just as she was about to give it she heard it again. Without a word to Dartayous she dropped her basket and ran into the forest.

  "Moira."

  She didn't have time to answer him for she knew 'twas imperative that she reach the sound. She came upon it unexpectedly and almost passed it.

  Her hands shook as she pushed aside the bushes and found herself staring into the precious face of an infant. She was about to reach for it when Dartayous pulled her to her feet.

  "Don't touch it. 'Twas left for a reason."

  She turned and glared at him. "What are you saying?" she said and jerked out of his arms. "'Tis a helpless infant that is about to die because someone has abandoned him."

  His face smoothed into his regular emotionless face. "Do what you will then."

  Moira fell to her knees and reached for the infant. She was afraid to touch him because she had never held an infant and she was afraid she was too late, even with her healing powers.

  As gently as she could, she lifted the tiny infant in her arms. He fussed and snuggled against her as he weakly grasped her finger.

  Tears stung her eyes as she felt his life force leaving his frail body. She opened the blanket and saw why his parents had left him to die. He had a club foot. Nothing that would hamper his living, but it would hamper the parents. Instead of having another hand to help with the chores, they would have another mouth to feed.

  "How can anyone do this?" she said as the baby stopped crying, pleased to be held again. "It isn't his fault he was born this way. With proper instruction he could live a normal life."

  "Some people would rather not have to give the proper instruction."

  "Then they should never have children," she said and looked over her shoulder at Dartayous.

  Despite his attempt, finding the baby had affected him as well. "We are too late. He's all but dead."

  "So young. Only days old," Moira said she blinked away more tears.

  Then a thought occurred to her. She hadn't tried it, but it was worth the risk. She gently laid the baby down and his whimpering started anew. With a deep breath, she placed her hands palm down over the infant.

  "Moira, nay. 'Tis too late for him."

  "He still breathes. It isn't too late. You won't change me from the course. I have to try."

  She closed her eyes and gave herself to the power surging through her, the power that could heal almost anyone.

  The power grew until she was blinded of anyone and anything except the infant. The ancient words of the Druids filled her mind as she chanted them, bringing her power under her control. With a slight move of her hand she brought the power through her hand into the infant.

  He was very near death and needed almost all of her powers to be pulled back. Several times she had to call the infant to her because he was so far gone, yet come to her he did. And each time more quickly.

  When he was fully healed of all m
alnutrition, she began to see a blue light surrounding him. With a murmur of more ancient Druid words she bade her power return to her.

  She dropped her hands and looked to find a healthy, sleeping baby in front of her. "'Tis too bad I cannot fix his foot," she said and looked up at Dartayous.

  His eyes were softer as they gazed at the infant. Moira took a deep breath and tried to gain her feet when her legs gave out. Dartayous caught her before she hit the ground.

  "You used too much of your power," he admonished as he laid her next to the infant.

  "I had to. I have the ability, and destiny put him in my path. I had no other choice. He's mine now," she said before she fell into a healing sleep.