Highland Dawn

by Donna Grant

  “In the chamber next to yours. I’ve been trying to wake you for some time now.”

  Dartayous sighed. “You should have left me alone.”

  “Have you lost hope?”

  The question startled him. “What kind of question is that?”

  “One that is very important.”

  For a long moment Dartayous didn’t answer him. Somehow he knew his answer was crucial to Aimery. “You haven’t seen what I have.”

  “You have lost hope.”

  The defeat in Aimery’s voice staggered Dartayous. “It’s over. There is nothing we can do.”

  A deafening silence met his words. It was for the best. Aimery’s talk only brought more hurt.

  “It’s only over when you have given up hope.”

  Dartayous wanted to laugh but couldn’t find the energy. “This I suppose ‘tis over.”

  “I’m surprised you would give up on Moira so easily,” Aimery said tersely.

  Moira.

  Dartayous let his head drop to his chest. Despite his best efforts he couldn’t keep her out of his thoughts. He wondered, briefly, if he had one more chance if he could make her remember him.

  She had come close to knowing him when she’d awoken from his kisses. He should have told her then instead of allowing his pride to overrule his judgment. Regardless, it was over now. No matter what Aimery said there was nothing that could change the direction things were headed.

  Lugus had well and truly won.

  Still, Dartayous found it hard to accept that Moira had given in so easily. If he had taken the time over the years to befriend her instead of pushing her away maybe things would be different. He knew if he had known her, trusted her, she wouldn’t have run from him.

  Or would she have?

  * * * *

  The night sky stared down at Moira. She crossed her arms over her chest and watched the dark shapes of the dragons circle in the sky. Night couldn’t hide the color of the black dragon’s scales. Their roars would be seared on her brain forever, the sound soulless and eerily like death.

  She shuddered and rubbed her hands on her arms. The night air was warm, but the coldness within her threatened to shatter what little courage resided within her.

  No matter what she did, she couldn’t get the image of Dartayous being tortured out of her mind. And she stood there and allowed it to happen. It didn’t matter that she claimed she didn’t interfere because of the prophecy, she should have stopped it.

  She’d never be able to forgive herself because she knew Dartayous would never have allowed that to happen to her. He would have done anything, even died, to protect her and she should have honored him with the same. Instead, she had shivered in her shoes at the thought of Lugus finding out she was in control of her mind.

  Weak.

  She didn’t bother to wipe away the tears that rolled down her face. She was a coward of the worst kind. She had thought of herself instead of the one person who would have done anything to keep her safe.

  If only she could tell him she was sorry. If only she could reverse time and change what she had done. She would have screamed to Lugus that he didn’t have control and she would have fought with everything she had to free Dartayous.

  And you would have lost.

  But it was Dartayous that was going to die.

  Do you think he would want you to sacrifice the Druids and Scotland just to try and save him?

  She didn’t want to answer that, but try as she might she knew the answer. Dartayous would rather sacrifice himself and see the prophecy fulfilled than be free.

  You couldn’t overpower Lugus anyway. He’s too powerful.

  But exactly how powerful?

  * * * *

  Lugus narrowed his eyes at Moira. Something was different about her. Dark circles lined her eyes and she kept yawning. “Did you not sleep well?” Her majestic green eyes turned to him. She smiled and his heart nearly burst from the joy that spread through him. “’Tis the truth I didn’t sleep hardly a wink.”

  He tried to probe her mind but found nothing. Whereas just a day ago he had been able to know everything she thought and felt, now there was nothing. Just a blank void. Could it be that she learned to keep her thoughts from him?

  He leaned back in his chair as he watched her eat her food as the sun rose higher in the sky. “When did you learn?”

  The bite of food she held in her hand stopped midway to her mouth. “Learn what?” she asked innocently.

  “You have blocked your thoughts from me. When did you learn?”

  She licked her lips and sat down her food before clasping her hands in front of her. “Don’t be angry,” she said softly. “I had to.”

  He tried to appear as though her statement didn’t scare the hell out of him. He slowly lifted the goblet to his lips and drank. He looked closely at the silver goblet and asked, “Why did you feel you had to?”

  “You don’t know how it feels to know someone can read every thought and feeling you have, but you don’t know anything. You say you want me to be your queen, but how can I believe you?”

  He sat up and put the goblet down. “You don’t believe I want you for my queen? After everything I’ve done?”

  “Well,” she said and ducked her head. “I do, but I wanted you to be as curious about me as I was about you. I think ‘tis only fair don’t you.”

  He wanted to laugh. He had worried for naught. “Aye, ‘tis only fair,” he said and smiled at her. “But you still haven’t told me how you discovered how to block me.”

  “It was you.”

  “Me?” He was shocked all the way down to the tips of his boots. “How?”

  “When you said all I had to do was ask to stop reading my thoughts.”

  “You learn fast.”

  But not fast enough, Moira wanted to scream. “Why did you wish me to see that man yesterday? Aimery I think his name was.”

  “Why?” His tone was soft and hard.

  “He said things that upset you. I was just curious as to why it was important for me to see him.”

  Lugus shrugged. “I wanted to see if you recognized him. But that’s enough on that subject. Let’s discuss the prophecy. Just one more day and finally we can fulfill it.”

  It was as if Lugus knew she wanted to talk of Aimery and Dartayous and was purposely steering their conversation away from them. She couldn’t come out and ask him about Dartayous because then he would know. She had to do it subtly and her patience was fast running out. Maybe she could have some time alone to explore the palace herself.

  A half hour later she tried to keep the elation from her face as she walked next to Lugus down the long hallway toward the tower beside the throne room. She would see Dartayous today and explain to him regardless of the danger that brought her. He deserved to know.

  “What do you have planned for us today?”

  “Why?” Lugus asked as he guided her toward the edge of the tower.

  “I wondered if I could explore the palace.”

  “If you wish to see it, I shall escort you myself to ensure that you don’t become lost.”

  She nearly shouted her vexation to the sky. Would she never get time alone? She only had one more day before it was time for the prophecy.

  And she found out just how little time she had when Lugus only let her out of his sight to sleep, but even then she wasn’t alone. She quickly found out that her door had been locked.

  * * * *

  Moira wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood on shaky legs after she had emptied her stomach of its contents. The time of the prophecy had come. And knowing what she had to do today had her running to the bucket beside the window.

  Lugus had barely let her out of his sight the past two days. She had planned to see Dartayous alone so she could tell him of her plans, but Lugus had foiled that. She hadn’t even been allowed to speak to Rufina.

  She had never felt more alone in her life. And in truth that’s exactly what she was. Alone. Som
ehow she would have to carry off her plan that way as well. There would be no time to warn Dartayous or her sisters.

  The bath beckoned to her. She undressed and climbed into the steaming water. How she wished she was back at the glen and the stone circle. She longed to walk among the ancient oaks and visit the Fae mound.

  But it would have to wait. Right now she needed to prepare herself mentally and physically for what was to come.

  “You have no idea how lovely you are in the bath.”

  She jerked around, spilling water over the high sides of the tub, to find Lugus standing in her doorway. “You frightened me, my lord,” she said with a little laugh.

  “Day dreaming of what is to come, are you?”

  She tucked her chin to her chest. “You always seem to know what I am thinking even without reading my mind. ‘Tis very discerning.”

  He laughed and walked to her. He lifted one damp strand of her hair and ran it through his finger. “I cannot read your thoughts as I would prefer. Are you perhaps hiding something from me?”

  His gaze was casual, but she knew her life depended on her answer. She playfully slapped at his hand. “Do not tease me so, my lord. You know I am yours to do as you wish. If you do not want me...."

  “Not want you?” he repeated. He turned her face up to his. “You have no idea just how long I’ve wanted you. I’ll never tire of you,” he said huskily and lowered his mouth to hers.

  The kiss wasn’t unpleasant, but it didn’t move her as Dartayous’ did. She returned his kiss and sighed into his arms. “Won’t you join me?” she asked, knowing full well he would decline. He’d told her several times he would not take her until they were married.

  “You tempt me past my control.” He dipped his hand into the water and ran it along her arm.

  She shivered and tried not to pull away.

  He closed his eyes and groaned. “You want me as much as I want you.”

  “Much more,” she said and leaned over to kiss his hand.

  Suddenly he pulled away from her. “I cannot stay. Hurry and get ready so that we can get on with the ceremony.”

  She smiled and blew him a kiss as he walked from the chamber. She fell back against the tub once he had shut the door. That had been close. She was thankful that he hadn’t wanted her to share his bed, because she knew she couldn’t have done that. It was hard enough allowing him kiss her.

  She hurried with her bath scrubbing her arms almost raw with her mind wandering. Once her body and hair had been cleaned and rinsed she rose from the giant tub and grabbed the drying cloth.

  After she had dried herself, she wrapped the cloth around her and sat before the fire to comb out her hair. When she finished with her hair she nibbled on some bread that had been left on the table.

  The bread helped to settle her stomach, and the wine eased her somewhat. But nothing helped to calm her mind which raced with numerable probabilities. If only she could have talked to Dartayous and shared this with him.

  He had always calmed her in situations such as these. His presence gave her a sense of comfort she had taken for granted until that moment. She raised her hand to her face and found it shook uncontrollably. Lugus couldn’t see that for he would know all then. She was going to need a lot more wine.

  * * * *

  Lugus stood atop the highest tower and looked out over the city. He had always loved it here. It was what he had missed the most while he had been held in The Darkness.

  The sound of soft footfalls drew his attention. He turned and found Moira walking towards him. The white gown he had chosen for her looked glorious with her bare arms showing the silver arm cuffs with the royal crest of the queen.

  The intricate design on the cuffs matched those on the gown and the circlet around her head. He walked around her when she stopped beside him. His hand touched the curve of her back, the soft material flowing around her. He came to stand in front of her and looked at the soft neckline of the gown that gave him a teasing view of her plump breast. He wouldn’t have much longer to wait to sample her body.

  “Do I please you?” she asked.

  “You know you do.”

  She smiled at him and his heart nearly burst. How could he have been so lucky to have her after everything that he had been through? But he didn’t question it. She was his now, for eternity.

  He held out his arm. “Are you ready?”

  “For what?” she asked as she accepted his arm.

  “To finally become joined.”

  She stopped and looked at him. “Are you serious?”

  Her face had the surprised look he had expected, but something wasn’t right. Could it be that he detected some panic within her?

  “I never thought it would really come to pass,” she said and threw her arms around him.

  Lugus forgot all about his instincts and held Moira tightly against him. He pulled back and kissed her forehead. “You make me very happy.”

  She smiled brightly, maybe a little too brightly, but he didn’t care. All of his dreams were coming true.

  “I want everyone to see us wed.”

  She cocked her head to the side. “Everyone? You mean the Fae?”

  “Nay. Everyone that would dare to question whether I truly married you or not.”

  He guided her into the throne room. “MacNeil, bring them out,” he said as he stopped in front of the throne.

  Moira’s knees threatened to buckle at any moment. She was to marry Lugus. Nay, her mind screamed. It couldn’t be possible. She had planned everything to happen at the Druid’s Glen and had expected him to marry her after the prophecy since the fulfillment of the prophecy was so important. She hadn’t counted on him doing it before.

  She watched as MacNeil led Dartayous and Aimery into the room. Then Rufina and Theron were brought to stand beside them, but she could tell that all were still held under Lugus’ control.

  In the next instant the doors to the room were thrown open as a line of men and women walked in. None looked happy to be there, nor where they there under their own guidance. Lugus had once again used his power.

  When everyone had taken their places in the room, Lugus reached for her hand. “I’ve brought you here to see history in the making. I have taken what was rightfully mine. I am the rightful King of the Fae. And this,” he said looking at Moira, “will be your queen.”

  Moira attempted a smile though she was sure she would have to empty her stomach yet again. If only she could be as strong as she had always thought herself to be.

  “Gwrtheyrn, come forward,” Lugus called out.

  From the back of the crowd a man walked toward them. He stopped and bowed before Lugus. “My king.” He turned toward Moira and bowed. “You are more beautiful than Lugus described.”

  Though his words were fair the angry set of his features told her he had only said them to please Lugus. She smiled at Gwrtheyrn. “Thank you.”

  Then her gaze caught a man looking intently at Dartayous as if he might know him. She focused her attention on the man in hopes that she might learn more.

  “Let us begin,” Lugus said and drew her closer to him, breaking her concentration.

  Gwrtheyrn waited until she and Lugus had taken their spots facing the thrones. Then, his voice rang out clear and concise as the ceremony began.

  Her mind fought to find some way to stop the ceremony, but it was futile. Before she knew it, her time came to speak.

  “Moira?” Lugus asked. “Are you all right?”

  Her eyes darted from his worried expression to Gwrtheyrn’s penetrating gaze. “’Tis all the excitement. I cannot believe it's happening is all.”

  Lugus patted her hand. “Answer Gwrtheyrn and it will no longer be a dream.”

  She smiled and turned her head back to Gwrtheyrn. He stared at her a moment then said, “Moira, do you wish to be Lugus, the king of the Fae’s bride for all of eternity? Binding your heart, your body and your soul to him?”

  “Aye,” she replied though her voice came
out more of a squeak than anything else.

  Lugus turned her around to face the crowd of people. Then, Gwrtheyrn’s voice rang through the huge room.

  “I present to you King Lugus and his new bride Queen Moira.”

  The applause was barely heard, but Lugus didn’t seem to care. He picked Moira up and spun her around. “You are truly mine now,” he said smiling down at her.

  His smile was infectious, and she found her own lips pulling upwards at the corner. After he sat her down she turned back to the crowd and found herself searching for Dartayous. He hadn’t moved, and in fact she began to wonder if he was even alive. Nothing about him changed. His eyes didn’t move from the spot on the wall that they were focused on, he barely even blinked.

  If only he would glance her way maybe she could send him some signal, but it wasn’t meant to be. Lugus let her back outside to the top of the tower after he had dismissed everyone. Once they were alone he grasped her face between his hands and kissed her.

  * * * *

  Dartayous didn’t allow himself to look at Moira. He couldn’t. He wanted to remember her always as the lass she had been before coming into this world. He wanted to remember her innocence, her bravery, her spirit.

  Even when he was led back to his chamber and she was leaving he didn’t look at her. To look at her would be to admit that she was truly lost to him, and even though his heart knew it was the truth he didn’t wish to see it.

  Just before he was shoved into his chamber Aimery caught his eye. The Fae commander nodded briefly before he disappeared into his chamber. But it was enough for him to know that Aimery hadn’t given up yet.

  Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t die in here alone.

  Chapter Twenty

  Moira placed her hands on Lugus’ shoulders as his kiss became bolder. She pulled back before it went any further and sighed. “You tempt me, my lord.”

  He ran a finger across her lips. “The tempting ends today. We will become one with the sharing of our bodies.”

  “I can hardly wait.”

  “But first you must be given your crown officially. That will happen later. I wanted some time alone with you before then.”

  As she gazed into his Fae eyes she noticed that some of the greed that had been there was gone. Before she could say anything a loud roar split the air. She jerked and Lugus’ arms came around her.