Highland Mist (23 page)

Aye, he thought. Between this minx and Effie he was sure to conceive a male child who would eagerly accept his place.

* * * * *

Glenna stood outside the stone circle, the morning mist hanging on to the tree branches as the sun rose higher through the impenetrable gray clouds. She had gotten little sleep the night before as she wondered about her sister and the life they could have lead had MacNeil not interfered. She bit her lip. After what she had done to Moira, she doubted she would be allowed in this morn, but she had to try.

In her mind she called to Moira’s. In a blink the stones yielded and parted. Glenna walked into the circle and spotted Frang, who stood waiting for her.

“Where’s Moira?” A quick glance around showed her things had changed within the circle.

The animals still milled about, the songs of the birds filled the air, plants still bloomed their vibrant color and the water still sparkled crystal clear. But it was the occupants who showed the real change. The Druids weren’t as active as usual, and she noticed several men she hadn’t seen before.

Most wore kilts while a few dressed in breeches, and one in particular drew her attention. He was clad in a leather jerkin and breeches with black boots that reached his knees. He was armed with a sword, bow and arrow as well as several daggers she saw protruding from his belt and boots. And only God knew what else was hidden in his clothing.

But it was his eyes that stood out. There were the clearest, brightest blue she had ever seen, almost the same type of blue of the Fae. When she realized he was staring at her as boldly as she was him, she dropped her gaze, but not before she spotted a Fae next to him.

“They are protectors of Druids. We call them warriors,” Frang said as he guided her deeper into the circle.

“But Druids have special powers.”

“Not all. You are special, blessed by the Fae. Most are like Conall and can easily be killed. So the protectors watch over the others.”

She nodded. “I need to speak to Moira.”

Frang stopped and turned toward her. “Don’t be angry with her. She did what she thought was best.”

“I’m no longer angry. I want to apologize.”

He gave her a smile and gestured with his hand toward a cluster of boulders where Moira sat with her back to them.

Fear encased her as she walked toward Moira. She was scared of losing her sister after just finding her. Scared Moira wouldn’t want to be her sister now. But most of all she was scared of being alone again.

She stood behind Moira and watched as she scribbled on a parchment, deep in thought. Moira was everything she wasn’t. Self-assured, in control of her destiny, poised, tall, beautiful and loved. Tears sprung and rolled down her face, but she didn’t wipe them away. She loathed herself for what she had done and prayed it wasn’t in her nature to lash out like that at others.

I don’t think I can ever apologize enough for what I did.

Moira turned and stood. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for. I shouldn’t have waited to tell you.”

“You
heard
me?”

“I did,” she smiled, her green eyes sad. “We’ve a connection being sisters. I didn’t know about it until recently though, or I would’ve done anything in my power to get you from MacNeil years ago.”

The tears flowed freely now. She shook her head to try to stop Moira’s words. “Don’t. We can’t change the past.”

“We can only make the future,” Moira finished with a smile, and held out her arms.

Glenna rushed into her sister’s arms and reveled in the love and safety. After a few moments, she lifted her head. “Did the fire hurt you?”

“I’m fine,” Moira said, and brushed at her own tears. “My healing abilities have grown over the years.”

“We’re strangers really, with so many years to catch up on.”

“And we’ve got the rest of our lives to do it.”

“After we fulfill the prophecy, that is.”

Moira’s face lit into a smile. “Then let’s not waste any more time.”

* * * * *

“When are ye going to tell her?”

Conall looked up to find Angus standing before the table. He lifted his goblet and drained the rest of his ale before he glanced around the hall to see who might be listening. “What are you talking about?”

Angus sighed and sat in the chair beside him. “When are ye going to tell Glenna she’s to be yer wife?”

“How did you know?” He hadn’t told a soul so there was no way Angus could know for sure.

“I see the way you look at her. If I’d find a lass like her I’d make her me wife quick.”

Conall shook his head but couldn’t stop the grin. “She wants to live with the Druids.”

“After the display in her chamber, I think she’s making the right decision.”

He didn’t tell Angus the real reason. That Glenna had made this castle a home, and for the first time since his mother’s death he had some hope. Now that hope was fading once again. “I can’t let her go.”

“Well, that only affirms she’s yer mate.”

“If only it was that easy.”

“She’s one powerful Druid, and she doesn’t even know it.”

Conall groaned. “Aye.”

“What are ye going to do?”

“Convince her we’re meant to be together and then convince her to forget about the Druids.”

Angus slowly gained his feet. “Ye ask the impossible of her. Maybe ye should reconsider how ye view the Druids. If ye want her, ye’ll have to accept what she is.”

“That I can’t do, my friend.”

“Then ye don’t deserve her,” Angus said.

“I have oaths I must consider.”

“Ye aren’t going to be able to carry through with both oaths. Even if ye marry her it doesn’t solve yer problem.”

“I know,” Conall sighed. “My oaths are my bond, my honor. If I don’t honor them I’m not fit to be laird.”

“Ye’re consumed by those oaths and aren’t using yer head,” he said, and walked away.

Conall stared after his long-time friend lost in thought until he recalled Angus might have news for him. He gained his feet and strode after him. “Hold, Angus,” he called.

Angus stopped and waited. “Change yer mind already?”

Conall looked pointedly at him. “What did you find from the men? Any of them know of a man who’s been with Effie, or who might have shot that arrow at Ailsa?”

“Nothing. Everyone I’ve talked with so far said Effie refused to see any of them. She told them she’d found someone else.”

“Did they know who the other man was?”

“Nay. I’m still working on that. There’s a lot of men in our clan.”

“Ailsa?”

“Nothing there either. I never thought it’d be this hard to get information from our clan. I do not like this, Conall. Not one bit. I never thought I’d see the day that we had a traitor among us.”

“We must hurry. I’ve a bad feeling about all of this.”

“Me as well.”

Conall set out to find Gregor, hoping he had found something from the gatehouse guards. But Gregor was nowhere to be found.

He decided to try the gatehouse. After grilling the guards, he was surprised to find Gregor hadn’t questioned them. Suspicion began to gnaw in his gut like a hungry rat. Gregor had told him MacNeil’s plan, but he had also protected him and the people in the castle. Was Gregor Glenna’s attacker? Could he have been so wrong about someone that he let a potential threat into his clan without even knowing it?

* * * * *

Gregor looked straight ahead and ignored the plaintive looks from Ailsa. For the first time in his life he had considered murdering a woman. Effie hadn’t bothered to tell him they would be taking Ailsa, but then again, Gregor really didn’t have an option. He had chosen his lot in life, and he would see it through.

He was good at what he did. One of the best and that is why he made as much coin as he did. But a child?

After that first look into Ailsa’s silver gaze that was identical to Conall’s, Gregor had refused to glance at her again. If MacNeil wanted Conall’s ire, he would definitely have it now. Only a maniac would kidnap a child.

“Please,” Ailsa whispered.

Gregor clenched his teeth together at her scared voice.

“Shut up,” Effie screeched, and slapped Ailsa on the side of the head.

Without hesitation Gregor reached over and plucked Ailsa from Effie’s horse and sat her in front of him. “Hit her again and you’ll feel my hand,” he warned Effie.

“Just whose side are you on?”

“You know who’s paying me. Just don’t hit the child again.”

Effie stared at him a moment before nodding and falling behind him as the lane became more narrow.

Gregor could feel Ailsa trembling. “Whatever happens, keep your mouth shut, Ailsa.” He wrapped his arm around her and memories of his sister surfaced like a flood.

She would never have let him take this course, but then again, if he hadn’t killed her he would never have left the clan. He should have listened to his instincts when they told him to run from Conall.

Being at MacInnes Castle had done something to him. Something he didn’t want to think about. Changed him somehow and he didn’t like it. Not one whit. He would have to be sure to push aside these emotions being around Conall brought out. But first he would have to make sure Ailsa returned home safe and sound.

His conscience couldn’t afford another death on it. His sister’s had done enough damage for one lifetime.

Chapter Seventeen

The late afternoon sun sank behind the mountains. Glenna quickened her pace back to the castle. She decided against venturing into the caves despite her recent victory over them. Besides, nature gave her solace.

She stopped to admire one of the giant oaks and stroked its gnarled trunk. It beckoned to her. She placed both hands on the tree and could have sworn it heated beneath her. Memories of the clearing and the mound filled her.

Her feet moved of their own accord, taking her to the clearing. She had thought it was beautiful with the moon shining down upon it, but it was just as lovely in the sunlight. Butterflies abound here. All different colors and sizes twittered over the mound as if waiting to be let in.

The mound itself was a brighter green than the surrounding grass, and Glenna could almost swear she could feel its magic. The power within her pulsed as she neared the mound. Hesitantly, she fell to her knees and gently laid her hand on the raised ground. Had she dreamed Beltaine and the Fae?

Surely not.

A songbird perched on an oak near the mound called to her. Glenna rose and walked to the oak. She smiled to the little bird before it flew off. She had been gone a long time, and she didn’t want Conall worried.

With one last look at the oak she turned and found Conall lounging against a large boulder, twirling a blade a grass in his fingers. His raven locks hung loose about his bare chest and blew in the soft breeze that trickled through the branches.

But it was the half smile that stole her heart. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”

“I missed you,” he said, and winked.

She tripped over her own feet, surprised at his playfulness. But she couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice. “Really?”

His smile broadened. “Aye. How was your day?”

“Wonderful. I’m getting to know my sister, and I can tell you it’s quite fantastic to have a family.” It wasn’t until after the words left her mouth that she realized her mistake.

He tried to hide the flicker of sadness from her, but she saw it nonetheless. “How much longer on your training?”

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t hide the fact he hated her coming here, and the exhilaration at finding him waiting for her waned. “Why are you doing this?”

His smile dropped and his forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Doing what, lass?”

“You don’t like me coming here.”

“Here?” he asked, and looked around. “This is a nemeton. It’s sacred to the Druids, which is why Beltaine and the other feasts are held here.”

“Sacred?”

His eyes twinkled. “I can’t believe Moira didn’t tell you.”

“She doesn’t know I was here during Beltaine.”

“The raised ground is what some call a Faerie mound.”

She gasped. “That’s where the beings came out. How can I reach them? I want to speak with them.”

“Only on a Druid festival does the veil between the worlds thin.”

“Oh,” she said, and turned away only to feel Conall’s hands close around her shoulders.

“An old wives’ tale says if you circle the mound nine times to the right you call a Faerie to your side,” he said into her ear.

She whirled around to face him. “You know so much. Why don’t you put aside your hatred and join the Druids?”

He sighed loudly. “I cannot help how I feel, Glenna. I am who I am.”

“As am I,” she countered. “You can’t stand the sight of Moira.”