Highland Fires

by Donna Grant

  He knew it was a matter of moments before Theron realized he was here and came to get him. But Lugus prayed for time. He would leave as soon as he knew she was all right, but not a moment sooner.

  “I know who you are,” the man said.

  Lugus stilled and closed his eyes. When he opened them it was to find the Fae staring at him, blue eyes swirling with animosity.

  “I’m not staying, but I couldn’t leave her to die.”

  The Fae gave a curt nod of acceptance and left the room. Lugus dropped his head in his hands and sighed. It was because of his hesitation after spotting Moira that Ahryn was wounded. Had he kept his eyes on Marcus and the army everything would have been fine.

  Instead, he watched Ahryn lying still as death from a wound that should have been his.

  Lugus heard the Fae enter the room again, but he didn’t want to see the scorn in his eyes just yet.

  “What in all that is magical is this?”

  Lugus’ head jerked up and found the Fae staring at Ahryn’s bracelet. “Is she going to be all right?”

  “What is it?” he repeated.

  Lugus rose to his feet. “Is Ahryn going to be all right?”

  “Aye,” the Fae said. “Now tell me.”

  Lugus let out a breath he had been holding and walked to the doorway of the room. “You need to call to the Fae commander, Aimery. He’ll know what the bracelet is and how to remove it as well as who Ahryn’s family is.”

  “I know who her family is,” the Fae said. “Her grandfather is Michyl, the High Chancellor.”

  Lugus blinked. No wonder she hadn’t wanted him to know who she was. Had he known he would have made sure to keep his distance, because though she might not be royalty, she was just a step down.

  “Then call to her family, but make sure you call to Aimery first. Ahryn would want the bracelet off before her family sees her.”

  Lugus hurriedly left the dwelling then and didn’t look back. He wished he could have looked into Ahryn’s mystical blue eyes once more, but it was better this way. His steps slowed over the great bridge, and he found himself gazing into the light green waters of the river that ran beneath the bridge.

  He shook himself and continued to the gateway. As it was, he was sure he would receive a visit from Aimery wanting to know every detail of what had happened to Ahryn, but Lugus didn’t want that confrontation on the Fae realm.

  Just as he reached the gateway and wondered if it would open for him again, he sensed someone near. He drew his sword and swung to his left to see the Draconian leaning against a tree enjoying an apple.

  “What are you doing here? Did you come to make sure Ahryn died?” Lugus demanded.

  The Draconian threw away the apple and straightened. “I wish no harm to Ahryn or any other Fae. I came to warn you.”

  “Warn me?” Lugus repeated. “Warn me of what?”

  “That something dreadful has happened to your brother. As I told Ahryn….”

  “Told Ahryn,” Lugus said in bewilderment. When had Ahryn spoken with the Draconian, and why hadn’t she told him?

  “Aye,” the Draconian said. “I am Tane, and I came searching for you.”

  Lugus lowered his sword as he tried to take in everything. “That doesn’t make sense. I no longer hold the power I once did.”

  “I know. And even with all that power you didn’t see to take over other realms as you could easily have done, but I digress. I spoke with Ahryn about the bracelet. Both you and she assumed wrong. The bracelet will hinder her powers even on this realm. Only a Draconian can release the bracelet since it is our markings next to yours.”

  Lugus’ mind whirled with the news. “Ahryn’s still in danger.”

  “Aye. As long as she wears that bracelet she is all but mortal. Her body will not be able to heal like a Fae normally would.”

  “Why didn’t she tell me?”

  “I will be waiting. Call to me when you want my assistance.”

  Lugus glanced up, but Tane was gone. He had never trusted the Draconians, and he had difficulty doing so now. Yet Ahryn’s life hung in the balance.

  “Leaving so soon?”

  Lugus sighed at hearing Aimery’s sarcastic voice. He turned and found the Fae commander standing behind him with his legs braced apart and his arms crossed over his chest.

  “I was.”

  Aimery dropped his arms. “I need you to answer some questions first.”

  “I thought you might.”

  “How is it that Ahryn came to wear that bracelet?”

  “First,” Lugus said, “I need to know if it has been destroyed.”

  “That would be difficult considering it is still attached to her.”

  Lugus cursed. Tane hadn’t lied. “We must remove the bracelet with all haste lest she die.”

  Aimery stared hard at him a moment. “Why?”

  “On the human realm it prevented her from using her Fae powers or calling to any Fae. I assumed wrongly that once she returned to this realm the bracelet’s magic would cease to work. It hasn’t. If we don’t remove the bracelet, she could die.”

  Aimery cursed and then nodded. “You must return with me.”

  “I cannot,” he said. “As much as I need to know Ahryn is all right, I cannot stay.”

  “I need you to stay. I’m asking you to stay.”

  It was then Lugus noticed the lines of worry around Aimery’s eyes. “What has happened?”

  “I will tell you after we see to Ahryn.”

  Lugus fell into step with Aimery as his mind raced with possibilities. For Aimery to be so concerned it must have something to do with Theron or Rufina.

  It wasn’t long before he once again stood looking down at Ahryn. She looked paler, more lifeless. He watched Aimery examine the slave bracelet.

  At Aimery’s questioning stare, Lugus knew it was time for an explanation. “She was tricked into putting it on. A human wanted to trap her on their realm and marry her. I tried to take it off her.”

  “What are these markings?” Aimery asked.

  Lugus knew he had no other choice but to tell him. “Draconian.”

  Aimery’s head snapped up. “How do you know this?”

  “I was told.”

  “By who? A Draconian? Did you align yourself with them? Wasn’t it enough that you nearly destroyed everything in your quest for power?”

  Lugus’ anger surged to the surface. “It wasn’t a quest for power but revenge for being wrongly accused,” he spat. “And I have not aligned myself with a Draconian. What has that got to do with anything?”

  “It has everything to do with it,” said a voice behind them.

  Lugus turned to find Tane at the foot of the bed. The Draconian’s face was thoughtful as he gazed at Ahryn. “Why is the bracelet still on her, Lugus?”

  “You have aligned with them,” Aimery shouted and unsheathed his sword.

  “Put your sword away,” Tane said. “I am not part of what happened.”

  Lugus looked from Tane to Aimery. “What has happened?”

  Tane’s copper eyes turned to him. “The queen is carrying the heir to the kingdom, and to celebrate King Theron hosted a lavish ball were emissaries from other realms presented gifts to them.”

  “And a Draconian betrayed us and sent Theron’s soul into a realm no one can enter,” Aimery finished.

  Lugus ran a hand down his face. “Theron? Gone?”

  “I had no part in it,” Tane repeated to Aimery. “I saw what was to come to pass and knew that Lugus must return here, else you would lose your king forever.”

  “How is Rufina?” Lugus asked, knowing his sister-in-law was most likely devastated. Theron was her true mate. They would be linked forever throughout time.

  “What does Lugus have to do with anything?” Aimery asked.

  Tane took a deep breath. “Put away your sword, Fae commander. I will release the bracelet from Ahryn’s arm, then we can speak of this.”

  Aimery slowly lowered his sword then sheath
ed it. He watched Tane carefully as the Draconian moved to his side of the bed.

  “Lugus,” Tane said. “Read your words then I will read mine.”

  “Why Lugus?” Aimery asked.

  But Lugus knew. He was somehow connected to Ahryn, and they needed all the magic and power they could gather to release the bracelet.

  Lugus leaned over and put her hand in his. Her breathing was shallow and her skin cool to the touch. He licked his lips and ran his hand over the ring on her finger.

  “By ancient magic you have been locked,” he started to read, “By love you will be released.”

  Lugus felt a bolt shoot through him at the words he spoke. Love? He didn’t love Ahryn. He still loved Moira. Or did he?

  “Finish,” Tane urged.

  “Hear my voice for I command the ancients to release their hold and free the one they have trapped.”

  Tane nodded and leaned over Ahryn. “Listen to the voices that command you. Fae and Draconian united. We demand the ancients withdraw their magic.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Instantly the bracelet unlocked, and Lugus hastily removed it and the attached ring from Ahryn’s hand. Color slowly came back to her face, and her skin began to warm in his hold.

  “Thank you,” he said as he glanced at Tane.

  “It is time we spoke,” Aimery said.

  Lugus nodded and reluctantly released Ahryn’s hand to follow Aimery and Tane outside of the dwelling. He suddenly found himself very tired and needing to sleep for at least a year. The fear that had held his heart in a death grip had been released.

  “Who was the Draconian emissary?” Aimery asked Tane tersely.

  “Daveth. The gift didn’t come from King Constantine, however. It has come from someone who is trying to take the throne.”

  Aimery sighed heavily. “What exactly was the gift given by the emissary?”

  When Tane glanced at him, Lugus knew whatever he was about to say wasn’t going to be good.

  “It has sucked your brother into an empty void. A place that none can get to,” Tane said sadly.

  Lugus didn’t believe that for a moment. After all he had found his way out of the Realm of Shadows, a place that no one else had managed to leave. “There has to be a way.”

  Tane turned to him, his copper eyes serious. “There is.”

  “Wait,” Aimery said, his agitation showing. “You just said none could get to this void.”

  Tane, with his gaze still holding Lugus’, said, “If Queen Rufina tries to find her husband, not only will she lose the babe that grows in her womb, but both she and the king will die.”

  Lugus swallowed, for he feared Tane’s next words. “Don’t say it,” he said before Tane could speak.

  “You don’t know what I’m about to say.”

  “I do, and I would prefer you didn’t.”

  “What in the name of all that is magical are you two talking about?” Aimery asked. “I have a distraught queen, an army ready to attack Draconia and a banished prince to deal with. I don’t have time for riddles.”

  “Your banished prince is leaving so there is one less worry you have,” Lugus said and turned on his heel.

  “Without seeing Ahryn?” Tane said softly.

  That stopped Lugus in his tracks. He felt responsible for Ahryn, but in truth, his feelings went deeper than that. How could he tell Tane and Aimery the truth? It wasn’t that he didn’t want to save his brother, because despite what had transpired between them, he held no animosity for Theron.

  The truth was he was petrified.

  Lugus looked through the doorway of the dwelling and into Ahryn’s chamber and saw movement on the bed. He pivoted and walked into Ahryn’s chamber to see her struggling to sit up.

  “Hold on,” he said and rushed to her side. “Let me help you.”

  He shifted pillows behind her and was relieved to see the luminous glow of the Fae once more returned to her skin.

  She lifted her right arm and stared quietly for a moment. “Tane held up his end of the bargain?”

  Lugus nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me you spoke to him?”

  “I knew you wouldn’t listen to anything he had to say. Besides, I agreed with him. You needed to return here. This is where you belong.”

  Lugus lowered his gaze and took a deep breath. “I know you would like to think that, but as soon as I leave, you will learn just what I did to become banished. Once you learn the truth, you won’t think so highly of me.”

  “How do you know how I will think?” she asked with a smile. “You got me safely to the gateway just as you promised. Regardless of your past mistakes, you are a good man.”

  Her words affected him more than he would have liked, and it was because of them that he knew he had to get as far away from her as possible. If she was associated with him in any way...well, she might as well be banished herself for how the rest of the Fae would treat her.

  “Ahryn,” he began , but she put her fingers to his lips.

  “I know what you would say, and I would rather you didn’t.”

  He nodded and raised his gaze to her. “Aimery is here.”

  She bit her lip. “You know who I am.”

  It wasn’t a question. “I do. Aimery will reunite you with your family once you are fully healed.”

  “You’re leaving.”

  He hated the disappointment in her eyes, but he had to make her understand. “I don’t belong here. It was because of me that you were hit with the arrow.”

  Ahryn’s stomach flip-flopped as she recalled the beautiful woman with blonde hair overlooking the gateway. “That was Moira at the gateway, wasn’t it?”

  He nodded, and it was all the answer she needed.

  “You don’t need to apologize. I shouldn’t have stayed in the doorway watching. Thank you for bringing me here and for saving me.”

  His blue eyes were sad as he gazed at her. “You’re welcome,” he said and then walked quietly from the chamber.

  Ahryn buried her head in her hands as the tears came, ignoring the pulling pain in her shoulder from her wound. Lugus was walking out of her life, and there was nothing she could do about it.

  ~ ~ ~

  Aimery watched the exchange between Ahryn and Lugus and found himself intrigued. It was obvious to anyone who looked at Ahryn that she had deep feelings for Lugus, and though Lugus might try to hide or dismiss his feelings, he too felt something for Ahryn.

  “They make a striking couple, do they not?” Tane asked as he came to stand beside him.

  “They do.”

  “Lugus risked everything to get her to the gateway. Marcus burned his home as they made their escape.”

  “It doesn’t change what he has done in the past,” Aimery said tightly.

  Tane shook his head. “Nay, it doesn’t, but it should show you a man who is remorseful and wants only to make amends anyway he can.”

  “You approached Ahryn without Lugus’ knowledge,” Aimery said, changing the subject. “Why?”

  “To make sure she got him into this realm any way she could.”

  “Why?”

  Tane sighed and turned to look out at the waterfall. “I have a...gift...in that I can see the future.”

  “As can I. There is nothing special in that.”

  Tane smiled and turned back to Aimery. “There is a difference. You see the future one way and don’t see any of the changes until someone deviates from what you’ve originally seen.”

  “And you do?”

  “I see every thread that can happen.” Aimery leaned back against the dwelling and watched as Lugus again walked to the gateway. “You went to a lot of trouble to make sure Lugus returned.”

  “And you should be going to just as much trouble to keep him here.”

  “What has he to do with anything?”

  Tane was quiet for a moment, as if he contemplated what his answer would be. “I cannot share that with you now. Lugus must come to terms with his own demons.”

 
“I do not like not knowing,” Aimery said, his voice low and menacing.

  “Most people don’t,” Tane replied easily. “Are you going after Lugus?”

  Aimery rolled his eyes and disappeared.

  ~ ~ ~

  Lugus couldn’t walk fast enough. This was the second time he had tried to leave Ahryn...nay, the Fae realm. He was leaving the Fae realm, he repeated to himself.

  Ahryn wasn’t his to worry over any longer. Aimery would make sure she was returned to her parents, and with Tane’s aid they would find Theron’s soul.

  Lugus’ feet slowed. He hadn’t allowed himself to look around the realm. Returning here made leaving that much more difficult. Besides, he had lost the right to be amongst the magic that flowed so freely.

  Being unworthy was all Lugus had ever been, and it was all he ever would be.

  He thought of Moira and instead of the usual longing and pain that filled him, there was only a sadness for what he had done to her and Dartayous. Seeing her heavy with child had made him understand that she had never been his and never would be his.

  In some ways, he wished he had stayed in the Realm of Shadows. At least there he belonged. It didn’t matter how much he did, he would never atone for the destruction and death he had caused.

  A shift in the air alerted him that he was no longer alone, and when he turned and spotted Aimery behind him, he wasn’t surprised.

  “Following me to make sure I leave?” Lugus couldn’t help but ask.

  “Nay. I’ve actually come to ask that you stay.”

  Lugus closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them it was to find Aimery regarding him thoughtfully. “You know what I have done, Aimery. You know better than most that Theron was right in banishing me. In truth, Rufina should have allowed me to die.”

  “But she didn’t,” Aimery said.

  Lugus began walking again. “Save your words. I will not stay for you do not need me.”

  “I may not, but Tane thinks he does, and Ahryn definitely wants you to stay. And despite what I may wish, you have royal blood in your veins.”