by Donna Grant
His Druid side urged him to bring Glenna to Moira to finish her training so the prophecy could come to pass. But his other half wanted Iona returned as he had promised his mother.
The oaths he had given hung around his neck like a noose. He had to get Iona back. If he didn’t he would fail his mother. And if returning Glenna to MacNeil could achieve this, then he would do it.
He had to.
“I can’t,” he whispered, and lowered his head to the cool, damp stones of the castle. The thought of handing her back to the MacNeil turned his stomach. Not to mention if the prophecy wasn’t fulfilled all of Scotland could be lost.
But he would have to make his decision soon. The MacNeil and his clan would arrive any day. If only he would have gotten reassurance that Iona hadn’t been killed.
* * * * *
“Go,” urged the Shadow to the young serving maid. He had seen the way she eyed Conall during the evening meal and it had given him a way to drive a wedge between Conall and Glenna.
The maid, Lorna, turned and gave him one last look at the door to Conall’s chamber. “Are you sure he asked for me? He’s never paid me much attention.”
“Aye, I’m sure, lass. He awaits you now.”
* * * * *
Conall groaned and tried to find a comfortable position in his bed. His body needed to find a woman, and until he did he wouldn’t get any sleep. But the thought of searching for a woman just for the night didn’t appeal to him.
He knew he could go to Glenna, but he had put himself in a tight spot anyway after kissing her. He didn’t need to make it worse by bonding their bodies.
A knock on his door brought him out of bed. He wrapped his kilt around his hips and stalked to the door. He swung open the door and found one of the serving maids, Lorna, standing before him.
“Can I help you?” he asked, wondering what brought her to his chamber.
“I thought…I,” she began, but stopped. She quickly stepped under his arm and into the room.
Conall blinked and turned to find her standing naked. His body, already in a state of such need that it was painful, flared.
Lorna walked to him and grasped him under his plaid. Her warm hand around his shaft brought out a groan. He didn’t desire her, but his body desperately needed her. He didn’t stop her when she unhooked his plaid. She rubbed her body against his and brought his hand up to cup her breast. His body took control as he pulled her against him.
Her hands brought his head down for a kiss, but as soon as her mouth touched his, he knew he couldn’t do this. She wasn’t Glenna, and that was who his body wanted. He began to pull away when he heard a gasp at the door.
Fool that he was he hadn’t closed his chamber door and standing there was Glenna. Her wide eyes moved from Lorna to him before she turned and fled down the hall.
“Damn,” he muttered before he picked up his plaid and hurried after her.
He opened her door to find her sitting on her bed. “Glenna—”
“I shouldn’t have been there. I’m sorry,” she said, but she wouldn’t look him in the eye. “It won’t happen again.”
Conall knew it was foolish to try to explain what had happened. He would be better off leaving things as they were.
Glenna waited until Conall shut her door behind him before she covered her face with her hands. Seeing him with that woman had sent a bolt of jealousy through her that had been so strong that for a split second she had thought of doing the woman harm.
She had fooled herself if she had thought for a moment there would be any hope for her and Conall. Even though their bodies wanted each other, his heart wanted his sister more.
And who could blame him for that?
Chapter Eleven
Glenna basked in the morning sun on the shore of the loch as the birds chirped noisily. The previous night’s rain had washed the earth clean and everything sparkled around her. Even the scent of heather was more powerful than normal.
She covered her mouth to stifle the yawn. She had gotten little sleep thanks to the vivid vision she had had of Conall making love to her then his visit to her chamber. Disappointment had filled her when he had hastily departed after finding out about MacNeil, and she didn’t allow herself to think of him with that other woman. It was just too painful.
Could the fact she wasn’t MacNeil’s daughter be the reason he had avoided her so cleverly this morn? Not that she sought him out, but usually he wanted her very near him. Then Angus had come for her, and she had known something had upset Conall.
A laugh escaped her as she watched Ailsa play near the water with the other children. The child had begged her to come, and Glenna hadn’t been able to refuse those big silver eyes. Would Conall ever look at her like that?
She shook her head and pushed thoughts of him out of her mind. Or at least she tried.
Angus sat beside her to protect her from the clan. She had to laugh. She wasn’t the one who needed protecting. The others did from her uncontrollable powers. With Angus by her side all morning she had been unable to leave the castle and visit Moira for more of her training. She was sure Conall had seen to that, but she was just as sure that she would eventually return to the stone circle and Moira.
She was going to have to find other means of getting to the stone circle. There was much to learn about the Druids and her abilities, and if Moira was right, little time in which to do it.
A cry sounded from the castle. Angus jumped up and called for everyone to run for safety. Glenna grabbed Ailsa and started for the steep stone steps that lead to the castle.
She touched a stone as she walked past. The image of Ailsa running toward Conall and an arrow imbedded in her small back flashed in Glenna’s mind.
“Angus, we must keep Ailsa with us.”
The big man turned, his red eyebrows drawn together. “What’s wrong, lass?”
“I’m not sure. I must get to Conall.”
Without another word Angus gathered Ailsa in his arms and strode toward the castle. Glenna ran to keep up with him. Once they reached the safety of the castle, she put a hand on the wall to steady herself and gulped in air.
When she looked up, Ailsa was gone. “Nay,” she screamed, but Angus stopped her.
“It’s all right, lass. I’ve sent Ailsa with a servant for safekeeping.”
Relief washed through her. As long as Ailsa was kept safe, she didn’t need to worry about any stray arrows. Then a thought occurred to her. Just who was arriving at MacInnes’ castle that would put everyone on alert?
But she knew.
MacNeil.
Dread pooled in her stomach and rose to choke her. She was angry and scared in turns. She wanted to confront the MacNeil and ask him why he had killed her parents, but she couldn’t. He could very well use her as he had in the past.
“Glenna.”
She turned and found Conall standing beside her, his silver eyes intent. “It’s MacNeil.”
“Aye.”
Gregor strode up, bow in hand. “I hear we have company.”
“I expected him sooner,” Conall said as he turned. Over his shoulder he said, “Glenna, I need you standing beside me. I want the MacNeil to see you.”
Glenna’s eyes met Gregor’s startled black ones. “Nay,” they said in unison.
Conall whirled around and glared at them, his nostrils flaring. “Aye, you will. It’s a fine time for you to be wanting to argue, Glenna.”
A sob choked her as she thought of his clan dying. She turned to Gregor, silently asking him for his help.
“She can’t,” Gregor said, and looked to Conall. “MacNeil will use her like he has before. You and your clan won’t stand a chance.”
But Conall wasn’t convinced. He turned his gaze to Glenna. “I’m going to get my sister back. That means you must return to the MacNeil, and these lies won’t prevent me from returning you.”
She reached out and grabbed his arm. “You don’t understand. If he sees me, he wins. I need to be somewhere I can�
��t see or hear him.”
“Tell me why. Give me a reason.”
“I don’t have time to explain. Please. Trust me,” she begged.
Gregor stepped forward. “The destruction the MacNeil will cause will be great if you make Glenna stand beside you. It’s no lie, Conall.”
Glenna watched as Conall’s forehead creased and he stared hard at Gregor and then turned to her. He shook his head as if to clear it and it was obvious something bothered him.
“There’s nothing the MacNeil can do from down there. You’ll be by my side,” Conall finally said.
She couldn’t hold back the tear that escaped. But the sound of a child’s voice reached her ears. Ailsa’s voice. She turned and watched as the child raced toward Conall, calling for him.
And Glenna knew.
Her vision would happen before her eyes.
* * * * *
The Shadow gave Ailsa a smile. “Go to your father, little one. He wants to see you.”
“I’m not sure. Angus and Glenna wanted me kept safe.”
“You can’t get any safer than in the arms of your father.” The Shadow almost patted himself on the back at those words. Ailsa didn’t hesitate as she raced toward her father.
He turned to Effie. “Now’s your chance. You only get one, so make sure you hit the target.” He watched as Effie pulled back the string of the bow and let the arrow fly.
“It starts now,” he said as he heard Glenna scream.
“Finally,” Effie said, and hurried to hide the bow. “I’ll comfort Conall as he mourns the loss of his daughter.”
“You’re quite the bitch, Effie, but then that’s what brought me to you. You do have your uses.”
* * * * *
Glenna had been wrong to think that Ailsa would be hurt during the heat of battle. With her mind intent on saving Ailsa she raced toward the child. Glenna looked up and spotted the arrow just before it was released.
She dove at Ailsa. She tucked the child against her body and took the brunt of the fall as they hit the hard earth, the hiss of an arrow whizzed by her ear. When they had stopped rolling, she continued to lie there. Ailsa’s sobs reached her just as hands took hold of her shoulders and another set grasped Ailsa.
Glenna looked up into Conall’s startled eyes. “Is she hit?” she asked.
He moved to show the arrow stuck in the ground with her gown attached. He quickly grabbed Ailsa and pulled her against him for a fierce hug.
Angus ran up. “By St. Brigit, lass. It’s glad I am ye knew something was going to happen.”
“What?” Conall asked. He let Angus take Ailsa and yanked the arrow from the ground, freeing Glenna.
She rose and dusted herself off. “I had a vision of Ailsa being struck by an arrow while she ran toward you. What I didn’t see was that it would be someone in the castle.”
Conall narrowed his eyes and looked at the arrow. Glenna was right. The arrow had come from the castle. He didn’t need this. Not now. Not with everything else going on. Besides, why would anyone want to kill his daughter? She was just a child.
“It seems we have a traitor among us.” He turned to Gregor. “I don’t think the MacNeil should know you’re here. Take Glenna to the caves and keep her safe.”
He waited until they disappeared in the cave entrance before he looked at Angus. “What have I done?”
Angus clapped him on the back. “Ye did the right thing. Ye made an oath to keep the Druids safe.”
“And what of my oath to my mother? If the MacNeil doesn’t see Glenna I’ll never convince him I have her, and I won’t get Iona back.”
Angus’ usually merry eyes turned sad. “My gut tells me Iona is dead.”
“Don’t,” Conall warned his friend. He refused to give up, and he wouldn’t have anyone speaking what he thought about in the dark of night.
“Ye can’t tell me ye haven’t thought about it.”
“I don’t have time to talk about this. The MacNeil is approaching.” He stalked to the battlements before Angus could argue anymore.
He spotted the MacNeil clansmen making their way toward the castle. He didn’t have long to wait for the MacNeil to break from the group and run his horse to the castle gates.
“Where is Glenna?” MacNeil shouted up.
“Safe.”
“You expect me to take your word for it?”
Conall laughed. “You don’t have a choice.”
“I need to see her. You could’ve killed her for all I know.”
Conall ground his teeth. “Show me Iona and I’ll let you see Glenna.”
The MacNeil cackled, the sound booming around them. “She didn’t want to come.”
Fury ripped through Conall. “Did you think you would be able to hide the fact you took Iona? Did you think I’d never find out?”
“Nay. Why do you think I invited you within my walls?” He laughed again. “I didn’t figure you for a witless laird, Conall, but only a fool would’ve taken my offering.”
“You tried to kill me. I’m still standing here, as is every one of my men who entered your gates that day.”
MacNeil nodded. “That’s true enough, but not for long. I’ve long wanted your castle, and I’ll wait no more for it. Show me Glenna.”
“Nay.”
A bellow of rage erupted from the MacNeil.
Conall rejoiced in MacNeil’s anger. Angry men didn’t fight rational. They made mistakes. “Many clans larger than yours have tried to take siege on this castle and not one succeeded.”
“I’m not leaving without Glenna.”
“Glenna isn’t going anywhere until Iona is returned.”
MacNeil drew his sword. “Iona has no wish to return home. She told me to tell you to send Glenna home with me.”
“Iona would never have said that.”
“Are you sure?” MacNeil asked. “People do change. Especially when every one of my men has had her.”
Conall’s vision turned red with rage. He bellowed the MacInnes war cry, revenge running rampant through his veins.
* * * * *
Glenna huddled inside the cave. She hated the darkness where she couldn’t see her hand in front of her face, but Gregor had said they needed to stay hidden. Suddenly a vision of Conall walking out the castle gates with sword in hand ready to fight the MacNeil flashed before her. But he was attacked and killed from behind.
“Gregor,” she called.
Instantly he was by her side, holding the torch so he could see her face. “What?”
“You must stop Conall. He’s going to fight MacNeil, but he’ll die. MacNeil has a man hidden behind a boulder to kill Conall when he walks from the gates.”
Gregor turned and ran from the cave without another word. Glenna sank to the ground, her thoughts of Conall. All she could do was pray she had seen the vision in time.
“Moira,” she called. “Moira, I need you.”
Several moments passed without any sound then a whoosh of wind whipped around her.
I’m here, Glenna.
“I’ve seen Conall’s death. You must help him.”
I’ll do what I can, she said, and then was gone.
Glenna wrapped her arms around herself. She prayed for another vision, anything to let her know what was going on, but nothing happened.
Instead, she had only the darkness and her thoughts for company.
* * * * *
Conall walked from the castle gates, Angus’ harsh words ringing in his ears. Angus hadn’t wanted him to leave the safety of the castle, but he didn’t have a choice. He had to avenge Iona.
He stood ten paces from the MacNeil when the sound of footsteps approaching from behind made him turn around. “What are you doing?” he asked Gregor.
“Saving your arse.” Gregor walked around a large boulder and returned with a dagger held to one of MacNeil’s clansmen.
Conall turned his eyes to the MacNeil.
MacNeil shrugged. “I never said I fought fair.”
Conall c
ircled around MacNeil, his sword raised. He brought it down hard on MacNeil’s. MacNeil pivoted and thrust his sword, but Conall anticipated the move and smiled when his elbow connected with the bastard’s nose.
MacNeil wiped the blood from his broken nose and sneered. He charged, his sword swinging in a downward arc. Conall parried and tried to duck MacNeil’s fist.
The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. He spit and swung his sword around before he launched another attack. This was his chance for vengeance, and he refused to fail.
He was fierce, giving no quarter. He slashed MacNeil’s chest and blood soaked the front of his plaid. After ducking a weak swing to his midsection, Conall lunged and delivered a nasty cut to MacNeil’s arm. Blow after blow he hammered MacNeil until the older man’s arm begin to weaken.
Triumph soared through him. He had MacNeil backed against a boulder. This was it. With one flick of his wrist MacNeil would be gone from this world. His father would be avenged, Iona would be returned and Glenna would never have to worry about returning. And all of Scotland would be safe from this murdering bastard.
Conall raised his sword but a piercing pain stopped him. MacNeil’s wicked cackle reached his ears. He looked down to see an arrow sticking from the top of his arm. Out the corner of his eye he saw MacNeil raise his sword.
Fool that he was, he had turned his back on MacNeil and now he would pay with his life. Conall’s thoughts centered on Glenna and how she would fare once he was gone.
Before MacNeil’s sword penetrated his skin a vicious wind whipped around them. The wind howled loudly, and Conall could barely open his eyes against it. He raised his arm to shield his eyes and saw MacNeil running toward his horse.
“Another day,” MacNeil called as he mounted his horse and he and his men rode away.
Angus and Gregor reached Conall as the wind died down to nothing. “Shall we go after them?” Angus asked.
“Nay. If we leave the castle he wins, and he can never win MacInnes Castle.”
