by Donna Grant
"I'm not going to make it to the Druids, am I?"
He glanced at her before he reached over and took her hand in his. “Aye, Kenna. You will. I gave you a vow, and I'll see it done."
She gave him a weak smile of gratitude. Reluctantly, Frang released her hand and concentrated on the road before them. He didn't like seeing the panic in her beautiful amber eyes. He much preferred the passion.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something flash. Frang, he heard Aimery call in his head.
Without a second's hesitation, he steered them off the road and across the grassy hillside.
"There's no cover,” Kenna exclaimed.
"We had none on the road either. We're less likely to encounter anyone off the road, and we'll travel faster."
He hoped he wasn't lying to her. Aimery had a good reason for sending them onto the hillside rather than the road.
Frang's gaze slid to the satchel that hung around Kenna and held the Book of Magic. It would only take one spell from the book to have them transported to the Glen in a blink.
But the consequences would be severe.
* * * *
Glenna MacInnes screamed as she bolted upright in bed.
"What is it?” her husband, Conall, asked as he sat up and placed a hand on her back.
Her hands shook as she pushed her hair off her sweat-soaked face. “'Tis Frang."
"Frang?” Conall had woken fully, his attention alert. “What about him?"
Glenna turned to face her husband. “He's returning."
Conall's gaze searched hers in the moonlit chamber. “By the saints,” he whispered with dread. “You've had a vision."
"Aye."
He stood and lit a candle, then he returned to the bed and took her hands in his. “What was it? Tell me every detail."
As one of the Druids in an ancient prophecy, Glenna had powers bestowed on her by the Fae. She could control fire, and in addition, she had visions. Every vision she had ever had had come to pass.
She licked her lips, not knowing where to start. “The Frang I saw isn't the Frang we knew."
"Make sense, love.” Conall's brow furrowed deeply.
"The Frang I saw in my vision was young with dark hair. And he was wearing a plaid."
Conall's silver eyes sharpened. “Did you recognise the plaid?"
"It looks like either a MacDonald or a Malcolm plaid. It was hard to tell."
He waved her on. “What else?"
"He was with a woman with flame red hair, and they were riding hard. To us."
Conall nodded. “They are being pursued?"
"Aye. I sense great urgency and fear in Frang, but not for himself, for the woman. It was very important to him that they reach our land for her.” She reached out and placed her hand on her husband's arm. “Conall, she's a Druid."
Her husband's eyes closed as he let out a breath. When he opened his eyes, they held the calculating part of her husband that ruled his clan and kept the Druids safe. “Always before your visions have occurred in the present. Not in the past."
"I don't think this vision is of the past. The Frang I saw was thinking of us."
Conall rose and paced the front of their bed. Glenna smiled at his warrior body bared for her to gaze upon.
"That's impossible,” he said.
Glenna clucked her tongue at him. “You of all people should know that you shouldn't say that. After everything we've seen and everything we've been a part of, you know anything is possible."
"Frang is an old man. Have you forgotten the long white beard and long white hair?"
"Nay, but I always told you Frang might look old, but one look into his eyes and I saw youth there."
He stopped pacing and leaned on the foot of the bed. “That would mean that Frang disguised himself while he was here."
"Aye. It could also mean that he's immortal."
Conall snorted. “Frang is a man, just like I am. He's not immortal."
"Dartayous is. Or have you forgotten?” she asked with a smile.
Conall's lips flattened. “Your brother-in-law is half Fae, that doesn't count."
"Yet you've told me before that Frang has never aged as long as you've known him. When I asked him how long he had been at the Glen, he never gave me a direct answer."
"He never gave anyone a direct answer,” Conall grumbled.
Glenna scooted off the bed and walked to her husband. “Regardless, I think we better prepare for Frang's arrival."
"What is after him?"
She looked into Conall's silver gaze. “A powerful man who's bent on evil."
Chapter Seventeen
Kenna could barely keep her eyes open. They had ridden all day, stopping only to rest the horses for brief periods. Her steed stumbled and Kenna gripped the reins and the mare's mane in panic.
Frang pull up ahead of her as he waited. “Everything all right?"
"Aye.” She patted the mare's neck. “She's tired."
"We all are.” She heard the weariness in Frang's voice, though he kept his face impassive.
They rode together for a distance before she asked, “We didn't reach MacInnes’ land did we?"
Frang looked out at the sinking sun and shook his head. “Nay, we didn't."
She didn't like the pang of dread that crept into her soul at Frang's soft words. She looked over her shoulder but saw no one following them, and no sign that the Wallace and his men had caught them.
"They're there, Kenna. Do not doubt it."
She turned her head to Frang. “What aren't you telling me?"
He sighed. It was getting harder and harder to ride towards the Glen. Already he could hear the Druids’ call. It was faint, but he could hear it. It called to his soul to return home.
A soft hand touched his arm. “We're close to your family, aren't we?"
He didn't question how she had known only nodded.
"Frang, I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry over me, Kenna. You aren't safe yet."
"But I don't see them,” she argued.
Frang fingered the hilt of the dagger at his waist. “I can feel him."
Kenna shuddered. “How far are we from MacInnes land?"
"Several hours."
"But you know this land, don't you? The Wallace doesn't. Surely you know a way to get me there quickly."
He looked at Kenna, her face bathed in the orange light of the setting sun. Frang most certainly knew a way. He glanced at the sinking sun, then over his shoulder before turning back to Kenna.
She looked ready to fall out of the saddle, and her steed didn't look much better. Frang patted the mare's neck, giving some of his energy to the horse. Immediately, the mare's head picked up.
Frang smiled inwardly before he glanced at Kenna. “We'll have to ride fast."
"I ken.” She opened her mouth to say something then stopped and tilted her head to the side. “Do you hear that?” she whispered.
"What?"
"Singing. Beautiful singing."
Frang did smile then. “Come, Kenna. Your destiny awaits,” he said then nudged the stallion into a run.
He held his horse back so Kenna and her mare could keep up. He could feel the Wallace closing in on them, as if magic aided him in their capture.
Frang glanced over his shoulder often to check on Kenna, and it was during one of those looks as they crested a hill that he saw them.
Kenna's mare stumbled again and slowed. Frang turned the stallion around and raced back to her.
He reached for her. “Come, Kenna. Your mare can go no farther."
"Your horse cannot carry two."
Frang pulled her off her mare. “He can.” He settled Kenna behind him and once her arms were secured around his waist, he squeezed his knees and the stallion leapt into a run.
* * * *
"Conall,” Glenna hollered as she ran along the battlements.
He poked his head out of the gatehouse. “I'm here."
"Your men,” she panted. “Get
them ready."
His head turned to look out over his land. Behind him was the forest and to his left the loch. “They're coming."
"Aye,” she said, her breathing more even. “Now. Conall, the man after them has a score of men with him. And they're gaining on Frang."
Conall's silver gaze swung back to her. “Magic?"
"I think so."
"We're going to need more help. Get the Druids to the cliff. I'll get my men ready."
She reached out a hand to stop him then rose up on her tiptoes to place a kiss on his mouth. “Be careful."
He grinned devilishly. “With a wife that can control fire, I'll be fine."
The smile faded from Glenna's face as she looked to the forest where the Druids had hidden for centuries. Their leader was returning.
She raced down the stairs, through the bailey to the entrance of the cave that would lead her to the Druids. A shiver passed through her body as she spied a spider scurrying for cover.
"You'd best get out of the way,” she said as she rushed past it. As she ran through the dark, twisting caves, torches lit before she reached them then faded as she ran past. Every time she ventured into the caves, she thanked Conall for installing the torches for her.
Before she reached the entrance to the stone circle the Druids called home, she could feel Frang draw closer. She lifted her skirts higher and lengthened her legs.
"Glenna,” Malina, one of the Druids, called as she ran into the stones.
"Malina, I need everyone on the cliff. Now,” she said.
Glenna didn't wait for the other Druids as she walked to the cliff. It was not only where she'd married, but it was where they had defeated the man who had killed her parents and kidnapped her. It was the place where she had welcomed her powers and used them fully for the first time.
She had no doubt she would be using them this night.
Her gaze shifted to the setting sun. Night was nearly upon them. Only a thin slit of the sun remained, and then the land would be cloaked in darkness.
"Why have you called us?” Malina asked as she came to stand beside Glenna.
Glenna looked over at the priestess with her long flowing raven tresses and smiled. Malina had tried her best to rule the Druids, but all of them missed Frang. Malina refused to accept the High Priestess position until all the Druids agreed to her as their high priestess.
"Frang has returned."
Malina's dark gaze searched hers. “Is he in danger?"
"Aye.” Glenna watched Malina's beautiful face line with worry.
Malina nodded. “We will be ready to protect him."
Glenna wondered if she should prepare the other Druids for Frang's arrival. She forgot about telling them anything as she spotted her husband and his men sneaking from the castle to protect Frang.
"They've shut and locked the gate,” Malina said. Her gaze returned to Glenna's. “It is a great evil, then?"
Glenna nodded. “An evil bent on capturing Frang.” And the woman with him, she added silently.
* * * *
"Frang,” Kenna screamed.
He knew what she saw. The Wallace. Frang bent low over the stallion and prayed they'd reached MacInnes land in time.
"Hang on, Kenna,” he shouted over his shoulder as the stallion gave a quick burst of speed.
They were very near Conall's land. The Druids’ call was nearly deafening now, and he knew Kenna heard it as well. His plan to leave her at the border of the MacInnes now would no longer work. Which meant he'd most likely have to face Conall and Glenna. He desperately wanted to see them, he just didn't want to answer the questions he knew they'd ask.
Kenna's hold tightened on him. He chanced a glance over his shoulder and saw how quickly the Wallace had gained on them. They weren't going to make it.
A cry of rage tore from Frang. He had never broken a vow before in his life, and he refused to do so now.
Just as he was opening his mouth to call to Aimery, he saw something ahead in the growing darkness. It looked like a man, aiming an arrow. But not at him.
Frang smiled.
Then Kenna screamed and jerked to the left. Frang reached back for her at the same time he saw one of Wallace's men grab for her. An instant later, the soldier screamed and fell off his horse, an arrow in his chest.
Two heartbeats later they crossed onto MacInnes land, but Frang didn't slow despite the magic he felt coming from atop the cliff. He continued on deep into the forest for the one place he knew he had to bring Kenna—the only place she'd truly be safe.
Behind them he heard screams and shouts as their pursuers were stopped by Conall's men and Druid magic. Frang guided the horse through the forest, and when they came to the nemeton, he slowed then stopped the horse.
He raised his head to the cliff where he knew Glenna would be. Kenna sucked in a startled breath when fire shot from Glenna's hands and encircled the Wallace soldiers.
"Who ... what is that?"
Frang chuckled. “That is Glenna, wife to the laird of the MacInnes. She's a very powerful Druid."
"I didn't know Druids had that kind of magic."
He dismounted and reached for Kenna. He took the stallion's reins and began walking through the forest. “Most Druids do not hold that kind of power. Glenna and her two sisters were part of an ancient prophecy and because of that were given special powers."
"Given?” she questioned as she fell into step beside him.
Frang cursed himself as ten kinds of fool for letting that bit of information slip. He was just so relieved to have Kenna on Conall's land.
"'Tis not my place to tell you,” he finally answered. “The Druids will be able to answer most of your questions."
She stopped and put her hand on his arm. Slowly, he turned to face her. Even in the darkness, he knew there would be doubt and anger in her beautiful amber gaze.
"Yet, you know the answer."
He nodded, knowing what her next question would be.
"How?” Her tone was low, yet it held a touch of hysteria.
Frang turned away from her and continued walking. “It doesn't matter how, Kenna. I just do."
"You don't trust me enough to tell me."
"There never has been that kind of trust between us. You have your secrets, I have mine."
"And if I was willing to share mine? Would you tell me yours?"
Frang closed his eyes and sighed. “Keep your secrets.” He didn't like the pain that pierced his chest as he let the words slip through his lips. How many secrets had he kept in his three hundred years of immortality? Too many to count, and he had brought Kenna to the Druids, a sacred place for which he would die rather than to give away the location to the enemy. Yet, Kenna didn't trust him enough to share a part of herself with him.
They walked in silence through the dark forest. Frang could have found his way with his eyes closed he knew the forest so well, but he treaded slowly for Kenna's sake. Several times she tripped over roots or stumbled over fallen limbs, and each time Frang caught her. And each time, she hastily pulled away from him.
When he finally saw the stones, a smile pulled at his lips. He had forgotten their beauty in the five years since he had left. Magic pulsed from the rocks and the song of the Druids flowed around him like a sea of tranquillity.
"You hear it don't you?” Kenna whispered.
"Aye."
She started forward then halted and turned to him. “They are in the stones?"
"The stone circle keeps the Druids hidden from all who would seek them. Only those who truly believe are able to see the stones."
She laughed and turned back to the stones. “I'm frightened."
"Don't be.” Frang took a quiet step back. “Go on, Kenna. They await you."
For each step she took towards the stones, Frang took a step back. He wanted her inside the stones and surrounded by the Druids so he could make his escape. If he was lucky, he'd be off Conall's land before the laird found him.
Frang smiled through t
he sadness as Kenna stepped between the stones. She was gone from him now, forever lost to the Druids. He should be excited that she had found her calling, but all he could feel was the deep pain in his chest at her no longer beside him.
It was time for him to go, though he found it harder and harder to make himself leave her. He reached up and grabbed the grey's mane to mount when a familiar voice stopped him.
"You don't really think I'm going to let you leave without talking first, do you?"
Chapter Eighteen
Frang sighed and turned to face Conall. The laird of the MacInnes had been leaning against a tree. He pushed off the tree and walked towards Frang.
"Glenna had a vision that you would be coming here. She said someone chased you."
He should have known Glenna would have one of her visions. Had she seen him as he was? Or did they still think him the old man he had shown the world for three hundred years. “Glenn Wallace is his name. He's laird of the Wallace clan and dabbling in magic."
Conall nodded, the darkness hiding his face. “Let's return to the castle, Frang. There are many questions I need answers to."
"I cannot,” Frang said and mounted. “Please understand, Conall. It was never my intention to return. But I had no choice."
Conall moved until he stood next to the stallion and petted the animal. “I gather you speak of the woman?"
"Aye.” Frang looked over his shoulder trying to calculate if he could make it off MacInnes land.
"Don't even try it,” Conall warned. “You owe me a few moments, Frang. After all, I am now protecting the woman."
Frang cursed long and low. “All right, but I'm not going to the castle. We can talk here."
Conall turned on his heel. “Nay. We talk at the castle or I release the woman to the Wallace."
"That's an empty threat, Conall,” Frang called.
But he couldn't take the chance. He clicked to his horse and followed Conall to the cave entrance that led deep into the mountain and then into the bailey of MacInnes Castle.
He stopped at the entrance and dismounted. Conall stood with his arms crossed over his chest, the light of the torches illuminating his face.
"You won't turn Kenna over to the Wallace."
