Highland Nights

by Donna Grant

  "I know no such thing," he said, his surly tone lowered for her ears only.

  She wasn't able to reply as Allen arrived with the tea. While Allen poured she kept her gaze locked with Gregor's. She wasn't about to give in.

  "Sit, lad," he ordered Gregor. "I'm too old to be looking up all the time." He laughed as though that were funny. "Now, what brings a young couple like ye out in the wilderness?"

  "Nothing," Gregor answered quickly.

  Fiona narrowed her eyes at him, and turned to Allen. "Actually, we are traveling. Whose land are we on?"

  "Mac--"

  "It doesn't matter," Gregor nearly yelled over Allen. "Leave it be, Fiona."

  She took his warning to heart and turned to her tea. She didn't want to admit that his tone had hurt her feelings.

  "Ye must be newly married," Allen stated.

  Fiona jerked her eyes to Gregor to find him giving Allen a murderous look. "What makes you say that?" she asked.

  "The looks ye've been giving him," he pointed to Gregor. "And the annoyed looks he keeps sending ye. Ye make a handsome couple."

  "You think so?" Fiona refused to look at Gregor for she was sure his hands itched to wring her neck.

  "Oh, aye, lass."

  "Fiona," Gregor's voice warned.

  She ignored him and faced Allen. "Why do you think so?"

  "With a stunning lady like yerself and a good-looking, strong man like the lad here, ye can't go wrong. Ye two were made for each other."

  Fiona thought over his words, and wondered if he knew how true they might be.

  "I wager yer children will be beautiful," Allen continued.

  She raised her eyes to see Allen and Gregor exchange a look. "Allen, do you know Gregor?"

  Allen refused to meet her gaze and drank his tea instead.

  'Twas Gregor that answered. "Nay, he doesn't."

  "I asked Allen," she said. Something was going on. 'Twas almost as if Gregor didn't want her to know where they were. She knew they were either on MacLachlan and MacAllister land, so what difference did it make?

  "Allen," she urged. "Do you know Gregor?"

  Allen shrugged. "Me mind is old, lass."

  "You can't fool me with that excuse," she said and waited for him to tell her the truth.

  Allen laughed and slapped his knee. "Ye've got yerself a smart one here, Gregor. I would watch yerself around her."

  "You have no idea," she heard Gregor grumble.

  "So, you do know him?"

  "Aye, lass," Allen admitted. "Gregor comes through here every couple of years."

  "And where is here?"

  Allen once again looked to Gregor, who shook his head. Allen sighed. "I'm not sure, lass. 'Tis late, and me old bones tire easily. Lass, ye can have my bed."

  Fiona rose and put a hand to stop him. "I would never dream of taking your bed. I can make do anywhere. Don't worry about me."

  Allen stared at her a long moment before he turned to Gregor and said, "Ye better not let this one go, lad. She's a keeper for sure."

  CHAPTER SIX

  Gregor came awake instantly. He lay quiet waiting to hear the sound that had woken him. In the other room, Allen snored away. With the smallest of movements, Gregor turned his head until he found Fiona.

  It was then he heard the soft moan. He rose and walked toward her. It was another dream. It would be strange except for the fact she was a Druid, and if Gregor had learned anything while at Conall's 'twas that you never learned all there was about Druids.

  He knelt and touched her shoulder. "Fiona," he whispered.

  Her eyes flew open, but her breathing was labored, making her chest rise and fall quickly. Gregor turned his thoughts away from her plump breasts to the matter at hand.

  "Fiona," he said again. "You were having another dream."

  "Blood. So much blood," she whispered.

  He sighed. "I was afraid seeing what MacNeil did to your clan would have this affect."

  She sat up and shook her head. "You don't understand. It wasn't the MacDougal's."

  "Then who was it?"

  "I don't know," she said and rubbed her temples. "With each time I think I will catch a glimpse of a plaid or something but it fades before I'm able."

  "A prophetic dream?"

  She turned troubled green eyes to him. "I feel their pain, their terror. 'Tis so real."

  "Was this one worse than your last?"

  "Aye. They seem to be getting more terrible with each one."

  He watched as she hugged her legs and laid her head on her knees. She seemed so fragile that he almost took her in his arms to comfort her.

  Almost.

  Until he realized this was the first time she hadn't been smiling at him or trying to touch him. This was the true Fiona, the one she rarely let anyone see, and he would bet his best dagger it was about to disappear beneath that cool surface of hers.

  She raised her eyes and gave him a smile. "Since you are here, do you want to share the blanket with me?"

  He fought to keep from rolling his eyes. "I'm fine. Go back to sleep."

  Her laughter followed him back to his pallet by the door.

  * * * *

  Gregor popped his neck and ran a hand down Morgane's muzzle. He had slept little after Fiona's dream and knew she hadn't got much more than he.

  He had planned to let her rest as long as she wanted. He needed to get to the Druid's Glen quickly, but he couldn't have her overtaxed in the mean time.

  When she rose with the sun and asked when they would be heading out he had been more than a bit surprised. After they ate a quick meal with Allen, Gregor readied the horses.

  He turned and found Fiona and Allen embracing. They said their farewells, and Gregor waited for Allen. "Thank you," Gregor said.

  "Any time, lad. Ye know that."

  "I don't know when I will return."

  "I ken. Ye be careful, and take good care of the lass. I wasn't lying last night. Ye are right for each other. Only a fool would let her go."

  "She's something I could never have. Not after--"

  "Ye need to bury the past, lad. Visit that family of yers. Time heals all wounds," he said, an earnest expression on his wrinkled face.

  "Not these wounds. They run too deep and well you know it." He slapped him on the back. "Take care of yourself. I will be back when I can. Do you need me to bring anything?"

  "Just the lass. She did these old bones good. 'Tis been awhile since I've seen one as bonny as her."

  Gregor smiled and went to mount Morgane when he spotted Fiona by her mare. "What's wrong?"

  "Could you assist me?" she asked coyly.

  Once again Allen's laughter reached him. He sighed and walked to Fiona. She gave him a smile as his hands spanned her waist.

  He had known she was curvaceous, but the feel of her small waist beneath his hands made his heart pound. He stood looking down at her before he realized he hadn't moved and her smile let him know she knew it as well. Quickly as he could, he lifted her atop the mare.

  Once he mounted Morgane they waved their last farewell to Allen and set out.

  "Are you going to tell me where we are?" she asked after a few moments.

  "Nay."

  "I know 'tis either the MacAllister's or the MacLachlan's."

  He kept silent, hoping she would get the message and stop asking question.

  "Do you know anyone else around here?"

  He should have known better than to want the impossible.

  * * * *

  Fiona refused to tell Gregor how exhausted she was. They had traveled all day, and 'twas all she could do to keep her eyes open thanks to her lack of sleep. She had managed to notice they entered a small forest.

  He asked many times if she needed to rest. How she regretted trying to act as though she was well. She should have told him she needed a brief rest, but she had wanted to impress him.

  You better come to your senses soon.

  Quickly, she gave him a smile when he turned and looke
d over his shoulder at her. When he turned his horse around she knew she had failed miserably.

  "Something the matter?" she asked in her most cheerful voice.

  "You tell me."

  "I don't know what you are speaking of."

  He cursed long and low, and then shook his head. "Don't do this again, Fiona. We have a long road ahead of us."

  She couldn't meet his eyes, because she knew he was right. She had acted foolish for the first time since she was a young lass and she was ashamed of it.

  "We rest here tonight."

  To her surprise, he dismounted and reached to aid her. "Thank you," she said and slid into his awaiting arms.

  Her arms buckled when she tried to hold onto to him, and she ended up falling onto his chest. It was the perfect time to try and seduce him, but she just wasn't up to it.

  She pulled back to apologize and saw the fire in his eyes. He held her firmly against him. Her hands were flat against his chest, the feel of his leather vest beneath her hands made her itch to touch his skin. It would be so easy to entwine them around his neck and feel the texture of his hair.

  His fervent gaze made her heart skip a beat. His eyes dropped to her lips, and she licked them. He groaned and her breath caught in her chest. He was holding back, she realized.

  Even when she lifted her head for his kiss he didn't move. "You need to rest."

  His voice penetrated her mind and she pursed her lips together. "Aye, I do."

  Gently, he set her away from him. "Rest while I take care of the horses."

  She sat on a fallen log and watched as Gregor swiftly and efficiently took care of both horses. He reached into a bag and withdrew a loaf of Allen's bread.

  "Eat," he commanded as he handed her a piece of the bread and some oatcakes.

  Thankfully, Allen had given them some wine and she greedily drank from the skin, hoping it would numb her aching body. She looked up at the sky and saw it streaked with bright orange and pink.

  "I've always loved sunsets." Nothing had been said while they ate and the silence bothered her.

  He turned his gaze to the sky. "They are beautiful."

  "How far do you think we have come this day?"

  "Further than I had thought, but not as far as I had hoped."

  She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Can you give a direct answer?"

  One blonde eyebrow cocked up. "I did, lass."

  "Will you tell me whose land we are on now?"

  "Why do you wish to know?"

  "Why won't you tell me?"

  "Why is it so important?"

  She laughed. She couldn't help it. It was either laugh or cry. Oh, the man was infuriating. "I'm too tired to continue this."

  "Good night then," he said.

  She lowered herself to the ground and turned on her side, using her arm as a pillow. She took one last look at Gregor as he stood and watched the sunset, his blonde hair lifting off his neck in the breeze.

  It was that image and the fire in his eyes that she hoped she would see more of in her dreams.

  The last sound she heard was an owl nearby.

  * * * *

  Gregor placed the plaid over Fiona in case she became chilled during the night. He couldn't chance a fire, but he had known she would have liked one.

  He should have paid closer attention to her to notice she lied about feeling all right. His mind had been on his family. He rode hard because he wanted off their land before someone realized he was there.

  Many times he had ridden through here and he had been able to stay unnoticed. Now, he had Fiona with him and couldn't ride like he usually did.

  He stretched his neck and prayed they would make it through without being seen, but he had a feeling that wouldn't happen. The sound of a stick breaking caught his attention. He listened intently, but didn't move.

  His gaze flew to Fiona. He would have to take care of who ever tried to sneak up on him before she woke. By this time he could hear their breathing. They were just a few paces behind him.

  A slow smile of anticipation split his face. If there was one thing he was good at, it was battle, and he always looked forward to one.

  In one quick movement, he unsheathed his sword and whirled around to face his opponents. To his surprise, it was two of his clansmen.

  "We found you."

  Gregor turned his eyes to Malcolm. They had grown up together and had trained together, and it had been Malcolm who had made sure Gregor left the MacLachlan land, Malcolm that had been like a brother to him and a son to his father. That day had been all the more painful because it had been Malcolm that had turned his back on him.

  "Has he lost his tongue?" asked the lad beside Malcolm.

  "Cease your prattling, Dugus," Malcolm hissed. He turned his head toward Gregor. "I never thought to see you again. You must come to the castle."

  "Why?" Gregor asked. "To be killed in front of the entire clan? I think not. If you want me to go, then you will have to best me first."

  "Then what are we waiting for?" Malcolm asked as he unsheathed his sword.

  Gregor gave him a grin and motioned for him to attack. Malcolm brought his sword up and slammed it down on Gregor's. He pushed Malcolm away and shook out his arms.

  Malcolm had never been as good with his sword as Gregor. He took advantage of Malcolm's clumsy attack. When he lunged, Gregor ducked the swing and stuck his foot behind Malcolm's, sending him to the ground.

  Malcolm's sword went flying, and Gregor put his foot on his chest to keep him down. Gregor raised his sword and pointed it at Dugus' throat.

  "Don't even try it, lad. You will end up next to Malcolm."

  "What do you want me to do?" Fiona asked as she came to stand beside him.

  He didn't know what to tell her. He couldn't allow Malcolm and Dugus to return to the clan with news that he was here, but he couldn't stand the thought of killing them either, regardless that they were here to do the same to him.

  "I will take care of them," said a man as he walked from behind a tree.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Gregor and Fiona turned to see a man standing behind him. Gregor recognized him as Fae instantly. Just what he was doing there was another thing.

  "I will answer your questions in a moment, Gregor," he said before he put his hand over Dugus' eyes. After a few murmured words from the man Dugus turned and walked away. He repeated the process with Malcolm.

  "Now," he said and dusted off his hands. "I am Aimery. I came to check on the two of you."

  Gregor groaned and resumed his seat on the tree stump. "Did Moira send you? Did she have so little faith in me?"

  "Moira doesn't even know I'm here," Aimery answered. "And no one sent me. I came on my own."

  Fiona couldn't take her eyes off the man as he and Gregor talked. He was beautiful. His flaxen hair hung nearly to his waist and seemed to glimmer, and his eyes glowed the most unusual blue. "What are you?"

  He turned toward her and gave her a kind smile. "I am pleased to finally meet you, Fiona. I'm not of this world, as you have already guessed."

  "He's Fae," Gregor said and rose to his feet.

  "Truly?" she asked. "I didn't think Faeries were real."

  "We are real," Aimery said. "Let us sit for awhile."

  "What did you do to those men?"

  "Don't worry about them," Aimery said as he patted the spot beside him on the fallen tree. "They won't even remember seeing either of you."

  Fiona sat beside him and looked to Gregor who had been rubbing his neck since Aimery had shown himself.

  "Don't worry about Gregor," Aimery whispered. "He's not upset about me being here, he's upset about those men."

  She would have to talk to Gregor about that later. Right now she was curious about the Fae beside her, but did one just come out and ask questions.

  The Fae's laugh sounded beside her. "You can ask me anything you like."

  "You read minds?"

  "'Tis one of the many things I do."

  "Can you
teach me?"

  Aimery's smile disappeared. "Maybe one day. Right now you need to concentrate on what is to come."

  "The prophecy."

  " 'Tis more important than you realize, and it will touch every person in Scotland whether they know it or not."

  But I'll have to see Moira.

  "Moira is part of the prophecy, Fiona. You cannot get around that."

  She hated that he could read her mind. If only she knew some way to block him. She sighed when she saw his eyebrow rise. He had read her mind once again.

  "Why didn't anyone come for me before now? Why am I just learning of you?" she asked and hated herself for the yearning that was in her voice.

  "Moira wanted you to be happy."

  Anger consumed Fiona. She stood and began to pace, not paying attention to the fact Gregor and Aimery were staring intently at her.

  "Moira? If she had any thought of my happiness she wouldn't have abandoned me to begin with. How dare her say it was for my happiness. She doesn't give a pig's arse about my happiness."

  "Fiona--" Gregor began.

  She whirled around to face him. "Don't you dare speak for her! Do you hear me? You have no idea what she did."

  Gregor held up his hands. "I wasn't."

  She blinked away tears she hadn't shed in years. The fury was replaced by old demons that had never died, and the fact that she would have to face Moira soon compounded those fears.

  Without a word to Gregor or Aimery she turned and walked away.

  "Let her go," Aimery told Gregor when he began to follow her. "There is much anger in her heart, and I fear she will not put it aside. You must help her do this."

  Gregor continued to look in the direction that Fiona took.

  "Maybe then she can help you get past the fears that haunt you."

  Gregor turned and looked at Aimery. "Stay out of my affairs. They don't concern you."

  "Really?" Aimery asked and gained his feet. "Tell me. Do you know what Fiona's power is?"

  "Aye. Water."

  Aimery smiled. "Have you heard the prophecy, Gregor? The entire prophecy?"

  "Nay."

  "Then I think 'tis time you realize just how important everything is. Including your role in it."

  Gregor turned his head and stared at the Fae. "What?"