Highland Harmony: Avelina and Drew (Clan Grant Series Book 8) (14 page)

Drew had placed his plaid on the hard stone for her, so she thanked him, grabbed her satchel to rest her head on, and lay down for the night. She faced outward so she might watch the rain as it fell.

Drew moved closer behind her, so she tipped her head toward him and said, “Please do not.”

“Do not what?”

“Do not touch me,” she whispered.

“Lina, I’m sorry…”

“And stop saying you’re sorry. You do what you must. I was the fool to think we might be more to each other.”

“I wish to give you my warmth, and whether or not you wish to be near me, I will continue to protect you.”

She turned her head away from him, focusing instead on the dance of the storm outside and the claps of thunder reverberating through the cave. The lightning that had started to fork down from the sky lent a mystical feel to the night.

“Did you know that Aedan loves to sit out at night and watch the thunderstorms?”

Lina vowed to ignore him.

“Did you know that Aedan can tell you the shapes made by the stars and identify which ones are there all the time, and which are more transient?” His warm breath heated her neck, soothing her in spite of herself.

“Nay.” It came out as a whisper, but he heard her.

“Jennie and Aedan like to sleep under the stars on warm summer nights. They lay flat on their backs and gaze at the twinkling bodies, trying to recognize patterns in the sky.”

“I am not surprised.”

“Why not? It surprised me,” Drew replied. “I had never heard of such a thing.”

“Because Jennie and Aedan are in love. They enjoy doing things together. ‘Tis a passion of his, is it not? So she does it with him. And in return, he does things for her. Did you know he bought her a famous volume from the east about healing?”

“Aye, he did tell me that.” His hand reached for her hip and settled there.

The heat from his hand warmed her. But she didn’t want him to tease her, torture her, or torment her. Why, she could hardly talk to any lad outside of Drew and her family. How could she find another if she could not
talk
to another?

She fell asleep, Drew’s hand on her hip and tears in her eyes.

Chapter Fifteen

That night Lina experienced another dream, but this one was even worse.

The dream was about a wee lad a bit older than Gregor and Gavin. He kept shouting her name and begging for her help, but no matter which direction she traveled, she could not find him. By all appearances, it was a keep, but an unfamiliar one, and she never passed the great hall.

She called to him over and over to come to her, but he said he could not. He told her he was unable to move at all because someone hated him and would not let him leave.

He shouted and pleaded, and she followed his voice, chasing through passageway after passageway trying to reach him, but to no avail. After what seemed like forever, she managed to get closer.

She reached a heavy wooden door, and from the sound of the lad’s voice, she could tell he was in the room that lay beyond it. Grabbing the handle, she pushed and pulled with all her might. She was only able to open the door a crack, but it was enough for her to see the true problem.

The lad was tied to the bed. He screamed and screamed, yanking at his bindings to no avail, and blood ran down over the side of the bed where the hemp had scraped his tender skin.

Drew shook her shoulder. “Lina, Lina, wake up. What is it?”

She screamed. Drew’s voice broke through her haze and she grabbed him, clutching him as if he were the only thing that was keeping her from drowning in the sea.

“Lina,” he said softly, wrapping her in his embrace and waving the guards back as they came to check on her.

Waiting to catch her breath, she kept her head nestled against his chest. She was safe, and there was no lad screaming for her help…but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a lad who needed her. Something told her this dream was as real as her last had been.

Drew caressed his hands through her hair and massaged her neck. “What is it, Lina? ‘Twas just a dream. You have naught to fear. I’m here to protect you.”

“A lad needs me,” she whispered, still not wanting to move away from him.

“Who?” he asked with a furrowed brow. “There are no lads here. Was it one of your kin?”

“My dream. There was a lad screaming for me. He called me by name and asked for my help.”

“What did he want you to do?”

She sat back and gazed into Drew’s green eyes. “First, he begged for me to find him. I searched and searched…” She paused for a moment to catch her breath. “It seemed to take forever, but I finally found him.”

“Where was he?” His hands held hers, and even the mere warmth of them offered her comfort. “Did he give you any clue as to his whereabouts or what land he was on?”

“Nay, he was in a chamber alone, one completely unfamiliar to me.”

“Did you know the lad? Is it someone you could find on Cameron land?”

She shook her head.

“Someone on Ramsay land? I’ll take you there if need be.”

She shook her head again. “Nay, nay, I could not even see his face. ‘Twas too dark. But Drew, I must find him. I must. Will you help me?”

“Of course. When we return to Cameron land, we’ll find a way to determine the identity of the lad.”

“Aye, we must. ‘Tis urgent.”

Drew’s brow knitted together. “But why? You did not say he was in danger.”

“Because…” Lina clutched his hand to her heart. “You do not understand.”

Drew arched a brow at her.

“The lad was tied to his bed, and his wrists were raw from trying to free himself.”

Drew’s jaw dropped.

***

Drew sat in Aedan’s solar awaiting Jennie and Avelina. After hearing about Lina’s dream, he swore he would never be able to sleep again. He was not sure how she would handle this dream. They had no idea where to go, yet she was distraught over the possibility that a lad existed out there and needed her help. He had no idea how to help her. Pacing the side of the room, he found a linen square on the side table and mopped the sweat off his face. What could he do?

He had already informed Aedan of Lina’s dream about Gregor, of the lad’s illness and how she had healed him. Aedan had decided on his own that it was Brenna who had healed Gregor, not Lina, apparently not wanting to believe Drew’s story about faeries. He’d scowled at Drew as soon as he’d shared the idea of Lina being a chosen one by the fae.

Aedan had stopped him before he finished and asked, “You are expecting me to believe that this faerie would come out for Lina’s troubles, but not for all the problems with my wife and the issues with the Abbey not long ago?”

Drew had no answer for him, so he’d decided to wait for Lina and Jennie to arrive before he told Aedan the rest of the story. In fact, he would allow Lina to tell it herself. He could not argue his friend’s point, but who understood the working of the fae?

Neil and Boyd had come to the solar to seek direction for the day’s activities with the guards, and they were still there when Jennie and Lina entered the room.

“Good morn to all,” Jennie said.

Lina gave Boyd and Neil a quick nod before immediately moving as far away from them as possible. Remembering what she had said about her shyness around lads her age, Drew decided to do what he could to help her get past her troubles. He led Boyd over to the wall where she stood. Turning to his friend, he asked, “Boyd, did you get a look at Lina’s puppy? She had the cutest wee dog named Annie.”

“Abby,” Lina interjected, then covered her mouth instantly.

Drew locked gazes with her, hoping she could continue.

Boyd said, “Aye, she was nice. I heard you gave her away, but to whom?”

Lina’s gaze dropped to the floor. A long moment passed, but she finally lifted her gaze to Boyd and said, “Gregor.” A surprised smile crossed her face, and she continued in a more confident voice. “My nephew needed him more than I did.”

“Aye, I knew you gave him to your family because I missed her on the way home. Your nephew will enjoy her.”

Lina peeked at Drew and said, “Aye, he will.”

Neil had been speaking with Aedan, but he walked over to join them. “Come,” he said to Boyd, “we have our instructions for the day.” The two men nodded to Lina and left.

Drew reached for her hand and gave it a soft squeeze, a look of satisfaction on her face. Though he wanted nothing more than to kiss her senseless, they needed to speak with Aedan.

Aedan rose to greet his wife as soon as Boyd and Neil took their leave, kissing her soundly enough to make both ladies blush.

“Aedan, please, we have company,” Jennie said.

Aedan chuckled. “I cannot help myself if I cannot get enough of you, sweet one.” He motioned for Lina to sit next to Jennie, then addressed her directly. “My wife shared with me while you were away that you have the sapphire sword in your possession. Please do not be upset with her for telling me, but she is most concerned for your safety, Lina, and I could tell something was amiss with her. But it seems more has happened on your journey than I am aware of. Would you share the rest of your story with me, Lina?”

Lina sighed and stared at her hands. “Aye, I’ll tell you all, as I would like your assistance.”

Hellfire, the lass looked so beautiful this morn. Her hair color was almost a bronze. She wore it in many different styles, all of which he liked, and today it was held loosely at the base of her neck, but with long strands down her back and tendrils free around her face. A single flower was tucked into one side. How she had found the time to fix her hair, he had no idea. And there was something else…her aura was today stronger than it had ever been. If he had to guess, he would say that this entire episode had given her confidence. He noticed she sat up straight in her chair, her chin up, and did not waver from Aedan’s gaze.

Aedan coughed, so Drew turned to look at him. His friend was glowering at him. He scowled back and returned his attention to Lina, only this time he
listened
to her as well as stared. Hellfire, he couldn’t help it if her beauty was distracting.

“So Gregor struggled until his mother arrived in the middle of the night.”

Aedan interrupted her, “And so Brenna was able to give him something to help him recover? Your sister is a renowned healer.”

Lina gave him a puzzled look and shook her head. “Nay, Gregor worsened after she gave him a potion. Later Brenna asked me to hold Gregor, because she believed I was one of the fae’s chosen ones. She said if I focused all my energy on Gregor, I would have the power to heal him.”

Jennie had tears in her eyes as she listened to her friend tell her story. Drew decided it was time to step in to support Lina’s claim. “Had you been there to see what transpired, you would never doubt again that Lina is a chosen one, the gifted one, or whatever you wish to call it.”

He had Aedan and Jennie’s complete attention, so he continued, his gaze never leaving Lina’s. “As soon as she held her lips to Gregor’s forehead, a golden aura surrounded her, and Gregor’s color turned from gray to pink in a matter of moments. He awakened a bit later and told his mother he was hungry. I’ve never seen aught like it before. ‘Twas as if the lad came back to life in front of our eyes. A golden butterfly alighted on Gregor’s chest and then hopped onto Lina’s shoulder before flying off into the night.”

Aedan stared at Lina, taking it all in for a moment.

“Aedan, you can have your doubts, but please listen to the entire tale before forming your opinion,” Jennie whispered. “I believe my friend, and my mother believed strongly in the fae.”

Aedan moved over to his wife and kissed her cheek before returning to his chair. “For you, I will.”

Drew didn’t wish to question his friend about trusting him, but he couldn’t help but notice that Jennie had quite an influence over her husband.

Aedan pursed his lips and took a deep breath. “So let’s assume I believe you are a chosen one. Jennie has already shared with me about her mother’s belief in the fae, and I know many of our elder clan members believe strongly in their existence. Please tell me exactly what your instructions were from the queen and how we can be of service.”

Lina nodded and squared her shoulders. “She told me that there was a strong evil force in our land. She was pleased to find out that I had the sapphire sword in my possession, but she has not told me what to do with it yet.”

Lina paused. Jennie reached over and grasped her hand to give her encouragement, then nodded her head.

“The queen told me that whoever possesses the sapphire sword must marry within two moons or else lose possession of the sword.”

“And?” Jennie prodded.

“And if I do not marry, tragedy will befall my clan.”

“Lachlan never mentioned this to us.” Aedan glanced at Drew and paused. “Or did he?”

Drew nodded. “Aye, he did mention that his mother said he had to find a wife. ‘Twas not clear his meaning, but ‘twas mentioned. And his mother knew the fable.”

“Where did Lachlan get the sword?” Lina asked.

“He found it. ‘Tis all we know,” Aedan replied. “How much time remains to you?”

Lina heaved out a huge sigh. “One moon. I have one moon left to marry.”

Aedan burst out of his chair and began pacing. “So we need to find you a husband right away. Is there anyone you are willing to consider? And Jennie mentioned something about a lad tied to the bed?”

“One question at a time, Cameron,” Drew said. “She needs a husband. ‘Tis the most important matter presently. You must have someone in mind. She’s a lovely woman. I’m sure many would be happy to wed her.”

Aedan stopped in front of his friend. “Aye. And the first one I would ask would be you, Menzie. What say you?”

“Cameron, you know that I have always sworn never to marry. I have explained as much to Avelina and she understands. Find another.” He glanced over at Lina, embarrassed to be asked such a question in front of her. She refused to look at him, and had already flushed a deep shade of red. God’s teeth, but he felt like a lout.

Aedan tried—but failed—to hide his smirk. Drew scowled, wondering what his friend was about. Whatever it was, he would not budge. He would not marry.

Aedan returned to his chair. “What about Boyd? He’s a fine lad.”

“Absolutely not,” Drew said, bounding out of his seat. “He is totally unsuitable.”

Aedan quirked his brow at his friend. “He is? Why? I thought him to be your close friend.”

Drew stuttered, “Errr…well…he needs to be by my side. He runs the guard when I am unable. I cannot do without him.”

Aedan gave him a sly look, but he acquiesced soon enough. “All right. I’ll find another.” He rubbed his chin in thought. “Ervin is a fine lad. What about him? I know he is ready to marry.”

“That pimply faced lad?” Drew all but shouted. “I think not. He’s too young for her. Have you looked at Lina? She deserves a much more handsome lad.”

Drew sat back down to await Aedan’s next suggestion, doing his best not to look at Lina to see how uncomfortable she was listening to their discussion. If he did, he’d be too tempted to wrap her in a warm embrace.

“Craig is a nice looking lad. Do you not agree, Jennie?”

Jennie nodded, about to speak, but Drew interrupted.