Highland Harmony: Avelina and Drew (Clan Grant Series Book 8) (15 page)

“Please, the lad cannot hold up a sword with one arm. How could he possibly protect her? She’s a chosen one, so she must marry a strong warrior, one who is willing to fight for her. Craig will not do.” He glowered at Aedan to get his point across, truly exasperated by his friend’s ridiculous suggestions. None of the fops and louts that Aedan had suggested were at all suitable for Lina. And he noticed that poor Lina appeared to be near tears.

Aedan glanced at his wife, then tipped his head toward Lina. Taking the hint, Jennie stood up and held her hand out to her friend. “Come, we’ll go for a stroll outside. ‘Tis stifling in here.” She held her hand across her growing belly. “The babe wishes to move about.”

Lina nodded to Aedan and Drew before she left.

As soon as they closed the door, Aedan said, “What in hellfire is wrong with you?”

“Me? There’s naught wrong with me. What is wrong with
you
?” Drew fired back.

“Every name I mentioned did not suit you. Why are you being so disagreeable?”

“Because they were all so wrong for her. Can you not see that?” He swung his hand toward the chair Lina had vacated. “You made her cry with all your foolish suggestions.”

“You silly fool,” Aedan bellowed. “She’s crying because she wishes to marry you and you denied her. Why are you so daft? I know your parents have soured you on marriage, but you must get over it.”

“I cannot waver. My parents have made their lives and my own a misery. I’ll not do that to a bairn.”

“What makes you believe your marriage to Lina would be anything like your parents’ relationship? Or that you would lose a babe? She’s a strong woman, and besides, she has the
fae
on her side. You could not ask for anyone better. Did you ever stop to consider that the reason all my suggestions did not suit you is because you’re jealous?”

“Jealous?” Drew stared at his friend, frozen by the accusation. “What a foolish notion. I am not jealous of those lads.”

“Aye, you are, and it’s time you admitted it to yourself. You need to overcome your problems and marry the lass. You were meant for each other. Otherwise, if you do not and you wish for me to support your story, then I am forced to find her a match. Are you willing to watch her with another? Your reactions tell me otherwise. In fact, I’m willing to predict you will be miserable, regardless of her choice.”

Drew glowered at Aedan and stormed out of the chamber. “I’ll not marry!” he bellowed at his friend as he stalked off.

He hated to admit that his friend was correct. It wasn’t just that he was jealous.

He was in love with Avelina Ramsay.

Chapter Sixteen

As soon as she made it through the courtyard, Lina ran. Tears were blinding her vision, but she just had to get away. She had never listened to something so cold and calculating in her life. The two men had discussed her as though she were horseflesh they planned to sell.

“Lina, please stop!” Jennie’s voice echoed behind her.

Lina spun around to face her friend, managing to force out, “Jennie, go back. I just need some time alone.” When Jennie’s steps slowed, she sped up through the gates.

All she needed was a few moments to cry in isolation, without any witnesses to her breakdown. Even though she suspected a couple of guards would follow her, they usually kept a good distance away. Once outside the gates, she headed toward the forest, not stopping until she reached a narrow path in the trees with lavender-colored flowers draped overhead, the branches making a canopy. The scent wasn’t lavender, but the beautiful spot reminded her of Erena, and she was desperate to speak with her now.

Sobs wrenched through her body, and she crumpled to the ground and rested her head on a mound of leaves. Drew cared about her so little, he was willing to send her off with a strange man rather than marry her himself. Aye, he had refused a couple of suggestions, but he hadn’t even looked at her or acknowledged her presence while he was discussing her future.

Aedan had not been much better, but she could not fault Jennie’s husband for attempting to help her. Once her sobbing slowed and she was able to control her breathing enough to speak, she sat up and stared into the branches overhead. Silently, she wished for Erena to appear, but naught happened.

“Please, Erena. I know not who to turn to for help. My family knows naught of the fae, and Jennie does not know much more.”

She waited a few more seconds, plucking the leaves and dirt from her gown. Before she knew it, a rustle came from the end of the path, and she jerked her head up in time to see a swarm of butterflies overhead. An odd purple-winged one sat on her knee. At other times in her life, she would have been fascinated, but not now, not here. She just did not care anymore.

A gentle voice called to her. “Avelina, my dear, what troubles you so?”

Lina lifted her gaze to watch as the Queen of Harmony, adorned in a pale blue gown, glided toward her through the thick trees, a smile on her face.

“You came for me,” she said in a small voice. “I was beginning to think no one cared at all.”

“Ah, wee one, you still do not know your true value, that I can see, but you will. You must be patient. Some things take time.”

Tears slid down her cheeks again as she listened to the lilt of Erena’s voice. “Take it, please.”

“What did you say?”

Lina lifted her chin to stare up at the beautiful queen in front of her. “I would like to bring the sapphire sword to you. I no longer wish to have it in my possession.”

“My dear, I cannot take it. The sword is meant to be in human hands because it represents all that is good with your people, but in the wrong hands, it can wreak havoc. ‘Tis your people it governs, not ours. Do you wish to tell me why you no longer want it?”

Lina nodded and struggled to speak through the tears coursing down her cheeks. “I cannot find someone to marry. You must take it. Please? I cannot have aught fall upon my family. I love them too much.”

“‘Tis too soon. You have not given yourself enough time. Do you not believe in destiny?”

Lina swung her head back and forth. “Nay, I do not.”

“Well, you must trust me. I will not allow you to live a life burdened with pain and disaster. I promise you much happiness, for the most part. But you must fulfill this prophecy on your own by following your heart.”

Lina fingered the gown in her lap. “I cannot. No man wants me.”

Erena tipped her head to the side. “Or is it that the lad you want has not offered for you?”

Swiping the tears from her cheeks, she said, “He does not want me. He has sworn never to marry.”

“Then you must give him a good reason to marry.”

Avelina cocked her head toward the faerie. “What?”

“Some men are foolish, but when they meet the love of their life, they will give up that foolishness for her. You shall see. But they must be encouraged in the right direction. Sometimes they do not recognize what is directly in front of them. You must make him desire to reach for you and claim you. He has good reason to fear marriage. You must help him through this, and you have everything you need to see this accomplished. He can put his belief behind him, but he will not do this alone.”

Desire me? Lina wasn’t quite sure what she meant by that, but decided to give it some thought. “I fear for my family. What if I fail to do my part? What if I make a mistake? Then they will suffer for my actions. ‘Tis not fair.”

“I would trust you to act responsibly if you were my family. You have certain inherent qualities, or you would not be one of the chosen. My dear, handing the sword to me will not help you. You must complete this quest on your own. Your spirit is meant to soar. I am here to help you learn this truth, but it will take time.”

“Will you promise not to hurt my family until I find my destiny?”

“Some things are simply a part of life. Just as your father passed on, so must your mother some day, but there are reasons why things happen as they do. I cannot guarantee you that you will never experience pain in your life. ‘Tis quite impossible. Do you understand?”

Lina nodded.

Erena swirled around, sending the butterflies soaring.

“Wait, please.”

“All right. How else can I help you?”

Lina heard a gasp behind her, and glanced over her shoulder to see Jennie standing behind her.

Erena greeted her immediately. “Hello, Jennie. Thank you for being such a fine friend for our chosen one. She struggles, but she will fulfill her destiny.”

Jennie could only stare at the vision in front of them as she stumbled to a stop at Lina’s side.

“Erena,” Lina said, her voice insistent, “a young lad appeared in my dreams. He is in danger, but I cannot determine who he is or where. All I know is he is tied to his bed. How can I help him? When do I know to act on my dreams? Will I always carry this gift of sight?” Lina stood, brushed the leaves from her dress, and moved to stand in front of Erena. “Help me save him. ‘Tis a child.”

“You will know his identity soon. Have faith in the fae.”

“But I cannot rest with the knowledge this is happening somewhere nearby and only I have the power to stop it. You have given me the gift of sight for these children, so I must use it to save them.”

“But what you do not understand is that sometimes these visions that come to you are not in the present or the future. We send to you what you need in order to act, ‘tis what the dreams are designed to do—help you in your quests.”

Lina rubbed her forehead, trying to absorb this information. She glanced at Jennie, but her friend seemed as confused as she was.

“Sometimes—” Erena grasped Lina’s hand in hers, “—what you see is not in the present or the future, but in the past. The lad you see in your dreams will come to you, and you
will
be able to help him. Understand he is not in danger at the moment. Just do not give up on him when you recognize him. He’s depending on you.”

Erena waved and held out her arms, a gesture meant to beckon the butterflies. Once they had all settled, she lifted her arms toward the sky, sending them into flight. The one golden butterfly stayed near Lina, fluttering around in front of her.

Erena said, “Hold out your hand, Lina. She wishes to visit with you.”

She did as Erena suggested, and the golden butterfly landed on her hand. Waves of calm seemed to descend into her body from the points where its wee feet touched her hand. Lina smiled, then turned to Erena for further direction.

“Now send your friend off to soar to the skies.” She demonstrated how to do it, and Lina copied her, watching as the butterfly flew so high she could barely make it out above her.

“Soon, you shall do the same.” Erena lifted her arms and disappeared.

“Oh my, Lina. You are quite special.”

Lina reached over and hugged Jennie. “I’m so grateful you were here to see her. Sometimes, when I awaken, I believe ‘tis all a dream. But she is so real, is she not? Do you believe in her?”

Jennie stepped back and tipped her head back to stare at the sky. “Aye, I do. She is exactly as my mother described her. What do you suppose she meant about the lad who cries for you, the one tied to the bed?”

“I think she meant he is no longer tied to the bed. But if that were true, why would he need my help now? I cannot make sense of her words.”

“Did you ask her who you should marry?”

“Nay…but how I wish I had.” Lina stared up at the clouds and shouted, “Who should I marry, Erena? Please tell me.”

Naught but silence greeted them.

A cold wind whipped up out of nowhere, so Lina reached for Jennie. The wind appeared to come from nowhere, as there were no storm clouds nearby. As they turned back toward the keep, the wind moving through the trees sounded almost like a voice echoing two words.

“Your destiny.”

***

Drew committed an act so outside of his character that he apologized immediately afterward. He yelled at the stable lad.

“Get him ready, fool,” he had screamed as soon as he neared the stable. The lad had raced into the stable, grabbed his horse, and brought the mount out as quickly as possible. But the lad looked so crushed, Drew felt horribly ashamed. “Sorry, lad. Didn’t mean to be so gruff.” He tossed him an apple and left, not waiting for Boyd and the rest of his guards to join him. They’d catch him if they had a mind to do so.

He’d finally had enough. As he tore over the countryside toward his land, all he could think about was how unfair it was that his parents had influenced every aspect of his life. Aye, he knew it had been tough to lose his brothers. Why, he had been with James when he tumbled from his horse and snapped his neck. He had been around five summers when his older brother had died instantly. Even now, his father’s desperate screams echoed in his ears. How horrible it had been to realize his beloved brother wasn’t moving.

Aye, his parents had reason to grieve, three times over. But they should not have taken it out on him. His life at home had become a misery that he could only escape through too much drink and too many loose women.

He could take no more. His mind was made up. There was finally someone in his life who had made him want more—Lina. He was developing strong feelings for her, and she reciprocated those feelings. Under no circumstances would he allow his parents to ruin this for him. This trip would put an end to their meddling and controlling forever. He knew what he needed to do, and if it meant his father would ask him to relinquish the lairdship, he would. It was the only way he could make a break with his past and move forward, wherever it would take him. It remained to be seen whether that would help him conquer his fear of marriage, but at least he would no longer be trapped.

Once he arrived at his castle, the guards waved to him and opened the gates. He rode past the stables and through the courtyard, heading directly to the great hall. This was it. At the last minute, though, he turned around and ran back to the smithy’s building. “Gus, have you any whisky? Just give me a touch, enough to get me through what I must do.”

He’d poured a touch down his throat, but not enough to get sotted.

As soon as he entered the great hall, his mother leapt out of her chair. “Drew, I’m so happy to see you.”

“Mother. You probably won’t be happy to see me once I’ve said my piece. Where’s Da?”

“He’s out somewhere. What’s bothering you? Why is my son so upset?”

Drew refused to look in his mother’s eyes, because he knew if he did, the pain he saw there would draw him away from his purpose. He ignored her and continued onward. It was time to take charge of his life. He tore up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and then ran down the passageway until he reached the tower room.

His room. At least it had been for years. The sight of the lock on the door stopped him in his tracks. This lock had meant torturous days of loneliness, of forced imprisonment, all for what? Fear. His parents were so afraid that the same horrid fate that had befallen his brothers was in store for him that they had committed unconscionable acts.

No more. It was time for the past to be put in the past. He spun around and headed back down the passageway, down the staircase, and out the front door, ignoring the pleas of his mother. He headed straight for the smithy.

“Gus?” he panted, wiping the sweat from his brow with his sleeve.

“Aye, my son? How can I help you? You’re always helping me when I need it. Have you need of more whisky?” Gus stood with his hands on his hips, awaiting direction.

“Nay, no more whisky. Your axe. I must borrow your axe.”

Gus’s smile left his face as he reached without hesitation for the axe hanging on his wall.

The look on his face made Drew suspect the older man knew what he was about. Could he possibly have guessed his intentions?