Highland Harmony: Avelina and Drew (Clan Grant Series Book 8) (3 page)

Unfortunately, the rumbling almost found him first. He glanced up just in time to see a plethora of rocks shooting down the side of the glen, picking up speed and more rocks along the way, all tumbling straight for him. Covering his head with his hands, Lachlan spun around to run away, but the rocks felled him before he got very far. He hit the ground hard, cursing, banging his chin on the stones.

He curled into a ball to protect himself from the flurry of rocks still raining down on him. When they finally stopped, he didn’t move for several minutes, afraid it was not yet over. Once he was certain it was done, he peeked out through his hands and stared at the ground strewn with rocks and boulders. Sitting up, Lachlan pushed the rubble away as he surveyed the destruction wrought by the shower of stones. Pain shot up his left side when he moved his legs, but deciding it would pass, he continued to test them. A sharp pain from his right toe forced him to stop. He glanced around, wishing there was someone who could help pull him out of the sea of rocks his glade had become, but there was naught.

A small squeaking noise put a stop to that train of thought. He turned his head and found a field mouse standing on its back legs on the pile of rubble next to him. The mouse’s beady eyes stared straight at Lachlan, then the wee creature squeaked and began running back and forth between two different locations in the rocks. A glint of steel caught his eye next to the mouse.

Lachlan forced himself to stand, but as soon as he did, the mouse took off running, only to come to a stop directly next to the piece of steel. When Lachlan bent down to inspect it, he was surprised to see it was the hilt of a sword. The mouse sat up and squeaked at him again, his wee nose wiggling up in the air. He only moved back after Lachlan reached for the sword, though he stood next to Lachlan instead of moving out of his way.

To his surprise, the sword Lachlan pulled out of the rocks was a strange size—not even half as large as the one strapped to his back. He turned the hilt over to see if there would be some brand or sign identifying the owner, but there was not. He was immediately distracted by the gemstones on the other side of the hilt—rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. His eyes widened as he considered their value.

The mouse squeaked at him again as if it trying to tell him something. That was when the truth dawned on him.

This was the sapphire sword, the sword featured in so many fae legends. It was said the holder of the sword would be safe for as long as they held the weapon. Their clan would never be attacked, and the owner would survive all battles. He held it out in front of him, as if doing so would help him gauge whether or not it was the real sapphire sword.

He searched his recollections for any information on the sword. The size was right, and the gemstones were exactly as he’d heard. The only other thing he could remember was that it had been stolen a few years ago, but then lost. Is this where it had been all this time?

Stupefied, he couldn’t decide what to do. Somehow, the landslide of the rocks had unearthed the weapon, leaving it next to Lachlan. Why, even after the rocks tumbled, he never would have seen it if it hadn’t been for…

He spun around, looking for the small creature, but there was no sign of it. He sat down, and sure enough, the wee mouse came out of hiding and ran to his side again. The field mouse reared up on its hind legs and chattered to him, as if Lachlan could understand him.

“You want me to take it, do you, wee mouse? You think it belongs to me and no other? I think you have the right of it. This sword is mine now.” He stood up again and found a safe place to carry the sword in his belt, securing it tight. The mouse waited at his feet, as patient as could be.

Lachlan smirked. “You wish to travel with me, wee one? I’ve always wanted a pet of my own.” He leaned down and held his hand out. The mouse scampered onto his palm, so he lifted it up and spoke directly to it. “All right, I’ll allow it, but just be careful.” He stuffed the mouse into his sporran, checked to make sure the sword was safe, then climbed onto his horse to leave. The future beckoned to him now that he possessed the sapphire sword. He finally had the power he’d always wanted.

Lachlan smiled and strategized all the way home.

Chapter Three

Avelina sat in the great hall of the Clan Cameron, listening to her best friend, the former Jennie Grant, now the mistress of the Camerons, discuss the menu with her cook. Aedan’s mother had already gone into the kitchens to check the stores. Lina admired Jennie for how quickly she had adapted to her new role at the Cameron castle.

The door opened and Aedan strode through the door, heading immediately for his wife. He wrapped his arms around her increasing mid-section, though the change was barely discernible yet, and kissed her cheek. “Finished with your mistress yet, Cook?”

“Aye, my laird. We’re finished.” Cook smiled and headed back to the kitchens, but she paused to address Aedan over her shoulder. “Aye, I will have your apple tarts for dinner tonight.”

Aedan turned Jennie around to kiss her lips. Lina had to admit she was quite envious of her friend’s wonderful life. Would she ever have a partner of her own? How she longed to find someone to love, someone who would listen to her, someone she would be comfortable talking to in the middle of the night when nightmares stole away her sleep. Ever since the attack, she had experienced difficulty sleeping, which is why Quade had agreed for her to spend some time with Jennie.

Many, many moons ago, Jennie and Lina had been practicing archery on Ramsay land for the first annual Ramsay festival when Jennie’s arrow flew astray and landed in Aedan Cameron’s arse. That was not the reason they fell in love, but it did mark their first meeting. Aedan had been with a friend that day, Drew Menzie. Drew had flirted with Lina, and Lina had quite liked it. She had never seen him again, but she had dreamed of him once or twice. It had even crossed her mind that she might meet Drew again while she stayed here with Jennie.

But even if that
did
come to pass, she probably wouldn’t be able to talk to him. Though she could talk to her brothers and other married men such as Aedan, as soon as she met a lad her age, her lips refused to move. The young men of Lothian apparently thought her addled. She had to do things differently here.

A loud bellow interrupted her thoughts and she lifted her gaze to the doorway, just in time to see her dream lad saunter into the Cameron keep, as if summoned by her thoughts. Her face heated instantly.

Drew Menzie and an unknown lad entered with a bang and strode confidently across the great hall before coming to a stop in front of Aedan Cameron.

“Menzie? What brings you here?” Aedan stared at his friend in shock.

“It has been too long since I’ve been here, Cameron. Did you not miss me?” He laughed as he clasped his friend’s shoulder. “You remember Boyd, do you not?” Drew turned to introduce the two.

“Aye, I missed you, but I heard you were having a great time once all the skirmishes settled and your father was well enough to take over the lairdship again. Word has it that you were sampling every lass on Menzie land.”

All three men turned to stare at Avelina, a sheepish expression of regret on their faces. Lina turned away, embarrassed to have been caught listening and a bit shocked by Aedan’s comment, and found a seat at the broad table.

Alas, it would seem Drew Menzie was no longer her dream knight.

Jennie came over and sat beside her. “Pay them no attention,” she whispered. “Men insist on saying ridiculous things to one another. “

Aedan’s voice carried across the hall. “Either way, I’m pleased to see you. You’re just in time for the midday meal. Have a seat and update me on all that’s happening on Menzie land and beyond. I’m too wrapped up in my lovely wife to keep up.”

The men made their way over to the table. “You recall Lady Avelina Ramsay, do you not? Avelina, this is Drew Menzie and his friend, Boyd.” Aedan took a seat next to his wife and motioned for the others to take the seats across from him. He motioned to a serving lass to bring them food and ale.

Lina nodded and tried to make her tongue move so she could greet them, but naught came out.

Drew gave her a warm smile, and his green eyes danced. “Of course I remember Lady Avelina. I would never forget such beauty.” He gave her a small bow before taking his seat, and she blushed to the tips of her toes. Could he be saying the truth? Did he remember her? She certainly remembered him. Fortunately, he did not seem to take much note of her silence before sitting down and turning toward Aedan.

The men prattled on about warring, thus, Lina’s mind wandered. Once she was certain Drew’s mind was occupied with other things, she took the opportunity to give him a thorough assessment. That was the side benefit of being shy—few people paid her any mind at all, which gave her the opportunity to observe details others might miss.

Drew was as handsome as she recalled, with just a few changes. His white teeth and his smile still lit up his face, but his green eyes looked tired. Dark locks tumbled to his shoulder with a slight wave at the end, and it was the type of lush, thick hair that seemed to invite a lass to run her fingers through it. Her gaze followed the strong line of his jaw down to his lips. How would they taste? Or how would they feel trailing a path down her neck to her collarbone, then to her…

A nudge caught her foot and she jerked her gaze back to her friend.

There was a knowing smirk on Jennie’s face. Slud, but she’d been caught. Her face heated as she realized what her friend must be thinking.

Jennie waggled her eyebrows at her, but knew her too well to say anything to embarrass her. “So, Lina, is there aught you would like to do today?”

Lina thought hard and opened her mouth to answer Jennie. Naught came out, so she simply shook her head. She had a mind to go riding, but since Jennie was expecting, maybe she would not be able to ride.

“Mayhap we could go for a stroll outside, then you can give me some ideas for a nice flower garden. I’d love to include them around my herbs. You brought seeds from your lovely garden, did you not? You have the most beautiful flowers ever, Lina. I especially love it when you use them in my hair.”

Lina nodded. The serving girl brought bread and pottage out, so Jennie and Lina ate in silence while the men talked on about battles and sword-fighting strategies. She decided she could listen to Drew Menzie’s husky voice all day.

Once she and Jennie finished their food, Jennie stood and leaned over to address her husband. “Lina and I are leaving to go to my garden since you are busy with Drew. I’ll see you later, love.”

Aedan rose from his seat and kissed her until she was breathless. The intimacy of the embrace made Lina look away. It was then, of course, that Drew’s heated gaze found hers, causing her belly to do flip-flops totally out of control. If she could only talk to
him
, but she knew her efforts would prove fruitless. She turned away and strolled over toward the door leading outside, hoping to avoid another embarrassing situation.

She would not allow Drew Menzie to see her tears.

***

Drew’s throat went dry in an instant as soon as Avelina Ramsay stood from the table. Hellfire, but the lass was breathtaking. How she had changed since that long ago day in Lothian. She had been comely then, but now…what a beauty! Somehow he’d missed it when he first arrived at the hall.

His gaze fell to the floor in surprise, but then it curved up her long willowy legs, past her perfectly rounded hips, and up to a pair of breasts that were sheer perfection. Her skin, pale and translucent, had an ivory shade that he was quite sure would be adorned with just the right shade of coral nipples.

But it wasn’t just her body. Her face was strikingly beautiful, from her high cheekbones and perfectly arched eyebrows to her plump strawberry lips and green eyes the shade of a forbidden forest. Her hair was a rich sable with a touch of gold to it and was held at the base of her neck in a completely different look with tendrils free about her face, giving her the appearance of a regal queen. And her elegance was enough to stop a man in his tracks. Unable to tear his gaze away as she made her way to the door, he made a point to lock everything about her in his mind.

He glanced to the side and noticed that Aedan was talking to his wife, who then stepped into the kitchens for a moment. Perfect, he turned back to the beauty by the door.

Hellfire, what he wouldn’t give to taste her just once…

Somehow he knew once would not appease his desire for her.

“Menzie, you wee bastard,” Aedan growled in an undertone, making sure Avelina could not hear him. “You’re looking at her like an animal. Leave Logan Ramsay’s sister alone or you’re likely to be speared in your privates by him or his wife.”

Drew ran his hand down his face to wake himself up, just as one of Aedan’s neighbors, Lachlan Burnes, strode in through the door, as arrogant as ever. The lad was a bit of a warty whoreson in Drew’s opinion, and he didn’t trust him at all. Still, Lachlan’s father beat him on a regular basis, so Drew tried to be patient. Every lad had their regular beatings, of course, but Lachlan had been walloped enough to leave him scarred in many places. Still, it was no justification for his coarse behavior and rude treatment of others.

“What are you two foul bastards up to?” Lachlan asked as he entered the great hall.

At first, Drew could see he hadn’t noticed Avelina Ramsay standing in the corner of the hall waiting for Jennie. She was doing her best to melt into the wall. But no one in the keep could miss the moment when he did notice her. He let out a low whistle that echoed from the beams of the hall.

“Well, I’ll be a horny hedgehog, look at the tits on that one.”

Drew jumped out of his chair and grabbed Lachlan by the throat just as Jennie stepped into the hall from the kitchens. Drew dropped his hand while they all watched Jennie and Avelina leave.

As soon as the door closed behind the two, Drew lurched for Lachlan again. “You’ll treat the lady with the respect she deserves, or you’ll be wearing my fist through your teeth.” Boyd jumped up next to him, ready to join in if necessary.

Lachlan smiled, showing the missing two teeth in his lower jaw. “You wouldn’t be the first, or do you not recall when Hamish did the same over his sister?”

Hamish Henderson, a neighboring friend, had proven his worth to Aedan and Drew in the recent skirmishes to protect Cameron land.

Lachlan scowled at Drew. “What’s she to you, anyway? I understand Hamish and his sister, but this lass is naught to you unless you’re claiming her.”

Drew thought hard before he responded. What was Avelina to him? Naught yet, but perhaps he wanted that to change. “She’s a lady who deserves your respect and you’ll give it to her.”

Aedan came up behind Drew. “Aye, you’ll not speak of one of my guests in such a way. Keep your base language out of my hall.”

Lachlan’s eyes bulged at Aedan. “Hellfire, leave off, both of you. I’ll shut my mouth.”

“You will or you’ll be eating my knuckles,” Drew ground out.

Lachlan muttered under his breath, but not loud enough for Drew to hear any words. He’d keep an eye on him. For some reason, he felt protective of Avelina Ramsay. He’d kill Lachlan if he dared to touch her.

Aedan said, “And I’ll remind both of you that she is a laird’s sister, and Logan Ramsay is her brother. If you value your bollocks, you’ll treat her kindly.”

“Logan Ramsay…” Lachlan mumbled. He stared at the floor for a few moments before his gaze flew up to Aedan’s. “Och, not the one who’s married to the bollocks splitter, is he?”

Aedan smirked. “Aye, one and the same. And I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her in action. She never touched the lad, but she had him in tears sure enough. Never seen a lass like her. Best archer in the land of the Scots.”

“Hellfire, I dinna believe that. Truly? A lass? She cannot be better than all the archers in the land.”

Aedan glanced at Drew and the two of them shared a grin. “Sure hope you get the chance to meet her,” Drew said. “She’ll spear you with one of her arrows as soon as you open your mouth, you crude lout.”

Aedan added, “I mean it, Lachlan. Mind your tongue in my keep. What brings you here? I have work in the lists training my men.”

Lachlan chortled. “And how will that improve aught they do? Your men are useless. They showed that when you were nearly killed in battle a few moons ago.”

“‘Tis my goal to see to it that they are as strong as the Grant guards. Now what’s the reason behind the visit?”

Drew did not blame Aedan for being short. He had no trust for Lachlan Burnes.

“My sire’s on one of his drunken rages, so I left, and I have a new problem.”

“What’s the problem?” Aedan asked, giving him a look of doubt. “And where did you get that sword? I’ve not seen it before, ‘tis extra small.”Aedan tipped his head in the direction of the small sword, a mite bit larger than a dagger, which hung from his belt. “‘Tis not large enough to function in battle.”

“Aye, but ‘tis large enough to cut someone down face to face.” Lachlan crossed his arms, all wounded pride. “Jealous that you have nae sword with a legend behind it like this one? ‘Tis the famous sapphire sword of the faerie legends. Naught can hurt me or the Burnes clan as long as a Burnes wears it.”

“What in hellfire are you talking about, Burnes? We’ve never seen that sword,” Aedan said, scowling at Burnes.

“Nay, you have not. ‘Tis because I’ve just found it. ‘Tis mine, and all that goes with the legend.” Lachlan’s eyes danced with excitement.