Highland Fires (18 page)

With each introduction, Rufina found herself
relaxing and enjoying the wonderful and elaborate gifts brought
from other realms. Hours had passed and she was beginning to tire
but since only a few emissaries remained she didn’t want to miss
anything.

It wasn’t until the Draconian was announced
that she felt a ripple of fear move through her. She glanced at her
husband, but he smiled at the emissary and waved him forward.

“It was a pleasure to receive your
invitation, King Theron,” the Draconian emissary said. “It is with
sincere congratulations that I bring a present from my king,
Constantine. I hope you and your family enjoy it.”

Theron smiled. “It has been
too long since a Draconian walked in our realm. We welcome you and
hope you will stay with us a few days before returning to your
realm.”



The Draconian smiled, and Rufina calmed as
his smile seemed genuine and there was no evil in his copper
gaze.

The emissary lifted a small golden chest and
waited for Aimery to present it to Theron. Theron took the chest
and looked at Rufina.

She smiled as he opened the chest. They both
gazed inside to find a round sphere that glowed milky white.
Suddenly it flashed brightly and Rufina quickly covered her eyes.
She laughed and lowered her arm knowing how Theron loved tricks of
that sort.

Only she didn’t find her husband, but an
empty throne and the emissary gone.

Chapter Eighteen

Lugus knew with Ahryn back in the Realm of
the Fae her magic could again be used. He didn’t know if she had
enough power to get them both to her home now that she was injured,
but he had to try.

“Ahryn,” he called softly as he moved her
hair from her face. “Ahryn, you’re hurt and I need to get you to
safety.”

But no matter what he said or how many times
he called, she never woke. Her wound bled badly, and he grew
nervous. He didn’t want to try and take the arrow out of her
shoulder himself for fear he would hurt her more than aid her, but
he didn’t have a choice.

He swiped at the blood running down his neck
from his own wound and reached to tear a piece of her skirt off,
then tied it around his neck to help stop the bleeding.

“Don’t wake up,” he murmured and took hold of
the arrow protruding from her left shoulder.

He braced his other hand on her shoulder to
keep her still, and after a deep breath, yanked the arrow out.
Blood gushed as the wound opened, and Lugus quickly ripped part of
her skirts to use to help staunch the flow of blood. He had never
seen so much blood in his life and began to worry that he wasn’t
aiding her.

How much time it took for the blood to stop
flowing he had no idea, and it was only then that he ripped more
material from her skirts to wrap a bandage about her and lifted her
in his arms.

He turned his back to the gateway and for the
first time in five years beheld his beloved realm. Yet he didn’t
see it. All he looked for was somewhere he could take Ahryn to get
help.

It didn’t take him long to
remember where he was and as he left the protection of the trees he
spotted the magnificent waterfall and bridge that led to
Dun Glamyr
, a small
village. He began to walk toward the village praying with each step
that Ahryn would be all right.

As he crossed the long stone bridge over the
river to the village he spotted a Fae watching him. “Help me,” he
called out.

The man hurried to Lugus and took one look at
Ahryn in his arms and said, “Follow me.”

Lugus fell into step behind the man and
entered the man’s lodging. He waited, unsure of what to do.

“In here,” the man called, and Lugus quickly
followed him into a back room where he placed Ahryn on the bed.

“What happened?” the man asked as he
unwrapped the bandage to look at the wound.

Lugus didn’t want to relate the entire story,
so just said, “She was hit with an arrow while crossing through the
gateway.”

The Fae nodded and didn’t look up again as he
cleaned the wound. Lugus sank into a chair by the bed and kept his
gaze on Ahryn, his worry growing with each beat of his heart. It
was the first time in five years that he wished he had his
powers.

He knew it was a matter of moments before
Theron realized he was here and came to get him. But Lugus prayed
for time. He would leave as soon as he knew she was all right, but
not a moment sooner.

“I know who you are,” the man said.

Lugus stilled and closed his eyes. When he
opened them it was to find the Fae staring at him, blue eyes
swirling with animosity.

“I’m not staying, but I couldn’t leave her to
die.”

The Fae gave a curt nod of acceptance and
left the room. Lugus dropped his head in his hands and sighed. It
was because of his hesitation after spotting Moira that Ahryn was
wounded. Had he kept his eyes on Marcus and the army everything
would have been fine.

Instead, he watched Ahryn lying still as
death from a wound that should have been his.

Lugus heard the Fae enter the room again, but
he didn’t want to see the scorn in his eyes just yet.

“What in all that is magical is this?”

Lugus’ head jerked up and found the Fae
staring at Ahryn’s bracelet. “Is she going to be all right?”

“What is it?” he repeated.

Lugus rose to his feet. “Is Ahryn going to be
all right?”

“Aye,” the Fae said. “Now tell me.”

Lugus let out a breath he had been holding
and walked to the doorway of the room. “You need to call to the Fae
commander, Aimery. He’ll know what the bracelet is and how to
remove it as well as who Ahryn’s family is.”

“I know who her family is,” the Fae said.
“Her grandfather is Michyl, the High Chancellor.”

Lugus blinked. No wonder she hadn’t wanted
him to know who she was. Had he known he would have made sure to
keep his distance, because though she might not be royalty, she was
just a step down.

“Then call to her family, but make sure you
call to Aimery first. Ahryn would want the bracelet off before her
family sees her.”

Lugus hurriedly left the dwelling then and
didn’t look back. He wished he could have looked into Ahryn’s
mystical blue eyes once more, but it was better this way. His steps
slowed over the great bridge, and he found himself gazing into the
light green waters of the river that ran beneath the bridge.

He shook himself and continued to the
gateway. As it was, he was sure he would receive a visit from
Aimery wanting to know every detail of what had happened to Ahryn,
but Lugus didn’t want that confrontation on the Fae realm.

Just as he reached the gateway and wondered
if it would open for him again, he sensed someone near. He drew his
sword and swung to his left to see the Draconian leaning against a
tree enjoying an apple.

“What are you doing here? Did you come to
make sure Ahryn died?” Lugus demanded.

The Draconian threw away the apple and
straightened. “I wish no harm to Ahryn or any other Fae. I came to
warn you.”

“Warn me?” Lugus repeated. “Warn me of
what?”

“That something dreadful has happened to your
brother. As I told Ahryn….”

“Told Ahryn,” Lugus said in bewilderment.
When had Ahryn spoken with the Draconian, and why hadn’t she told
him?

“Aye,” the Draconian said. “I am Tane, and I
came searching for you.”

Lugus lowered his sword as he tried to take
in everything. “That doesn’t make sense. I no longer hold the power
I once did.”

“I know. And even with all that power you
didn’t see to take over other realms as you could easily have done,
but I digress. I spoke with Ahryn about the bracelet. Both you and
she assumed wrong. The bracelet will hinder her powers even on this
realm. Only a Draconian can release the bracelet since it is our
markings next to yours.”

Lugus’ mind whirled with the news. “Ahryn’s
still in danger.”

“Aye. As long as she wears that bracelet she
is all but mortal. Her body will not be able to heal like a Fae
normally would.”

“Why didn’t she tell me?”

“I will be waiting. Call to me when you want
my assistance.”

Lugus glanced up, but Tane was gone. He had
never trusted the Draconians, and he had difficulty doing so now.
Yet Ahryn’s life hung in the balance.

“Leaving so soon?”

Lugus sighed at hearing Aimery’s sarcastic
voice. He turned and found the Fae commander standing behind him
with his legs braced apart and his arms crossed over his chest.

“I was.”

Aimery dropped his arms. “I need you to
answer some questions first.”

“I thought you might.”

“How is it that Ahryn came to wear that
bracelet?”

“First,” Lugus said, “I need to know if it
has been destroyed.”

“That would be difficult considering it is
still attached to her.”

Lugus cursed. Tane hadn’t lied. “We must
remove the bracelet with all haste lest she die.”

Aimery stared hard at him a moment.
“Why?”

“On the human realm it prevented her from
using her Fae powers or calling to any Fae. I assumed wrongly that
once she returned to this realm the bracelet’s magic would cease to
work. It hasn’t. If we don’t remove the bracelet, she could
die.”

Aimery cursed and then nodded. “You must
return with me.”

“I cannot,” he said. “As much as I need to
know Ahryn is all right, I cannot stay.”

“I need you to stay. I’m asking you to
stay.”

It was then Lugus noticed
the lines of worry around Aimery’s eyes. “What has
happened?”



“I will tell you after we see to Ahryn.”

Lugus fell into step with Aimery as his mind
raced with possibilities. For Aimery to be so concerned it must
have something to do with Theron or Rufina.

It wasn’t long before he once again stood
looking down at Ahryn. She looked paler, more lifeless. He watched
Aimery examine the slave bracelet.

At Aimery’s questioning stare, Lugus knew it
was time for an explanation. “She was tricked into putting it on. A
human wanted to trap her on their realm and marry her. I tried to
take it off her.”

“What are these markings?” Aimery asked.

Lugus knew he had no other choice but to tell
him. “Draconian.”

Aimery’s head snapped up. “How do you know
this?”

“I was told.”

“By who? A Draconian? Did you align yourself
with them? Wasn’t it enough that you nearly destroyed everything in
your quest for power?”

Lugus’ anger surged to the surface. “It
wasn’t a quest for power but revenge for being wrongly accused,” he
spat. “And I have not aligned myself with a Draconian. What has
that got to do with anything?”

“It has everything to do with it,” said a
voice behind them.

Lugus turned to find Tane at the foot of the
bed. The Draconian’s face was thoughtful as he gazed at Ahryn. “Why
is the bracelet still on her, Lugus?”

“You have aligned with them,” Aimery shouted
and unsheathed his sword.

“Put your sword away,” Tane said. “I am not
part of what happened.”

Lugus looked from Tane to Aimery. “What has
happened?”

Tane’s copper eyes turned to him. “The queen
is carrying the heir to the kingdom, and to celebrate King Theron
hosted a lavish ball were emissaries from other realms presented
gifts to them.”

“And a Draconian betrayed us and sent
Theron’s soul into a realm no one can enter,” Aimery finished.

Lugus ran a hand down his face. “Theron?
Gone?”

“I had no part in it,” Tane repeated to
Aimery. “I saw what was to come to pass and knew that Lugus must
return here, else you would lose your king forever.”

“How is Rufina?” Lugus asked, knowing his
sister-in-law was most likely devastated. Theron was her true mate.
They would be linked forever throughout time.

“What does Lugus have to do with anything?”
Aimery asked.

Tane took a deep breath. “Put away your
sword, Fae commander. I will release the bracelet from Ahryn’s arm,
then we can speak of this.”

Aimery slowly lowered his sword then sheathed
it. He watched Tane carefully as the Draconian moved to his side of
the bed.

“Lugus,” Tane said. “Read your words then I
will read mine.”

“Why Lugus?” Aimery asked.

But Lugus knew. He was somehow connected to
Ahryn, and they needed all the magic and power they could gather to
release the bracelet.

Lugus leaned over and put her hand in his.
Her breathing was shallow and her skin cool to the touch. He licked
his lips and ran his hand over the ring on her finger.

“By ancient magic you have been locked,” he
started to read, “By love you will be released.”

Lugus felt a bolt shoot through him at the
words he spoke. Love? He didn’t love Ahryn. He still loved Moira.
Or did he?

“Finish,” Tane urged.

“Hear my voice for I command the ancients to
release their hold and free the one they have trapped.”

Tane nodded and leaned over Ahryn. “Listen to
the voices that command you. Fae and Draconian united. We demand
the ancients withdraw their magic.”

Chapter Nineteen

Instantly the bracelet unlocked, and Lugus
hastily removed it and the attached ring from Ahryn’s hand. Color
slowly came back to her face, and her skin began to warm in his
hold.

“Thank you,” he said as he glanced at
Tane.

“It is time we spoke,” Aimery said.

Lugus nodded and reluctantly released Ahryn’s
hand to follow Aimery and Tane outside of the dwelling. He suddenly
found himself very tired and needing to sleep for at least a year.
The fear that had held his heart in a death grip had been
released.

“Who was the Draconian emissary?” Aimery
asked Tane tersely.