Highland Mist by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online Page A

bright it shown white in its intensity. It wasn’t large, no larger than a man, but Glenna still couldn’t make out what it was.
    Magic , the night seemed to whisper.
    Aye, it was probably magic, for it had been magic that brought Iona to her and freed her from MacNeil. A special magic beat in the heart of Scotland, and she wondered why it was so strong here and nonexistent at MacNeil’s?
    Regardless, she was determined to find out what the white light was and delve deeper into the mystery of this magic land.
    * * * * *
     
    The two Druids stared at the castle. “Did it work?” the man asked. “Did she see?”
    “Aye, Frang,” the woman answered. “She’s come home at last.”
    They turned when the Fae being approached them. “You don’t have much time.”
    “Glenna will be ready, Aimery,” the woman stated.
    Aimery smiled. “Glenna already feels the magic here. She will come to you eagerly, Moira. Make sure she learns all that she needs to know for MacNeil will challenge her.”
    Frang shifted and peered again at the castle. “How much do you think we should tell her about her parents?”
    “Nothing,” Moira hurriedly answered. “Not yet.”
    “She needs to know,” Aimery said. “Without that knowledge, she cannot battle the evil.”
    “Then she will know,” Frang said, and put his hand on Moira’s shoulder.
    “Until next time,” Aimery said, and disappeared in a flash.
    “Moira,” Frang began, but she shook her head.
    “I don’t want her to know.”
    “She must,” Frang insisted. “The Fae know much more than we do. It’s they who bestowed Glenna her powers. Who are we to question them?”
    “Who indeed?” Moira repeated while she stared at the castle. “She watches us even now though she cannot see.”
    “She sees what the Fae want her to see.”

Chapter Five
     
    The next day Conall strode into Glenna’s chamber and said in no uncertain terms, “You’ll spend the day by my side.”
    “By your side?” she asked stupidly when he handed her a simple yellow gown. “You’re laird and have many things to do. The last thing you need is to have me in the way.”
    “It’ll get your legs moving to work out the soreness, and my clan will become accustomed to seeing you.”
    She opened her mouth to protest but quickly closed it.
    He raised a black eyebrow. “Have you something to say?”
    Her throat tightened. Would he punish her as MacNeil did for speaking her mind? It was a chance she wanted, nay needed, to take. With her heart in her throat, she said boldly, “I’d prefer to spend the day in my chamber.”
    “And I’d prefer you with me. I’m concerned about your safety.”
    “In other words, you don’t trust your clan?”
    “I trust them with my life.” He paused and crossed his arms over his chest. “However, their minds are clouded with hate and they will turn it on you.”
    “While your clan will see me I’ll be with you so you can protect me.”
    A slow, sensual smile crept across his face. She was sure that smile had left many a maiden with broken hearts.
    “Aye,” he said. “But there’s one catch.”
    The grin she had worn slipped. Why must there be some sort of catch. Here she thought he might be a good man who had her welfare in mind. He lowered his arms and stared at her fixedly, his silver orbs fierce and uncompromising. She knew whatever he had to say would be final and no amount of arguing would budge him.
    “Keep the MacNeil plaid if you must, but you won’t wear it here.”
    She blinked. She hadn’t expected to be asked so little. Setting aside the MacNeil plaid wouldn’t be difficult since she had never been a part of the clan. Actually, she was grateful to set it aside. She had wanted away from that clan for many a year. She had the chance and wasn’t about to pass it up.
    “I’m asking this for your benefit,” he continued, unaware that she had eagerly set aside the plaid. “My people react harshly to the sight of the MacNeil