To Steal a Highlander's Heart(12)

He considered her for a moment. “I’ve never seen ye as my enemy, Alana, but ye are still Dougall’s daughter. I’m sorry to involve ye in this, but I have little choice.”

Alana pressed a hand to her head, the pounding increasing. “Ye’ve yet to tell me why ye should wish to bring war to yer doorstep. Ye talk in riddles. I cannae understand ye anymore.”

She needed him gone. All this talk of duty and reasons. What reason could he possibly have for capturing her? Was it revenge that drove him? If it was, he was clearly not thinking properly.

“I cannae tell ye why. The less ye know, the better.” he muttered. “But just know that if ye were in my position, ye’d do the same.”

“How can I know that if ye will tell me naught?”

God’s blood but the man was evasive. They used to tell each other everything.

But that man no longer stood before her. Her heart ached for what she’d lost. Shaking away morbid thoughts, she closed her eyes. She heard the grinding of his teeth and assumed he studied her as she lay prone. What did he see? Was he planning his next move or did he reminisce about better days too?

“I’ll return to check on ye later.”

Waving a hand dismissively as him, she prized open an eye. “Dinnae bother, I need no aid.”

She needed to clear her thoughts and figure out how to escape. If she was gone much longer, her father would surely assume the MacRaes had taken her and would be on their doorstep before long, baying for blood. Her father’s temper was quicker than Morgann’s and he’d not listen to reason.

Morgann studied her for a moment and gave her a brief nod of his head. “As ye will. Behave yerself, Alana. I’ve no wish to put ye in irons but I will if I have to. Ye’ve done yerself enough harm for one day.”

The callous countenance had slipped back into place, all concern for her gone and she threw an arm back over her eyes, unable to bear it. The door clunked shut and she heard a bolt slide across. She truly was a prisoner then.

Her empty stomach churned. Rest. That’s what she needed. And then she’d work on a plan to escape. Aye, she’d leave Morgann MacRae to his torment. He clearly wanted no help or sympathy from her. Ach, to think of the anguish she’d felt for him all these years after her father’s behaviour. That man hardly seemed worth such sorrow.

***

Dragging her hands though her pale green hair, Tèile huffed. Curses, the pair were as stubborn and as confused as each other. She’d sometimes watched them as young friends, waiting for the moment that fate would be fulfilled and their debt would be repaid but as the years had gone by, it became clear interference would be necessary.

Neither had the courage to admit their feelings. Or mayhap they’d been too young to understand them. Humans were very confusing beings. How hard could love really be?

She cast her gaze over Alana as the woman’s breathing slowed and she fell asleep. Tèile admired her spirit. The lass was planning some kind of rash escapade but Tèile couldn’t allow that. It had been hard enough to persuade Alana to leave the keep and bring Morgann to her. Her interference had to be limited; they had to find their own way to each other.

But there were things she could do. Dreams were an excellent tool of the fae. The sidhe council would only allow her so much use of magic. Too much and the mortal world would shift into an imbalance with all the magic in the air. Putting the Campbell clan to sleep for a while had already cost her dearly.

With a wave of her fingers, she grinned as Alana exhaled slowly. She would not need to do much to ensure she dreamt of Morgann. The moment they had shared under the rock had been entirely their own. Tèile had hoped the kiss might happen then but Morgann…

Stubborn human male.

A kiss. That was all that was needed, she was sure of it. Their connection would finally be realised and Tèile could get back to enjoying herself as a faery should. She rubbed her hands together as she thought of the celebrations that would take place. The burden of the sidhe’s promise would be at an end. Too much faery time had been devoted to the foolish couple. But that was the price they paid for human aid. Many years ago, Alana’s mother had helped one of the fae bear a child. Delicate creatures that they were, they occasionally needed a human’s aid. And in return they promised to look after Alana. Which meant ensuring she and Morgann married.

Aye, she looked forward to being rid of her tiresome task and indulging in a little tipple or two. Tèile sighed. She would deserve it after trying to get these two to see what was right in front of them.

Silly fools. Couldn’t they see they were destined for one another?