Blessing The Highlander Read online

  Blessing The Highlander

  By J. Lee Coulter

  All copyrights belong to J. Lee Coulter.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter I……………………………………………….5

  Chapter II……………………………………………...24

  Chapter III……………………………………………..49

  Chapter IV……………………………………………..89

  Chapter V…………………………………………….127

  Chapter VI……………………………………………157

  Chapter VII…………………………………………..192

  Chapter VIII…………………………………………216

  Chapter IX……………………………………………245

  Chapter X…………………………………………….293

  Chapter XI……………………………………………330

  Chapter XII………………………………...353

  Chapter XIII………………………………..393

  Chapter XIV………………………………..421

  Chapter XV…………………………………455

  Epilogue……………………………………..477

  Chapter I

  Summer Solstice

  June 21, 2011

  Western General Hospital

  Edinburgh, Scotland

  “Is she awake?”

  The matronly nurse peered at the old woman lying motionless in the bed. She shook her head. Looking at the bed chart she clucked her tongue, shaking her head slowly this time. “I do nae believe the poor lady will ever be waking up. Stroke, ye know.”

  “Tis a shame it is. Have the family been notified then?” the younger nurse inquired.

  “Nay. She has nae family here. She was on holiday with some other seniors when she collapsed. From America, she is. They have been searching there but have had nae luck so far.”

  “No family? Now that is a crying shame,” the younger nurse replied, raising her brow. “No one to mourn her passing. How much time does the doctor give her?”

  “Who’s to say?” she said brusquely as she shoved a stray lock of grey hair behind her ear. She sighed as she began checking the monitors. “The best we can do for Mrs. Evans is keep her as comfortable as possible until she passes. What a sad way to go. Everyone needs family.”

  “Aye,” the younger sighed, “everyone needs family.”

  They finished marking the charts, checked the IVs and continued on their rounds, leaving the room in silence. The beeping of the heart monitor... the whooshing of the respirator were the only sounds.

  They never heard the screams emanating from Janet Evan’s mind. Oh yes, she was conscious. She heard every word they said. She tried to reach them to no avail.

  As the silence enveloped her frail body bleakness settled in. “My life has been such a waste,” she thought. “Even as a child, I was the one left behind at the orphanage while the other children were selected to have a loving home. Parents to love them. When I reached eighteen, they bid me au revoir and practically shoved me out the door.

  If she could cry she would. Nothing was accomplished with her life. She had no effect on anyone in all of her sixty nine years. She merely filled space. “I would give anything to experience joy, love...a normal life! To help someone or make a difference in their life. I hate being so worthless!” The ache in her heart ripped her apart.

  Diedre backed away from the Pool of Visions shaking her head. “Such sadness,” she thought, “and it is entirely my fault. All because I was jealous of our father’s affection for you.”

  Her platinum tresses flowed around her tiny frame as she sat back on the mossy ground beside the pool. She loved this glen... its seclusion and serene atmosphere. The floras were copious in riotous colors and fragrances, each competing to be the most beauteous. To seize the most consideration of any who entered their small space in the Faerie Glen. A light mist enclosed the space to mute the colors, dripping from the leaves of the oak, willow and pine that

  surrounded the cozy area. A soft twittering of birdsong could be perceived in the trees singing a gentle serenade to any who would listen. Above her head, sunlight sporadically filtered through the tree limbs when the mist permitted.

  Diedre sighed as she muddled through the dilemma she had created. “King Alred will be very angry with me if...no...when he finds out what I have done. He always ascertains when a secret is being kept from him.” Diedre frowned as she appreciated what a horrible fate she had cast on her half-sister. “And now he is asking about her... wondering what she has been doing. I dare not let him see her now...not like that. If only she had a happier life. I should never have wiped her memory and set her in that orphanage. I am such a fool!” A chill ran through her in spite of the warm day. “Father may be so furious with me as to make me mortal!”

  She hugged herself to calm her quivering body. Her mind racing desperately for a solution to save herself...and Seonaid from a horrible fate. Her frown faded away. Her aqua blue eyes sparkled. A blissful smile spread across her heart-shaped face as she thought of an answer.

  “Father cannot be angry with me if I make her happy. If I give her another life to live. But whose? It will need to be someone whose death was trivial and will not affect the timeline if she lives.” Diedre smiled furtively to herself as she willed her presence to the Royal House of Records.

  Only a moment passed before she stood in a large, airy room bright with sunlight. Pale drapes a shade of sage green were open at the tall windows, floating in the breeze that drifted through the portals. If anyone wandered into this room by accident all they would see is ivory walls trimmed in gold calligraphy of the ancient Faerie language, a black marble floor, stately white columns of marble trimmed with gold and a scattering of settees and tables. Few were allowed to peruse the records here. Diedre was one of the few.

  The walls were covered with an illusion of ivory masking hundreds of thousands of scrolls and books containing all of the past, present and future history of humankind. This included Faerie history and the royal lineage... which became necessary when the Fae began intermingling with man.

  She looked about the room to assure herself that she was quite alone before she began her quest of the perfect life for Seonaid. Once satisfied, Diedre focused on her mission.

  “Let us see...first, it must be someone who does not disrupt the timeline or history in any way.” She narrowed her eyes as she methodically sorted books in her mind’s eye. “She must be young...and beautiful. Stunning, perhaps. Personality will not matter since Seonaid’s will be the one emerging. I will need to wipe her memory again since she is in the future ...it would not do for her to remember and accidentally call for a shower...or a cab.” She giggled at the thought.

  Diedre sat on the chaise tapping her teeth with her flawless fingernail as she worried over the memory wipe. Sometimes the second one was not as thorough as the first. She would have to be careful. It would not do to have a slip up about flying machines or some other fantastical advancement. She shook her head, “No that would not do at all!”

  After much searching, she narrowed it down to two possibilities that would serve her purpose. One was a peasant girl, a milk-maid, which died of the plague.

  “Oh bother! She will not do...she would be scarred! Besides, Father would be angry if she is not of noble birth.” The other choice was equally unacceptable. A peasant just would not do. She searched a while longer. Her eyes began to twinkle as she recollected a certain Scots laird who, also, needed redeeming, in his own way.

  “Garrick Brodie! I will give her to him
as a bride. That will teach him to rebuff a fairy princess. He never married in his lifetime so I see no problem there. Although she is not pure blood, she is still a fairy princess, daughter of the king. He would be kind to Seonaid...that is more than her future husband was to her. Pete had beaten her often.

  And just to add salt to the wound,” she thought with a narrowing of her aqua blue eyes, “I will make her the daughter of his worst enemy, Seamus MacGregor! His daughter died from a fall off a horse, I see. Now what was her name...? Seonaid MacGregor! Perfect! Who says you cannot have revenge while doing a good deed?” She smiled to herself as she savored the moment. Diedre clapped with glee as she contemplated her plans. She could please her father and Seonaid while she got revenge on Laird Brodie. How utterly perfect! With a quick nod to herself in agreement she turned to go to her sister when she was confronted by a tall, handsome Fae. She raised a disdainful brow at him as he approached with a determined look in his swirling azure eyes.

  “So here you are, Diedre,” he said with a quirk on his lips as he drank in her beauty. He never tired of gazing upon her exotic eyes, her pert nose, which was frequently stuck in the air. Her heart-shaped face was framed in a sea of platinum blonde hair which fell to her knees. Her form shapely beneath a diaphanous sea-green gown.

  Diedre observed the over-confident Fae, Lokai, as he crossed the room. Of course he was handsome...all Fae were beautiful and sexual. He was taller than most. His movements as sleek and sensual as a cat. Something about him, though, always seemed to put her on her guard. She felt a danger around him...as if she were his prey. His deep, melodious voice usually lulled her into an almost trance-like state. She did not like it.

  “Why do you seek me, Lokai? Do you have nothing better to do? I am sure there must be some practice dummy that needs beheading!”

  Lokai stopped short scowling at her. “I am Captain of the Royal Guard! You would scoff at my training to protect you and your family?”

  “No,” she sighed. “Do not mind me. My thoughts are elsewhere this day.”

  He gave a terse nod stepping closer. His eyes softened as he gazed down at her, wanting to touch her velvet-skinned cheek but thought it unwise. She did not appear receptive to his advances at the moment. He stared at her for another moment. “Your father, the King, has asked for your audience in the throne room.”

  Diedre’s eyes rounded as she heard the summons. Her father only conducted official business in the throne room. “Could he possibly have found out about Seonaid already?” Her heart began to pound an erratic beat in her chest as she carefully schooled her face to show no panic. She had no time to do more as her father hated tardiness. Something must have shown in her eyes. Fear, panic, dread...she did not know. But Lokai grabbed her wrist and, in a harsh whisper, asked “What have you done?”

  “N-nothing! I have done nothing!” She wrenched her arm free of his steel grip. “It is just that Father never requests my presence there. I fear that he may think that I have done something.”

  He was not fooled. Cool, calm Diedre at no time got that look of guilt unless she had done something. He shrugged. Whatever it was, it could not be serious. Usually it was because she had gone somewhere forbidden to her. “Besides,” he thought, “I am the reason she has been summoned.” He smirked as he led her away.

  Diedre approached her father with a nonchalant air she did not feel. Her throat was dry as she licked her lips and tried to swallow...her heart pounding. She curtsied deeply, as was his due as King. Her eyes darted anxiously about the room to see if there was any outward sign of what was to come. Nothing looked out of place. No broken pottery or burnt walls. No signs of rage. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief as she realized that King Alred was still clueless of her deed.

  She examined her father’s face while he was distracted speaking to one of the court pages, chuckling softly to himself. He was still quite handsome and virile considering that he was centuries old. He gave the impression of being in his mid-thirties with a strong body and lithe frame. His blonde hair was even whiter than Diedre’s but there were no creases on his face or his skin. She saw no signs of annoyance in his loving face as he turned to her. She smiled brightly at him.

  “I am here, Father. Lokai said that you wished to see me?”

  King Alred nodded. His eyes were guarded as he steepled his fingers before him contemplating how to approach the subject. He knew Diedre would not be pleased with his decision concerning her future but he comprehended what was best for her. She had been running wild for far too long. It was time she grew up. He cleared his throat giving her his most regal look as he made his announcement.

  “Daughter, as Princess of the Fae, you have certain duties that must be fulfilled.”

  Diedre’s stomach clenched. She recognized what her father was going to command. A shudder heaved through her body. Her eyes flared. “Marriage!” She shook her head as she backed from the chamber. King Alred’s eyes flashed at her as he bellowed, “Hold!” His gaze flicked to Lokai and he came up behind her preventing her retreat.

  “I have betrothed you. You will not shame me with bad behavior! The wedding will be held in a fortnight,” he roared at her. Anger filled his countenance as he stared her down.

  Diedre’s eyes filled with tears ready to spill... like a dam bursting. She could see they would not save her this time. She understood this day would come but she had hoped that her father would forget about it...she had. She gave her father a brusque nod for she could not produce words in her constricted throat. She turned to leave only to be blocked by Lokai’s huge muscular frame. He did not look at her but continued to stare straight ahead, his jaw clenched.

  “Do you not wish to know who you will wed?” the King asked astonished.

  Diedre raised her chin and gave a swift shake of her head. Defiant, she quipped, “Whoever it is makes no difference to me. They would be objectionable under any circumstance in my eyes.”

  Lokai noticeably stiffened as King Alred sprang off his throne at her. He seized her arm in a vise-like grip spinning her round, his face purple with rage! “You shame me Diedre...and yourself as well.”

  She cowered, fearing a blow. He never struck her before, but then, she had never seen him this angry before. Her mind raced ahead to find a way to sooth his rage when she realized he was still speaking to her.

  “...have insulted Lokai! Apologize at once!” “Lokai? How have I insulted him?” she thought wildly. Then her father’s implication dawned on her. Her eyes flew wide. She twirled around to face her betrothed. “You?” she asked incredulously. “I am to wed...you?”

  He lowered his gaze to hers revealing his wrath. His entire physique was hard as steel as he deflected her rejection. A thin smile slowly formed on his lips not quite reaching his eyes. He gave her a swift affirmation as his eyes burned through her.

  He desired her. He always had for as long as he had known her. She stirred his passion like no other. Her milky skin covered with lengthy, flowing platinum hair. Her petite form with all the right curves and ample breasts. And her eyes...the color of the sea...exotic with a slight upward tilt at the outer edges curtained in long dark blonde lashes. She was perfection to him. He gave himself a mental shake. He would not divulge that to Diedre. You do not give such a weapon to someone like her.

  “Forgive me my outburst, Lokai. I spoke in anger… lacking thought.” She sought his face for tempering but found none. Diedre turned to her father, repentant, a pleading look in her eyes. “Forgive me, Father. I would not have spoken thus if I had known. Lokai is acceptable to me...if that is your wish. I thought you were betrothing me to a noble’s house...not the Captain of the Royal Guard.”

  King Alred grunted, mollified that her regrets were in earnest. He embraced her, a smile on his lips. “Did you think that Lokai was nothing more than that? His father, Athor, was my cousin. Lokai is as royal as you and heir to the throne one day. I could not make a better match for you.” He kissed the crown of her head. “Now go. Make your p
reparations. There is much to do in so short a time.” When he released her Diedre dashed from the room keeping her eyes hooded fearing that Lokai would misconstrue her.

  Alred returned to his throne sitting wearily. “She is just headstrong,” he sighed, “and I caught her off guard. I know she is fond of you, Lokai. I have seen her observing you when you were unaware.” There was a long pause.

  “I was aware,” he stated softly.

  Chapter II

  Diedre rushed to her chamber before Lokai had a chance to follow her. She gazed around her room. A tear escaping from the corner of her eye, slowly trickling down her cheek. She loved her room... her sanctuary. Here is where she felt safe. This is where she withdrew to reflect on her difficulties, her distresses and her joyfulness.

  She ran her fingers blithely over the royal blue counterpane made of the softest velvet covering the canopied bed. The matching draperies hanging from the railings were tied back with large golden cords. She loved to cocoon herself in it, shutting out the worries of the world. She shook her head. “Father is right. It is time to grow up. Lokai is very handsome and he has always been kind to me. He stirs something in me, though, that frightens me. I cannot seem to think straight in his presence. He rattles my senses.” Diedre hugged herself. Her small frame trembling at the thought.

  Recalling Seonaid, she shook off the mood, examining the room with a keen eye. There was work to be done and she had a mission to accomplish. “Now what did I do with that memory wipe potion...?”