Free Forbidden Highlander by Donna Grant Page A

father.”
    “By all that’s holy,” Fallon murmured, unable to believe someone would do such a thing.
    “I was so angry. Once the fury took hold, I wasn’t myself. The next thing I knew, I was looking down at his dead body.”
    Fallon nodded. “You were betrayed, Larena, by someone you trusted. Your goddess defended herself, and in the process killed the man. Don’t let your father’s murderer and your betrayer haunt you anymore.”
    She gave him a shy smile in answer. The more he learned of Larena, the more he was impressed by her bravery and courage. “What other powers do you have?”
    Right before his eyes she disappeared. Fallon turned one way and then the other. “Larena? Where did you go?”
    “I’m standing in the same place,” she said.
    He heard her voice, but he couldn’t see her. The power she held was vast and could greatly aid in their coming battle. “Amazing.”
    She materialized before him and her goddess faded away, leaving the beauty that he had lain with just moments ago. “As I said, I can protect myself, and I can help you.”
    “I would have taken you back to the castle anyway. You are a female Warrior, Larena. Deirdre would stop at nothing to have you.”
    “I’ve been careful, but I fear she will find me soon.”
    “Then we’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
    He saw the relief in her eyes and gathered her in his arms. For the first time in a very long time he felt needed, as if he could make a difference. He wouldn’t make the same mistakes he’d made with his brothers. He would protect Larena—with his life if necessary. He might have disappointed his brothers all these centuries, but he would not fail Larena.
    “Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling.
    “You’re not alone any longer, Larena. You have me. Once we get to my castle, you’ll meet my brothers and the other Warriors and Druids who are there. You will be protected.”
    She nodded. “I thought you would be repulsed.”
    “Repulsed?” He pulled her out of his arms and tilted her face up to his, the urge to kiss her strong. “You didn’t get to choose the goddess. The goddess chose you. You bear the same trials that the rest of us do, regardless of whether you are a man or a woman.”
    There was something in her eyes. She had more to tell him, a secret she didn’t think she could trust him enough with. He understood that. He wouldn’t trust him either, but he would earn her confidence. It wouldn’t make up for all the wrongs he had done his brothers, but it would help. He would be the man his father had wanted him to be.
    “Does Malcolm know?” he asked.
    “Aye. He knows everything. I tried to keep it from him, and I fear now that Deirdre will learn he has helped me.”
    Fallon inwardly cursed. “Malcolm has put himself in a dangerous position. Deirdre will go after him if she learns of him.”
    “I know,” Larena said. “I’ve used the same argument before, but Malcolm said he wanted to make up for what our family did to me. He’s next in line to be laird, and I don’t want anything to happen to him. He shouldn’t even be here with me.”
    “Then he needs to return to your clan. Immediately.”
    She nodded. “I agree. Once I assure him you’ll protect me, I’ll send him home.”
    Fallon had an uneasy feeling. How had Larena stayed hidden from Deirdre all this time? “The wyrran?”
    “I killed it,” she admitted. “I waited until it left the great hall.”
    “Did anyone see you kill it?”
    “Nay. I then took the body into the woods. Malcolm is there burning it now.”
    He ran a hand down his face. “And you came back to the castle the same way you left?”
    “Aye. Unseen.”
    It was a large castle, full of nosy people. Could they have been lucky enough for Larena to have escaped detection? “I wonder if the wyrran was here for me or you.”
    “I think you,” she said. “After all, Deirdre doesn’t know about me. I’ve been here for over a year, Fallon, and not once