Blood of the Highland Moon

Chapter 5: Enough

Catriona's P.O.V.

I woke to a shifting on the bed. I looked up to see Eallair sitting with his back to me. Sighing, he looked at me. "It's time for breakfast." Looking away he ran a hand through his hair. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened last night." He glanced at me, "I shouldn't have kissed you."

Setting up, I pulled the blankets close and looked toward the door. "I'm not used to being licked by dogs; vampires are not very fond of them." I kept my voice indifferent as I insulted him.

He shot up off the bed. "Bloody hell, lass, can you not even let me apologise?"

I turned to glared him then smiled. "Thank you for your apology. Now, would you be a good doggy, and get out so I can get dressed?"

His jaw tightened. "Lass, one way or another, you will learn to listen and respect me." He left the room, slaming the door behind him.

Sighing, I got out if bed, stretched, and splashed some water on my face before pulling on a new gown. "Bloody dog," I mumbled to myself as I pulled a brush through my hair.

"This bloody dog's got good hearing; now hurry up." He pounded on the door, causing me to jump.

I narrowed my eyes at the door. "You wouldn't hear it if you were not listening to me get ready." His low growl came through the door and filled me with a satisfied feeling. "Glad to know you agree."

"You'd best be dressed," he said as he barged into the room. I continued brushing my hair. He crossed his arms and glared at me.

"Bad dog, stop looking at me, I don't have any scraps."

"Lass, you really should mind yourself."

I turned to look at him and sat the brush down. "Aw, does the poor, wee pup have his tail in a knot?" I went to walk past him, only to have him grab my arm.

"Enough with the dog comments."

"Or what? You're going to park at me? I'm so afraid of a big mutt that I'm quivering. And do not even try giving me puppy eyes, mutt, it won't-" his lips were in mine in a second, hard and demanding. His hand was on the back of my head, holding me in place.

He ended the kiss as quickly as he'd started it. "I said enough." He glared at me before letting go and walking out if the room.

Shock held me in place for insulted a second before I stormed after him. "This isn't over, you bloody mutt! What in the bloody h*** do you think you're doing kissing me? It's not propper!"

"Propoer? You call me names and constantly insult me in my own castle, and you want to talk about how I'm not propper?"

"You deserve it."

"Oh, yeah? And you thinknyou don't deserve to be put in your place as well?"

"My place is above you."

He grabbed my arms and pulled me up on my toes to look him in the eye. "Your place is below me, lass. I am a king; you are but a princess, a lass. Your mother is below my station. You are below everyone in this castle if I say so." He let go and turned away from me.

"I'll be d***ed if I'm ever below you. I'm not below any man simply because I'm a lass."

He turned back to face me, "you are only as good a d a man tells you; it's how the world is."

I slapped him across the face. "Never speak to me like that again."

His eyes darkened and he stepped closer to me. "Never hit me again, lass." He cupped my cheek and stroked his thumb over my jaw. "I've never hit you, I expect the same."

"No, you just kidnapped me and told me I'm worthless for being a lass."

Pain flashed in his eyes and a hint of guilt. "I didn't mean it that way. I just need you to realize you're not above me just because you're a vampire."

"It's what I've always been taught."

"You've been taught wrong." He was still stroking my jaw, so I reached up and pulled his hand away from my face. "Let's put this behind us, alright, lass?"

"Sure." I stepped away from him and we began walking in silence. My lips still tinglrd from his kiss. Anger pulsed through me, but I kept my mouth shut. It wouldn't do me any good to argue with him right now.

We were half way to the great hall when he sighed and asked, "are you still angry with me, lass?"

"Go back to scratching your flees and stop asking stupid questions, mutt."

He glared at me. "Lass, I thought you were going to stop that."

"You keep barking at me and I don't want to hear it, dog."

"Lass, stop right now."

"Why, so you can wag your tail a bit after spending one night locking your wounds?"

"Listen, you little bloodsucking hellion, I'm done with your games, do you understand?"

"Bloodsucking hellion? Really? That coming from a bloodsucking hellhound? Or have you forgotten about your better half?"

"Neither half is better than the other. You are pushing me too far, lass."

"That depends on how long your tie is, mutt."

"Lass," he growled.

"Dog," I retorted. He had me pinned against the wall in an instant, his teeth bared as he growled at me. "Bad dog," I breathed.

"Do you really want to keep pushing me, lass?" He asked as he pressed into me, securing my body to the wall.

"You're all bark and no bite," I said as I glared at him.

"Do the insults never stop with you?"

I hissed at him. "Let me go.'

"Are you going to stop with the insults?" He growled.

"Why should I? It's so easy to insult you."

"I'm warning you, lass, I'll not put up with this behavior much longer."

"You just keep growling with your tail between your leg-" He kissed me again, holding me tightly against against wall, his teeth nipping at my bottom lip.

He pulled away and glared at me. "I'll not apologize for that time, lass, you knew it was coming." I glared at him, breathing heavily as insults burned on the tip.of my tongue. "Now let's go to the great hall and see if you cannot act like the civilized lass you are." He stepped away from me and walked off without even looking back.

I held in my hiss and followed him, glaring holes in his back. The man was the single most infuriating man I'd ever met; even if he were a d*** good kisser. I walked into the great hall seething with anger. Alex gave us one look before smiling and shaking his head. Eallair turned to look at me and I narrowed my eyes at him before pointedly averting my gaze.

Upon reaching the table, Alex stood and pulled out a seat for me. "Here ye are, m'lady. I would ask what had ye upset on this fine morning, but I think I already know." He glanced at Eallair, then back at me. "How did ye sleep, lass?"

"As well as I could in a strange bed, thank you."

"It's not a strange bed anymore, lass, you've been here for two nights." Said Eallair.

"And two nights makes a strange place home to someone?" I shot back.

"No, it makes it a known place."

I rolled my eyes and looked back at Alex. "What do you think, Alex? Is this a strange place to me still?"

"I'm not sure, lass. The castle is still strange to you, seeing as you've not explored it yet, but the bed, well, I think you may have had a wee bit if time to get used to it now."

I frowned. "Why are you not help today?"

"I'm sure if he'd thought of it, Eallair would have you eat first before confronting you about anythibg."

"I don't think he would have, I think he just wants to rub things in my face."

"Stop talking about me as if I'm not here," Eallair growled. "You're both making me angry."

I raised a brow. "Would you act here as you did before when angered?"

"If you push me too far, I will drag you from this hall kicking and screaming."

"So you're not brave enough to 'punish' me in front of your clan?"

"I could let Gwen find a way to punish you. Just asked Alex, she is very good at getting back at others for acting poorly."

"And how would she get back ar you you what you did to me?"

"I don't think it's any of her business what I do, seeing as I'm her king."

"Cousin, I would stop right there I'd ye know what's good for you." Gwen walked up to us at just that moment. "Here I was, thinking I would enjoy a meal with my.pack, and I find the two of you bickering like a couple of babes."

"I think I have the right to bicker at him for what he did."

"Not here, lass. We'll talk later." She looked pointedly at Alex and Eallair.

"Gwen, you really shouldn't leave her alone while she is here," Eallair said as he pulled out a seat for her.

"I don't think I need to hear what you did either, I think I already know," she said with narrowed eyes. "I also think I know why you did it." She glanced at me, then back at Eallair. Alex snickered and she turned her glare on him. "I should hope you're not making things worse, but then you're my brother."

"Yes, and you always have to ruin my fun."

"You're missing the point. Your fun always causes trouble, trouble that comes back to me. If you could keep it out of my way, then maybe, I would be less likely to get involved."

"Even when it doesn't affect you, you get involved."

I looked at a man sitting a few seats opposite me and asked, "do they always act like this?"

His eyes widened a bit, and he glanced at Eallair, who was rubbing between his eyes. "Yes, they are twins after all."

"Twins?"

"Yes, it's common with werewolves, lass, now leave Gregor alone," Eallair interrupted our conversation.

"I wasn't bothering him, I was but asking a question."

"One you could have easily asked me."

"Yes, but that would mean I want to talk to you."

"Then why are you talking to me now?"

I gritted my teeth. "Because you started the conversation."

"What are you going to do with her today, Eallair?" Gwen asked before anymore could be said.

Eallair let out a disgusted sigh and looked at Gwen. "I haven't figured that out yet. I was thinking that I would show her the castle."

"You're assuming I wish to spend my time with you," I said as I spread some honey on my bread.

"And you assume you have a choice."

"I believe I do. I can sir in my room all day and read." I watched as he smiled. "Then again, I think you might like that too much. I might just spend the day seeing your castle and annoying you."

"Be warned now, lass, my temper is still short today."

I smiled at him and turned to Alex. "Alex, would you like to join us?"

"I would love to, but I have to train with the men."

"Surly that will not take all day?" I asked in a sweet voice.

He shrugged. "I might be able to spend a wee bit of time with you."

"Alex," Gwen said in a warning tone, "Stay out if this."

"What am I doing but spending time with our cousin and his guest?"

"Alex, for once, will you listen to your sister?" Eallair asked in irritability.

"So you don't want to spend time with me now? I'm hurt." Alex said in a false tone as he winked at me.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, denying him the right to spend time with you," I said in his defense.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say the two of you were smitten with one another." Gwen said as she ate her breakfast.

"Alex and I have a common enjoyment of tormenting Eallair," I said pointedly.

"Yes, and you know I'll not be showing her the castle with Eallair today, it's but fun to make him think so," Alex informed Gwen with a hint of anger.

"Would the two of you stop it? It's my castle, and I'll not have you acting like I have no control in things," Eallair said angrily.

"Must you ruin my fun?" I asked in a sulky tone.

"Unless you find another way to have fun, yes."

"Tell me something about yourself, lass," Gwen interjected before another fight could start.

"I like to read." I answered.

"What kind of books?"

"Anything. Do you read?"

"Not much. Eallair does though, that's why he has the library."

"Yes, he told me."

"What else, you don't get such a personality from reading a few books?"

"My father is overprotective and hot-headed; I suppose I get a lot of my personality from him."

"Does he spend a lot of time with you?"

"Not really. He spends most of his time talking to his soldiers and advisors."

"Do they train often?"

"On a nightly basis."

"Do you get outside much?"

"No, my dad doesn't even like me going outside at night."

"It's because you're a lass; men think of us as fragile."

"Yes," I glanced at Eallair, "they also seem to think we should let them make all the decisions for us."

"That is the way of the world."

"Did you hear that, Eallair? I never thought this day would xome," Alex said in mock astonishment.

"I know, I think I'm stunned," Eallair said in the same tone.

"The two of you can stop now," Gwen said.

"I knew it wouldn't last," Alex said disappointedly.

"We should have seen it coming," Eallair chuckled.

"What part of the castle were you thinking of showing her first?" Asked Gwen.

"Since I've already shown her some of the lower levels, I was thinking of showing her through a few of the other wings of the castle."

"Oh joy, I get to see where the servants sleep." I said in a dull voice.

"Actually, I was thinking I would show you the art wing and the battle hall."

"Battle hall?"

"Ye, we have a hall full of paintings of great battles win by my dad and his before him."

"I thought where would live forever like vampires."

"We can if we don't get killed or catch plague."

"Plague?"

"We are able to catch things that mortal's catch and we can die from them."

"Vampires don't catch such things. I don't know about myself, since I am half mortal, but I know that my dad is very old."

"Does the age make him stronger?"

"It makes him smarter. He has seen nearly everything and what he hadn't seen the other kings have."

"Other kings?"

"Yes, other kings. You think one man can stay king forever? We have several kings, one king rules for a century, before another king takes over."

"How much longer does your dad have before another king takes over?"

"Until I get married. Matthew was chosen to be the next king; the other kings all had to agree to it. They see me as a way to create more abilities and Matthew has been adviser to half the kings."

"How many do you have?"

"That, I won't tell you. How was your Kingdom set up?"

"Since we can breed, we simply step down when the next generation is ready to become king. Once I have a son, my time is king is limited."

"Then as long as you don't have puppies, you can rule forever."

"I'll ignore the puppy comment for now. All kings have children, it's only a matter of time. We are always expected to take a mate."

"And you keep the same mate for life, or just as long as you find her useful?"

"A werewolf mates for life, lass. What about vampires, do they take only one wife?"

I gritted my teeth. My dad only has one wife and he loves her."

"But not all the vampires are like that, are they, lass? Some may have more than one wife?"

"The ones that are too full of desire for more do."

"Will you be Matthew's first wife?"

"If I do become his wife, I will encourage him to take five more, so that he will spend less time bothering me."

"Really?"

"You think I won't find a way out?"

"I don't think you agree with a man having more than one wife, is all."

"If the first wife is unhappy with the idea of another, then I do not agree with it."

"I'm not sure you can have a both ways, lass."

"Who are you to say what I can and can't have?"

"Calm down, I was just pointing out the problem with what you're telling me."

"I don't want to get married in the first place so what's the point of this discussion?"

"You started the conversation."

"Would you chew your fleas and leave me alone?"

The table went silent as he slammed his fist on it. "Can we not have one conversation in which you do not insult me? I'm tired of it. You'd best start respecting me, or I'll treat you like a true prisoner instead of a guest!"

"You're using me! I'm nothing more than a means to an end for you!"

"Maybe we should all just take a deep breath and talk about something else," Gwen offered.

"No, I'm curious as to what hes going to say," I said crossing my arms.

"You are means to an end. As long as I have you, your dad won't simply attack."

"And you expect me to take that happily?"

"I am also an escape for you. You told me yourself that the longer you are captive here, the less time you have to spend with Mathew."

"Yes, but you haven't done me any favours by taking me, because now, as soon as I go back, they will lock me up inside that castle for the rest of eternity."

"And they would not have done that after finding out you smoke out to begin with?"

"They wouldn't have found out! You ruined everything! Next time you think of doing me a favour, try chasing your tail until you fall over."

He abruptly stood up and pulled my chair back. "Get up."

"Why should I," I asked stubbornly as I glared at him.

"I'll not ask you again."

"Good, why don't you go do that tail chasing thing I mentioned?" I waved him away and looked in the other direction.

"I warned you," he growled, then threw me over his shoulder and began storming out of the great hall.

"Put me down! You bloody flea bitten, tail chasing, ankle biting, mongrel!" I beat on his back and he bounced me, knocking the breath out of me. "Let go of me!"

"Be silent," he barked as he stomped down the hallway.

"Let me down, now, you bloody b******!"

"Oh, now you stop with the dog comments? I would be shocked, but I think I'm too p****d to care."

I beat on his back. "Let me down or I'll have to bite you!"

"You bite me, and I'll bite you back, lass, do you really want that?"

I hissed at him, and pushed myself up on his back, twisting around trying to see where we were headed. "Where are you taking me," I demanded.

"I'm taking you to my chambers. Once there, you will stay there. I'll have a meal delivered for you and one for me. I'm going to torture you, lass."

"If you torture me, my dad will never agree to anything less than your head!"

"I didn't say I was going to harm you. I'm going to keep you locked in that room with me all day."

"You cannot, it's not proper!"

"Neither is your language, but you seem to have no trouble talking the way you do."

"Because you are a werewolf!"

Eallair's P.O.V.

I suppressed the growl and kicked open my door instead. Once in the room, I dumped her in a chair, and putting my hands on either side of her, leaned down into her face. "I'll not have this any longer lass. It's gone long enough. You will start to respect me or you will stop talking all together. Do you understand me?"

She glanced at the door then back at me. "Since you're already angry, I don't think I'll stop just yet, mutt." She glanced back at the door.

"Stop looking at the bloody door! Look at me." I pulled her chin so she was looking directly at me. "I'll not stand for this any longer, are we clear?" I demanded in a low voice.

She took a deep breath and glared at me. "I understand you," she said tightly.

"Good." I straightened and walked to the door.

"I didn't say I would stop," she said evenly behind me. I gritted my teeth and walked out, locking the door behind me.

I walked back to the great Hall to find when and Alex standing at the entrance having a quiet argument. "Stop," I growled. They both looked up at me in surprise. "Gwen, would you see to it that meals are sent to my room for Catriona and I for the rest of the day?"

"You can't have her in your room!"

I growled. "I'll have it done myself."

"Eallair, she was out if line in how she acted, but you can't just lock her in your room with you for the rest of her time here."

"She will be going back to the tower at the end of the day, but until then, she will have to be with the one person she wishes to spend the least time with. Now, will you do as I asked or not?"

I watched as she tied into her jaw. "Fine, I'll check in every hour, to be sure you haven't killed each other."

"Thank you," I turned and walked back to my room. Catriona was staring out the window with her arms crossed when I walked in. She didn't even glance up at me. "This is what will happen every time you misbehave in front of my pack."

She turned her glare on me. "You think it will do any good? There's nothing you can do to make me happy about being here."

"What happened to you welcoming the break from your dad and Mathew?"

"You want to know what happened to that? You happened. You give me no more freedom than my own dad, and your will only cause more trouble."

"Do you see the future?"

She snorted. "That's a stupid question. If I could see the future do you think I would be having this discussion with you?"

"Then how can you know what will happen?"

"Because I'm not stupid. Anyone with half a brain would understand that."

"Then maybe that's the problem. I don't have half a brain, I have a whole one, and it says that I have a better chance of getting things done this way."

"Then your whole brain is a way little one."

"I think you would stop pushing me."

"Really? And what are you going to do, lock me in some dark hole?"

"That's one idea do you have any more?"

"You're such an a**, you know that?"

"You know, I never thought anyone would be braver than Gwen or my mom when it came to talking to me, but you are either that, or very stupid."

"We've already determined I'm not the stupid one here."

"Oh, and you think that because I captured you, I'm not as intelligent as you are? I would think that, had you been smarter than me, you wouldn't have been captured so easily."

"I didn't want to be there anymore than I want to be here," she said in a cold voice and turned back to the window.

"Then where do you want to be? Where could you go, your vampire?"

"Half."

"Still, you can only handle a weed bit of sunlight, and you need some form of blood to survive. Where would you go. You couldn't live among humans, they would discover and kill you."

"I would live on my own."

"Where, some cave? How would you survive the winters? How would you eat? What would you do for clothing?"

"I didn't mean like that. I mean I would live like a commoner, in a cottage on my own, where I can do what I want, when I want."

"That will never happen for you."

"Who are you to tell me what will and won't happen?"

"I am a king, who knows that no matter how bad royalty wishes to be normal, you will never get away from what you are; it's not possible."

"Do you have to ruin everything? Can't you just leave me alone," she demanded angrily as she stared out the window.

"You wanna be alone, fine, I'll leave you alone. I'll be back later." I walked out the door, locking it behind m, and walked down the hall to the library, and cursed as I saw Alex.

"I have a suggestion."

"I'm sure you do," I said without looking at him.

"Why don't you keep the lass in the library all day?"

"The library doesn't lock."

"If you're with her, does it need to?"

I considered this for a moment. "I'll not have you coming in and talking with her. I'm trying to teach her a lesson and you seem to encourage her to be rebellious."

"Then I'll stay away except to bring you your meals."

"No, you'll let the kitchens take care of it," I said, giving him a sideways glance.

"I'll just go get her then."

"No, you'll not," I said before he could even turn to leave. "I want her to sit and stew a while, then I'll go get her."

"Right, I'll just be going about my business for the day." He said as he left.

Catriona's P.O.V.

It was only about 30 minutes later when Eallair came back. I didn't turn around d as he came in; I didn't want to see his face. I just stood there, looking out the window.

"We're going to the library, come along."

Turning, I glared at him, "I'm not some dog to be called."

I watched as he tightened his jaw. "Catriona, please follow me to the library."

"Or what? You'll drag ne there like you did here?"

"Yes. I thought that maybe, you'd wish to be out of my room, and in the library, where you can at least read."

I narrowed my eyes and walked over to the open door. "Fine." I followed him to the library, deciding it was big enough I could stay far from him.

"Maybe, after today, you'll learn to show me a little respect."

I gritted my teeth and suppressed the urge to tell him just how much respect he needed. Once in the library, I snagged a book, not caring what it was. I didn't look at him as I walked to the window and curled up on the ledge.

"I'm going to make you move when the sun gets too high," Eallair said from across the room.

"I don't care what you say, and wish you'd shut up," I stated as I opened the book.

"If you don't show me respect before the day is out, we'll do this again tomorrow," he warned.

"As interesting as that is, I'm trying to read, so if you'd kindly be quiet, I'd appreciate it."

"Watch yourself, lass."

I let out a deep breath, expressing my agitation. "I did say KINDLY be quiet, what else do you want from me? Shall I beg?"

"You're attitude needs work, Catriona. Read your book." He sat down behind his desk. I narrowed my eyes and once again suppressed the urge to insult him.

I was deep into the book by the time I yawned, feeling exhausted. That's when Eallair cleared his throat. I jumped at fining him right next to me, I hadn't heard him approach.

"It's time to move away from this window. The ones on the other side are the safest; sunlight doesn't come directly through them."

"You worry too much, I'm fine."

Narrowing his eyes, he crossed his arms. "Lass, you were yawning, you're pale, and were startled when I made no attempt to be quiet in my approach. Move the the other side of the library."

I closed my book and stood up to tell him again I was fine, but when I gained my feet, my head began to spin. Had it not been for his hand on my elbow, I may have fallen back on the seat. "Maybe you should lay down, lass," he said as he wrapped his arm around me and led me from the window.

"I just need to sit down out of the sun and I'll be fine."

"For once would you not argue, and just lay down? Our lunch will be here soon, just rest until it gets here. If you feel better after you eat, then I'll let you sit in another window."

I didn't have the energy to argue. "Fine." I stretched out on the couch. The concern etched on his face had me thinking of my father, wondering how he was taking all this. When the time came, would he listen to Eallair?