Blood of the Highland Moon

chapter 3: Mother

Eallair's P.O.V.

"I see. Where do you keep captives?"

I looked at her and smiled. "Currently, in the tower room."

She noured her eyes at me, "other captives."

"There are still cells and other parts of the castle. I have a very large castle."

She was silent for a moment. "Would you show me the castle?"

I was momentarily shocked by her request, then realised what she was doing. "I'll show you most of it, but I'll not show you any way in or out that is not obvious."

"So all I'll have to do is go where you do not take me."

"Every way in or out is guarded, it would do you know good."

"Then why not show me all of the castle?" She pushed.

"Maybe I'll show you everything once I trust you."

"I'll not be here long enough for us to trust each other."

"Are you so sure of that?"

"Yes, I'll never trust you, and my father will be on his way as soon as he receives word that you have me."

"You seem to trust Alex."

"No, I do not trust him. I know he tells you everything I tell him. I don't tell him anything that could help you."

"Except that your father Mason Matthew instead of coming himself." I offered.

"That will help me in the long run for you to know that. I do not wish the fighting to be at my door." She elaborated.

"Yes, and I am bringing it to my own door."

"Yes you are."

Catriona's P.O.V.

Eallair led me down winding steps to what looked like a normal castle floor without windows. We walked up to a door where he knocked and waited. A stunningly beautiful woman opened the door. She had long blonde hair and looked to be around 20. She smiled at Eallair and then me.

"Well, I was wondering when he'd bring you to see. I am Madeline." The longer I looked at her, the more I saw Eallair her. "I'd hoped that dress would fit you. I have a few more you can borrow until your dad comes to get you."

I looked down at the deep blue dress I was wearing. "This is yours? It is very beautiful, thank you for allowing me to borrow it."

She waved away my thanks. "Tell me, has my son treated you well?" She glanced at him with a motherly scorn.

"Yes, aside from the kidnapping, he has been very kind to me. I find him irritating at times, but he has given me a nice room, and allows me to eat with everyone."

She looked puzzled. "How do you eat with everyone, the great Hall is full of windows?"

"I'm only half vampire and can handle indirect sunlight."

"Really?" Her eyes widened. "I thought my son was the only half vampire in the world."

"It's nice to see you too, Mother," Eallair said as he leaned against the door frame.

"Oh hush." She waved him off. "Tell me, how are you half?"

"My mom. She was a mortal when my father fell in love with her. He didn't change her until after I was born."

"Interesting. You know I was mortal when I met Eallair's father? It wasn't until I was ready to burst that I was changed into a vampire. I insisted on going for a walk after dark for some reason." She set it all with a smile but her eyes held a haunted look.

"You shouldn't have been attacked. You shouldn't have been changed." I said feeling shame for my kind.

"I think he knew I was the werewolf Queen. There's a work going on, things happen." She shrugged and turned to walk back into her room. "Come, sit down with me." She sat at a small table.

I walked in with Eallair and sat at the table across from her. He kissed her forehead before sittin down. "You don't need to tell her these things, mother."

"I was just making conversation. Tell me about yourself, what's your name?"

"Catriona, my father is king of the vampires, and this is the first time I've ever been kidnapped."

"You're taking it very well." She said with an amused smile.

"I've learned to handle anything that happens in my life."

"That doesn't sound good, why should you learn that?" She asked him concern.

"My father has engaged me to a man I do not wish to marry. My mother shows little emotion and expects me to do the same, and my father is afraid of every little thing hurting me, and will not let me out in the daylight."

"Things like that happened all the time. When Eallair was little, we never let him outside; we thought he would burn to death. Then, one day, he snuck out, and we found him playing with Alex in the full sun. He was perfectly fine but I am still worried."

"Yes, well, even though my father knows I can handle the sunlight, he tries keeping me from it."

"It's only normal; he cares about you."

"If he cares about me, then why is he making me marry a man I do not wish to marry?"

"Does he trust this man?"

"Yes, but I don't." I told her.

"Have you told him this?"

"No, he would ignore me; Matthew is his adviser."

"You should talk to him, tell him you do not wish to marry this Matthew, and see if he listens to you. He is making you marry because he wants Matthew to take over, right?"

"That, andMatthew asked for my hand."

"Can you not tell your father just to let Matthew have to thrown without you marrying him?"

"No, he would never accept that; I must be married and hes hoping I'll have children."

"I don't know what to tell you." She said, getting up.

"It's best to stop discussing things we cannot change." Eallair added.

"Yes, well, tell me, do you have to drink what the way I do?" Madeline asked.

"No I can eat undercooked meat and be sustained."

"I wish it was that easy for me. Did you know that I survive on animal blood?"

"Mother," Eallair said an exasperation.

"Really? I know some vampires drink it on occasion, but I thought you needed human blood, too."

"I've not had human blood a single time. I think that because I was pregnant with a werewolf, I'm a little different from other vampires."

"Fascinating."

"I hate interrupt, but the table is set." Alex had popped his head into the room. He smiled from ear to ear and walked over to Madeline. "Aunt Madeline, you look lovely tonight."

"Always such a charmer. He really is the sweetest man you'll ever meet, but hes the most mischievous as well." Madeline said as she looked at me.

"I admit I'd like to be involved in everything." Alex said with a shrug.

"That's why I ask you first and others later." Eallair said as he stood, offering his arm to his mother. "Shall we?"

"You should offer your arm to Catriona first," she scolded as she took his arm.

"She wouldn't take it, she does not like to be touched." He told her.

"He's right," I smiled at her and got up. We headed to the great hall as a group. Moonlight streamed in through the windows, and I sat in the same seat I had earlier, with Madeleine across from me on the other side of Eallair. Ignoring Eallair through most of the meal, I talked to his mother instead.

My food had been cut for me like he'd promised. My finger had healed without a trace already; one of the perks of being part vampire. At least now I knew how much it bothered Eallair to smell my blood.

I would have to wait until his mother wasn't around to torment him from now on. I didn't want to upset her; I rather liked her, and not just because she was a vampire. She had the kind of personality that just drew a person in. I wondered what she did all day when she was alone and reminded myself to ask Alex about it later. I didn't want to ask Eallair, and I didn't want to ask Madeleine, in case it was a sensitive subject. It wasn't that I cared if it was sensitive to him, just that I didn't want him to know I cared. After dinner, Eallair walked me back to the tower room. I'd half expected Alex or Madeline to come along, but they hadn't.

"Do you know how to read?"

"Of course I do, I'm not uneducated."

He raised a brow. "I didn't mean it in that way. I was asking because I thought you may like a book to read."

"Oh, that would be nice." That was something I hadn't expected.

"This way." Turning down another Hall we quickly came to a set of double doors. "This is the library." He opened the doors and I was speechless. There were books wall to wall, climbing to the ceiling. "What do you like, poetry, perhaps?" He walked to a shelf, pulled off a book, and handed it to me.

"I like everything, reading whatever I can get my hands on."

He smiled at me, "you are like me and that."

"You don't strike me as the kind of person to read a lot."

"I'm full of surprises." He smiled. "Let's get you to your room, I have a few things to take care of."

"Thank you," I said, looking at the book.

He arched a brow. "Are you going to start being nice to me now?"

"If I say no, will you take the book back?"

"No, I was just hoping."

"Keep hoping." I turned to leave the room, but he caught my elbow.

"It would be much easier for both of us if you would accept this all."

"I have to accept too much already." I pulled myself from his hold and took a step back.

He sighed. "I'll see you to your room then."

"You don't have to lock me in, I don't know where I am."

"Yes, but you promise to kill me, I cannot wake up with a knife to my throat, and have my plans succeed."

I rolled my eyes. "I'll not kill you in your sleep. I want you to know it's coming."

"We'll see, for tonight, however, I'm locking you in."

I shrugged. "Very well, I'll just have to pick the lock after you leave."

He smiled. "I doubt that." He walked me back to my room. "Good night, Catriona."

"Just lock me in and go about your business." I walked to the bed with the book and adjusted the pillows. He sighed, closclosing the door, and I tried not to hear the click as he locked it.

Eallair's P.O.V.

"Eallair, you didn't really lock her in her room?" Mother asked in astonishment.

"Yes, mother; she is a captive."

"You could have at least let her socialise a bit longer," she scolded.

"I gave her a book to read, she told me she loves reading."

"I still don't like it," she said pointedly.

"I'll not lock her in tomorrow, but at night, I don't think it's a good thing for her to explore."

"He is right, aunt Madeline. What if she were to wander outside and get lost? She has no clue where she is," Alex said in my defence.

"Thank you, Alex."

"I can see I'll get nowhere with you to night," mother sat as she put her hands on her hips. She walked to the bookcase and pulled out a book of poems from the same shelf I've gotten one for Catriona. I yawned and sealed up the document I'd been working on. "Go to bed, this will be here for you in the morning; you have been travelling and need your rest."

I smiled. "Of course mother you are right I can hear my bed calling my name right now." I kissed her on the forehead and sought out my bed. Once under the blankets I fell into a deep slumber.

The next morning, I walked to the tower, somehow, without Alex tagging along. I knocked, only to get no answer. When I opened the door and walked to the bed, Catriona was tossing and turning. "Catriona, wake up," I said gently.

"No-" She said in a sleep strugged voice.

"Catriona, please wake up," I asked a little impatiently.

"I told you no, you're hurting me!" Her voice was strained, that's when I realised she was trapped in a nightmare.

"Catriona, come on, wake up lass." I lightly touched her face.

"I don't want to marry him," she said as a tear rolled down her cheek.

I brushed the tear from her face. "Shh, it's just a dream. Wake up."

"Why," she asked, as another tear rolled down her cheek.

I shook her this time, "Catriona! Wake up, it's just a dream."

Her eyes flew open and I brushed that other tear from her cheek. "What are you doing," she demanded and swiped at my hand.

"You were having a nightmare. I came to wake you up for breakfast."

She sat up and held her head in her hands. "My eyes water when I sleep," she said defensively.

I decided it was best not to tell her I knew it was a lie. "Mine sometimes do that as well." She dropped her hands and glared at me, but before she could say anything, I pointed to the vanity in the room. "I brought you another dress to change into. I'll be in the hall when you're ready." I got up and left the room.

She didn't want me to know she'd been crying in her sleep. How was I supposed to handle her? Everything I did, she turned into an injustice. If I couldn't get her to agree to talk to her father when I released her, then nothing would work. I paced the hall, thinking.

"I'm ready." The deep purple gown she wore set off her dark hair and luminous eyes. I'd never seen my mother in the gown, and couldn't imagine her in it now, nor, the one from the day before, either.

"You look lovely," I offered my arm, knowing she wouldn't take it.

"You look like the same mud king you did yesterday." She started walking down the hall.

I wouldn't let her get to me. "Did you enjoy the book of poetry?"

"Yes, but it smelled of dog after you touched it."

I rolled my eyes. "There are plenty more books in the library, you can pick one out this time, so that I don't cause it to smell of dog."

"Really, I thought that was the only book you had." The sarcasm was thick in her voice.

"I do wish you would stop trying to irritate me."

"Why, is it working?"

"Not at the moment, but it wouldn't be good for you to get under my skin."

"You think I care? You're but a mutt to me."

"I thought we talked about this. I don't call you a leech."

"Because you're one too. I'm not part mut so I can call you that."

I shook my head. "Lass, you really shouldn't antagonize me."

"Do you wish me to leave you alone to lick your wounds?"

"I only do that in wolf form."

"Truly, you look like a bloody animal to me now."

I rubbed my chin. "I don't see it; I'm clean shaven."

"You're a mutt nonetheless."

"You would feel differently if you saw me in my wolf form."

"Yes, I would think you even smellier."

"I do not smell."

"You smell like dog."

"Then you think Alex smells like dog, too."

"No, I think it's because he does not roll on things."

"I do not roll in things, not even as a wolf."

"You smell like you do."

"Catriona," I said in a warning voice.

"Just because you say my name threateningly doesn't mean I'm going to listen to you. I'm already a prisoner."

"You'd best stop."

"What is the princess doing now?" Alex chimed as he rounded the corner to walk with us.

"She's trying to get under my skin."

"No, I'm trying to get him to clean his skin; he smells like I mutt."

Alex sniffed himself, "do I smell like a mutt?"

"No,I think it's because you don't roll in things."

"Neither does Eallair; you must be smelling something else."

"I only smell it when hes around." She countered.

"Because you're imagining things." I stated.

She shrugged. "So Alex, how was your evening after I left?"

"Dreadfully boring. You're quite entertaining with the way you bigger with him."

"The two of you are unbelievable! You're both trying to get under my skin, and I've not even eaten yet!"

"You'll have to forgive me for not feeling sorry," Catriona said with a smile.

"He's right, let's not team of against him before hes eaten. A werewolf on an empty stomach is not as much fun as a stuffed one."

"How is that? I think it'd be easier to agitate him when he was hungry."

"He is, that's the problem; hes not a challenge."

"I don't care if it's a challenge, as long as I can irritate him."

"You're on your own until after he eats."

"You're not helping Alex," I gritted out.

"I can't stop her anymore than you can."

"You're not even trying!"

"Because he knows it would only pick me against him as well." She smiled at Alex, "you wouldn't want that, now would you?"

"Catriona,be careful what you suggest it's my castle."

"And?"

"And you should not try pitting my cousin against his king."

"You know I'm never truly against you," Alex said with a smile.

"I won't try pitting your cousin against you, but I'll also not turn down his help bothering you."

I shot a glare both of them just before we entered the great hall. "You know, I've been nothing but kind to you this morning, and you have done nothing but insult me in turn."

She shrugged, "I'm not looking for you to be nice to me."

"Then what is it that you want, because I can't let you go."

"There is nothing you can do. This is the first I've been able to speak my mind without my father ordering me quiet. Since you are the enemy I do not have to listen to you."

"I have a hard time believing that you listen to your father."

"It took me a while to learn to listen, but he still can't completely control me, and he knows it."

"Is that right?"

"Yes. I should have listened to him though, and stayed in the castle that night you captured me."

"You were making an escape of your own?"

"Yes, I'd been locked away for weeks, thanks to Matthew."

"What did he do?" I asked.

"He told my father it was too dangerous for me to go out, when I didn't need to hunt like the rest of them."

"Looks like he was right."

He was angry with me and it's his fault this happened. If I'd not have to sneak out, then I wouldn't have been kidnapped."

"I thought it was my fault," I said an amusement.

"Partially."

"How did you anger him?"

"You think I'm going to tell you?"

"It's not that bad of a question for me to ask."

"It's personal."

"Then I'll leave it alone." I begin eating ending conversation.

"Alex, is Madeline alone all day until dinner?"

"Yes, but as when she sleeps," I told her before Alex could.

"I wasn't asking you."

"She is my mother."

"Yes, and you are the only man here who upsets me."

"I'm not trying to upset anyone."

"Too bad."

"I think this has gone far enough for now lass, let's just eat." Alex said any soothing voice.

"Don't tell me you're giving up so easily," Catriona asked Alex.

"It's not wise to push a werewolf too far, and arguing about his mother is not right."

"Fine," she sighed and glared at me as she ate.

"Why does she listen to you and not me, I'm just as nice as you are?" I looked at Alex who only shrugged.

"It's because the lass has a sensitive spot for one of you," oneof my men close by said with a smirk.

Catriona histed him. "I haven't gotta say to the spot for either of them."

"Catriona!" I barked. "You'll not hiss at anyone in my castle!"

She turned her glare on me. "It's what I do, I'm a vampire. You scratch yourself and I hiss it people."

"You'll not do it anymore." I held her eyes as they crackled with anger.

She turned to the man she'd hissed at. "I am sorry I lost my temper with you, when it's your king who kidnapped me, he deserves all of my rage."

"Catriona," I said through gritted teeth.

"I do not like being locked up, or forced to do things against my will, it's why I am going to fight you every step of the way." She didn't even look up from her plate as she said this.

"You have no choice, I've already told you I'll make it as easy on you as possible. I even decided last night that I would show you around the castle and allow you to be out of your room today."

She looked up at me, a mixture of emotions in her eyes, but her face was made of stone, expressionless. "You've still kidnapped me."

"Yes, and when I send word to your father, it will be but a week before you are free."

Her eyes narrowed. "You mean, you didn't send word yesterday when we arrived?"

"I will send word soon."

"You'll do it today."

"I'll do it when I see fit. Your father will not expect you here for a few days yet, I'll wait no longer than that. I thought, in light of the circumstances you are under, a few more days away from your betrothed would make you happy."

She glared at me for another moment. "You will send word by the end of the week?"

"Yes, now eat, before your food gets cold."

Catriona's P.O.V.

Eallair did indeed show me around parts of the castle. He informed me that I would be spending the day with him, which meant I world be going outside at some point. I bit back about half of my insults so he wouldn't change his mind. By the time lunch came, I was ready to burst. I'd held back so many insults I'd thought if throughout the day.

"Are you enjoying yourself a bit?" Alex asked as he sat down next to me.

"Yes, following Eallair around as if I should be on a leash is very exciting," I said in a dull voice.

Alex gave a small laugh. "At least you do not have to stay locked in your room."

"Not my room, the tower; I refuse to call it my room because then it becomes more permanent. You know, I'm not the dog and yet I'm still the one on a leash."

"It's the only way I can keep an eye on you, lass," Eallair said calmly.

"You also said that we would be going outside. That would make this more bearable."

"We will be going after we eat. I need to check up on the training yard. It's not shaded, so we will not stay out very long."

"We could stay in the shade of the castle," I said into my plate. I had to keep from insulting him if I wanted to keep this freedom.

"Lass, that side of the castle is not shaded, I'm sorry."

"You could have taken me there earlier, when it would have been shaded, that way I could have enjoyed a little fresh air,"I snapped.

"The training yard is never shaded."

"Fine any fresh air I can get will have to do." I calmed myself down by telling myself that it was more than my father would allow.

"I do believe you are ready to explode," Alex commented.

"Alex, please do not torment her." Eallair glared at him.

"I was but giving her the opportunity to unwind."

"Thank you, Alex," I smiled. I turned to Eallair, "will you lock me in the tower tomorrow?"

"I don't think so. You haven't been too difficult since I informed you of your freedom today."

"Shake on it." I held out my hand.

"Shake on what?"

"On that you'll not lock me in the tower all day tomorrow."

He leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. "Only if you promise not to go outside without me."

I narrowed my eyes. "I have no clue where I am so it would be pointless to leave the castle without you."

He smiled and shook my hand, "it's a deal then."

"I don't have any other choice." I said bitterly.

"You could stay in the tower until we eat."

"We have a deal now you can't go back on it."

"I'll not lock you up unless you give me no other choice."

"I'll not go outside without you, you can trust me on my word."

"We'll see."

"So you plan on watching me all the time."

"Not personally, but everyone will know you are not to be outside without me."

"Guard dog central," I mumbled before taking a bite.

Alex began laughing. "You couldn't hold it in any longer, could you?"

I smiled and swallowed. "I've been biting back the dog comments all day."

"At least you're not biting others," Alex teased.

"Speaking of biting, how's your hand, Eallair?"

He held up his hand where my teeth had sliced him open the night he'd kidnapped me. "Your wee bite is all gone."

"Pity, I'd hoped who have something to show from all the fighting I did."

"I heal very quickly, just the same as you and my mother do."

"How do you know how quickly I can heal?"

"Where you cut yourself on your fingers completely gone."

I resisted the urge to look at my hand, "you pay a lot of attention."

'I noticed it was gone when you looked at dinner."

"Were you watching to make sure I didn't find another weapon? I intimidate you that much?"

"No you do not intimidate me. I was making sure you did not try spilling your blood with my mother in the room, that would not have been good."

"I know better than to spell blood in front of a full vampire."

"Good, I wouldn't like to think of you as stupid."

"I am much smarter than you can imagine."

"I never underestimate a vampire."

"Good." The rest of the meal went by with me still fighting back insults. He had promised not to lock me back in the tower, but he hadn't promised to take me outside, and I desperately wanted to see the sunshine. I would make the most of my time here.

I followed him outside to the training field. "You should stay back, I don't want you getting hurt. There is a tree over there you can sit under."

Putting my hands on my hips, I glared at him. "I'm not some fragile we last to be coddled."

"I know that, but you are an unarmed vampire princess, in the middle of a sunlit field. You'd best sit under the tree." Before I could say anything to him he walked up to one of the men fighting.

Glaring at his back, I turned and walked over to the tree, deciding that it was a good idea to get out of the direct sun. I be d***ed if I just sat around under the tree though. One more glance at the men told me none of them were watching. I pulled myself into the tree and climbed to a spot where I could stretch out on a thick branch and watch the practice.