The Princess and the Laird Read online

  Table of Contents

  Other Books by C.A. Szarek

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek of The Tartan MP3 Player!

  About the Author

  The Princess and The Laird

  A Highland Secrets Prequel

  By

  C.A. Szarek

  The Princess and The Laird

  C.A. Szarek

  A Highland Secrets Prequel

  All rights reserved

  Copyright © May 2017, C.A. Szarek

  Cover Models: Mikeala Galli and Ahmad Kawsan

  Cover Photo, Design and Art Copyright © 2015, Lindee Robinson Photography

  Edited by Fiona Thomas

  Paper Dragon Publishing

  North Richland Hills, TX

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including, but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Paper Dragon Publishing or the Author.

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-941151-12-9

  Print book ISBN: 978-1-941151-13-6

  Published in the United States of America

  First eBook Edition: May, 2017

  First Print Edition: May, 2017

  Other Books by C.A. Szarek

  The King’s Riders—Epic Fantasy Romance

  Sword’s Call (Book One)—Also in Audio!

  Love’s Call (Book Two)—Also in Audio!

  Rogue’s Call (Book Three)—Coming soon in Audio!

  Fate’s Call (A Novella from the World of the King’s Riders)—Coming soon in Audio!

  Highland Secrets—Historical Fantasy

  The Tartan MP3 Player (Book One)

  The Fae Ring (Book Two)

  The Parchment Scroll (Book Three)

  Highlander’s Portrait (A Highland Secrets Story)

  Highland Valentine (A Highland Secrets Story)—only .99!

  Highland Oath (Highland Treasures Book One)—Coming soon!

  Crossing Forces—Romantic Suspense

  Collision Force (Book One)

  Cole in Her Stocking (A Crossing Forces Christmas)—FREE read!

  Chance Collision (Book Two)

  Calculated Collision (Book Three)

  Collision Control (Book Four)

  Superior Collision (Book Five)

  Anthologies

  Deep in the Hearts of Texas—FREE read!

  Story: Promise (A Crossing Forces Companion)

  Dedication

  To one of my besties, and fab author in her own right, Susie! Thanks for dropping everything and making time to meet Alana and Alex when I was freaking out. (I tend to work in at least 100 freak-outs with every book I write…)

  Chapter One

  “Nay, Alana. ‘Tis foolish. And dangerous.”

  “Then stay here.” She flashed a grin at her cousin’s frown. Of course, as her royal bodyguard, he had to be the voice of reason, but could he not smile? “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

  Xander’s frown slid into a scowl. He patted the sword sheathed at his waist and flexed his iridescent wings. “I’d rather not be forced to kill a hapless human because you need to see their realm.”

  She giggled and flitted around the Fae Warrior. “Nothing bad will happen, cousin.”

  “Famous last words, Your Highness.”

  Alana paused, drawing her brows tight. He only called her by an honorific when she’d tapped into his ire. “Relax.”

  “Nay. I will not. Until you get this idea out of your head.”

  She flopped down on her bed with a sigh. “I have to get out of here.”

  Concern flashed in his eyes and she tried to swallow her sense of triumph.

  I have him now.

  Xander was familiar with the desire to run away. “Did something happen?” He took a step toward her.

  Alana smiled softly and shook her head. “Nay.”

  He narrowed his eyes and titled his head to the side, his white-blond warrior braid shifting with the movement. His hair was tightly plaited, like all Fae Warriors, and her cousin’s fell past his waist, denoting his strength and prestige.

  Like most Fae soldiers, he stood well over six feet, just as broad and muscular. She was short in comparison at about five and a half feet tall—and small for a Fae woman.

  His wings were iridescent, with colors dancing over them as he moved. They were long and elegant, extending a foot or two higher than his already impressive height. Although, looks could be deceiving; Fae Warrior wings appeared delicate, but they were as strong as the men themselves.

  They shuddered and shifted, even though he stood unmoving before her, the slight vibration showing his irritation as sure as his tight shoulders. Xander was still wearing his sword and hunter green armored breastplate, as if he’d come to her from sparring with his brothers-in-arms.

  “I…need to go.”

  His violet stare—just like her own—narrowed even more. “Why?”

  Alana sighed. “I need away. From the castle. From Court. From…Father.”

  “Has he been hassling you about picking a suitor again?”

  She shook her head. “Nay. Not really.”

  Her cousin adjusted his giant weapon and took a seat next to her on the oversized bed. “Then why now? Beltane’s feast is days away.”

  The jewel-encrusted chandelier above them alit, its magic sensing the fading day outside. Rubies, diamonds and sapphires twinkled in the newly magic-born light, adding to the soft glow awakening in her suite. The fireplace, which also had precious gems embedded in the brick, would give birth to a fire soon, warming the room just enough for her to sleep comfortably.

  The opulence of her rooms held little appeal, even though the suite was the only area of the vast Fae palace she’d ever been able to call her own. Her safe place, but as she’d told Xander, she didn’t feel anything but trapped as of late.

  “Exactly. Now is the perfect time to away, when there are so many visitors. When I can manage to not be noticed.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “You are the Crown Princess. No matter the circumstances, your absence will be noticed.”

  “Please do this for me, Xander. With me.”

  “Nay.” Her cousin crossed his arms over his broad chest and leaned away from her.

  “I’ll go without you.” Alana shot to her feet and whirled around, her royal purple gown billowing, but she ignored the moving air that caressed her legs.

  “You will not.” He stood as well, intentionally towering over her, his eyes flashing.

  She glared. “You
will not order me around.”

  “My vow is to protect your life.”

  “As you will. As you always do.”

  “Aye. But I cannot allow you to be so reckless.”

  She sighed and paced in front of him. “The last thing I want is to be cross with you, Xander.”

  His hard expression softened a bit, and he sighed as he sat back on the edge of her bed. “Alana…”

  They were more than cousins. More than guard to princess. They were friends. Best friends. She loved him like the brother she’d never had. They’d been inseparable since they were wee.

  “I love you, too,” she whispered, moving closer so she could hug him.

  He didn’t wrap his arms around her right away—a sure sign she was far from forgiven. But when he embraced her, it was tight.

  Alana pulled away several seconds later, then tugged his face down to press a kiss to his cheek. “I need to do this.”

  “Why?” he asked for the hundredth time.

  She couldn’t put it to words, but she didn’t want to admit that. Nor could she explain the restlessness worming its way from her belly to her limbs. If she didn’t hold herself together, she’d be shaking in front of him. “I just have to.”

  “I don’t like it.”

  “I know.” She rested her hands on his shoulders and met his violet gaze. “I will go without you. Not a threat. It’s a promise.”

  “You won’t.” Xander sighed and broke their eye contact. His tone was resigned.

  Her stomach jumped but she kept her face impassive. If she showed her victory, her cousin would remain irritated with her—or worse, regain his anger. “You’ll go with me, then?”

  “As if I have a choice.” The acquiescence was a mutter, but it was still what she wanted to hear.

  “Thank you, cousin.”

  He grunted.

  She grinned.

  * * * *

  “You still look like a princess.” Xander’s gaze burned as it assessed.

  “I do not. I have on trews and a leine.” Alana spun around, grinning.

  “Of the finest material.”

  She sighed. “You’re not going to lighten up at all, are you?”

  They’d decided to wait until the next morning, but even after a night to sleep on things, her cousin appeared as grumpy as ever.

  She was lucky he’d shown up as agreed upon.

  “Nay.” His voice was hard, and the frown was likely to mar his handsome face permanently at this rate.

  “Cousin, please—”

  “I will do my duty to keep you safe, Your Highness. But I shall not pretend to like this. Or be accepting of your recklessness.”

  “Goddess, you sound like my father.”

  Xander scowled. “Keeping you safe is the only thing he and I agree upon.”

  Alana ignored him and snapped her fingers. A short mantel appeared from nowhere. It was brown—instead of her normal color—royal purple being her favorite shade for its darkness, but she often wore purple of all hues. She donned it, pulling the hood up to cover her head.

  She’d bound her long hair, but her tresses were too fine to stay so; they never did. The cloak fell mid-thigh and would keep her concealed enough, she hoped. “Let’s go to the Faery Stones.”

  “How do you propose to fool the guards? The Stones are spelled against stealth magic.”

  “I know.”

  “Well?” He arched a fair eyebrow.

  “I shall figure it out when we get there.” Alana stepped closer as her cousin snorted. That wasn’t exactly the truth, but she didn’t want to confess everything just yet. He could read minds, so she quickly built mental walls, lest Xander be cross with her. Again.

  “Do you even know where the Stones are in the Human Realm?”

  “Nay. But we shall find out.”

  “If you want an adventure, why the Human Realm? Why don’t we just go to the falls? We can swim in the hot springs, and stay as long as you like.”

  “We’re not children anymore. It won’t satisfy.” She shook her head. “That’s a poor adventure.”

  The caves riddled with natural springs they’d discovered at the Grànnda Falls years ago were private, hidden behind the giant waterfall, but not what she needed. Alana could have a warm bath at home.

  Fae avoided the area because unlike most of the bright colored foliage in their realm, it resembled the muted browns and greens of the Human Realm. Grànnda was the Fae word for ugly. Rumor had it the whole area was cursed.

  “Just fly us to the Field of Light. Please.” She wrapped her arms around his waist.

  Xander flexed his wings. “I will not harm a Fae Warrior for your whims, Alana.”

  “Harm? Who’s going to come to harm?”

  “The guards will not let you just walk to the Faery Stones and do as you please, princess or not. They will not obey any orders to step aside and allow you access. You know that, right?”

  “The area will be unguarded.”

  “How so?” His question was sharp.

  “I…adjusted the schedule.” Her neck warmed, but she made herself maintain his gaze.

  His eyes widened. “My father will not be pleased.”

  Her uncle was captain of the entirety of the king’s soldiers, as well as leader of her father’s personal guard. He was in charge of all Fae watch schedules, for the Faery Stones and the palace alike.

  “Uncle Daegus will not find out. If we hurry. ‘Tis an overlap of an hour. No more. We must go now.”

  “How about when we return?”

  She gnawed her bottom lip. “I had not—”

  “Thought ahead,” Xander finished for her, frown firmly back in place.

  Alana squared her shoulders. “I am the princess. I shall do what I please. Take me now.” Her order was clear.

  Her cousin grunted in answer, narrowing his eyes, but wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. He pumped his wings once, then twice, and lifted them into the air.

  She held on and hid her smile against him.

  His grip in return was almost too-tight, as if he meant her to feel his ire.

  She could anyway—part of her magic was empathic—but she didn’t comment. She really did regret his upset with her. She was closer to no one.

  Alana lifted her head as the Field of Light came into view. She’d moved the times and the names around on the guard schedule so they’d all think another patrol group was present. When the Warriors returned shortly, they’d report that the Faery Stones had been left unguarded, but hopefully no one would trace the lapse back to her. Her uncle might get chastised by her father, but there hadn’t been another way.

  She winced. Uncle Daegus was stern at best. If he discovered it was she who caused problems for him with King Fillan—well, her status wouldn’t save her from punishment.

  Damn.

  Xander’s deep voice pulled her focus from the unladylike curse. “Ah, your choices are finally dawning on you, are they?” His words were dry, and she cursed the fact he could read minds.

  The same had been a talent of her mother’s, and as a child it’d never boded well for her. The queen’s dark eyes and smiling face danced into her mind and Alana frowned.

  She’d been dead for years now, but it didn’t make her miss her mother any less. They’d always been close. The queen had been as soft and loving as her father was cruel and hard.

  “Don’t think of Aunt Elysia now, and make me feel guilty for being mad at you,” her cousin said.

  “Guilt? I didn’t know you could suffer such,” she quipped. “Maybe I should cause it more often.”

  Xander said nothing, and when she looked at him, he flexed his jaw and looked straight ahead, as if he was avoiding her gaze.

  She’d at least expected a smirk. “Xander—”

  “‘Tis fine.” His voice was curt.

  Alana should’ve known better than to tease where her mother was concerned. Queen Elysia had been a mother to him as well, in many ways. He missed
her, too. She could feel it coming off him.

  His own mother—a former princess, and her father’s sister, had given up her status to marry down—his father, the winged Fae Warrior Captain. They’d snuck off when the king had forbidden them from marrying, and bound themselves with magic so they couldn’t be forced apart.

  King Fillan had never forgiven his sister, but he had Uncle Daegus. Xander’s mother, her Aunt Aileana, hadn’t been able to cope. She’d turned to smoking Acana root after Xander’s birth.

  The root came from the maroon-barked trees that Fae healers used for their medicinal properties, but because the tree flourished all over the realm, the powder harvested was widely abused. Her aunt had powerful healing magic and unlimited access to the drug.

  Her mother had pretty much taken Xander in; Aunt Aileana was always in a drugged haze, and couldn’t care for her son—or select a nursemaid to do so. Even now, Alana’s aunt was an addict and rarely fully lucid.

  They’d been raised and educated together, until her cousin had started Warrior training at her uncle’s insistence, around age twelve. He’d said his son wasn’t a prince and shouldn’t be considered as one.

  Uncle Daegus treated him harshly, although Xander rarely talked about it. He wasn’t the captain’s son; he was just another Fae Warrior under his command.

  “At any rate, I’m sorry,” she whispered, but he didn’t comment. She’d let it go for now—he never stayed mad for long, and he’d feel her sincerity.

  Her eyes swept the home of the Faery Stones. Their people called the grassy knoll the Field of Light because when the Stones were alight, the magic-born crystals glowed with a white-gold radiance, especially the center Stone.

  Xander landed at the foot of the dais that elevated the Faery Stones from the long swaying blue and orange grass that covered the area.