Highland Harmony: Avelina and Drew (Clan Grant Series Book 8) by Keira Montclair Page A

not to awaken anyone. When she finally reached the garden, she paused for a moment to enjoy the scene in front of her. Erena was seated on the bench in the garden, a wee puppy in her lap. “She lost her mama,” Erena said in her tinkling voice. “I will care for her unless you would like to.”
    A sad set of puppy eyes peered up at Lina when she sat down beside the faerie. Erena set the dog on the ground, and the wee beast limped over to Lina and sniffed her feet. As soon as she did, her tail wagged softly against Lina’s leg. How could she ignore such a thing?
    She picked up the tri-colored dog, mostly black with a white face and tan markings. The puppy licked her hand.
    “I thought you might like her,” Erena said. “She has also been mistreated, but no more.”
    Lina picked the puppy up so she could look at her face. “Awww. What’s her name?”
    “Whatever you wish it to be. She’s a collie. She’ll work hard for you, and she’s accustomed to eating scraps.”
    Lina settled the pup onto her skirts and the wee dear rested her head against Lina’s lap with a contented sigh. “Abby. I think I’ll call her Abby.” Lina patted the dog’s head and then glanced up at Erena, hoping to find answers to her questions.
    “You have been busy, have you not, Avelina?”
    “Aye.” Tears filled her eyes and she turned her ahead away, ashamed to admit she had failed in her quest.
    “Why do you cry?” Erena reached for Lina’s chin and turned her back to face her.
    “Because I failed you.”
    “You failed me? ‘Tis impossible.”
    Erena’s warm smile encouraged her to continue. “But I did something I shouldn’t have.” Her gaze fell to her lap, and she rubbed the puppy’s head a bit faster.
    “Ah, you believe you have wronged me in some way because you found the legendary sapphire sword.”
    “Aye. Did you not tell me to simply be aware?” Lina’s hands were clasped together, and she squeezed her fingers together so hard, it was a wonder she did not break a finger. What would Erena think of her once she knew?
    “Aye, I asked you to be aware.”
    “Well, when I found it, I took it, as if I were a plain thief.” A tear slid down her cheek and she brushed it away.
    The fae’s voice softened. “I’m sorry I was not here to protect you from Lachlan.”
    “You did not need to protect me. As you said, I must learn to protect myself.” Tears flooded her face now and her breath hitched in her chest.
    “I’m sorry you had to deal with Lachlan, but you did find the sword.” Erena brushed a soft strand of hair away from her tears.
    “Aye, ‘tis true, but…” She met Erena’s gaze—afraid to see derision there, but unable to look away. “Mayhap I will make a mess of everything. I know not what to do. Please help me.” She hiccupped as tears continued to run down her face.
    “Tell me this, please. How did you feel when Lachlan felt your breast through the wool of your gown?”
    Lina stared at Erena in shock, hardly able to believe she had been so blunt. “Terrible, angry. I wished to lash out at him,” she whispered. “I hate it when the lads look at my breasts and try to touch them. You are the fae. Can you not just get rid of my breasts? Make them smaller, so I won’t be the center of attention? I bind them and it does not diminish them at all. ‘Twould be easier for me if they were just gone.”
    “Do you think your mind was functioning normally while you were being attacked?”
    “Nay,” she choked out. “But what does that have to do…”
    “Were you able to give careful consideration to the possibility of securing the sword before you grabbed it?”
    “Nay, he was…I was…” Her breathing had become so uneven that it was difficult for her to speak. “I did not think. I just grabbed it.”
    Erena covered Lina’s hand with hers. “Of course not, my dear. You were upset and distraught, two conditions that prevented you from thinking properly. I do not fault you at all for your