Page 19 of A Little Highland Magic

“You should change out of your wet clothing, so you do not catch a chill.”

To hide the heat flushing her cheeks, she looked down at her dress. “I fear I have ruined Fiona’s pretty gown.”

He brought his hand to her chin and lifted her gaze to his. He brushed his thumb against her jaw in a slow caress. “The gown was only an embellishment. You have no idea just how beautiful you are, do you?”

Aria pulled away from his touch, as surprise flared, grateful to be feeling anything other than the confusion his nearness caused. “I am simply me. Whatever that entails.”

He stood, his large body blocking the light from the window beyond. Moonlight dappled his shoulders and sent flickers of light dancing through the dark strands of his hair. In the odd light she could barely make out his expression, but his eyes searched hers clearly enough. Determination stared back at her. “I will leave you for tonight. On the morrow we begin our planning to release you from Oberon’s grasp and return Keiran to his kin.”

Her throat tightened. Over the years she had spent so much time alone she’d forgotten what it was like to have companionship. Not trusting her voice, she nodded.

With a bow, he headed for the door when a tapping sounded at the window. Another tap followed, then several more. A soft drone came to her ears.

Aria stood and raced towards the window. Graeme joined her. “What is it?” she asked, forcing back a creeping feeling of danger.

“I have no idea.” He turned to her. “Get dressed and join me belowstairs. I am going to investigate.”

“Do you think we are under attack?” she asked, as she stepped out of her slippers.

“It is a real possibility, but I am not convinced this is not another one of Oberon’s tricks.” Something shifted in his expression, and for a moment she thought she saw fear, but before she could be certain, he turned and left the room.

Aria swallowed hard, forcing back the sudden heaviness in her throat. With numb fingers, she stripped her wet garments off and threw on her simplest green dress and half boots before reaching for her sword and securing the scabbard at her waist. Then she grasped her bow and quiver and raced down the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, a crowd had gathered. She forced her way through and out into the courtyard where the torches showed it was empty, but the ground before them writhed and moved. Aria gasped. Every inch of the courtyard and the castle walls were covered with grasshoppers. They hopped towards the light cast by the open castle doorway, making their way inside.

“Get back, everyone!” Graeme shouted, urging back those who had gathered at the entrance of the castle.

Aria remained frozen in place, staring at the extraordinary sight. There was no doubt in her mind that Oberon had done this. If he could not get to her, he would find a way to destroy every single MacLeod. This infestation would wipe out the trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasslands that surrounded the castle, robbing the animals surrounding Dunvegan of food and the MacLeods of their livelihood.

And the only thing standing between devastation and flourishing was her. Oberon had made it clear he would not stop until he got what he wanted: Aria’s surrender.