Page 23 of A Little Highland Magic

Chapter Eight

Graeme paused in clearing the charred shrubbery away from the castle walls. He and the other men had to be certain the foliage would not reignite. Aria and many of the castle women worked to restore the courtyard from the damage the mighty wave had caused, repositioning disturbed tufts of grass, and mopping the areas around the well and down the path to the sea gate.

The castle walls had also been cleaned of residual charring and now sparkled in the afternoon sun. The moment the fire was extinguished, the clouds had vanished, leaving a clear sky in their place. Once again, they had defeated Oberon’s magic.

Graeme’s gaze moved to Aria. She mopped the stones enclosing the well along with Fiona. An occasional sparkle of laughter drifted his way. Aria looked like the other women surrounding her. A woman. Not a supernatural being. A woman who could live and die as easily as he could.

Graeme had always courted death, taunted it even, with all the battles he had fought beside his kin. And more recently, beside Aria as well. He had always heard fairies had long lifespans but were not immortal, and were subject to natural causes of death like humans. Aria was also half human, making her as susceptible to death as any of the rest of the MacLeods. Yet she still fought to protect them all as she had only a few hours ago with another weapon she had in her arsenal: her fairy power.

Whatever power Aria had drawn upon to send the wave towards Dunvegan did not seem to drain her as the event in the courtyard with the grasshoppers had. Was it because she had been surrounded by the source of her fairy magic? Had the stream protected her from harm as it had taken away her pain?

Graeme narrowed his gaze on her as she continued to work beside Fiona. With her concentration elsewhere, her usual guard had dropped, revealing the vulnerability, hurt, and betrayal she carried with her because of her time amongst the fairies.

He recognised the emotions and suddenly understood that it was because of her past that she was filled with both fear and fearlessness. Closing his eyes, he braced himself against an onslaught of compassion that swept over him. Since her arrival, he had done too little to support her as a member of the clan. That had to change.

He opened his eyes, regarding Aria with new insight. Only hours ago, she had talked about leaving, returning to Fairyland to stop Oberon’s assault on the MacLeods. In that moment, he realised he wanted her to stay—to be a part of the family she longed for and fought for with everything inside her. She had done so many things, both large and small, since her arrival at Dunvegan to earn her a place of stature within the clan. The others had seemed to accept her use of magic to protect them. Since they had always accepted the magic of the Fairy Flag, Aria having powers was not hard for them to embrace. Yet that acceptance might wobble a bit now that Oberon was challenging them in distressing ways.

Even if the clan’s support lessened because of the past two curses, when the family met later this afternoon to formulate a plan, Graeme had to make certain Aria’s ideas were listened to and acted upon. It would take all of their combined skill as warriors to bring Keiran home.

Graeme’s attention was broken by the sight of the MacDonalds, dressed in travelling clothes, heading his way.

“We are leaving,” Alexander MacDonald said when he and his men neared.

“We are sorry to hear that.” Graeme signalled both Alastair and Marcus over. The laird and his brother stopped their restoration efforts and hurried to his side.

“Are you heading back to Monkstadt House so soon? We had plans for another day of celebrations,” Alastair said soberly.

“We are very happy to have had this time to celebrate Marcus and Rowena’s marriage and, as my men tell me, learn a few new battle manoeuvres from your warrioress, Aria. We must go,” the MacDonald laird replied. “But we do not part as enemies.”

Alastair nodded. “We are grateful for that.”

The MacDonald’s brows drew together in concern. “You do not need us as enemies, not when you have to battle against the fairies who you always touted as an asset to your clan.”

“The fairies have been a big part of our clan’s history. Perhaps, once we are past this current moment, they will be our friends once again,” Alastair said hopefully.

“Best of luck to you,” the MacDonald said, with sincerity in his voice. “My men and I will take our leave once you bring our horses around.”

“I will see to that,” Graeme said, leaving Alastair and Marcus to say their goodbyes. Personally, Graeme was relieved to see the MacDonalds go. They claimed to no longer be enemies of the MacLeods as they had been for centuries, but the laird had not called them friends either. With the MacDonalds gone, Graeme could focus all his attention on developing a plan to conquer the MacLeods’ newfound foe: the fairy king.

*

Arap, rap, rap sounded on Aria’s door just as she finished tightening the stays of her second gown for the day. This one had a simple bodice of soft, thin wool and a square neckline that exposed the edge of her white chemise beneath. Running her hands over her gown, she made her way to the door.

Gwendolyn smiled as she took in her choice of gown. “Simple and beautiful. The blue brings out the colour of your eyes.”

“That is not my intent. Perhaps I should wear another gown.” Aria turned around when Gwendolyn caught her arm gently, staying her.

“The ensemble is perfect on you. Besides, there is no time to change. Alastair asked that you come down immediately to join him and his brothers.”

Her gown forgotten, Aria stepped out and shut the door behind her. She and Gwendolyn walked down the hallway to the stairs. “They wish to make plans to rescue Keiran, do they not?”

Gwendolyn’s smile faded as concern took its place. “Do you truly believe you can come back to us if you enter Fairyland once more?”

Aria slid her fingers over the polished surface of the banister as they descended the stairs. “I wish to return with my whole heart, but the fairy king is very cunning.”

Gwendolyn paused at the landing. “Then why risk it? You say Keiran is not unhappy where he is. He does not know any of his brothers. Is rescuing him worth the risk of your capture?”

“Aye, it is.” Aria’s tone was firm. “Keiran does not know what he has been missing his whole life. Once he meets his true family, he will forget all about Fairyland and long to be a MacLeod as much as I do.”