Page 26 of A Little Highland Magic

Chapter Nine

Aria did notkill me. Your father’s neglect did. Lady Janet’s voice echoed all around the chamber, defusing the charged atmosphere in the great hall.

“Why would you say such a thing, Aria?” Orrick asked, his expression puzzled.

Graeme kept his gaze trained on Aria. A lost, almost tortured expression passed across her features. “My mother and I came to the human realm to ask your father for asylum.”

“We know the history there,” Alastair observed. “Why would you think that led to our mother’s death?”

Aria hesitated, a slight check no longer than a heartbeat before she drew herself up. “I have been to the human realm three times, not two. My mother and I came to Dunvegan thirteen years ago and were turned away by your father. Then, we tried again nine years ago to petition for only me to stay with the MacLeods. Your mother, being kind of heart, brought us inside the castle and tried to hide us while she came up with a plan to integrate me into a position on the staff, but your father discovered us. He was enraged that we had returned and became violent. When Lady Janet tried to intercede, he threw us in the dungeon and locked her in her chambers.”

Aria turned her gaze to Lady Janet. The ghost hovered nearby in a swirl of mist. She nodded to Aria, encouraging her to continue.

Graeme saw the pain that darkened Aria’s eyes and it brought a tightness to his own throat. “Lady Janet helped us escape from the dungeon and we returned to Fairyland, not knowing what sacrifice she would pay for aiding the two of us. Your father threw your mother in the dungeon and left her there until she died.”

Aria’s reaction to this terrible moment in her past told Graeme all he needed to know. She would rather have sacrificed herself to Laird Norman MacLeod’s hands than have put another in harm’s way.

“I’m so sorry for my part in Lady Janet’s death.” Emotion thickened her voice. “And I am even more remorseful that I did not reveal my part in her death before now.”

Alastair’s gaze filled with sympathy. “I know the pain you carry, for I carried a similar burden until just a few months ago. I blamed myself for our mother’s death because I was unable to stand up against Father.”

“The man beat you senseless when you tried to free our mother,” Tormod reminded his brother. “The rest of us knew we would end up in a similar situation if we tried to save her as well.”

“Why did you tell us about your part in our mother’s death today?” With a baffled expression, Orrick leaned forward. “Is it because you fear you may not return from Fairyland?”

“There is more to this story.” Aria swallowed hard and drew a breath before continuing. “When my mother and I returned to Fairyland, Oberon was every bit as angry as your father. To exact his revenge on me for wanting to leave, he banished my mother and then my half-sister to the shadow realm. He had me beaten, almost to death, then left me to die in the desolate mountains between Fairyland and the shadow realm. And then to punish the MacLeods, he stole Keiran from his crib, claiming your brother as his own son to torture the MacLeods.”

“But you survived,” Gwendolyn said, her voice sympathetic.

Aria nodded, looking down at the table. “It was then that I took up the bow and the sword, vowing never to let anyone hurt me again.”

“I am not thrilled that you kept this information from us, your kin. We deserved the truth.” Tormod released a heavy breath. “Though I understand and forgive you.”

Aria’s head snapped up and her eyes glittered with surprised tears. “You forgive me?” The words were a breathless whisper, as though she had not expected such a response.

“We all forgive you, Aria,” Alastair said.

Gwendolyn’s hand returned to her shoulder and gave a light squeeze. “It was not your fault Lady Janet died. And you suffered every bit as much, having lost your mother and your half-sister for the past nine years.”

Callum slammed his fist on the table. “Do any of you remember what it was like for us in Mother’s absence?” He glared at Aria. “I do not forgive you.”

“Callum.” Alastair’s voice was hard, a warning to his brother to cease.

Callum rushed towards Aria, his fists as tight as his scowl. Instinct should have made her crouch and cover. Instead, she kept herself straight as though waiting for him to attack her and seek his retribution as so many others in her life had done over the years.

In a rush, Tormod intercepted his brother, yanking him around in a display of strength. He shoved Callum away from Aria. “Go. Leave this hall, and do not return until you calm yourself.”

“God’s blood, Tormod! She killed our mother.” Callum walked in a tight circle as if his pent-up anger demanded some sort of release. “Aria is the reason Keiran was stolen. Mother’s absence forced us to live with the monster our father had become.” Callum’s wild gaze shifted to each of his brothers. “Do any of you recall what that time with Father was like? Do you not remember why it was that you all left this castle? You left me alone with that man for years until he finally died. And only then did you return.”

“Aria is not responsible for anything that Father did. She is as much a victim of fate as we are.” Tormod’s body relaxed as the fight eased from Callum.

“At least her confession today has revealed that she and I will not be alone when we enter the shadow realm,” Graeme said. “We will have help breaking free from the shadows to bring Keiran home.”

Callum threw up his hands and let them drop. “I cannot believe you are all going to forgive Aria for taking our mother from us for so many years.”

My son, Aria did not take me from you. I chose not to pass on to the afterlife when I died. The reason I am a ghost is because I wanted to remain beside all of you. It was a worthwhile sacrifice to protect you while your father was still here.

Callum’s jaw went slack. “You never showed yourself to us until recently.”