Page 30 of A Little Highland Magic

And even though she had pushed Graeme away at every turn, he had seen through her bravado and into her true nature: not the warrior, not the fairy, but the woman who needed others more than she let on.

Why had he been able to bring down her guard when others had not? When they started their journey to Fairyland, they would have to risk their lives for each other’s survival. She would willingly lay down her life for him because she . . . Aria let the sentiment drift away, not wanting to put a name to it. Yet even as she did, she was starting to have difficulty remembering all the reasons she had avoided him in the past, except for one blatant reason that revolved around Keiran—though that was not a threat to her in the human realm at present. All the other reasons were losing their edges, becoming less clear.

Aria pushed away from the door to take a seat amongst the other women as the awakenings of a smile came to her lips, joined by another odd sensation. Happiness pooled in her chest, sending shivers of delight out across her every nerve. Was she ready for a different kind of battle with Graeme? Was she ready to surrender to a force that seemed to draw them closer with each passing day despite her other obligations?

“Aria.” Gwendolyn’s voice broke through Aria’s thoughts. “You seem so far away. Is anything troubling you?”

“Do not mind me. I am simply tired after the events of tonight.” Aria’s gaze moved around to the other three women as her pleasure faded and a hint of anxiety took its place. “I apologise for causing all of you so much trouble.”

“Trouble?” Fiona replied. “The MacLeods have had challenges of all kinds over the centuries. Those tests are what made the MacLeod men into the warriors they are.”

“And the loving, caring husbands who protect their own,” Isolde added with a grin.

“Do not forget the women who have the courage to stand beside them through both good and bad,” Gwendolyn added.

“I am happy to hear that,” Aria said. She had known her kin were good men and women even before most of them had forgiven her for her part in their mother’s death. Callum will come around. Graeme’s words came back to her.

Aria must have let her change of thoughts reflect on her face because Rowena rose, coming to her side. She kneeled before Aria. “I want you to know we all do not hold you accountable for any part of our mother’s demise. Our father was not well. His whole personality changed after he took a blow to the head during a battle. We all lived with his anger and brutality for years. You and your mother were unfortunate victims of his temper, every bit as much as his wife and children were.”

Aria felt herself pale, sure she was white from her hairline to her bodice. “I did not know that about your father. For years I blamed myself for his anger.”

Rowena reached out and placed a hand atop Aria’s. “It wasn’t you he was angry with. It was the world around him—a world he could no longer understand or control.”

“Thank you for explaining the situation more fully, but the fact remains that Callum may never forgive me despite the circumstances. In his eyes, I cost him his father and his younger brother.”

“And soon you will bring Keiran home,” Fiona replied. “That will help to heal his wounds.”

At the mention of Keiran, Aria’s stomach clenched. She wanted to bring the long-lost MacLeod home to his family where he belonged, but it would create another problem for her that she was not quite ready to acknowledge just yet.

Unaware of her sudden tension, Rowena patted Aria’s hand, then stood, returning to her seat. “I have been wondering about what the fairy king might have in store for us next.”

“So have I,” Gwendolyn said in a more serious tone. “Can you offer us any insight?”

Aria pressed her lips together, as if the force might somehow bring forth the answers they sought. “I wish I knew how Oberon’s mind worked. I do know he has broadened his revenge on me to include all the MacLeods. We should probably double the protection at the gates of the castle, in this chamber, and . . .” She hesitated, her gaze connecting with Gwendolyn’s. “Your twins should be guarded at all times.”

Gwendolyn drew a sharp breath. “He wouldn’t . . .”

“If he had the chance, I believe he would. What better way to punish the MacLeods than to take more of them into Fairyland?”

Gwendolyn stood quickly. “Please excuse me. I must go to Jarlath and Rory.”

Aria drew in a slow, deep breath. She could understand Gwendolyn’s fear. Even so, there were ways to keep children safe from the fairies. She stood, no longer weary. “Excuse me as well. There is something I must do. Isolde, will you take over protecting the flag until the guard returns?”

Isolde nodded and patted the ever-present sword at her side. “The Fairy Flag is safe with me.”

Aria hurried from the chamber. There was something she could do to help Gwendolyn protect her twin sons. It was urgent Aria do so before Oberon had another chance to strike back at the MacLeods.