Page 35 of A Little Highland Magic

It certainly did not feel that way given the events of the past few days. Aria shook off the thought and narrowed her gaze at Gille. “As have you in this moment. Give the children to me. There is no reason for you to return to Oberon.”

“But Mother—”

“Oberon will not kill her,” Aria stated with assurance. “He will continue to use her to try and control the two of us. He would do nothing to lose that edge, no matter how angry he becomes.”

“You are so certain of this?” Gille asked with a glimmer of hope entering her eyes.

“I am positive. I’ve had to endure generations of that fairy’s malevolence that you have not. I know how Oberon thinks, and it bothers him. Why do you believe he is so desperate to harm the MacLeods through the loss of their children? It is not to gain more children. He has stolen plenty over the centuries from the good people of Scotland. Nay, he wants revenge against me for always defying him.”

The hint of a smile pulled up Gille’s lips. “You are a burr under his skin.”

The light surrounding Gille was starting to fade. Lady Janet must be growing tired of maintaining her hold over Gille and the children. Aria knew she had to hurry if she were to rescue the twins. It was in a fairy’s nature to play tricks, leading you to believe one thing then doing another. “You know I will continue to be an irritant to him. Now, give me the children.” Aria stepped to the edge of the yellow-gold light.

Gille hesitated for a moment, before stepping forward. With a final look at the sleeping infants, she held them out to Aria who quickly scooped them into her arms.

Once Aria held the twin boys, the ghostly light surrounding her faded, leaving Aria and Gille face to face for the first time in years. Bathed in silver light, her half-sister looked much the same since Aria had seen her last. Gille’s long dark hair was plaited, and green leaves and moss were tucked into each of the weaves, making her appear more like a woodland sprite than her true fairy nature.

“What do I do now? Where do I hide from Oberon?” Gille asked as concern etched fine lines around her beautiful eyes.

“Remain in these woodlands. I will come for you tomorrow. I need you as an ally, Sister.” They shared a mother but had different fathers, yet their temperaments were very similar. They were both fighters, but for different causes. “I am returning to Fairyland tomorrow to rescue Keiran MacLeod and our mother. I want you to think about whether you wish to come along.”

Gille’s eyes widened. “Go back to Fairyland?”

Aria nodded. “It is time to put an end to Oberon’s control over the MacLeods and us. Together, with Graeme Duff, we have a greater chance at success than we had before you arrived.”

Gille pressed her lips together. “To go back . . .”

“I know what I am asking you. Think about it tonight. Our journey will begin on the morrow.”

As Gille nodded, the light in the forest shifted once more. The disc covering the sun began to move away, and the white light flared out in all directions, bathing the forest in a pinkish grey. Aria returned her gaze to her half-sister. Only to find Gille had vanished. It was her half-sister’s greatest skill, to blend into the woodlands as if she were invisible. “I’ll return before sunrise tomorrow,” Aria said before heading back to her horse. She walked the animal back to the castle so that she could hold the children tightly until they had the protection of the iron bracelets she’d had made. She could not put them on the twins herself. Someone else would have to do it.

As Aria approached the gates of Dunvegan with her precious bundles, Alastair and Gwendolyn came running. Graeme followed behind them, his expression solemn.

Tears streaked Gwendolyn’s cheeks as she took Jarlath from Aria’s arms and held him tight against her chest. “Thank you for finding them, keeping them with their family.” Her voice shook. “I would not have survived their loss.”

As Alastair reached for Rory, the tension in the laird’s features eased. He cradled his son in the protection of his arms. “How do we keep them safe? How do we keep everyone safe? Oberon is a foe I have no experience fighting.” His gaze pleaded with her. “If you know of some way, I will put the full force of the MacLeods behind you.”

“Our best chance at breaching the divide between this world and the next is during the baptism of your twins. And if you allowed us to bring the Fairy Flag with us, would certainly be able to negotiate for Keiran’s release.”

Alastair closed his eyes as he nestled his son’s head close to his own. “I know I had initially dismissed that idea, but the kidnapping of our children has caused me to change my mind.” He opened his eyes and turned toward Aria. “I cannot lose my children, or any other member of this family to the fairy world. If you and Graeme can do something to stop Oberon, I will no longer stand in your way. Gwendolyn and I will allow you to use the baptism of our children to help create a portal if we can hold the children in our arms and protect them from any harm.”

Aria nodded. “We will keep all of you a safe distance from the portal.”

Alastair’s shoulders relaxed. “The protection of this clan is essential.”

Aria sent him a grateful smile. “While the kidnapping of the children was not something any of us wanted, it did bring something good.”

“What is that?” Alastair asked.

“We gained a new source of strength to help our mission to succeed.” At Alastair’s frown she continued. “My half-sister, Gille, was forced by Oberon to steal the children from you. She remains in the human realm, and I will convince her to return to Fairyland with Graeme and myself tomorrow.”

Alastair looked behind Aria. “Why did she not return to Dunvegan with you?”

“It is safer for her to remain in the forest in case Oberon placed a magical trace on her. Remaining in the woods, the source of her strength, will help the magic dissipate.”

Alastair nodded as he leaned down to plant a feather-light kiss upon his son’s brow. “At least our babes are safe.”

Graeme stepped forward with the saddle bag containing the bracelets. “I believe Aria had plans to assist in their protection.” He opened the saddlebag with the first batch of bracelets and withdrew the two small ones, holding them out to Aria.