Page 36 of A Little Highland Magic
She recoiled. “I cannot touch them. Iron burns fairies. You or their parents must place them on the talismans around Rory and Jarlath’s wrists and squeeze them tight.”
Graeme frowned as he placed a bracelet around first Rory, then Jarlath’s small wrists. “How is it that you can touch the steel of your sword? Steel contains iron in its core make-up.”
“Remember, I am only half a fairy. The steel burns my skin at times, but I have built up a tolerance to the pain it causes.”
“I had no idea how much you suffered to be the woman you are,” Graeme replied with a sense of awe.
“I did not wish to reveal a weakness to you or anyone.” Aria motioned to the remaining bracelets. “The rest of you should squeeze one of these about your wrists. They will keep fairies from directly assaulting you. The smithy is making more for the remaining residents of the castle. Could you send men back to Dunvegan village to retrieve them?”
“I will see to it,” Alastair said before curling an arm about his wife’s waist. “I doubt either of us will be able to leave the children alone, even with protective bracelets, until this war with Oberon is through.”
Aria looked about, searching for some sign of the ghost who had helped her save the children. “Where is Lady Janet?”
“Mother?” Alastair called, then looked about expectantly. When the apparition did not appear, he frowned. “Should we be worried?”
“Your mother helped to keep the twins in this world until I could convince Gille to return them to me. I suspect her energy to appear even partially human is drained. She will reappear when she is able. Until then, we should allow her to rest,” Aria said, hoping that her words were convincing as she desperately tried to keep the worry from her eyes. Without Lady Janet’s help, they would not be able to open the portal between this realm and the fairy realm. “You and Gwendolyn should return to the castle and finish the preparations for the baptism of your children on the morrow.”
Alastair nodded, then returned his family to the safety of the keep. When they were out of hearing distance, Graeme turned to her, his expression concerned. “What are you not saying?”
“I am worried about Lady Janet. I felt her energy drain from her as they drained me once before. Without her help, I am not certain we can pass from this realm to the shadow realm.” Aria released a soft sigh. “It certainly does not feel like the stars are aligning in our favour.”
“We do not need magic, or a magical alignment of celestial objects,” Graeme assured her as he pulled her into the warmth of an embrace. “I’ve seen you do amazing things over the past couple of days, and even before that when you hid your magic from us. Together we can accomplish our goal of rescuing Keiran and freeing your mother.”
She burrowed into his steadiness and tried to force away her doubts. A plan was in place that would start with the baptisms of Rory and Jarlath. Gille’s participation would also help ease their way since she knew of the traps and pitfalls in the desolate mountains they must cross to rescue Keiran.
Even so, Aria could not fully relax. Oberon was not through with the MacLeods. Two curses remained. The next curses would be devastating—ones that would make the MacLeods start to consider sending her back to Fairyland permanently.
As though sensing her worry, Graeme’s hands swept up and down her spine and despite their situation, her body responded. Desire for this man was always only a breath away. And apparently even the knowledge that another test was coming, and soon, could not defeat her feelings for him.
She only hoped Graeme would continue to feel the same about her once he learned she had been betrothed to Keiran since his arrival in Fairyland nine years ago.
