Page 6 of A Little Highland Magic

Chapter Two

“Here is to a peaceful joining of our two clans that our ancestors never imagined.” Alastair MacLeod raised his goblet and toasted the MacDonalds sitting at the head table in the great hall. One side of the table was filled by Alexander MacDonald and his men. On the other sat Alastair and Gwendolyn, Tormod and Fiona, Orrick and Isolde, and Callum.

“Slàinte mhath,” the MacDonalds replied before drinking heavily from their own goblets.

Graeme cast a sideways glance at the man he had served for the past fourteen years and felt a surge of pride. He and Alastair had been through much together: Alastair’s self-exile from Dunvegan, their time at university, too many battles to count in foreign lands, battles at home . . . But now his friend was settled and happy, the proud father of twins, and had grown into a man of great wisdom and prestige amongst the clans. It was Alastair’s diplomacy that had made today’s gathering possible, not just a marriage between Rowena MacLeod and Marcus MacDonald.

And with Alastair’s increasing happiness, the more Graeme questioned his own fate in this world. Would he always simply be a protector of the MacLeods and the Fairy Flag, or was there something else out there for him?

“Shall I pour another round?” Alastair asked the MacDonalds as he gave Graeme a speaking glance, asking him to be the protector once more. The look said, it was time to excuse himself and start placing the men in positions to guard the castle and all within. Alastair was a peacemaker, but not a fool. Aria had been right to challenge Graeme in the courtyard earlier today about the MacDonalds, but he had refused to agree with her for reasons he chose not to explore too deeply.

As if thoughts of Aria had summoned her, she entered the great hall and moved to take a seat next to Callum. At her entrance, all eyes turned to her. Aria was hard not to notice with her snow-white hair and pale skin. But it was more than her looks that captured the eye of every male she encountered: it was the way she held herself with such strength and confidence as she walked. Her gaze slid to Graeme’s momentarily before she sat and turned her back to him.

She was still upset with him over their disagreement earlier. Why could he never say the right thing around her? From the moment they’d first met, every word that came out of his mouth had been suspicious, challenging, or accusing. He had never met a creature . . . fairy . . . woman . . . like her.

Graeme pressed his lips together as he stood. Perhaps that was the problem. He did not see her as fully human even though over the past several months he had come to realise even though she was fae, her skill with a bow far exceeded his own. And with a sword, she was his equal. She was as effective as a human in helping to defend the MacLeods. He had no choice but to acknowledge and accept those facts, but he would have to work on accepting her for what she was if they were to ever move past this awkward stage and protect Dunvegan and her people.

“Aria,” Graeme called out. “You are with me.” At the flash of irritation on her face he realised he should have asked, not ordered her to attend him.

She stood and came to his side, her back straight as she clutched the hilt of her sword. “Am I to expect orders from you now?”

“Nay.” Graeme took her arm, intending to lead her away from the others, but she pulled her arm back. Instead, accompanying him out of the chamber, she walked beside him. Her movements were tightly controlled, yet graceful and elegant. She had not only strength, but determination. She would not yield her power to any man.

As they passed by the window that bathed the hallway in moonlight, he saw something else: a shadow of loneliness in Aria’s eyes. Aria had been with the MacLeods for months now but usually kept to herself. He knew she was happy to finally be amongst her family and yet she always cut herself off from the people who loved her, as if she had something to hide.

Graeme knew from his reading that fairies had a darker side though he had yet to see that in Aria. But that did not mean a darker personality was not there. Lost in his thoughts, he led the way to the drawing room where the Fairy Flag was kept and dismissed the two men who had been on duty guarding the flag since before the MacDonalds had arrived.

Aria nodded her approval. “I know you do not believe the flag is a target of this MacDonald visit but thank you for at least allowing me to protect it during the night when it will be most vulnerable.”

“I never said I did not believe the MacDonalds would steal the flag. I am certain that is why they are here.”

She furrowed her brows. “You are?”

“My family has been the protectors of this gift from the fairies for centuries. I have no intention of being the one who fails to protect it when it still has a single miracle left to give the MacLeods.”

Aria took up a position next to the flag on one side of the drawing room window. “Have you ever wondered if any other clan besides the MacLeods can use it to protect the clan?”

“I am certain the MacDonalds have.” Graeme took the position on the other side of the flag. “However, though I have no proof, I believe only a MacLeod could give the final order for the flag to wield its magic. Which is why my clan has always overseen the flag’s protection. We can touch it. We can carry it into battle. Yet it is not ours to control.”

“I could use the magic though, couldn’t I?”

He narrowed his gaze on her. “It is possible, though that decision should be up to the laird.”

“Of course.” She offered him a faint smile. “I was only thinking out loud.” Aria grew silent, as she usually did.

Graeme’s heart pulsed as he continued to study her. What in her past had left such a scar that she cut herself off, even from her own family? The MacLeods cared for her and respected her greatly, but Aria still held herself apart from fully embracing what they had to offer her. Would she reveal what brought shadows to her lovely blue eyes if he asked her?

He frowned at the thought. Why did he care? He wanted nothing from her. All he could say with certainty was that he admired her dedication to her craft. Yet it was more than appreciation that drew his gaze to her lips as she remained silent. She might be as honed and dangerous as any other warrior, but even that lethal edge could not hide her femininity. Her lips were generous and full. Kissable. The word formed before he could stop it, and a warmth flared in his loins. He would not mind kissing her at all, even if she took revenge on him for doing so. Any loss of blood might be worth the challenge.

Kiss her? Graeme shook his somewhat foggy brain. The two of them were here tonight to stand guard, not get lost in pleasure. He released a soft groan as he tore his gaze from her lips. He could appreciate her looks all he wanted if he did so from afar. The last thing either of them needed was to complicate an already fraught situation with the MacDonalds under their roof.

When he had himself more under control, he returned his gaze to her face. Something there pricked the fine hairs on the nape of his neck. “What are you thinking?”

“About whether I can trust you or not.” The words were part sigh.

“Alastair trusts me.” Graeme moved closer, willing her to look at him. “I see no reason why you should not.”

“Trust must be earned,” she replied.