Page 53 of A Little Highland Magic

He and Aria were happy, but would that precious emotion continue for much longer? Aria had said they were in a place of sunshine and joy, but Oberon ruled even here. Graeme frowned as a new thought occurred to him. “How did Keiran know where to find you?”

“Did Oberon put you through some sort of test as he did for me?” Aria asked.

Graeme nodded as he pulled on his clothing. “Oberon made me believe you and Gille were dead.”

“How terrible.” Aria shuddered. “He made me face not only defeat, but also death.”

“And Gille? What will he do to her?” Graeme asked.

Aria pressed her lips together and released a sigh. “He will take one of her fears and twist it into something horrible—that is for certain.”

When they were both fully dressed, Graeme reached down and picked up the iron necklace, placing it around his neck, but under his shirt so that the metal would not touch Aria accidentally. The chain could be a useful tool when they entered the fairy court.

Ready to continue their journey, Graeme offered Aria his hand. “We had best find Gille in case Oberon means to harm her as he did you.”

Graeme’s gaze narrowed on the sprites, and he wondered . . . “Would you happen to know where our dark-haired fairy friend might be?”

The sprites flitted about. A soft buzzing filled the air when they suddenly darted across the meadow, then returned only to dart off again.

“I think they want us to follow them,” Aria exclaimed, pulling Graeme in the direction the sprites had indicated.

As long as the sprites remained friendly, Graeme was happy to follow wherever they led.

*

Gille reached the top of the hill and looked out across the vast territory of Sunraya. The Trinity River cut through the land to the west. She continued to scan the area when her breath caught. Emerging over a rise in the east came an army of considerable size. Then, to the north, she saw two figures she recognised as Aria and Graeme heading her way.

Despite the desperate situation unfolding before her, Gille felt a glimmer of hope. For the first time in a long while, she would not have to fight Oberon or his army alone. She raced down the hillside, moving towards where Aria and Graeme approached. She had to warn them of the danger ahead. Perhaps Graeme would use the Fairy Flag and its one remaining miracle to help the three of them triumph in an almost impossible situation.