Page 58 of A Little Highland Magic

Chapter Twenty-One

Aria’s steady gaze fixed on Graeme’s. He nodded his encouragement. “First, I will marry today, and you will officiate the ceremony.”

“You will marry Keiran after all your refusals?” Oberon asked with a frown.

“Nay. I shall marry Graeme Duff if he will have me as his wife,” she said, suddenly unsure of herself.

The love in Graeme’s eyes immediately reassured her and sent her heart soaring.

“Nothing would make me happier,” Graeme replied with a catch in his voice.

Oberon’s eyes filled with fury. “What you ask will only hasten my death. I wanted you to marry Keiran to help heal the rift I created long ago when I allowed your mother to marry a MacLeod. Fairy to fairy to help purify the bloodline.”

Aria arched her brows. “Do I need to remind you that Keiran is also human?”

Oberon frowned. “He was on his way to becoming fae, but you put a stop to that.” The fairy king pressed his lips together as if in thought, then said, “What else do you propose?”

“Allow Keiran to leave with the three of us to the human realm.”

“Nay!” Oberon challenged. “That will send me to my grave immediately. Do you have no compassion—”

“Hear me out,” Aria interrupted the fairy king’s tirade.

Oberon narrowed his gaze but remained silent.

“You will free our mother from the shadow realm and allow her to travel to the human realm as well, and in return I will give you all my power. That will heal you.”

Graeme came to her side. “Aria, are you certain you wish to do that?”

She took his hand in hers. “To live my life with you, I would do anything.”

“It is not enough,” the fairy king objected. “Your powers are diluted—half fae, half human.”

“Then I will also sacrifice my powers,” Gille said, stepping forward. “And our mother will as well if she is allowed to leave the shadow realm.”

Oberon’s brows came together. “You would all be mortal after that. You would die as humans do.”

“We understand,” Aria and Gille said in unison.

“It is impossible. A fairy cannot take the power of another,” Oberon said.

“You will not take our magic by force; we freely offer it to you if you promise to give us Keiran, our mother, and one more thing . . . You will lift the curse you placed on the MacLeods, call off the ban-sithe, and swear never to interfere in their lives again.”

“How did you know I was to send the ban-sithe?” Oberon asked.

“I have lived with your malice for a very long time. I have learned to expect the worst from you.” Aria paused. “Do we have an accord?”

The fairy king, blinked, then laughed. “Aye. We agree.” He shook his head. “You always were a diabolical girl and far too clever for my court.”

Oberon held out his hand, revealing a pair of scissors. He would have them cut their hair to transfer their powers to him. “Give me your power.”

Gille moved to take the scissors, but Aria stalled her with a hand on her arm. “Marry Graeme and me first—that way I know you will keep your end of our bargain.”

Respect and surprise reflected in his eyes. “As you wish.” He turned to Graeme. “Do you wish to marry this woman? To love her and protect her all the rest of your days?” The usual harshness in the king’s voice had vanished.

“I want nothing more,” Graeme replied.

Oberon flicked his fingers at Aria and her clothing returned to the beautiful golden dress he had foisted upon her before. Yet this time she did not mind. Another flick of his fingers and Graeme was dressed in black breeches and boots with a sparkling white shirt and a gold brocade waistcoat and coat. He was so dazzlingly handsome her knees felt weak.