Page 60 of A Little Highland Magic

Graeme opened his eyes to see not only the woodland sprites had gathered around Aria, Gille, and Pearl, but every other fairy in the chamber. They raised their hands and pointed them towards the women, as one might share a blessing.

“Nay!” Oberon roared, his gaze passing between Graeme and Keiran who calmly held the flag by the edges. Pointing the array of fairy dots towards the fairy king.

The wind kicked up, howling, swirling around the three women. The sound of otherworldly chanting filled the chamber with a harmonious melody that grew louder and louder until a flash of white light flared, then silence fell.

With a howl of rage, Oberon vanished. The crowd drew back to reveal the three women restored to the ages they had been before they had given up their magic.

At the sight of him, Aria raced to Graeme and threw her arms around him, holding him tight. He held her to his chest, revelling in the feel of her youthful body against his own. “You had me worried for a moment,” he said feeling a sweet rush of peace come over him.

“I was worried too. I was not ready to leave you behind when we had only just started our lives together,” she admitted rising on her toes to place a kiss on his lips.

When she drew back and rested her head against his chest, he looked over at the empty spot on the dais where Oberon had been. “Is he really gone?”

“I do not know for certain,” she said. “But we had best find a way out of Fairyland quickly in case Oberon does return. You showed him the flag. I saw a look of great desire in his eyes. I am worried that he might not honour his promise to leave the MacLeods in peace if he thinks he can take the magical cloth back from them.”

Keiran folded the flag and handed it back to Graeme with a knitted brow. “Was that the magic of the flag at work a moment ago?”

“Did you do anything that might have called forth the last miracle?” Graeme asked.

Keiran shrugged. “I don’t believe so. I know nothing about this flag or how it works. I played along with you because it seemed like you knew what you were doing.”

Graeme laughed. “You did an excellent job, Keiran. When we return to Dunvegan, I am certain your brothers will be happy to educate you about the flag and so many other things you have missed over the years.”

“I look forward to learning about my true family,” Keiran said as his gaze shifted to the women.

Graeme returned the flag to the knapsack, pleased that Oberon had not called his bluff, if bluff it had been. The flag, whether real or duplicate, could return with them to Dunvegan Castle where it belonged.

Graeme’s attention shifted from Keiran to the woman he loved. He’d almost lost her a few moments ago, but fate and a little fairy magic had intervened for which he was grateful. Allowing himself a smile despite the challenges ahead of them, he considered how wrong he had been to think his life and purpose were only about warring and serving the MacLeods. His duty as the guardian of the flag had more meaning than he’d ever allowed himself to consider. He was the keeper of the magic, the protector of the MacLeods, the force that stood between the human and fairy realms to keep the fairy king’s power in check, all while sharing a life with the woman who was his equal. The future lay ahead of them—no doubt filled with challenges, but also love, family, and belonging. It was what they both had always wanted.

He watched as Aria, Gille, and Pearl thanked the fairies for their kindness as they streamed out of the throne room, no doubt returning to their usual lives. When the five of them stood alone in the fairy court, Graeme’s smile slipped. The next challenge lay ahead of them. “We need to find a way to return to the human realm.” No sooner had he voiced his concern than the woodland sprites flittered about the five of them and flew towards the doorway and back again. Aria straightened and excitement shone on her face. “The sprites want us to follow them again. Come, everyone.” Grasping Graeme’s hand in her own, she led them out of the castle, following the trail of golden sprites.

The sprites led Aria, Graeme, Gille, Pearl, and Keiran up a hillside and to a bridge that crossed a stream of silvery-blue water.

Pearl’s face lit up at the sight. “Bridges can be portals to other places,” she said. “I believe the sprites can help us move from this realm back to the human realm.”

A golden sprite landed on Aria’s hand, shimmering in the soft blue light from above.

“That is the sprite you helped to heal,” Graeme said, recognising her petite form.

Aria bent down as if speaking with the tiny creature, then straightened and nodded to the sprite, who flew away. “She says we should all step on the bridge and link our arms so that we are not separated during our transport again.”

“You can talk to the fairies still? Even without your powers?” Graeme asked.

“I suppose I can.” Aria smiled. “Perhaps just a little bit of fairy magic rubbed off on us all as the other fairies brought us back to health.”

“That will be a test for another time,” Gille said. “Let us leave now, while we still can.”

The five of them gathered in a circle on the bridge and linked their arms around each other. The woodland sprites flew in a tight circle around them, over and over again. The world before Graeme suddenly tipped and spun. Then just as suddenly, the motion stopped, and Graeme recognised the front courtyard of Dunvegan Castle. After a quick glance at the others, he was pleased to see all five of them had transported together.

They were home.