Page 62 of A Little Highland Magic

“It was the first time I ever fought back against him. I fought and eventually won with the help of the other fairies. They came to my aid. I never would have believed they would do such a thing for me. It made me feel strong in a different way than battling with my weapons.”

“You are strong and getting stronger every day.”

Letting the joy in her heart propel her forward, Aria lifted her chin and clasped her warrior husband’s hand.

*

Gille watched the others leave with a frown. She should be happy they had all returned home safely, but something felt off, different, painful inside her now that her power was gone.

“What is it, daughter?” Pearl asked with concern.

“Do you feel . . . odd?” Gille asked, wrapping her arms about her waist, trying to hold back the turmoil inside her.

Pearl offered her a consoling pat on her shoulder. “It takes time to adjust to this world, especially without magic.”

Gille shook her head. “I still feel like I am dying, shrivelling with age, even though my skin is no longer wrinkled, or my body bent.”

Pearl’s expression turned grave. “I feel a similar pain. I believe it is because we are weakened from that ageing experience.”

Jealousy flared. “Aria does not seem affected.”

Pearl nodded sympathetically. “It is because she is only half fae. And her greatest desire was always to be amongst her human family.”

Gille swallowed hard, trying to keep from doubling over. “I am not sure I can live this way—with this kind of pain day after day.”

“The difficulty will ease with time,” Pearl assured her. “But it might be best if instead of staying here at Dunvegan, you head into the forest—the source of your power—until you are healed.”

“And what about you?”

Pearl offered Gille a sad smile. “I fear I must do the same, returning to the sea. But I will stay until sunrise and let Aria know that while we are gone, we will still be near her.”

Gille nodded as best she could as the agony inside her intensified. It felt as though she were being torn apart.

“Come.” Pearl offered Gille a hand. “Let me guide you to the safest woodlands I know. Even though many things have changed in the centuries since I first arrived here, the trees are much the same, only larger.”

Thankful that relief might come from a source within the human realm, Gille took Pearl’s hand and allowed her mother to lead her from the castle, through the gates, and into the forest beyond.

*

Abovestairs, Graeme, Keiran, Lady Janet, and Aria entered the great hall. Instantly, music and laughter and chattering voices surrounded them. Instead of the unease Aria used to feel, comfort surrounded her. This was her home now and these were her people. They had always been kind to her, and she loved them.

At the sight of them, Gwendolyn rushed across the room and threw her arms around them in an enthusiastic hug. “Oh, my goodness. I have been so worried that you were lost to us.”

Aria’s breath hitched as even more joy filled her. “You were worried? We were terrified when we saw all of you fall asleep and freeze in silence as we travelled through the portal.” Aria was even more grateful that the ban-sithe had not been sent to claim them. The curses against the MacLeods were over, because once they had fallen under a sleeping spell, they could never be placed under another one again by anyone.

“It was the oddest sensation. We were asleep, but our dreams felt very real, even terrifying. And after what seemed like an eternity, we all woke up. We have you both to thank for that, do we not?” Gwendolyn released them, then stepped back to study them thoroughly. “You look well. Actually . . . you are both radiant.” Her gaze dropped to their joined hands, and she smiled. “There is something different about you two.”

She and Graeme were spared from further appraisal as the others left their seats to gather around. Even Callum came to greet them, which warmed Aria’s heart. Had he forgiven her for her part in their mother’s death or was he merely excited to be free of Oberon’s curse?

Alastair stepped beside his wife. “Welcome home.”

Graeme took off his knapsack and opened it, removing the Fairy Flag and returning it to Alastair. “Aria negotiated all we needed without the use of the flag.”

Alastair took the flag with one hand and offered the other for a brief handshake. “You accomplished all your goals?” He looked behind Graeme and Aria and a smile spread across his face.

Callum gave a gasp of shock as he also noticed who stood behind Aria and Graeme. “Keiran, can that really be you?”

Several other gasps could be heard above the chatter as the crowd’s attention shifted to the tall, slender man beside Lady Janet.