Page 9 of A Little Highland Magic

Chapter Three

Aria was not surprised when two of the MacDonald men entered the drawing room with their swords poised for battle. A pulse entered her blood and anticipation built. She had been longing for a battle all afternoon. She was about to get her wish.

“We’ve come for the Fairy Flag. Move aside and we’ll leave you unharmed,” the older of the two men said as he advanced.

Aria smiled. “Someone will be hurt, but it will not be me.”

The man charged forward like an enraged bull, launching himself at Aria, his sword clutched in his outstretched hand.

With very little effort on her part, Aria captured the man’s right wrist with the hilt of her sword and snapped his weapon free.

The man bellowed in rage and thrust his left hand towards her face. Again, Aria intercepted the punch with the hilt of her sword and delivered a forceful blow to his jaw with the other hand. The man hung there a moment, his eyes rolling, his body shuddering with the stunning effect of the blow until he crumpled slowly in a dazed heap on the floor.

The older man had barely hit the floor before the red-headed one charged. A growl came from deep in his throat as he approached. Instead of swinging his sword, he kicked out his foot and hooked Aria’s calf with his leg and sent her tumbling backwards.

Since she was expecting foul play, Aria easily absorbed the blow, springing to her feet, her sword in hand. Their blades clashed again and again, the clink of steel creating rhythmic sounds that reverberated through the drawing room. Four strikes later, the red-haired man lay on the floor. With one booted foot on his chest, Aria held him captive just as Graeme rushed into the chamber.

He came to an abrupt stop in the doorway as his gaze shifted from the man beneath her foot to the one sprawled on the floor. An amused smile came to Graeme’s lips. “I thought you might need help when I realised the noise in the hallway was a distraction but, clearly, I underestimated you.”

“Most men usually do,” she replied, removing her foot, but keeping her blade poised above the flesh of his neck. “What shall we do with these two?”

Before Graeme could answer, Alastair and Tormod rushed into the chamber, swords drawn. At the sight before them, the two men came to a halt. “What is going on?” Alastair asked.

Aria sheathed her weapon then reached out her hand to aid the man she had bested to his feet. “This one can answer your questions.”

The redhead pushed her hand aside and gained his feet on his own. Anger blazed in his eyes. “We had heard the Fairy Flag was usually unguarded. We came to see the precious artifact for ourselves when we were attacked by this . . . this demon.”

Aria tensed at the blatant lie more than the slight against her. She had been called that and worse by the other fairies in Fairyland.

Alastair’s lips tightened. “Most house guests would constrain their visits to another clan’s treasures to the daylight hours. Perhaps you should return to your chambers before Laird MacDonald awakes. I am certain he will not be as forgiving as I am willing to be in this moment.”

The man clenched his fists at his sides, then nodded. He turned to gather the older man who was just now waking up from his encounter with Aria’s fist.

As they prepared to leave, Aria wondered if their dismissal by Alastair would stop them from trying to steal the flag again, or only make them more determined?

Silence hovered over the chamber until the two men left. When they were alone, Alastair said, “My thanks to you both for protecting the flag.”

“This time.” Aria moved back towards the wall where the Fairy Flag hung beneath the protective glass. “I suspect they will attempt to steal the flag again when we are not as prepared as we were tonight.”

Alastair frowned. “You may be right. This is not the first time the MacDonalds have tried to steal the flag.”

Graeme scowled. “They were successful once before.”

Aria’s eyes widened at the comment. “They stole the flag before?”

Alastair nodded. “This was before you joined our clan. We were able to retrieve it.”

“Perhaps we should take heed and instead of leaving the flag on display, take it down and hide it,” Graeme suggested. “There are many secure places within this castle that would keep it safe.”

Aria had a different idea. “Or you could give the flag to me.”

Alastair’s frown increased. “What are you asking, Aria?”

“I am going back to Fairyland to negotiate your brother, Keiran’s, release. If I had the flag to barter with, I know the fairy king would let both of us return to the human realm.” Graeme and Alastair both shook their heads, but Aria continued. “We all know the MacDonalds will not stop until they get what they came for. Why not let the flag serve a better purpose by negotiating the return of your long-lost sibling?”

Alastair’s features darkened. “First and foremost, I will never allow you to sacrifice yourself for the return of Keiran, and secondly, Am Bratach Sith is safer than it has ever been.”

“With the Fairy Flag I can force Oberon to ensure my and Keiran’s safety as we come home.” Home. That was the first time she’d said the word out loud, and it felt somewhat strange but also right sitting on her tongue. Dunvegan was her home now and the MacLeods were her people. At least for now, until they found out that she was responsible for their mother’s death.