Page 4 of Taming the Highland Beauty

Oberon is not defeated. Gille’s presence in the forestlands outside Dunvegan is proof of that.

Callum stood. Against his better judgement, he knew what he had to do. To save his mother, he would put aside his own feelings. “I will convince Gille to come here and help you.”

’Tis not that easy, my son. She never leaves the woodlands. Their mother’s face contorted as she clutched her midriff.

Tormod stood. “I am going to get Lottie to see if she can do anything to help relieve Mother’s pain.”

Callum nodded, even though he knew the healer most likely could not help. None of Lottie’s potions or unguents would work on someone who was not truly of this realm. “As soon as I am able, I am going to the forest to bring Gille back here. None of us want all that you have done to protect your family for the past fourteen years to be in vain.”

Son . . .

“Nay, Mother. Gille must help you. I will force her, if need be.”

Chapter Two

The next morning, Callum quietly left Dunvegan alone and entered the forest beyond it. He had left the castle before anyone else stirred to avoid his older brothers asking where he was going, and if they could accompany him. He was so tired of all of them treating him as if he needed a constant escort. Had they all forgotten the years he had spent at the castle, running the estate while they had been off at university and then fighting in the West Indies?

Callum’s hand drifted to the hilt of his sword at his hip and felt the weight of another at his back. He also carried a dagger against his thigh, and a sgian-dubh in his boot. He might be younger than his brothers, but he was highly skilled with a sword and ready to defend himself against whatever dangers might await him in the woodlands.

He stepped over the gnarled roots of towering trees that stretched towards the sky. Shafts of morning light pierced the thick canopy, dappling the moss-covered ground. The air smelled of damp earth with a hint of salt from open waters beyond Loch Dunvegan. He came to the forest today for one purpose: to find the fairy who lived here and bring her back to his home. His mother’s existence hung in the balance, and even though he didn’t like the fact he would be asking a fairy for help, Gille was his only hope.

As Callum ventured deeper, the forest around him came alive. Ferns brushed against his legs, rustling leaves overhead seemed to announce his arrival, and unseen creatures scurried away. He followed a narrow path, guided only by his desperation.

He could see no one, yet he sensed a presence. He pushed forward, heart pounding, until he reached a glade bathed in sunlight. The sensation of someone watching him sent a shiver across his flesh. “Who’s there?” he asked, standing perfectly still, listening for any sound to indicate the fairy’s presence. “I mean you no harm.”

There was no response, not even the slightest intake of breath.

All the same, Callum sensed Gille was close. He steeled himself for what he had to ask. “I have come to request your help. My mother is . . . dying.” The last word caught in his throat. It was not entirely the truth, for his mother was already dead. However, she was fading away and would soon be lost to them in a way that she had not been before her murder.

“Please.” His voice was raw. “I must have your help.”

The rustle of leaves sounded towards his left. He turned to see a creature rising from the forest floor covered in a cloak of moss-covered leather. She pushed back her hood to reveal red hair that reflected the morning light yet hid her features from him. Even so, he knew this was Aria’s sister, Gille.

“Why do you think I can help you? And why seek me out now when I have lived within walking distance of Dunvegan for the past year?”

He frowned. “Does no one come to see you? Not even Aria or your mother?”

Her emerald-green eyes held the weight of centuries. “The only ones who come are the villagers who want my magic for themselves.” Her gaze narrowed to slits. “Everyone wants something from me. Even you.” Her words carried as much hurt as anger.

He met her gaze, and his breath caught. Her pupils were dilated to an unnatural extent and devoid of any warmth, giving her a predatory appearance. “I will not lie to you. I had forgotten about you until yesterday.” She was not the same fairy he remembered. A hint of danger surrounded her and her rugged almost beastly appearance. Her hair was tangled, her skin streaked with dirt, and her features were somewhat distorted.

She turned her face away, hiding her emotions. “You have all been enjoying yourselves so much that you barely spared a thought for who was no longer among you.”

“The last year has not been an easy one, if that is what you think. The MacLeods have faced many dangers.”

When she turned back to face him, her expression was blank. “And I have had no difficulties at all, here in the woods all alone.”

“That is not what I meant.” Callum pressed his lips together. She would not make this easy on him. If he wanted her help, he would have to at least appear remorseful for not remembering about the fairy he only wanted to forget. “I apologise if we hurt you.” His words sounded sincere as he held her gaze.

She shrugged. “At least it was you who came today and not the villagers. They are getting more aggressive every time they come to search for me.”

His gaze dropped to the unusual cloak she wore. “You are very adept at concealing yourself.”

“Out of necessity.” She pulled her cloak tighter about her shoulders as silence settled between them.

Callum took a step forward. Despite her anger at being forgotten, he was determined to persuade the fairy to help his mother. “Do you remember my mother?”

She nodded, then tilted her head, assessing him. As her hair fell away from her face, he could finally see her features more clearly. Despite her beautiful eyes, her face was pale, her nose seemed flatter rather than rounded, her brow jutted forward slightly. As sisters, how could Aria be so ethereal and Gille be almost animalistic?