Page 41 of Enchanted

In that moment, Keiran charged, hitting Oberon in the chest with his shoulders and taking him down to the ground. With a howl of rage, Oberon disappeared.

Graeme arrested his movements, halting the use of the flag’s last miracle. He released a harsh breath, so great was his relief. “Praise the saints that I did not have to use the flag.” As the flag’s guardian, once the last bit of magic had been used, Graeme would have been drawn back to Fairyland where he would remain as a prisoner for the rest of his life. It was what the magic of the flag demanded of its flag bearers. And the Duffs had held that position for the MacLeods since the flag had been gifted to them centuries ago.

Alastair helped Keiran to his feet, saying, “I, too, am grateful.”

“I was certain—” Rosalyn’s voice clouded with tears.

“As was I.” Keiran wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

In the distance, the wave collapsed, sending a rush of water to crash against the rocky shoreline, but sparing the castle and all those inside its stone walls. Once the roar of the water died down and the loch settled, the waves once again lapped at the shore. The normal sounds of nature returned as though they had never been threatened, with a soft hooting of owls, and the chirping of crickets. And the moon shone down on the castle as it had for centuries.

Aria and the two cloaked figures came to join the rest of them. “Rosalyn, may I introduce you to my sister, Gille, and my mother, Pearl.”

Rosalyn smiled at the women who lowered their hoods, exposing their red hair. “Based on how they were able to help you keep that wave away from shore, I assume they also have magic?”

Aria nodded as she went into Graeme’s arms. “Mother, Gille, we are so grateful you arrived when you did. How did you know we would need your help?”

“We saw the fire in the village,” the younger redhead said. Her face was partially hidden by her hair, but Rosalyn could tell that Gille looked nothing like her beautiful sister. Her features were a bit too angular to be considered alluring, with her slightly pointed chin and cheekbones. But these very angles hinted at an elegance to come, like a rosebud before it bloomed. “We also sensed Oberon’s return.”

“After we put out the flames, we headed here to warn you about Oberon,” Pearl said, her bearing regal. Rosalyn could easily imagine her as the fairy princess from the stories Keiran had told her about the woman who had gifted them with the Fairy Flag.

Silence settled over them as they each reflected on what had transpired. Keiran curled Rosalyn against the warmth of his body. As their heartbeats returned to normal, he broke the silence. “This battle is not over yet.”

“I can still feel Oberon’s presence on the back of my neck,” Aria said, straightening. “Yet we have no idea where he is.”

“He must be close, and could pounce on us at any hour,” Alastair said, his voice harsh and strained.

Keiran frowned, releasing Rosalyn’s waist and shifting his gaze between Alastair and Graeme. “Enough. You are thinking like sheep staked out for a pack of wolves. We have power of our own to use against Oberon.”

“Keiran is right.” Graeme nodded. “We must stop reacting as Oberon expects us to. Four of us have fairy magic, and the rest of us are a mighty force on our own.”

“It is not only Oberon who threatens us,” Alastair reminded them.

Aria’s gaze lifted to sweep the surrounding area, searching, as always, for a potential threat. “I suspect Oberon predicts we will use our magic against him as we did before, while the English will expect us to come charging into battle, with tempers high and swords drawn.”

“Then we should do the opposite,” Keiran suggested.

“We are mighty when we choose to be. There is no one better than you at methodical planning, Alastair,” Graeme said with a hint of a smile. “Or Tormod, at garnering brute force from our men. Orrick and Aria are skilled warriors, and although Callum is untested, he has shown great promise.”

Alastair nodded. “Let us gather first thing in the morning and make our plans when we are rested. ’Tis time for us to turn the tables and become the hunters instead of the prey.”

The tension that had come over the men since Oberon’s appearance eased. Yet the tension coiling inside Rosalyn increased as Keiran once again shifted his gaze to her. The anger that had momentarily been in his eyes faded, replaced by something darker, more sensual. And honeyed heat flared within her.

Keiran reached for her hand when the others turned and headed back to the keep. His fingers wrapped around hers. His warmth radiated through her body. For a long second, he looked down at her. The moonlight outlined the planes of his face, of his lean muscular body, before he took a step closer, creating a startling intimacy.

He was so close, and yet not close enough. What was it about this man that had captivated her so? Did she feel a connection to him because he had healed her? Or was it because she had seen his true spirit when she had died and left her body? Or was it the way he held her hand? The way his lips moulded so perfectly to her own? Or the gentleness he always showed her when her life had been nothing but neglect and cruelty before he had come along?

“Your hands are warm,” he whispered into the night.

Warm?They were melting at his touch. She swallowed roughly as he smoothed his fingers across her palm, her wrist, her forearm, bringing excitement, heat, and hunger.

“Our binding has been removed; though not our obligation to each other. Keiran’s gaze was unwavering yet inviting, holding the promise of mysteries yet to be revealed.

Rosalyn’s breath faltered as her sense of self-preservation warred with her blossoming desire. A small voice inside her urged her to remain where she stood, that she would end up like her parents if she gave herself over to the passion between them. Another voice reminded her that she and Keiran had joined their lives, no matter how temporarily, and that appeasing passion was her due. If she wanted it.

And heaven help her, she wanted it.

Rosalyn drew a breath and nodded, allowing him to lead her into the castle and up the stairs to his bedchamber.