by Mary Karlik
The elf moaned and stood, catching Layla’s attention. His back was to her, but she knew who he was. She squealed as high-pitched as Martin and launched herself at him just as he turned around. He caught her, and they both fell to the ground.
Layla grinned. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
Finn brushed curls from her face. “I thought we’d lost you to the bog.”
She rolled off him and sat up. “I came through a portal and—I have power.”
“So I heard. Ian said you saved hundreds of fairies and defeated Fauth.”
She blushed. “We saved fairies and defeated Fauth.”
Ian scowled at Layla and Finn. “Not to break up the reunion, but we have a wand to steal.”
Layla looked at Ian. “A wand?”
“Long story.” Finn stood and pulled Layla to her feet. “But he’s right.”
Amelia looked at Martin who was now pressed against the wall of the house. “He’s been through enough. We need to get to the farm. We’ll talk there.”
Martin flinched as Layla walked toward the house. “I’ll put a protection spell over the house. It won’t last forever, but you’ll be safe for now.”
He squealed and hugged the wall. “Just stay away from me.”
Layla handed the stone to Finn and shot a spell over the house, washing it with her signature blue magic.
Finn watched her with a pixie-mazed expression. “Amazing.” He looked down at the stone. “And so is this thing. I’ve heard of these, but I’ve never seen one before.”
Finn and Ian inspected it.
“What is it?” Layla asked.
“I think it’s a spy stone,” Finn said.
Ian poked the eye of the rock. “That thing reminds me of Old Dorach. It looks like his eye. Do you think it’s his?”
Finn turned it over in his hands. “Aye. And I think it’s exactly the kind of thing he would do to test the portal.”
Layla looked at Amelia. “I think you accidentally opened the portal when you were here last. Then this came through.”
Finn stared into the eye. “Is that what happened, Old Dorach? You discovered the portal open and dropped this thing through? Are you watching us now?” The stone blinked twice, and he nearly dropped it.
Amelia hooked her arm in Ian’s. “Come on. We need to give poor Martin some peace.” She looked at the stone and shivered. “And I don’t want that creepy thing coming into my house.”
Amelia walked between Ian and Andrew as they made their way to the car parked down the lane from Martin’s house.
Layla was happy to see Ian together with his family. Still, as much as she didn’t want to admit it, it stung that he hadn’t asked her to join them. Walking behind the Cameron siblings and in front of the team, she felt like an outsider. She glanced at Finn walking next to her and wondered if she could ever feel a part of any world.
Andrew slapped Ian on the back. “I really didn’t think I’d see you again. And you’re a dragon. Nanna must be spinning. I don’t suppose you’d show us your dragon when we get to the croft. I’d like to see you fly.”
Amelia reached around Ian to smack Andrew on the back of the head. “Don’t encourage him. He’s not a circus freak. And I’ll no have a dragon scaring the wee ones.”
“Layla brought the fairies, did she?” Ian looked back at Layla and smiled, and her insides warmed.
Andrew nodded. “That lass doesn’t take no for an answer.”
“That’s why we get on,” Amelia said.
When they reached Buzzard’s car, Andrew pulled the back door open and slid onto the seat.
Finn cautiously peered inside. “We studied human cars, but I never thought I’d actually ride in one.”
Layla fairy-sized and flew in front of him. “Come on. It’s not going to hurt you. You’re not climbing into the belly of a beast.”
Finn slid in next to Andrew. Theo rode with his knees in his face in the cargo area. They managed the short trip by filling each other in on what had happened since Ian’s disappearance.
As they climbed out of the car, Ian turned to Amelia. “Do I still have some clothes in the guest room? I know it looks like I’m wearing them, but I can feel that I’m not.”
“Aye. Go on with you. And shower while you’re at it. You smell like a wet … dragon.” Amelia shooed him into the house.
Layla human-sized and grabbed Finn’s hand. “Come on. Meet the fairies.”
When they entered the solarium, there was much fluttering and excitement at the news that Ian had returned. Despite the fairies’ raised spirits, there was weariness in their eyes and pain in their movements. They were still very, very ill.
Judging by the paleness of Finn’s face, he saw it, too. “They need healing magic.”
“I’ve tried. I can’t find the right spell. Now that you’re here…”
He smiled. “I will do my best. We’ll need some herbs.”
“Theo and Jack are good with plants. They’ll help you find what you need.”
“I’ll see to it right away.” Finn started toward the door, then turned to Layla. “I’ve thought about our last conversation every day since you left. I’m sorry I wasn’t more supportive.”
“Don’t give it another thought. You had no way of knowing what was happening, and I was afraid of my own shadow back then. I must have sounded like a lunatic.”
“You’re wrong.” A slow smile formed on his lips. “Every day you faced a world that couldn’t accept you, and you did it with grace and wit. And you have never sounded like a lunatic.” He ducked his head, but not before Layla saw blush in his cheeks. “I’ll just find Theo and Jack.”
Ignoring signals that there was meaning behind the blush, Layla walked from the solarium to the lounge in a half daze as she tried to sort the jumbled information her mind had taken in. The fairies were away from the city and the iron—yet they weren’t improving. They’d chosen the island because it was where Ian’s sister lived. But it was also where his parents were murdered. Before, she thought it was a bit of a stretch to think Ian’s parents’ murder had a direct link to Fauth and his fairy trafficking scheme. But it wasn’t a likely coincidence that Ian and Finn had fallen to the human world at Layla’s feet.
Ian stood in the threshold between the lounge and the kitchen. His hair was wet and hung loose down to the middle of his back. He’d changed into brown trousers and a green and beige plaid shirt. His sleeves were rolled to just below his elbows. Something about the way his dragon scaled arm mixed with the human clothes sent a warm glow straight to her belly.
He smiled when he saw her. “You look lost.”
“Just thinking. I see you’ve ditched the glamour for real clothes.”
“Aye. The magical ones are a bit breezy. I know I appear to be wearing clothes, but I feel exposed. Especially when you look at me.”
“Ah well, it’s my glamour. I can see right through it.” Heat flushed her cheeks, and the smile she tried to suppress formed on her lips anyway.
His eyes widened, and his face reddened. “What? I’ve been parading around you like you couldn’t see… Never mind.” He flashed her a sparkle-eyed, mischievous look, and her belly fluttered. “What’s got your mind whirling?”
She pretended that look hadn’t warmed her insides and stood a little taller. “This all seems a bit convenient, doesn’t it?”
“Aye. Edinburgh is two-hundred and thirty miles from here. How did I wind up falling through a portal at your feet two-hundred and thirty miles from where I left you?”
Layla shrugged her wings. “I feel like we’re marionettes being maneuvered by a puppeteer.”
“We seem to be a half-step behind, but we’ll figure it out.” He took her hands, and the air between them changed.
Layla’s pulse throbbed at the base of her neck, and when Ian’s eyes drifted there, she wondered if he saw what she felt. She wondered if he knew how she longed to feel his arms around her, and his lips against hers. She looked up at him. “T
he dragon.”
His gaze met hers and then went beyond—all the way to her soul. “Is quiet for now.” He pulled her close—almost touching—and pressed his forehead against hers. “I missed you.”
She closed her eyes and drank in the feel of his hands holding hers, his forehead against hers. It wasn’t enough. She wanted to close the gap between them and feel his body pressed against her. She wanted his fingers to trail along the tips of her wings and his hands to touch the sensitive skin beneath them. She swallowed past ragged breaths. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“Never,” he breathed. Then he squeezed her hands and stepped back. “The dragon.”
Disappointment flooded her as she nodded and stepped back, too.
“Everything okay?” Finn stood in the hallway leading to the solarium. His tone was light and he wore a casual smile, but Layla wondered how much he’d seen.
Ian nodded. “Aye.”
Layla’s breaths had returned to normal, and her pulse was coming around. “We were just talking about the portal dropping you at my feet.”
Ian moved into the lounge and sat in the chintz chair. “It’s a bit too coincidental.”
Finn sat on the sofa. “It’s pretty obvious that Old Dorach wants the three of us together.”
Layla sat next to Finn. “Sure. But how did he know I’d be there?”
Ian scratched his chin. “Layla, you said the portal was accidentally opened a few weeks ago. How is that possible?”
Layla sat forward. “When the portals were open, they were controlled by gatekeepers on this side. And Ian, your sister is a gatekeeper.”
“No.” He dragged his hands down his cheeks. “How could she be?”
“Gatekeeper magic is passed through the female bloodline of a family. Your nanna was one and so was your mum.” She sat back and waited for Ian to absorb what she was saying.
“But how did we not know?”
“The portals were closed about the time your parents were murdered. But either the closure spell has worn off or someone removed it. Apparently, Amelia accidentally opened the portal in Martin’s back garden.” She pulled the spy stone from her pocket and dropped it on the coffee table.
Ian stared at the stone. “I get that Dorach dropped that thing through the portal. But even with the spy stone, how could he have known Layla would be there?”
Finn raised his brow. “Maybe he had intel.”
Layla turned to Ian. “You said you and Finn dropped through a pit in the dragon’s den.”
“Aye.”
“What if we were manipulated to get the fairies closer to the dragons?” Layla’s gut tightened. “Those fey would be as helpless as the ones who were slaughtered by Fauth fifteen years ago.”
Ian nodded toward the solarium. “This whole thing makes me uncomfortable. The dragons are after Layla. And now there is an open portal leading them to our world and hundreds of fairies ripe for the taking.”
Finn shook his head. “No. Dorach wouldn’t betray us. He said the dragons didn’t know about the portal. He helped us.”
“Well somebody betrayed us.” Ian’s face reddened. “Can you reverse that stone so we can see who’s on the other side?”
Layla swung her gaze to Finn. “Can I?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” Finn rubbed his palms on his thighs. “We need to get that wand and destroy that portal.”
The front door swung open, and Amelia led the group into the lounge. Buzzard, Andrew, and Jack stood by the door
Theo stood at the end of the sofa. “We have the herbs ready in the solarium.”
Finn nodded. “Thanks, mate.”
Amelia sat in the chair opposite the sofa. “Looks like we’re missing the party. What’s got you looking so concerned?” She nodded toward the coffee table. “What is that thing doing in my house?”
Ian swept it off the coffee table. “Can you close the portal?”
Amelia flicked her gaze to Layla. “So, she told you. If I knew how, I’d be happy to. I don’t even know how I managed to open it.”
Ian handed the stone to Layla. “We have to go after that wand as soon as possible.”
“I’m not going anywhere until I know the fairies are well and safe.” Layla’s wingtips ruffled, reflecting the churning she felt in her belly.
Finn tipped his head in the direction of the solarium. “There are a lot of sick fairies in there, and it won’t be easy. I will need to recover when it’s done. But, as soon as I’m on my feet again, I’ll help you get that wand.” He looked at Layla. “We can’t guarantee the fairies safety until they’re back in our world.”
Our world. Was it still her world? Was it ever her world? Layla’s chest tightened, and she nodded. “Aye. And unless Amelia learns how to open the portal to get the fairies home, we need to get the wand.”
Ian scanned the room. “I don’t suppose any of you have an idea where the wand would be?”
“Since you were dropped here, I would guess somewhere in Skye,” Andrew said.
Amelia shook her head at her brother. “They were sent here because the portal is in our former back garden. The wand could be anywhere.”
Buzzard cleared his throat and rubbed his palm across his head. “The Honors displayed in Edinburgh castle has a silver wand.”
Ian whipped his gaze to him. “What? I’ve taken every visitor I know to see the crown jewels. I’ve never noticed a wand.”
Amelia flashed an impressed smile at Buzzard. “It’s true. When Sir Walter Scott found the Honors, he also found a wand.”
“That has to be it then.” Finn stood.
Layla sighed. “But what if it’s not? There’s so much about this that doesn’t feel right.”
Ian nodded. “Aye. But that wand is the only clue we have. So unless the fairies know something we don’t, I suggest we return to Edinburgh first thing in the morning.” He looked at Finn and then Layla. “Stealing from the castle will be nearly impossible. We’re going to need magic.”
Jack tipped his chin toward the solarium. “What about the wee ones? Are we going to leave them behind?”
Amelia straightened. “Dragons or not, I’ll take care of the fairies. You keep my brother safe.”
Ian looked at his sister. “There are now seven of us. Even if Layla is fairy-sized, it’s a tight squeeze for Buzzard’s SUV.”
“You can take my car. I have the farm truck. Andrew can bring it back at the weekend.” She looked at Andrew. “I promise I’ll get you to Mallaig in time for the train.”
“Assuming the ferry is running.” Andrew put his hand on his stomach. “It’s getting close to teatime. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving. Amelia, a little help in the kitchen?”
Layla expected Amelia to argue, but instead, she followed Andrew to the kitchen.
“I’ll be in the solarium.” Finn left the room.
Buzzard sat on the sofa. “Do you trust him?”
Layla knew the look Buzzard was shooting Ian. It was one she’d spent days avoiding when she first joined the men. “He’s my oldest friend. I promise you can.”
“Aye,” Ian said. “I do trust him.”
Buzzard looked like he was about to argue when Finn returned to the room. “We’re ready, Layla.”
Layla nodded. “Coming.”
Ian started toward the door. Finn shook his head. “Sorry, mate. The fewer people, the better. The magic will work on every living creature in the room.”
Ian stopped in the hallway, but Layla could sense that he didn’t like being ordered to stay out. His gaze locked onto hers. “I’ll be in here if you need me.”
Finn was right to keep Ian away, but he had a certain satisfied look about him that bothered her.
Finn was her best mate—had been since she was twelve. So when did things get weird between them? And then there was Ian. Her insides warmed every time he looked at her. Her heart raced with his touch. She longed to be with him. But were these feelings coming from her heart or from the bond t
hat was normally forged through marriage?
She fluttered her wings as if she were straightening her thoughts. All she really knew was that when Ian looked at her the way he was looking at her now, the world seemed to stop spinning, time hung in the air waiting for the next word, the next breath. And whatever the world or time was waiting for it never seemed to come. She was in a perpetual state of wonder and longing. It was a feeling that sent butterflies to her belly and tingles to her toes.
Then there was the other side of Ian. As much as she longed to give her heart to the man, she couldn’t give it to the dragon.
And then she saw sadness in Ian’s eyes, and her heart ached. She knew the look. It was a look that said that while the fairy and the man had desires and hopes, the fairy and the dragon could never be.
She nodded and turned from Ian and followed Finn into the solarium. The room was heavy with smoke from the burning herbs. The wooded scent of pine and juniper mixed with sweet flowers and teased her nostrils.
Finn stood with his back to the door leading to the interior of the cottage and held his hands high with his palms facing out. “Layla, stand against the wall across from me and hold your hands up. I will start the spell, and it will flow from my hand to yours and back.” He looked down on the fairies. “Stay in the center of the room. Breathe the smoke of the herbs. Let the magic flow over your body. Is everyone ready?”
Ayes filled the room from the fairies. Layla nodded.
Finn performed the spell in his Elvin language. It started as if a wind were blowing through a forest. As he continued, his chant grew more frantic—like leaves screaming in a summer gale.
Sweat dripped from his skin, and his face grew pale. Magic left Finn in an array of colors from reds to pinks and purples to blues, greens, and yellows. The flow touched Layla’s left hand, and she felt it warm her body as it moved through her to exit her right palm. From her, it flowed back to Finn.
In Layla’s fairy language, Finn said, “Layla, feel the power and release it with as much magic as you can.”
The colors intensified, and the flow expanded toward the center of the room. Layla focused on adding her magic to the flow. She expected the blues to brighten since blue was her signature color. Instead, the flow began to undulate around the room in a slow, rhythmic dance. It was beautiful and fascinating.