He caught her hand and walked with her, until they came up over a hill in the meadow. Below them were Gwenellen and Dougal, looking up at the trees, where the fairies giggled and whispered. Across the meadow, outside their snug cottage stood Nola and Bessie, stirring something in a big kettle, preparing a meal, while Wilona and Jeremy knelt on either side of the prone figure of Hazlet, bathing her forehead, covering her with a fur throw.
Grant’s tone was solemn and serious. “So much has happened. The things I’ve learned have shaken me to my core. I’m not the man I thought I was, nor is Dougal the brother I thought him to be.”
“But you still love each other. That hasn’t changed.”
“Aye. I love him. But our loyalties will now be divided. I can see that he wants to know the mother he never had, while I resent her for depriving me of the father I never had.”
“Your resentment will fade in time, Grant.”
“I fervently pray it is so. I don’t want to harbor hatred in my heart. Not when I see the goodness in you. But I don’t know if I’m capable of the kind of forgiveness that will be necessary to heal our family.”
“It will take time.”
“Time.” He said the word on a sigh of disgust.
“Aye. Give yourself time to let these changes merge with what once was. Time to forgive, to learn to love.”
“What if I can’t? What if the fabric of our family is forever torn apart?”
“Then you’ll weave a new one. We’ll weave a new fabric together, and you’ll see that none of the old ways matter.”
“But they matter to me, don’t you see?” He studied their linked fingers, then slowly released his hold on her. “You live in paradise. I live in a world of lies and deception and violence. What man would want to share such horror with someone as good, as loving, as you?”
“But I’ve learned to love your land, your people.”
“Aye. Because your heart is so good and pure. But don’t you understand, Kylia? The people of my world will never change. Even those who proclaim themselves holy will cheat and lie and steal.” His voice lowered with feeling. “And kill. Look at me. I’ve killed men on the field of battle. What is the difference if we kill our enemies, or our brothers?”
“It does matter, Grant.” She touched her hands to his face and stared into his eyes, willing him to see the truth of her words. “You fight the invaders in order for your people to live in peace. You’re even willing to sacrifice your life for theirs. Can anything be more honorable than that?”
“It may be necessary, and honorable, but it will never be good to take another’s life. While you and your family spend your time healing, I spend mine inflicting mortal wounds. How can I ask you to give up a life in paradise for such as I can offer?”
“Ask me.” Though she tried to keep the plea from her tone, it was there. “Just ask me, my lord, and let the choice be mine.”
Instead of the words she desperately wanted to hear, he merely shook his head and turned away, leaving her standing alone at the top of the hill, her heart shattering into millions of pieces.
They gathered around a festive table set beneath the shade of a tree. The contrast between Kylia and her family, in their lavish gowns the color of flowers seemed all the more distinct when measured against the dulness of Hazlet’s nun’s robes. Though she no longer wore the veil across her face, she had carefully tucked her hair under a length of brown cloth, and kept her head bowed while the others carried on a lively conversation. It was plain to all that guilt weighed heavily upon her.
Wilona draped an arm around her daughter and glanced with affection at her three granddaughters, who were taking turns feeding Wee Lad. “Isn’t it grand to have them back with us?”
“Aye.” Nola squeezed Allegra’s hand. “How is life with your beloved Merrick and his son, Hamish?”
“We’re so happy, despite the fact that Merrick was recently gone from us for more than a fortnight, leading an army against invaders.”
Grant looked over at Kylia’s older sister with sudden interest. “How do you survive the loss of your husband to battle, my lady?”
“Like any other wife, I stay as busy as I can while worrying over him.”
“But it has to be worse for someone like you.”
She arched a brow. “Someone like me?”
“Have you no regrets over giving up paradise for a mere mortal?”
Laughter lurked in her eyes, though she kept her voice without inflection. “Merrick may be a mortal, but there is nothing mere about him. Nor about the love I feel for him. What good would paradise do me without him in it?”
“What good?” He gave a mirthless laugh. “Here there is no cruelty. No sickness. No lying or cheating. Here you would still enjoy the love of your family. You could share laughter, and feel the warmth of sunshine on your face every day. There would be no pain, no sorrow.”
“No sorrow? If you think that, you have never experienced love, my lord. I was warned that I would be changed by the love of a mortal. But until I experienced it for myself, I didn’t understand. You think us different from mortals, but you’re wrong. Once we have found love, we become like you. We can be lifted to the highest heavens by the sheer joy of loving. We can be dashed to the depths of despair by the loss of that love. You see, Grant MacCallum, despite all our gifts here in the Mystical Kingdom, all our strengths and spells, our hearts can be broken.”
Nola glanced at Kylia, who had been strangely silent throughout the meal. “Come, my daughter. Help me serve the tea.”
When they were inside the cottage, Nola arranged cups on a tray while Kylia poured from the kettle.
“Do you love this man, my child?”
“Aye.” She said it simply.
“Yet the love makes you unhappy. Does he not return your feelings?”
“I believe he does. But the secrets revealed by his aunt have left him angry and bitter. He is reluctant to bring me into such a household.”
Nola smiled. “He thinks others have a perfect family, and his is imperfect.”
Kylia nodded.
Nola laid a hand over hers. “If you love him, and he returns that love, you will find a way.”
“How?” Kylia’s eyes filled with tears. “He is eager to return to his home. And he has made it plain that he will not ask me to accompany him.”
Nola merely patted her daughter’s hand. “Then you must find a way to change his mind. You are, after all, endowed with certain gifts.”
“But you and Gram taught me that I have no right to use them for my own selfish needs.”
“Perhaps, just this once, we could make an exception.”
When her mother walked away carrying the tray, Kylia remained alone in the kitchen, staring after her. And wondering how in the world she could work her magic on such a stubborn, pigheaded man as Grant MacCallum.
As their little party sipped tea and ate fruit fresh from the trees, the sun sank beneath the hills, and the shadows of evening began to gather around them.
Hazlet, seated beside Dougal, turned to Kylia and broke her self-imposed silence. “My lady, how can I ever thank you and your family for the precious gift you gave me?”
“Your thanks are not necessary.” Kylia glanced at her family, who nodded their agreement.
“But I wish to make amends for my sins.” She studied her nephew’s stern profile. “I allowed bitterness and pride and grief to ruin not only my life, but all those I loved. Please believe me when I tell you that I would gladly exchange this new life I’ve been given, if it would but convince you that the most important thing in this world is love. Not all of us find it. And some who do, discover that it is not returned. But if you are fortunate enough to love one who loves you in return, do all in your power to cherish it as the greatest gift of all.”
Abruptly Grant got to his feet and turned to the others at table. “By your leave, I need to walk off this fine meal.”
As he started away, Kylia stood up. “I believe I’
ll partake of this evening air as well.”
At once, the wolf pup danced at her heels.
The others remained by the cottage, watching as the two shadowy figures blended into the darkness.
Kylia moved slowly beside Grant, aware that he was taking great pains not to touch her. When they reached the top of the hill, they lifted their heads to stare at the canopy of stars above them.
“My sisters and I rode among them one night.”
He turned to study her. “What was it like?”
“Breathtaking. Like…” She struggled to find a way to describe it. “Like the first time you kissed me.”
He felt a trickle of heat along his spine, remembering that first time, and the indelible effect it had on him. “I doubt a kiss can compare with a ride among the stars.”
“It can, if the two sharing the kiss are fated to be together from the beginning of time.”
“Kylia, you don’t know…”
She turned and placed a finger to his lips to silence his protest. “I saw you when I was but a wee lass, and my heart knew you. After that, every time your face appeared in the loch, or in my dreams, I came to know you better. You can no more deny me than you can deny yourself, my love.”
He caught her wrist. “My mind is made up, Kylia. When I leave this place, I leave alone.”
“Because you feel unworthy of me.” She said it softly, with no bitterness.
“Aye.”
Her tone lowered with feeling. “If you leave without me, you will never know a moment’s peace. I’ll haunt your dreams, and stalk you as you go about your daily routine. You’ll see my face on every maiden, and hear my voice in the ripple of a brook. With every breath you take, you’ll breathe me in. And you’ll mourn your loss as only a scorned lover can.”
He was shocked by her fervor. “Such cruelty is beneath you, my lady.”
“It will not be of my making, but of yours. You see how your aunt suffered for a lifetime because of the choices she made, and yet you consider making like choices.”
“I choose not to lie or cheat in order to have what my heart desires. Can’t you see that, Kylia? I could lie, and promise you paradise in my arms. It would be paradise for me, but for you it would mean a lifetime of hell, waiting while I battle yet another army of invaders. I could beg, and tell you that I will never love another the way I love you. And though it may be true, it is also selfish. I want better for you than what I can offer.”
“And what about what I want?” When he didn’t answer she gave a sigh. “I want you, Grant. Only you. And this.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe to press her mouth to his. “Only this.”
He’d thought he could resist. But the moment her mouth was on his, he felt the jolt of need, hot and demanding, and answered with a slow, deep kiss that had his head spinning, the ground beneath his feet tilting wildly.
Against her lips he murmured, “How could you possibly want me, Kylia? I’m weak, my love.” He drew back. “A weak, mortal man. It’s another thing you’ll surely regret one day.”
“There will be no regrets.” She drew herself against him, needing to feel him in every part of her body. “Not now, not ever.”
“Oh, my love.” He rained kisses over her eyes, her cheeks, the tip of her nose, before once more claiming her mouth. “How did I ever live before you? Promise me, no matter how foolishly I behave, you’ll never leave me.”
“I promise you.”
“And I promise you that I will love only you, my sweet, beautiful Kylia.” He gathered her close and pressed his mouth to her temple, breathing her in.
Overhead, the stars began dancing across the sky in a glittering display of fireworks. At their feet, Wee Lad lifted his head to the moon and, for the first time in his young life, howled.
As the two of them drew a little apart, Grant said with a laugh, “I see that here in the Mystical Kingdom you have some unusual ways of announcing things of importance.”
“Aye. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind?” He chuckled, low and deep in his throat. “I thought about shouting it from the treetops. But your way is much better, my love.”
He caught her hand, and with the wolf bounding at their feet, they turned back toward the cottage, to share their news with the others.
Epilogue
The little party stood in a circle, each of them holding a candle. The moon was a fat golden globe in the midnight sky. The night air was sweet with the scent of roses.
Dougal stood beside Grant, his hand on his shoulder, watching as Kylia, accompanied by her sisters Allegra and Gwenellen, stepped out of the cottage and began to cross the meadow toward them.
She wore a gown of white gossamer that could have been spun by angels. Her thick black hair, entwined with wildflowers, drifted about her face and shoulders like a silken veil.
When she reached Grant, he took her hands in his and was stunned not only by the heat of her touch, but by the look of love in her eyes. A look so deep, so dazzling, it had his heart stuttering.
The two of them turned toward Wilona, who laid her hands over their joined hands.
“To all things there is a season. A time to live. A time to love.”
Hearing the familiar words, Kylia felt tears sting her eyes.
“Speak now what is in your hearts.”
Grant’s voice was strong, rich, as he smiled down at his bride. “I’d thought I could deny my love for you, in order to spare you the hardships of my world. But I can no more deny you, my love, than I could deny my own life. I love you, Kylia, of the clan Drummond. I will cherish you for my lifetime, and beyond.” He removed a small pouch from his tunic and opened it to reveal the jewels he’d once plucked from the Enchanted Loch. “With these stones I pledge my love and my life.”
As they spilled into her hand, they seemed to flow like liquid tears, pale and luminous as the stars overhead. Then, while some mysteriously danced in her hair, others formed a circlet around her throat, held in place by nearly invisible strands of fine gold.
Kylia blinked away her tears, for she wanted nothing to mar her view of this man’s face, as she spoke from her heart. “I have known you for all of my life. My friend, my love, my husband. I will be with you forever, in this world and the next.”
Wilona lifted her hands over their heads in a blessing. “Now you are no longer two, but one. One heart. One love. One will. You no longer have two families, but one. Go now, and make your life together. But remember always that you have a home here in the Mystical Kingdom. The ones you leave behind will be awaiting your visits.”
They turned to accept the warm congratulations and embraces from their family.
Nola wiped tears from her eyes as she drew her daughter close and kissed her cheek. “I feared that you were in love with love. But now I know that you are truly in love, not with an idea, but with a man who wants only what is best for you.”
“Aye. I’m so fortunate, Mum.”
“Indeed.”
Kylia hugged her grandmother and her sisters, before turning to accept congratulations from old Bessie and Jeremy.
Dougal was beaming as he kissed Kylia’s cheek. “I now have a sister.”
“And I have a brother. It is something I have long desired.”
With a grin Dougal caught Grant in a fierce bear hug. “You chose well, my brother.”
When the two stepped apart, Grant met his eyes and nodded. “I always choose well. Not only my wife, but my brother. For you are my brother, Dougal. If we were not born of the same mother, we were borne of the same blood. We are brothers of the heart. For now. For always.”
At his words, Hazlet, who had held back, strode forward and offered her hand. “I offer you my warmest wishes, nephew. This day I have been reborn. I can now die a happy woman.”
Grant took her hand and drew her close. “But can you…live a happy woman, Aunt?”
His question caught her by surprise, causing her to pull back. “What do you mean?” r />
“If you truly are reborn, there must be a reason for it. Perhaps you’re meant to learn how to live in joy for a change, instead of living always in grief.”
He saw the light of understanding in her eyes. “I believe you’re right, nephew. I mean to try.” She surprised them both by stepping close to press a kiss to his cheek.
As she started to back away, he drew her close and kissed her on the cheek. “There, now, Aunt, that didn’t hurt, did it? Perhaps when we return to Duncrune, you might allow Lord Giles to do the same.”
She merely stared at him in stunned surprise before turning to Kylia. “There is about you, my lady, a look of serenity that is most attractive.” She took her hands. Squeezed. “I hope you will teach me how to love, and forgive, and to find the peace and serenity that you’ve found.”
Kylia smiled. “I believe you’re already learning, Aunt Hazlet.”
Grant took his wife’s hand. “We must leave, my love, for my people…” He paused and smiled. “Our people are in need of us.”
“Aye.” She scooped up the wolf pup, and turned for a last look at her family, who were so dear to her.
“You’ll bring our Kylia back to us often, won’t you, my lord?” Nola called.
“You know I will, my lady, for I crave the peace and beauty of your kingdom as much as she.”
As Grant and Kylia joined hands with Dougal and Hazlet, Wilona began to chant the ancient words that would take them away. Soon Nola and her daughters joined in, sending them off in a chorus of song.
With the words ringing in their ears, they began to float high over the hills and valleys, over villages and wild, forested countrysides, until far below they spotted the familiar village of Duncrune, and just beyond, the castle.
As they began their descent, Grant drew Kylia close. “Welcome home, my love.”
Home. The word had her weeping again. But these were tears of such joy, for she was now where she belonged, with the man who had owned her heart from the beginning of her life. The man who would, she now knew, be with her until the very end of time.