Page 105 of Laird of Twilight

“What of the treasure?” Elspeth asked. “Grandda insisted it must be found.”

“That,” Niall said, “could have changed everything.”

“Even love?” Elspeth said.

“Without the treasure being found, we would have tried to take Elspeth. We might not have succeeded, seeing the strength of your bond. And we would have tried to take my father—and would have done it.”

Riona, so quiet and gentle, stepped forward. “Dear girl, there was no bartering or scheming where love was concerned. That you found on your own, and we honor that. But understand that the treasure is of great importance to our kind. If you had not discovered the jewel mine, we had to honor another agreement. Until it was found, we would take MacArthurs. You already belonged to us, so we would try.”

“Aye. But now we must let you go,” Niall said softly.

Riona nodded sadly. “If you stay here inside our magic too long, the glamourie will have you, no matter what we intend for you.”

“Go, now,” Niall said.

Elspeth embraced them again, while James stood back. Then Riona kissed his cheek, Niall took his hand briefly. The couple stepped back and turned to mist.

They were alone, inside a cave—one he had not seen before. Taking Elspeth’s hand, James walked with her to the entrance and stepped outside into sunlight.

They stood at the top of the garden overlooking Struan House.

* * *

Elspeth stared, astonished to see the grotto when she had expected to find herself on the mountainside far from there. Glancing back, she saw a solid rock wall behind them, with no cave opening. Whatever portal existed had closed. She glanced at James, who reached out to touch the solid rock wall behind them.

“We came rather farther than I expected,” he said. “Through the very heart of the mountain, it seems. And somewhat quickly.” He sounded bewildered.

“Magic.” Elspeth laughed. “Best grow accustomed to it.”

“I am trying,” he drawled. They began to walk downward, holding hands.

“Just here,” she said, “I slipped and fell, and landed at your feet in the rain.”

“A better day than that, my love, there never was.”

“I wonder if the others are back yet,” Elspeth said, peering toward the house.

“We will need to explain how we got here, instead of meeting them down by the loch on their tour.” He helped her down the slope.

“Your walking stick!” She had just noticed it was gone. “You don’t need it!”

“Aye. It is strange—and quite nice,” he said, and laughed ruefully. “I wonder if it will last.”

“We will do our best to make it so,” she said. Hearing the dogs bark, then hearing shouts, Elspeth saw the door at the back of the house open. Patrick and Fiona emerged, hurrying across the lawn.

“Where have you been?” Patrick asked, clapping James on the shoulder.

“We have been so worried!” Fiona embraced James and then Elspeth. “Thank God you are safe! I dreamed you were lost in a cave in the mountain, captured by the fairies—just like the fairy tales Grandmother used to tell us.”

“We waited, but you never met us by the loch,” Patrick said. “We have been frantic.”

“We must have just missed you,” Elspeth said, wondering how to explain it.

“Dream?” James asked Fiona. “So you had a nap while waiting? Good, then.”

“Nap?” Fiona blinked. “None of us have slept much, with you gone so long.”

“Just a few hours,” James said.