Kayla greeted them. “I have everything we need—but I have to ask a favor.” She focused on Arielle.
“What is it?”
“The elders, well, they want to meet you.”
“There’s no reason to,” Calum snapped. “It could be dangerous.”
“Calum, it’s all right.” Arielle squeezed his hand. “They’re helping me, remember?”
A comforting feeling passed through him. Only she had the power to calm him that way.
“Any specific reason why they want to meet me?” Arielle asked Kayla.
Kayla shrugged. “Curiosity? I doubt they’d ever seen a pegasus shifter before.” With a wry grin, she added, “Or maybe they think I’m making it all up with my mad pregnancy hormones. They’re already watching me closely, knowing I’m carrying a child who’s half gargoyle.”
The gargoyles were all just as interested. Mason was sure that their child wouldn’t be the first mixed species birth on the island, but it hadn’t happened in his lifetime.
Arielle took a deep breath beside him and exhaled. “I’ll meet them.”
“Besides,” Kayla added, “They probably want to remind me for the forty-seventh time what I’m supposed to do. This isn’t everyday magic. They’re trusting me with a potion they’ve worked on for days.”
Mason gave her a half-smile. “Don’t underestimate yourself, Kayla. Our garden flourishes better than any I’ve ever seen in my travels, because it’s enhanced by your magic.”
Kayla shrugged. “My magic is earth and air-based. Which is why they think I may be a good match to find a portal.”
Calum hoped she knew what she was doing. He stayed close to Arielle as they traversed the moors and passed the verdant border of fern and fauna indicating they were entering the lush forests of the coven, named Caledonia a Tuath. An abundant mingling of Scots pine, silver fir, beech, and spruce framed over them, appearing even more otherworldly with the emerald green of the Northern Lights streaking through the fine mist above. Arielle gaped at the intricate rope work connecting the houses built into the trees, and decorative vines that twined up many trunks. Flowers of all shades added swatches of color to the earth tones.
“Brilliant,” she said. “Absolutely beautiful.”
“Aye,” he replied. “I’ve only recently been over here myself.” He had a similar response the first time he visited. “They had a shield up for years that kept us out of their territory.”
“Like the one over this island?” She tilted her head.
“Somewhat.” He grinned, recalling a time when the witches’ shield had blasted Mason onto his arse when they were young.
He shot Mason a glance. Mason returned a sly smile, evidently sharing the memory.
They reached a clearing fringed with colorful gardens, filled with the exotic fragrance of the flowers and earthy scents of the herbs. Kayla’s magical gifts with nature were evident and bountiful.
Two of the elder witches of the coven approached. They barely acknowledged the others, clearly fascinated with the newcomer—a pegasus shifter.
A witch named Claire spoke. “You want to return to your realm?”
“I do,” Arielle replied. “It’s my home.”
Claire nodded. “I think we can help you.”
Arielle squeezed Calum’s hand.
“The place where you entered our world lies over the Great Glen,” Claire added. “It’s a major fault line, formed millions of years ago, when part of the Caledonian Mountains was swept away.”
Matilda, a white-haired witch, added, “Immense pockets of energy remain. It would make sense that the portal to another realm would open on that ley line.”
“Can we reopen it?” Arielle asked with a hopeful glint.
“We have given Kayla the tools and instructions necessary to do so,” Claire said, and pointed to a small cauldron. “Kayla, do you need us to go over them again?”
“Hmm.” Kayla’s gaze shifted up as she appeared to think. “No, I have it.”
“Good.” Claire then fixed her eyes on Arielle, Mason, and Calum, one at a time. “I warned Kayla and I’m warning you—stay away from Tomnahurich Hill.”
“Where’s that?” Mason asked.
“The outskirts of Inverness. It is a hill covered with trees. Appears innocuous, yet it’s far from safe. It is home to the fairies.”
“Fairies?” Arielle repeated. “We have them in our realm. They’re harmless.”
“These fairies would make you change your mind,” Matilda said. “They can travel through time. Those who’ve stumbled upon their lands and passed through time portals have suffered fatal consequences.”
“Like what?” Calum prodded.
“When they return to their time, they crumble to dust.”
Calum caught Mason’s eye. Fairies weren’t something they’d encountered, nor did they think they’d ever have to worry about. Apparently, that could be a fatal mistake.
“Don’t worry,” Kayla said. “We won’t go anywhere near the hill.”
“Promise?” Claire asked.
“Promise.”
“Good, I don’t want to have to explain to your mum and aunts that you’ve disintegrated to dust.”
“Kayla, I don’t like the sound of this,” Mason said. “Think of the baby.”
“You’ve flown us to the Highlands several times,” she responded. “We’ll be safe. I know it.”
Arielle swallowed. She raised her chin. “I appreciate all of you doing so much to help me.” She focused on the witches. “Is there some way I can repay you?”
The elder witches exchanged a look. “There’s one thing,” Claire said. “A feather from your wing. A single feather is all we ask.”
“No,” Calum said, before he could stop himself. Anyone taking any part of Arielle made his protective instincts flare. “Why would you want that?”
“They contain a unique magic. We’ve never seen a pegasus before. Never had an opportunity like this.”
“Calum,” Arielle said. “It’s nothing. Look what they’re doing for me.”
“We would only use it for good magic,” Claire said.
His heart still pounded out his concern.
Arielle replied, “Let me shift and you can take one.”
They weren’t going to touch her. They could grab a handful out of greed—or do something worse.
“I will do it,” Calum barked.
Nobody argued.
Arielle whispered to him. “Take a few. Keep some for you and your brothers.”
She shifted to pegasus form. At the first sign of the silvery aura, the witches clasped their hands and gasped with exuberance.
“Remarkable!” Claire said.
Arielle approached Calum and nudged his hand with her head. He rubbed gently between her ears before running his hands down her smooth white fur. He didn’t want to take any part of her beautiful body away, but realized it was a small token of appreciation for their help getting her home. If it worked. A small, selfish part of him hoped it didn’t. That way, she’d stay with him.
No. That wasn’t what she wanted. He had to think of her.
He reached under her silvery wing, traveling his fingers over the soft feathers. He was reluctant to mar her precious wings, but no way would he let someone else do the task. He rolled his shoulders back and exhaled, and then pulled.
He stared at the feather for several heartbeats. He took one more as Arielle had directed, more for sentimental reasons rather than anything practical.
He handed a feather to Claire, and stuffed the other one into his pocket.
“Let me see.” Matilda peered closer.
“Ta,” Claire said. “And good luck.”
Mason carried the cauldron as the four of them headed back to the moors.
“Are we ready to do this?” he said.
“Aye,” Calum said. “I’ll notify the others.”
He and Mason unfolded their wings. Calum didn’t need the other brothers to accompany them now th
at the threat was gone. Besides, he didn’t need an audience when he inevitably had to say goodbye to Arielle.
“You’re going to have to carry this.” Mason handed over the cauldron. “I have a far more important thing to carry.” He beamed at Kayla.
She gave him a kiss. “Two more important things.”
“Wait,” Calum said. “Am I going to spill something?” He glanced inside it, expecting to see a bubbling potion, but its contents looked more like a velvet wrap.
“It’s secure,” Kayla said. “The potion is in a bottle, wrapped in a lining and fastened to the inside.”
Mason lifted Kayla and they soared into the night sky. He spotted his brothers to his right and they joined together.
Calum glanced at Mason, the closest to him in age. They’d been so close growing up, but once Mason had met Kayla, he spent much of his time with her. Soon, he’d be a father. Perhaps that was part of growing older and moving on with life. If Calum could have had a chance to be with Arielle, would he?
Without a doubt.
No point in thinking that way about Arielle when they were in the process of sending her home.
The question clouded his thoughts, blinding him from enjoying what might be his last flight with a pegasus—who turned out to be the most captivating woman he’d met.
They landed on a grassy plain with a brilliant view of Loch Ness and Arielle shifted back. Calum tried to sense any of that energy around him the witches had described but didn’t note anything different.
Kayla padded over to Calum. “You can put that here.”
He placed the cauldron before her as directed.
She pulled out a glass bottle from inside a purple velvet wrap that had been inside the cauldron. “This potion contains the magic that will open the portal. But it isn’t enough on its own.” She pointed to the cauldron. “That’s what this is for. We need to add a handful of dirt to represent the earth, drops of water from the loch. The air is already present.”
“And fire?” Arielle guessed.
“Exactly. Earth, air, fire, and water are key elements. Add the earth and water, then pour in the potion. Last, we will add fire to the mix.” She let out a nervous laugh. “I’ve never done anything like this. It’s actually beneficial to me, as well.”
“How so?”
“Helps me develop my magic. Despite their wariness of my choice of a mate, the elder witches believe if I push myself and nurture my gifts, I will grow to be a talented witch in the coven.”
Calum studied Kayla. No doubt she had magic, but she was so young. She’d never done anything of this magnitude. They’d failed to find the portal many times. Was it foolish to think anything would be different this time?
He caught Arielle’s stare.
I don’t want to let her down again.
They flew to the Highlands and began the search near Castle Urquhart, avoiding Tomnahurich Hill. They spread their arms, trying to feel more a change in the atmosphere, or anything that would indicate areas of greater energy.
“What are you doing here?” A low voice grumbled.
Calum found the source of the question down below. A being less than a foot tall stood before them and its expression was fierce.
A fairy. One who could turn them all to dust.
Chapter 13
The witches were right. This fairy was nothing like the ones Arielle had encountered. It was mean, and appeared vicious.
Calum stepped before her, shielding her with his body. “We mean no disrespect. We’re searching for a pocket of energy and were told this was where we find it.”
“What for?” The fairy asked with a sneer.
Arielle stepped out from behind Calum. She couldn’t let him risk his life again, and needed to prevent the tension from escalating. “I’m lost in this realm. And these kind souls are helping me to return home.”
The fairy narrowed his eyes. “Where are you from?”
“Another realm. It’s called Lyrandale. Have you heard of it?”
“You are not the first to pass through from there.”
He knew about it, which could be a good thing, or a bad one. Treading carefully, she replied, “I passed through myself when I was a child. But this time was accidental. Can you help me?”
“Stay away from the hill,” he warned. “Follow the path of the sun. And stay away from the hill. Trespassers will be dealt with harshly.” He turned and marched away.
Arielle caught Calum’s gaze. Was that a tip or warning? Or both?
“You heard the fairy.” Kayla glanced up to the sky. “Which way would the sun set?” She pointed and traced a path through the sky, although the sun had long since set. “This way.”
The night stretched on as they searched for any indication of a ley line. With each passing minute, Arielle’s hopes dimmed. She should tell them to give up. She had to accept that she’d never go home. This would be her new home.
“I found something!” Kayla said.
The three of them rushed over to her. “What?” Mason asked.
“Feel it,” she said, passing her hand palm down in a circle in front of her. “There’s energy here.”
Arielle ran her hand through the space, but didn’t feel anything. Still, Kayla was convinced.
Kayla closed her eyes and spread her arms wide. She took a deep inhale that seemed to bring the force of the surroundings into her.
“Come,” she said. “I need to include all of us in a magic circle.”
They moved closer to Kayla. She walked around them, spreading salt, and spoke foreign words. She returned to the cauldron and continued to chant as she spread her arms in circles over the cauldron and out to her side. Although petite and young, she appeared like a powerful goddess as she performed the spell. She closed her eyes at times, taking deep breaths, appearing in touch with her magic. Lifting a small shovel, she broke up the grassy plain below and threw some dirt into the cauldron.
Kayla took the flask of water and poured it over the dirt while continuing to chant. She circled her hands over the cauldron. Then she took the bottle, uncorked it, and poured it into the cauldron, repeating some of the words.
“Ready?” Kayla addressed Arielle.
Arielle exchanged a glance with Calum, and swallowed hard. She broke the gaze. It was too difficult to see all the emotions blazing through his wild eyes, a wild maelstrom that reflected her bittersweet feelings about leaving.
“Aye.”
Kayla put her hands close together, forming a sphere shape in between them. She moved them in a circular motion, spinning quicker. Then with a flourish, she snapped her hands apart and flames burst between her hands. Arielle gasped. Kayla directed the fiery ball into the cauldron with a flourish.
The flames went out.
Nothing happened. Arielle rubbed her forehead, stifling a moan. It wasn’t going to work. She’d never get home. She was stuck in this realm forever.
But maybe it wasn’t so awful. Over the last several days, she considered this possibility many times. At first, it had seemed like a tragic outcome. But since spending time with Calum, the idea of leaving him was just as devastating. He introduced her to his world, shared a part of himself with her, and she with him. She couldn’t deny their connection—and attraction.
A short-term affair was one thing—and he’d never indicated he wanted her to stay.
Besides, her mother… Arielle couldn’t bear to bring her more pain.
A low rumbling sound from the cauldron pulled her out of her jumbled thoughts. The earth beneath her feet vibrated. Smoke drifted from the cauldron, filling the space above it. The vibration from the ground grew more pronounced. Calum caressed her hand.
“Hold on to me.”
Sparks shot out of the cauldron. Everyone stepped back.
Kayla exclaimed, “It’s working!”
Fire uncurled from the cauldron’s mouth, reminding Arielle of the dragon.
Mason grabbed Kayla and pulled her away from the cauldron. “Get back.�
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Flames continued to emerge until the air before them was filled with the fiery tapestry. Calum pushed Arielle back and onto the ground, covering her with his body.
Arielle turned her head to see the scene unfold. She squinted at the blaze. A black circle in the middle of it swirled. It was the one part that wasn’t blinding.
The black shape continued to grow becoming more spherical.
“What the bloody hell is happening, Kayla?” Calum said.
“I don’t know!”
Although the flames were right above them, Arielle didn’t feel the heat. It wasn’t like when the dragon had pursued her, which was odd with fire so close.
The black sphere continued to grow. Streaks of bright colors shot through it. The streaks grew wider and longer, overshadowing overwhelming the black. Seconds later, the black was swallowed by a rainbow of light. A tunnel.
“It worked!” Kayla shrieked. “The portal is open!”
Arielle’s mouth fell open. It was true. The vortex of colors reminded her of the entryway into this realm.
“What are you doing?”
“She’s right,” Arielle replied. “It’s the way home.”
“I’m not going to let you go through that!” Calum exclaimed. “Who the bloody hell knows where that will take you.”
A warm tingling expanded inside Arielle. Once again, his concern touched her. He’d been showing her this caring side ever since they’d met. Maybe it was simply a gargoyle thing, but after all they’d gone through, it had to mean more. They cared deeply for each other. She was sure of it.
Arielle touched his arm. “That’s how I came in. That’s the way I need to go home.”
She scanned his face once more. This was it. The last time she would see Calum. It was time to say goodbye.
Calum rolled off Arielle with reluctance, and rose to his feet. He offered his hand to help her up.
“I don’t know about this, Arielle. It — it bothers me.”
She turned to face the fiery-colored entryway before them.
“It’s scary, I know. But it’s the way back. I’m sure of it.”
When she turned back to him, he searched the violet eyes he’d never forget. A dozen words passed between them, yet none were spoken. How could he say goodbye after all they’d gone through together?
Knights of Stone: Calum: A gargoyle and pegasus shifter paranormal romance (Highland Gargoyles Book 5) Page 11
