Page 46 of To Win a Highlander’s Heart

Tormod turned to Aria. “You didn’t follow?”

She shook her head. “Instead, I came to tell you what I saw so you could decide how to proceed. The woman you call Izzy might be in danger. She might not. When I saw you and your men preparing to leave, I wanted you to know where the English were.”

“How many men did Lieutenant Collins have?” Alastair asked, trying to formulate a plan of action before they set out.

“Somewhere between forty and fifty,” Aria said. “Lieutenant Collins’s company suffered significant losses after their attack on this castle.”

“Then that is one good thing that came from the attack,” Alastair said as his brow furrowed in thought. “You’ll need to explain where they are so that we can find them, then you can remain here while we are gone.”

“Nay,” Aria objected. “I want to go with you, to help you, because only then will I find a different life for myself.”

Alastair knew what it was like to want something different. “What is it that you want?”

Her mouth quirked. “Something I never thought I’d have. To find my purpose here in the human realm. I was shunned by the other fairies for being half-human. They said I was clumsy, heavy-footed, and without talent.”

Alastair’s gaze passed over her once more. The woman appeared as soft and ethereal as the mist. He released a slow, even breath, considering his options. Then raised her bow. “Are you any good with a weapon?”

“That, none of the fairies ever complained about. I am a superb archer,” Aria said with a smile.

“And modest,” Tormod grumbled.

She shrugged. “I can demonstrate my skill if you’d like.”

Alastair handed Aria back her bow and quiver. Something deep in his gut told him he could trust her.

“Choose a target,” she said while looping the string at the end of her bow.

Alastair looked about him. “How about the tree over there.” He pointed back towards the gardens.

“Too easy.” She frowned. “Does anyone have an apple?” she asked the gathered men behind Alastair and Tormod.

An ‘aye’ came from the back of those on horseback.

“Throw it into the air as high as you can.” Her voice was clear and filled with confidence.

The apple went up, towering over the heads of the men. Before it could come back towards the ground, Aria effortlessly plucked an arrow from her quiver and speared the apple in mid-air. The apple and arrow fell to the ground with a thump.

“Impressive,” Alastair said. She’d not only hit a moving target, but a small target at that.

“You’re quite good,” Tormod acknowledged begrudgingly.

“We’ll need another horse saddled for Aria,” Alastair called to one of the stable boys who remained nearby. He nodded and hurried back to the stable. A few minutes later he emerged leading a white mare.

Alastair had to admit, it seemed the perfect choice. Aria atop a white horse would only add to her ethereal image. Alastair offered her his hand to help her up into the saddle, before he and Tormod mounted and came up beside her. “Welcome to the family, Aria MacLeod. I apologise that your first adventure with your clan is to find our missing brother and possibly go to war with the English.”

“Conquering everyone and everything. Isn’t that what MacLeods were raised to do?” Aria asked as her horse fell into step between Alastair and Tormod as they started through the gates.

Alastair chuckled. “Perhaps in the past. My brothers and I are trying to walk a different path.”

“And what path is that?” she asked.

“We tried diplomacy and cooperation but unfortunately, we appear to be circling back to war,” Alastair said with a frown.

“Do you still possess the Fairy Flag that my mother left your clan?” Aria asked.

“We do,” Alastair said. “Though we can only use it one more time before the flag will return to the fairy world along with the person holding it.”

“Do you carry it with you today?” She looked at the contingent of men at her back.