Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)(18)

Morna’s gaze was sharp. ‘How?’

‘I don’t know yet,’ I answered honestly. ‘I’m still making all this up as I go along.’ Every avenue I thought of ended up in abject failure and my own tortured death but where there was a will…

‘It pays to be prepared.’

I nodded. ‘I know. And I will be. I’ll steal everything I could possibly need until I’m the most powerful damn Sidhe this country has ever seen.’

Morna smiled faintly. ‘You’re already that, dear.’ She put her hand on my arm. ‘Have you been practising while you were away?’

‘A little bit. I stole part of the Gift from a Scrymgeour Sidhe. I didn’t even know what it was and yet I managed to take it. Not all of it ? he’s still okay. He still has some magic but…’ I shrugged again.

‘Good. You’re learning self-control. I’m proud of you. Your parents would be proud of you.’

I was both taken aback and embarrassed. Unsure of how to respond, I murmured, ‘Thank you.’

‘When would you like me to leave?’

It was starting to sound like I was kicking her out. I suppose I was. ‘Er … as soon as possible. And I have a favour to ask.’ I winced; I’d already asked so much of her. ‘Can you take Tipsania with you? Drop her off at the MacQuarries’ Land? They’ll keep her hidden for a little while, at least until her wedding date has been and gone.’ I explained briefly about Candy and what I thought was going on.

For a moment I thought Morna would refuse. Eventually, however, she sighed. ‘Yes, I suppose I can do that. You’re not going to tell her the truth?’

‘She’ll do something stupid like fly off to try and rescue Candy and mess everything up. She’s a lot stronger than she looks but I’ll feel better if she’s out of the way. If she goes after Candy she’ll walk into a trap.’

‘She’s not going to like it when she finds out the truth,’ Morna warned.

I sighed. ‘The truth makes fools of us all.’

Morna watched me closely but chose not to pursue the line of conversation. ‘Well,’ she said, ‘if that girl is coming with me, I’d better stay at the MacQuarries for a few days until she settles down. If she’s on her own she’s liable to open her mouth and cause offence. Even with their sworn oath to you, that won’t go down well. She really has to learn some manners. I’ve had enough spoilt Sidhe brats in my time. I’m getting too old to deal with many more of them.’

I breathed out. ‘You’d do that?’

She nodded. ‘But only until I convince her to think before she speaks and the MacQuarries to grant her some leeway.’

‘Thank you,’ I said wholeheartedly. ‘You’re the perfect person to teach her the error of her ways.’

‘If you say so.’ Morna raised her eyebrows. ‘And speak of the devil.’

I glanced over my shoulder to see Tipsania flouncing up the hill towards us. ‘Integrity!’ she yelled.

How did she manage to make her voice so piercing? I pasted on a grin. ‘Hi, Tipsy!’

She marched up, hands on her hips. ‘What’s going on? Nobody is telling me a thing. I’d like to remind you that this is my wedding we’re talking about. Is it just a farce or is it really going ahead?’ I opened my mouth to answer but she didn’t give me the chance. ‘Well?’ she demanded. ‘Come on! Tell me. I insist that you do.’

‘There’s nothing to worry about.’

‘Pah! That’s easy for you to say!’

‘Everything’s under control. I want you to go away with Morna for a few days. Just until things have died down.’

Tipsania’s mouth fell open. ‘Why?’

‘You’ll be safer with her.’

A fleeting expression of hurt crossed her face. ‘Sure. I understand. You don’t want me around.’ She turned away.

I reached out and grabbed her arm. ‘It’s not like that. It really is for your own safety. You’re welcome back here after the wedding.’

‘The wedding that’s not going to happen.’

‘Yeah.’ Hopefully.

‘I want to see Candy. I think a Wild Man will be able to protect me better than a geriatric.’ She glanced at Morna. ‘No offence.’

Morna gave a tight smile.

‘Candy wants you to go with her,’ I lied.

Tipsania frowned, her delicate brows snapping together. ‘Why? He’s never met her.’

‘I spoke to him and he agreed it was for the best,’ I said, crossing my fingers behind my back.

Her expression immediately brightened. ‘You saw him? Is he alright?’

‘Great,’ I lied again. ‘Now go grab your stuff. You’re leaving in an hour.’

‘What?’ she shrieked. ‘It’ll take me longer than that to pack. And what about May? I can’t just leave her here with that … that … Bauchan.’ Her voice dripped with disdain.

I tilted my head, confused. ‘Fergus?’

‘Never mind, dear,’ Morna interjected. ‘You go get your bags.’

Tipsania sniffed haughtily. ‘Someone will need to carry them for me.’ She didn’t wait for a response but twirled round and stomped back towards the mansion.