Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)(19)

‘I think half the time she just wants to get a reaction out of people,’ I said hastily to Morna.

‘Mmm.’

‘And what did she mean about Fergus and May?’

Her face wreathed in sudden smiles. ‘You should go and see for yourself.’

***

I found Fergus and May in a newly sprouted meadow near the back of the mansion. They were sitting together, surrounded by long-stemmed flowers; a few bees buzzed close to them and the Foinse was lazily making figures-of-eight in the air. A gigantic umbrella which appeared to have been fashioned out of an old bedsheet and some branches was shielding May’s delicate skin from the sun. Even with their backs to me, I could see how relaxed they were. Standing watching them made me feel like a voyeur and I almost turned away to leave them to it but then May’s head turned, as if she sensed my presence. She grinned at me and waved. Caught out, I felt I had no choice but to join them.

‘Hey,’ I said. Feeling awkward was starting to become my natural state.

Fergus leaned back on his hands and grinned. ‘Hey yourself. You’re back.’

‘And you’re awake.’

He gestured nonchalantly. ‘You can’t keep a good Bauchan down.’

‘Mm,’ I said. ‘Anyway, I’m not here for long. I’m just heading back out again.’

He frowned. ‘Is that a good idea? You’re safe here.’

‘Fergus,’ I said, not unkindly, ‘unless you want to swear fealty, right now you’re effectively an asylum seeker. What I do and where I go is my business.’

He held up his palms. ‘I wouldn’t dream of telling Chieftain Adair what she should do,’ he said easily. Then his expression sobered. ‘Thank you for taking me in. You didn’t have to do that. I’ll swear in if you want me to.’

‘God, no. I don’t need more warm bodies on my conscience. But you’re welcome to be here. I’m glad to see you’re on the mend.’

‘The blue-haired pixie told me something about what happened up north. You should have waited until I woke up. I could have told you that it was Byron who wanted the wedding to go ahead.’

Damn it. I’d managed to stop thinking about Byron for at least a minute. ‘You were out for the count. And there’s more going on than just Byron Moncrieffe.’

The Foinse stopped its swirling and spun round, zipping towards me with such velocity that I thought for a moment it was going to smack me in the forehead. It stopped inches away from my face, however, and nuzzled in towards me. The warmth exuding from it was rather comforting.

‘Did you ever consider why the Clans were so keen to keep the Foinse locked away?’ Fergus asked.

I reached up and stroked it tentatively. It buzzed happily in response. ‘They wanted control of the magic.’

He nodded. ‘I hear your warlock friend is suddenly growing remarkably adept.’

I raised my eyebrows. ‘Lexie has been telling a lot of tales.’

‘Oh,’ he grinned, ‘that part wasn’t the pixie. May told me that.’

I blinked. ‘May doesn’t have a tongue.’

I smiled at her and she gave an uncertain smile in return. Fergus turned to her, his hands fluttering. May watched them carefully and responded. My jaw fell open. ‘Sign language?’

‘Yep.’

‘But she doesn’t speak English.’

‘Gaelic.’

‘Wow.’

Fergus’s eyes softened. ‘Yeah. She’s pretty amazing.’

I stared at him. There was an odd flush rising up in his cheeks. I looked at May; she was peeking up at him from beneath her eyelashes. I took a step back. No wonder I’d felt like I was intruding.

‘Er, Fergus?’

He didn’t take his attention away from May. ‘Mmm?’

‘What about the Innes girl?’

‘Pardon?’

‘You’re here because you shagged some Sidhe girl and her dad was pissed off.’

‘Oh yeah.’ He registered what I was saying and turned to meet my gaze. ‘You want to know what my intentions are.’

‘Don’t lead May on.’

His expression was serious. ‘That’s not what this is about.’

I bloody well hoped not.

‘Uh. Eh. Ee.’ May got to her feet and grinned. She braved the weak Scottish sunlight for a few moments and wrapped her arms around me. Not long ago, those arms had been little more than twigs but now I could feel flesh beneath her skin. She was definitely looking healthier. It was amazing how quickly things could change. She leaned her head on my shoulder while the Foinse buried itself between the pair of us. I hugged her back.

There was no mistaking the warning in the look I gave Fergus. He bowed. Oddly enough, I didn’t think he was being facetious or flippant this time. Eventually I drew away and led May gently back to the safety of the shade. Hugs were all well and good but I had business to attend to. ‘Where would Aifric Moncrieffe keep a prisoner?’

Fergus gave me a confused look. ‘In prison.’

I shook my head. ‘No, I don’t mean a murderer or…’

‘A thief?’

‘Funny. Where would he keep someone he wants to hide?’

A spark gleamed in his eyes. ‘Now who would the Steward want to hide?’ he mused. ‘You’re here. Your friends are here. The trolls are here. Your assassin buddy is busy opening up a dress shop. Byron Moncrieffe is getting measured for his new wedding kilt.’ I tried not to flinch. ‘So who are you asking about?’