Taming the Highland Beauty (Guardians of the Isles #7)

Chapter Twenty-Four

C allum and Gille paused their journey through the forest near Dunvegan. Callum dismounted, then assisted Gille, and together they ventured into the heart of the forest, where Gille had made her home before that.

Earlier that morning, the couple had exchanged marriage vows amidst their loving family. It was a day Gille had dreamed of during her isolation in the forest, filled with acceptance and affection.

Tomorrow, Gille and Callum would sail on the Cliodna with Marcus, Rowena, and their young son for a honeymoon adventure. Callum’s sister and brother-in-law had promised to share breathtaking sunrises with them.

While Gille was eager to explore new horizons with her husband, she knew that no sunrise, no matter where they travelled, could ever surpass the magical sunrises they had already experienced together at Dunvegan.

Their leaving was the reason for their trip to the forest today. There was one task Gille had yet to accomplish to put her old life, and the curse, behind her. When they came to the place beside the old beech tree that had once sheltered Lottie’s sealskin, Gille stopped and reached for the bundle she had tied to her back.

With a sense of finality, Gille unfurled her cloak and laid it gently on the forest floor. She brushed her fingers over the supple leather that she had camouflaged with a patchwork of moss, leaves, and vines. This cloak had seen her through a difficult time, but it was time to let it go. To give it back to the forest she had created it out of.

She knelt beside her garment, her heart heavy with emotion. Callum lowered himself beside her. “This cloak is a part of you,” she whispered to the trees above her and the vegetation below, her voice barely audible. “I give it back to the forest, from whence it came.”

As she spoke, the cloak seemed to meld with the earth, its fibres intertwining with the roots of the ancient trees. A ripple of energy spread through the forest, a subtle hint of magic that seemed to invigorate everything around where she and Callum knelt.

Bluebells, wood anemone, bog myrtle, and thistle rose up from the forest floor and bloomed, their vibrant blues, white, yellows, and purples contrasting with the lush green of the mossy forest floor. Birdsong filled the air, a joyous chorus that echoed through the trees. Red deer, pine martens, and wild boar, drawn by the magical energy, emerged from their hiding places, their curiosity piqued.

As the sun shone overhead, casting dappled light through the boughs of the trees, Gille and Callum watched in awe as the forest transformed around them. It was as if the very essence of the land had been rejuvenated once again with the gift of Gille’s cloak.

“There,” she said, sitting back on her heels. “It is back where it belongs.” She paused, wondering how long the two of them would be away from this special place and all who lived there. “How long will we be away?”

Callum stood and helped her to her feet. “How does two months sound?”

“It sounds wonderful. Long enough to see many things, but also long enough to miss what we left behind.”

Callum pulled her into his arms, holding her against his heart. “If you are worried about the forest, we can ask Aria to come watch over it?”

“Will you be bored being gone so long, or worried about neglecting your business affairs?”

“Alastair has taken back most of the estate dealings since his return, and the few I still oversee, Tormod has agreed to take on,” Callum said, then added, “When we return, Tormod and Fiona will head to their new home at Ulster Castle as the construction is nearing completion.”

“What about Orrick? Will he feel put aside by your choice of leaving Tormod in charge of your affairs?”

Callum shook his head. “Orrick and Isolde leave tomorrow for Dunshee Castle. With more English regiments coming into the Highlands every day, they wanted to get back to their castle and prepare the English prisoners there for travel. The MacLeods do not need to be caught harbouring English captives. When we return from our honeymoon, Marcus will sail with them to Spain or perhaps Iceland. He is not certain which, but he intends to give them enough funds to start a new life.

“That is kind of him. Marcus has very deep pockets.”

“The man is richer than all of us combined as a result of his treasure-hunting days.” Callum laughed. “Does it bother you that I am nowhere near as wealthy?”

“We have everything we need.”

“Aye. We do.” He gathered her close and pressed a possessive kiss to her lips with a reverence that touched her soul. “What about Keiran and Rosalyn?” she asked when she caught her breath.

“Alastair is teaching Keiran how to run the estate. When Tormod leaves, he will pick up the business I oversaw for the estate. He and Rosalyn will be an integral part of Dunvegan in the future.”

Gille nodded. “That is good. Keiran needs Dunvegan to continue to heal him after living in the fairy realm for so long.” It seemed every one of the MacLeod children was settled in a new life, except for Callum. “And what about you?” she asked not bothering to hide her concern. “With your mother finally at peace, and your business affairs being turned over to Keiran eventually, I worry that you will be at a loss.”

“It will be difficult for me,” he said dryly. “Without poring over estate papers or worrying about my mother, how shall I occupy my time?” he added as his hands slid to her waist and over her thighs, caressing her, reminding her of the intimacy they had shared last night.

Heat flooded her cheeks. “I am being serious, Callum.”

He instantly sobered. “You like it here in the woods?”

“Of course. This was my home for a year,” she reminded him. “Though I like it better now that I may go beyond its borders without fear of turning into a tree.”

“And you would be happy staying here at Dunvegan?”

“As long as I knew you were content.”

He pressed a kiss to her nose before releasing her only to sweep her into his arms. “Hide your eyes. I have a wedding surprise for you.”

Gille did as instructed and buried her face in the folds of his tartan. She could tell by the crunch of leaves on the forest floor that he took her into the nearby clearing that overlooked the loch. He stopped, then said, “Open your eyes.”

Gille looked around. At first, she could see nothing, then she narrowed her gaze, seeing someone had outlined the boundaries of a space with rocks.

“If you agree, we will build a home here and start a new life together.”

As the wind whipped through her hair, Gille stood beside Callum on the windswept cliff overlooking the loch. Her heart raced with excitement as she imagined their children playing in the lush gardens, their laughter echoing through the halls of their future home.

“It is more than I could have ever dreamed of,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the roar of the wind.

Callum took her hand, his eyes filled with love. “I want us to build a family here, Gille. A family that is different. A family that bridges the gap between humans and fairies. I want our children to grow up here, surrounded by the beauty of the isle, and to learn to protect everything that lives here.”

Gille’s eyes filled with tears of happiness. “I would love that, Callum. More than anything.” She moved into his open arms, knowing it was where she wanted to stay forever.

“I want to start an endowment, to make good on our promise to Minerva and to Lottie, to protect not just the seals, but all animals that live off the land and the sea. Marcus has agreed to be our first investor.” He gazed into her face, waiting for her approval.

She nodded, not trusting her voice as she thought back to all the pain she had endured over the years, all the challenges she had overcome. Yet, it was going through these trials that had brought her to this moment. The love she now held in her heart, the family she was building, and the boundless happiness that awaited her were a testament to her resilience. The misery she had endured would be repaid a hundredfold, as she was about to embark on a life overflowing with joy and fulfilment beyond her wildest dreams with the man she loved.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she finally managed to say, “It is more than I ever dreamed possible.”

Callum drew her close, pressing another kiss to her lips. “Love makes anything possible, my dearest. Anything at all.”

The End