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He never really stopped, to be fair.
Calum grabbed Fern’s hand and led them out of the room, dodging the fallen furniture. Fern stopped him before he stepped out on the street.
“Wait! Don’t you think you should… I don’t know,” she waved in his general direction, “You don’t look exactly subtle right now.”
“Good point,” Calum murmured his assent and closed his eyes. Fern watched in awe as he bathed himself in glamour, his clothes and armor transforming in front of her very eyes. The sword at his belt morphed back into his trusty cane, and in the blink of an eye, Dr. Welsh was standing in front of Fern. His eyes were still gold, but Fern got the idea that it was going to be impossible to fully bottle him back up again. She didn’t want to either.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.” She shook her head in disbelief, but Calum only smirked at her.
“You’ll get used to it sooner than you think.” He gave her hand a squeeze, and they walked outside, nearly running towards the library. As soon as they stepped out into the cool night air, Fern knew that something was different.
The air was electric. She could sense the magic current running through the earth. It spurred her and Calum on as they ran faster, the trees whispering encouragements in the wind. There was a low drumbeat that pierced the night sky, and Fern wondered if everyone in Scotland could feel the land coming alive.
They ran past some buildings on the university’s outer edge, and Fern gaped as she saw the gargoyles flapping their wings and taking off into the night sky. Brownies and gnomes ducked underneath parked cars and left trails of glittering magic behind them as they played in the street.
Calum’s face was torn between glee and concern. Fern couldn’t imagine what he was feeling right now. Creatures cheered for him as they passed, calling out praise and adoration for the leader who’d gotten them over the curse.
Only Fern could see the slight grimace on his face whenever someone called out to him, and she made a note to discuss it with him later.
Later, later. Now it’s time for celebrating.
When the library was in view, Calum and Fern broke into a sprint. She was shocked to see that she could keep up with him.
I wonder if it’s a mate thing? She was going to have more questions than ever now that the curse was broken.
They jogged up the steps to the library, and Calum threw the doors open. A cacophony of excited shouts and triumphant screams rose to meet them, and Calum took a few hesitant steps inside. Fern followed him, careful to keep a few paces behind him.
This is his moment.
What a moment it was. Every magical creature in Edinburgh had gathered in the library and was in the throes of celebration. The library, with its protection wards and glamours, was the only place safe from peering human eyes, and Scotland’s magical inhabitants could not hide themselves any longer.
Several study tables had been pushed together to create a banquet table, which was already overflowing with food and drink. The liquor was flowing, and caskets of whisky and beer were being rolled up from the basement archives. Everyone was beside themselves with joy and relief, in various stages of overwhelmed, giddy confusion.
Calum walked to the edge of the steps and stared out over the library. Fern could see tears in his eyes. When the magical throng gathered below realized Calum was among them, they cheered. The noise rose to a thunderous applause as everyone from shifters to spirits screamed in recognition of their prince.
Fern couldn’t keep herself from crying, either, as Calum dropped to one knee and symbolically offered his sword to the crowd. A symbol, she realized, that he would continue to fight for them as they’d always had.
The moment was incredibly intimate, and Fern turned to leave. This was a night that everyone had been dreaming about for almost three hundred years; they needed this time.
As soon as her back faced the crowd, a warm grip encircled her arm, tugging her back. Fern was spun around and found herself pulled straight into Calum’s chest, his eyes mischievous as he looked down at her.
“You weren’t trying to leave, were you, Ms. McEwan?” The playful way that he said her name made her heart skip a beat. She’d never seen Calum so overjoyed.
“Your people need you, you should—”
“Aye,” he nodded, “and I need you.” He didn’t give her a moment to respond as he kissed her soundly, wrapping an arm around her waist. Fern threw her hands around his neck as the kiss turned possessive…and Fern realized it was.
The roar behind them reached new heights as Calum kissed her in front of his people, claiming her without words. There was no need—every magical creature could sense a mate bond, and one between an ancient fae prince and a hereditary witch was a strong one.
Fern kissed him back until they were breathless, and she could feel Calum’s lips turning up into a smile.
“Calum!” The library doors were thrown open again, and a distressed-sounding Emmett burst into the ad hoc celebrations. Calum turned, his countenance changing in an instant as he sensed the concern in his friend’s voice.
Fern’s stomach dropped as they turned towards the doors. Emmett and Mara stepped in, concern and fear written all over their faces. Fern could hardly process their panic as she grappled with her friend’s transformations.
Emmett looked like a berserker from a Highland clan. He stood nearly at seven feet tall, and his beard and hair were both longer. He was now wearing a kilt, and Fern knew enough from her studies to recognize when someone was dressed for war.
Mara, somehow, looked even more divine. Her eyes and hair had turned red as blood, and she moved like water with every step. Her fingers now stretched out into claws, and Fern got a glimpse of her now elongated fangs.
