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Hùisdean's stomach sank. He knew many of his noble friends had lost out on loved ones over the years simply because they didn't want to face the scrutiny of being attached to royalty. And Hùisdean was about as attached to royalty as someone could get.
Maybe try and ask her to dinner when this is all over. Hùisdean pondered to himself. You might be getting ahead of yourself if you're worried about whether or not she'd take the crown alongside you one day.
It sounded ridiculous, but Hùisdean didn't even think it was that crazy to contemplate their future together. Ásví had immediately picked up on his feelings for Ayda, even going so far as to indicate that the gods had something to do with it. They'd also discovered Ayda's strange tie to the Shetland Islands. It had to mean something, right?
“Hùisdean?” Ayda asked gently, jogging him from his downward spiral.
“Oh, yes?” He plastered a broad grin on his face and turned towards her. “What do you need?”
Ayda smiled and handed him Ásví's basket, slinging the handle over his other arm. “Can you take these back to the kitchen? Thank you.”
“Hey, whoa, when did I sign up to be a pack mule…”
“Thank you!” Ayda cut him off by standing up on her tiptoes and kissing his cheek, effectively shutting Hùisdean's rebuttals.
“Where do you want them in the kitchen?” Hùisdean asked pleasantly. Ayda looked as happy and carefree as he had ever seen her; it was his new favorite sight. He could forget about the valley of Carenlume or sunsets over the ocean. He'd trade every memory of those to ruminate on Ayda's easy smile forever.
“Anywhere is fine! We're going to grab some more kindling from the woods. It needs to be spruce, apparently.” Ayda practically skipped off towards the trees, and Hùisdean stared after her like a lovesick puppy.
Ásví came up a few steps behind Ayda, raising her brows as she glanced between Hùisdean and Ayda's retreating form.
“You're compliant when Ayda asks for something,” Ásví commented.
Hùisdean shrugged. “I’m happy to take the baskets into the house, Aunty.”
“Ha,” Ásví scoffed. “Does she know how much you care for her?” Hùisdean turned bright red, quickly glancing around to ensure Ayda didn't hear Ásví.
“Aunty!” Hùisdean hissed. “We've…come to an agreement. We aren't getting emotionally involved.” Hùisdean stumbled over the words, struggling to find a way to tell his aunt in less explicit terms that they were 'friends with benefits.'
“Boy,” Ásví scolded him, “you're dumber than a rock if you think that will work. I taught you better than that.”
“You taught me no such thing.”
Ásví sighed, her face softening. “I think you two are meant for something together. Maybe it's not romantic. I'm not sure. Only you two, maybe the gods, decide that in the end. But you're the heir to the elven throne of the Shetland Islands, and Margaret the Maid speaks to her. It's not a coincidence.”
“I know,” Hùisdean whispered, his gaze turning to where Ayda was picking some of the wildflowers in the valley. “She doesn't realize how powerful she is either.”
“Then maybe you can help show her.” Ásví adjusted the silk scarf around her head. “She warms up quickly to a person if you start talking about magic.”
“She sure does.” Hùisdean smiled fondly.
“She's beautiful, connected to the islands, and powerful. You'd be a fool if you didn't tell her how you feel. I didn't raise a fool, do you understand me, Hùisdean Theodluin Aexisys?”
Hùisdean straightened his shoulders and nodded his head. “Yes.”
“Good.” Ásví patted his shoulder as she started to follow after Ayda. “We're going to get that kindling. Maybe have a seance in the woods. I'm not sure. Don't wait up. Lock the door at sundown if we're not back yet.”
Hùisdean dropped both baskets in shock and spun around, yelling after his aunt.
“Ásví! Do you need these baskets? Do not kidnap Ayda on another one of your vague trips into the woods!”
Ásví raised her hands and did a little dance, yelling over her shoulder back at her nephew.
“I don’t think we need them, and I don't decide. The trees do!”
Hùisdean shook his head as Ásví caught up with Ayda, linking arms with the mage and escorting her towards the woods.
Hùisdean watched them until they were about to disappear into the trees. At the very last minute, Ayda turned around, smiled, and blew him a kiss before being swallowed up by the woods.
