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Hùisdean snarled, “Tell me you love me again. I want you to come on my cock screaming about how much you love me.” He sounded feral, and it pushed Ayda over the edge. Her walls spasmed around him, and her whole body shook as her orgasm wracked her from head to toe.
“I—I love you!” Ayda cried, her entire body going limp as the aftershocks of her release twitched through her. Then Hùisdean was coming with a shout, hot and full inside of her. He collapsed to the ground next to her and immediately pulled her to his side. They lay together under the moonlit sky, catching their breath and trying to come to terms with everything that had happened.
“I love you too, Ayda,” Hùisdean whispered. Ayda started to drift off to sleep, smiling against Hùisdean’s skin.
Hùisdean and Ayda fell asleep under the stars. The following day, they dressed and set the horses loose. Hùisdean assured Ayda they’d find their way back to Ásví’s, and she’d be happy to take care of them. Ayda was a little worried Imra would be mad about losing her favorite horse, but Hùisdean assured her it wouldn’t be a problem.
It was easier to get back to Carenlume once magic had been restored to the Shetland Islands. Hùisdean conjured a portal as easy as breathing. Ayda saw the relief on his face when it worked, the last of the tension leaving his expression.
Ayda stepped through the portal and was greeted by a raucous applause. The courtyard of Carenlume was full of elves, all dressed in their finest—which meant Ayda saw some of the most beautiful clothing she’d ever seen—cheering for Hùisdean and Ayda. He was only a second behind her, and she heard him laughing as he emerged. Elion, Imra, and Wyn were standing on the palace steps. Elion and Wyn were laughing and clapping with the crowd while Imra was wiping happy tears from her cheeks.
“Mother, Father!” Hùisdean grabbed Ayda’s hand and pulled her towards them.
“Oh, thank the gods, you’re alive.” Elion breathed a sigh of relief, pulling his son into a tight hug. He cried openly and clapped his son on the back, relieved to have their prince home. Ayda was horrified to discover she was crying again but hadn’t expected such an outpouring of emotion from the king. Seeing a family so open with their feelings did something good to her heart.
“Ayda! Oh, my beautiful child.” Imra threw her arms around Ayda, cradling her. Ayda hadn’t expected such a warm welcome from anyone in the royal family. Imra’s tight maternal embrace sent her over the edge, and she let herself sag into the hug. Hùisdean’s support meant the world to Ayda, but she hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed a mom's hug at the end of their journey. After a few precious moments, Imra pulled back, smiling through her tears.
“I’m so proud of you, my goodness.” Imra beamed. “I don’t know how you did it. You’ll have to tell us everything. Everything!”
“Me next!” Wyn jumped in between Imra and Ayda, hugging her tightly.
“Hey, watch it,” Hùisdean growled, still possessive.
Wyn released Ayda and nearly tackled Hùisdean to the ground, ruffling his brother’s long hair.
“Ms. Ayda.” Elion smiled respectfully. “I can’t tell you how happy we are that you’ve come home.”
The words meant something to Ayda. He didn’t say they were happy she broke the curse—of course they were. He stated he was glad she’d come home.
It feels right.
“Let’s go inside.” Hùisdean grinned as he took Ayda’s hand. “We’ll tell you all about it.” They disappeared into Carenlume as the crowd cheered behind them, Ayda and Hùisdean turning around to give a final wave before the doors shut.
“See,” Hùisdean waggled his eyebrows, “you’ve already got about half the royal job covered. Smile and wave.”
“This is why he needs you.” Imra rolled her eyes. “That is not half of the job, Hùisdean Theodluin.”
“Oh, the middle name!” Wyn teased. He ducked just in time to avoid Imra smacking him upside the head. The family led Ayda to a small sitting room. It was decorated as lavishly as every elven room she’d seen, but this one was more lived in. The couch cushions were worn in places, and the teacups were chipped.
Hùisdean sank into a chair big enough for three people and tugged Ayda to his side. Wyn made tea for everyone as Imra and Elion explained everything that’d happened at Carenlume during their absence. Apparently, during the night at Stanydale, the castle had been plunged into darkness. Everyone’s powers had also fully diminished. Ayda’s face went pale with guilt until Elion assured her no one had been hurt. Their magic had been returned, and there had been no sightings of draugr.
Hùisdean and Ayda took turns telling them everything they’d learned from Ásví and Margaret. Elion apologized profusely for Ásví’s surprise ritual to unlock Ayda’s dormant magic, but she assured him it wasn’t necessary. Hùisdean started to retell the prophecy and how the curse was broken by Ayda’s declaration of love and acceptance of the future throne.
Ayda started wringing her hands in her lap. She didn’t know how two of the most tenured monarchs in the magical world would take to the news. Her thoughts were racing as Hùisdean outlined their final meeting with Margaret.
What the fuck do I say? ‘Hey, I hope you don’t mind, but I saved your kingdom only by promising to marry your son and take your throne someday. I hope that’s cool!’
Ayda held her breath as she watched Elion and Imra’s faces. When Hùisdean finished telling the story, her jaw nearly hit the floor as the royal couple only clapped excitedly.
“Oh, that’s so lovely!” Imra cried happily. “I knew it!”
“You’ve always belonged in this family,” Elion boasted proudly. “I knew it from the moment I saw you.”
“I can tell you every dirty secret Hùisdean has,” Wyn chimed in. Ayda relaxed back in the chair in relief.
“It won’t be for some time. I mean, years, centuries, before I’m ready for—oh my god.” Ayda’s voice trembled as a daunting realization crossed her mind. She looked at Hùisdean. “Hùisdean, I’m not immortal like you. I can’t—”
“Rest easy.” Elion cut Ayda off before she could continue. “If an elf chooses to marry a mortal, a spell is performed as part of the wedding ceremonies. It binds your life to Hùisdean’s and his to yours. You’ll share in his immortality.”
