“I’ll tell you, but it might not be true. Lia is known as the protector of bairns.”
“What?”
“Lia’s here to help your daughter and nephew. That’s what it tells me. The only question is for you.”
“What?” His voice cracked.
“Will you accept her help?”
Edan didn’t know how to answer. Accepting her help would mean he believed in faeries.
And he didn’t.
Chapter Seven
Ailith
Ailith sat in the corner of the Duart great hall, fussing with the blanket she was working on, meant for the wee bairn that her brother and his wife would be having in about five moons. She adored Coira as much as she did John because they’d grown up as sisters, even though Coira was of no blood relation.
The hall was busy with the visitors, though one group had gone out to the archery field, something Ailith didn’t participate in. She had no interest in it. Her sire had insisted on teaching her how to use a dagger, and she carried one in the fold sewn inside her skirt, but that had been enough for her.
Her parents had hoped she’d marry by now, but she hadn’t met anyone of interest to her. The truth was, she didn’t wish to leave her family. Being part of Clan Grant was a gift to her, so she had no desire to leave it.
Ailith had always been shy compared to other lasses. Growing up with Chrissa, Dyna, and all the fierce Ramsay lasses was difficult. If she had her wish, she’d study healing with her Aunt Brenna and Aunt Jennie. She liked the softness they both had inside them, though no one would dare cross Aunt Brenna. Not even Uncle Logan.
She’d spent six moons with Aunt Jennie and discovered much about healing and had helped Aunt Gracie, but she was always wishing to learn more.
Her mother came in the door and said, “We have visitors coming in, Ailith.”
“Should I go to my chamber?”
“Nay, stay here and see if you recognize anyone. The poor man looks lost. Magni is bringing him inside with Dyna and Maitland. I think your father is coming with them.”
The group entered and Magni stopped to introduce everyone. “Chiefs,” he said to Dyna and Maitland, the two chieftains of Clan Grantham near the dais, “this is Edan MacRuari and his brother Roger. Edan and his sister both awakened several days ago to find their two wee ones missing. After searching everywhere and traveling to Clan MacKay at Dunyvaig, they’ve discovered several bairns have gone missing from Islay of late. They’ve come for help.”
Dyna nodded and said, “Please sit down and we’ll find a brief repast for you.”
Edan stepped closer, his hands fisted at his sides. “I don’t need anything but your help. I’ve been all over Islay looking for my daughter and my nephew, and we cannot find them anywhere. We need your help.”
Maitland said, “We’ll help in any way we can. Please sit.” He motioned to a serving lass to bring a few ales.
Ailith pricked her finger by mistake, cursing quietly, but she set her needlework down so she could give the men her full attention. A drop of blood welled, bright against her skin, but she scarcely felt it. Something had shifted in the room. The thought of missing bairns always brought a shiver to her. Dyna’s daughters and others had been kidnapped a few times long ago, and poor Sylvi still had nightmares from the awful experience. But all of a sudden, Ailith’s most recent dream popped into her head.
She had seen this face before. Not here. Not in waking hours. A faint unease settled along her spine, not fear, but recognition without understanding.
He had his back to her so she couldn’t be sure, and it wasn’t the right time to move about to see if he looked familiar, so she listened instead.
“Tell us everything,” Dyna said.
Edan sat down, accepting the ale offered to him, but ignoring the bread and cheese on the platter set on the table. “It happened so close to dawn that it was nearly light. A brilliant bolt of lightning followed by an instantaneous crack of thunder that tossed me out of my bed hit nearby, and when I looked about, my daughter was missing from her cradle. The same happened to my sister.”
Ailith had spent some time with Aunt Brenna learning about the fae in Scotland because she found it so interesting. Dyna would ask the correct questions, she was certain.
“Was anything left behind?”
He held out the dried woven ring of thistles. “One in each cradle.”
“How old are they?” Maitland asked while Dyna studied the floral ring.
