Alana smiled at her son’s laughter and her husband’s chuckle as Alex chased Angus with a wooden sword.
“Come face me wit’out magic, ye scoundrel!” he shouted, but their lad ignored him.
Angus shook his head and grinned, and her heart skipped. He looked so much like the man she loved. He took off running toward the castle, with his father yelling empty threats at him.
It’d taken much, much too long to come to this moment. Finally they were able to live as a family at Dunvegan.
Ten years, wasted.
Seeing the child she’d bore with the love of her life month to month, or even every sennight, had never been enough.
Her son had never suffered from her absence—he’d had his da, loving aunt, grandfa, and now a new aunt, since Duncan had recently married, but the whole Clan of MacLeods didn’t fix the ache in her heart.
Her lad had been raised well, but the guilt wouldn’t heal for a long time to come. She’d missed so much, but he was a fine lad who showed her as much affection as she showed him.
Neither she, nor her cousin could ever return to the Fae Realm. Alana had happily come to terms with that, but her cousin was still struggling, even after the months they’d been at Dunvegan. Xander had sunk into himself and stayed there, and she was concerned. Hopefully he’d let the love of the MacLeods embrace him like she had.
She rubbed her rounded tummy. She carried a lass this time, as her magic told her, and her heart couldn’t be fuller.
It shall be different this time.
Alana would never leave her husband and son, or her daughter, ever again.
Alex trotted over to her, and his smile fell. “What’s wrong, mò chridhe?”
“Nothing, my love.” She reached for his hand, and when he complied she brought his calloused knuckles to her mouth and brushed kisses over them.
He smiled, but didn’t look convinced.
The laird had finally filled out again, and looking like the handsome, muscular man who’d stolen Alana’s heart.
His hair was as long as his brother’s and he’d told her he wouldn’t give short hair a try again, although that was how Alana would always remember seeing him on the beach all those years ago. Alex didn’t think it suited him, but she’d take him as he was, so it didn’t matter.
“Stop thinkin’, Your Highness.” He gently pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “‘Tis a fine day, and ye possess magic.”
“Magic? What of it?”
He flashed a lopsided grin that had her heart pattering. “I need it ta pay yer son back.”
Alana giggled. “You’re trying to take revenge on a lad of ten?”
“Only if ye help me, a’ course.”
She grinned. “Very well, my laird, let us retrieve your son.”
“I shall no’ have it any other way.” Alex brushed a kiss on her mouth and looped her arm in his.
Together they went toward home.