Last Wish (Highland Magic #4)

***

A few days later, I was back at the same spot, gazing at Edinburgh and the land beyond. There had been skirmishes and fights and a lot of traded insults but some Highlanders and Lowlanders were beginning to integrate. It helped that the trolls were glaring at anyone who dared to think about breaching the peace. I was under the impression that they were absolutely delighted.

Bob flitted up, landing on the parapet in front of me. ‘Penny for your thoughts,’ he said.

I gave him a smile. ‘I was just wondering what my parents would have made of all this and if they’d be pleased that the Highlands and Lowlands are back together again. If they’d be happy that we’re going to co-exist with the Fomori demons or if they’d be terrified that we’d never find a way to get along.’

‘If they’re anything like you, Uh Integrity, they’d be thrilled. They’d be so proud of you. I know because I’m a magnificent all-knowing being with powers you can only dream of.’

I laughed slightly. ‘If you say so.’ I glanced round. ‘Where’s Byron?’

Bob sobered up. ‘Looking after his father’s remains.’

I bit my lip and nodded. Aifric might have been a bastard but he was still Byron’s father. Byron was going to be very mixed up about his feelings but he was a decent, good man and I knew he would grieve. ‘I’m surprised you’re still here,’ I said to Bob. ‘I thought you’d already be off looking for a new target. Those wishes ain’t gonna wish themselves.’

Bob toed the stone. ‘I thought I might hang around here for a while, if it’s alright with you.’

He didn’t look up so he didn’t see my happy grin. ‘It’s very alright with me.’

Bob suddenly beamed. ‘Really?’

‘Really.’

He leapt up into the air and somersaulted. ‘Great! I need your help then. All you have to do is to sneak my scimitar into Brochan’s pocket. You’re a thief, you can do it without him noticing. I think the big merman and I could have a lot of fun together.’

I watched him and he deflated slightly. ‘You’re not going to do it, are you?’

‘Nope.’

‘Uh Integrity! You’re just no fun.’

I smiled and gazed down the hill. If I squinted, I could make out May and Fergus. It looked as if she was introducing him to a group of Fomori demons. I shook my head in amusement. The Bauchan would end up running the entire country if we weren’t careful.

‘They make a good couple, don’t they?’ Bob beamed.

‘Yeah,’ I nodded. ‘They really do.’

‘So when are you going to do it?’

I glanced at him. ‘Do what?’

‘Duh! You know what. You and Byron. When are you going to tie the knot? Get hitched? Walk down the aisle? Take the plunge? Get yoked? Say I do?’

‘It’s early days yet. Anyway, I think we’ve had enough excitement for a lifetime.’

He arched an eyebrow. ‘You think your wedding will be exciting? It’ll be the most monotonous and boring day I could imagine. It’ll be you and Byron gazing googly-eyed at each other and going all soppy.’ He made vomit noises.

‘Then why are you bringing it up?’

Bob straightened. ‘Because he’s the one.’

I loved Byron. But to say he was the one? That seemed rather … definite. ‘I don’t know that.’

‘Yes, you do,’ Bob said, not unkindly. ‘You’re not that stupid, Uh Integrity. You know what love is.’

‘Perhaps. But too many women think that a wedding is good just because it has a nice ring to it.’

‘I could kill you with my thumb, you know.’

My grin widened. ‘Go ahead. Give it a shot.’

He tutted. ‘Be serious, please. Is Byron perfect?’

‘No. Although,’ I amended, ‘he might be perfect for me.’

Bob grabbed my little finger and gave it a tight hug. ‘Lust projects. Lust sees perfection where none exists. You know Byron has faults and you know he’s not perfect. He knows you’re not perfect. You’re stubborn and hard-headed and you have a criminal past, not to mention that your jokes are possibly the worst ones in the universe.’ He held up his tiny hand. ‘Don’t interrupt me, I’m on a roll. Love isn’t about possession. It’s not about filling an empty void within yourself. I see you when you look at him. You want the best for him. You don’t idealise him. You know he still has a spoilt streak. You know he still has untapped potential but you want him to realise that for himself. You think your feelings for him are complicated but they’re really not. There are no secrets. No ulterior motives. No joking around or kidding yourselves. You’re willing to accept each other as you truly are. That’s why you should get married.’

I stared dumbly at him. For the first time in my life I might have regretted making a stupid joke before giving Bob a chance to speak. The genie clearly had hidden depths I didn’t know about.

‘Plus,’ he added, ‘I have always wanted to be a bridesmaid. None of that ugly dress shite though. I want to be beautiful. And I want fabulous wedding favours. Also, the chance to ridicule you because you’re wearing a giant white meringue.’

I flicked him away. ‘Get lost.’ I rather liked the idea of proposing to Byron. Maybe I’d consider it but I wasn’t wearing white. Hot pink all the way.

‘Yeah, yeah.’ He glanced behind my shoulder. ‘Speak of the devil.’

I turned round and spotted Byron. We smiled at each other, the rest of the world fading away until I barely noticed when Bob vanished, no doubt off to do more mischief.

‘Hey,’ I said eventually, when it became clear that we’d probably just stand there and grin at each other all day. ‘Did you manage to sort out, uh, your father?’

‘Yes. I’ve arranged for him to be taken back to the Moncrieffe Lands. His body will be safe from desecration there. And it’s important that we don’t just pretend he didn’t exist. Like it or not, he’s part of our story now.’ He slipped his hand into mine. ‘If he’d seen in you what I see in you, he would have yielded long before.’ I gave him a questioning look. Byron shrugged. ‘You’re a fighter. No matter how bad the going is, you never give up. When things are dark and it seems like there’s no way out, you find the exit. You’re a true warrior, Integrity.’

‘Layoch,’ I whispered. I smiled. ‘That’s my true name.’ Byron’s mouth dropped open slightly. ‘I told you I would trust you.’

His eyes gleamed. ‘I’m Buaidh. It translates as victory.’ He watched me carefully; a shiver ran down my body. ‘I’ve not been victorious yet though.’ He swallowed. Then I realised his hands were shaking.

Alarmed, I stared at him. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I’ve heard about this place down near England. I thought maybe we should go and pay it a visit.’