A Kind of Magic

Forty-Seven

When the two women returned a few minutes later, Peregrine materialised in front of Fiona immediately and wrapped her in a black cloak almost identical to the one both he and Freddie wore.

"It fits perfectly," Fiona said. Closing her eyes briefly, relishing his closeness, she leaned her cheek as inconspicuously as she could against his hand that was tying a bow under her raised chin.

"It doesn't." He smiled, then, as if forgetting his resolve of making their feelings invisible to anyone but themselves, pressed a chaste, quick kiss on her lips. "Just like the one Freddie is wearing, they are supposed to finish mid-calf." He looked down, chuckling at the sight of the black fabric sweeping the grey stone floor under their feet.

"Aah, I'm too short," Fiona concluded, looking around before slipping her arms around his waist invisibly, under his black cloak, and pressing her forehead to his chest, breathing him in deeply.

"You are beautiful and perfect the way you are, Bella, you mustn't think otherwise," he whispered, leaning closer to her so only she would hear. "I... "

"Come on, let us go. It's so wonderfully sunny outside!" Annwyn's excited voice made Fiona jump from Peregrine, his unfinished words scattered by his sister's intrusion. "The horses are impatient; let us leave before the weather changes again," she added. 

Peregrine took a step away from Fiona and turned to Annwyn.

"Are you absolutely sure you want to come with us? You have never wished to leave home before," he asked, narrowing her eyes at her, obviously disgruntled by her interference.

It was Fiona who answered for the half dragon who scowled mutely at her brother, while Leodhais came to stand at her side.

"Of course she is coming with us. Her home is where her heart is, and her heart is with Leodhais. Just... leave this decision to her, please," she finished, letting her eyes pour into Peregrine's when she found everyone observing her curiously. 

He nodded, looking abashed. "Of course. Now let us finally go; it's getting late," he said, offering his arm to Fiona and leading her outside.

She turned briefly to Freddie on her way out, still unsure whether she should leave the magic imbued ring with him. But even now, it glowed with such an impossibly warm shade of blue from beneath his cloak that it seemed to be a sign, a sign of the ring finding its rightful master. She would leave it with him for now, she decided, stepping into the sunlit courtyard with Peregrine. 

Before any member of the dark-clad company-- even Leodhais had donned a black travelling cloak over his elven silvery-white finery-- could mount their steed, Freddie, with Gollum following him like a shadow, walked to Annwyn who stood by a magnificent dove-grey horse with a braided silver mane and a long, thick tail so silky and ethereal as if it was spun of mist.

"You said you would show me your dragon?" He formed his demand as a question, allowing her a possibility to backtrack or postpone fulfilling the vague promise uttered the previous night.

But she didn't, she seemed more than happy to oblige and Fiona wondered whether it was because she wanted Leodhais, whom she looked at uncertainly, to meet her other, hidden side before they set upon this journey together. Wise, brave Annwyn, Fiona mused. Between lovers, it was better to know the other as well as possible and not keep secrets to avoid future disappointments. 

"May I?" Annwyn disturbed her train of thought as she turned to her.

"Of course." Fiona shrugged. Just as herself, Freddie wouldn't get scared by seeing a dragon; she was certain. "Unless it will put us in pointless danger, by attracting other dragons' attention... " she trailed off, looking up at Peregrine, who still stood at her side, his arm laced around her waist under her cloak.