by Kelly Moran
Riley ran his tongue over his teeth. “Uh-huh. Behave or I’ll post pictures of this all over Instagram.”
After they’d rounded the hedge wall, Mara clapped. “I’m so proud of you, dear.” She reached for Kaida’s hands and squeezed them. “Most important, you’re staying with us. I couldn’t be more pleased.”
Brady did a double-take. “Are you staying? I know you called this place home while...” He couldn’t go there again. “Have you decided?”
She kissed his jaw. “Where else would I go?”
“Nowhere without me.” He smiled, agreeing down to his marrow. “Ready?” He jerked his chin in the direction of the cottage.
A nod, and they strode the short distance together as a group.
He glanced around, trying to imagine what it must’ve been like for Mara and Celeste to live here. The cottage was but one room. A table lined the right wall and a sleeping pallet on the left, which still had straw on it. A large stone hearth with a painting of Mara, Celeste, and baby Hope centered the space.
Uh, yeah. Mara being three centuries old? He’d almost forgotten that tidbit with everything that had happened. Plus, his uncle was the actual Minister Meath? Mind blown.
He couldn’t make this crap up if he tried. He had more questions than he could spit out in a decade, but they would have to wait. Because sitting on the planked floor in front of the fireplace was...a box.
The box.
Kaida cleared her throat and knelt before the thing. It was the size of a hand, looked like pine, and had a trinity knot branded on the lid. To think, it had survived three centuries, and the last person to touch it or its contents had been Celeste Galloway.
The others hung back a respectable distance, but he stood directly next to Kaida, ready to pounce at the first sign of trouble. After all they’d endured, his pulse went spastic the second she reached for the box. Lord only knew what surprises lay inside and he was already dangerously close to dressing her in bubble wrap and locking her in a windowless room to keep her safe.
Forever.
She set the thing on her thighs and skimmed her fingers over the top, her gaze pensive. Yet she made no move to open it. The longer she stared—and that was eons—the harder his temples throbbed.
He shifted balance to his other foot. Back again. “Are you going to see what’s inside?”
She hummed. “I think we should do it together.” She tilted her head to meet his eyes. “The six of us, I mean.”
Ceara smiled. “A wonderful idea.”
Tristan nodded his agreement and gestured for the door. “We’ve waited all this time. What’s a little longer?”
Outside, Brady cast his gaze over the meadow teeming with yellow and violet flowers, and memory swamped him. Meeting her in that spot in their dreams. The years accumulated between then and now. And the nightmare that had just befallen them.
He turned toward Kaida and drew a cleansing breath as dusk threatened its ascent. “Can we talk for a second? Alone?”
“Sure.” She passed the box to Ceara. “I’ll be back shortly. Can you keep it safe?”
“We will.” Mara closed the cottage door. “Take your time, lass, but stay together.”
He watched them wander around the hedge wall and then cupped Kaida’s jaw. Dried blood crusted her gorgeous face, stained her clothes and skin, and he was reminded all over again how badly today could’ve gone. How terribly it had almost ended. He wasn’t wasting another moment with her.
Leaning in, he brushed his lips against hers, feather-light and with all the reverence she dragged from him on an hourly basis. Just the fact that he could kiss her, had a second chance to have her warm breath mingle with his and her moan play a tune in his ears, caused his sinuses to sting again.
“You almost died,” he whispered against her mouth. He closed his eyes. “I wouldn’t have survived it. I’m not certain I lived through the scare, to be honest.”
“I’m here.” Her lips parted, and her tongue tangled with his. Slow. Drugging. Satiating. She arched into him, grabbing his biceps, and his pulse started a drumbeat against his neck. Gingerly, she eased away and brushed noses. “I’m right here, where I’ll stay.”
A sigh, and he rested his forehead to hers, losing himself in the blue of her irises. “What changed your mind? About not leaving, I mean.”
Her swallow clicked in the meager space between them. “When I was lying there, surrounded by everyone I care about, I realized I wasn’t afraid to die. Didn’t mean I wanted to or was ready, but I wasn’t afraid.” She stroked his jaw. “My whole life, I’ve been...displaced. I never felt like I belonged anywhere. But coming here and meeting my sisters was an awakening. It took me awhile to accept their truth, and after experiencing firsthand what their fears could translate to, it showed me my truth.”
Searching his expression, she chewed her lip. “I haven’t necessarily found a place here. That would imply it had been lost. Rather, I came back to what was always...my home. It was just waiting for me. My family, new friends, and you. That’s what Celeste had been trying to tell me. Her way of guiding me, I suppose.” She inhaled, eyes misting. “And if I had died, if you guys hadn’t been able to save me, I would’ve left this world with a beautiful, wonderful understanding that I have all I’ve ever wished for.”
He released a shuddering breath. How many more ways was she going to slay him today? “Would you consider moving in with me?” Same island or not, a forest between where she rested her head and he did his was too far apart. “Please?”
She blinked as if confused. “Are you sure it’s not too soon?”
“Yesterday wouldn’t be soon enough.” Threading his fingers in her hair, he tilted her head so she had nothing and no one to look at but him. And he planned to keep it that way. “I don’t want to be separated anymore. I meant what I said to you back there when you were bleeding out and trying to say goodbye. You’re it for me.”
An endearing smile curved the corners of her mouth. “And your brothers will be okay with me underfoot?”
“That you even thought to ask proves what kind of person you are. Considerate, kind, smart. Very, very brave. And mine. They adore you. I adore you. Say yes.”
“Yes.” She kissed his chin and grinned. “I’ll talk to my sisters. We’ll figure it all out soon.”
“How soon?”
She laughed, and nothing had ever sounded better. Slipping her arms around his waist, she heaved a sigh. “I can’t believe it’s over. Ceara and Fiona have their tasks with your brothers, but I can’t believe our part is done.”
He shook his head, running his thumb over her plush lower lip. “We’ve just begun.”
Epilogue
One month later...
Sandwiched between Brady and Riley on the couch in her sisters’ living room, Kaida stared at the family grimoire on the coffee table, Celeste’s box next to it. Sitting across from them on the other sofa was Tristan, Ceara, and Fiona, also quietly contemplating. Mara had claimed a chair, her mood uncharacteristically solemn.
They’d had a lovely dinner and had decided to finish their wine by the fire to pow-wow. Yet no one had said much, if anything.
This had been a big day for Kaida. She’d installed her first entry into the grimoire. Well, technically, it was Celeste’s passage, but it was Kaida who’d added the parchment. Turned out, after all the trials, the box had contained only two things. A sapphire ring and a scroll containing part of a spell.
“Do you think I should say it aloud?” She looked to her sisters for guidance.
Ceara shook her head. “I believe Fiona and I need to do our part first. Something tells me this is a power of three spell. It’ll only work if all the pieces are together and we say them as one.”
Kaida took a sip of wine. “Power of three?”
“Extremely rare and unheard of in our family.” Ceara pursed her lips. “We’re the first Galloway trinity to be born, which is why there are no incantations like it in the book. Long story short, power of three spe
lls are tremendously potent. They carry a lot of weight, give a boost to an otherwise normal casting. They also allow witches to practice outside their magical scope.”
“For instance,” Fiona added, “that spell Ceara cast on us allowing us to understand Latin? A power of three could’ve allowed us to read any written language, and on a permanent basis, not just temporary.”
“I repeat,” Riley lifted his brows, “where was this gift in high school when I could’ve used it most?”
Ceara set her empty glass aside with a smile. “We still have to practice within boundaries. No personal gain and so forth.”
“Rules schmules.” Riley sighed. “I get it, though. So, which pair of us is next, do you think?”
Mara shrugged. “Hard to say. Or when, for that matter. A moon cycle has passed since Brady and Kaida finished. It’s interesting none of you have been branded yet.” She looked at Brady. “All these years, I’ve been under the impression this was a joined effort, but your mark disappeared before hers. What were you thinking about right before it vanished? Or did you say something of relevance?”
Brows pinched, he stared at his inner wrist where the knot had once been. “From the moment the tattoo appeared, it had been a form of communication between us. If she was in trouble, I’d know. When it was gone, I thought she died.” He closed his eyes and took a breath before reopening them. “But she was obviously alive, as we later learned. All I remember thinking was that I’d do anything if she was okay. I’d follow her anywhere if that’s what she needed because she was my...”
He jerked his gaze to Kaida’s, eyes wide in understanding. “Home. She was my true home.” Leaning closer, he lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. “You said something similar to Fiona when you thought you wouldn’t make it. Told her to bury you with the other Galloways because this was your family, your home.”
Kaida’s throat tightened with the onset of tears, her chest swelling. She didn’t think it was possible to love anyone more than she did him right now. She took in his handsome features, the way the firelight turned his black hair to a chestnut hue, and she couldn’t wait until they were alone. Attraction curled in her belly and spread.
“So you each had the same task, but reached the goal at different times.” Tristan grunted. “Good to know for when it’s our turn.”
She hummed in thought. “Yes and no. I believe that aspect was the last piece. If you encompass the full meaning of ‘home’, it implies a place and people. A state of mind. The six of us were able to come together, despite our differences and history stating it would never happen. Friendship can be just as important as family, and we have both.”
“Good point.” Brady kissed her forehead and sat back, focusing on Ceara. “That power of three thing. Can you do one for a ward on the meadow and forest?”
“Maybe,” Ceara said, running her finger over her lips. “I don’t think it’ll take, though. Protection spells need something to bind them. Like the walls of the mansion and our house. They’re physical. Material. The forest and meadow aren’t, so it probably won’t work.”
Riley shrugged. “You could take a stab at it.”
“Eh, cut her some slack.” Kaida grinned.
They laughed until discovering the others weren’t joining in. Five irritated, pissed off expressions glared back at her and Riley.
She leaned closer to him and whispered, “I don’t think they’re ready to joke about my mortal wound incident yet.”
“I think you might be right,” he replied in the same dramatic, hushed tone. Sighing, he wrapped an arm around her neck and drew her to his side. “In all seriousness, I’m so very glad you’re all right. That’s an experience I don’t care to repeat.”
Warmth flooded her, and her eyes misted again. “Ditto.” She’d not only found family and the love of her life by coming to Six Fates, she’d found an everlasting friendship with Brady’s brothers, too. She could only imagine what they must’ve gone through, discovering her in that state. “Ditto,” she repeated.
“Quit touching my woman.” Brady grabbed her arm, tugged her away from his brother, and hugged her against him. “Mine. Get your own.”
“Aww.” She snuggled in his embrace, loving his solid muscles and earthy rain scent. The safety he invoked just holding her had her releasing a girly sigh. “My caveman.”
“Moving on.” Tristan narrowed his eyes. “We need a better defensive strategy. Uncle Greg caught us completely unaware and we weren’t prepared. Not to outright agree with Riley, but I’d rather not have to live through that again.”
“Minister Meath, you mean?” Riley shook his head. “I’ll never get over it, him being one and the same guy.”
“Aye, didn’t see that comin’.” Mara drained her wineglass. “And you can bet he’s hiding out somewhere. He’s down, but not for long. If he was plagued by the same curse as me, then he can’t die. Not until the tasks are done. He’ll heal and come back at you, angrier than ever.”
“According to the Meath journals, the witching blade can kill him and destroy the dagger.” Kaida chewed her lip. “That might be the only way to take him out. Two birds, one stone.” She thought about the things he’d spewed at her by the cottage before the others had come to her rescue. “He knew about the boxes. I think he’s under the assumption that if he destroys them, the curse will be lifted. That’s why he waited until he thought I’d completed my task and why he didn’t go after anyone else.”
“What he doesn’t know can only help us.” Brady smoothed her hair. “So, we go at him. Get the dagger and use it on him.”
“I can’t.” Ceara’s eyes filled. “We harm none. That’s our way. I still have nightmares about what I did to him. I lack a killer instinct.”
“I don’t,” Fiona growled. “I’ve dreamed up countless ways to make him pay. Pain is involved. Oodles and oodles of pain.”
Riley gazed at her in fear and admiration. “Go on with your bad self. Me? I’m with Ceara. I don’t think I can do it.” He rubbed his eyes. “I don’t have a soul mate to protect like Brady and I can’t shut off emotions like Tristan and I’m not bravely ferocious like Fi.” His hand slapped his thigh. “If it came to defending one of you, then maybe. Probably. In theory? I don’t know.”
“Ceara, look at me,” Brady pleaded and waited for her to comply. “Tristan was correct in what he said back in the meadow. It was self-defense. You aimed the fire at his feet, tried to create a ring, but he moved too fast. Think about what he did to your sister, how he beat her and stuck a blade into her. Forgive yourself. And if that doesn’t work, remember that he put Celeste on a pyre. He did this, set it in motion, all of it. If not for him, she wouldn’t have cast the curse in the first place. To top it off, he created an entire brotherhood to eradicate others of your kind.” He inhaled, nostrils flared. “He deserves whatever he gets.”
Tears splashed her cheeks. “My head knows all that. It does. But my heart never will.”
“I’ll do it.” Tristan looked at her, then swiftly away, expression pained. His throat worked a swallow. “I’ll accept the burden when the time comes. If we get the chance to steal the blade from him, give it to me. I’ll end him.”
Silence fell, and Kaida got the distinct impression he’d been forced to do worse. Riley had been wrong. Tristan didn’t shut off his emotions. He felt them with every fiber of his being, but pushed forward anyway. Something told her the guilt he lived with had been consuming him each second since the day he was born.
Through the years, she’d learned to hone her instincts. She’d gotten to know him pretty well the past couple months, and what he said in his body language, actions, and expressions relayed way more than actual words.
Riley had also been wrong about something else. He may crack jokes and display a devil-may-care attitude, but he was a warrior underneath. When he had something worth fighting for, he would. He’d rise to the challenge, of that she had zero doubt. In a way, he’d been doing it all along for his brothers, and for h
er since she’d arrived.
“We’re going to be all right,” she said. “I can feel it. We’re going to do this destiny thing and come out stronger. Together.”
“Know what, blondie?” Riley winked. “I believe you. And if you make French toast again like you did this morning, I’ll do anything you ask of me.”
She laughed. “Deal.”
“So, it’s going okay?” Fiona raised her brows. “You living,” she shot a glare at Riley, “with these guys? If not, you’ll tell me?”
He scowled at her. “We’re not keeping her chained in the basement and forcing her to perform sexual acts, if that’s what you’re implying.”
Brady grunted, nuzzling Kaida’s neck. “Speak for yourself.”
“You’re insatiable.” She laughed again. “Everything’s kosher.”
She’d moved into the Meath mansion a couple weeks ago with her sisters’ blessing, and she couldn’t be happier. Falling asleep in Brady’s arms and waking up next to him made all their trials seem worth it. At the end of the day, she couldn’t wish for anything more.
“The board called back this morning. Starting in the fall, I’ll be teaching at Six Fates High School three days a week.” She loved the idea of being in a classroom with teenagers. It was satisfying to know she’d be educating a younger generation on the history of Paganism and Witchcraft. The college level was fine, but there was something to be said for catching the kids before life made them hard, before influences and biases hindered their free minds. “And Brady will be including me for consults regarding special projects on the historical society.”
“Special projects, indeed. Congratulations, though.” Fiona rolled her eyes and looked at Ceara. “Is it just me or are you starting to get used to all this adoring affection? Watching them has desensitized my gag reflex.”
“Hush. It’s a lovely sight, the two of them.” Ceara smiled, gaze on Brady and Kaida. “One could do worse than harbor hope.”
“Amen,” Tristan said.
In the lull of conversation, Kaida’s gaze landed on the box again. The parchment paper with the partial spell had been obvious, but she didn’t know how the ring tied into the equation. Unsure, she’d kept it safely inside, never putting it on.