by Jodi McIsaac
“I think we should go back,” she said. “We should go to Tír na nÓg.” She saw the relief in his eyes and smiled. She knew he wanted to return to the land of his childhood, though he hadn’t said so. She knew he would want to be part of the restoration, to help rebuild Tír na nÓg into the great land it had once been. And she had come to realize that she wanted that too. She wanted to be part of something bigger than herself. She wanted to embrace who she was, and discover more about her biological parents and their home. And above all, she wanted a safe place for Eden, where she wouldn’t have to worry about her accidentally opening a sidh in front of her friends or teachers and ending up in a government lab or military institution. School was starting soon, and Cedar thought it would be best if they were gone by then. She told Finn all this, and he leaned back into the pillows and looked up at the ceiling.
“I agree, but it won’t be easy,” he said. “From what Rohan tells me, things are a real mess over there. It’s hard to tell the people who actually agreed with Lorcan from the ones who were just supporting him out of fear. The Council has taken over for the time being. They’re well respected, and they used to advise the High Kings before Lorcan disbanded them. But who knows if they can sort through the chaos and set things right again.”
“All the more reason we should be there,” Cedar said. “Maybe we can help. Has there been any word on Nuala?”
“Nothing,” Finn said, frowning. “No one has seen her—or at least no one is letting on that they have.”
Cedar’s stomach squirmed uncomfortably. She didn’t like the idea of Nuala on the loose. She was sure that the redhead would not give up her delusions of power so easily. But Eden, at least, was safe. There was no one besides Lorcan who could gain her power through her death, and Eden’s gift would be treasured by all the Tuatha Dé Danann. Yes, she thought, it would be safer for Eden there, among her own people. Yes, they would go, and face Nuala again if they had to. But this time, they would be together.
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There are not enough words to express my deep gratitude to my friend and mentor Chris Hansen, who selflessly shared his vast knowledge of story and painstakingly walked me through the creation of this one. Chris, you changed my life. I cannot thank you enough.
There are many other people to whom I am grateful. Here are but a few: Justin Sherwin; Mark and Kari Petzold; Jason and Christie Goode; Janelle deJager; Kelley Stuart, Andrea Penner, and their books clubs; Carla Sbrocchi; and my parents, Judi and Allan McIsaac, for their unwavering support and invaluable editorial assistance.
I am so grateful for the hardworking, überprofessional, and very fun team at 47North, including David Pomerico, Katy Ball, Patrick Magee, Kelly Borgeson, and Angela Polidoro. You have all made my first foray into the publishing world an incredibly positive experience.
Of course, I’m very grateful to my husband, Mike, who allowed this book to invade our lives, helped me find time and space for this passion of mine, and cheerfully served as a perpetual sounding board; and also to my children, Lauren and Willow, who never seemed to grow tired of the refrain “Mummy’s writing” and had their own helpful suggestions for what to include in Mummy’s story (cue Baby Bunny).
To everyone else who believed in me: thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jodi McIsaac grew up in New Brunswick, on Canada’s east coast. After abandoning her Olympic speed skating dream, she wrote speeches for a premier, volunteered in a refugee camp, waited tables in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and earned a couple of university degrees. She now runs a boutique copywriting agency in Calgary, Alberta, where she lives with her husband and two feisty daughters.
Visit www.jodimcisaac.com for bonus content, contests, and updates on the next books in The Thin Veil series.