by Laura Howard
There was a stir at the entry and the king and queen walked in, followed by their daughters. Aodhan and I stood as they entered the sitting area.
Niamh’s pale blue eyes met Aodhan’s, but I couldn’t make out her expression. Aoife walked past where we sat, pacing the edge of the room. I watched her warily, unsure what to expect.
Aodhan offered Saoirse his seat and she took it with a small nod of acknowledgment. Deaghlan seated himself by her side, his gaze sweeping over us as though we weren’t even there.
“We have come to an agreement,” Saoirse said as she glanced to where Aoife stood with her back to us, gazing at one of the tapestries lining the walls.
I nodded, trying to glean a clue as to what was coming.
“Aoife has done wrong to many. But to Liam more than anyone. In exchange for her own freedom, she has agreed to break the geis,” Saoirse said, knowing exactly where my thoughts were.
I couldn’t think of an appropriate response right away. I breathed in and out, feeling Saoirse’s solemn gaze on me. “Freedom?”
She didn’t answer my question, but pulled something out of the folds of the gown she wore. It was the fey globe Aoife had once been imprisoned in, shimmering in the palm of her hand.
“When? When will the geis be broken?” I asked.
“Immediately,” she said.
“What do we have to do? Does Liam need to be here?” I had more questions, but she didn’t seem to be in any hurry.
“No. It’s just a matter of destroying the amulet and uttering a few words. That is all.”
“That is all,” I repeated, feeling edgy and impatient.
More voices came from the entry. Liam and Ethan walked into the gathering room, and the sight of them both, alive and well, nearly brought me to my knees. On shaky legs, I ran to Liam, throwing my arms around his neck like a child.
My heart leaped in my throat as I clutched him, still barely able to believe he was really here. Even after seeing him in that cavern, some kind of defense mechanism kept me from really accepting he hadn’t fallen to his death.
Liam pulled back, the tips of his ears pink. “I’m glad to see you too,” he said, earning a laugh from Ethan.
I sniffed and laughed at myself, just a little embarrassed.
Liam’s jaw stiffened when he looked past me to where Aoife stood, watching us.
“She’s going to break the geis,” I said, alarmed by the look of fury igniting in his eyes.
Aodhan walked over to Liam, effectively blocking Aoife from his line of vision. “It’s good to see you my friend,” he said, clapping my father on the shoulder.
“Same to you,” Liam said, but he was still glaring at Aoife.
Ethan wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. His lips grazed my temple as he whispered, “They’re having a little trouble with Samantha.”
My heart stuttered. “What do you mean?”
Liam swallowed and cleared his throat. “She’s very weak. They don’t know if they can reverse all the damage from the iron poisoning.”
“But, she’s partially human. How could the iron affect her so much?” I asked, looking between Ethan and Liam.
Niamh came over to us, eyebrows furrowed. “What are the healers saying?”
“They didn’t tell us much,” Ethan said. “They’re still trying to figure out what to do. Ciarán’s awake and he’s…not happy.”
The glance he gave Aoife explained why he was not happy.
I caught the dull, unfocused look on Saoirse’s face and looked at Niamh. Is your mother seeing something?
I think so.
I watched the light come back into Saoirse’s eyes and waited to see if she knew anything more than Ethan did.
She stood without looking at any of us and glided to where Aoife stood. They spoke in hushed voices, too low for me to understand. Niamh’s lips pressed together and she hurried over to join them, followed by Deaghlan.
Annoyed, I started walking toward their little huddle. Aodhan followed me, grabbing my arm. I opened my mouth to protest, but he shook his head.
I didn’t have long to wait before Saoirse asked us to join them in the sitting area. I stood between Liam and Ethan, watching Aoife sit beside Deaghlan, staring despondently at her folded hands. Only hours ago her face had held a look of triumph.
“Samantha isn’t responding to the ministrations of our healers,” Saoirse said. “If something isn’t done soon, she may die.”
“What can be done for her?” I asked.
“There is only one way to keep her alive,” Saoirse said, glancing at Aoife.
I waited for her to continue, growing impatient. “Okay, what is it?”
Saoirse met my eyes, her lack of urgency infuriating. “Aoife must sacrifice her own life, or what’s left of it, to save Samantha.”
Samantha’s only chance at survival was Aoife. A chill passed through me.
She’s going to do it.
I stared at Niamh, not believing it for a second. She cocked an eyebrow, daring me to argue.
It was Aoife who spoke. “It’s not much of a decision Allison, don’t look so shocked.”
“What?”
“I can sit here and wait to die slowly, growing more hideous each day or end it now,” she shrugged. “There’s nothing left for me.”
I felt Liam stiffen beside me.
Aoife reached up and unclasped the delicate chain from around her neck. The amulet that swung from the chain held the geis she had placed on my father. Because of that little oval, my father couldn’t touch my mother, leaving her pining for just one touch. In the center of the amulet was a tiny red stone. With trembling fingers, Aoife squeezed the stone until it crunched under her thumb. She spoke in a language I couldn’t understand and Saoirse nodded.
“The geis is broken.”
Liam drew in a deep breath, his eyes riveted to the pulverized gem.
“I’ve caused you a great deal of suffering, Liam. I will do what is needed to keep our daughter alive. My only hope is that one day you will remember me without that look of hatred in your eyes.”
Liam swallowed hard and looked into Aoife’s eyes. “I hope so, too. Go to her now, before it’s too late.”
Saoirse and Deaghlan stood, followed by Aoife. With one last look at Liam, she left the room.
Niamh glanced at the door and tentatively touched Aodhan’s forearm. He looked into her eyes and words were exchanged between them silently before she hurried after her family.
“I can’t believe it’s broken,” Liam said, his voice barely loud enough to hear. “I’m afraid to hope.”
“Me too,” I said, squeezing his hand.
While we sat waiting, folk from the palace came and went. Aodhan asked if we were hungry, but none of us had any appetite.
“I wonder if there’s anything I can do,” I said.
“They’re almost done,” Aodhan said quietly.
A wave of relief ran through me. “Is Samantha okay?”
He nodded. “She hasn’t woken, but the exchange was successful. Niamh says Aoife can no longer stand on her own. Her hair has gone from gray to white.”
I glanced at Liam, not commenting on the communication between Niamh and Aodhan.
“Can we see Samantha?”
“Niamh’s on her way down now. You can ask her.”
As he spoke, Niamh walked into the room. “Best to let her rest now. Ciarán won’t let anyone disturb her, anyway.”
I smiled, thinking Ciarán made a very efficient guard dog.
“Maybe we should all rest a bit. I’d like to go back as soon as we’re quite sure Samantha is recovered,” Liam said, looking at me and Ethan.
“I’ll arrange for dinner to be served in the guest quarters, if you’d like,” Niamh said.
I nodded. Now that I knew Samantha would be okay, maybe I was hungry.
Ethan came with me to the springs to bathe even though he’d already gotten cleaned up after he’d been healed. I washed and dress
ed in my tank top and yoga pants.
We were both lost in our own thoughts and didn’t speak much. When we got back to the guest room, I felt strangely empty. It didn’t make sense. So many of the things I’d been hoping for had been accomplished.
Once we’d eaten, I sat on the bed and closed my eyes. I should be happy and celebrating, but I couldn’t even bring myself to smile.
“You okay?” Ethan said, sitting beside me so that our knees touched.
I looked at him. “Yeah,” I said. “I’m more than okay. Or I should be, at least. But I just feel, I don’t know. I feel drained.”
He was quiet for a moment as he reached out and took my hand. I watched him take his other hand and trace a finger over my knuckles down to my wrist. He kept his eyes down as he flipped my hand over and rubbed the pad of his thumb on the inside of my wrist.
“You’ve been under a lot of stress,” he said and his thumb traveled up the length of my arm. “Give yourself a break.”
“I guess,” I said, closing my eyes as he put my hand on his shoulder. He picked up my other wrist and kissed the sensitive skin below my palm, trailing his lips down as he pulled my arm up around his neck.
I leaned into him, inhaling his clean, soapy scent. He put his mouth to my ear like he wanted to tell me a secret, but his lips touched my neck. A tremor passed through me and my fingers smoothed over his hair, pulling him closer.
“I think you’re trying,” I said, barely able to get the words out. “To distract me.”
“Maybe,” he whispered, peppering kisses along my collarbone. “It’s working, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I told him, pulling his mouth up to mine. My heartbeat pulsed in my ears as his lips molded to mine.
The kiss started slow but a frenzy began in my belly as his fingers moved from my shoulders down my sides and gripped my hips.
My hands moved to his face, feeling the light stubble on his cheeks. I gripped his jaw, holding him to me with greedy fingers. He pulled back for a breath and I saw a fire in his eyes that matched the way I felt.
He tightened his hands on my hips and lifted me onto his lap. I shuddered again as his fingers splayed over the curve of my backside.
“Can I see you again?” he said, bringing his lips to my jaw.
I closed my eyes and nodded. My breath hitched as his fingers grazed the skin beneath the edge of my tank top.
“Look at me,” he whispered against my mouth.
My eyelids fluttered open and he held my gaze as he lifted the tank top over my head, tossing it aside.
We were both breathing hard as he dipped his fingers under the waistband of my pants, peeling them slowly down my hips. He supported my weight with one hand as he pushed the fabric over my knees and repeated the process on the other side.
Once the pants hit the floor, he pushed me onto the bed so I lay flat on my back. His eyes were on my stomach and burned a trail from my navel up my ribcage past the swell of my heaving chest. With a moment of hesitation, he placed his hand on my side, looking up to meet my eyes.
He leaned in, not breaking eye contact. Feeling the warmth of his breath on my skin, I watched his brow furrow. “Is this okay?”
I nodded and he tentatively pressed his lips to the base of my sternum. With his hands still at my waist, he moved onto his knees, trailing his mouth up over the cups of my plain white bra. I breathed in a shaky breath and his eyes darted to mine.
I swallowed and put my hands in his hair again to keep him from pulling away. I felt wild and eager, like nothing I’d experienced before.
He continued to explore my shoulders and neck with his hands and lips until I didn’t know how much more I could take before I combusted.
When he brought his face up, his smile was secretive before his lips crashed into mine. One hand came down my side, over my hip to my knee pushing it to the side.
I trembled as he brushed his fingers up my inner thigh to a place no one had touched before. On contact, my entire body tightened and a sound came from my mouth that should have embarrassed me, but it just made me pull him closer. It was too much. I was rising, up and up until the coil within me sprung free and a burst of color exploded behind my eyelids.
Ethan pulled back, looking me straight in the eyes with the smug expression of someone who has done his job well.
I laughed, feeling boneless, almost giddy. He lowered himself down beside me and pulled my head into his chest, kissing the top of my head.
“Mission accomplished,” I said softly.
“Hmm?”
“Consider me thoroughly distracted.”
I woke up with Ethan snuggled against my back. His hand was flat against my hip and my head was nestled in the crook of his shoulder.
I’m spooning with Ethan Magliaro, I thought.
I wriggled out of his embrace and turned over so I could look at him. His dark lashes shadowed his cheeks, he was incredibly peaceful. Barely making contact, I smoothed my finger from his temple to his chin.
Never would I have believed we’d be together like this. Years of wanting him could’ve never prepared me for how it would feel to actually wake up with his breath warm in my hair.
Without opening his eyes, his lips stretched into a smile. “What are you doing?”
“Watching you sleep, obviously,” I teased.
He opened one eye. “That’s not creepy,” he said, a smile in his voice.
I wiggled my eyebrows. “I couldn’t help myself. You looked so innocent.”
He chuckled. “Sounds about right.”
I got up and picked up my discarded clothing from the floor. I caught him frowning at me.
“What?” I said.
“Do you have to put those back on?” he asked, giving me puppy dog eyes.
I let out a dry laugh. “I don’t think my father would appreciate me coming to breakfast in my undies.”
“No? Well, I would.”
“Come on, lazy bones. Let’s go find out how Samantha is.”
The table in the dining hall was occupied by some Danaan I knew and a few I didn’t. Saoirse and Deaghlan held their spots at either end of the table. Aodhan and Niamh sat side by side next to Saoirse.
Ethan and I took the two empty seats next to Aodhan. Liam wasn’t at the table, I noticed.
Niamh smiled at us, but her smile was a little off.
“Good morning,” she said.
Saoirse sat calmly observing. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes,” I said. “We slept fine. How is Samantha this morning?”
Saoirse’s expression didn’t falter. Her smile could have belonged to the Mona Lisa for all she gave away. “She is recovering remarkably well. She woke up this morning angry as a hornet.”
I laughed. “Is Liam with her?”
“Yes,” Niamh said. “He’s been awake since before dawn.”
“He’s anxious to go home, I bet.”
“Ah, there he is,” Saoirse said, looking at the entry as Liam walked in. “Just in time.”
I turned and Liam walked over, behind my chair and raised a curious brow. “What am I in time for?”
Deaghlan stood. “We have an announcement. It would be nice not to have to repeat it too many times.”
My eyes widened. This was the Deaghlan I knew. Irritating and superior.
Saoirse stood, drawing the attention of the entire table. She smiled, gazing at each of us.
“The time has come,” she began. “Deaghlan and I must make the journey over the Aimsirean Sea to be joined with the kings and queens who ruled before us.”
I glanced at Niamh, but her expression was carefully blank. No one made a sound as we waited for her to continue.
“There are several unprecedented occurrences with our passing. For one, Niamh will be the first unbonded queen in the history of our people. This may come as a shock to some, but the worlds are changing. Even here, we must grow and adapt.”
The Danaan I didn’t know exchanged uncertain glances, but nobody spoke
out.
“Also, we have decided to take our youngest daughter, Aoife to Magh Mell with us. She will not survive long here or in the human realm, but it is our hope she may be healed by the ancient magic of Danu.”
I swallowed. “She won’t be able to come back though, right?”
Deaghlan smirked. “No, Allison. You and your prince will have your happily ever after, not to worry.”
Anger whipped through me and I balled my hands into fists. Just as I opened my mouth to let him know what I thought, both Liam and Ethan put their hands on my shoulders.
“Let it go, Al,” Ethan whispered.
I swallowed, tears of frustration building behind my eyes. Of course Deaghlan wouldn’t care that so many people had been hurt and even died. God knew I wouldn’t be able to change his mind.
I turned to Liam. “Can we go see Samantha?”
He nodded, his jaw working. “She was asking for you,” he said to me, but his eyes were still on Deaghlan.
Liam told us how to get to her room. When Ethan and I left, I was relieved to be away from that discussion. Once I knew Samantha was okay, the only thing I wanted was to go home. Things would never be the same, but I looked forward to many things to come.
We went past the entrance to the bathing pools and through a maze of halls and staircases to the room where Samantha was staying. It was down a quiet, dimly lit corridor beside the room Ethan and Liam had been in when they’d needed healing.
Ciarán stood in the entryway as we approached, his eyes stormy. His face relaxed when he saw it was just Ethan and me and he stood to the side.
Samantha lay on the bed, sideways. She didn’t look like much of a patient with her head hanging off the side of the bed, singing as her feet kicked up and down in the air.
“What the heck are you doing?” I asked, laughing.
She looked at me, upside down. She stopped singing and flipped onto her stomach, spreading her arms out to her sides.
“Oh, thank god you’re here. I am so bored.”
I took a step toward her, shaking my head at her quirkiness. “I guess you’re feeling a little better.”
“I feel fine, never better. When can we leave?”