After an eternity, the fire died, and Étaín moved again. She sat up, shaking her hands out and restoring feeling in her arms. “Thank you, Flidaisínn. Thank you so much for coming to help me.”
Flidaisínn smiled, showing her sharp little teeth. “You are not fully healed. Even I cannot do that. You need time in another realm to fully heal. Your wounds run deep, and they are not solely of the flesh.”
“In another realm?” Étaín remembered her time in Faerie, learning magic with the two Fae, and smiled. A flash of Ammatán’s wicked, leering face made her shrink back from the vision. His crazed laughter tried to shatter her walls, tried to widen the cracks in her shields. She stumbled back, but both Flidaisínn and Aes held her steady. “Not Faerie. I can’t face Faerie, Flidaisínn. Not with—”
“No, I cannot take you to Faerie, for that very reason. There is another place.”
Maelan found his voice. “Where? Where are you taking my grandmother?”
Flidaisínn smiled sadly. “There is a place, across the waves, called Hí-Breasail. It is a place of rest and peace, but only appears once in seven of your winters. She will be safe there, as safe as anywhere. She can rest and live as long as she likes.”
With his brow furrowed, Maelan leaned on his spear. “And when she heals? Can she return?”
The Fae girl sighed, shaking her head. “She can only return if she never treads upon the ground itself, I’m afraid. Still, she will live as she wishes.”
She might remain here, and take winters to heal, if ever, and live out her life. Perhaps another fifty winters, winters full of danger and strife. Or she might take the Fae’s offer, and live ever in the Faerie land, on an island without strife, cruel husbands or suspicious church men.
She nodded to Flidaisínn. “There is little choice, Flidaisínn. I’ll come with you. What must I do?”
“It is a simple thing, with me to lead you. Do you wish to say your farewells first?”
Étaín could stand now, though she still stumbled, unsteady on her feet. Maelan hovered large and powerful next to her. He hugged her for a long time; gingerly at first, then with more urgency as time went by. She fought the urge to cry a second time in the same day.
“You take care of Liadan, Maelan. Remember to pass the brooch on when you need to. Promise me?”
He nodded. “I vow to you, Grandmother. I shall do my duty, always.”
She laughed against the pain. “I’m certain you will, my darling grandchild.”
She hugged Aes as well. “You were a staunch friend this day, Aes. Take care of yourself, and Rognr as well. And keep the old gods alive.”
“I will, Étaín. Are you really this one’s grandmother?”
“I am. He might even tell you the story if you ask him someday.”
“That would make a worthy saga, in truth!”
She pressed the hag-stone into Aes’s hand. “Here, you should keep this. I can’t give much to thank you for your staunch support, but I can grant you this.”
He examined it and shrugged. “The children’s toy? What would I do with this?”
Étaín smiled. “It is no children’s toy. For that much, Bressel told the truth. It will help you encourage plants to grow.”
His eyes grew wide, and he clutched at the small Thor’s hammer he wore. He nodded once and stepped back, his face still awe-struck.
With one last, lingering caress to Odhar’s cooling cheek, she rose.
Étaín squared her shoulders. “I’m ready.”
The Fae girl hummed. The low thrum filled Étaín’s bones with both sorrow and delight. Small sparkling lights flitted around and through the standing stones in a merry dance. They lit the faces of the astonished onlookers as they swirled and spiraled in a complex pattern. The sparks grew ever brighter as they finally converged on both Flidaisínn and Étaín, wrapping the two women in a dazzling cloak of stars.
Étaín gripped Flidaisínn’s hand with a grin, and they stepped through the stones.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
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ABOUT CHRISTY NICHOLAS
Christy Nicholas, also known as Green Dragon, has her hands in many crafts, including digital art, beaded jewelry, writing, and photography. In real life, she’s a CPA, but having grown up with art all around her (her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are/were all artists), it sort of infected her, as it were. She loves to draw and to create things. She says it’s more of an obsession than a hobby. She likes looking up into the sky and seeing a beautiful sunset, or seeing a fragrant blossom or a dramatic seaside. She takes a picture or creates a piece of jewelry as her way of sharing this serenity, this joy, this beauty with others. Sometimes this sharing requires explanation–and thus she writes. Combine this love of beauty with a bit of financial sense and you get an art business. She does local art and craft shows, as well as sending her art to various science fiction conventions throughout the country and abroad.
* * *
Get in touch with Christy Nicholas:
Website (http://www.greendragonartist.com)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/greendragon9)
Facebook GreenDragonAuthor (http://www.facebook.com/greendragonauthor)
LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/greendragon9)
Tirgearr Publishing (http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Nicholas_Christy)
OTHER BOOKS BY CHRISTY NICHOLAS
DRUID’S BROOCH SERIES
LEGACY OF HUNGER, #1
Published: October 2015
ISBN: 9781311528575
It’s 1846, and Valentia is bored with the life of a spinster on her father’s prosperous Ohio farm. She is haunted by dreams about Ireland, so vows to travel to find her grandmother’s family and a long-lost family heirloom. On the way, she loses many precious things, but gains far more than she imagined.
LEGACY OF TRUTH, #2
Published: July 2016
ISBN: 9781310151149
Gifted with a magical brooch, passed down in her family for generations, Esme finds herself isolated and ill in an unfamiliar land. Her sister plots to steal the family heirloom from her in order to exploit the magical powers for her own gain, and Esme must battle for survival of herself and those she loves.
TURLOUGH'S TALE, #2.5 short story extra
Published: September 2017
ISBN: 9781370474523
After his beloved wife dies in childbirth, Turlough leaves in the middle of the night with his son, Ruari, traveling west to find music, Turlough’s other true love. Unwittingly sleeping under an ancient stone, they wake up in Faerie, amidst enchanting music. When they return, Turlough finds two years have passed, though he’s only been gone two weeks. His mother is waiting for him with a gift.
LEGACY OF LUCK, #3
Published: January 2017
ISBN: 9781370831975
Irish Traveler Éamonn loves gambling, women, and drinking, not necessarily in that order. But he’s entangled in a true mess when he falls for fiery redhead, Katie. When she’s married to a Scottish Traveler, Éamonn travels to Scotland to find her, with the help of Katie’s sister and cousin, and the magical brooch gifted by his father. Their quest takes them across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Skye, encountering war, betrayal, death. In the end, Éamonn must make his own luck.
MISFORTUNE OF VISION, #4
Published: January 2018
ISBN: 9781370115228
In 12th century Ireland, Orlagh has been Seer to her king for 40 years. After dismissing her efforts to warn him of war, she decides to fulfill her own quest: to find a worthy heir for her magical brooch. During this time, she passes judgment on a thief, escapes a Norman war camp, and battle wits with a Fae lord. She enlists the help of a grizzled old wa
rrior, who happens to be a long–time friend.
MISFORTUNE OF SONG, #5
Published: April 2018
ISBN: 9781370150205
Even a soldier cannot fight love—In 12th century Ireland, all Maelan wants is to do his duty to his Chief and maintain his family’s good name. However, his granddaughter, Orlagh, is hell bent on wreaking havoc, with no care for the consequences. Maelan must make some difficult decisions and bargains with the Fae to save his granddaughter’s life and future. Can he save her happiness as well?
ALSO BY CHRISTY
THE ENCHANTED SWANS
Published: March 2017
ISBN: 9781370316731
In pre-Celtic Ireland, Fionnuala is a fae princess with hopes and dreams of love and a full life. But all her dreams are stolen from her, ripped away in a torrent of envy and magic, and forces to live under an evil curse—she and her brothers having been transformed into swans. Will she find a way to break the spell, or will they remain swans, tethered to three places for nine hundred years?
CALL OF THE MORRIGÚ
Published: July 2017
ISBN: 9781370942718
1798 Ireland–While rebellions are rising across the countryside, Theodosia Latimer and her grandfather Reginald are on a mission to discover the past. But when they discover an imprisoned goddess straight out of Ireland’s rich mythological history, they're both amazed and frightened. Will they be able to tame her lust for violence in the upcoming rebellion? Or will they fall victim to it?
THE HIDDEN GUIDES
Do you find yourself drawn to the magic of the Emerald Isle or Scotland? Would you like to see places beyond the typical tourist traps? Come, join me on a journey through the mists of legend, into the hidden places of mystery. Immerse yourself in the legends and myths, the history that has made this island precious in the hearts and minds of millions. Along with the tales and history, there is practical information on planning your trip, budgeting your costs, and finding the best places to while away the magical hours of your holiday.
IRELAND: MYTHICAL, MAGICAL, MYSTICAL
A Guide to Hidden Ireland
Released: June 2013
ISBN: 9781301520725
The Mythical Facet - History and Myth-tery
The Magical Facet - The Fair Folk
The Mystical Facet - Gods and Saints
The Personal Facet - Friendly Folk
The Musical Facet - A Song and Dance
The Stunning Facet - Photo opportunities
The Tasty Facet - Irish Fare
The Practical Facet - How do I…?
The Frugal Facet - Budgets, Discounts, and Deals
The Hidden Facet - Undiscovered Places
SCOTLAND: STUNNING, STRANGE, SECRET
A Guide to Hidden Scotland
Released: November 2014
ISBN: 9781311036391
History and Myth
Superstitions and Beliefs
Gods and Saints
Highland Hospitality
Ceilidhs and Flings
Stunning Shots
Haggis and Cullen Skink
Plans and Mechanics
Discounts and Deals
Hidden Gems
Misfortune of Time Page 27