by Nora Roberts
“No, it doesn’t, and they won’t.” He looked up from her fingers, into her eyes. And his were like gold steel. “Because we’ll fight to the last man. To the last drop.”
“So why—”
“Let me ask you a question, one none of us have voiced as yet. Have all the vampires from your world come here to follow Lilith?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then when this battle’s won, the fight goes on. You’ll have to hunt, as you’ve always hunted. Here, if some survive, they’ll be an army always to fight them. The people of Geall know what they are, as the people of your world don’t.”
“Yes.” So he did understand. “I wish—I’m sorry. Going back, it’s not a choice for me. If it were…But it’s not.”
“No, it can’t be a choice for you. But it can be for me. So I’ll be going back with you, to fight beside you.”
“Excuse me?”
“A stór. Did you think I’d let you get away from me?”
“You can’t leave here.”
“Why? It’s Moira who will rule, and my father will advise her as need be. There’s my brother and my sister’s husband to work the land, and tend the horses.”
She thought of his mother, his sister, brother. Of his father, and the look on Riddock’s face when he’d embraced Larkin after his return. “You can’t leave your family.”
“It’s hard, yes, to leave loved ones. It should be hard, I think, and should only be done when it needs to be done. It isn’t, could never be, the way it was when your father left you, Blair.”
“The result’s the same.”
“It’s not, no. Not when the leaving is with love, all around. And it’s true enough that a man often moves away from his parents. It’s the way of things, a natural order.”
“They move to the next town, or across the country. Not to another world.”
“Trying to talk me out of it’s a waste of breath. My mind’s been made up to it for a while now. Moira knows it, though we haven’t spoken of it right out. As does my mother.”
He looked straight into her eyes. “Do you think I would fight, risk everything, then step aside from the one that matters most in this world, in any world to me? I’d give my life for this if that’s what’s needed. But if I live, you’ll belong to me. And that’s the end of it.”
“The end of it?”
“I’m thinking, as you have no close family at home, we could be married here. We can do the whole business again in your Chicago if you like.”
“Married? I didn’t say I would marry you. Anybody.”
“Of course you’ll marry me, don’t be foolish.” He gave her a friendly pat on her good knee. “You love me. And I love you,” he said before she could speak. “I nearly told you that first night we were together. But a man shouldn’t say such words when he’s inside a woman, I think. How would she know, for certain, he was speaking with his heart and not, well, not with his…”
“Oh boy.”
“I thought to tell you at other times, but told myself it should wait. I realize I nearly waited too long. You asked what I said to you, inside after you woke. I’ll tell you now. So look at me when I do.”
He laid his fingers on her cheeks. “I said you’re my breath, and my pulse, my heart, my voice. I said, I’ll love you even when all of them stop. I’ll love you, and only you, until all the worlds are ended. So you’ll marry me, Blair. And I’ll go where you go, and fight beside you. We’ll live together, and love together, and make a family.”
“I have to…I have to stand up a minute.” She got to her feet, shaky now, and walked to the fountain. Just to breathe, she thought, to let the cool spray of water wash her face.
“No one’s ever loved me like this. I don’t know, not for certain, that anyone’s ever loved me at all until you. No one’s ever offered me what you’re offering me.” She turned back to him. “I’d be a fool to push it away. I’m not a fool. I thought I loved someone once, but that was so pale compared to what I feel for you. I thought I’d have to be strong enough to leave you behind. I didn’t know you could be strong enough to come with me. I should have.”
She came back to him, offering her hand when he rose. “I’d marry you anywhere. I’d be so proud to marry you.”
He kissed her hands, then drew her gently into his arms to meet her lips.
“Get a good grip, will you?” she murmured. “I’m a demon hunter. I’m not fragile.”
He laughed, and swung her right off her feet.
“Have a care with her! Have you lost your mind?”
As Moira sprinted toward them, Larkin only grinned, and spun Blair again. “A bit. We’re betrothed.”
“Oh.” Moira stopped, her hands fluttering up to her heart. “Oh, well, that’s wonderful. Blessings on you both. I’m so pleased for you.”
She stepped up, kissed Blair’s cheek, then Larkin’s. “We need a celebration. I’ll go back, tell the others. Cian had a notion…but it can wait.”
“What notion?” Blair demanded.
“A way…how did he put it? To thumb our noses at Lilith. But—”
“I’m for that.” Blair patted Larkin’s arm. “Why don’t you go in. I’ll be right behind you. I just want a second with Moira.”
“All right. But don’t stay on your feet too long.”
“Listen to him, after he’s tossing you around in the air. I do wish you happy, Blair.”
“I want you to know I’m going to try, every day of my life, to make him happy. I want you to know that.”
“You do make him happy.” Moira angled her head. “We’re friends, aren’t we, you and I?”
“You, Glenna, Hoyt, Cian. Best friends I ever had in my life.”
“I feel the same, so I’m going to be honest with you. It will hurt when he goes. It will hurt my heart, and when he’s out of sight I’ll weep until my heart’s dry of tears. Then I’ll be light, and I’ll be happy. Because I know he’ll have what he needs, what he wants, what he deserves.”
“If there’s a way we can come back, to spend some time, to visit, you, his family, we’ll find it.”
“That’s a nice thought to hold on to. And I will. Come now. He’s right, you should be off your feet.”
“I think I feel better than I ever have in my life.”
“That’s love for you, but still, you’ll need your strength for what Cian has in mind.”
It was nose-thumbing, Blair thought. And chest-beating. And it was perfect.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Glenna asked her.
“I am so up for this. It’s so in-your-face.” Blair grinned at Cian. “Good thinking.”
He looked up at the sky, watched the stars wink to life. “Good clear night for it. It’s not what you’d call battle strategy, but—”
“Damn straight it is. Demoralizing the enemy is always good strategy.” Blair turned the swords she held. “So I’m set?” she asked Glenna.
“You’re set.”
“Okay, handsome. Make like a dragon.”
“In a moment. First, I have something for you, and I want to give it to you here, in front of our circle. One of the symbols of Geall is the dragon. One of our symbols as well, you and I. So I want you to wear this, for our betrothal.”
He drew out a ring of bright gold shaped like a dragon.
“Glenna drew a picture of it when I told her what I’d like. And the goldsmith used it to make the ring.”
“It’s perfect,” she murmured when he slipped it on her finger.
“And to seal it.” He framed her face, kissed her warmly. And shot her a grin when he eased back. “Now let’s go thumb our noses at this bitch.”
He flashed into the dragon. Leaping onto his back, Blair lifted both swords high.
“They rose into the sky,” the old man said. “Across the moon and stars and the dark behind them. And over the world of Geall, those swords flashed flame for all to see. With them, the demon hunter carved these words into that sky.
> “Bright blessings on Geall and all humankind. We,” she wrote in fire, “are the future.”
The old man lifted the wine that sat beside him. “It was said that the queen of the vampires stood below, cursing, shaking her fists as those words shone bright as the sun.”
He sipped the wine, held up a hand when the children spread around him protested that couldn’t be the end of the tale.
“Oh, there’s more to tell. More indeed. But not tonight. Go on now, for I was told there’d be gingercakes in the kitchen for a treat before bedtime. I’ve a fondness for gingercake.”
When he was alone, and the room quiet again, he sipped his wine. He nodded off with the fire warming his bones, and his mind drifting to the last of the story.
To the time of knowing.
Glossary of Irish Words,
Characters and Places
a chroi (ah-REE), Gaelic term of endearment meaning “my heart,” “my heart’s beloved,” “my darling”
a ghrá (ah-GHRA), Gaelic term of endearment meaning “my love,” “dear”
a stór (ah-STOR), Gaelic term of endearment meaning “my darling”
Aideen (Ae-DEEN), Moira’s young cousin
Alice McKenna, descendant of Cian and Hoyt Mac Cionaoith
An Clar (Ahn-CLAR), modern-day County Clare
Ballycloon (ba-LU-klun)
Beal (Bale), name Blair uses when acting as bait
bi istigh (vee-ISHtee), Gaelic term meaning “come in”
Blair Nola Bridgitt Murphy, one of the circle of six, the “warrior” a demon hunter, a descendant of Nola Mac Cionaoith (Cian and Hoyt’s younger sister)
braes (BRO-sh), underdrawers or trousers, worn by the people of Geall
Breda (BREE-da), mother of family with overturned wagon
Bridget’s Well, cemetery in County Clare, named after St. Bridget
Burren, the, a karst limestone region in County Clare, which features caves and underground streams
cailleach dearg (CAH-lic JAR-eg), witch with red hair, epithet for Glenna
cara (karu), Gaelic for “friend, relative”
Ceara, one of the village women
Cian (KEY-an) Mac Cionaoith/McKenna, Hoyt’s twin brother, a vampire, Lord of Oiche, one of the circle of six, “the one who is lost”
Cillard, place in County Clare
Cirio, Lilith’s human lover
ciunas (CYOON-as), Gaelic for “silence” the battle takes place in the Valley of Ciunas—the Valley of Silence
claddaugh, the Celtic symbol of love, friendship, loyalty
Cliffs of Mohr (also Moher), the name given to the ruin of forts in the South of Ireland, on a cliff near Hag’s Head, “Moher O’Ruan”
Conn, Larkin’s childhood puppy
Dance of the Gods, the Dance, the place in which the circle of six passes through from the real world to the fantasy world of Geall
Dara (DARE-a), in modern day County Kildare
Davey, Lilith, the Vampire Queen’s “son,” a child vampire
Deirdre (DAIR-dhra) Riddock, Larkin’s mother
Dervil (DAR-vel), one of the village women
Dunglas, place in Geall
Eire (AIR-reh), Gaelic for “Ireland”
Eogan (O-en), Ceara’s husband
Eoin (OAN), Hoyt’s brother-in-law
Eternity, the name of Cian’s nightclub, located in New York City
Faerie Falls, imaginary place in Geall
fàilte à Geall (FALL-che ah GY-al), Gaelic for “Welcome to Geall”
Fearghus (FARE-gus), Hoyt’s brother-in-law
Gaillimh (GALL-yuv), modern-day Galway, the capital of the west of Ireland
gaiscioch dorcha (GA-shuk DOR-ka), dark warrior or dark hero, epithet for Blair
Geall (GY-al), in Gaelic means “promise” the city from which Moira and Larkin come; the city which Moira will someday rule
Glenna Ward, one of the circle of six, the “witch” lives in modern-day New York City
Hoyt Mac Cionaoith/McKenna (mac KHEE-nee), one of the circle of six, the “sorcerer”
Isleen (Is-LEEN), a servant at Castle Geall
Jarl (Yarl), Lilith’s sire, the vampire who turned her into a vampire
Jeremy Hilton, Blair Murphy’s ex-fiance
King, the name of Cian’s best friend, whom Cian befriended when King was a child; the manager of Eternity
Knockarague (KNOCKA-rig), town in Geall; home of Larlin’s mother
Larkin Riddock, one of the circle of six, the “shifter of shapes,” a cousin of Moira, Queen of Geall
Lilith, the Vampire Queen, aka Queen of the Demons; leader of the war against humankind; Cian’s sire, the vampire who turned Cian from human to vampire
Lora, a vampire; Lilith’s lover
Lucius, Lora’s male vampire lover
Mac Dara, surname; part of one of Larkin’s titles
Malvin, villager, soldier in Geallian army
Mam, term for mother
Manhattan, city in New York; where both Cian McKenna and Glenna Ward live
mathair (maahir), Gaelic word for “mother”
Michael Thomas McKenna, descendant of Cian and Hoyt Mac Cionaoith
Mick Murphy, Blair Murphy’s younger brother
Midir (mee-DEER), vampire wizard to Lilith, Queen of the Vampires
miurnin (also sp. miurneach [mornukh]), Gaelic for “sweetheart,” term of endearment
Mo chroi (mo-kree), Gaelic term meaning “my heart,” “my sweetheart,” “my darling” (see a chroi)
Moira (MWA-ra), one of the circle of six, the “scholar” a princess, future queen of Geall
Morrigan (Mo-ree-ghan), Goddess of the Battle
Niall (Nile), a warrior in the Geallian army
Nola Mac Cionaoith, Hoyt and Cian’s youngest sister
o Dubhuir (o DOVE-er), surname Blair uses when acting as bait
ogham (ä-gem) (also spelled ogam), fifth/sixth century Irish alphabet
oiche (EE-heh), Gaelic for “night”
Oran (O-ren), Riddock’s youngest son, Larkin’s younger brother
Phelan (FA-len), Larkin’s brother-in-law
Prince Riddock, Larkin’s father, acting king of Geall, Moira’s maternal uncle
Region of Chiarrai (kee-U-ree), modern-day Kerry, situated in the extreme southwest of Ireland, sometimes referred to as “the Kingdom”
Samhain (SAM-en), summer’s end (Celtic festival); the battle takes place on the Feast of Samhain, the feast celebrating the end of summer
Sean (Shawn) Murphy, Blair Murphy’s father, a vampire hunter
Shop Street, cultural center of Galway
Sinann (shih-NAWN), Larkin’s sister
sláinte (slawn-che), Gaelic term for “cheers!”
slán agat (shlahn u-gut), Gaelic for “good-bye,” which is said to person staying
slán leat (shlahn ly-aht), Gaelic for “good-bye,” which is said to the person leaving
Tuatha de Danaan (TOO-aha dai DON-nan), Welsh gods
Tynan (Ti-nin), guard at Castle Geall
Vlad, Cian’s stallion
Number-one New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents the electrifying conclusion to her powerful new trilogy. Worlds have collided and centuries have elapsed as six people have brought their unique powers, their courage and their hearts to a battle that could drown humanity in darkness…
Her face, so pale when she’d removed her cloak, had bloomed when her hand had taken the sword. Her eyes, so heavy, so somber, had gone as brilliant as the blade. And had simply sliced through him, keen as a sword, when they’d met his…
In the kingdom of Geall, the scholarly Moira has taken up the sword of her people. Now, as queen, she must prepare her subjects for the greatest battle they will ever fight—against an enemy more vicious than any they have seen. For Lilith, the most powerful vampire in the world, has followed the circle of six through time to Geall.
Moira also has a personal score to settle. Vampires kille
d her mother—and now, she is ready to exact her revenge. But there is one vampire to whom she would trust her soul…
Cian was changed by Lilith centuries ago. But now, he stands with the circle. Without hesitation, he will kill others of his kind—and has earned the respect of sorcerer, witch, warrior and shape-shifter. But he wants more than respect from Moira—even though his desire for her makes him vulnerable. For how can a man with an eternity to live love a woman whose life is sure to end—if not by Lilith’s hand, then by the curse of time?
“[Roberts] is one of the best writers in the romance world.”
—The Best Reviews
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Nora Roberts & J. D. Robb
REMEMBER WHEN
Nora Roberts
HOT ICE
SACRED SINS
BRAZEN VIRTUE
SWEET REVENGE
PUBLIC SECRETS
GENUINE LIES
CARNAL INNOCENCE
DIVINE EVIL
HONEST ILLUSIONS
PRIVATE SCANDALS
HIDDEN RICHES
TRUE BETRAYALS
MONTANA SKY
SANCTUARY
HOMEPORT
THE REEF
RIVER’S END
CAROLINA MOON
THE VILLA
MIDNIGHT BAYOU
THREE FATES
BIRTHRIGHT
NORTHERN LIGHTS
BLUE SMOKE
ANGELS FALL
Series
Circle Trilogy
MORRIGAN’S CROSS
DANCE OF THE GODS
VALLEY OF SILENCE
In the Garden Trilogy
BLUE DAHLIA
BLACK ROSE
RED LILY
Key Trilogy
KEY OF LIGHT
KEY OF KNOWLEDGE
KEY OF VALOR
Three Sisters Island Trilogy
DANCE UPON THE AIR
HEAVEN AND EARTH
FACE THE FIRE
Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy
JEWELS OF THE SUN
TEARS OF THE MOON