by Donna Grant
Yet the idea that the man inside might very well be her biological father terrified her. Partly because if he were her father, then she’d been lied to by Patrick her entire life. Why? What was Patrick hiding from her? Or was he hiding from someone else?
There was no denying the anger within her as more and more truths came to light. She wanted to give her dad—Patrick—the benefit of the doubt, but she didn’t think she could talk to him. She’d been dodging his calls for months because he kept telling her to come home. Now, she didn’t answer because if she did, she would demand to know everything. And she’d rather see his face for that conversation.
She felt someone staring at her and turned her head to find a tall man with short, thick, white hair and a close-cropped beard staring at her as if he were looking at a ghost. Despite his startling white hair, he wasn’t elderly. She’d imagine him to be in his mid to late fifties.
He took a tentative step toward her. There were tears in his blue eyes as he cleared his throat. “For just a moment, I thought you were Eireen. By the saints, you look so much like her.”
At the sound of his Irish brogue, she knew she was talking to Donal Cleary.
He gave her a sad smile. “You must be Eilish. I was hoping you’d visit. Come in so we can talk.”
She watched as he walked to the door of The Porterhouse and unlocked it. He looked over his shoulder and waved her forward. Eilish inhaled deeply and followed him. He held the door open for her. After she entered, he closed and locked it.
“It’s too early for whisky,” he said. “Shall I get us coffee?”
Eilish shook her head. She wasn’t sure her stomach would be able to handle anything. She was a ball of nerves. It had been one thing to come to Europe to search for her mother. It was quite another to discover that the man you thought was your father really wasn’t.
“Aye.” Donal ran a hand through his hair. “Forgive me. I don’t remember ever being so nervous except for the first time I met Eireen.”
At the mention of her mother, Eilish said, “Tell me about her.”
Donal’s face brightened before he guided her to a booth. Once they were seated, he said, “I could talk about Eireen for days.” He chuckled. “I keep expecting to hear you speak with an Irish accent.”
His smile relaxed her. She leaned back against the cushion. “So much has been hidden from me about my mother. Then I learned about you.”
“And you want to know the truth,” he said with a nod. “Eireen was the love of my life. I think I fell in love with her the moment I laid eyes on her. It was like she shook my soul awake, and I hadn’t even known it was sleeping. She brightened … everything.”
Eilish’s heart swelled at the knowledge that her mother had been loved so fiercely. She waited with bated breath for Donal to continue.
“Eireen came from a very strict family. She was a Druid, but her line had been diluted so many times that many were born without magic. But not her,” Donal said proudly.
Eilish blinked and found herself returning his smile. “You know about Druids?”
“Of course,” he replied with a smile.
She gave a short bark of laughter and glanced down at the table. This was a part of herself she wouldn’t have to hide as she did with Patrick. Eilish could barely contain herself she was so happy. Then question after question filled her head. “How did you meet?”
“She was looking for other Druids and found her way to my pub. Eireen quickly discovered that there weren’t just other Druids hanging about my place, but Fae, as well. Once she realized that, she was there almost every day. Because within the walls of my establishment, she could let her magic show and be herself. And it was a glorious sight.”
Eilish wished she could’ve seen it. “So what happened? Did she have a run-in with another Druid or Fae?”
Donal shook his head, a small frown forming at her words. “Not at all. She began to learn and develop her magic with the help of the other Druids. Eireen could grasp any spell, no matter how difficult, with ease.”
“So she was powerful?”
“Aye. And for six months, we had an amazingly beautiful life. We’d fallen in love and were making plans to marry. She wanted to leave Dublin and get as far from her family as she could. Then one day, her two sisters followed her to my pub.”
Eilish sat forward and rested her arms on the table. Donal’s gaze lowered to the finger rings and his gaze took on a faraway look. She removed the ring from her index finger and placed it in his hand.
Donal held the jewelry, lovingly stroking it. “Eireen used magic to conceal so much from her controlling family, but somehow, they discovered what she was doing. Her eldest sister whispered something in Eireen’s ear. While I waited for her to tell them to go away, she rose and told them to wait outside.”
“I don’t understand. Why go with them at all?”
“She tried to explain it to me, but I was furious and wouldn’t listen. I remember her saying that she had one last promise to her family to fulfill, but I couldn’t see reason. She was a grown woman with her own place, yet she continued to fear her family. People who didn’t have magic.”
There was something more going on with that. Of that, Eilish was sure. No Druid would fear someone like that—family or not—unless there was good reason. And that usually meant magic.
“That was the last day I saw her,” Donal continued. He set the finger ring near Eilish’s hand and raised his gaze to her. “When she didn’t return in a few days, I began searching for her. I even got the authorities involved, but nothing came of it. Not even the various private investigators I hired found anything. It was like Eireen disappeared off the face of the Earth.”
Eilish returned the ring to her finger. “I was born in Ireland but brought to Boston. There, a man named Patrick Flanagan told me he was my father, and he and his wife, my stepmother, raised me. I was never allowed to speak about my mum or ask any questions.”
Donal jerked his chin to the finger rings. “Those were Eilish’s. How did you come to have them?”
“My fa—Patrick gave them to me on my eighteenth birthday and told me they belonged to her.”
Donal squeezed his eyes closed. “You are her daughter then. I knew it as soon as Nikolai and Esther showed me a picture of you.” He opened his eyes and looked at her. “Eireen wanted a family. There was no way she would’ve willingly given you up.”
“Then where is she? I know nothing about her other than that her name is Eireen.”
“Eireen Duffy. She was from Dublin. But it won’t do you any good to look. I’ve searched that city every few years.”
Eilish felt buoyed now that she had pertinent information that could help in locating her mother. “But you didn’t have a Druid helping you.”
Donal hesitated before he sighed. “Multiple Druids have helped, as has a Light Fae. None of them have been able to locate Eireen.”
“Oh.” Thoroughly deflated now, Eilish didn’t know what she was going to do. Then she remembered that there was someone who could search souls and see if her mother was dead. It wouldn’t be the answer she was hoping for, but it would bring her and Donal closure.
“What does Patrick think of you being in Ireland?”
Donal’s question jerked her out of her thoughts. She blinked, shrugging. “I didn’t tell him for over a year. He thought I was traveling in Australia. But as soon as I told him, he tried to make me return home.”
“Hmm,” Donal said. “He didn’t care that you left to go off to Australia, but he reacts about Ireland. Is he Irish?”
“He is.”
Donal nodded. “That explains the tinge of Irish brogue I hear in your words. But it’s strange he would have such a reaction.”
“I didn’t think about it until you brought it up. I just assumed he thought my time having fun was over and he wanted me home.”
“Does he still ask you to come back?”
She nodded slowly. “Every week.”
“But
he hasn’t come to get you?”
“No. But I am a grown woman.”
Donal smiled. “That you are, my dear. You’re determined, just as she was.”
She wanted to ask Donal if he was bold and daring, but all she had to do was look at The Porterhouse to see that he was that and more. Could she have gotten that from him? Could he really be her father?
“Is this your only pub?” she asked.
He looked around with pride in his eyes. “I own bars all over England and Ireland. Your mother wanted to buy this place. It was to be her wedding present. I remain here, hoping that she will one day walk through those doors.”
Eilish looked at the door and found herself hoping for the same thing.
“What do you do in Ireland?” he asked.
She turned her head back to him. “I own a pub called Graves. It caters strictly to the paranormal, but I have rules in place that no Fae can harm any humans. I extended that to the entire village.”
“Really?” he asked with wide eyes. “That is amazing. I use markings my family learned from the Fae long ago to keep everyone in check. They’re on every building I own.”
They shared a smile, and Eilish realized there was much the two of them had in common.
She glanced at the table. “Was my mother pregnant before she disappeared?”
“If she was, she didn’t tell me. But I do know she wasn’t seeing anyone else.”
“But … there’s always a chance she got pregnant with me right after she left with her sisters.”
Donal scratched his chin as he considered her words. “Aye, I suppose there is. When were you born?”
“You mean, when did Patrick tell me I was born? I can’t believe anyone.”
“I’ve never given up hope of finding Eireen. I’ll keep looking until the day I die. She’s the only one I’ve ever loved. I know that you’ll keep searching, as well. I’ll help you in any way possible. I’ve money and resources.”
Eilish swallowed, hating the mistrust she found swelling within her. “Are you offering because I could be your daughter?”
“I’m offering because you’re Eireen’s daughter. Whether you’re mine or someone else’s doesn’t matter. Locating Eireen and finding answers to questions we both have is the priority.” He paused. “But I would be happy to call you daughter.”
Eilish felt a rush of emotion fill her. This was the most information she had ever learned about her mother. The fact that it came from a man who might be her biological father only made it all the sweeter. She found that she very much wanted to be the product of such a man and her mother—and their love.
She scooted from the booth and found a paper napkin and a pen next to the register. There, she wrote down her number and brought it to Donal.
He accepted it with a grin. “Thank you.”
“We’ll find her,” Eilish said, then clicked the finger rings together.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Hunger. It thrummed relentlessly through Ulrik. And there was only one person who could ease him—Eilish.
He’d never experienced desire that raged within him with such ruthless insistence before. While he knew full well the needs of the flesh, this was something altogether different.
Something palpable, something so profound he couldn’t give it a name.
Or maybe he didn’t want to name it.
Either way, it consumed him to such a degree that it was all he thought about. And all he wanted.
He’d left Dreagan and returned to the cottage in Ireland in the hopes the Druid might still be there. But only her scent of lavender lingered.
When he could stand it no more, he swam in the lake, but that only made him crave her more since she’d come to him there. Only one option remained.
Ulrik would go to her.
It was a risk. If she were playing the damsel for Mikkel, then he could be walking right into a trap. Since a female had planned to betray him before, he wasn’t too keen on allowing another the opportunity.
At least with Nala, he hadn’t known what she planned. He knew full well there was a good chance Eilish was playing him for a fool. How could he recognize that and still let his desires rule him?
Because he’d been an idiot and kissed her. Now that he knew her taste, he needed more. Hungered for more.
Craved more.
He strode from the water to the cottage. Once inside, his head turned to where he’d had her against the wall. The intoxicating taste of her had overwhelmed him, seduced him. He’d been so wrapped up in the pleasure that he’d barely heard her soft gasp—or felt her body soften.
Either she’d wanted the kiss as much as he, or she was a truly expert actress.
Ulrik usually had a nose for such things, but this time, he couldn’t seem to work through the problem. He knew better than to trust her, yet he still wanted to go to her, wanted to kiss her once more.
And to his dismay, the thought of her giving in to him without any lies or promises was something he very much desired.
He squeezed his eyes closed and grabbed his head with both hands as he struggled to push her from his mind. He’d gone millennia without encountering anyone who pushed him to the brink as she did.
Why now?
Why her?
If he weren’t careful, she could be the end of him. Eilish might well finish what Nala began.
And it was time he found out exactly where the Druid stood in all of this.
Without thought of clothes or drying off, he turned his mind to Eilish and Graves before touching his silver cuff. He teleported to the third floor of the pub.
He smiled as he stood outside her door in the dim lighting and put his hand against the spells that were meant to keep him out. She’d added several more layers, but it wasn’t enough. Not for him. It would, however, take a Fae and even Mikkel some time to get through the barriers.
Part of Ulrik wanted to bust through them as he had before to prove to her that nothing could keep him out. But a calmer part of him realized that if there were even a smidgen of a chance that Eilish might want to stop working with Mikkel, then he needed to leave the spells intact.
He knew she was in the pub. He could feel her. Though he wasn’t sure how. There was magic everywhere, from Druids and Fae, but even without seeing her, he knew she was there.
Turning, he looked at the stairs, contemplating going down and finding her. Others would see him, which meant it would get back to Mikkel. No, he didn’t want anyone to see him. But he did want Eilish.
And there was one surefire way to get her up there.
Ulrik faced her door once more and pushed hard against her barrier. She was smart enough to have added a spell that would alert her when anyone attempted to get into her home, and she’d come to find out who it was.
The stairway was wide enough for two people to walk side by side, and the landing to her flat was only slightly bigger. There was nowhere to hide, but then again, he wasn’t interested in hiding.
* * *
Eilish was in a foul mood. She’d been elated after talking to Donal, and had even begun a new search now that she had her mother’s full name. She’d learned so much from Donal, and she doubted Mikkel had anything else to add. It was just another reason to tell the asshole to kiss off. But he’d figure that out soon enough when Ulrik didn’t die.
Once she returned to her flat, the exhaustion had overtaken her. She made the mistake of taking a hot bath, and she’d fallen asleep in the water.
The dream had begun harmlessly enough, but as always, it quickly turned. She was in the dark, but she wasn’t alone. Just like a hundred times before, she gathered her magic, ready to use it. Why? She didn’t know. Instinct told her to be wary. Suddenly, there was a dark shape looming before her. Right before he struck, she saw the dragon tattoo on his chest.
She woke with a jerk, sloshing water all over the floor. The dream was one she’d had for more than seven years. Usually, she could shake it off. But not this time.
; It lingered, constantly popping into her head. The menacing feeling of the dream, as well as the knowledge that whoever the Dragon King was, he was going to kill her, haunted her.
She desperately wanted to know which of the Kings it would be, but it wasn’t as if she could ask them to take off their shirts so she could see their tats.
Actually, if it hadn’t been for Mikkel telling her that all the Dragon Kings had tattoos of the special blend of red and black ink, she’d never have known they were the ones who would be behind her death.
Of course, she hadn’t helped her cause by working against them with Mikkel. She’d harmed two of their mates, and despite helping Esther, she wasn’t so sure that either she or Nikolai would lend their aid if Eilish asked.
Fuck. She’d messed up big time.
She walked to the railing on the main level, looking down at the dance floor below. Her gaze went to the bar, hoping she’d spot Ulrik. Just thinking about him made her want to kick herself. What the hell was she doing? A Dragon King was going to kill her. Why would she get involved with one?
She inwardly snorted at that thought. There wouldn’t be any getting involved with Ulrik. He might have kissed her as if he were a dying man and she the essence of life, but the look on his face afterward had said it all.
And lest she forget, he’d also accused her of lying—about everything.
Ulrik was too distrustful of everything and everyone to ever have any sort of relationship. While he’d told her his story, she’d briefly thought he might be able to be saved. After all, he had come back from madness.
But the truth was, Ulrik was broken. Completely and utterly. There was nothing that could heal him, mostly because he didn’t want it. He liked the course he was on, and he’d remain there until either he killed Con or was killed himself.
The dream of her death, along with Ulrik’s breath-stealing kiss, and her decision not to work with Mikkel anymore was giving her a raging headache.
She couldn’t even fix it with magic since she had yet to learn to heal herself, but in some ways, she felt she deserved the pain. Especially since she was the one to blame for her current situation. If only she’d heeded her instincts and refused Mikkel to begin with. But the need to learn about her mum consumed her.