I nod, suddenly exhausted. “Then, if it’s all right with everyone, I’d like to go home, have a shower, and burn my clothes. I’ve had enough for one night.”
“Good thinking, baby girl.” Aiden takes Da’s place at my side and hugs me. “Sloan, would you mind taking a few of us back? I think Da, Granda, and Dillan are still busy, but Emmet, Calum, and I are ready, aren’t we?”
My brothers nod. “Hells to the yeah,” Emmet says and reaches over to grasp Sloan’s arm. “Home, James.”
One of the nice things about Gran and Granda being nature lovers is that they have an outdoor shower at the side of the house. It’s surrounded by the perennial garden and hidden by a vine-covered lattice. It’s nice for them because they can have a lovely summer shower while basking in the sunlight and smelling the season’s blooms. It’s lovely for me because I can step under the water flow, rinse off the blood, and not track death through their house.
The only drawback is that it’s the third week in September and nighttime. It’s past the time of year where this is a warm and pleasant experience.
“And everyone’s all right?” Gran stands outside the little lattice stall with a towel ready to wrap me up. Yes, I know I’m a grown woman, but I’ll take getting snuggled by my grandma after nearly getting kidnapped.
“That’s what I was told.” I rinse my hair under the spray of water. “I know for sure our clan is good. I saw all of them and spoke with them when it was over. The others, I can’t say for sure, but Sloan and Granda said so.”
“Good,” Gran says. “And the fae are safely returned, that’s most important.”
I run my hands up and over my face and shut off the water. “I don’t understand how anyone could think to harm them like that in the first place. It’s sickening. I’m thankful Bruin found the clearing in time to stop it.”
I shake off and wring out my hair. Gran hands me the thick towel, and I tuck it under my arm and wrap it around me a few times before I step out of the shower.
Emmet and Aiden are lounging a way off on the lawn, and I call, “Next!”
Aiden rolls to his feet and walks toward us. Then his footing falters, and he stops. He has a weird look on his face as he stares past me, and I sense the presence behind me before she speaks.
“A human of honor, a rare trait today. You promised results, that the offenders would pay.”
I turn and meet the gaunt lady with branches and leaves growing out of her arms and head. “Most of them died trying to hurt others tonight. I believe all the fae survived.”
“Your matron is correct. It’s good no fae were lost. Let this happen again, and you won’t like the cost.”
Okaaay. It rankles me a little that we put our lives on the line and she’s threatening us, but whatevs. She’s obvi still pissed that the fae were targeted in the first place.
“The Ancient Order of Druids regrets this incident,” Gran says. “Our commitment to safeguarding the fae is unwavering. We will be vigilant in tracking down those involved and protecting the groves more ardently in the future so nothing like this happens again. To that end, we’ve already contacted a local wizard who says he’ll be able to ensure no necromancer comes at you again.”
The tree lady bows and the leaves sticking out of her brain-branches flutter. “Matron Cumhaill, it is a pleasure. Your devotion is a known treasure.” When she straightens, she casts one last glance over us. “Fionn’s heirs, young and green, prove yourselves brave and keen. With fresh blood, noble and true, rebuild the Fianna to what we knew. Traditions are vital but time gives sway. To thrive in this world, there’s more than one way.”
I hear what she’s saying and am surer than ever that I’m on the right path. Druids need to break free of the past to thrive in the future. I bow my head. “Namaste.”
“Namaste.” Tree Lady steps back and dissolves into the shadows of the grove.
I look at Gran, Aiden, and Emmet.
Emmet makes a face. “Well, that was ominous.”
The next morning, Emmet and I are dressed, have had our breakfast, and are out on the back lawn playing with Bruin and the kids when Sloan poofs in.
He takes one look at Meg and Jackson climbing on my bear and scowls at me. “Small humans are usin’ yer mythical spirit warrior as a climbing gym.”
I chuckle. “I’m aware. Meg and Jackson love Bruin, and he loves them right back, don’t you buddy?”
“They are pure heart and raw energy. How could I not?”
“See? S’all good.”
Sloan shakes his head. “There’s no talkin’ to ye about stayin’ in yer lane, is there?”
Emmet bursts out laughing. “Why would she do that when it’s so much more interesting to weave all over the road? Grannies keep it in the slow lane, bro. Does Fi look like a granny to you?”
Sloan eyes me up, and his glance lingers. “No. I can’t say she does.”
“Well, good. I’m too young to be in granny territory.”
I wave to Kinu that we’re leaving, and she and Aiden rise from the café table at the side of the house to assume kid duty. “We’re off to the Doyle grove to check in on the recovering fae. We’ll be back.”
Aiden nods. “Is Bruin going with you or staying here?”
I look back at my bear and giggle. Hopefully, the kids don’t start telling people they play on Auntie Fi’s grizzly bear. “Are you staying here or coming with?”
“Stayin’. Gran’s cleanin’ out the fridge. She told me there’s leftover breakfast casserole with my name on it.”
“Perfect. Enjoy. Everybody play nice. We’ll be back.” Emmet and I clasp palms with Sloan, and he transports us to the Doyle grove. “Wow, it looks so much better.”
Iris Doyle strides out of the trees and greets us with a warm smile. “Top o’ the mornin’, young druids. What brings ye by?”
Sloan releases our hands and gestures at the trees. “We wanted to check in on the fae rescued last night and see that they have what they need to put this all behind them. I see Lara’s tincture is workin’.”
Iris nods and smiles at Emmet and me. “Yer gran has a gift unequaled in our world. She’s truly goddess-blessed in her natural abilities.”
Emmet nods. “And she’s a rocking-good cook too.”
Sloan straightens and holds out his hands once more. “We have an audience, folks. Shall we make our rounds?”
“Please do.” Iris steps back to give us a clear path. “And wish everyone welcome from us. The Perry grove isn’t recovering as well as ours yet, but I’ll be sure to make everyone welcome until those fae can return to their home.”
Emmet and I accept Sloan’s offered hands and the moment we make contact, the hidden beauty of life behind the fae veil is revealed once again. With Sloan’s bone ring in place, the secret world of the unseen is no longer a secret.
I blink at the splendor. It’s like the sun is streaming golden radiance and the air shimmers with color and life and magic. One of the rabbit creatures flies past us, his brilliant purple wings iridescent as they reflect the light.
I breathe in the sugary warmth of cotton candy and smile. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Sloan and Emmet agree in unison.
“Do either of you see Pip?”
Emmet nods. “Yep. She’s climbing down from that tree.”
I watch as first she, then her mate climb down from their perch behind the lush leaves. He seems a little reluctant, but Pip strokes his arm and encourages him.
I don’t blame him or take it personally.
He’s had a rough week at the hands of druids.
When they get close, Emmet gets down on his knees to speak to them. Pip climbs up onto his legs and hugs him before starting to chatter.
Even without understanding the woodland brownie talk, I can tell that she introduces her mate and she’s happy and grateful for his return.
They’re a sweet couple, and I’m glad it worked out for him. Having never met the male before, I can’
t say for sure that he’s still traumatized over the whole thing, but he’s not at ease. He still looks quite afraid.
Whatever Emmet’s discussing with them, Pip seems quite insistent. She keeps nodding and gesturing at her mate. We’re also gathering the attention of the other creatures.
“What was that about?” I ask when Emmet stands.
“They want to come with us. Nilm thinks he owes us a debt of life and he wants to come live in our grove.”
My mouth drops open. “That’s sweet, but their lives are their own. They should live free with their friends here in their home. It’s thanks enough to know they’re safe.”
“I told them as much.”
“Besides, our grove is in its infancy. We have nine trees and a couple of bushes. They won’t be happy there.”
“I told them that too.”
“Next to yer house is a great wooded area,” Sloan says.
That’s true. We live in the last house on the street, and over the dirt laneway, we have access to the Don River Valley Park. The wild area runs along the river and connects the Toronto urban areas with a vast and wild green space.
In hindsight, I suppose that’s why Da settled there.
Pip says something more and her eyes glass up.
“She’s begging us. It’s a point of pride to tend to our grove. Brownies serve to earn honor, and they want to serve us. To turn them down would be dishonoring them after they’ve already suffered the indignity of him getting kidnapped and nearly eaten.”
I can’t stand to see her tears.
Sinking onto my knees, I keep one hand linked to Sloan and hug Pip and Nilm with my other arm. “Tell them we’d be honored to have them but make it clear that if they change their minds or can’t make a home for themselves in the city, that we hold them to no obligation. They come as our friends and are free to choose when to come and go without any fear of dishonor.”
Emmet chatters to them for a bit, then nods. “Sloan, are you able to transport them home? We can’t take them on the plane, and they’re anxious to go.”
I sigh and offer Sloan an apologetic smile. “Sorry you’re getting dragged into Cumhaill chaos again. I know you have things in your life to tend to as well. Can you get away and spend a few days with us?”
Sloan dips his chin. “Happy to help.”
Emmet finishes chattering, and the brownies straighten, looking excited. When they nod, their antennae bob and bounce. Hand-in-hand, they rush off and scale a different tree, chattering the entire way.
Many of the other creatures are buzzing and bustling too. I wave at one of the winged rabbits wriggling its nose at me. “We seem to have caused quite a stir.”
“By my experience, ye usually do, Cumhaill.”
I chuckle, and Sloan pulls my hand to help me get back on my feet. “You know what they say. ‘A well-behaved woman rarely makes history.’”
“They also say, ‘The one who is crazy enough to think she can change the world is the one who will.’”
Emmet chuckles. “That sounds about right. I told Pip and Nilm we’ll come back tonight, and that Sloan will transport us straight home.”
“And miss the airport chaos tomorrow?” I say.
“Exactly. And sleep in beds.”
I groan. “Best idea evah.”
Chapter Fourteen
After a huge family dinner and more than a couple of toasts, Emmet slings his duffle over his shoulder, and I zip up my trusty red suitcase, ready to roll.
“Och, do ye need to leave so soon?” Gran gives me a pitiful look.
“I’m only missing the sleeping and leaving part of the visit, Gran. We were leaving in the morning anyway. Besides, it’ll make things a little less chaotic on the airport ride if there are two fewer bodies. And Sloan’s truck will be available.”
“Speaking of which.” Sloan holds the keys out to Granda. “I’ll collect it when I get back.”
Granda accepts the keys and slides them into his pocket. “Slainte mhath. Come again soon. Yer gran will miss ye and will whine and carry on somethin’ awful ‘til ye get back to visit.”
Gran gives him a look. “And yer any different?”
Granda’s cheeks pink up with his blush. “Och, I suppose I like havin’ ye here almost as much.”
I chuckle and hug them both. “Thank you for everything. I love you. And we’ll video chat soon.”
Gran gives me an extra squeeze and kisses my cheek. “And take good care of yer brunaidh. They’re a lovely, hard-working species of faery. Remember, all faery love lights and color and music. Ye may not see them there, but leave out some spirits for them from time to time and talk to them often. Let them know what needs to be done in the garden and thank them when it’s finished.”
“I’ll remember.”
“Of course, ye will. Yer a fine woman and ye’ll build a fine grove.” She lets go of me and moves to Emmet. “Och, my sweet boy. Ye must call me soon. I miss yer crazy notions already. Be good to yer new wee friends and watch over yer sister. She’s a bit of a magnet for disaster.”
Emmet laughs and lifts Gran off her feet to swing her in his embrace. “You’re being kind, Gran. Fi’s a hot mess when it comes to disaster, but yeah, I’ll take care of her and so will Bruin, won’t you, buddy?”
“I do so swear.” My bear wraps his massive paw around Gran’s back as she hugs him goodbye.
“Ye did us proud this week, Killer Clawbearer,” Granda says. “Without yer help, we wouldn’t have found the fae in time. The Ancient Order of Druids owes ye a debt, son.”
Bruin lowers his round head, and Granda scrubs his ears.
“Until the next time, Bear.” Gran kisses him. “I’ll send Fi the recipe for the breakfast casserole ye like so much.”
“Slainte mhath, Gran.”
She nods and tears up. “Off with ye now. Ye don’t want to miss yer ride.”
Bruin dissolves into his spirit form and bonds within me, settling in my chest. With the big goodbyes behind us, I kiss the kids and wish everyone luck on their journey home in the morning. “Safe home, everyone. See you tomorrow.”
The Doyle grove is strung with solar lanterns swinging from branches and is empty of Doyles for the night. “Oh, shoot. It looks like we won’t get to say goodbye to Ciara. Are you sad, Emmet? How about you, Sloan? She’s still got it bad for you. You know that, right?”
Sloan arches a brow and pegs me with a dirty look. “The only thing either of us ever had for each other was an itch. Trust me, that was scratched and forgotten. That you think she’s jealous of you because of me is ludicrous. She’s jealous of you because of you. Next to you, she pales as a druid, an independent woman, and someone to inspire.”
“Yeah, baby.” Emmet raises his fist for a bump of approval with Sloan. “You’re the ‘real deal,’ sista. She’s ‘fake it ‘till you make it.’”
“Wow. You boys are full of compliments today.”
Emmet snorts. “We’re full of something, for sure.”
I chuckle and follow them into the trees.
The moment Emmet and I join hands with Sloan, the grove comes to life before us. Pip and Nilm are front and center, looking even more excited than they did this afternoon. other fae creatures surround them, some we’d seen before, others we hadn’t.
I release the handle of my suitcase and wave to all the excited faces. “Wow, it’s quite a going away party. Are they sure, Emmet? I don’t want them to be lonely.”
Emmet takes a knee and speaks to them in woodland chatter, and they hug him and nod. “They’re sure. They also say the fae have a gift for us for saving them from the evil men in cloaks.”
“We don’t need a gift. That they’re safe is enough.”
“I said that, but they’re an insistent bunch.”
One of the bunny creatures with wings lands in front of Sloan’s feet and wriggles his nose up at us. He’s a big boy with patchy fur and a fluffy, double chin. He thumps his big back foot a couple of times, then goes very still. Th
e creatures of the grove move closer and bend to see.
Big boy bunny looks like he’s concentrating on something consuming, his nose wriggling, his ears twitching.
No one makes a sound, and there’s a sense of awed reverence in the air. I bite my tongue and watch. After a long moment, the bunny hops to the side, and the crowd breaks into a rush of excited chatter.
“And voila, our gift.” Emmet looks up at us and sweeps his hand toward the ground. “A heap of psychedelic rabbit poop.”
I stare at the clustered pile of droppings and tilt my head so I can’t see Emmet. If I do, both of us are going to crack up.
“Thank you.” I bite the inside of my cheek to sober. I meet the gaze of the bunny who bestowed the colorful offering and drop my gaze. “We are honored by your thoughtful gift.”
“Pick a good one,” someone in the peanut gallery shouts.
I look at Sloan, hoping he knows what’s going on. He seems as baffled and bewildered as I feel. “Ladies first.”
Nice. I lower myself to the ground to take a better look. The rabbit droppings are amazingly round and swirled with color like fancy marbles. The cluster is a bit stuck together, and it takes a moment for me to break one loose. With everyone’s expectant gazes burning into me, I eye a navy, bronze, and teal globe and pick up the fae raisinet.
“Oh, and it’s still soft and warm too. Lucky me. That’s…awesome.”
Emmet follows my lead and picks a gold and green one. “Yep. Never a dull moment with you, Fi. That’s for sure.”
We both look at Sloan, and he shrugs. “If I let go of you two, you won’t be able to interact. Looks like I’m outta luck.”
“Nonsense.” The exclamation comes from a lithe, muscled guy with long silver hair and pointed ears. He’s sitting in a tree off to my left, and his leg swings freely in the air below. He’s dressed in form-fitting hide pants and is bare-chested.
My mind stalls out.
A Sacred Grove (Chronicles of an Urban Druid Book 2) Page 13