by Nora Roberts
and the time’s here, as it wasn’t with me and your father, your aunt.”
She walked to the window, looked out. “I feel him. He won’t bother with me—Iona frets over that, but he won’t bother with me. I’m nothing to him now. But I’ve power enough to help if help’s needed.”
“We may, when the day comes.”
“But that isn’t today.” Mary Kate turned again, smiled again. “So today I’ll help in the kitchen.” She took a long sip of wine. “Nollaig Shona Duit.”
“We’ll see it is.” Branna tapped her glass to Mary Kate’s. “A very happy Christmas.”
• • •
IT TOOK A LITTLE MAGICK TO EXPAND THE TABLE TO FIT seven people and all the food, but she’d wanted a feast—and no more talk of Cabhan.
“We won’t be eating like this tomorrow at my sister’s,” Meara announced as she sampled Branna’s stuffing. “Between Maureen and my mother, we may be in a runoff for the worst cook in Ireland.”
“So we’ll fill up tonight, eat careful there, and be back here for leftovers.” Connor stabbed a bite of goose.
“It’s my first major holiday with Boyle’s family.” Happiness rolled off Iona as she looked around the table. “I’m taking bread pudding—and I won’t be in the runoff, as Nan walked me through it. We’re going to pick a holiday, Boyle, for us to host. Make a tradition. How’re things going on New Year’s, Fin?”
“They’re coming.”
“I could make bread pudding.”
He smiled, adoring her. “I’m having it catered.”
“Catered?”
He flicked a glance at Branna’s instant shock. “Catered,” he said firmly. “I look at a menu, say, this, and that, and some of these, hand over the money, and it’s done.”
“You’ll enjoy the party more without having to fuss,” Mary Kate said lightly.
“It’s for certain everyone will, as they’d enjoy it less if I’d tried my hand at making the food.”
“God’s truth,” Boyle said, with feeling. “He’s hired Tea and Biscuits for the music.”
“You hired a band?”
This time Fin shrugged at Branna. “People want music, and they’re a good band. If guests want to pick up a fiddle or pipe or break out in song, that’s fine as well.”
“It’ll be good craic,” Connor decreed.
“How many are coming?” Branna wondered.
“I don’t know, precisely. I just set the word out.”
“You could have half the county there!”
“I didn’t set word that far out, but if that’s the case, the caterer will be busy.”
“Patrick and I used to have parties that way,” Mary Kate remembered. “Oh, we couldn’t afford a caterer in those days, but we’d just set the word out with friends and neighbors. It’s friendly. A good céili.”
“Branna’s not happy with the idea altogether,” Connor put in. “She’d rather we didn’t have any sort of party until we’ve done with Cabhan.”
“We won’t bring him to the table tonight,” Branna said in a tone that brooked no argument. “Did I hear Kyra got a ring for Christmas, Connor?”
“You did, and you’ve ears to the ground, as she only got it last night, I’m told. She’s flashing what there is of it everywhere.” Thinking of their office manager, he wagged his fork at Fin. “Be sure you get into the school and make over it like it was the Hope Diamond. She gets her nose out of joint easy.”
“I’ll be sure to do that. My ear to the ground tells me that Riley—you remember Riley, Boyle, as his face ran into your fist some months back.”
“He earned it.”
“He did, and it seems he earned the same again from one Tim Waterly, who owns a horse farm in Sligo. I’ve had some dealings with Tim, and we’ve dealt together well. You’d think him a mild-mannered sort of man, but in this case, Riley’s face ran into Tim’s fist during a lively discussion on if trying to pass off moldy hay was good business practice.”
“He’s a fucker is Riley, right enough. I’m begging your pardon, Nan.”
“No need, for a man who’d try to sell moldy hay, or worse, mistreat a horse as he did your sweet mare Darling, is a fucker indeed. Would you pass me those potatoes, Meara? I think I’ve room for another bite of them.”
They ate their way through the feast, and some groaned their way through the cleanup, but somehow managed pie or trifle or some of both. There was Fin’s champagne, and gifts exchanged. Delighted hugs, and a pause as carolers wandered by.
And no sign of Cabhan, Branna thought as she checked out the windows yet again.
When she slipped out to the kitchen to check from there, Fin followed her.
“If you don’t want Cabhan brought up, stop looking for him.”
“I’m after another bottle of champagne.”
“You’re after worrying yourself to distraction. He’s burrowed in, Branna. I’ve my own way of looking.”
He got out the bottle himself, set it on the counter.
“I just want tonight to be . . . unspoiled.”
“And it is. I’ve something for you.”
He turned his hand, empty, turned it again, and held out a box wrapped in gold paper and topped with an elaborate silver bow.
“We’ve exchanged our gifts.”
“And one more yet. Open it, and I’ll open this.” He turned to the champagne.
Thrown off yet again, she unwrapped the box, opened it as Fin drew the cork with a muffled pop.
She knew the bottle was old—and beautiful. Its facets streamed with light, shimmering with it so it seemed to glow in her hand. It had held power once, she thought, long ago. Then traced a finger over the glass stopper. A dragon’s head.
“It’s stunning. It’s old and stunning and still hums with power.”
“I found it in a fussy antiques shop in New Orleans, though it didn’t come from there. It had passed from hand to hand long before it came to that fussy shop where they had no idea what it was. I knew it for yours as soon as I picked it up. I’ve had it a few years now as I wasn’t sure how to give it so you’d accept it.”
She stared down at the bottle. “You think I’m hard.”
“I think nothing of the sort. I think you’re strong, and that makes it hard for both of us. Still, I couldn’t leave it in that shop where they didn’t know what they had, and not when I knew it for yours.”
“And you know when I look at it, I’ll think of you.”
“Well, there is that advantage to it. All the same, it’s for you.”
“I’ll keep it in my room, and despite my better sense I’ll think of you when I look at it.” She couldn’t risk her lips on his, but brushed hers to his cheek, and for a moment rested her cheek to his as she’d once done so often, so easily. “Thank you. I— Oh, she had it made very particularly. I have a glimmer here,” she murmured, staring at the bottle. “The dragon was hers, I think. And she had this made, just so, to hold . . . to hold tears. A witch’s tears—so precious and powerful when shed for joy, when shed in sorrow.”
“Which did this hold?”
“I can’t see it, but I’ll think joy, as it’s Christmas, and a beautiful gift. It should hold joy.” She set it carefully on the counter. “We should have champagne, and we should have music. And I won’t check the windows any more tonight.”
• • •
THAT NIGHT, LATE, SHE PUT THE BOTTLE ON HER DRESSER, and, sliding into bed, watched it catch all the golds of the fire.
And thought of him. And thinking of him, laid a charm under her pillow to block dreams. Her heart was too full to risk dreams.
• • •
THINGS NEEDED DOING, BRANNA THOUGHT AS SHE SPENT the day—happily alone—in her workshop. She’d enjoyed every minute of Yule, of Christmas. Gathering with her circle, preparing the food, making music together. She’d loved the trip to Kerry on Christmas Day, didn’t feel the least guilty she’d magickly flown to see her parents, to spend time with them and other family. A
nd had felt warmer yet, as Connor did the same, with Meara.
It had done her spirit good to see her parents so happy with this new phase of their lives. Boosted her confidence to recognize their complete faith in her, in Connor.
But now it was back to practical matters again. To the work that earned her living. To the work that was her destiny, that was life or death.
She replenished some of her most popular lotions and creams, worked on the pretty travel candles that all but flew off her shop’s shelves.
Then she gave herself the pleasure of experimenting with new scents, new colors, new textures. She could focus her mind on her senses, how did this look, what mood did this scent evoke, how did this feel on the skin?
She glanced up when the door opened, found herself happy to see Meara come in.
“Well now, this is perfectly timed. Take off your gloves, would you, and try this new cream.”
“It’s an ugly day out there, all cold, blowing rain.” She pulled off her cap, unwound her scarf—tossed her thick brown braid behind her back. “And in here it’s warm and smells like heaven. A fine change from the damp and the horse shite.”
She hung up her coat, walked over to Branna, held out bare hands. “Oh, that’s lovely.” She rubbed in the cream, sniffed at her hands. “Just lovely and cool, and it smells like . . . air. Just fresh air, like you’d find on the top of a mountain. I like the color of it in the bowl, too. Pale, pale blue. Like blue ice.”
“A perfect name for it. Blue Ice, it is. It’s made for working hands and feet. I thought to do it in a sturdy sort of jar. The sort men wouldn’t fuss about having for themselves. I’m thinking of doing a line of it. A scrub as well, a gel for the shower, cake and liquid soap. Again with packaging women will like, but men won’t feel insults their testicles.”
“I don’t know how you think of all of it.”
“If I didn’t, I might have spent the day in the cold rain and horse shite with you.” She walked over to put on the kettle. “And I feel as we come to the end of the year, it’s time to think of new. Just yesterday my mother asked if I couldn’t create some products exclusive for their little B and B. Some they could use as amenities for the guests—then sell in full size. And after year’s end, I’m going to see what I can do about that.”
“It was lovely seeing your mother yesterday, and your father as well, and the rest. Connor sprang it on me all at once. Why don’t we fly down and see my ma and da for a bit before we’re off to Galway? I’m saying how I’d love to see them, and shouldn’t we ring them up first, but he just takes my hand, and pop we’re there.” She laid a hand on her belly. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that mode of traveling.”
“It meant a lot to them, and to me, to have you both there for a few hours.”
“Christmas means family, and if we’re lucky, friends as well.”
“And yours? Your family?”
“Ah, Branna, my mother’s thriving at Maureen’s. She’s happier than I’ve seen her in years. Roses in her cheeks, a sparkle in her eye. She showed me her bedroom, and I have to give Maureen full marks there, as it’s as fussy and pretty as Ma would want.”
Meara sighed, but it was a sound of contentment. “Having us all in one place meant the world to her, that I could see. And didn’t Maureen take me off to a corner to tell me how good it is for Ma to be there—I even let her go on about it, as if it had been her notion all along.”
“It’s a weight off you.”
“A heavier one than I knew. And she’s so pleased I won’t be having sex with Connor much longer outside Holy Matrimony.” Laughing, Meara sat by the fire. “She’s already talking more grandchildren.”
“And you?” Branna brought over a tray with steaming tea and sugar biscuits.
“I want them, of course, but likely not as quickly as will suit her. A bridge to cross at a later time.” She sipped at her tea. “I’m glad you said I’d timed it well, coming in on you. I wanted to talk to you. Just you and me.”
“Is there a problem?”
“That’s what I want to ask you. I don’t remember a time we weren’t friends as it all started when we were still in nappies.”
Branna took a bite of a sugar biscuit, grinned. “And may be in nappies again before we’re done.”
Meara snorted out a laugh. “That’s a thought. As we’re forever, you and I, we can say things maybe others can’t. So I want to say this to you. Could it be good for you, Branna, this dream linking you’re about to do with Fin?”
“We all agreed—”
“No, no, I’m not asking as part of the circle. I’m asking only as your friend, your sister. Nappie to nappie, we’ll say.”
“Ah, Meara.”
“I’m thinking only of you now, as it’s only you and me here. It’s intimate, this dreaming together. I know and understand that well. It’s a lot to ask of yourself, Branna, of your heart, your feelings.”
“Dealing with Cabhan comes ahead of all that.”
“Not for me. Not between me and you. I know you’ll do it regardless, but I want to know how you feel about it all—friend to friend, and woman to woman besides. How you feel, and what I can do to help you.”
“How I feel?” Branna loosed a long breath. “I feel it must be done, that it’s the best way we have. And I know there’ll be hurt, for it is intimate as you say. I know Fin and I must work together for the good of all, and I’ve accepted that.”
“But?”
She sighed, knowing she could tell Meara whatever she held in her heart. “Since he came back months ago, since he’s stayed all these months, and I’ve seen him fight and bleed with us, it’s harder to hold back what I feel for him, and always have felt. It’s harder to set aside what I know he feels for me, and always has felt. What we do next will make it harder still, on both of us. And I can only be grateful knowing you’re there, you understand.”
“Couldn’t Connor go with him, or Boyle, or any of us?”
“If it was meant to be Connor or Boyle or any of us, it wouldn’t have been me pulled into the dream that took us to Midor’s cave. I can deal with it, Meara, as he can, though I know it’s no easier for him than for me.”
“He loves you, Branna, as deep as any man can love. I know it hurts you for me to say it.”
“No, you don’t hurt me.” Branna rubbed a hand on Meara’s thigh. “I know he loves me, or some part of him does. Some part always will. Love’s powerful, and it’s vital, but it’s not all.”
“Do you blame him still for his lineage?”
“It was easier when I did, when I was so young, so shattered, I could. But not blaming him doesn’t change the facts of it all. He’s Cabhan’s blood. He bears the mark, and that mark came on him, manifested after we’d been together. If there’s any of that lingering in me that blames him, well, it blames myself as well.”
“I wish you wouldn’t,” Meara replied. “I wish you wouldn’t take on blame, either of you.”
“My blood, his blood. He bears the mark as much because of Sorcha as Cabhan, doesn’t he? I think now that we’re older and know more than we did, we both understand we’re not meant to be together.”
“If we defeat Cabhan, would you still feel that way? Still believe you couldn’t be with him, and happy?”
“How can I say? How can I know? It’s fate that drew us together, and fate pulled us apart. Fate decides these things.”
“I don’t believe that for a minute,” Meara said, with heat. “We decide our own fate, by our choices, our actions.”
Branna smiled, sat back. “You’ve a point there. Of course we’re not merely puppets. But fate deals the hand, to my way of thinking. How we play the cards matters, but we only have the ones we’re dealt. What would I do if fate hadn’t dealt me you? I wouldn’t have a friend who’d know to come give me her shoulder.”
“It’s always here for you.”
“I know it. I’m built to stand on my own, but God, it’s good to lean now and then. I can wis
h I didn’t love him. I can wish I could look back at the girl I’d been and say, well now, she had her fling and her disappointment, her bit of heartbreak. Now she’s moved on. But whatever cards I hold, he’s one of them. And ever will be.”
“We could take more time, try to find another way.”
“We’ve waited too long already. We deserved to take the time for family and friends, but it’s time to turn back to duty. I’m prepared for it, I promise you.”
“Would you want me to stay after it’s done? I mean after all of it, for me to stay. Me and Iona?”
“We’ll see how it all goes. But it’s a comfort to me to know, should I be needing you, you and Iona would be here. Before we worry if I’ll be needing comfort, we go back, Fin and I, and find what this Midor is to Cabhan and Cabhan to him. And if the fates deal the cards, we learn how and when to stop him.”
She tipped her head to Meara’s shoulder. “I know Fin to be a good man, and that steadies me. I once tried to believe he wasn’t, because it made it simpler, but that was wrong and foolish. At the end of it all, if I can know I’ve loved a good man, I can be satisfied with that.”
9
SHE’D PREPARED FOR IT, EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY. Branna told herself the spell, the dreamwalk, was not only a necessary step, but could and should go forward without personal issues.
She and Fin had reached a place, hadn’t they, over the past months where they could work together, talk together without anger or heartache?
They were adults now, far from the starry-eyed children they’d been. She had a duty to her bloodline. And Fin, to his credit, had unstinting loyalty to their circle.
It would be enough.
And still as they gathered together in her workshop, long after dark settled, she had to hold back trepidation.
“Are you sure about this?” Connor brushed a hand down her back, earned a quick look and a mental push.
Stay out of my head.
He left his hand warm on the small of her back. “There’s still time to find another way.”
“I’m completely sure, and this is the best way. Fin?”
“Agreed.”
“Cousin Mary Kate, are you certain you don’t want to join the circle?”
“You should go as you’ve been, and know I’ll be here to help should you need it.”
“Nan’s our backup.” Iona gave her grandmother’s hand a squeeze, then stepped forward.
They cast the circle, for ritual and respect, for protection and unity. Together Branna and Fin stepped inside it. He wore his sword on his belt, she a ritual knife.
This time, this deliberate time, they wouldn’t go unarmed.
“From this cup we drink this brew so together in dreams we ride.” Branna sipped the potion, handed the cup to Fin.
“With this drink we travel through another time and place side by side.” Fin drank, handed off the cup to Connor.
“Within our circle, hand in hand, we travel over sky and land.” They spoke together, eyes locked, as Branna felt the power rising up.
“Into dreams, willingly, there to seek, there to see Cabhan’s origin of destiny. Full faith, full trust in thee and me, as we will, so mote it be.”
Fin held out his hand; Branna put hers in it.
In a flash of light, in a burst of bright power, they flew.
Through the wind and the whirling, fast, so fast it whisked the breath from her lungs. She had a moment to think they’d made the potion too strong, then she stood, swaying a little, in the starry dark. Her hand still gripped in Fin’s.
“A bit too much essence of whirlwind.”
“Do you think so?”
She shot him a smirking glance. His hair looked as wild as hers felt. Though his sharp-featured face seemed grim, satisfaction mixed with it.