Stone of Destiny(35)

“I try not to do things like that when we’re in your world. But since we’re here, I don’t have any reason to hide what I really am.”

I reached out and grabbed the pitcher and cradled it in my arms.

“That must be strange,” I said. “To have to hide so many things. Wouldn’t you be happier if you could just seal the portals and leave our world behind forever?”

“Yes and no,” Niamh said, as we picked our way back toward the heart of the cavern.

“What if Aodhan came back here with you?” I asked, surprised at my boldness.

“Before I met you, that was all I dreamed of.”

“Do you think you two will ever work things out?”

Her smile was sad. “I’ve been hoping he would forgive me for a long time. I haven’t given up, but I don’t see it happening any time soon.”

We walked up the stone steps back into the main part of Niamh’s house. She pointed down the hall past the weapons room. “Just down there are the guest quarters. If you’d like, you may stay here this evening.”

Back down in the dining room Ethan was laughing at something Liam said. Watching the two of them was like looking at a couple of old friends. It was completely surreal.

Niamh closed her eyes and some drinking cups floated into the room and landed on the table. Ethan’s eyes widened and he slid me a questioning look.

“Oh, didn’t I mention the telekinesis?” I said, laughing. “Up until today I’ve only seen it a couple times.”

“That’s pretty cool. Can you do that Liam?”

Instead of answering, Liam focused on the pitcher full of water. Nothing happened at first, but after a minute, it levitated and tipped enough to fill one of the cups before setting back down.

“Whoa, nice,” Ethan said, clapping Liam on the back.

The cool water helped clear my head and I was ready for the next move. We would walk to the Bruidhean to talk to Saoirse. Like Deaghlan, Saoirse didn’t even try to mask her otherness. She was incredibly beautiful and just looking at her was like staring into the sun.

She was too alluring, too much for one person to take in.

That first step outside in Tír na n’Óg felt like walking into a fairytale. I don’t think words can describe the way everything comes to life before your eyes. It’s like being legally blind your entire life and then you put on super strength glasses and everything comes into Technicolor focus.

Niamh and Liam walked ahead of us, and I could tell it was difficult for them to keep our slow human pace.

Ethan reached over and grasped my hand. I looked up at his face and he was grinning like he was punch-drunk. I choked on my laugh.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing,” I said. “I just recognize that look on your face.”

“Yeah?” he asked, tipping his head to the side. “What look would that be?”

I shrugged. “You look like I felt the first time I was here. Overwhelmed, awestruck.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, yanking me closer as we walked. “Don’t forget this is my second time here.”

I peeked at him, knowing he was teasing me. “So none of this affects you this time?”

He lowered his head and whispered in my ear. “Some things always affect me.”

“Hmm,” I said blushing. He was still just as cocky in this world as any other.

Bright light filtered through countless trees surrounding the path to the Bruidhean. I smoothed my hair back with my free hand as we walked.

“Wait!” I turned around just as Samantha ran up to us. Her eyes were wide and she wrapped her arms around her sides.

“I thought of something else I needed to tell you,” she said as Niamh and Liam walked back to us.

My brows rose. “Okay.”

“Aoife had this necklace she kept rubbing between her fingers while she talked to the others. She said it wasn’t enough, but she knew where to find more. Something about a falling mine?”

Niamh’s eyes narrowed as she listened to Samantha. “Not falling mines. Fháillan mines. But no more fháillan mines are left in Tír na n’Óg.”

“I’m sorry,” Samantha said, fidgeting. “That’s all I remember. But it seemed important.”

“Where’s Ciarán?” Liam asked.

Samantha looked down at the ground, wringing her hands. “I left him back at the house. He wouldn’t agree I should come, but I needed to.”

I looked at Ethan, who just shrugged. “Does that mean he’ll be right behind you?” I asked.

“I don’t think so. They were all sleeping when I left.”

“I’m glad to see you’ve removed the steel from your body. Is it all gone?” Niamh asked.