Page 83 of Song of the Dark Wood

Rowan stared at her. “How do you know my heart is sad?”

Aeoife looked down, dragging the toe of her boot over the stone floor. “Sometimes I can feel things that other people feel.”

“What kinds of things?” Rowan asked. Her mind flew to what Orla had written about her unique abilities. If anyone found out what Aeoife could do, they were bound to exploit it.

Aeoife finally met her eyes again. “Well, I could feel when Orla was lonely, or when you were sad that your parents didn’t come to visitation. I could feel it when you were afraid to go see Elder Garrett. And now I can feel that you’re embarrassed and sad.”

“What does it feel like?” Rowan asked.

“It feels like it’s in my heart and also like it’s not. It’s hard to explain. I just have learned what most of the sensations mean,” Aeoife said, her gaze darting around the room.

“Aeoife, look at me,” Rowan said sternly. “Do not tellanyoneelse what you can do, all right? Your secret is safe with me, but other people could take advantage of your gift. This is our secret, okay? Don’t even tell Cade.”

Everything Rowan had learned about demonic bargains chipped away at the long-established trust she had with Cade. It wasn’t that she thought he was evil so much as opportunistic. Still, his close relationship with Aeoife meant that he had more pull over her than most, and Rowan didn’t want to risk it.

Aeoife nodded.

“Good. Now I’m sure you’ve been lonely, so why don’t you tell me everything you’ve been up to, and we can get sticky buns at Hanna’s before we catch up on some reading.”

Aeoife’s face lit up. She took Rowan’s hand and tugged up her hood so they could walk to town.

Rowan spent the whole day with Aeoife, walking through town and then reading to her for hours until the girl finally fell asleep, clinging to Rowan.

Cade had been mysteriously absent. Aeoife said he’d been gone a lot while Rowan was away.

Rowan was about to nod off despite her worry for her demon friend when the sound in her bedroom warped and the Mother appeared with a bright flash of light.

Rowan stared at the goddess. Her sudden appearances were so disorienting. She carefully extricated herself from Aeoife’s arms and crossed her hands over her chest before opening them in front of her and bowing her head.

“I don’t have long. What news do you have?” the Mother asked.

“I am making progress, but the Wolf seems intent to stop me at every turn.”

The Mother frowned. “Hestillhasn’t taken you to bed? What is he waiting for?”

Rowan shrugged. “We got…close.”

“How close?” the Mother asked.

“He danced with me and then kissed me,” Rowan said.

“A kiss? That’s all?” The Mother looked forlorn.

“Not just on the lips,” Rowan continued. She gestured to the rest of her body.

The goddess’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh really? And how did you like that?”

Rowan flushed. “I liked it a lot.”

The Mother arched a brow. “I bet you did. And how did he like it?”

“Enough that he almost took me to bed afterward, but I stopped it because I didn’t have my dagger. I think I can do it next week,” Rowan said, trying to summon confidence she didn’t feel.

The Mother flickered slightly and said nothing.

“On my walk home, I noticed that the blight is healing, and the Dark Wood is healed almost halfway back to Ballybrine. It seems a clear sign he’s losing power,” Rowan continued.

The Mother still looked disappointed.

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