Page 32 of Sigils & Spells

“So, you know all of Dunshee’s secrets, then?”

“A few.”

“Okay, so why is it called Dunshee?”

“Well,dunmeans fortress andsheeis fromsithe, the Gaelic word for faerie.”

“So, faerie fortress, then.” I pop another forkful of omelet into my mouth, savoring its buttery, eggy taste. Rowan inclines her head, confirming I’ve understood the name correctly. “Why is it called that?”

Rowan looks to Val as if seeking her permission to answer. Val nods, letting her know it’s okay. Their exchange seems odd to me. It’s as if Val holds some authority over the other woman. I guess it’s not my place to query it.

“Well,” Rowan says, “according to legend, the hill conceals the entrance to the great kingdom of Laidir.”

“Laidir.” There’s something familiar about that name. “And I suppose a great king ruled this great kingdom.”

“Yes, Fionn.”

“Fionn.” Again, something resonates with me.

“It means fair-haired,” Val says. “For millennia, he ruled Laidir with his beautiful queen by his side. The kingdom prospered, but then rebellion broke out. Afraid for her life amid the chaos, the queen fled to the mortal realm. Fionn waits for her return.”

A man’s face flashes into my mind. He’s pale, thin and stunningly handsome. My heart pounds as a shiver runs down my spine. Then I picture a woman, tall with hair as dark as mine, running from him, her white gown billowing in the night breeze. “She didn’t flee from the rebellion. She was escaping him.”

Val and Rowan exchange a look I can’t decipher.

“What makes you say that, sweetie?”

“I don’t know. It just felt like it was the truth.”

“Well, perhaps it is. Fionn is a great ruler, but a hard man. He made many harsh demands of his queen.”

“I thought faeries were benevolent creatures.”

“Oh, they can be,” Rowan replies, “but they’re not the cute little things you find in children’s books. For a start, they’re tall and beautiful. They don’t have wings and they can’t fly. They’re proud and courageous beings.”

“Really?” It’s a bit disappointing. I loved reading about faeries when I was younger.

“And they’re capable of great wickedness,” Rowan continues. “Our lore is full of wrathful, jealous beings, wreaking misery on hapless humans, and each other. Faeries can be possessive. Once they have you in their grasp, they never want to let you go.”

Rowan must see me shudder at the thought as she reaches across the table to lay a reassuring hand on my arm.

“But, of course, they are also very gifted in the arts,” she continues. “They celebrate the beautiful things in life. They crave pleasure and it you please them, they offer great reward.”

I nod, taking in what she’s just said. Then I shake my head, laughing at the serious tone of the conversation.

“We’re talking about faeries as if they’re real.”

“You’re not a believer?” Rowan asks.

“Uh, no, I mean the stories are interesting, but the idea of some supernatural realm existing alongside ours? No, I don’t believe in that.”

“Well, then.” Val pushes her chair back from the table and gets to her feet. “Let’s see if a walk up Dunshee Hill changes your mind.”

CHAPTER4

Fionn

The traitor’scries are the sweetest music to my ears. Cormac once stood by my side, a man I was pleased to call my brother. He and I fought and won many battles together. There was no-one I trusted more. I even allowed him to spend the occasional night in my queen’s bed. And how did he repay my kindness? He decided to help Cait flee from Laidir. When I was distracted by a minor rebellion in my kingdom, he set her free.

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