Page 63 of Pints & Potions

Piper’s face lit with wonder. “Are you saying this is the most powerful spot in Ireland, Dad?”

“No. Come here and I’ll show you.”

Cian placed a hand on Piper’s low back and guided her across the room.

Hoyt gestured to another place on the tapestry. “This is the Hill of Tara. The ley lines all connect here as well as these points here, here, and here.”

“It’s a pentagram and it encompasses the entire center of the country!” Piper exclaimed with a laugh.

“Exactly.” Hoyt gave her an approving look. “We’re standing on the western-most point of the pentagram.”

Cian squinted at the map. “That’s Sullivan land there, and Ruairí O’Connor once told me his family owned land to the North.” He gestured to the top of the pentagram. “I’ve a mind to believe that’s theirs. But I don’t know these other two.”

“Well, no one owns the Hill of Tara now, right? I mean, isn’t that national trust or something?” Piper asked.

“Yeah, close enough. It belongs to the Irish government and they operate through the Office of Public Works.”

“I wonder who owned the land prior?”

“It’s changed hands many times over the years. It was rumored to be the main hold of theTuatha Dé Danann,and later became the place where the High Kings of Ireland were crowned.” Cian shrugged. “It makes much more sense now, as to why the land was chosen for the ceremonies.”

“It’s where theLia Fáilrests. The Stone of Destiny,” Piper said.

“Ah, you’ve done your research. Perhaps one day soon, I’ll take you there,” he said with a warm smile.

“I’d like that.” But her excitement over the discovery had dimmed and she wouldn’t make eye contact. She quickly crossed back to the altar, leaving Cian out of sorts.

A deeper understanding of her reticence occurred to him, and Cian realized he needed to talk with her soon. He had to confess his feelings and lay his heart in her hands to do with what she would, and preferably before she left his home.

The grimoire flared blindingly bright then died down to a pulsing glow.

“I believe the heart ofthe Frozenhas been effectively pricked,” Hoyt said in a low voice with a speculative look at Cian. “Am I wrong?”

He met the older man’s cunning, all-seeing eyes. “No. You’re not wrong.”

A smile of satisfaction curled Hoyt’s mouth. “Good.”

“You don’t have any objections to the two of us?” Cian asked curiously.

“Not a one, as long as you intend to treat her well.” Hoyt’s brows raised in challenge. “Youdointend to treat her well, right, boy?”

His grin came unbidden, and Cian cast his gaze toward Piper, who had squatted to study the ruins on the altar. “I intend to treat her like a queen, if she’ll have me, Mr. Thorne. You’ve nothin’ to fear from me.”

“Excellent. Now let’s get the gol-dern show on the road so I can get some shut-eye.”

Piper didn’t likeher father and Cian conspiring on the far-side of the room. It certainly made her edgy and unsettled. When they joined her in the pentacle, she noticed Cian seemed lighter of spirit and the grimoire he held flickered happily. Even her father had a gratified air.

“Do I want to know what you two were talking about over there?” she asked dryly.

“Never you mind, Pip. These old bones are tired, and I’d like to get sleep before the sun rises. How about we strengthen the wards?”

She couldn’t tamp down the mild irritation when she saw Cian grin. “Neither of you are going to tell me, are you?”

“In due time, Piper me love.” Cian placed the book on the altar. “Show us a fool-proof spell to ward this old inn, if you don’t mind,” he commanded softly.

The cover flipped open and shuffled a handful of the thick pages.

“Gaelic again?” Piper asked, in frustration.

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