Page 85 of Pints & Potions

“Is this also the sacrifice for the One, I wonder?” Piper murmured. “Does this count as a two-fer?” Aeden didn’t answer her and she didn’t appear surprised, merely saddened. “Well, Cian O’Malley. I’m here to save your life, so you’ll have to deal with me one last time.”

“What does she mean by that?” he demanded. “Why does it sound like she plans to leave me?”

“Because she does. That sweet child has had many disappointments in her lifetime. She doesn’t trust you won’t be another.” Isis gave him an artful look from beneath her thick lashes. “After all, you chose the black-hearted Moira over her.”

“Now that’s a feckin’ lie! I…”

But he had to a degree. Out of the blue Moira had shown up, contrite and loving, begging his forgiveness, and although Cian hadn’t been taken in by her tragic appearance, he had essentially called Moira his fiancée, knowing Piper had been burned before. Piper had gotten a good look at his face, had heard the hesitation in his voice, and bolted. Before he could run after her, Moira had latched onto his forearm and kept him from giving chase.

“I’d have gone after Piper later, but it was as if the moment Moira touched me, I couldn’t.” Staring into the pond, he guessed there was more to it. “What did she do to me? A spell?”

“Yes.” Isis held out her hand, palm up. “Expose your arm to me, Beloved.”

Unsure why she’d cared to see his bare skin, Cian frowned down at his covered forearms. “Which one?”

Her brows shot up, and he felt like the dimmest creature on the planet. Of course, she meant the one Moira had touched. He barely refrained from smacking his forehead with the heel of his palm.

“Right.” After he rolled up his sleeve, he shifted closer to Isis.

“Two punctures. Did you not feel them?” Her touch was soothing as she stroked the affected area.

Scowling, he nodded. “Yeah. She told me her ring had a sharp edge.”

“It actually contains a secret compartment.” With no more than a sparkling swirl of her finger, Isis produced a replica and showed him how to press a hidden latch to expose the lancet.

Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph!He’d been a spy for fuck’s sake. How had he not figured it out right away? Poison was a woman’s weapon. He should’ve known to watch for it.

“Moira poisoned me,” he said grimly. “Not once, but twice.”

“The first was a potion to slow the toxin. The second was the toxin itself,” Isis confirmed.

“But why? What did she have to gain?”

“I cannot reveal what I know. Circumstances can be altered by Fate’s design. But I can tell you that all will be revealed in due time, child.”

“Will Piper forgive me? Can you tell me?” he asked raggedly.

She used her staff to point to the pond. “She loves you. A woman will forgive a man almost anything if she sees the truth in his heart.”

Underneath her glamour spell, he caught a glimpse of Piper’s tear-ravaged features.

Isis had given him the gift of insight.

She graced him with a tender smile. “What isyourtruth, Cian O’Malley? Do you know?”

“Yes. I do.”

“I’ll leave you to ruminate on what you’ve learned. You’ll know when it’s time to return.”

“Thank you, Exalted One. You’ve shown me more kindness than I deserve.”

She cast him a beaming smile, and the sun flared brighter above him. “You’re a charming rogue, Beloved. You’ll blend well with the Thorne family.”

“If Piper will have me,” he countered with a sad sigh.

“Show her your truth when you return. Then she’ll reveal hers.”

His head whipped around from where he’d been staring at Piper, but Isis had already disappeared. “What truth is she hiding?” he called out to the empty park.

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