Page 23 of Wine & Warlocks

“And have you do the complete opposite of what I’ve seen for ya?” He shook his head, a smile playing about his mouth. “I think I’d rather sit back and watch you decide your future for yourself.”

“That’s not nice, and you fecking know it.”

“Aye.” The humor dropped from his face, and he turned back toward the others. “We’d best be waitin’ for Cian. His wife won’t be havin’ her babe early.”

“To have his gift would be grand,” Ronan murmured in Dubheasa’s ear.

She nodded, having thought much the same since meeting Fintan. “But maybe it would be a burden, too. Always knowing what the Fates have in store for everyone and yet unable to help or save those you care about. I think it would be sad and perhaps a little lonely, all the same.”

“Likely you’re right, love.”

Dubheasa glanced up to see Ronan watching Fintan with considering eyes. Before yesterday, she might not have credited Ronan with thoughtfulness, but looking back over their moments together and recalling the times he’d been kind or sacrificed for the others in her family when he didn’t need to get involved, allowed her to see him differently. The realization made her heart flutter.

Calling to him with her mind, she said,“I’m sorry for being a right proper bitch and not giving you a chance to explain.”

His head whipped toward her, and his mouth fell open before he had the presence of mind to snap it shut. The expression he wore bordered comical, such was his disbelief.

“You don’t think a woman can have a change of heart?” she teased softly, with no little humor.

“I’m not exactly certain what you’re tellin’ me here, Dove. But if it’s what I think it is, it’s grateful I am that you’ve had that change of heart, to be sure.”

“I still don’t know that I want the responsibility of a Guardian, but you and I, we’ll be talking soon, yeah?”

“Soon,” he promised, and relief flashed across his handsome face.

That, too, affected her. She hadn’t grasped the fact he’d been on pins and needles, waiting for her to come around, and with the understanding came shame. He’d done what he could to stop Loman the best way he knew how. Having been brought up by that monster, his tactics could’ve been far worse. Yet, he’d merely seduced her and stolen her software. The first, because he wanted to, according to him, and the second, because he had to, believing she’d never betray her boss—especially to an O’Connor.

Dubheasa laced her fingers with his and smiled when his tightened over hers in a gentle acknowledgment of his gratitude. Odd, how she could suddenly experience what he felt. But maybe not so strange since she was already sharing thoughts with him. She’d have to ask her siblings if they had similar experiences with their lovers. With a glance at Eoin and Brenna, she assumed they could. The constant cow eyes and secretive smiles without words led her to believe they had a silent language all their own.

“Brenna once told me they have the same ability, like the one you and I share,” Ronan said in a low voice. “Don’t quote me, but I believe it comes with the next level of magic, Siren or Guardian.”

“That would make sense since the Aether can read minds. And I’m thinking it would come in handy if we find ourselves in a situation not of our choosing.”

“Aye.”

Ronan didn’t knowwhat to attribute Dubheasa’s change of heart to, but he was thrilled it had happened. Perhaps now, he might achieve his greatest desire: her by his side for eternity. To another, it might be strange that he fell so hard, so fast, but he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her from the moment they met. After a single night in her arms, he was determined to get there again.

Returning flustered, Cian headed straight for a cabinet above the stove. He pulled down a bottle of liquor and poured himself a shot, then downed it. After a second, he capped the bottle, added the glass to the sink, and faced them all with a scowl.

“Let’s get to it.”

Dubheasa rose and crossed to her brother. After a few long seconds spent studying him, she wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him. Apparently, it was just what Cian needed since his scowl dropped and he hugged her tightly in return.

It didn’t surprise Ronan to learn Dubheasa had a natural ability to see beneath a person’s outer shell and understand the root cause of their problem. She’d done it to him a time or two, and as one who’d experienced her comfort, Ronan realized he wanted to always be the recipient of her extraordinary gift.

“Is she an empath like you, then?” he asked Alastair, who watched the brother and sister curiously.

“Maybe not on my level, but yes, I believe she is. It’ll come in handy, should she decide to accept her role as a Guardian, I think.”

Alastair was the patriarch of the Thorne family, one of the original Six families to be graced with magical abilities by the gods and goddesses. His line was descended directly from the Goddess Isis, and she had always favored Alastair in particular. Where anyone else might’ve been punished or lost their powers for the rebellious acts he pulled, he’d gotten away with crossing the line time and again. It wasn’t a well-known fact outside the man’s inner circle that he possessed keen empathic abilities and used them to ferret out those who would do him or his family harm.

None were as crafty as Alastair. One had only to look into his cool sapphire eyes to know they’d not outsmart the man, though many had tried. Those keen eyes turned on Ronan.

“I haven’t had the chance to tell you this, but I’m glad you’re the opposite of Loman. Many would heap the sins of the father on the son. I’m not one of them. Every man should be judged on his or her own actions.”

“And it’s thanking you, I am. It’s always been a—and pardon the expression here—thorn in my side that he’s my da at all.”

An appreciative grin curled Alastair’s mouth, and he gave Ronan a respectful nod. “I’ll offer you one piece of advice for free, and you can do with it what you will.”

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