Page 54 of Highballs & Hexes

Her heart plummeted to the ground, and the desire to run after Patrick was overwhelming. As if sensing this, Ronan stepped in her path.

“Don’t interfere, Fi. Trust the process.”

His eyes had changed from their standard sterling gray to a pale silver glow, as if he were utilizing magic in some form. A calmness settled over her, and the urge to follow and defend Patrick bled away.

“Okay,” she said obediently, frowning at how her will seemed to have a mind of its own.

A small smile curled Ronan’s mouth. “You’ll thank me later.”

“Doubtful.”

“You failed,”Anu said, and the displeasure in her tone caused his stomach to tighten.

“Aye.”

Patrick had fucked up. There were no two ways about it. He’d been tasked with healing Loman’s victims, and instead, he’d created more turmoil. He waited for her to do her worst, but she continued to stroll down the path as if they had all day.

“Punishment must be doled out, of course,” the Goddess said, her tone light and conversational, and at direct odds with her fearsome declaration a moment before.

“As expected.” He wanted to weep. It had taken him his entire life to find a woman like Fionola, and the chances were that his punishment would result in his death. Which meant he’d need to wait until his next lifetime and hope like hell they found each other first.

“What do you believe Ronan’s punishment should be, Patrick O’Malley?”

“Whatever you see fit to hand out, beloved. I’ll not venture a guess as to what you’ve got planned—wait!Ronan?” He jerked to a halt and stared at Anu. “The man’s done nothing wrong.”

“I charged him with your welfare and seeing to it that you carried out your mission. He failed and must be punished,” she replied as if it were a forgone conclusion that the Guardian take his place for whatever she intended.

“No!”

Her dark auburn brows shot up, and her mouth compressed into a hard line, causing her dimples to wink at him. “You’re very daring, Patrick O’Malley.”

Jaysus! What the hell had he done? He’d gone and upset the Goddess with his impulsive reaction. There was no telling what a vexed deity would do to the annoying mortal who sassed them.

“What I meant to say was, if anyone is to be punished, it should be me, Exalted One. I’m a stubborn fecker and was like to never listen to an O’Connor. You set the man up for failure if you thought to have him watch over me.”

Green eyes narrowed, she cocked her head. “You believe I purposely played games with Ronan O’Connor’s life, knowing he’d fail at whatever task I assigned him? Is that what you’re saying?”

Her indignation caused Patrick’s sphincter to tighten and his bollocks to shrivel.

Fuck!

Even on a good day, he was terrible with words. And today wasn’t a good day. It was worsening by the minute. He did the only thing he could and dropped on one knee to plead for the other man’s life.

“I’m after begging you to take pity on Ronan. I’m the eejit here.” He bowed his head in deference to her authority. “He’s been a blessing to the O’Malley clan”—and here Patrick tried not to choke at having to defend his enemy’s son—“and the Aether.”

After what felt like a lifetime, she said, “Rise, my child.”

With a resigned sigh, he did. Her eyes were dancing with mischief, and a pleased smile flitted about her mouth, causing the dimples to dance in her cheeks.

“You please me. Ronan is a favorite of mine, as are your family members. I’m happy to see you willing to work together as you move forward.” The gold bracelet on her wrist lit as she lifted her arm, and the ogham etchings flared with a blinding white light. When she touched his cheek, he felt the zing all the way to the soles of his feet. “There will be no trial, beloved. It will be known that you’ve gained my favor and that the Aether has restored your mind.”

“I’m free of judgment for my crimes?” Positive he was dreaming, he blinked and surreptitiously pinched the skin of his forearm. Many times, when he wasn’t certain if he was lost to memories or in a real moment, he’d injure himself in some small way. The pain always woke him to the truth.

“From the Witches’ Council, yes. Restitution is still yours to make should you choose.”

“How?”

Anu looked toward the terrace. “Give her up and become my consort. You’ll be given untold powers. During this time, you’re to visit each of Loman’s victims and restore what they lost to him.”

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