He toyed with her new pendant. “I’m guessin’ our rebirth at the grotto.”
“Fintan.” Taryn stilled his fingers. “What if your initial vision wasn’t wrong? What if I’m still to be your downfall?”
“What’s this, love?”
“I don’t think I’m strong enough to keep a leash on my creature like you were. She fights me at every turn.”
“And what is it you think she wants?” he asked gently. “You should see.”
“Is it as simple as asking her?”
“Sometimes.”
Turning inward, Taryn faced her creature, surprised to feel Fintan enter her mind through their link. His show of support was both terrifying and calming.
“What is it ya desire?”he asked her Siren.
“You.”
“And if I said you could have me, what then?”
Taryn jerked within his embrace, unprepared for him to offer himself up.
“No!”she cried.
“She’s selfish,”Taryn’s Siren counterpart told him sullenly.“Unwilling to share magic. To share you.”
“Just as I’m unwillin’ to share,” he said aloud. “You have the answer you seek,aoibhneas mo croí.You’re stronger than she is. You always will be.”
“It can’t be as easy as that. Can it?”
“Aye. If you want it to be,” Fintan assured her.
Relief coursed through her, so strong, her knees went weak. Luckily, he was there to catch her. Scooping her into his arms, he strode to the nearest bench and sank down with her cradled on his lap.
“Are ya satisfied we’re safe together, Taryn-Taryn?”
As she peered up at him, his eyes full of quiet reverence, she smiled, positive they would be. “You’ve grown wise,” she teased.
“Aye, and it’s about feckin’ time, yeah? I was a proper eejit for not returnin’ for you sooner.”
“Hm. I’ll give you that one.”
He grinned at her sass. “And now our fears are out of the way, can I snog ya, then?”
“Snog?”
“Kiss. I’ve a powerful need to kiss ya, love.”
She didn’t hesitate until her mouth was less than an inch from his, and a giggle rent the air, followed by an aborted,“Ewww.”
“We have company,” she murmured in his ear.
“Why isn’t Ronan babysittin’ the wee beastie?”
“Baby!” Sabrina’s indignation kicked up the wind.
“Did that plonker just call us weens?” another young male voice demanded.