Page 18 of Void of Endings
A tiny, insignificant voice flitted through the back of her mind.
Maybe. One day.
Maeve smiled to herself and then a rush of magic surrounded her as theyfadedonce more, back to the Summer Court. She found herself beneath the spray of a lukewarm shower, wrapped in Tiernan’s arms.
“Are you hungry?” he asked, switching off the shower and stepping out.
Maeve gave him a once over, taking in the flush of his bronze skin.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, my lady.” He smirked. “I meant, do you want some food?”
She grabbed a towel and dried off. “Do you have any of those lemon scones?”
“Anything you want.”
“Then yes, I’m famished.”
They dressed, Maeve opting for black leggings and a crimson jeweled corset, while Tiernan wore his signature gray pantsand cobalt shirt with cuffs rolled just enough to reveal those gloriously tanned forearms.
A skitter of trepidation snaked down her spine, but Tiernan laced their fingers together, extending his calm confidence to her.
They entered the hall and Maeve saw a woman, a mortal, bustling down the other end with her graying hair pulled back into a tidy bun.
“Deirdre!” Maeve darted toward her and the older woman spun, her face alight with surprise and love.
“My lady!” Deirdre cried, gathering Maeve into her arms as tears slid down her weathered cheeks. “You’ve come back to us! Oh, you’ve come back.”
Deirdre squeezed Maeve again, hugging her fiercely, then finally let her go. Her knowing gaze slid to Tiernan. “I’ll make some more of that special brew of tea for you, dear heart. I’ve got a feeling you’ll be needing it.”
Maeve flushed, her skin turning a brighter shade of pink with each passing second.
Right. The tea. Something she hated, but was apparently the only way to ensure her moon cycles stayed consistent.
“Of course,” Maeve ducked her head, grabbing Tiernan’s hand. She could feel the weight of his gaze upon her as they bid Deirdre farewell, continuing to the verandah.
“Maybe.” He repeated her words back to her, his voice soft. “One day.”
She looked up at him, meeting the unasked questions lingering in his gaze. “After this is all over. After we win.”
He squeezed her hands. “I would love nothing more.”
Tiernan opened the door to the verandah, and everyone turned to stare at her. They were all there. Her friends. Her family.
Lir. Merrick. Ceridwen. Saoirse. Brynn.
All of them staring at her. Watching. Waiting. Full of hope and silent expectation.
Tiernan lifted her hand and placed a kiss upon her knuckles, nodding once. “Welcome home,astora.”
Chapter Five
Tiernan stood back and watched as Maeve was overwhelmed by the love she deserved. She was swallowed in a wave of embraces, laughter, and even a few tears. He absorbed all of it, the way she was showered with affection by those who loved her most. It felt like an eternity had passed without her.
Not only had she returned to them, but her arrival back from the Ether had fully restored Faeven. The Four Courts were no longer withering away or succumbing to decay and death. Everything was blooming, thriving, somehow even more vibrant than before. Only the Spring Court remained shrouded in its veil of gloom.
That was something they would have to discuss. But first, Tiernan was going to let his future queen eat breakfast and regain some of her composure.
Once everyone was seated around the table, a spread of food appeared before them. There were sugar dusted berries, of which Merrick dumped half onto his plate. The amount of food was enough to feed a small unit of warriors with platters of sizzling meats, bowls of biscuits, jars filled with jam, and a widevariety of baked goods. Including those lemon scones Maeve enjoyed so much.
