Page 24 of Drawn in Blood
“It’s nice to meet you, Theo,” she said with a smile. “How old are you?”
Theo looked up at Aoife and then back to Ember.
“He can’t answer you, I’m afraid,” Aoife said, as she smiled down at the boy, patting his head. “He’s mute.”
Ember’s chest tightened as she sucked in a breath. ”Mute?” she whispered. “He can’t speak at all?”
“Not at all,” Aoife replied, a sad smile tugging at her lips. “I assumed it would happen eventually, but it never did.” Something like regret washed over her face—a shadow of blame, like it was somehow her fault.
“How old is he?” Ember asked, as she tilted her head.
“Ten.” Aoife smoothed the boy’s hair. “We just celebrated his birthday a month ago.”
Ember stiffened, her chest tightening as she looked the little boy over again, trying to place where she knew him, where she had seen him before. His green eyes sparkled as he lookedtoward her, and something vaguely familiar stared back that made Ember’s stomach coil into tight knots.
“Does he live here?” Ember asked, as she furrowed her brow.
“Oh, love, yes, I’m sorry.” Aoife smiled as she shook her head. “Theo is your little brother.”
Ember’s head began to spin as she sucked in a breath, and the realization of where she knew him from, where she recognized those eyes and freckles from, hit her like a freight train barreling down a mountain.
She was staring into her father’s eyes.
“My brother?” she whispered, struggling to catch her breath. “But that means you were?—”
“Yes,” Aoife nodded, “I was pregnant before the storm. Just barely, though. I didn’t find out until a few months after.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ember asked, suddenly at a loss for what she really wanted to say.
Why did you lie?
“It felt like something you needed to see in person first,” Aoife replied with a placating smile.
Ember nodded, suddenly unable to form any actual thoughts, let alone sentences. The little boy looked up at her, green eyes twinkling as he gave her a small smile, and Ember could’ve sworn she was back in their cottage in Galway, staring at those same green eyes and freckled face as her father told her stories about the witches in the stars.
“Gaelen,” Aoife said over her shoulder, “would you mind getting Theo ready for the day? He has riding lessons this afternoon.” She kissed Theo on the head as Gaelen motioned for him and led him out of the room.
“I had Gaelen plan a special supper tonight in honor of your return,” Aoife said., “How does corned beef and cabbage with potatoes sound? I even had Maize pick some fresh peas from the garden to go on the side.”
Ember gritted her teeth. “Oh, um, I don’t like peas, Mum,” She forced a smile. “But I’m sure it will be lovely.”
“Oh,” Aoife gave an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry, love, I must’ve forgotten. I could’ve sworn you loved them.”
There had never been a day in her life Ember had liked peas, or corned beef for the matter. Since she was old enough to sit at a table on her own, she had done everything in her power to keep them off her plate. But it had been years since her mother had made her food, let alone sat at a table with her, so of course she wouldn’t remember something as insignificant as her hatred of peas.
Ember’s face fell, and Aoife squeezed her hand.
“You’ll have to forgive me,” she said, as she loosed a breath. “It’s been so long, it’s going to take some time to find our new normal. Formeto find my new normal.” She bit her lip as she tapped a finger on the table. “How would you like to go into town with me tomorrow?” Aoife continued, as she sat at the table opposite her daughter. “Maybe see if there are any new releases at the Bookwyrm?”
Ember could feel her face light up as she nodded vigorously, the tea in her mug sloshing around as she moved. She felt something warm in her chest, like small puzzle pieces shifting back into place. She took a sip of her tea when a knock sounded on the front door.
“Hm,” Aoife said, as she furrowed her brow, “I don’t think we’re expecting anyone.”
“I’ll get it.” Ember smiled as she walked away from the table into the foyer. The door swung open, and her heart leapt into her throat. “Killian! Fen!” She nearly screamed with excitement. “What are you doing here?”
“You forgot your AirWave.” Fen smiled as he handed her the board that was tucked under his arm. “And Da’ picked up yourring, had to bring them over. Can’t have you getting rusty laid up in this big house with all your books.”
“Plus I had to see if your new house was bigger than mine.” Killian smirked as he waltzed into the foyer, hands stuffed lazily in his pockets as he let out a low whistle. “Very nice, Starshine.”
