Page 71 of Eve of the Fae

She looked at me. “No,” she said. “Actually, you look very much at home here.” She gestured to my clothes and grinned.

I laughed and reached for her hand. “Come on,” I said. “Let’s go inside.”

I led her through the entry and caught a glimpse of Arabella before turning toward my mother’s room. If she knew what was good for her, she’d stay as far away from me as possible. We hadn’t spoken since she’d helped me carry Evelyn to her room, and I was in no mood for a fight. I let Evelyn walk ahead of me down the hall and glanced back over my shoulder to make sure Arabella wasn’t following.

Fiona greeted us when we stepped into the candlelit room. Sorcha sat at my mother’s bedside, holding her hand and talking with her in soft tones. Mother’s pale skin appeared nearly translucent and blended with the white bedding, making her dark-brown hair stand out in contrast. I wound my arm around Evelyn’s waist and led her to the bedside opposite Sorcha.

“Mother,” I said.

“Liam!” She turned to me, slipped her hand from Sorcha’s grasp, and reached for mine. I clutched her outstretched hands and bent to place a kiss on her soft, dry cheek.

“I’ve brought Eve,” I said.

Evelyn stepped forward and dropped into a curtsy. I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

“Hello,” she said.

“Come closer, child,” my mother said, letting her hands slip from mine so she could beckon to Evelyn. I traded places with Evelyn, and she let my mother grip her hands. “I hear you saved my son from that awful barbarian that I had the misfortune to call brother-in-law.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but it still conveyed all the strength and humor of her youth.

“No, I just—” Evelyn started to respond, but Mother cut her off.

“Don’t be modest, child,” she said. “I’m glad you were there with Liam. It sounds like you make a good pair.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Evelyn said, ducking her head at the compliment.

“It appears you not only helped get rid of our enemy and return a sister to me, but you also brought us quite a treasure.” Mother turned to Sorcha and held out her hand.

Sorcha slipped Godda’s bracelet off her wrist and placed it in Mother’s open palm.

“We’ve been holding on to this for you,” she said, offering the bracelet to Evelyn.

“Thank you,” Evelyn said. “But I think you should have it.”

“Nonsense, child,” Mother said. She placed the bracelet in Evelyn’s palm. “I will be gone soon and have no need for such things.” She wrapped Evelyn’s fingers over the gold band and rested her long, thin hand on top. “But there is something I would like to take with me.”

Sorcha reached for Mother’s arm, but Mother didn’t let go of Evelyn’s hand.

“Flee,” Sorcha said, using my mother’s childhood nickname. “Let me do it. Save your strength.”

Mother didn’t move, except to glance at Sorcha out of the corner of her eye. “And what should I save it for?” she asked. “Edric is gone. You’ve been returned to us. There is nothing left for me to do but free our sister from her prison and join her.”

Sorcha stood and leaned over my mother, wrapping her arms around Mother’s frail frame. Still, Mother didn’t let go of Evelyn’s hands. But she glanced up, past Evelyn, to meet my eyes. I swallowed my tears and nodded at her. Then I stepped forward and slipped my hand around Evelyn’s waist.

Mother cupped her hands under Evelyn’s and began to speak in the ancient tongue. Sorcha sobbed silently but held my mother as she recited the words that would free Godda’s life force. The bracelet began to glow, and Evelyn’s fingers arched away from the metal. But Mother didn’t release her grasp. She just continued her chant.

Light shined out through the markings on the band, and the bracelet began to spin in Evelyn’s open palm. Mother continued her soft and steady chanting, and Sorcha held her and gave her strength. Evelyn leaned into me, her arm rigid and straining. She tried to pull her hand away, but Mother wouldn’t release her grasp.

The band was a blur of shining gold. The light pulsed in time with Mother’s chanting. Then, my eyes blinked shut against a flash of bright white light. When I opened them, Mother lay limp in Sorcha’s arms, and the bracelet sat still and plain in Evelyn’s outstretched palm. Sorcha sobbed, and Fiona stepped forward, Arabella at her side. Evelyn cradled her hand, still holding the bracelet, and buried her face against my chest.

I watched as Sorcha and Fiona laid Mother’s body flat on the bed. They crossed her hands over her chest and brushed her hair from her face. Arabella disappeared and returned with a crown of flowers and a wooden staff. She handed me the staff before placing the crown on Mother’s head. Fiona coaxed Evelyn from my arms so I could tuck the staff beneath Mother’s hands.

Tears dripped from my eyes as I placed a kiss on each of her cheeks and said goodbye. Then I wrapped my arm around Evelyn and led her out onto the lawn. I wanted to get her home before our kin gathered for the wake. I would need to be here to greet the mourners, and I decided that Evelyn would be more comfortable with her aunt and uncle.

Evelyn still clutched the bracelet to her chest. Her face had gone extremely pale and she trembled.

“She’s gone,” she whispered.

I tucked her into my arms and held her close. She leaned against me for a moment, then she pulled back and looked up at me with wide eyes.

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