by Ashlyn Chase
She laughed. “And how silly do you feel about that now?”
“Pretty silly,” he admitted. “But the nickname stands. It fits you.”
“That it does. I can’t deny it.”
When they reached the B and B, Chloe’s hand shook.
He supposed she couldn’t help being nervous, but he couldn’t figure out why. This was her brother they were going to talk to. The same brother who had loved and looked out for her for a thousand years.
Maybe that was why. If he didn’t like the idea of Chloe marrying a phoenix, he could prevent it. Well, not legally, but he could forbid it as her king. Ryan didn’t think that would happen, but still…
She pushed open the outer door and knocked on the inner one.
“Don’t you have a key?”
She nodded. “I do, but for some feckin’ reason, I don’t feel like this is the time to use it.”
Ryan scratched his head. “Are you sure you’re ready for this? Maybe you need more time.”
“It’s not a matter of time. I’ll be nervous no matter when we speak to them.”
“Why?” He couldn’t help catching her case of nerves. “Are you unsure about me? About us?”
“Not a t’all.” She rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him.
When the door opened, Rory exclaimed, “So that’s why you knocked. You were too busy kissin’ to use your key.” Then his eyes rounded. “Chloe. What the feck?”
Chloe, still grasping Ryan’s hand, pushed passed Rory. “We need to tell you somethin’, Brother. Mind if we all get a cup of tea first?”
Rory stepped back, looking surprised. “Is tea goin’ to be enough fer this talk? I see a ghost. Mayhaps whiskey would be more helpful?”
Chloe sighed. “Ye’re not seein’ a ghost, but now that you mention it, the other kind of spirits would be most welcome. I hope what we have to tell you is welcome news.”
Rory still looked confused. “All right. Is it formal news?” He gestured to the living room. “Or sittin’ around the kitchen island news?”
Chloe looked to Ryan and shrugged. “We told his family in their dinin’ room.”
Rory folded his arms. “Ah. So we’re gettin’ this news secondhand?”
“Not a’tall. It’s just happened and we didn’t have a chance to decide who and where—”
Rory grabbed her left hand and stared at the diamond ring there. “Is that what I think it is?”
Chloe’s smile started small and spread into a wide grin.
“Apparently it’s front hall news… Amber!” Rory called upstairs over his shoulder and quickly ushered the couple into the living room.
A second later, Amber popped out of the hall closet. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothin’, luv. I didn’t mean to alarm you,” Rory said.
Amber’s eyes widened. “Ryan!”
“Everybody take a seat,” Chloe said. “I’ll pour whiskeys all around.”
“Um. I think I have something better,” Amber said. “Does this occasion happen to call for champagne?”
“That would be perfect,” Chloe said.
Everyone strolled into the living room except Amber. She disappeared into the closet again.
Chloe needed to tell her dragon brother and his muse girlfriend about Ryan’s paranormal status, but considering the man survived his own funeral, the explanation wouldn’t be too hard to swallow. Speaking of swallowing, she needed a big gulp of that champagne.
At last Amber reappeared with the chilled bottle and handed it to Rory.
Rory worked the cork to the end of the bottle neck, opening the bottle with a satisfying pop. Amber took two champagne glasses from behind the small bar and strode over to the couple.
“Have a seat, you two. It looks like we’re in for one of your long Irish storytelling sessions.”
As her glass was filled, Chloe snorted. “’Tis indeed a long story, but I’m just learnin’ most of it meself.”
Ryan smiled at her, but waited for everyone to have their champagne at the ready before speaking.
Rory held his glass aloft. “I’d make a toast meself, but I don’t know what I’m toastin’ to yet. Would one of you please tell us what miracle we’re celebratin’?”
Chloe laughed. “Take your pick, Brother.”
Ryan rose. “I’ll start. To my beautiful bride-to-be.” He lifted his glass in Chloe’s direction.
“Sláinte,” everyone said as they took their first sips.
Chloe rose and blinked up at Ryan. “There’s more, of course.”
“And we’re gettin’ older but no wiser here,” Rory joked.
Chloe sighed. “To my fiancé being a phoenix and able to rise from the dead.”
Rory’s and Amber’s brows shot up for a moment. Then they glanced at each other, shrugged, and said, “Cheers!”
* * *
Ryan had just finished telling the whole story of his family history, the legends that hinted at a firebird called a phoenix, and his miraculous recovery, when someone knocked on the B and B’s door.
Rory rose and addressed Amber. “Are you expectin’ anyone, luv?”
“Nope. Wait here. I’ll go.” She strode to the front door, and Chloe saw her smile before she got there.
A moment later, Mother Nature walked regally into the living room and faced the couple on the couch. She was wearing jeans and a sweater. If not for her long white hair and gold sandals, she may have looked like any young woman walking around the city in early spring.
Chloe shot to her feet. “Goddess! It’s nice to see you again.” She was about to grab Ryan’s arm and yank him to his feet, but he rose without her having to, thank goodness. “I—uh, I don’t know if you two have met…” she continued.
“We have not,” Mother Nature said. “Not formally, anyway.” She extended her hand toward Ryan. “I am Gaia. Also known as Mother Nature or The Goddess.”
He took her right hand and shook it reverently. “Goddess, it’s an honor.”
“What a nice man,” the goddess said. Then she narrowed her eyes at him and whispered, furiously, “My radar went off. You told them about yourself, didn’t you?”
He hesitated for only a moment. “I had to. Chloe and I are engaged to be married. Husbands and wives shouldn’t have such huge secrets from each other—and if possible, from their families.”
The goddess glanced at Amber and Rory. “Are you the only other…um, creatures here?”
“Yes, Gaia,” Amber said. “And he knows about us too. Chloe has quite a story for you if you have time…”
Gaia dropped Ryan’s hand. “I never have enough time. You know that.”
She turned her stare on Chloe. “Just give me the highlights, girlie.”
Chloe cringed at the patronizing label. “I’m not a girlie. I’m a firefighter. And if I don’t allow the men at my firehouse to call me that, I shouldn’t let you get away with it either.” She tipped up her chin defiantly.
When Mother Nature’s eyes rounded and she rose a few inches off the floor, Chloe coughed and added, “Meanin’ no disrespect to you, Goddess.”
Gaia’s expression softened and she floated back to the floor. Then she tilted her head and started tapping her lip as she circled Chloe.
“Um, Gaia? Is there something wrong?”
“Hmmm? Uh, no. Something is kind of right, actually.”
Chloe was relieved but confused at the same time. Should she ask the all-powerful one to explain herself, or would she share her thoughts whenever she was ready?
At last, Mother Nature halted, facing the men in the room. “I know you’re celebrating, but I’d like to borrow the females for a few minutes.”
Rory inclined his head. “As you wish, Goddess. There is a comfortable sitting area on the second floor. Perhaps you could all have tea…”
> Mother Nature swiped the whiskey decanter off the bar. “Or something stronger.” She strode to the stairs. “Ladies, follow me.”
* * *
Mother Nature’s proposal caught Chloe completely off guard. “You want me to be the what?”
Gaia leaned back against the padded banquet and crossed her arms. “The modern muse of assertiveness. Imagine how you could help battered women…or men. I’ve been wanting someone like you for quite a while.”
“Someone like me? What do you mean?”
“Someone who can assess a dangerous situation quickly and stand up to a bully, while encouraging the victim to do or say what he or she has to—especially if children are involved.”
“What makes you think I’d be good at that?”
Mother Nature let out a long sigh. “I think I just answered that question.”
“But I’m a firefighter, not a police officer. Wouldn’t it be better to have a female cop in that position?”
Mother Nature leaned her elbow on the breakfast table and rested her chin in her cupped hand. “You’re all I’ve got, girlie.”
Chloe bristled but spoke in an even tone. “I asked you not to call me that.”
Mother Nature pointed at her. “There. That’s what I’m talking about. If you can stand up to me, you can be assertive with anyone. I think you’d make an excellent role model for men and women who never learned to respect their sovereignty and demand their safety.”
She couldn’t really think of another reason why she couldn’t do this—other than that she didn’t want to! Firefighters were required to assist the public regardless of the circumstances they found when they showed up. People had been known to call the fire department instead of involving the police in all sorts of trouble.
She tried one last attempt to assert her own right to refuse. “Mother Nature, I must respectfully decline.”
The Goddess of All waved her hand dismissively. “I knew you’d say that. You’ll tell me you’re too busy. You want to concentrate on fighting fires with your handsome fiancé. You want to go back to Ireland and rebuild your castle…”
“Wait. What?”
“Oh dear. Did I spill the beans?”
Amber cleared her throat. “Goddess. I know you like to have your modern muses nearby in Boston, but couldn’t she operate from anywhere?”
Chloe rose. “Wait just a minute. First of all, who said I wanted this job? And how did you know I was thinking of returning to—” Suddenly an idea dawned on Chloe.
Mother Nature exchanged a smile with Amber.
In her stunned silence she realized Ryan could come with her to Ballyhoo. They could restore the castle together. She had enjoyed working on the B and B and he’d have the sea view he’d always wanted. Best of all, he wouldn’t have to alter the face she fell in love with.
“I—I need to think about this. And more importantly, I need to discuss this with my fiancé.”
Mother Nature nodded once. “I’ll give you a few days, but no more. Tell Amber when you make your decision and I’ll meet you back here.”
Chloe took a deep breath and before she had a chance to let it out, Gaia was gone. She blinked. “Does the goddess do that often?”
“Do what? Disappear?”
“Yeah. Let’s start with that.”
Amber patted her hand. “You’ll get used to it.”
Chloe folded her arms. “Or not. I still have a choice, don’t I?”
“Of course you do. Everyone has free will. She planned it that way.”
“It seems like she could easily do away with that and make the world an ideal place.”
Amber’s expression became somber and she folded her hands in her lap. “That’s just it. She wants us to do it for ourselves. She watches what’s going on and knows human beings are hurting each other—on many levels. But she still hopes we’ll figure that out and correct it on our own.”
Chloe held her forehead. “Me head hurts.”
“I’ll get you an aspirin.” Then Amber’s eyes twinkled. “Imagine never having a headache again…unless you want one.”
“Huh? Why would I want one?”
“Exactly.” Then Amber disappeared into thin air.
“Shite,” Chloe muttered.
When Amber returned with two tablets and a glass of water, Chloe had to ask. “So, you never get sick? Unless for some foolish reason you want to?”
“That’s right. As a modern muse you would be a minor goddess. You’d be able to do everything I can do.”
Chloe couldn’t help being intrigued. “Including instant air travel without a plane?”
“Yes. Including that.”
“Would I ever be able to stick the landing without wobbling back and forth?”
Amber laughed. “There will be a lot to get used to, but she’ll assign you to another muse who can teach you everything you need to know. Remember Euterpe?”
“Your friend who loved listenin’ to our folk songs?”
“Yup. She was my muse trainer.”
“No wonder you were so irritated when she preferred our company to yours.”
Rory yelled up the stairs. “When are you lasses comin’ back down? We’re waitin’ patiently for our toast.”
Chloe chuckled. “I’m tempted to act the idjit and bring him a piece of toast.”
Amber grinned and produced a plate with two pieces of dry toast and a pat of butter on the side.
“Aw, you’re makin’ this decision harder and harder.”
Chapter 20
Ryan watched Rory laugh when he was presented with the plate of toast. Brother and sister had a wonderful way of expressing affection through teasing. He’d hate to take Chloe from her family, but if they were to stay together without his getting plastic surgery, they would have to move far away.
She glanced at him. “You seem…I don’t know…serious, all of a sudden.”
He took her aside and whispered, “There are still details we have to discuss. I was just hoping this celebration wasn’t premature.”
“Premature!” Rory cried.
“Crap. You dragons have superior hearing, don’t you?”
“Never mind that,” Rory said. “What’s premature about toasting an engagement? Did you propose to me sister or didn’t you?”
“I did. And I meant it. We just have a few complications to work through.”
Chloe nodded solemnly. “He’s right. There’s the small matter of his face.”
Rory rose and examined Ryan up close. “What’s wrong with his face?”
Ryan leaned away. “Nothing, thanks. Just that it’s the same one I had before I died.”
“Ah. And you’re afraid of scarin’ people…like you did when you came here tonight. It sure looked as if Chloe had brought a ghost with her.”
“Exactly. You took it a lot better than most people would.”
Rory nodded. “I imagine a lot of people would faint or run screamin’ from you.”
“Yeah.” Ryan scratched the back of his neck. “I’m afraid you’re right. My family has had to deal with this before, but usually the person just moves away and starts over.”
“Is that what you’re plannin’ to do?” Rory’s brow wrinkled and he held his sister’s gaze. “Move away and take me sister with you?”
“I…don’t know. That’s one possibility.”
Rory sat back down in his chair as Ryan and Chloe took their seats on the couch. “Are there other options?” he asked.
“Yeah. The family mentioned my getting plastic surgery to look like a cousin who fights wildfires in Arizona. He wants to do something else now—maybe in South America. Then I could take over his identity and get a job here—not in the same firehouse, though. It would be too easy to slip up and say something a stranger wouldn’t know. But I might be able to get a
job in one of the nearby suburbs.”
Rory whistled long and low. “That’s drastic. Even in Ireland, dragons have faked their deaths or moved around and reinvented themselves when their longevity attracts attention. We’re only a small handful, but we’ve been doin’ it for centuries. And the whole country is only the size of your state of Indiana.”
Ryan gazed at his feet. “It’s true that America is bigger, but it’s harder to disappear here. Everyone leaves a paper trail. Not to mention firefighters have their fingerprints on file and it would be easy to grab a bit of DNA from their gear.”
“I’m beginning to see the problem.” Rory rubbed his chin and looked to be deep in thought. He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it and shook his head. He opened his mouth again, then did the same thing and sighed.
“It’s not up to you to think of an answer to this dilemma. Chloe and I will find a way to solve this.” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Together.”
“I have some things to talk to you about too,” Chloe said. “Mother Nature just dropped a bit of a bombshell on me.”
Amber smiled. “I was hoping you’d share that with both of them.”
“It’s only right that I do. Rory is the crown prince and Ryan is to be my mate.”
Both men gave Chloe their full attention.
“It seems that Mother Nature wants more modern muses, and she has offered me a job.” She took a deep breath. “She wants me to be the muse of assertiveness. Now don’t get all excited. I’m not keen on that job…”
Neither of them interrupted as she hastened on.
“She usually wants her muses in Boston, but Amber said there’s no reason I couldn’t do the job from anywhere in the world.”
“But you said you don’t really want the job,” Amber reminded her.
“Too right. It sounds bloody awful.” She faced Ryan and took both of his hands. “It might solve a problem for both of us if we were to move to Ballyhoo. Before I knew you were still alive, I was considerin’ going home. We have cousins with designs on our ancestral castle. Without Rory there, Shannon is vulnerable.”
“Why? Is she helpless?”
