Spear Song

by Tricia O'Malley

  “Well, yeah,” Loch said, shaking his head in confusion. “Wait, don’t turn this around on me.”

  “Oh, I don’t have to turn it around on you. It is on you,” Gwen said, her temper kicking up. “What made you possibly think any of this was a good idea? The entire point of me being the Seeker is that I have to find the spear. You wouldn’t have been able to find it if you tried. And I’m sorry, but you can’t just do everything on your own. I know you want to protect the ones you love – but at what cost? You’d give your life to protect me?”

  “Of course I would,” Loch said automatically.

  Gwen slapped her forehead with her free hand. “Have you learned nothing from your father?”

  Loch’s face turned thunderous.

  “Do not speak of him. He loved my mother beyond worlds.”

  “I understand that, and what he did for her was a very noble thing. But had he not been so quick to fix it for her, perhaps they could have figured out a solution together. You can’t just go around throwing yourself blindly into the face of danger to protect those you love. Sometimes you have to trust that you can work it out as partners,” Gwen said patiently.

  “What, so we both die?” Loch scoffed.

  “I’d rather us both die fighting for the same cause than to lose you to your foolishness. Haven’t you seen what kind of life that has been for your mother? Why would you do that to me? I’ve only just found you.” Gwen’s voice cracked in frustration and tears threatened.

  “I… I don’t know. It’s all I know how to be. It’s all I’ve learned. I’ve never had to make choices with others. I’ve been in protection mode for so long,” Loch finally admitted, scrubbing a hand over his face in exasperation.

  “Well, it can be us now,” Gwen said, stepping forward to look up at him. “If you allow it to be. If you choose it to be.”

  Loch looked down at her and the world hung suspended in his breath. Gwen saw the answer in his eyes, read the love she’d known was there all along, and smiled up at him.

  “I choose it to be, O enchantress of my heart,” Loch murmured, bringing his lips to hers in a blistering kiss. Gwen held the spear awkwardly away from them, refusing to break contact with him in the kiss that seared their future together.

  “You’re going to have to let me make choices too, you know,” Gwen said when they broke apart. “I have power as well.”

  Loch sighed and looked down at her bracelets.

  “My life is never going to be dull, that’s the truth of it.”

  “Now who would want a dull life? Do you like cats, by the way? I have this awesome cat that would love to live in the fae world.” Gwen chattered away as Loch slung an arm over her shoulder, laughing as she told him about Macgregor.

  “I see you two have come to an understanding,” Seamus said, nodding his head at them as they walked up. He passed cool eyes over Loch, who stepped forward and held out his hand.

  “I’m sorry, my friend. You saw what I wasn’t able to see. You had every right to call me out,” Loch said.

  Seamus took his hand. “Just so long as you see why you were being an idiot,” he said, and Loch laughed, pulling him in for a quick hug.

  “So, now we need to find the boat and deliver the spear,” Bianca said cheerfully. They all groaned as they looked at the staggering cliffs around them and realized the boat was anchored on the other side of the island.

  “Nobody said this would be easy,” Bianca pointed out.

  “But it is nice to have a little help from family,” Gwen said, turning to point at the rocky outcropping where the yacht was now moored, another gift from her people.

  “This mermaid thing is so damn cool,” Bianca breathed.

  Gwen laughed, pulling her in for another hug. “I’ll tell you all about it on the ride.”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  “You’re certain this is where we need to go?” Loch asked once more, directing the yacht toward the cliffs that jutted out from the coast of western Ireland. The past two days of ocean passage had been easy and joyous, with stories passed among them, a cooler stocked with fruits and treats from the Isle of Destiny, and the light of love in everyone’s eyes.

  It had been almost like a little lover’s cruise, and Gwen found herself barely able to hold back a grin every time she looked at Loch. Maybe the geeky gamer girl did get to win the heart of the handsome superhero every once in a while. Loch took great delight, though, in showing her that she was quite powerful in her own right, and she was slowly growing more confident in herself, both in and out of the bedroom.

  “I mean, maybe not, but the last two were directed to Grace’s Cove to give the Goddess Danu the treasures for safekeeping.” Bianca shrugged.

  Loch had grown quieter and more tense the closer they’d gotten to the cove. Last night, Gwen had finally used her wiles to charm the full story out of him, about the sacred blood he’d stolen to save his mother. When she’d related the story to Seamus and Bianca they’d all agreed that there was no way the goddess would still punish him after the courage he’d shown in putting his life on the line for his people.

  But Loch just shrugged. “A sacred law is a sacred law.”

  Which did little for Gwen’s anxiety as they approached the cove. She wasn’t exactly sure what she would do if the goddess took Loch’s life as punishment, after all they had just been through.

  “It’s lovely, it is,” Gwen admitted as they turned the boat into the narrow opening of the cove, the high walls instantly enveloping them as though two arms hugged them – or strangled them, depending on the visitor, Gwen thought, already feeling the press of magick against her skin.

  She waited while Bianca performed some sort of offering ritual, which she insisted on doing before she would allow the boat to go any further. When they finally dropped anchor and launched the dinghy on the water, Gwen paused to lay her hand on Loch’s arm.

  “No matter what happens, I want you to know that I’ve got your back. I love you and always will,” Gwen said.

  Loch smiled at her, brushing the softest of kisses over her lips. “My love lives in you, no matter what may come,” Loch whispered against her mouth, and Gwen felt her heart skip at the words. Spear in hand, she let the others row the dinghy to shore, her mind furiously working angles to try and circumvent what she was terrified would now happen.

  If she understood the power of the spear correctly, no one could win a battle against the person who wielded it. And that included a goddess – or so Gwen hoped.

  “Now what?” Gwen asked when they all stood on the shore, the water lapping peacefully at the golden sand.

  “We wait,” Loch said, his face like stone.

  They didn’t have to wait long, for the goddess appeared quickly, winking into sight as casually as if she were showing up for a picnic, and strolled across the sand.

  Gwen had to admit, the Goddess Danu was stunning, an enchantress of all beauty, power shimmering around her. Everyone dropped to their knees, bowing in the presence of greatness.

  Except Gwen.

  Instead, she strode forward while Loch cursed from behind her. She stood, spear at the ready, her eyes meeting the Goddess Danu’s dead on.

  The goddess tilted her head, raising one perfect eyebrow in surprise at Gwen’s audacity.

  “You don’t get to take Loch’s life. I don’t care what he’s done. He’s earned the right to stay,” Gwen bit out, the spear holding steady as she stared the goddess down.

  “Gwen, you can’t do that,” Loch hissed from behind her.

  “I can and will. You’ve paid your dues. You’re an honorable man. I won’t allow it,” Gwen said, her gaze never breaking contact with the goddess’s. The moment held and not a soul on the beach drew a breath. The wind was still, even the water froze in place, as the cove waited with bated breath to see what the goddess would do.

  She smiled.

  “You’ve found yourself a worthy mate, Lochlain,” Goddess Danu finally spoke, inclining her head bar
ely an inch. “I approve. And though you did not phrase it as a request, I’ll take it as such.”

  “It wasn’t –” Gwen began, but Loch cut her off.

  “It was a request on my behalf, by my beloved,” Loch said, his head bowed.

  “And one that I will honor, for great courage was shown by not only herself, but you and your friends as well. I think you’ve also learned your lesson about love, haven’t you, Loch?”

  Loch’s eyes gleamed as he measured Danu.

  “I understand that it isn’t a one-way street, my goddess.”

  “Good. I’m grateful this worked out the way I intended, then. Thank you for your service,” Goddess Danu said, and held out her hand for the spear.

  Gwen held her eyes for a moment longer, before relinquishing the spear, causing the goddess to throw back her head and laugh.

  “Oh, Lochlain, I will delight in watching your life with this one. Many blessings to you both.” With that, she winked from sight, the spear gone with her.

  Gwen almost collapsed in the sand, her body shaking.

  “I’m marrying a crazy woman,” Loch decided, looking down at where she trembled at his side.

  “Marrying?” Gwen asked, looking up at him with love.

  “Well, what did you think this was?” Loch asked, bending to kiss her, and Seamus and Bianca both laughed with delight when the cove glowed a brilliant blue from within, the light rising up to shine on the lovers’ shoulders.

  The goddess smiled down at them from above, a bit wistfully – for she had always liked Lochlain. But, as she’d always known, he wasn’t for her.

  But just like the spear she now held, love always found its mark.

  Epilogue

  Light danced from the shimmering lanterns that hung suspended by magick in the trees, looking for all the world like someone had flung diamonds into the branches. The fae did love glitter, Gwen thought, as she smiled at a woman who danced by, crowning everyone she passed in strands of purple crystals.

  “I don’t know how I’ll ever go back to normal life,” Gran said from where she sat next to Gwen, sipping a tea spiked with whiskey, her cheeks rosy with alcohol and joy.

  “You might not have to,” Loch said, leaning forward to squeeze her hand. “You’re welcome in our village, as you’ve provided a great service to our people by caring so well for Gwen. Had it not been for you protecting her all these years, we’d have lost one of our best Seekers.”

  Gwen beamed at his praise and then turned to wrap an arm around her gran.

  “Do you think you’d like it here? Could you be happy leaving your home? I know how much you love your house, and you’ve been in the village forever.”

  Gran paused, considering her words carefully, as she gazed out to where glittering fae danced joyously around a bonfire that was charmed with magick to shift and shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow.

  “Aye, I could. I stayed in the village because consistency brought me comfort and, in some small way, I felt as though I could still be near my Henry. But this?” Gran gestured to where magickal fireworks popped in the sky above them. “I’d be a fool to go back to living a life with no magick. Just think of all the beautiful things I can learn and experience. Aye, it’s time for me to move on, especially as it will mean I’ll be closer to you.”

  Gwen had agreed that it would be best if she lived with Loch in the fae village in the hills, as it wouldn’t make sense for them to hide their powers in her little hometown. If anything, it would make her home more of a target, for – as much as they celebrated this night – the battle was still not yet won.

  “I’ll feel better knowing you are here – safe.” Gwen agreed.

  “Will you miss your shop?” Loch asked Gwen, leaning back to pull her to his side, and Gwen almost sighed in delirious delight at the joy that sang through her when she nestled into his arms.

  “Oh? The horribly named This & That?” Gwen turned to arch a brow at Loch and he threw back his head and laughed.

  “I’m certain you could find a better name together,” Gran interrupted and Gwen looked at her in shock.

  “You didn’t like the name either? You never said a word!” Gwen exclaimed, feeling annoyed that everyone around her seemed to hate her shop name.

  “You were so delighted with it, I figured what was the harm in leaving it be?” Gran shrugged, a little wobbly from the whiskey, and patted Gwen’s hand. “I’m sure you could come up with something better if you put your mind to it.”

  “Hmpf,” Gwen said and Loch’s body shook with laughter next to hers. She poked his ribs, but found herself chuckling anyway.

  “We’ll get you a shop space in the village here, my love. The fae will be delighted in being able to buy all sorts of human stuff that they have no need for. It will be the oddity of it all that will draw them. You’ll be a hit.”

  “I can open a shop here?” Gwen squealed, wrapping her arms around Loch in a tight hug.

  “You can do anything you want. Except name it This & That,” Loch said, and Gwen groaned.

  “Fine, fine. You all win. I’ll pick a new name,” Gwen said, her brain already churning with ideas. She couldn’t wait to design a new space.

  “I can’t believe that Macgregor of yours is soaking this all up. Would you just look at that fat cat?” Gran demanded.

  Macgregor, clearly delighting in the fact that fae adored cats, was reclined on a velvet pillow, batting a sparkly poof ball that was magickally suspended above him, while a fae rubbed his belly. He looked for all the world like a fat king with a harem of beauties surrounding him to attend to his every need.

  “I have to say – this may be my favorite part of coming to the fae village. Just look how happy he is!” Gwen laughed, delighted with the world in general, raising a glass to toast Bianca and Seamus. Bianca was tugging Seamus away from the fire and Gwen had just the idea of where they were slipping off to. Which was exactly where she would be taking Loch as soon as Gran succumbed to sleep.

  “Oh? Really? Your favorite part of being here is making Macgregor happy?” Loch said, sounding a bit miffed.

  Gwen smiled up at him. “I suppose there’s a few other things… you know, this and that.”

  She squealed as Loch tickled her ribs, her laughter carrying over the hills to where Amynta floated in the water, her eyes following the revelry with joy.

  “Amynta.”

  Amynta turned, already knowing who said her name. She’d felt him as soon as he’d arrived on the boat near where she’d swum, their love a magnet, forever drawing them to each other.

  “Miach.”

  “Our daughter… she is beautiful,” Miach said, inclining forward so that his arms crossed on the side of the boat. Amynta went to him, as she had so many years before, and tilted her head upward.

  “Aye, she is at that. We made the right choice, my love,” Amynta said, and Miach bent, caressing her face with his hands, and brushed a gentle kiss upon her lips.

  “I hold you always in my heart,” Miach whispered against her lips.

  “I too… for you,” Amynta whispered and pulled back, slipping back beneath the water and swimming deep into the darkness. There was nothing more to be said – nothing more that could be done. They both lived in separate worlds and a stolen moment would never ease the pain of longing that Amynta still held deep within her.

  Surfacing far away, the fire but a glint on the horizon, Amynta whispered a spell of magick and blessing, sending her love and power across the water to those she loved.

  Though she couldn’t protect them always, for this one night she would.

  For the toughest part was yet to come – both for her world and theirs.

  SPHERE SONG

  Book 4 in the Isle of Destiny Series

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  “But I'm quite certain Bitsy would wish to speak with me,” the woman across from me sniffed and clutched a folded silk handkerchief with a perfectly monogrammed E on the corner. The point of her chin rose as she looked down her nose at me.

  “Mrs. Evanston, I've already explained this – I'm a psychic – not a medium,” I sighed as Mrs. Evanston's eyes steeled up and her shoulders braced.

  “Well, I'd say that you're certainly misleading people with your little psychic shop if you can't even talk to Bitsy for me.” Mrs. Evanston narrowed her eyes at me. I could already read the threat in her mind: she would be contacting the Better Business Bureau and by lunch, she'd be tearing my reputation to threads with her Ladies Who Lunch club.

  Mentally rolling my eyes, I plastered a smile across my face.

  “The reason that I don't advertise being a medium is because it's so incredibly draining for me,” I began, lying through my teeth. “However, for you, I'll make an exception.”

  A muffled snort from a screen to my left almost had me cracking a smile but instead, I stayed focused on my client. Hope had dawned in Mrs. Evanston's eyes as she leaned forward, hands pressed into the purple velvet of my table.

  “You can? Oh, oh, just...can you tell me if she is safe?” Mrs. Evanston breathed, staring into my glass scrying ball on the table.