Luck of the Irish

by Sara Humphreys

  “What is it?”

  “She gave ya the amulet?” He asked quietly. “And told ya the story of Anastasia and me? Of the mirror? All of it?”

  “Yes.” Maggie fiddled with the necklace and sat on the bed, suddenly feeling unsteady on her feet. “She passed away last summer. Would you please tell me what the hell is going on?”

  “She was Malachi’s wife.” Declan placed the frame on the desk before turning his earnest face to Maggie. “Your Aunt Lizzie was a witch.”

  ***

  To say that Declan was stunned would be an understatement. The elderly woman in the photo may not have looked like she did when Declan knew her, but there was no mistaking those eyes. They were just like the eyes of his beloved Anastasia and his wee daughter.

  “Declan?” Maggie’s sweet voice, gentle and persistent, pulled him from his thoughts. “Are you telling me that my Aunt Lizzie, the one from Ireland who my grandmother knew since God was a boy... was Anastasia’s mother?”

  “Would seem so,” he said quietly. Declan handed the frame back to Maggie and ran both hands through his hair before going to the mirror that had once been his prison. “And ya say she’s died?”

  “Yes.” Maggie nodded and moved in next to him. “You know,” she said with a laugh. I should probably freak out and be shocked by this revelation but I’m not. It all makes sense now. Why she told me the story all of these years and left me the necklace in her will. She wanted me to find you, Declan, and free you.”

  “But why?” Declan’s brow furrowed and a thousand questions raced through his head, but one stuck out above all the rest. Anger shimmied up his back and his muscles tensed as though anticipating the answer before even asking the question out loud. “What of her husband? And how did that damned mirror end up leaving the castle anyway?”

  “I wish I knew. Lizzie said that he died years ago back in Ireland, but I don’t know any details. She never really talked about him, and when she did she seemed really sad. She also never mentioned a daughter. I was under the impression that she never had any children.” Maggie picked up the photo and ran her finger over the image and her voice dropped to a whisper. “I guess I didn’t really know her at all, did I?”

  “Ya knew her better than most I’m sure.” Declan took the frame from Maggie and placed it on the desk before gathering her hands in his. “And I’m grateful for it. Without Elizabeth’s gift, I’d still be in that damned prison.” He pulled her against him and brought her fingers to his lips pressing a kiss to them. “I’m grateful for ya, Maggie, in all ways.”

  “Me, too.” She popped up on her toes and kissed him gently, almost reverently, before pulling her hands from his and heading to the hallway. She flicked a glance to his nakedness and gave him a sexy grin. “As much as I’d love to keep you naked all the time I should get your clothes. You have a little girl to see.”

  Maggie vanished around the corner and Declan’s heart clenched in his chest at the idea of leaving... leaving her. He was not so daft as to say he’d fallen in love with the lass, but he also knew he wasn’t ready to be without her. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But would it be fair to take her with him to a realm where she would never be accepted? And would she even want to go?

  ***

  After getting up and giving Declan his clothing Maggie made a beeline for the shower. At breakfast she avoided touching him or looking at him because she might shamelessly beg him to take her with him. He must have gotten the message because he’d barely said a word since she came out of the shower.

  Just as well, Maggie thought while turning off the faucet. He was being a gentleman. Try as she might to think of their time together as a one-night stand that meant nothing, she couldn’t help but wish he’d take her with him. But she was out of wishes, and as Declan put the sword and harness back over his chest, Maggie was also out of time.

  She swallowed the lump in her throat and caught his eye before rushing past him to the bedroom. Thankfully, he didn’t try to stop her, but merely lumbered behind her in silence.

  “Here.” Maggie took the necklace off when she stepped into the bedroom. Stopping in front of the mirror, she held it out for him. “As promised.”

  Declan remained about a foot away and extended his hand, but that steely, silver stare never left her face. Without a word Maggie placed it in his palm and stepped back as he put the necklace over his head.

  “I thank ya, Maggie O’Malley.”

  “You, too.” Maggie nodded and kept her arms folded over her breasts. “You gave me magic, Declan, and reminded me what it feels like to be alive. Really, truly alive... so thank you for that.”

  Declan inched closer. His dark, wavy hair brushed his collar and she resisted the urge to tangle her hands in it as she had so often last night. Damn. Had it only been one day? It felt like a lifetime, and yet a lifetime probably still wouldn’t satisfy her. Declan was like a drug and the more she got the more she craved. She was greedy for him, but like any junkie—she had to go cold turkey.

  “Goodbye, Declan.” Maggie cleared her throat and stuck her hand out. “And I hope you find your daughter safe and sound. I’m sure she’s missed you... I know I will.”

  Those silvery, gray eyes flashed as he looked from her face to her outstretched hand and back again. To her surprise he didn’t take her fingers in his, but stepped closer as his firm, gorgeous lips tilted in a mischievous grin.

  “As will I,” Declan murmured. He gathered her hand in his and brought it to his mouth. “But... what would ya say if I asked ya to come with me?”

  “What?” Maggie’s eyebrows flew up as Declan’s other arm wrapped tightly around her waist and yanked her against him. “But you said it was dangerous for a mortal, and I thought you didn’t want me to come.”

  “If ya stay in the leprechaun village with me ya will be fine for a time.” He tilted his head and gave her a cheeky grin. “Besides, I rather enjoy havin’ ya around and I can’t say I like the notion of leavin’ ya here by your lonesome.”

  “I... ” Maggie’s mind raced with all the reasons why she shouldn’t go, but one word drowned out all of her doubts. “Yes.”

  Declan captured her lips in a savage kiss laced with desperation, passion and perhaps even love. As he broke the kiss he whispered something in Gaelic and a moment later his necklace glowed a brilliant green. He rested his forehead against hers and pressed one hand over her heart. In that instant a sizzling snap whisked around Maggie’s neck like a tiny shock, and when Declan pulled his hand away there was a gold amulet just like his.

  “Would seem, Maggie O’Malley, that ya have my gold after all.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead as she held the shiny disc between her fingers. “This will tell the others in the fae dimension that ya are under my protection.”

  “Your gold?” She asked in a shaky whisper. “I thought that whole pot of gold thing was baloney?”

  “Aye.” His fingers pressed into the small of her back as he held her close and his gruff voice edged with emotion rumbled around her. “My gold, a leprechaun’s gold, is his sworn protection... and love. We are outcasts, Maggie. A leprechaun is born of a fae and another supernatural creature. We are never accepted fully by the fae, or any other race for that matter. The leprechaun village in the fae dimension is a safe haven for our kind. From the time we are born, we are taught to use our magic to protect the ones we care for and for those who cannot protect themselves. That is our gift, Maggie, and that is our gold. We use it to care for those we love.”

  “Love?” Maggie asked in a barely audible voice. “But you don’t even know me.”

  “Aye.” He pushed the hair from her forehead before cradling her face in his hands. “I may just be fallin’ in love with ya, lass, but I’ll never know if I leave ya here.” He cradled her face with both hands and kissed her hard. “Come with me,” he rasped, his lips brushing over hers. “Come have that adventure. What do ya say? Are ya game?”

  “I sure as hell am.”

  Maggie’s heart s
welled with love and she laughed as his mouth covered hers.

  “Are ya ready?” With one arm clamped around her like a vice, and the other pressing against the glass of the mirror, Declan said, “Tóg dúinn an ngné an FAE.”

  A bright, green light emanated from the amulet that lay against Declan’s chest. Maggie held onto him for dear life, and the glow bloomed around them almost like a cloud or a bubble. She wanted to keep her eyes open to watch exactly what was happening, but the room was getting so bright; Maggie was forced to shut her eyes against it.

  She started to shiver, and let out a shriek when she had that sudden sensation of falling like what happens sometimes when going to sleep. She whimpered and buried her face against the hot expanse of Declan’s chest, and even though she was secretly embarrassed for being scared she was immensely grateful she had him to hold onto.

  “Hold tight, Maggie.” He pressed his lips to her ear and whispered, “Will be but a moment more.”

  An instant later, her feet were once again on solid ground and the feeling of spinning uncontrollably was gone—though the dizziness wasn’t. Declan loosened his hold on her and pulled her gently away from the warmth of his embrace, but Maggie kept her eyes closed.

  “Open those lovely eyes, Maggie.” Declan trailed his hand down her arm and gathered her hand in his. “Your adventure has begun.”

  Chapter Eight

  Maggie sucked in a deep cleansing breath through her nose, and her head was filled with the scents of rain and earth. A smile curved her lips because it smelled exactly like Declan and it was oddly familiar and comforting.

  But her eyes remained closed.

  “Open your eyes, Maggie,” Declan murmured against her ear. Strong warm fingers pressed against her lower back and his other hand pushed the hair from her forehead. “It’s over.”

  Her eyes were screwed tightly shut and her fingers curled firmly around the fabric of his shirt as a slightly hysterical giggle bubbled up. Somehow, she had a feeling that this little adventure was far from over.

  “Are ya goin’ to keep your eyes closed all the while?” Humor laced his voice as his large hands settled on her shoulders, the warmth of his flesh seeping through her thin sweater. “Would seem a shame to come all this way and not see the world around ya.”

  “Right,” she said through a shuddering breath. “I did want to come here didn’t I?”

  “Aye, if I recall, that was the way of it.” His thumb rasped over her bicep and he murmured, “But I could take ya back if—”

  “No!” Maggie’s eyes flew open and she was instantly met with the mischievous gaze of Declan McGuire. His lips curved into a devilish grin and she couldn’t help but smile in return. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Good.” Declan pressed a kiss to her forehead as a deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Because I’ll not be lettin’ ya go quite yet. Besides, ya can’t leave without me, darlin’. I brought ya and I’ll be gettin’ ya home when the time comes.”

  “Right.” An ache of sadness swelled in her chest at the mere notion of leaving him but she shoved it aside. “But I’m here now.”

  “Welcome to my home.” Declan stepped back and swept one arm wide as a huge smile covered his chiseled handsome face. He let out a slow breath as he surveyed the world around them and she couldn’t help but notice that his smile faltered. “Tis been too long,” he said quietly.

  Maggie was about to ask him exactly how long it had been but when she tore her gaze off him and finally looked at the world around them, she was left speechless.

  The fae realm was exquisite.

  She and Declan stood beneath a massive tree on top of the greenest hill of grass she’d ever seen. Rolling and seemingly endless fields spilled out around them as far as the eye could see. The sky was a vivid mix of colors and brought to mind carnivals from her youth. Shades of cotton candy pink, violet, and brilliant blue painted the horizon in intense ribbons of color and three yellow suns glowed in the sky. They reminded her of canary diamonds she’d seen in the Tiffany windows back in Manhattan.

  However, it was glaringly clear, they were nowhere near NYC.

  Far off in the distance, Maggie spotted what looked like a city made of glittering jewels, with a grand expansive castle at the center of it all. She let out a sigh of appreciation as she took in the world around her. Maggie turned to her right and her grin widened when she spotted a little village. At the center of it were several cottages with smoke billowing from the chimneys, and on the outskirts were what looked like a couple of small farms with animals milling around. Dirt roads were woven throughout and she swallowed a lump in her throat when she spotted people—or leprechauns—going about their business.

  There were no cars or machines of any kind and if Maggie didn’t know better she’d think they’d traveled through time as opposed to space.

  “This is like some kind of trippy Little House on the Prairie land,” she said with awe. “Wild!”

  “Little house on the what?” Declan took her hand in his and started walking down the hill toward the village.

  “Nothing.” Maggie waved it off. “It’s a television show.”

  “Aye.” He nodded, but kept his sights on the village. “I saw some while in my prison. Televisions and computers and the like, they are somethin’ to behold. That world ya come from has magic of its own.”

  “Right.” She shook her head and let out a laugh. “I guess you could say that.”

  “It’s changed some since I’ve been away.”

  Declan stopped at the bottom of the hill and settled his hands on his hips while surveying the area around them. Maggie wanted to ask him how it had changed but the shrill shriek of a woman sliced through the air like fingernails on a chalkboard.

  “Well, look who’s back!”

  Declan let out a groan of discontent and muttered something under his breath while Maggie looked around for the source of the shriek.

  It didn’t take long to find it.

  A woman, who looked like she was an escapee from a Renaissance Faire, ran over and jumped onto Declan before planting a huge kiss on his lips. Maggie’s gut instinct was to be pissed but the expression of discomfort on Declan’s face put her twinge of jealousy to rest. He had his arms out to his side as the woman clung to him like a spider monkey. She finally stopped kissing him and let him go, dropping to the ground before adjusting her ample breasts, which looked like they were trying to escape her dress.

  “Slumming it with a mortal?” She shoved him away and turned to Maggie, inspecting her like she was a failed science experiment. “You better hope Queen Zemi don’t get wind of this, or she’ll have your handsome head on a pike. Mortals aren’t supposed to be in our realm. You know that, Declan.” She sliced a wicked glance at him and smirked. “Then again you always did have exotic taste.”

  “What I do or don’t do is none of your concern, Esmeralda. Neither is Maggie and I’ll be believin’ that the Queen has more important matters to attend than a short visit from a mortal.”

  “Lucky for you she’s off to the human realm on business.” The woman sniffed and turned back to Declan with a big smile. “So it looks like you came back at a good time. While the Queen’s away, the fae shall play.”

  “Where’s Dyanna,” he said with waning patience. “And my daughter.”

  “That’s why you came back?” Esmeralda’s dark eyes narrowed and she tossed her long jet-black hair over one shoulder dismissively. “Well she’s not here.”

  Declan moved so swiftly he became a blur before grabbing the woman by the arms and yanking her to him. Maggie didn’t miss the look of fear on Esmeralda’s face when the amulet around Declan’s neck began to glow—but it was different this time.

  “No.” She shook her head. “Please. Don’t. Declan. She’s—”

  “Where is my girl,” he growled.

  Maggie took a step back as the light from the amulet glowed a darker green, an almost sickly color, far different from the one that flashed to
take them here. This light was ugly and dangerous and reminded her of death. It seemed that the little gold necklace she’d worn all those years was capable of far more than she could have imagined.

  “Declan!”

  Another woman’s voice shouted from the distance and he snapped his head toward it. The light around him dimmed and flickered, leaving the amulet dark once again. Declan released Esmeralda, who stumbled away but not before shooting an evil look in Maggie’s direction.

  But that wasn’t what captured and held Maggie’s attention.

  An elderly woman with long white hair and clad in a simple floor length blue dress, similar in style to Esmeralda’s, stood at the edge of the village.

  “Dyanna?” Declan’s voice was edged with panic as he strode toward the old woman. “Where is she? Where is Aurelia?”

  Maggie ran to catch up to Declan and wished she had on something other than the black flip-flops she wore around the house. Her feet kept slipping on the damp grass. The heat from the three suns blazed over them and she tore off her sweater, tying it around her waist as she caught up to Declan and the old woman.

  “I’m so happy you’re back.” Dyanna’s green eyes glittered with tears and she ran over and hugged him. “Seems like forever since you left us.”

  “Dyanna,” Declan said with waning patience. He wrapped his hands around the woman’s arms and gently pulled her from him. “Where is my girl? Aurelia, is she... ?

  Maggie sensed fear in his voice and without thinking about it, she moved closer and settled her hand on his lower back. She did it on instinct, wanting to be as close to him as possible, in case the news was grim. Declan stiffened briefly but didn’t pull away and Maggie didn’t miss the sound of disgust from Esmeralda as she huffed away toward the village.

  “She’s safe.” Dyanna sniffled and wiped her teary eyes. Smiling broadly, she started walking toward town. “Aurelia is at the lake with Mandor. I tell you that girl may be half witch and half leprechaun but if you ask me, she’s got some selkie in her. The wee one has been in that water most every day since she could swim.”