Stone of Destiny (The Danaan Trilogy) (15 page)

“Very strange,” Liam agreed.

I moved in closer to Ethan as we walked further inside. Just being here brought on a wide range of emotions. I’d seen my mother in this gathering room, sane and as clear headed as anyone. I’d been as helpless as a newborn foal when I met both Saoirse and Deaghlan. I’d also learned about the horrible things Breanh was doing to Ethan. I pushed back those memories, trying to keep my head clear for what lay ahead.

Nobody came out to greet us, the place felt totally deserted. Niamh moved faster, holding up a hand, telling us to wait. Her form blurred as she darted off to search for signs of anyone.

When she returned, her face was drawn tight. “My parents aren’t here. Folk are about doing their regular activities. But my mother has gone to the shore to see the damage done to Aoife’s land.”

“Saoirse never leaves the Bruidhean,” Liam said, frowning.

“There’s more,” Niamh said. “Aodhan’s been here. He showed up this morning demanding to meet with the king and queen.”

“What does that mean?” I asked. “Why didn’t he tell us he was coming?”

Liam and Niamh stared at each other, their faces not giving anything away. I looked at Samantha.

Can you hear what they’re saying to each other?

Her eyes flicked up to mine and she shook her head.

No. I can’t get through their mind shields. It’s really frustrating.

Niamh began pacing. “When Aodhan left Liam’s house, he was livid. We just figured he needed some time to cool down after his falling out with my father.”

“This is good though,” I said. “Weren’t we all wondering when your parents would do something about Aoife?”

“I suppose you’re right,” Niamh said, still pacing.

“What’s the best thing to do now?” Liam said.

“We’re going to Aoife’s house, aren’t we?” I said, looking between them.

“Of course,” Niamh said. She took a deep breath and met my eyes.

Slow, deliberate footsteps came from the front entry. We all turned toward the gathering room entrance.

Deaghlan stood in the doorway, a slow smile slipping onto his face.

“And now you’re here,” he said, his arms held wide.

“Father,” Niamh said, her brows furrowed.

“Your hero has come rushing in to save the day,” Deaghlan said with a flourish of his hands.

Niamh tilted her head to the side, but didn’t respond.

“After I came back to see about setting things right, Aodhan showed up and whisked your mother away to see for herself the damage Aoife has done,” Deaghlan said, articulating each word.

“As though Mother didn’t already know?” Niamh said, her brows shooting up.

“Of course she already knew. She knows all, doesn’t she?”

Niamh didn’t respond. Her face was a mask. I could almost see the cracks beginning to form as her all-too-human emotions fought to break free.

“Well, what are they doing about it? I asked Deaghlan.

He turned to regard me, much like someone would regard gum on the bottom of their shoe. I could tell the instant he noticed Samantha by my side.

Ignoring my question, he glided over to us. Samantha took a step back so she was behind me.

“What do we have here?” Deaghlan asked, his voice loaded with charm.

“This is Samantha,” Liam said moving over to my other side.

“Well, hello Samantha,” Deaghlan said, tilting his head to the side.

Samantha’s voice was barely a whisper. “Hi.”

“And this is Deaghlan, Niamh and Aoife’s father,” Liam said.

So that means he’s my
grandfather
?

I busted out laughing and even Niamh smiled, hearing the question in Samantha’s mind.

“That’s correct, Samantha. He is your grandfather,” Niamh said, barely concealing the laughter in her voice.

Deaghlan’s reaction was priceless. His eyes bulged and his mouth gaped. He looked like a fish on the line.

“While this is all very entertaining, perhaps someone could explain to me what is going on?” Deaghlan said.

“The quick version is Aoife had a baby and didn’t tell anyone. That’s pretty much all you need to know,” I said.

The line of Deaghlan’s jaw tightened. “So it would seem. Funny how Saoirse didn’t see this coming.”

Nobody spoke for a beat. I was never able to handle awkward silences well.

“If Aodhan and Saoirse are there, why aren’t you with them?” I asked.

Surprise widened Deaghlan’s eyes. “You’re rather feisty, Allison. I like it.”

I laughed without feeling. “You didn’t answer the question.”

In the blink of an eye, he was in front of me. “That’s simple. Saoirse and Aodhan had things under control. I don’t think my presence was required.”

Ethan moved to my side, putting his hand on the small of my back. Deaghlan was completely unmoved.

My hands balled into fists. “What? Are you feeling left out, Deaghlan?”

Deaghlan prowled even closer, lowering his head so I could feel his warm breath. “Easy, Allison. You forget who you’re talking to.”

“Father, let’s get back to the issue at hand,” Niamh said.

He’s right, Allison. Don’t push him.

Staring at the floor, I pushed down the irritation inside me. Being mad at Deaghlan made it easier to not become ensnared by him. When I looked back up into his icy blue eyes, my anger was replaced with pure, raw fear.

Deaghlan smirked and stepped back. Without looking away, he said to Niamh, “Your mother won’t be long. She’ll return and you can make your plans. Perhaps even let me know what they are.”

He turned on his heel and was gone.

“What is his deal?” I asked Niamh.

She sighed. “It’s like you said. He’s feeling left out. It happens whenever he neglects his responsibilities for too long and my mother makes decisions without him.”

“I don’t like the guy,” Ethan said, his hand curving around my waist.

“Can’t say I blame you,” Liam said. “But don’t do what Allison has done and provoke him.”

I shrugged at the look he gave me. “Why should I let him bully me?”

“It’s best to just let him go on and not react,” Niamh said.

“Let’s go find Aodhan and Saoirse,” I said. “It’s too bad you guys don’t have phones in this place.”

“I don’t usually need one,” Niamh said, smirking. “It must be the pollution in Aoife’s land that’s keeping me from reaching my mother. I’ve never come home and not been able to communicate with her.”

“You’ve never had trouble hearing my thoughts around iron, how come that happens here?” I asked.

Niamh smiled. “
Here
is very different from
there
.”

“Allison, I think it would be best if the three of you stay here and let Niamh and I go on ahead,” Liam said.

I blinked. “No. No way,” I said, not sure I heard him right.

“Let’s not make this an argument,” Niamh said. “It will take Liam and me minutes to get there, where it would take the entire group hours.”

“Wait,” I said, backing up. “What are we supposed to do here?

“Just wait. Get some rest if you can,” Liam said.

I looked at Ethan to back me up, but the apologetic look he gave me said that wouldn’t happen. Was I being irrational? Samantha’s voice snuck into my head.

They’ll be fast. It makes sense for them to go on ahead. Don’t take it personally.

I blew out a breath. “Fine,” I said, shrugging. “Go then.”

Liam looked torn for a moment. “I’d like for you to trust me, okay?” he asked, looking between me and Samantha.

I didn’t answer, but Samantha nodded. Liam ran his hands through his hair and with one last look, he and Niamh took off to find Aodhan and Saoirse.

Within seconds of Niamh and Liam’s departure, three young women came into the gathering room. They all wore jewel-toned gowns like most Danaan females. Their hair was braided with flowers and flowed down their backs.

The women led us upstairs and down several long hallways to what I remembered as the guest quarters. There was a common room in the center of a half-dozen bedrooms. Couches with throw pillows arranged haphazardly took up most of the space.

I fell back onto one of the plush cushions and rubbed the heel of my hand over my forehead. Now that I thought about it, I was exhausted.

“I’m tired too,” Samantha said. “Does it matter which room I take?”

“I doubt it,” I said, stretching my arms up behind my head.

“Okay, well wake me up if anything happens, I guess.”

Ethan stood off to the side with his hands in the pockets of his jeans. He hadn’t cut his hair in a while and when he looked down, a dark curl nearly touched his cheek. He smiled at me and my chest swelled.

“Don’t you want to get some rest?” he asked.

“I guess so,” I said, suddenly feeling awkward. “How are you feeling?”

He didn’t answer right away. His gaze lifted to the high arched ceiling before meeting mine. The corners of his eyes crinkled. “This might sound ridiculous. But I feel kind of like a piece of taffy that’s been pulled and stretched and put back together.”

I laughed. “Nope, not ridiculous. I actually know exactly what you mean.”

He rubbed his hands together, his brow wrinkling. “I know this is going to sound wrong, but will you stay with me? I’m not coming on to you. I’d just feel better if you were with me.”

“Yeah, no problem,” I said, my voice coming out choked. I cleared my throat and tried again. “Let’s go.”

I stood and led him into the room I’d stayed in last time I was here. It was small, but comfortable. I sat on the edge of the bed and scooted over to make room for him.

I took off my shoes and crawled over to the other side of the bed. After getting under the covers, I positioned myself on my side so he had plenty of room.

Ethan slid under the blankets and stared up at the ceiling. Neither of us said a word for a minute.

Butterflies fluttered in my chest when he rolled onto his side to look at me. I wondered how many times he’d lain in bed with other girls and the thought pierced my heart.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, concern etched in his forehead.

I was immediately grateful that Ethan couldn’t read minds. A laugh bubbled out. “Nothing. I mean, I’m fine.”

His eyes twinkled. “Are you nervous?”

I frowned. “What, you can hear my thoughts now, too?”

“Hey,” he said, reaching over to smooth back my hair. “It’s just me. I promise I’ll behave.”

I swallowed. Was he serious —
just him?

He kept his hand on my cheek and whispered my name. Closing my eyes, I felt his touch all the way down to my toes. When I opened them again, he was still staring at me.

I looked down at his mouth and his lips spread into a crooked smile. My eyes lifted to his and in a moment of boldness I said, “What if I don’t want you to?”

His eyes widened, but he didn’t hesitate. His hand slid down my arm to my waist. My pulse pounded when he pulled me closer. His lips brushed against mine, softly at first.

I raised my hand to the soft skin just above his elbow, shivering as his biceps tightened under my touch.

The kiss deepened and the world fell out from under me. In that moment, I forgot about the Danaans and everything that went along with them.

Ethan trailed kisses across my cheek, down my neck and a soft moan escaped me. I wasn’t embarrassed, though. I wanted more, so much more. I yanked his shirt loose from his jeans and slid my hand up the contours of his back.

In one swift movement, I was on my back as he hovered over me. His arms were on either side of my head and his hands gently cupped my face. Bringing his lips down to mine again, he kissed me until we were both breathless.

Both of my hands slid up the back of his shirt and I pulled him to me, wanting him closer. But he pulled back, his breath ragged.

“You need to get some rest,” he said, pressing his lips against my forehead. He put all his weight on one arm and trailed the tips of his fingers over my cheek and down my neck, resting his hand on my heart. I was sure he could feel it thundering in my chest.

I was about to protest when he placed one last kiss on my lips. He lifted himself off me and settled onto his side. My eyes drifted closed as he draped his arm across my stomach. I snuggled in closer, and he snaked his arm under my head. After burying my face into his T-shirt I willed my heart to slow down. Eventually I drifted off to sleep thinking about gentle breezes and warm sunlight.