Misfortune of Time by Christy Nicholas

Author:Christy Nicholas [Nicholas, Christy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Published: 2018-07-10T18:00:00+00:00

PART IV

Chapter 9

Loch Riach, autumn, 1055AD

As Étaín took Flidaisínn’s hand, the Fae woman pulled gently, lifting Étaín to her feet. For a moment, they stood close, almost embracing. At that proximity, she should have been able to sense the other woman’s body heat, but she sensed nothing. The Fae’s hand felt like a lifeless thing, cold and empty. Étaín resisted the urge to snatch her hand away.

It didn’t pay to be rude to the Fae.

“Étaín, you are in too much pain. I heard your cry across the realm and into Faerie. What can I do to help?”

While narrowing her eyes, Étaín backed up several steps. This time she did drop the Fae’s hand. “I know better than to make a bargain with your kind, Flidaisínn. I thank you for your help, but I can ask nothing of you.”

Flidaisínn smiled. “You ask nothing, but I can offer, nevertheless. I will be certain to lay out all details so you will know before you decide. Does such sound fair to you?”

Étaín gave a curt nod and sat back down on the cairn. Flidaisínn sat next to her. “This human world is trying. I could not live here overlong myself, and to be yourself, with your gift, it must be horrible.”

Étaín furrowed her brow. “My gift?”

Flidaisínn touched Étaín’s clothing, near where the pouch lay hidden beneath her léine. Inside the pouch lay her brooch. Étaín gasped and flinched away from the Fae’s touch.

With another smile, Flidaisínn nodded. “Yes, the brooch. I sensed it the instant I came to your call, human child. Its power burns brighter than any lantern for the Fae. It calls, beckons for our attention.”

Étaín clutched at her pouch and sidled further from Flidaisínn.

Flidaisínn shook her head and giggled, the sound once again like a trickling summer brook. “Have no fear of me stealing it from you. I cannot take what you do not give, human. The artifact is yours and belongs to your family. Other Fae may try to trick it from you, so you are right to be wary, but I am not that type of Fae.”

Étaín hadn’t realized Fae had different types, but she kept silent, still clutching her pouch and its precious contents.

“If it makes you more comfortable, I will make a vow to you. You know Fae cannot tell a falsehood, correct?”

Étaín nodded.

“Then I vow to you I shall never take nor attempt to take your magical brooch.”

Étaín breathed more easily and gave a weak smile.

“Now can we speak of more important matters? You are not safe in this world just now, Étaín. Your cruel mate searches for you even now. He will come tomorrow to the village on the lough.”

Her momentary ease fled, and Étaín couldn’t breathe. She swallowed, trying to make her body work normally again, but her chest seized, and she couldn’t draw in the air she needed. Flidaisínn placed a cool hand on her neck, just barely touching her skin, and she could inhale once again. After a few shaky breaths, Flidaisínn dropped her hand.

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