Of Smoke and Shadows: A Stone Circle Series Novella by Ophelia Wells Langley

Author:Ophelia Wells Langley [Wells Langley, Ophelia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9798986297309
Publisher: O.W.L. Publications, LLC
Published: 2022-06-17T00:00:00+00:00

Hours later, he sits with his brother-in-law at the kitchen table as the midwife goes about washing Aine’s body and changing her into a clean shift upstairs. The nursemaid has come down and sits with the swaddled sleeping baby in her arms, gently rocking back and forth on the rocking chair Achill brought over.

Achill clears his throat, a plan having formed in his head, already. He knows the destruction his parents could bring to this house once they find out about Aine.

“Richard,” Achill starts, “I need you to hear what I’m about to tell you.”

Richard nods slowly, rubbing his puffy eyes, staring down at this cup of tea.

“Richard, you need to take the baby, the nursemaid, and go. Now.”

“No—I… I can’t leave Aine again.” He whispers, voice hoarse from crying for hours.

“Richard, you need to leave now. This house. Get on one of your ships and sail to Iarann. I’ve called a carriage and the other nursemaid has already packed up your belongings. My parents are on their way and—”

“Your parents?”

“Yes, my parents. Aine’s parents. The Fire Fae King and Queen. They are on their way, here, now.” Achill says more slowly, getting up to hand the nursemaid a scone. She smiles calmly up at him and, for a moment, he is thankful that she will stay with his niece for a few years. His niece… The child he most likely will never know after today. He peers down at the sleeping babe and its pug nose and smiles. “I want you two to be as far away from them for as long as possible.”

“As long as possible…” Richard echoes. “What do you mean, man? I just lost the love of my life. Please tell me what’s going on?”

“My parents will kill you. And then they will most likely ship the baby off somewhere. Take her, please. I don’t want her to be raised like a halfling. It is not a life I want for my niece, it is not a life she deserves. You need to take her and leave.”

“Why would they kill me? I… Aine…?” He cries again, folding in on himself and laying his head on the table.

“Listen up, Richard!” Achill slams his hands on the table, startling the baby and the nursemaid. “Sorry, but you need to get it together now. This baby needs you. I will not let my parents ruin yet another thing in my life. Your things are packed. The carriage is waiting. The baby is ready and so is the nursemaid. Get up. Get out of this house. And go live your life with your child.” For emphasis, he drops his pouch full of silver onto the table. “Here is enough silver for you to buy a fleet of ships for a hundred years. It is all I have to give you, other than a chance at living and watching your child grow up. Get. Out. Now.”

With one look from Achill, the nursemaid stands, cradling the whimpering baby, and heads out the front door.

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