Aisling looked between them. “Look, big guy, I hear you, but we need to be careful. We have rules we need to follow.”
“She’s right,” Sorcha said. “Aisling found out a few things. Now, it’s my turn to get to the truth.”
Cathal barely heard either of them. He knew he had to answer to Death, but there was no way he would let anyone or anything harm Sorcha. She was…everything…to him. He nodded.
“What are you talking about?” Aisling asked.
Sorcha sat up and smiled. “Cathal and I talked.”
“Oh, is that what you were doing?” Aisling interrupted with a roll of her eyes.
Cathal watched as a blush stained Sorcha’s cheeks, and her emerald eyes met his. His heart swelled, love filling every particle of his being. He couldn’t believe his path had crossed with hers. But now that he’d met her, he wasn’t sure he could ever let her go.
The thing was, he might not have to if she agreed. Death now allowed the Reapers who found love to have their women and still continue to do her bidding. But the question was whether Sorcha would leave her human world behind for one on another realm with the Reapers. He was pretty sure he knew the answer.
“We did talk,” Sorcha told Aisling with a saucy look. Then she ruined it with a bright smile. “As well as other things.”
Aisling shot a look of surprise at Cathal. “Well, well. Sorry I interrupted, but I figured this was important.”
“It is,” Cathal told her.
Sorcha nodded. “I’m going to confront a Fae out there. I asked Cathal if both of you could be close when I do, but hiding so none of the other Fae can see you. Just in case I get into trouble and need help.”
Once more, Aisling’s red eyes landed on him. Cathal didn’t acknowledge the question in her gaze.
“Of course, we will,” Aisling said. “But…you can do magic. You’re a Halfling. The bit of Fae magic within your veins will make your Druid magic stronger. If what we saw with Usaeil is any indication, you’re incredibly powerful, Sorcha. I’m not sure you even need us.”
And there it was. The very thing that had been in the back of Cathal’s mind. Sorcha had asked him for help, had put her life in his hands when no one else ever had. But the simple fact was that she didn’t need him. Or anyone.
“Cathal?” Aisling prodded.
He nodded woodenly to Sorcha. “Aisling is right. You are powerful.”
“So powerful that I wasn’t able to save my family,” Sorcha said, though there was no heat in her words. She looked at the floor for several moments before she lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “I’d rather have you near, regardless if I do magic or not.”
“Then I’ll be there.”
Aisling glanced at him. “We’ll be there.”
Chapter Sixteen
What in the world had she been thinking? Sorcha had actually believed that she could stand before a Fae and demand they tell her what she wanted to know. She must have gone daft for a few moments because now that she stood outside, she wanted nothing more than to turn around and run back into the house.
But she didn’t. No matter how terrified she was of not only facing the Fae coming for her but also how she would respond if they told her the truth, she would never forgive herself if she didn’t at least attempt to get some answers.
She didn’t turn around and look at the house as she walked the property. Cathal and Aisling hadn’t followed her out. They’d told her they would leave the house in a way that ensured that no one would see them but said they would keep an eye on her and be there if she got into trouble. Sorcha wanted to laugh at that because she didn’t see how she could come face-to-face with the other Fae and not get into trouble.
As she walked, her thoughts went back to her trip to Ireland. The Skye Druids had been so upset about the prospect of other Druids forming a group to follow the Others that it was all Sorcha had thought about, as well. It had never entered her mind that there could be something more in store for her. Something potentially bigger.
After all, the Others—as well as Usaeil—had left scars upon them that were still raw and festering. Not to mention, whatever these Fae wanted with Sorcha had nothing to do with the other Druids on the isle. So why should any of them have taken note? It wasn’t as if Sorcha had actually been a part of the Druid community over the last ten years. She might be blood to some, but she had made it known that she wanted nothing to do with any of them. If they had seen the Fae, they hadn’t been worried enough about them to check in with her.
And she couldn’t be upset about that. She had gone out of her way to distance herself from them, telling them in no uncertain terms that she wanted nothing to do with the Druid way of life anymore.
Though she still wasn’t sure why she had gone to Ireland. No, that wasn’t true. She had gone because her cousin had asked for her help. Rhona was one of the few who kept in touch with Sorcha whether she wanted it or not. And not once in all those years had Rhona asked Sorcha for anything. How then, when she had come to her, could Sorcha say no?
Looking back, Sorcha was glad that she had gone to Ireland. She hadn’t been happy at the time, but it had brought Cathal into her life. Just thinking of him made her smile. She knew he had secrets, and she was all right with that. Mainly because she accepted that he wouldn’t remain in her life. Odd how her mum hadn’t bothered to tell her about her father, and yet Sorcha had nearly followed in her mother’s footsteps. Well, in all cases, she had followed her mother. She had fallen in love with a Fae. What Sorcha wouldn’t do was get pregnant or believe that Cathal might want her as his.
She tried not to feel resentment or anger at that thought, but she couldn’t quite manage it. For all she knew, one of Cathal’s secrets was that he was married. She really hoped not. The one thing she could never forgive was a person cheating on their lover with another. She’d only had one boyfriend do that to her, and it had been the worst pain she’d ever experienced.
Sorcha stopped when she got to the fence. This was one of the places where Cathal had urged her to go. Apparently, a Fae had been here, standing for hours, simply staring at her house. There was no one here now, however.
She clicked her tongue and held up the carrot. One of the mares in the pasture jerked her head up. She didn’t always come with treats, but that never stopped the animals from trotting over to her for some petting and soft words. She’d always loved horses. They were magnificent animals.
As the horse drew closer, it slowed to a walk, neighing softly. She smiled and held out the carrot as an offering. The animal extended its neck to take the vegetable instead of coming closer. That alerted Sorcha that something wasn’t right.
“What’s wrong, girl?” she asked the mare.
The horse chewed the carrot. Once it was gone, the animal took a tentative step to the fence. Sorcha held out her hand, waiting for the horse. As the mare paused, Sorcha suddenly had a feeling that she shouldn’t have put her hand over the fence. She lowered her arm, her heart pounding. It could be nothing more than her imagination getting the better of her. And no one knew better than she just how active her thoughts could be.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel as if she had just barely avoided being grabbed. Sorcha hoped it was nothing more than her imaginings, but she didn’t think so. She wished she could take hold of Cathal’s hand. It helped to know that he was near. It was too bad he wasn’t right beside her, though.