“I don’t understand. If you aren’t Fae, then why can you use our doorways? Why—?”
The questions stopped when Fianna realized they had walked into another realm. The sheer scope of flowers that surrounded the doorway was mesmerizing. The trees stood tall, their limbs stretching wide to create a stunning canopy of interwoven branches. The cacophony of birds singing should have been distracting, but instead, it soothed Fianna.
Animals were everywhere. Some in the distance, some on the limbs above her. The buzzing of bees added to the melody. Fianna could have explored the small area for a lifetime, but she soon realized that Death was walking ahead of her. Fianna quickly caught up with the petite goddess as they wove through the maze of flora and fauna. Through it all, she caught a glimpse of the gleaming white tower.
“For many long millennia, this realm was mine alone. It was my escape. Recently, however, I opened it up to the Reapers to keep us all safe and separate. All live here. The realm is large enough that you can find a place that suits you.”
Fianna halted with Death when they emerged from the garden. They stared at the tower for a moment. The one thing she noticed was how quiet it was. There was no hum of cars, no noise of people. Fianna never wanted to leave.
Movement at the base of the tower drew her attention. Fianna spotted a male, though his gaze was locked on Death. And the smile he gave her made Fianna long to see Rordan.
“This is my mate, Cael,” Death said. “He’s also the leader of one group of my Reapers.”
Fianna perked up. So, Reapers could find love. There was still a chance for Rordan, because she knew he was an exceptional warrior. Then her hope faded as she realized that Rordan would have to be betrayed and killed to be offered the chance. She couldn’t imagine that happening to him.
Cael reached them. He bowed his head of black hair, but it wasn’t silver eyes Fianna saw. They were purple. “You chose wisely,” he said.
“Thank you,” Fianna replied, unable to look away from his face.
Cael chuckled as he wrapped an arm around Death. “You’re wondering about my eyes?”
“I apologize for staring, but they’re as unusual as Death’s.”
“Call me Erith,” Death said. “It’s the name I go by with the Reapers.”
Fianna bowed her head. “Erith.”
Cael drew in a breath and glanced at his mate. “I didn’t always have these eyes. This is a recent change. We were battling an enemy, who tried to use Erith’s magic against me. It backfired. I became something…more.”
“A god,” Erith chimed in.
Fianna’s eyes widened even as Cael gazed at his mate with such devotion that she felt her heart break, knowing she would most likely never experience such a thing again. She’d had it briefly with Rordan, and she would have to be content with that.
“When we become Reapers, we cease being just Fae, even though we retain the coloring we had in life,” Cael continued. “Those here are not Light or Dark. They are Reapers. We are, in fact, a family.”
Fianna nodded, listening through the heartache that had suddenly come over her.
“I think it’s time she met some of the others,” Erith said.
Suddenly, another male stood before her. He had long, black hair and molten silver eyes. He bent slightly at the waist. “I’m Eoghan, another leader of the Reapers. Why don’t I show you around and introduce you to the others?”
Fianna forced a smile that she didn’t feel. She was overwhelmed by everything and wanted some time to herself, but that didn’t look like it would happen anytime soon. With no other choice, she followed Eoghan away from Cael and Erith.
“All of this is a shock, I know. You’ll get the hang of it quickly, though,” he said.
“I hope so.”
Eoghan halted and looked at her. “I think I’ll wait to introduce you to everyone. I would like to show you a spot I think will help with everything. Then, I’ll leave you and let you explore on your own.”
“That would be nice,” she told him.
Eoghan held out his arm. The moment she touched it, they were transported to the top of a cliff with a vast ocean before her. Fianna immediately thought of how similar it looked to Rordan’s cottage on Achill.
“You might look over there,” Eoghan said as he pointed to the left.
She followed his gaze and found a male form standing on the outcropping of a cliff. Even with his silhouette, she knew him instantly. Her heart leapt in excitement. She forgot all about Eoghan and started running toward Rordan with tears streaming down her face.
Fianna slowed to a walk when she got close. For several moments, she could only stare at the back of him, too overcome with emotion. She took another tentative step and whispered his name. When he turned, she was taken aback by the haunted face that greeted her. It transformed instantly when he saw her.
“Fi,” he said and dragged her against his body, holding her so tightly she could barely breathe.
But she didn’t care. All she had wanted was to feel his arms again, and now she was. She relished every second they shared, each basking in the disbelief and wonder of the moment.
Rordan pulled back, holding her at arm’s length. “How?”
“I’m a Reaper,” she said with a smile.
He threw back his head and laughed. “I should’ve known. I wanted to tell you all of it.”
“I know, and I understand why you couldn’t. But that means…you died.”
“I did. My family betrayed me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry it happened to you, as well.” Rordan gently touched her face. “I thought I had lost you.”
“I’m here now.”
Rordan nodded, smiling.
Fianna drew in a breath and blurted out the words she had been holding inside her. “I love you.”
He smiled and lowered his forehead to hers. “I never thought I’d hear those words from your lips. Say them again.”
“I love you. I love you now and forever. You see me. You accept all of me as no one ever has. I feel safe and loved with you.”
Rordan raised his head and cupped her face with his hands. “You have my heart. You have all of me from this day forward until the end of time. I love you as I never thought I could love someone. You are…everything to me.”
He covered her mouth with his as they gave in to the sizzling kiss.
Cael lifted Erith’s hand to his lips, their fingers entwined, as they watched the couple embrace. “You could’ve told Rordan what you’d planned.”
“And what if she had said no? I couldn’t do that to him,” she said.
“We would’ve lost him. He wouldn’t have survived without her.”
Erith sighed and turned her head to meet his gaze. “That isn’t why I offered Fianna the position. She earned it, and she will make an excellent Reaper. It’s fortunate that things worked out as they did.”
“Love is more powerful than any type of magic,” Cael said as he swung his attention back to the couple.
Erith wound her arms around him and leaned into his side. “It saved you, my love. And it saved me.”
They smiled at each other before jumping back to their tower.