Page 68 of Beer & Broomsticks
“You gained your power, and I lost mine.”
CHAPTER28
“What?”Bridget could scarcely process what he was saying. “Completely?”
“It remains to be seen. But yeah, I had a dizzy spell, and now I’ve nothing but a hollow feeling inside.”
“But that’s not what Sabrina predicted. She said you’d conjure the duplicate sword. You’ve a need of magic to do that.”
“Maybe she was wrong.”
Roisin shook her head. “No, she’s never wrong. If Sabrina told you that you would conjure a sword, you will.”
“So this is temporary then.” The absolute relief Bridget felt was overwhelming. To think of Ruairí vulnerable to his relatives without his power was terrifying to the extreme. She cupped his face and pressed her forehead to his. “I’m sorry, love. If I’d have known it would take your magic…”
He drew her down onto his lap and wrapped her in a tight embrace then tenderly brushed away the single tear that fell from the corner of her eye. “I’d give up my magic every day and twice on Sundays if it means you get to experience what it’s like and if you can protect yourself should the need arise.”
“Oh, Ruairí.” She laughed that he’d quoted her reaction to the crêpes he’d made earlier that morning.
He grinned, and the love shining from his worshipful blue eyes filled her heart to full.
“We’ve need of the Aether. He can restore Ruairí’s power to him,” Carrick said. “I’ll go.”
Ruairí shook his head. “No, it’s important you wait, Carrick. When I left them a bit ago, things were getting heated. I’ve no doubt if you go up there now, you risk your life.”
Bridget, Carrick, and Cian all shared a look. None of them cared to have another fight their battles.
“What page did the book open to?” Roisin asked, and Bridget was almost sure she’d done it as a distraction.
Carrick gave her a long look, and he smiled as if he, too, understood what she was trying to do. He held out his hand to help her up, and they strolled to the grimoire to see what the temperamental tome had displayed.
“Cian, may I have a moment alone with Bridget, please?”
Her brother nodded and joined the others, leaving her alone with Ruairí.
“Bridg—”
“You have thatif I don’t make it through this tonegoin’ on again, and I’ll not listen. You and I are meant to have a future, Ruairí. The Goddess said as much, and I believe her.”
His lips compressed as he gave her a helpless look.
“Sure, and I mean it,” she said. “You’d better be believin’ it too, or I’ll lock you in this room.”
“Well, the tides have certainly turned. A week ago you couldn’t get rid of me fast enough, and today you want to keep me prisoner to service your every need.”
His teasing grin never reached his eyes, but she went along with him.
“Yeah. Who’d have seen it coming besides little Sabrina Dethridge?” Bridget snuggled into his chest, resting the top of her head under his chin. Keeping their conversation light was more than she could manage, though, and she shifted to face him. “I wish I hadn’t wasted all these years with you.”
He brushed noses with her. “Now you’re just sounding maudlin. I’m about to weep, I am.” With a wink, he helped her stand and gave her a friendly pat on the arse. “If it’s my last night on earth, I’ll be takin’ my jollies where I can get them.”
She laughed at his ridiculousness and tugged him to his feet. “And if it’s my last night on earth, I’ll be lettin’ ya.”
Curling a hand around her neck, he drew her close, and when his lips were but a breath away, he said, “I do love you,mo ghrá.That’s never wavered, and it never will.”
“’Tis the same for me, Ruairí. I’ve never wavered in that love, even when I was angry or disappointed and couldn’t see a future for us. I’ll not waver in the future, I promise.”
His kiss was the balm her soul needed. Before things grew heated, he drew back and nodded toward something a few feet away. “I’m feelin’ judged by your cat.”
