Page 14 of Whiskey & Witches
“Anu? The Goddess?” Roisin had heard the story from Carrick, who’d heard it from Bridget, that Aeden had been instrumental in helping save his uncle Cian. Apparently, Piper Thorne believed Aeden had a gift and the ability to speak directly to Anu, though Roisin had never seen hide nor hair of that talent in the years she’d raised him. But she knew better than anyone that powers could develop or wane over time.
Aeden nodded, still mesmerized by Roisin’s hair.
“Mo stór,can ya tell me what Anu said to ya?”
He shook his head, and tears filled his eyes.
Roisin wanted to smack herself on the forehead.Of course, he couldn’t say!Not without great effort and pain. His vocal cords had been damaged. “I’m sorry, darlin’. That was insensitive of me, to be sure.”
His wary gaze lifted and met her good eye. He focused there as if afraid to look anywhere else.
“These scars aren’t meant to scare you, Aeden,” she said as gently as she could. She didn’t dare confess they were from the accident he’d been involved in. There was no telling how he’d react. “I can glamour them away for a bit if they bother you,” she offered as a resurgence of her magic began to build within her cells. She could probably maintain a disguise for a short time. Long enough to get him back to Carrick.
Although the rate of his breathing increased, he shook his head.
“You’re a brave, boy,” she said, her voice full of pride.
Aeden stared,unblinking, at the witch and worried Anu had lied to him. This woman couldn’t be his mother, could she? Mam would never leave him alone in the dark for all time. She’d always been there to sing him to sleep and chase away his deepest fears.
Tears blurred his vision, and all he could make out were the blond curls, so like Mam’s. When she’d appeared earlier today, her hair had been straight and more ginger in color, like Meg’s. He clutched the lock he held tighter, tangling his fingers between the strands, and gave a sharp tug.
She didn’t scream or lash out the way his aunt might’ve, but instead, she tenderly gripped his hand and eased open his fingers—the same as his mother had done when he was a small child.
“It’s a mighty fine grip you have there, mo stór,”she’d always say before kissing the tips of his fingers.
His racing heart about stopped when the witch said the same thing. She didn’t kiss him like Mam, but she smiled as if she were sad. The kind of smile Aunt Bridget gave when she thought no one was looking as she watched Ruairí O’Connor.The smile of someone who was afraid to show their love.
But why would his mother be afraid ofhim? The accident he’d caused?
Aeden desperately wanted to ask, but his voice failed him every time he tried to speak. He did the only thing he knew how to do; he flung himself into her arms. If she hugged him like Mam, if she smelled the same, he’d know if it was her or not.
A harsh sob escaped him and was echoed by the witch as her arms clasped him tight, and even with the lingering smell of smoke in her hair, she shared Mam’s flowery scent.
Mam.
Aeden would know her smell from anyone’s. It was the one thing that always calmed him most when he was afraid. Anu had told him the truth. She’d said he’d find what he was looking for at the end of this lane and that tonight, the Witch of the Woods would have what he sought.
He squeezed his eyes tight and scrunched up his face, trying his best not to be a baby and cry. But the tears burned his lids, and his nose grew stuffy then runny. He pulled back to swipe a sleeve across his face.
The love shining from the witch’s non-blind eye made Aeden’s heart ache and eventually, his stomach hurt. The pressure built in his chest. It made him angry that she’d lied and stayed hidden all this time. Rage flared to life inside him, and he struck out, shoving her backward.
“Hate… ya!” he croaked in his fury.
He didn’t understand this weird desire to wipe the tender expression from her face or to hurt her as she’d done to him by staying away when he needed her most. He only knew he was upset that she’d abandoned him to his night terrors. That she’d found fault in him and didn’t want him anymore. What was wrong with him that she wouldn’t come home?
He swung his fist at her, but his arm was caught in a hard grip, and he never made contact. Terrified, he looked up… and up…. until he caught sight of his da’s enraged face. His fear doubled. Never had he seen his father look so scary.
“What the bleedin’ hell do ya think you’re doin’, Aeden?” Da’s voice trembled with anger. “We don’t strike women and especially not your—”
“It’s all right, Carrick,” Mam said swiftly. “No harm done. But it’s late now, and I’m certain Aeden should be snug in bed, yeah?” Her smile looked forced, and her one eye held enough sorrow for two.
Aeden had never felt so ashamed, and he ducked his head to focus on the tips of his trainers.
“Aeden?” Mam’s sweet voice caused his chest to ache. “I’m sorry if I frightened you,mo stór. It won’t happen again.”
He looked up sharply.What had she meant by that?
Carrick watchedthe play of emotions cross the faces of his wife and son. They were each trapped by circumstances beyond their control, and he had a moment’s doubt as to the plan to keep them parted.
