“Your aura has changed.” It was a casual statement, said the way one might comment on the weather.
“Has it?” Maeve asked, unsure of the direction this particular conversation was headed.
“Yes. It still retains its hues of the dawn, but it’s different now.” Ceridwen looked over at her, shielding her eyes from the sun.
“How?” Uncertainty twisted in Maeve’s gut. If this had anything to do with her emotions…
“There’s a splash of twilight there, now.” Ceridwen reached over, gently tapping one finger on Maeve’s heart. “I believe it has something to do with this.”
Tiernan. The bond they shared had altered her aura.
“Do I color his aura, too?” It was a curious thing to consider, but for some reason Maeve couldn’t explain, she desperately needed that validation.
Ceridwen nodded. “You do.”
They continued to walk down the beach in amiable silence, but there was an undercurrent of something else hovering between them. Maeve knew Ceridwen hadn’t sought her out to discuss the colors of her aura. “What is it you really need, Cer?”
Ceridwen stopped abruptly and turned to face her. She looked at Maeve in earnest. Though her brow remained smooth and untroubled, the depths of her eyes were searching, peering into Maeve’s soul. “I need you to remember.”
Maeve blinked.
“Remember what?” She’d already had her memory restored, surely she wasn’t still forgetting something.
“I need you to remember what you’re fighting for, Maeve.” Ceridwen squeezed her hand, and her magic flowed into Maeve.
If Tiernan was the storm, Ceridwen was the solace.
“I’m fighting for Faeven. For everyone in that palace.” Maeve needed her to understand. She just needed one person to believe in her, to trust that she knew what she was doing, even if she had to do it all on her own. “I’m fighting foryou.”
“And your future,” Ceridwen added, lifting one brow. “I know we’ve shared a similar vision, but I’m a seer, Maeve. I’ve seen beyond this war. Beyond what you believe to be our end.”
Maeve shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“Do you trust me?” Ceridwen asked.
“With my life.”
“Then let me show you.” Ceridwen captured Maeve’s other hand, clutching both of them to her chest. “Now, close your eyes.”
Maeve let go of her hesitation and did as she was instructed. Magic enveloped her, gentle and soothing, wrapping her in an embrace. She inhaled the scent of orange blossom and cedarwood, and in the next breath, she was drawn into Ceridwen’s vision.
They stood together in a courtyard where the brilliance of the sun warmed the air, where morning dewdrops glittered on rose petals like diamonds. Wherever they were, Maeve recognized this place as home. Her soul was happy here. Her heart was pure. There was a tug on the bond, a calling, and she knew Tiernan was near. Maeve turned to look for him, but the sound of giggles and laughter drew her attention in the other direction.
Four fae children played in the courtyard, dancing and smiling. The beauty of them stole her breath. There were three boys, all with midnight hair and grayish green eyes, and onegirl whose golden pink curls tumbled down her back. She spun around, and a pair of twilight eyes flecked with gold met Maeve’s gaze and lingered. Her smile was dazzling.
Mine.
The word echoed in Maeve’s mind and she knew it to be true.
These were her children, the ones she would bear with Tiernan.
Delight filled her, and a rush of elation unlike anything she’d ever known swelled inside of her heart. Children. She would havechildren.
Taron. Cillian. Shay. Avalia.
Maeve swiped at her cheeks, wiping away the tears she didn’t realize had fallen.
Slowly, the vision faded, and she was back on the beach with Ceridwen still holding her hands.