Rainn draped his arm over his face, half tempted to fall asleep as well.
A shadow crossed the moon. Arden and several other sirens in the sky, their gilded wings reflecting the moonlight.
Rainn stood up, though his legs shook. He was hungry, thirsty, and more exhausted than he had ever been. On top of that, the gnawing hole in his chest where Maeve had once been left him empty and on edge.
Arden dropped to the sand, his wings folding behind him as he marched towards Rainn.
The Selkie brushed the sand from his trousers. “A foolhardy plan.” Rainn shrugged. “But Shay Mac Eoin delivered.”
Arden’s face was filled with thunder. “My mother is missing. Balor has taken her.”
Chapter Fourteen
Maeve Cruinn
I did as Brígid said. Cradling my bloody arm, I staggered away from the camp, ignoring the bodies of the wolves on the ground. Their teeth exposed, and their eyes wide in death.
I didn’t need to ask which way was north; I heard the gurgle of the river the moment I stepped away from camp.
Was the trial over? I wondered.
My heart thumped at the idea of seeing Cormac again. I had hoped he would be safe with Manannán mac Lir, but I had quickly realized that the gods were not to be trusted, just like the Sídhe.
Tears welled in my eyes.
My head began to hurt.
It always seemed to hurt when I thought about the Aos Sí.
I couldn’t leave the camp fast enough.
Every inch of my skin prickled with my magic. It clung to the air, like paint smears of emotion. Fear. Desperation.
I should have felt guilty, but I didn’t.
I never reached for my magic if I could help it. I tried not to rely on it because I wasn’t sure I held enough control over it—but it was part of me. Perhaps instead of becoming a crutch, I could hone it.
The trees parted as I approached the river. The water was sparkling clear as it rushed over the rocks, deep enough to reach my knees but not much more.
Brígid had said someone was waiting, but I was alone.
Taking a shaky breath, I stepped into the river. My body sagged with relief as the water brushed against my skin. No matter what I was, I had been born Undine, and the water was my home.
“Maeve?” a voice called out, further down the river. Familiar, though I couldn’t quite place it. I turned to the source of the sound. My breath locked in my throat.
“Mam?” I whispered.
She stood in the middle of the river, though the water did not touch her. A silver dress that matched her lengthy hair, her dark eyes soft, and her face peppered with pearlescent freckles.
She looked younger than I remembered, though I had been a child when she had passed.
I cleared my throat. “Belisama?” I tried again.
My mother smiled softly. “Come, my child.” She urged. “They are waiting for us at the halls of Tír na nÓg.”
I took a step toward her, but my leaden thighs shook and my legs struggled to maintain my weight. Belisama moved so quickly that I did not see her, rushing to my side and gripping my bicep to help me stand.
“I don’t know why I feel so sick.” I smiled apologetically.
