I snickered. “You’re right about that.”
We passed a row of cottages as we followed the path through the town. The streets were silent, despite the sun shining overhead.
“Where is everyone?” I whispered, brushing my fingertips over the rough, painted brick of the nearest house.
Cormac craned his neck. “Music.” He pointed further down the cobbled street.
I realized he was right. The jaunty tune of a fiddle, coupled with a pleasant singing voice. Clapping and cheers.
Further down the cobblestone road, the narrow path and close buildings expanded into a town square. A long pole, covered in ribbons, extended to the sky. The air smelled of fragrant flowers and honeyed wine.
A female Sídhe, with pointed ears and sparkling eyes, skipped over. A necklace made of flowers in her hands. “Happy Tulip Festival! Merry meet, and praise be to Brígid!”
I tipped my head, allowing the stranger to place the flowers around my neck. “Merry met,” I mumbled.
The stranger danced away.
A server walked past, with a tray filled with glasses. Cormac plucked one from their tray and took a swig of pink sparkling wine.
“A Tulip Festival?” He raised a brow, eying the delicate glass in his hand. “What the feck is a Tulip?”
I eyed the painted banner stretched between two buildings. “I think it’s a flower.”
“Celebrating a flower?” Cormac scoffed.
“It’s outside of the usual calendar, but where’s the harm?” I reached up and snagged a glass as another server went past. I supped the wine, feeling the liquid bubble on my tongue. It tasted like berries, but not a kind I had ever tasted before. Tart and sweet.
A group of younglings, each dressed like a flower, formed a circle around the pole in the middle of the square. They took up a ribbon and bowed to each other. The music started anew, and they began to skip.
Ushered by the crowd, Cormac and I meandered further into the square. My stomach rumbled, and I found myself drifting towards the food tables. The roasted pig, slowly spinning above a fire. It’s glistening juices dripping onto the coals with a hiss.
I reached for an apple from the nearest table, overburdened with fruit and baked goods.
Someone stilled my hand and offered an apologetic smile. “Those are for Lugh.” The Sídhe whispered. “The offering.”
“The offering?” Cormac crossed his arms over his chest.
The stranger must have misunderstood Cormac’s reply, because the Fae paled. “I can get you something else—” he rushed to say.
Cormac held up a hand. “Does Lugh come to this town?”
The Fae’s eyes darted to the woods. “Our town sits in the shadow of his castle.” He kept his voice low. “One of his wolves will come for the offering.” The Fae took that moment to pretend someone on the other side of the square had called him.
Cormac and I exchanged glances.
“Not even time for a single dance.” Cormac grinned.
“As if you can dance, you giant fish.”
We didn’t have to wait long before the forest decided to have more fun with us. We stayed on the edge of the trees until we spotted one of Lugh’s wolves, a basket in its teeth, and followed the beast through the trees.
We did our best to keep up, but the wolf soon disappeared. Though our presence had not gone unnoticed.
The stalking began at a distance. A glance and a glint of silver fur from the corner of my eye.
Cormac and I had no desire to fight the beasts. Dadga’s staff reminded me of the Kraken’s eye. I knew what could happen if I gave in to the magic. Every stolen glance at Cormac, to check he was still at my side and not spirited away to the Aos Sí, was proof of that.
It took too long to realize we were beingherded.
