“I’ve seen that ugly face behind the glamour,” Cormac added unnecessarily. “Not an eye to be found.”
“What if she has another form?” Rainn piped up. “Get her angry enough and she may change shapes. Drop the glamour.”
“Elaine Cruinn has been plenty angry since you left Cruinn, Maeve.” Liam chuffed a laugh. “And she hasn’t changed shapes once.”
All of us stopped talking, one by one, turning to face Liam.
An idea formed in my head.
“We might have something she wants.” My eyes sparkled.
Liam quirked a brow.
Rainn cocked his head to the side. “The staff?”
Shay slapped his arm. “Her son, you eejit.”
Without a solid plan and exhaustion nipping at my heels like a hungry shark, we returned to one of the tents still standing in the village. Shay Mac Eoin’s chieftain tent, at the entrance to the villagers' homes. The first tent, located after the archway, was made of willow branches—larger than most of the others, but not by much.
I’d never known Shay Mac Eoin to enjoy ostentatious displays, and his home reflected that. The worn leather had been patched in several places, with panels replaced by leather from entirely different animals. The shape was less streamlined than that of the tents further away, which were newer additions to the village.
Shay led us through the tent flaps, into the darkness. He winced with apology. “Usually, one of the younglings lights the coals in the evening, to ward off the chill while I’m here.”
Cormac strutted forward, searching for flint or one of the firelighters favored by the Day Court. “Can’t even light your own coals?” Cormac tutted, muttering to himself. “Shameful.”
Rainn waggled his brow. “We can huddle together for warmth.”
My cheeks burned. “Any excuse.” I rolled my eyes, though my stomach warmed with his flirting. “Besides, I have your skin to keep me warm.”
“You can have as much of my skin as you like.” Rainn’s eyes flashed. “To keep you warm.” He added unnecessarily.
My eyes welled up, overwhelmed with emotion. I looked away, but Rainn stepped into my space. “Maeve...” He whispered, nudging my chin with his finger.
“I just missed you so much.” My eyes burned as I tried to prevent even a single tear from falling. “I didn’t realize, not really. Not until I was back. But this—” I waved a hand between us, the lump in my throat was so large it was hard to breathe. “I just missed you a lot.”
“Try not to die again,” Rainn whispered, his eyes burning. “Because I will follow you. I trusted you would come back, because I trust you, but I don’t think I can be apart from you again.”
“Jealous, Shallows?” Cormac smirked, sauntering towards us.
“I plan to make up for lost time.” Rainn’s lip twitched, and he cocked his head to the side, his gaze sharpening to that of a predator. Suddenly, it felt as if I wouldn’t be able to leave, even if I wanted to.
A sweet smell perfumed the air, and my cheeks turned pink.
“What is that smell?” Cormac sniffed.
“Maeve is putting off a Lure,” Shay remarked casually, sitting at the end of the bed.
“A Nymph lure?” Cormac’s emerald eyes widened.
Rainn snickered. “If you haven’t scented her lure before, perhaps you need to improve in bed.”
Cormac snarled.
While the Mer and the Selkie bickered, I stepped around them both, approaching Shay Mac Eoin on the bed. He shot me a lazy smile as I straddled his hips and sat on his legs. I leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“I missed you,” I whispered. “I didn’t know if we’d make it home.”
“I never doubted you.” Shay cupped my cheek. “If anyone could defeat death, it would be you.”
