Hope lit Riona’s eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“So, do you know why I keep seeing him at such important or intimate moments?”
“If I were to guess, it’s because his was the last face you saw before druidess fire consumed you.” Madison nodded once as though certain of it. “Now that you’ve found your dagger, your powers will grow quickly.” She looked kindly at Declán, then back to Riona. “So now’s the time to replace Raghnall’s face with another. To find your way back to, who I believe, you truly fell in love with in our last life.”
“What about my ability to lie, then?” Riona asked. “I guess I was starting to chalk it up to being connected to Raghnall, but if he’s not influencing me, then what gives?”
“I can’t say.” Madison shook her head. “Other than to speculate, old rules might not necessarily apply to us in this life. In your case, if you’re able to lie, maybe there’s a reason for it. Maybe it’s part of the grand design to help Declán fulfill your end of the prophecy.”
“Assuming it’s Declán.”
Madison winked at Riona. “Oh, I think we both know it’s Declán.”
Before Riona could respond, Madison started back down the hallway and threw over her shoulder, “Don’t be long. Rumor has it interesting things are happening around here.”
Riona’s eyebrows furrowed when she looked at him. “What do you think she means by that?”
“I have no idea.” He didn’t sense anything unusual going on. “But I imagine we will find out soon enough.”
“No doubt.” She eyed him for a moment before she finally answered his question. “No matter what happens at the end of all this, Idowant to stay here for a while. I’d like to say it’s merely because of the castle and people and all the interesting things I can discover, but I’d be lying.” She stepped close and rested her hand on his chest. Gave him more than he dared hope. “I can’t commit to being your queen yet, but Idowant to be something...with you. See where this goes. How does that sound?”
“Very good.” He pulled her close and wrapped his hand around the back of her slender neck. “Because I know ye will soon feel what I do,mo chroí.”
He lowered his mouth to hers and made sure she understood in the way he kissed her how determined he actually was. How he would win her over no matter what it took. Make her his queen, his only love, if it were the last thing he did.
In turn, she melted against him and kissed him back just as passionately. Kissed him as though they hadn’t known each other for days but their whole lives.
More so, the life before this one.
“We should get downstairs,” she murmured, breaking the kiss before him. He knew why, too. Not because they were both tempted to take it further but because she feared seeing Raghnall’s face again despite what Madison had said.
He nodded, and they continued making their way toward the stairs. Would she be able to take her sister’s advice? If so, how did someone get a person’s face out of their mind? How did they replace one visage with another?
“By doing just what Madison suggested,” Riona said, clearly catching his thoughts. “Focusing on the more important face. The one I know truly cares about me.” She gave him a little smile. “Which shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Look at it all you like.” He met her small smile and steered her closer as they headed downstairs. “For I intend to stare at yours just as much.”
Not surprisingly, those breaking their fast in the great hall knelt and bowed their heads when he and Riona got to the bottom of the stairs.
“Well, this is awkward,”she said telepathically.“What should I do?”
“Just be yourself,”he replied.“I’m sure your inner druidess will lead the way.”
Clearly not wanting them on their knees long, Riona issued a smile that made her eyes sparkle and thanked them. “I appreciate you kneeling, but please stand.” She looked at them kindly. “And stand from here on out when you see me because we’re equals. At least in my eyes.”
That earned her many smiles and nods from everyone. All but Imag, that is, who merely looked down her nose at Riona. Something he intended to address straight away.
“Might you give me a moment?” he asked Riona. “Go sit with your sister and eat. I will join you soon.”
When she nodded and headed that way, he joined Imag by the fire and begged that Eisibél give them some time alone. Thankfully, there was no need to talk to her as well. He had seen the way she looked at Riona, and it wasn’t with jealousy or envy.
“Ye do understand I never intended to marry yer daughter, Imag?” he asked once Eisibél left. “That I have only ever looked at her as a friend and sister?”
Where Cian and his brothers had ended up with guardians they loved, he had never felt such for Imag any more than he suspected she did him. If anything, her affection for him had always seemed more about the prestige he could offer her. Good standing in one of the largest kingdoms in Ireland.
“Ye say ye only look at my daughter as a sister but was that always true?” Imag eyed him. “For I remember a time when ye were younger that love nearly blossomed betwixt ye. Love ye cannot tell me vanished altogether?”
