For the first time in longer than she could remember, she didn’t feel terrified from a nightmare or overheated when she got out of bed. Instead, she felt pleasantly cool and oddly invigorated as she ate and actually tasted her food for the first time in ages.
“I see you like meat,” Shannon mused when Constance ignored the other tidbits provided and focused on the delicious meats. “I’ll admit, this kingdom seems to have enough of it.”
“Oh, no, I’msorry,” she said around a mouthful, swallowing it down in shame. “I’ve always been so conscientious of you being a vegetarian, and look at me. Devouring meat with no thought to your feelings. Super rude.”
She went to remove the platter of meat Shannon slid her way, but her sister put a hand over her wrist and shook her head.
“No.” Shannon handed her a piece of meat with a stern look. “I might be a vegetarian, but you’re a dragon. That means you need this because you’re a carnivore.” She shook her head. “Not eating it over the years likely hasn’t helped you any.”
She flinched, more honest than intended. “That you know of.”
Shannon’s eyes widened a little. The corners of her mouth twitched in amusement. “So you were a closet carnivore despite swearing you loved veggies as much as me?”
While she hated to connect the dots between that and her being what her sister claimed, she couldn’t help but admit she’d eaten things on the sly. “I always did love a good steak but had no idea how to tell you.”
“Well, I’m glad you did now.” Amusement remained in Shannon’s eyes. “And I’m extra glad you’re finally eating what you want without worrying about what I’ll think.” She considered Constance in a whole new way that had everything to do with her inner druidess. “Though I suspect you’re not so worried about that anymore. That you’d enjoy meat no matter what.”
“Itisreally good,” she confessed, savoring every last bite. “So much better than anything I’ve tasted back home.”
“Probably because it’s fresh and unprocessed.” Shannon smiled and filled another cup for Constance. “Wait until you try this.” She winked. “Beats anything from back home too.”
She sniffed it and flinched. “That’s alcohol.”
“It is,” Shannon agreed. “Irish whiskey, to be exact, and damn good.” She chuckled and looked skyward. “And I imagine much needed considering the save-the-world-time-travel mission you’ve embarked on, plus finding out you’re half dragon.”
She arched her brows and managed a small smile. “So you think I’m hydrated enough to dehydrate?”
“A sip or two won’t hurt.” Shannon nudged the cup in her direction. “Trust me.”
It turned out she was right. The whiskey was good, if not a tad strong, so she only took a sip. She rarely drank at home and didn’t intend to develop bad habits now, even if she might be the devil herself.
“I’m so happy for you, sis,” she finally said, ashamed she hadn’t seen past her own woes sooner. She reached over, took Shannon’s hand, and blinked back tears. “Happy that you found Liam and Tréan again. That you were reunited with the family you lost.”
Shannon didn’t seem surprised she knew, but then why would she be? They were druidesses reuniting with their power, so it made sense Constance knew what happened here in Ireland before she traveled back in time. Something she still grappled with but came far easier than expected. She was about to say more when a light rap came at the door.
Constance looked at Shannon expectantly as though she knew who might be on the other side, but her sister only shrugged and gestured at the door. “As curious as I am, this is your chamber and your door to answer.”
“Not so sure about that,” she murmured, dreading who it might be. Was it Aodh? Because she wasn’t ready to face him. To see his demon eyes again.
She also wasn’t a coward, so she gathered her courage and answered the door despite how shaky she'd become. As it happened, the devil didn’t stand on the other side but a stout middle-aged woman with a crop of slate-gray hair, rosy cheeks, and a thick build.
“Well, hello there, me love.” Her jolly gaze raked over Constance, and she grinned with approval. “I waited as long as I could, which is longer than what most newlings get in me castle without meeting me first.” She chuckled and plunked down on one knee rather sloppily before she lowered her head. “Me name is Ailbhe, but everybody calls me Bea.” She peeked at Constance from beneath one bushy brow. “I am sister to Aodh’s ma and have watched over him for her since he was a wee feisty thing.” She snorted and kept chuckling. “Or should I say a wee fiery thing?”
“Nice to meet you...Bea.” Constance urged her to stand. “Why are you kneeling?”
“Did it not seem a bow then?” Bea looked properly ashamed for a flicker of a moment as she accepted Constance’s help, then outright beamed at her. “Ye are unnaturally beautiful, are ye not? And looking much better than ye were before, to be sure.” She grabbed Constance’s hand and rested her cheek in her palm. “Taand ye’ve cooled down well, indeed! Healed well, too. Ye look much healthier, thank the good Lord!”
Constance tried to respond, to get a word in edgewise, but had no chance before Bea’s eyes widened again, and she went on. “But ye asked me a question, did ye not? Wondered why I bowed?”
Again, before Constance had a chance to respond, Bea removed something that had been hanging on the back of the door and presented it to Constance. Something that made it almost impossible to keep from passing out once again.
