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Up at the lighthouse,Mananan found Ella at the top of the tower, going through a cupboard and muttering to herself.
“It’s a weird time for spring cleaning,” he commented, leaning against the door frame and folding his arms.
“I’m not cleaning. I’m looking for the manual I wrote up for the lighthouse in case anything happened to me,” Ella said.
Mananan tried no to sag with relief. “That means you will come with me?”
“Ah ha! I found you, little bastard.” She lifted a white folder above her head. She got back to her feet and put the folder down on the counter. “Of course I’m going with you. I can’t pass up the opportunity to go to Faerie now, can I?”
“Can’t you?”
Ella spared him a quick glance. “Seeing it with the king of the seas himself isn’t an offer that comes up every day. Besides, my grandmother’s ghost would go poltergeist on me if I turned you down.”
“It sounds like she was a wise woman,” Mananan replied, hiding his smile. How could one small human make him feel like such an idiot?
“She was. That’s why she had me write up this manual. I’ll leave it here for the warriors Bayn sends. I advise them to be here before sundown to make sure they have it working,” Ella said and brushed the hair from her face, leaving behind a streak of dust against her cheek. “Will I need anything?”
“No, only yourself. We can leave as soon as you want to,” Mananan replied. He gestured. “You have something on your face.”
“Well, get it for me, will you?” she said, moving to stand in front of him. It was such a sign of trust for her that he almost hesitated.
She leaped into your arms, remember?He would never forget it either.
Mananan reached over and brushed the dirt from the round curve of her cheek. Maybe he did it a few times more than what was necessary to get rid of the mark. By Dagda, her skin was so soft.
“We had better get going. The sooner we have the sword, the better, right?” Ella said, her voice barely above a whisper. Mananan wanted to lean down and kiss her so badly, he ached.
He drew back from her and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Come along then. There is a portal in the North Sea, not far from here. My ship will take us through it.”
“ThatthingI saw won’t be anywhere near there, will it?” she asked, her hand going to her throat.
“No, little star, it’s not coming anywhere near you again,” Mananan reassured her.
“Okay. Let’s go then.” Ella took his hand, her fingers tangling with his. Maybe his heartwastoo old because it felt like it was going to break out of his chest.
Down on the beach, Mananan and Ella walked down to the waves, and he summoned his boat. Taranis and his nephews didn’t say a word about their hand holding.
“Don’t linger in Faerie, uncle. Time moves too differently there,” Kian warned him.
“I’ll spend the night, but that will be all. I promise,” Mananan reassured them. He picked up Ella before wading out into the ocean and placing her on the boat.
“Thanks,” she said, her cheeks heating as she took a seat on one of the benches.
“Don’t want you getting wet before I need you to,” Mananan replied cheekily. Her mouth popped open before she quickly shut it again and turned redder. She didn’t tell him to go drown himself, so he took it as a win.
“Expect us when you see us,” Mananan called back to the fae males on the beach and hauled himself into the boat. He curled his hand over the tiller, lacing his magic with the boat. “Take us home.”
17
Ella gripped the side of the boat and tried to keep her heartbeat steady.
It’s not a normal boat. It’s a magical boat. Mananan won’t let you tip and drown.
Breathe in for four. Hold for four. Out for four. Hold for four.
“Ella?” Mananan’s voice broke through her counting.
