AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ella tried not to think about how any of the other men she had been with would have reacted in the same situation. She didn’t want to think about them ever again. Those experiences would be a part of her, but she refused to let them ruin what she had building with Mananan. Neither one of them was putting labels or definitions on it, and Ella liked that. She didn’t need the pressure that came with them.
One thing for sure was that fae didn’t seem to care. They didn’t comment on Mananan refusing to let go of her hand when he gave his last instructions to Llew and said goodbye.
When they were finally out into the soft blue sea, Mananan let out a deep sigh. “A part of me really wants to stay. Another part wants to leave as fast as possible.”
Ella moved to sit beside him. He tucked her under his arm. “You can come back whenever you like. It doesn’t need to be forever either way.”
“I know, but they can easily run the place without me. I feel like I should step down,” he replied.
“Maybe worry about it once you fix the seas between the two worlds? Things seem to be working fine as is here. Besides, I like having you around too much to want you to come back here permanently.” Ella worried that she’d possibly said too much, but Mananan just kissed the top of her head.
“I’m not going anywhere that stops me from getting to you,” he promised and the prick of worry inside of her eased.
Magic enclosed the boat, and they dived under the waves. Ella held a little tighter to Mananan, mentally preparing herself for the rocking nightmare that was portal travel.
“Hold on, baby. It’s going to be rough. I can already feel the turmoil in the seas on the other side of it,” Mananan warned her. She had never liked pet names, but Mananan calling her ‘baby’ at strategic moments of stress made her brain short out.
“Why did I agree to this?” Ella complained, her arms going around him so she could bury her face into his chest.
Mananan chuckled. “Because I’m really charming?”
“More like it was your sexy broodiness that made me not think straight,” Ella replied, laughing with him.
“I can live with that. Here we go,” Mananan warned, and her world went haywire.
Ella hoped one day she would learn to enjoy the gut-wrenching, roller coaster from hell that was portal travel. She clung to Mananan, breathing in his scent and focusing on keeping her stomach contents down.
They emerged in the dark gray North Sea, and Ella slowly detangled herself.
“Something is wrong,” Mananan said. He hissed and grabbed his head. “Fuck, stop shouting at me, Taran!”
“What’s happened?” Ella asked.
“Boat. Get us to land. Now. Any land!” Mananan commanded. Heat filled the space as magic burned out of him. Ella yelped as they sped off, faster than they had gone before.
“Manan! What’s happened?” she shouted over the roar of the water.
“Taran is shouting at me telepathically. We’ve been attacked,” Mananan replied, his eyes wild and scanning the water around them.
The boat surfaced and beached itself on a spit of wet sand. Ella had no idea where they were, but it was raining, and the air was cold. Mananan summoned a cloak out of thin air, wrapped it around her, and carried her up the beach.
“I’m okay, Mananan. Just tell me what the fuck has you so spooked,” Ella said, her arms still around his neck because he refused to put her down.
“The lighthouse was attacked last night. I need Bayn to get us over there,” Mananan replied. He pulled out his phone and sent off their location. Seconds later, Bayn appeared with a scowl that could have scared a god away.
“Thank fuck you are back. My warriors managed to get out of there in time but, Ella, I’m sorry, it’s… There’s nothing left,” Bayn said.
“Take us there,” Mananan replied.
Ella shook, her body trying to process what Bayn had told her. They mustn’t have been far away because they arrived on the road to her house less than a minute later.
“P-Put me down,” Ella said, her voice breaking. Mananan lowered her to her feet but hung on to her arm. Her legs were like jelly, the impossibility of what she was looking at overwhelming her.
Fae warriors were picking through the remains of the Scarth Lighthouse. The tower had been smashed and scattered all over the beach. The house was flattened as if a giant had stepped on in.
“How is this possible?” Ella asked. Tears were falling down her cheeks before she could stop them. There was nothing left. The lighthouse that had stood for hundreds of years was gone.
“That big fucking Fomorian creature happened. It must have hunted you here and tried to tear the place apart to get to you,” Bayn replied. He wiped the rain from his face. “My brothers and I all agree that you will be compensated for this, Ella. You wouldn’t have been a target if it wasn’t for us. I formally apologize on behalf of the fae. We will pay for the repair and restoration. My warriors are already collecting your remaining items. Some are back at the castle in Scotland, and the rest will follow. The Coast Guard have been advised and…”
