Eyru's Heirs: The Adventures of Fiona Clark, the White Owl, #3

Eyru’s Heirs

Prologue: (From An Bhanrion: The High Queen)

Fiona struggled against the ropes that bound her, but the dark magic within them was stronger than her weakened condition could counter, Priestess Bodhmall laughed from her rear, a wicked sound that was a combination of a cackle and a growl. The priestess came around from behind her, an evil smile on her face. Struggle all you want, Fiona the Assassin, you cannot break these ropes. My master had them made special to hold you, your daughter and your sister. They will be there even after you all die. She touched Fiona’s chest with the tip of her staff, and the shock coursed through the Elf Queen’s body. Fiona grimaced, her body contorting against the ropes that held her.

Even if you do kill me, my daughter Abilynn will take my place. She is Eyru’s rightful heir, and you shall never hold the golden sword. So it is written.

Oh, you will die, and then your redheaded daughter, your blonde sister, and her daughter, and all the other members of the House of Yalerius. The time of the elves will be no more.

And you think you’re the one who’s going to kill me? Fiona glared back at her.

Oh no, I’m not going to kill you, Bodhmall answered. Shalok is going to kill you. At my command. I am going to watch you burn!

Behind the Priestess-Queen, the great dragon, Shalok, settled to the ground, his eyes like fire, his chest glowing from within. Do you have any last words before I give the command, An Bhanrion?

I am not afraid to die, Fiona answered, for I know what awaits me, unlike what I also know awaits you.

Enraged, Bodhmall jammed her staff into Fiona’s chest again, bringing the same reaction as before. Fiona slumped against the ropes that bound her. Bodhmall stepped up and slapped her. Oh no, you’re not going to sleep through this. I want you to experience every moment of it. Bodhmall turned and walked back to the dragon. Looking up, she commanded, "Llosgi hi! (Burn her!")

The great beast’s chest turned bright red, smoke issued forth from his nostrils, and as his mouth opened Fiona could see the flames forming at its rear. She watched them build and then spew forth, engulfing her. As the dragon’s flames took her, the High Queen of the Aerielands and Eyru’s Land, Fiona Bridget Yaleria-Brice turned her face to heaven and prayed.

Chapter 1: Fire and Ice: To Save the Queen

As the dragonfire engulfed Fiona with a terrifying roar, there came another sound, a roar that could only have been made by another, different dragon. A blast of screaming bitter cold collided with the fire from Bodhmall’s dragon, abruptly extinguishing it. A great white shape flew over the fire-breather and spun on its great wings to face the other. Shalok beat his own wings to rise to the challenge, facing the only thing in creation that could defeat a fire-breathing dragon. In the last moment before everything faded from Fiona’s eyes, she recognized Dorca, the queen of the ice dragons of Eldaria.

Shalok’s chest grew fiercely red, glowing with an intensity never seen before. Dorca landed between Shalok and his prey. Both dragons reared their heads, but fire spewed forth from Shalok first. Dorca’s wintery breath extinguished Shalok’s flame like a snuffer to a candle, and before he could draw another breath, the ice dragon hit the fire lizard with a blast to the chest that was so cold, it not only extinguished the fire within Shalok’s chest, but caused it to implode. Dorca continued her icy assault, as Shalok thrashed in agony, trying to escape from Dorca’s icy blast, his tail throwing Bodhmall to one side, into the darkness. Then, without warning, a golden blur dropped from the sky, as two Great Eagles slammed into the dying dragon’s neck and back with their talons extended, shattering the frozen flesh. Behind Dorca, the young White Owl and the Kestrel dove to the ground by their fallen Queen, shifting at the last moment to Abilynn and Alistronia. Three more of the Great Eagles descended, bearing Menta Kai, Berian, and Talia. They rushed to Alistronia’s side, as she clutched her beloved forever friend, tears pouring down her face. 

Is she? Menta Kai dreading the worst. Alistronia just glared at her. Talia moved the others out of her way and approached Ali and Fiona.

Stay away! Alistronia bawled. Get away from her!

Calmly, the healer reached out. Ali, let me check, please. Reluctantly, Alistronia gave Talia space to check for a pulse. She checked  and then bent her head down low by Fiona’s face. She’s still alive. She’s still alive, Ali, but we have to get her home.

I’m not leaving her. I’m never letting go of her again, Ali said with finality.

But the eagles can only carry one of us at a time, Menta Kai insisted.

Give me a second, Tali, Abilynn said, and went over to Dorca. She placed her hands on the dragon’s great head and spoke in a hushed voice. She nodded to the beast who flattened herself against the ground, as Abilynn returned to her mother and father. Dorca says she can carry the three of you, but not through a portal. We have to take her somewhere on First Earth.

Kildare, Berian spoke. Take her to Kildare Abbey. Abby and I can fly with the eagles. Ali, Talia, and Fiona can fly on Dorca.

No, Athair, Abilynn asserted. I am going with Menta Kai to find and destroy Bodhmall.

Menta Kai gently put her hand on her niece’s shoulder. Abby, it can wait. I want you to go with your mother and father. Bodhmall has escaped again. We will find her, I promise, and she will pay for this. But now it’s time for family, not revenge. I will fly with you to Kildare. She looked deep into Abilynn’s eyes. We will make this right, my love. I promise you, we will make this right. Slowly, Abilynn nodded.

Berian, Alistronia, and Talia carefully lifted Fiona onto Dorca’s back, and then Berian and Menta Kai climbed onto the Great Eagles, Abilynn shifted into the young White Owl, and they took off across the Irish Sea to Kildare.

Fiona Bridget Yaleria-Brice looked out upon the broad green landscape that she knew in her heart was Ireland. She felt a presence next to her and turned to find herself looking at the gentle blue eyes and cascading auburn hair of a seemingly ageless Reverend Mother Bridget. Fiona could remember when the Reverend Mother had looked like this, when Fiona was a small child. Fiona reached for the hand that had always borne the Bishop’s ring, only to have Mother Bridget pull the hand back. Fiona Bridget, I told you at your wedding that you do not need to kiss my ring anymore, ever.

Fiona smiled. I remember, but I love and respect you too much to listen. Reverend Mother, am I dead?

Bridget smiled. No, not yet. You’re kind of in a place of waiting. The decision is yours, whether you stay with us, or go back to the family that loves you so very much. I cannot tell you what you must do. That is a choice only you can make. But I can and will tell you that you have not fulfilled the prophecy yet.

But Abilynn is Eyru’s true heir. She is the fulfillment of the prophecy.

No, my dear, Abilynn is the daughter our Father gave you, to help you do what you were destined to do. Without you, she will persevere, and with her father’s and Alistronia’s help she will bring Eyru’s two lands together again. But it will be in your memory, without the love and support of her mother, that she loves so dearly. There will always be the nagging doubt that she somehow failed you in Cambria.

But she didn’t fail me. It wasn’t her fault, Fiona replied.

But she won’t ever know that, if you aren’t there to tell her, Fiona, Mother Bridget smiled. I must go now. If you decide to stay, I will be ready for you to join us at The Throne. And if you choose to go back, I will still rejoice when I see you again someday, Bridget took Fiona’s hand and kissed the ring finger, Reverend Mother Fiona.

As she watched Mother Bridget walk away, she felt another presence come up behind her. Fiona turned and beheld a beautiful sight; her Elven great-grandmother, Lady Celantine standing a few feet away. I am proud of you, my dear Fiona, Celantine mind-spoke to her.

Fiona smiled. Why is that, Grandmother?

In six short years you have gone from assassin to Queen, to wife and mother, and in each of those roles, you have excelled. Fiona, there is someone here who I would like you to meet. She wanted to meet you, too." A beautiful Elven woman came up and stood next to Celantine, and on seeing her, Fiona dropped to her knee.

My Queen. Fiona could not bring her eyes up to meet those of the newcomer. The woman laughed, a gentle, melodic laugh that sounded like tiny chimes ringing.

Fiona Bridget, our titles of the Aerielands mean nothing in the Great North. If they did, then it is I who should bow before you. Arise, my heir, that I might know you. Fiona stood in bewilderment and gazed into the effervescent green eyes of Eyru the Magnificent, which looked at her with inquisitive pleasure. Eyru turned to Celantine. You are correct, my daughter, she said to Fiona’s great-grandmother. She is beautiful beyond compare.

She is the mirror image of my granddaughter, Iolena, Celantine replied. Her mother.

My Lady, I do not understand, Fiona said to Celantine. My Reverend Mother said that I am not dead, yet. If I am not, then why am I here with you and the first High Queen?

You are here, beloved, because you are part human, part elf and part of the history that will be the Aerielands and Eyru’s Land, Celantine told her.

I have no doubt that Brigid nic Dubthach has told you that the choice you make is yours, and yours alone, Eyru explained. As a half-elf, you will have the choice of joining us in the Great North, the part of Heaven for those of our kind, or the Throne Room of the Great King whom you have worshiped all of your life. No one in either place will ever judge the decision you make, and in a very short time, you will forget the things of the world you left behind.

My Queen, Eyru looked at Fiona sharply. Forgive me, but until I make that decision, either way, you are the Queen of whom I am the heir. If I stay, Mother Bridget told me that Abilynn will prevail, and my beloved daughter and husband will be reunited with me someday.

That is most certainly true, Celantine agreed, but her way will not be as easy as if her mother were at her side.

It is not one or the other of you who is my heir, my dear Fiona, Eyru smiled. It is and always has been intended that you would both meet your destiny in Caer Aerie, along with Berian, your wonderful, loving husband, and your Guardian, the woman who loves you more than her own life, Alistronia Skystormer.

My home, Caer Aerie, Fiona replied wistfully. My beautiful home.

We must depart now, Fiona, Lady Celantine informed her, for the Great North, and the Heaven of your Lord share many things, but they are separate and distinct. Whatever you decide, may Creator bless you, Fiona Bridget Yaleria. Celantine and Eyru turned, and Fiona watched them until they faded into nothingness.

Wow, Fi, came a familiar Irish voice, you don’t mess around when you cavort with fairies, do you? She turned around with a broad smile on her face, to find Ian, her stepbrother, and a pretty young woman who looked so much like Ian, and yet bore an uncanny resemblance to Fiona herself, that she knew it must be Fionnula. As if to clarify, Ian continued, Fionnula Mary, this is the girl who became you, the sister who saved me, Fiona Bridget. Fiona, this is my twin sister, Fionnula. We both wanted to see you while you were here. Have you made up your mind yet what you’re going to do?

No, Ian, I haven’t. Part of me longs to join my Mother Bridget in Heaven’s throne room, and part of me, the Elven part, yearns for the Great North. But part of me knows now that the prophecy will never be entirely fulfilled if I stay on this side of the veil.

No doubt you have been told, Fiona, Fionnula told her, that the decision is yours and yours alone, and we would tell you that as well.

But there is more, Ian smiled. Fiona, we tried to make a difference in Ireland, but it was not we, or at least I wasn’t the one to bring about the change. But, you are. Ian waved his hand across the sky, much like Fiona would do if she was opening a portal, and all of Ireland appeared beneath them. As she watched, tiny lights appeared here and there, and glowed like the embers of the fire. Do you see those embers throughout our land, Fiona? She nodded. Those are the embers of faith waiting to be fanned into fire. Without you, Fiona McDonagh, without you and your beautiful redheaded daughter, those embers will die. If they can become flames, a time will come when Ireland will be a refuge for those who believe, from those who drove Connor Clark to Gewellyn. She looked at Ian with her eyebrows raised. He shook his head slightly. Yes, from here, now I know. Fiona, I can’t tell you what to do. Never could, but I will tell you what I think you should do. Go and fan the fire.

Fionnula looked at Fiona. I wish I could’ve known you before, and I am grateful for this opportunity our Lord has given Ian and me to encourage you. She reached out and hugged Fiona and then stepped back.

I’m sorry I never told you this before, Ian told Fiona, but Fiona, you have always been my hero. I love you, big sister.

I love you too, Ian McDonagh, and you too, Fionnula.

Make us proud, big sister. Make us proud. With that, Ian and Fionnula faded into the darkness, and Fiona Bridget Yaleria-Brice opened her eyes to vaguely familiar surroundings.

Fiona became aware of a hand holding her right hand. She turned her head slightly and in the darkened chamber, she made out the bowed blonde head of her best forever friend. She squeezed the hand lightly. Ali?

Alistronia turned abruptly, the fear, pain, and exhaustion evident on her beautiful features, even in the dimly lit room. Fiona? Did you say something? Oh please, did you say something?

I said your name. Alistronia Skystormer, I love you. Fiona smiled weakly.

Oh, Fiona, I love you too. Can I hug you?

You’d better but leave something for my Berian and my little girl. Alistronia gently drew Fiona to her and wrapped her in an embrace, crying, laughing and kissing her best friend whom she thought she had lost forever. Then, remembering herself, she turned and yelled, Berian! Abby! Fillian! She’s alive! Fiona is alive!

Berian and Abilynn almost broke down the door trying to get through it at the same time. They were followed almost immediately by the healers, Talia, and Taeral Nichanova and Fiona’s parents, Connor and Iolena.

Everyone crowded close to show Fiona their love, but Alistronia couldn’t and wouldn’t be moved. She clung to Fiona as if she was afraid that her friend would disappear into the Otherworld if she let go. Finally, it was Berian who gently pulled the woman that was now his best friend as well, away from his wife. He looked Alistronia in the eyes. She’s alive, Ali. She’s not going anywhere and we’ll be right here with her. You go get cleaned up, eat something, and come back. I would tell you to get some rest, but I know you wouldn’t listen to me. Ali looked at Abilynn, who nodded in agreement with her father. No, Al. We’ve got this, and we love her as much as you do. Alistronia bent over, took Fiona’s hand again and kissed her on the forehead, then turned, and with a loving look back at Fiona, left the room.

Abilynn looked at her mother, tears running down her face. She hasn’t left your side since we rescued you. Talia’s had a hard time taking care of you without having to disengage Ali. She feels responsible for what happened.

And so do you, my daughter, Fiona smiled weakly. The young woman bowed her head, her eyes closed, and visibly sobbed. Understand what I’m about to tell you, and I will explain it all later. I have it on the very highest authority that neither of you is to blame. Don’t punish yourself, Abilynn Enya. Know that I love you with a mother’s love to the stars and beyond. Abilynn burst out crying hard and wrapped her mother in an embrace that rivaled Alistronia’s.

Papa? Abilynn looked at Berian and moved aside to let her father in.

Hold me, Nin Mel, Fiona told Berian. Just hold me. I love you, my beloved husband. I love you forever. It was Fiona’s turn to cry.

Iolena gently touched her daughter’s shoulder and mind-spoke to Fiona. Your father and I will come back in a while, after Talia finishes. We are so relieved you’re alive and getting better, Nin Mel. We love you, Fiona Bridget.

Fiona looked up from Berian and Abby’s hugs. I love you Mama, Da. And, Mum? Iolena looked at her daughter. Great-grandmother sends her love.

After the excitement died down, Fiona lay propped up on the bed, Alistronia by her side, Fillian on her lap and Abby and Berian on the other side of the bed.

Can you tell us what happened yet? Abilynn asked.

Fiona shook her head. Not yet, Nin Mel. I will, but I can’t do it yet. I have a question for you, though. Abilynn looked at her mother expectantly. Dorca? Right before I, she choked, died, or almost died. Did I see Dorca the Ice Dragon?

Both Abilynn and Alistronia nodded, and Ali answered, The only thing that can defeat a fire-breathing dragon is an Ice Dragon. Dorca extinguished the flames, froze Shalok, and Alatar and Gwemran shattered the frozen lizard. He will never terrorize anyone anywhere, ever again.

How did she know to come?

Alistronia smiled. She heard the Kestrel calling for her.

True to her word, Alistronia refused to leave Fiona’s side. A bed was set up for the Guardian in Fiona’s room. Fiona and Berian agreed to the arrangement, but only until Fiona was well enough to return to Caer Aerie, and her room with Berian. That prompted Fiona to ask, Ali, where am I?

Seriously, you haven’t figured it out? Fiona shook her head. I suppose that between Talia and myself, we haven’t been letting the sisters, other than Abbess Tuilcath and Hilda in the room. Hilda prays at your bedside two hours every day.

Tuilcath, Hilda? You mean I’m in Kildare Abbey? Ali nodded. How did I get here from Cambria?

Again, Dorca. Alistronia smiled. It made quite an impression to have a snow-white Ice Dragon land in the Abbey Yard. But they’ve been very good to you, and a tremendous help to Talia.

How long was I out? She asked.

Almost two weeks since we brought you back from Cambria, Ali told her.

And you haven’t eaten or drank for two weeks, Alistronia?

Only what they brought for me, and then not all of it, Fiona. I didn’t know if I was ever going to talk to you, hold you, be with you, she shook her head. I’m not getting all weird on you or anything, Fiona. You and I are so much more than best friends, and you know that. I don’t know what I would have done if you died.

That’s one of the things I have to talk about with you, Berian, Filley, and Abilynn. Ali, Fiona said softly. I did die, or at least very close to it. I saw, and I talked to Mother Bridget, young and beautiful again like she was when I was a child. Then I saw Lady Celantine, eternally beautiful, and she brought Eyru the Magnificent with her. But you know who it was who convinced me that I needed to come back?  Alistronia shook her head. It was Ian. Ian McDonagh and his real twin sister, Fionnula. They showed me what Ireland can be if I am here with Abilynn. That’s why I came back.

Gee, Alistronia grinned. I thought you came back because you couldn’t stand being without me.

That too, my love. That too. I want you to do me a very big favor, Alistronia Skystormer.

Anything, Love. Just name it.

This is a big one. I want you to go get that mushy, gushy guy that I call my husband, and then I want you to give me some time with him, alone. Can you do that?

I don’t know, Fiona, she said with mock caution. What if he gets physical with you?

I think I must be feeling better, because I’m counting on it.

Alistronia left Fiona with Berian and walked down the hallway towards the room that the family had adopted as their waiting room. As she rounded a corner, a hand reached out and gently touched her shoulder. Ali spun, her hand on the pommel of her sword, to find herself looking into the cool blue eyes of her fiancé, Captain Caldar Bree.

Hey, how is our Queen? Caldar asked.

Alistronia calmed herself. Hey, yourself. You gave me a bit of a start there. I’ve been on edge, I’m sorry. She is doing much better. In fact, she just had me leave her and Berian for some time alone together.

That is good, Caldar replied. Hopefully we can head back home in a few days. Can I ask you something, Ali? She nodded. Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do when we get back to Caer Aerie?

Talia says that Fi is going to need a lot of therapy. Someone, and we’re not sure who, put a shielding blessing on her right before the dragon attacked. She wouldn’t even be alive if that hadn’t happened. She looked up at Caldar and then realized what he was asking. You’re not asking what I’m going to do with my sister-friend, are you?

Caldar shook his head. It’s important to you, and I know that, but no. What are your plans, your intentions, with regard to us? Do you still want to marry me?

Of course I do, Alistronia insisted. Why would I change that? I love you, Caldar.

You made a very powerful oath when you found Fiona, that you would never leave her side again. And then for two weeks, the only time anybody saw you was when you had to come and go for personal needs.

Yet, here I am, Ali smiled, and Fiona is with Berian.

Yet here you are, Caldar agreed. Does that mean you’re going back on your oath?

No, Alistronia chuckled. If you love me, you know me better than that. Caldar nodded again. "Let’s just say the three of us, actually the five of us if you count Abby and Fillian, but the conversation was between Fiona, Berian and myself, had a long discussion about that. Obviously, I love Fiona very much. You know that, but my love for her is also a love for Berian, their marriage and their daughter, Abilynn. For all that is Fiona Bridget Yaleria-Brice, Ali emphasized the point with her hands. That is what I love, and that is what I am sworn to protect just as you are. Let’s just say that the three of us agreed to modify my oath. After all, they are a happily married couple, and, she said, looking up at Caldar with true affection, hopefully, we will be one soon, too."

Caldar cocked an eyebrow. Are you asking me what I think you’re asking me? Imitating Lona, Alistronia nodded really big.

Let’s set the date, she told her fiancé. Fi and I have already talked about this. You know that I want her and Kitlaen to perform the ceremony, and Abilynn will be my Maid of Honor. We’ll need a few weeks for Fiona to get her strength back, and for Lady Iolena to put together my wedding dress, invite our friends and make everything ready. And then we have to travel to Danedryl.

Please understand, Nin Mel, Caldar started, I am not questioning that last part, but would you explain to me again, why you must be married at Skystormer Castle?

Because I am Eldarin, and in the eyes of my people, I am still a Royal. The laws and traditions of Drohana are that any member of the Skystormer family who weds must do so at the Castle.

That means that I must decide in short order whether I want Berian to be my best man, or Mira or Alenia as my best person. Caldar smiled. Captain Alenia has the experience. She was Anyon’s best person, but Mira and I have been friends for a thousand years. How long do you think we have until the Queen is ready to travel?

Declan Dhark emerged from the darkened corner of Fiona’s room. She recognized him by the dim light of the lamp. What do you want? she asked, glancing over at Alistronia in the other bed.

Don’t disturb her, Dhark answered. I’m not here to do you any harm, and as you know, my magic is without effect in Eyru’s Land, thanks to you.

So why are you here? I never took you for the kind who would gloat, Fiona replied. Not that you really have anything to gloat about.

If you must know, Dhark told her, I am probably the principal reason that you are even still alive.

What are you talking about? She paused, thinking, The protection blessing, right? You did that?

I’m not in the blessing business, Declan told Fiona. From my standpoint, it’s called a spell. A spell of protection. The same end result, though.

That doesn’t answer why you did it. It also doesn’t answer why you’re here, now?

I did it because, first of all, I don’t like Bodhmall, but that’s beside the point. Do you remember the dream that you had that prompted you to go after her? Fiona nodded. Let’s say that I influenced that, as well.

For what purpose? My family are your sworn enemies. I can honestly say I do not understand your motivation.

How do I put this in terms that you will understand? Dhark rolled his eyes as if searching the ceiling. First of all, Fiona Bridget, you are a worthy adversary, as are your sister and your father. I know that someday they, as well as you and I, will have our final showdown, but it will be between us, not some third-rate witch queen from Cambria. By protecting you, it sets that stage just like when you dealt with Zandoran. In the other, purely personal reason is that now Bodhmall owes me. She borrowed one of my dragons and allowed it to be destroyed. I won’t say I didn’t have a hand in that, but it did create a debt and that debt has to be paid at my convenience.

So, I am to assume that I now owe you, too? Fiona queried.

Dhark shook his head. Believe it or not, you don’t owe me anything. You’ve already taken care of that obligation.

How in the worlds have I done that? she asked.

You befriended my daughter, Declan Dhark smiled. I may not be the most attentive, loving father in the worlds, but I do care about Deidre Dur, and I know that she has had a hard time making friends because of me. She is perfectly magically ungifted, which means that she can never use magic or be affected by it. But thank you again for being her friend.

Fiona chuckled. Am I going to remember any of this conversation after you leave?

If you wish. I just wanted to let you know why I did what I did. He backed into the darkened corner again and was gone.

Alistronia stirred on the other side of the room, turned over and asked Fiona, Did you say something? Are you okay?

Fiona smiled. I’m fine. It was nothing. Nothing important, Love. Go back to sleep.

These still concern me, Talia said as she gently probed the four marks left by Bodhmall’s staff. Unless I miss my guess, most of your injuries that were life-threatening came from these. She looked around at Berian, Abilynn, Alistronia and Fillian. I’m really not used to having an audience when I examine my patients, Talia observed. But you five are so interconnected. I often wonder what it’s like to be that close to somebody the way you all are.

Modesty is overrated, Alistronia opined. Especially among family, and we are all family. Besides, Tali, think about how you feel about Taeral and Estrella. It’s the same thing.

Yeah, I remember that’s the way that you think. She turned back to Fiona. Lay back and put your arms over your head. Fiona did as she was instructed, and Talia’s skilled fingers traced the burn patterns on her chest. I just wish that whoever placed the protection blessing over you had extended it to Bodhmall’s actions.

Declan Dhark, Fiona answered, and I wish he had protected my hair. It’s going to take me a couple years to grow it back out again. Fiona became aware that everyone was looking at her. What?

What did you mean, Declan Dhark? Alistronia asked. Fiona was quiet for a second before she answered.

He was here. He left right before you woke up and asked me if I was okay.

He what? Alistronia jumped to her feet. You said it was nothing! Fiona!

It was nothing, Fiona responded in exasperation. I probably couldn’t have woken you even if I wanted to. Maybe I could have, because he emphasized his lack of magical power here. I don’t even know how he got into the Abbey.

Nin Mel, Berian said in a terse but level tone, why are you just telling us about this now?

Because, Bear, Fiona was on the defensive now. What he said to me is just starting to make sense. I had a dream the night I left, that scared me so much that I left without waking any of you. Dhark says he caused that dream. He had his own reasons for doing what he did, but he believes that his final conflict with Mum and Da, and Kailee and me’s for him alone to fight, not ‘some third-rate witch queen from Cambria,’ as he called her.

Surely you don’t believe he’s that benevolent, Ali chided.

Of course not, and he even said as much, she answered. But I do believe he told me the truth when I asked him if I was in debt to him.

Why? What did he say?

He said that I already paid the debt. He thanked me for becoming friends with Deidre Dur. He also told me something about her that I didn’t know; he called her ‘perfectly magically ungifted,’ and said that that means that she will never be able to use magic and cannot be affected by it. Fiona winced as she turned over onto her side, and Alistronia glowered at her.

Ali, I know you’re mad at me and you’re right, but the threat of Bodhmall was and is directly aimed at Abilynn, my daughter. I did what any mother would do to protect her child. I knew that if I didn’t come back, you would raise Abilynn with Berian the same way I would’ve raised her. That is why I didn’t take you with me.

Alistronia closed her eyes, but the look on her face spoke volumes. She felt betrayed and hurt. Without saying a word, she got up and left the room. Fiona looked at Berian with pleading eyes, but her husband shook his head.

I don’t disagree with her, Fiona. You and Connor have this overwhelming desire to try to resolve things on your own. I assume that’s where you get it from. One of these days it’s going to get one of you killed unless you learn to control it. He paused, considering his next words. Fiona, every one of the four of us, Fillian included, would willingly give our lives for you. You, Ali, Filley and I would give our lives to protect Abby. This is something we have established, and it is something unique. Lochlain, your Uncle Tanner, and Connor have each told me, in all their years they’ve never seen a friendship, camaraderie, a love like exists between the five of us. Please, my love, believe in that. He held up his hand as she started to tell him that she did. No, you believe in a version of that. Now I am going to go out, I am going to find that woman who loves you as much as I do, perhaps in her own way even more. I am going to convince her to come back in here and talk to you. Alone. Before I go, I am going to try to convince you, to believe in love. Believe in love, Fiona. It is what holds this fellowship together. I am your husband, and Abilynn is your daughter, and we will love you forever. Alistronia and Fillian are your two closest friends in the worlds. They are also each other’s. I’ve heard your father say there is no ‘I’ in ‘team.’ It’s true. There were tears streaming down Fiona’s face. I really don’t want to hurt you, especially now, but Fiona Bridget, you need to decide where you stand. Love, or alone. Berian gestured to