Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
brEN
The morning had come in soft and gray, the skies wavering between dropping a fine mist and light rain. I bided my time with little ease, staring out the window, watching for Selene’s car.
Apparently, all it took to erase three hundred years of cultivating an admirable level of patience was one woman. A particular one, but still.
Once her little box of a red car drove past, and I ensured Maeve was with her, I grabbed the bouquet I’d secured with some difficulty and headed into the weather.
In my car, I set the flowers on the passenger seat and drove in the opposite direction, away from the castle. It took little time to reach Cillian’s estate, and even less to discover his black sedan was not in the driveway.
I cursed his name again, as I’d done frequently since the previous evening when the only answer I could get from him was a brief text telling me to worry more about where I put my hands and less about his concerns. The damn bastard and his games.
I knew well enough that he disliked me more than usual after Selene’s experiment, but that was no reason to dismiss my query regarding his ability to sense Selene’s presence. He cared about her safety nearly as much as I did.
He’d kept his answer short, assuring me his ability was unique, and it was unlikely anyone other than another ward witch would know that someone from her lineage had returned to the homeland.
But the little reassurance he had given me, he had taken away all in the same breath. I supposed it was reasonable that he’d figured out her type of witch. Either from his senses or from watching her wield what little magic she’d used as she’d worked for him restoring old buildings.
Also, he might have claimed a unique ability, but he wasn’t the only vampire in Ireland. So, unless he had more than that in his blood, he wasn’t all that special.
I shouldn’t have announced to him I’d drive over in the morning to discuss Selene’s safety in detail. A thoughtless mistake that he confirmed when he didn’t respond.
Truth was, if he had been at home, it would have surprised me.
I hoped to prove his mistake was leaving his keeper at home alone. Nora was a friendly sort, and she seemed to care about Selene as well. Perhaps she could tell me more.
I reached for the flowers I’d paid handsomely for. The florist in town had balked at the idea of opening her shop before hours. I paid her well enough to forgive the inconvenience, though not well enough to spare myself her questions about who I was courting and why I’d gone to such trouble.
I’d managed to evade most of them.
The light rain continued as I left my car and strode to the front door. If only I’d been more cautious the last time I’d been there with Selene, life would have been infinitely easier.
Though I couldn’t regret the kiss that resulted from my accidental touch.
As I stepped up to the porch, I wondered if she’d be angry that I hadn’t told her in advance of my plans to visit Nora.
The keeper answered only seconds after I knocked. She’d either heard my car or had been at the front of the house when I’d pulled up.
The older woman’s smile wrinkles appeared as she glanced from my face to the flowers in my hand. “Well, hello, Bren. It’s so nice to see you again. I’m sorry, but you just missed Selene. She’ll be at the castle by now.”
My smile came easily as I held out the flowers to the lady who’d long been a neighbor of mine. “These are for you, not her.”
“Oh now. For me?” She accepted them and then peered up with absolute delight shining in her eyes. “Why would you do such a thing?”
I hadn’t expected the question, and it took me a moment to answer. “You’ve always been kind to me, and I’ve never thanked you properly for the many times you’ve left pies and cookies on my doorstep.”
A full blush blossomed on her cheeks. “Oh, that was nothing. Just, well, I hope you enjoyed them.”
My nod was genuine. “Very much. I must confess, though. It wasn’t until I planned to stop in to see Cillian this morning that I came up with the idea. I should have done it much sooner.”
Her expression fell. “I’m sorry to say you missed him too. He left for Dublin before I could start breakfast.”
And I knew exactly why.
I nodded, keeping my disappointment mild. The moment grew awkward as I stood there like a fool when I should have bid her a good day and left.
She blinked, her expression questioning, and then she chuckled. “Where are my manners? Would you like to come in for tea or coffee? I’ve some rashers left from breakfast if you’re hungry.”
I dipped my head in appreciation. “If you’re sure it’s okay.”
Nora stepped back. “Of course. Come in, come in.”
My instincts tingled as I crossed the threshold, notifying me that my protective ward was still in place. I took a small amount of pleasure knowing that was a constant pebble in Cillian’s shoe every time he walked into his own home.
He deserved that and more.
Nora led me into the kitchen, setting the flowers next to the sink before filling a kettle with water and placing it on the stove.
The room held warmth with its low stone counters and the deep range against the back wall, the air faintly sweet with peat smoke from the night before.
The window over the sink looked out over the wet lawn toward the dark line of trees in the distance.
She set a plate heaped with rashers, sliced tomatoes, and baked beans in front of me, and my mouth watered. I grinned up at her. “You’re spoiling me.”
A light laugh escaped her. “Would you like me to cook up some eggs too?”
I lifted a hand. “Thank you, but this is more than enough.”
Nora brought tea and slid into the chair next to me. “You should stop by more often. I always have something cooking, and you’re welcome to it. It’s been nice having the girls here to look after. Cillian is often away, and the house gets lonely. I usually stay with my daughter then.”
I cut into the rashers. “Nice that she’s nearby.”
“Indeed. I do enjoy spending time with the grandkids.”
She tilted her head, a twinkle forming in her blue eyes. “You seem to get along well with Selene. Perhaps you might find yourself with children of your own one day.”
I nearly choked on my food and reached for the tea she’d set beside my plate. It took a moment to clear my throat, and I regarded her more closely. “Something tells me you’re more than you seem, aren’t you?”
Her smile grew. “Perhaps a little. But nothing like you.”
Her comment didn’t surprise me as much as it should have. “And your boss, Cillian?”
She shrugged. “You likely know more about him than I do.”
That much was probably true. “Selene told me you’re the one who recognized she was a ward witch.”
The keeper nodded. “I did. The poor girl had no idea that she carried any sort of power.”
I agreed as I sliced a tomato. “Can I ask how you were able to recognize her? There are few, if any, ward witches left in Ireland.”
Nora snorted softly. “I would say there are few left anywhere in the world. They’re not the sort certain people want alive.” She narrowed her gaze. “They’re dangerous to some, you know.”
I studied the woman, wondering how much I could trust her. But then I realized she already knew enough to be a threat if she wanted to be. “I’ve heard they were hunted. I’m worried for Selene, and I’d like to hear what you know of them.”
Nora considered that, her hands settling around her teacup. “I don’t know much. Fragments of stories my mother told me. I just recall her saying if I ever met one, not to speak her name loudly.”
I swallowed a bite of beans. “Then your mother had heard of ward witches?”
“Oh, yes. But she spoke of it only that one time.”
The keeper rested her forearms on the table and leaned closer. “Has she helped you then?”
I raised my brows. “Helped me? You mean Selene, with the castle?”
“With the castle?” She scoffed and smiled. “I think you know what I mean. My mother said ward witches helped keep this world secure back then. They worked with guardians, don’t you know?”
I nodded slowly, unwilling to admit how little I knew about Selene and her kind. “She has some. Since you’re the one who told her what she was, I’m sure you’re aware she’s inexperienced. I don’t want to put her in unnecessary danger.”
Her cheeks crinkled as she smiled. “A fine gentleman, to be sure. But don’t forget that an untrained witch with her heritage is a dangerous thing to be even in these times. The surface may look calm, but my intuition warns me something is coming, Bren.”
I blinked in surprise. “And where does your intuition stem from, Nora? What’s hiding in your blood?”
She shrugged. “A little of this. A little of that. Not enough of any one to be of consequence.”
I chuckled. “Does Cillian know?”
The keeper narrowed her gaze thoughtfully. “Truthfully, I can’t say. Between us, he believes he can alter my thoughts, but I know my own mind.”
An unexpected laugh spilled out of me. “That’s interesting, isn’t it? He tried the same on Selene, and it didn’t work.”
She pursed her lips to keep from smiling but failed. “I witnessed that firsthand. Poor Selene didn’t quite know what to do. And Maeve, the poor dear, fell for it completely. Perhaps Selene told her afterward. I don’t know. I’ve not spoken of it since.”
The keeper suddenly frowned. She reached across the table and placed her hand on my forearm. “You won’t tell Cillian, will you? I’m not sure why I spoke with you so freely, but I hope I don’t regret it.”
I reassured her with a shake of my head. “You have nothing to worry about. He and I are not friends.”
“I’m aware.” She smiled and refilled my tea. “He’s not hard to work for, mind you. I do enjoy my job.”
“Of course.” I cut into another rasher. “This is really good. Thank you.”
“It’s one of Selene’s favorites too.”
I dipped my head. “Is it now? What else does she like?”
Nora chuckled. “Is that really what you want to know about her?”
The woman was astute. I’d give her that.
I considered her question and then chuckled. “Is she always so stubborn with you?”
A smile bloomed on her face, and I knew I’d wandered into territory she approved of. “Oh, she can be a bit of a trouble. When she decides something, it’s hard to change her mind.”
I snorted. “I’ve seen that side of her as well.”
The keeper sipped her tea and gently set down the cup. “Selene’s a good-natured girl. She has a good heart and a kind soul. You could do much worse.”
I shook my head at her boldness. “Is that what you think I’m after? A good woman?”
She shrugged. “And why wouldn’t you be? You’re young and strong and handsome. Perhaps a bit broody, but you’re good company when you open up. And I’ve seen the way Selene lights up when she sees you.”
I arched my brow, and she grinned. “You do the same. When she walked down the stairs that first time you came to the house, I could see it in your eyes.”
I knew I’d stepped into dangerous territory, but I couldn’t seem to stop. “A life with me wouldn’t be easy.”
A full laugh burst from her. “Is it with any man?”
I chuckled at her humor, but it quickly faded. I stared at my tea for a moment and then met her gaze. “You say you know what I am. If that’s true, then you know I can’t offer her an easy life. Do you think she understands what she’s risking?”
“I think she understands more than people give her credit for.” Her face grew solemn, and she didn’t look away. “Another thing I noticed. You keep speaking as though the choice solely belongs to you.”
I didn’t know what to say to that.
Nora seemed to understand as well, and she shifted the conversation to the weather. She asked about the restoration timeline. I asked about her daughter’s children. The rain continued against the window, slow and steady, and the kitchen held us in its warmth.
For a few stolen moments, life felt simple.
I sat in a welcoming kitchen with a kettle on the stove, and a person who fussed over whether I’d eaten enough. I had nowhere urgent to be.
The quiet and peace had settled around us, and I realized it was something I hadn’t allowed for myself in centuries.
I wanted it. The kitchen, the rain, the warmth of someone who cared.
When I finally rose to leave, Nora walked me to the door. I lifted my jacket and slid it on. “Thank you for the tea and conversation.”
Happiness sparkled in her eyes. “And thank you for the flowers and company. Remember to stop by now and then.”
Before I could walk out the door, she caught my hand. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think Selene is afraid of what she might encounter with you. Her fears run much deeper than that.”
I waited for more, but the keeper only smiled.
Her words repeated in my mind as I walked to my car beneath the same gray drizzle that had followed me all morning. I’d learned little from Nora, and yet I felt lighter than I had in days.
The house grew smaller in my rearview mirror as I drove away, smoke rising thin and gray from the chimney into the wet morning air. I had come searching for information. I had found a different kind of reassurance instead, though not the kind that promised things would be easy or safe.
Only that if Selene chose a difficult path, she would choose it with her eyes open.
I wondered, as I pulled onto the road, whether that might include me.