Chapter 29
T he trio remained silent as they stared at the trinket glinting in the sparse moonlight. There was no denying the similarities in its creation to that of Emer’s.
“I have watched this Isle and its people turn on her at every corner. You may be able to get her to the Well, but I will be able to get her back from it.”
Calder’s expression hardened, but the faintest traces of fear haunting his eyes left from when he had raced to find Emer lent truth to Keane’s assertion.
“I have your word you will not harm her?” Calder asked, finally shifting his gaze from the coin to Keane.
“I swear it.”
Without another word, Calder sliced his palm and extended his hand to seal the bargain. Keane slipped his hand beneath one of his wings, freeing a hidden blade, and mirrored the act.
When their hands met, Keane’s eyes closed while Emer’s widened. Calder had made a bargain for her safety but made no mention of his own.
Keane released Calder’s hand with a sigh, turned to Emer with a soft smile, and said, “Now, why don’t you tell me who you angered to warrant all this unfortunate attention.”
Emer deflated slightly before shrugging. “The Elders?”
Keane hummed, “Same, darling, same.”
“Why wasn’t your deal that you wouldn’t harm either of us?” Emer asked.
“Because he is not excluded from the list of things that can hurt you,” Keane said, causing Calder to chuckle darkly.
“If I am so dangerous, then why do you seem so invested in royally pissing me off?” Calder asked.
“Oh, because I very much don’t like you.” Keane said with little levity and a bat of his lashes.
“There is something I've been wondering about, actually. The man who attacked me in the tavern… did you have something to do with his face smashing into the table?”
Eyes glinting, he gave a short nod.
“So, it was your fault that the brawl broke out in the first place,” Calder said flatly.
Keane glowered. “I can’t control how people behave! But at least I gave aid,” he said defensively, his shoulder rolling as if he could still feel the crack of the wood as it shattered on impact.
Emer shook her head, sighing, “I thought you two were going to play nice.”
“Oh no, darling. We agreed to protect you. A nything that becomes a threat will be… dealt with,” Keane said with a saccharine smile.
“So, you will work together if and only if there is a threat, and will be at each other’s throats any other time. All the while secretly hoping the other does something that can be construed as violating the terms of your deal so that you can cause them bodily harm?” she clarified, speaking more slowly than necessary.
Both men nodded.
“Great,” she sighed.
After a few thoughtful moments, Emer relented .
They both watched her. Calder with exasperation and Keane with anticipation—hands poised as if to clap.
“No stabbing,” she commanded with narrowed eyes.
They declined in unison.
Emer glowered.
“No stabbing each other ,” she amended, and both men rolled their eyes in tandem before agreeing.
“No tricks.” This she directed at Keane.
Though it was common for mortals to carry certain elements to combat the magic of others who inhabited the Isle, Keane still scoffed at Calder, who waved his be-ringed hand, drawing particular attention to the iron ring on his middle finger.
“That is like asking me not to breathe. However, this day, I swear that, henceforth, no trickery or magic will be used to willfully deceive, or at the expense of, our travel party.”
Their back and forth grew into haggling and continued until Emer was sure she had considered any factors that could prove problematic. She paused, looking at the two dangerous beings before her, surprised for the first time that she did not feel the thread of her anxiety tugging against her choice.
“Now that we have worked out all the kinks?—”
"Hardly," Keane muttered.
“This is a terrible idea,” Calder remarked flatly.
“That means we shall have wondrous stories by the end of this,” Keane sang, clapping excitedly. “Now that we have established our boundaries like the healthy adults we are… shall we greet each other properly?”
Emer began to introduce herself, but Keane waved her away.
“I was just kidding, Emmy, love! That one has only been shouting your name from sun up to sun down since I met you! I was just trying to prove a point,” he said with a pointed look at Calder.
“That’s not her name,” Calder corrected.
“You literally named her after a semi-murderous—albeit alluring—sea creature. Your thoughts on the matter are invalid. But while we are on the topic… I believe I will call you lord of the pirates as a rule and pirate whore when I’m feeling spicy,” Keane said to no one in particular.
“Already picking out pet names—you’ll be fast friends indeed,” Emer chuckled nervously as she gave Calder a pleading look.
“I rather lack the fondness for magic beings to consider befriending one,” Calder said.
“Well, you are not exactly my cup of tea either,” Keane remarked.
“In my experience, magical creatures at sea have a nasty habit of trying to steal your soul or wear your flesh. Neither of which tickle my fancy,” Calder sighed.
Emer rubbed her temple and forced a smile as she looked at Keane, who had moved from crossing his arms to stroking his chin as he listened. “He has a point… but, hey, who am I to judge.”
“Do you have any intention of stealing souls or wearing flesh?” she asked dryly.
“Have you seen this face?” Keane asked, pointing to his own.
“Darling, that would be a crime against the realm. Also, souls are rather heavy, and I tend to travel with a lot of wine. Speaking of which… if we don’t leave soon, the pubs will be closed by the time we get to town,” he said urgently while motioning Emer to her horse.
“How the fuck do you even know where we are going?” Calder growled as he strode towards Aven.
“Don’t insult me,” Keane remarked with a scowl.
Emer smiled faintly despite herself.
Keane was not the magic her naive heart had dreamed of as a child, he was the beautiful nightmare her reality needed because she was searching for powerful magic, and now she knew it was real .
“Don’t mind me,” he advised as he perched himself on Emer’s horse, his legs hanging off the back and his smirk on full display for Calder, who glared intensely. He set his shoulders, mounted Danu, and once again, they were off.
“Emmy, would you be a dear and grab my refreshments from the satchel?” Keane requested, resting his finger delicately on his throat to signal his distress. “That one… yep, there. Yeah, that one,” he directed, waving his hands as she explored the various compartments.
Her finger brushed against a small bottle and cloth pouch, and she paused. With a pinched brow, she handed the wine and cheese that she was certain she had not packed to Keane, who accepted them with delight.
“If you are wondering if I just made this quest classier, the answer is yes, I did, and you’re welcome,” he said as he devoured a piece of cheese while offering her another.
Emer declined.
Still twisted in the saddle, she could see how delicately Keane’s wings draped down his back, looking almost as if they were an adornment to his jacket rather than a part of his person. They were sheer when not catching the light and almost perfect, save for a jagged tear through the center of one like a petal caught by another’s thorn. Emer righted herself, remembering what Calder had said about scars, and wondering what stories Keane’s might have.