Chapter 1 #2
“At the exact moment I was born, our parents were technically in Irish waters. Near Cork, to be precise. Mother threw tribute overboard to honor Manannán mac Lir, even though they weren’t in Scottish waters, but our parents worked with the Scottish gods.”
“It makes sense.” Calum shrugged, scratching at his facial hair. “Most people don’t change pantheons when they travel.”
“You’d think.” Theo shook his head. “Cliodhna revealed herself. From what I’ve heard, she rose on a wave and crested over the bow of the ship, materializing on the deck.”
Calum leaned forward and let out a low whistle. “The queen of the banshees and goddess of the Irish sea. I’m assuming that didn’t go well?”
Theo shook his head. “She was offended that our parents didn’t send her any offerings for their safe passage through her territory.”
“Her price?” Calum winced as if he already knew what was coming.
“Me.” Theo buried his head in his hands and took several deep breaths.
He sat up straighter, finished off his whisky, and managed to look Calum in the eye.
“Cliodhna demanded our parents hand me over to be raised by the banshees. They vehemently refused. Cliodhna attempted to capsize their boat, but apparently Manannán whisked them back to Scottish waters. As they sped away, Cliodhna cursed me.” Theo fell silent, his breath hitching as he tried to fight back tears.
Calum leaned across the gap between them, placing his hand on Theo’s knee. “It’s okay,” he encouraged softly. “You’re here now. I’m going to help. What did she do?”
Theo took a few more minutes to compose himself before he answered. “Cliodhna cursed me to drown at sea,” Theo forced out the words, “and said she’d take ‘they who love him’ alongside me.”
Calum cursed under his breath. “I’m assuming our parents thought it was a threat to the throne?”
Theo nodded. “They were worried about you and me too. Cliodhna was furious. The queen of the banshees isn’t exactly a good enemy to have.”
“So… they hid you from me? From everyone?” Calum looked heartbroken.
Theo’s voice cracked as he started crying again.
“As soon as they were back in Scotland, they sent me off with a nanny and told the public the queen had a stillbirth. I spent most of my childhood in the countryside on the border of Wales and England before being sent away to boarding schools in France.”
“They landlocked you.” Calum interrupted. His voice was tense, and Theo didn’t know how to interpret it.
“Basically,” he shrugged.
Calum looked incredulous, his brow furrowed. “Why didn’t they tell me? How come they never let us—”
“I don’t blame them for what they had to do,” Theo said softly, cutting off Calum’s frustrations.
“Cliodhna is terrifying and powerful. She threatened to drown me and anyone who loves me. That could put the entire royal family, and the throne at large, in jeopardy. You’re in their shoes now, Calum, you tell me.
What’s safer? A secret shared by two people or one shared by three?
Four? If they told you, would they have to tell our sister?
Her maid? Your advisors? Where does it end? ”
Calum was silent, chewing his lip as he thought it through. Finally, he held up his hands and agreed with Theo.
“I understand. It’s a slippery slope.”
“It is. Trust me,” Theo whispered. “I spent years angry about this until I finally understood and came to terms with it. Cliodhna could’ve been waiting for an opportunity when our parents, you, and our sister came to visit.
What would’ve happened if she had struck then?
You’re never that far from water in the United Kingdom. ”
“Has she relinquished her claim on you?” Calum asked suddenly, as if he had just realized Theo had brought a threat to his doorstep.
“I thought for years it might be over.” Theo ran his hand through his hair. “When Scotland’s magic was bound, I lived a fairly normal life. It was lonely, of course… I heard about our sister.” Theo’s eyes were full of fresh tears. Calum choked back a sob as the harsh memories rose to the surface.
“Ever since you broke the curse, it’s been getting worse.”
“What do you mean by ‘getting worse’?” Calum pressed.
“I’ve avoided the sea my entire life and most rivers and lakes by extension.
I really did think for a while that Cliodhna had given up or gotten bored.
But over the past year, I’ve been attacked by water sprites springing up from puddles on the street.
A kelpie appeared in my bath water last week.
” Theo admitted. Some of the tightness in his chest evaporated as he was finally able to tell someone about what had been happening to him.
“I can’t live my life like this,” Theo pleaded, “and someone is going to get hurt. An innocent bystander or a civilian. It seems Cliodhna has reignited her search since the magic returned, and now she’s recruiting others to help.”
Calum let out a low whistle. “No one holds a grudge like a banshee.”
“Apparently.” Theo chuckled darkly. He looked up at his brother, cracking his knuckles as he fidgeted. “I know I have no right to ask this—”
“You have every right.” Calum interrupted Theo, standing up and pulling Theo to his feet to hug him tightly. “You’re my brother, Theo. So go ahead. Ask me.” Calum smiled through his tears.
Theo looked at his brother and took a deep breath. “Calum, will you help me break a curse?”
Calum laughed loudly, clapping Theo on the back. “You’ve come to the right place, bràthair. We’ve become somewhat of experts in the subject. Welcome to the Office of Highland Magic.”