I frown, trying to wrap my head around it. "So they’re not separate beings? They’re all her?"
"In a way," Tiernan says, nodding slowly. "Think of it like this: the Morrigan is the whole, and Babh, Macha, and Nemain are her faces—her expressions in the world. Babh is the harbinger of war, the crow who feeds on battlefields. Ana is the mother, the keeper of life and death. And Macha—" He pauses, his gaze locking onto mine. "Macha is sovereignty. The queen who rules with strength and wisdom."
"But how can they be sisters and still be her?" I ask, my voice tinged with frustration. My head feels like it’s spinning with too much information, too many pieces that don’t quite fit together.
Tiernan gives me a small, understanding smile. "It’s not meant to make perfect sense to us," he says. "The gods and goddesses—they’re not like us. They don’t follow the same rules. They exist in layers, in fragments, in ways that are beyond understanding." He pushes off the desk and takes a step closer to me, his voice softening. "The important thing is that you’re not just a vessel for her, Brigid. You’re Macha’s descendant, yes, but you’re also you. And that matters."
I nod slowly, though his words only half-reassure me. It’s hard to feel like I’m still myself when so much of what I thought I knew about my life has been upended. My fingers brush against the hem of my sleeve.
Lochan steps closer, his hand settling on my shoulder. "You don’t have to figure it all out now," he says quietly. His touch is firm but gentle. "You’ve already been through enough today. Take a breath. We’ll figure it out together."
I lean into his touch, the warmth of his hand steadying. Callen moves to my other side. "He’s right," Callen says, his voice lighter but no less sincere. "You don’t have to carry this alone. We’re here for you, Brigid. Always."
Rory, Tiernan, and Marius exchange a look, some unspoken understanding passing between them. Rory steps forward first, his usual easygoing demeanor softened by concern. "You need time to process all this," he says. "We’ll give you some space. But we’re just a call away if you need us."
Tiernan nods in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "Take time to rest," he says. "The answers will come when they’re meant to. And we’ll be here to help you make sense of them."
Marius doesn’t say much, but the intensity in his gaze speaks volumes. He gives me a slight nod before turning toward the door. "Don’t overthink it," he says as he leaves, his voice carrying a hint of that same predatory edge I always feel from him.
The three of them leave Callen, Lochan, and I alone in the room.
Chapter Thirty
Brigid
The door clicks shut, and the sound echoes in the sudden stillness of the room. The air shifts, and I feel it in every nerve ending. I realize I’m holding my breath as the space between us—Lochan, Callen, and me—seems to shrink, folding in on itself until it’s just the three of us, bound by something deeper than words. My skin tingles, alive with anticipation, and I press my thighs together, trying to steady the tremor that runs through me.
Lochan’s gaze is heavy, unrelenting, his hazel eyes darkening as they lock onto mine. He doesn’t move, but I feel him anyway. His arms are still crossed, muscles taut under his shirt, and I can almost taste the restraint he’s holding onto. It makes my stomach flip, that tension in him, knowing how tightly he’s holding himself. How much he wants to let go.
Callen is different. He leans casually against the wall, one hand in his pocket. But there’s nothing casual about the way he watches me.
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. Callen pushes off the wall and moves towards me with that fluid grace of his. His pale blue eyes never leave mine as he reaches out, fingers gentle as they brush a lock of hair from my face.
"You okay, darling?" His voice is soft.
I nod, unable to find words. His touch grounds me, reminding me of the bond we share. It's not just desire—it's strength, comfort, understanding.
Callen's thumb traces my cheekbone. "You're trembling."
"I'm fine," I manage. "Just a lot happened today."
He nods, understanding in his eyes. Behind him, Lochan shifts, and I feel the energy in the room change again.
Lochan moves forward, his large frame filling my vision. He takes my hand in his, rough calluses against my skin. "Come here," he says, voice low and gravelly.
I obey without hesitation.
"What now?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Callen smiles, a carnivorous edge to it. "Now, darling, we take care of you."
I take a deep breath, letting the tension of the day start to melt away. This isn't just about sex. It's about reclaiming myself, my agency. After everything that's happened, I need this connection.
"I want that," I say, my voice stronger now. "I want you both."
Lochan cups my face in his large hands. "Are you sure?"
I nod, leaning into his touch. "I'm sure."
