“Like whom?”
Daughter of Mab.
“Hecate called me a Daughter of Mab, but that’s not the first time I’ve heard that expression.” I snapped my fingers. “A naiad called me that as well.”
“What? When?”
“Feels like years ago, but it was when I was tromping through the forest investigating the sightings of rogue hunters. I felt her magic on the trail and ended up speaking with her.”
Ace paled and looked away.
I narrowed my eyes. “You had a weird reaction the last time I mentioned a naiad. They don’t usually come this far west. What aren’t you telling me?”
“I…wh…” He pulled at his collar. “While I was away, I had a relationship with a naiad.”
“A relationship?”
He nodded.
“And she followed you here?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve been avoiding the river since you mentioned meeting one.”
He’d literally taken me across the river and to a hidden cave behind a waterfall, but okay, sure. He was avoiding the river. “I take it things didn’t end amicably?”
“It was never supposed to be serious. I told her that from the start, but when I ended things, she didn’t take it well. According to her, we didn’t end at all. She refused to believe I could walk away.”
“I’m impressed. I’ve never heard of any man walking away from a naiad.”
He finally met my gaze, his eyes deep pools of sadness. “It was easy to walk away when my heart already belonged to someone else.”
My mouth dropped open. “You need to work on your communication skills.”
“That’s what I’m doing right now,” he said. “It’s always been you, Em.”
I shut my mouth, got up from my chair and walked into his arms. He leaned down and kissed me. His lips explored mine before he pulled me closer. He held me. He gripped my body and kept me close as if he feared I would slip away.
But I wasn’t going anywhere. My heart was already claimed.
“I have some bad news,” I whispered into his chest.
“Don’t say it.”
“We need to find your ex.”
Ace groaned and pulled away.
“She might know more about me and this situation. I can go alone if you?—”
“No,” he said. “We’re not splitting up ever again.”
I nodded and reached out to pat his arm. “Then get your stuff.”
22
The Danu River glinted ahead, its surface molten with sunlight. Magic danced along the surface. I followed the bend where the river curled lazily around a stand of whispering reeds, while Ace walked closely behind me. The air thickened with enchantment, humming with magic.
My skin prickled.
