But what if Droga came here? What if he ruined this place, too?
Don’t spiral,onawilke, Ethan said across our bond, and he squeezed my knee lightly.There is nothing here for him in Ireland, nothing that is interesting or powerful enough for him to conquer. Small towns mean nothing to him. This place will remain a safe haven.
I didn’t allow myself to object that it would only remain safe if Droga ceased to find me. He hadn’t located me yet, so he wouldn’t. He and Gabby could suck my dick.
Either way, I reached out and held Ethan’s hand tightly, focusing on the pulse in his hand until my heart rate slowed and my breathing became normal again.
It took at least fifteen minutes.
After breakfast, we wandered the streets, going from shop to shop to look at all the different things that were for sale. Bapa and Babcia picked up a few things they needed for the estate, while I enjoyed smelling all the different scented candles and observing the pretty emerald jewelry that was on display. Around me was the sound of laughter, and the scent of blooming roses.
Trua Gleann was more simplistic than I expected it to be. Life here was quiet and gentle. I wanted it to be like that always.
“Look, Emma.” Vara pointed, and my eyes wandered up to a sign that said,The Wil O Wisp.In the window were a variety of items— tarot cards, wands, and a variety of crystals. This must’ve been the place Odette got her oracle deck.
“It’s a magic shop for Unseelie,” I said in wonder. You would’ve never seen something like that in Dolinska.
“Let’s go in.” Vara waddled ahead of me, and Arthur opened the door for her. Inside, the room was swathed in colors of dark purple and black. There was an entire wall full of wands, as well as stacks of oracle cards behind a glass case, and a table lined with crystals.
There was more within the shop— pewter statues of the gods lined the walls, above cauldrons and bundles of cedar incense. There were dried flowers, powders for spells, and even potion ingredients. But even more curious than these were all the old items scattered about. There were ancient books, old lamps and photographs, decades-old furniture, and farming supplies that hadn’t been used since the 1700s.
“It looks like an antique shop,” I said, peering at an unusual clock with crooked hands.
“Unseelie fae can draw energy from anything, as long as it’s magical,” Arthur said. “In the past, Unseelie fae were known to gain energy from darkness. They’d go to battlefields after the fight was done, or famine-inflicted areas, and gain power from the negativity there.”
“So… I could actually increase my power by drawing energy from negative things?” I asked.
“Oh, yes. It’s quite possible,” Arthur said.
There was always more about the Unseelie world to learn and understand. I didn’t think if I lived a hundred years I’d comprehend it.
Arthur and Vara took longer in the store than we did. When they came out, Vara was carrying a small brown bag at her side.
“Here, Emma. This is for you.” Vara looped a thin black rope necklace around my neck. I looked down. Attached to the necklace was a circular black stone, locked inside a type of bronze cage.
“It’s called black tourmaline. It’s very good for protection against negative energy, even your own,” Vara said. “The crystal should absorb some of your anxiety and help with the pain.”
I was touched. “Thank you, Vara. Everyone’s spoiling me today.”
“Well, we didn’t get much of a Christmas,” Arthur said. “So consider this a holiday.”
Babcia and Bapa had met up with a couple of old friends in the park, so we were stuck in town until they were done chatting— and with old people, that could take forever. We got some ice cream from a cart nearby. Vara and I sat on the edge of a water fountain and ate our ice cream while Arthur and Ethan kept themselves preoccupied by tossing a frisbee back and forth that they’d conjured.
I finished off my ice cream and said, “At least they’re getting along.”
Vara sighed. “I do wish Ethan would believe me. I’m not a traitor.”
“You know I don’t think that, right?” I said. “I know the evidence looks bad—”
“I understand where Ethan is coming from. You don’t have to apologize,” Vara replied. “He’s doing what he can to protect his mate. I’m sure Arthur would do the same if our positions were switched.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Ethan has an issue with jumping to conclusions.”
“He’s lost a lot. We all have,” Vara said. “Give him some grace. I’m sure everything will come to light eventually.”
“Do you really think someone has betrayed us to Gabby?” I asked her. Out here, in the birds and the sunlight, treachery seemed like a foolish thing to discuss, even though I knew it was certainly something that happened.
“I do, but whoever it is, they probably had no choice,” Vara said sadly. “None of us would betray you willingly, Emma. You know that.”
