“Had my ancestors remained under the dominion of your ancient gods, I might well be called Elf. As they did not, I would thank you to use the correct appellation for me. I am Faerie, Northman. Not Elf, Faerie. I’d thank you to get it straight.”
Faerie?
Dani’s already sensitive stomach lurched. Elf hadn’t been a nickname at all but an accusation of what she was.
Faerie.It couldn’t be true. Couldn’t be.
She reached for the mug in front of her, squeezing her fingers tightly around the pottery as if to save herself from drowning.
But if it were true, it would explain so much.
Elesyria dusted her hands together and then wiped her fingertips on the cloth covering the table before turning her attention to Malcolm and his question.
“Dani can’t go home because the Goddess sent her here for a purpose.” She lifted her mug, catching Dani’s gaze over the rim. “A boon granted cannot be rejected.”
“A boon . . .”
The whisper escaped from Dani’s lips without conscious thought. She’d always believed in her heart that the Faeries had some higher purpose for her. And the last thing she could remember before waking up here was standing in the little circle of stones she’d built, insisting that the Faerie Queen set her on the path to find that higher purpose.
“Oh my God.”
After all those of years of believing, of waiting for some sign, any sign at all, she finally had her proof. She’d been right. Faeries did exist. They were really, truly real.
She hardly noticed she’d risen to her feet. Faeries were real and they had answered her at long last.
“I was right all along. It’s all true, isn’t it?”
“What purpose?” Malcolm demanded, his voice drowning out her whisper. “By whose request?”
His words dissolved into an angry buzz that filled her ears even as the room around her darkened.
Be careful what you ask for, little girl, because you just might get it.
It was her aunt’s voice fluttering through her thoughts just before her knees gave way.
The color draining from her face was his first clue.
Malcolm sprinted the length of the table, taking Dani’s weight from Elesyria’s arms. Even as he lifted her against his chest, her eyes were beginning to flutter.
“My fault,” she murmured. “Sorry.”
“You’ve naught to apologize for, lass.”
It galled him no end that this confused young woman should be claiming responsibility for a situation clearly brought about by the old Faerie who even now stuffed her face at his table.
“How did she get here?” he demanded of Elesyria.
The annoying Faerie had the nerve to look irritated at his question.
“You already know the answer to that, Malcolm. My Goddess brought Dani to your time for your benefit. She even sent you the dreams that allowed you to find her in the stone circle. She’s been brought here as a result of your actions and put into your keeping.”
There had been the dreams. He couldn’t deny that. But how could this be because of him? There was no reason, unless . . .
Punishment, perhaps? Punishment for his having failed to protect Elesyria’s daughter. Punishment for Isabella’s death.
The woman in his arms pushed her hands against his chest, pulling his thoughts back to the present. Reluctantly, he lowered her to her feet, keeping a hold on her elbows. Just in case. Though her color had returned, she seemed prone to swooning.
“Wait a minute.” Dani pulled her elbows from his grip and leaned her body toward Elesyria. “‘His time,’ you said. What’s that mean exactly? What time is this?”
