When the world stopped spinning, Caitlin found herself on a grassy hill. The sun hung high in the sky, and below her was the faerie market. The seeking stone crumbled to dust in her hand, and she looked down at Fiona in her arms.
The little girl blinked up at her as she gripped Paddy Bear. Tears were welling in her eyes, and her lower lip stuck out. “Mommy, I wanna go home.”
“Me, too, baby. Let’s go right now.” Caitlin ignored her own tears and ran as fast as she could for the sidhe mound.
Faces stared at her as she ran through the market. As she sped past the stalls, it dawned on her what she’d forgotten when she and Brendan came through the first time. She looked at Fiona but pushed the panic aside and charged on, not daring to look behind her.
Adrenaline pumped through Caitlin, and the burning in her legs and lungs didn’t matter. Fiona’s weight didn’t matter. The terrain didn’t matter. Only reaching the mound mattered. So she ran as fast as she could through the market and up the hill on the far side.
The trail and scenery blurred by until at last she could see the mound in the distance and finally had to slow. When she risked a look back, she saw something in the distance approaching at a superhuman speed, and she knew it was Fergus. She didn’t know how he’d caught up to her so fast, but he had.
Cold panic surged through her, and she turned to flee.
In her path now stood the most strikingly beautiful woman she’d ever seen. Her hair was the brown of chestnuts and her eyes the color of a summer sky. She smiled, and the sun would’ve been envious of her light and warmth.
“Peace, child,” the woman said in a soft voice that sounded more like song than spoken words. She looked behind Caitlin.
Caitlin stared, her mouth going slack, then she turned around to see Fergus charging forward with hate and fury burning in his eyes. She went for her knife, but it was still buried in his shoulder. Her jaw tightened, and she drew Fiona closer to her.
The woman stepped forward, putting herself between them and Fergus.
Fergus stopped a few paces away, and his eyes moved from Caitlin to the woman and back again several times. “Wife,” he finally said in a tone saturated in contempt.
“Husband,” Teagan replied. She smiled again, but this time it was tinged with delight. She looked at the knife protruding from Fergus’s shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
Fergus tore the knife from his shoulder, threw it aside, and wiped his hand over the wound. The wafting darkness and blue lights ceased as the wound closed.
“Step aside, Teagan. This is no concern of yours.” He pointed at Fiona. “That child is mine.”
“Dear husband,” Teagan said in a reproachful tone. “The mother, and hence the child, are mine.”
Caitlin blinked. “What?”
Fergus’s eyes went wide. “No, you can’t—”
“My court was the first to her family line,” Teagan said. “I have claim on her and all who follow.” She smiled at Fiona. “And that you would presume to use this little one to usurp and replace me—” She looked at Fergus and shook her head. “—well, that most certainly is my concern.”
Fergus’s jaw tightened.
Teagan laughed. “My dear husband, I simply refuse to be replaced.”
“The child is bound to me,” Fergus said. “She partook of my food and drink.” There was only smug satisfaction behind his smile.
“I see,” Teagan said. “Well, that is a problem, isn’t it?” She pursed her lips and turned to Caitlin. “I’m afraid the laws are clear.”
Shaking her head, Caitlin pulled Fiona even tighter against her and took a step back. “No, I’ll never allow—”
“We must resolve this matter.” Teagan lightly dragged her finger over Fiona’s forehead and left behind a soft golden glow, which faded a second later.
Fiona giggled. “That tickled.”
Teagan looked at Fergus, and a wry smile emerged. “There, she is bound no more. The matter is resolved.”
Caitlin could almost hear Fergus’s teeth grind as he fumed.
“No!” Fergus said.
“Fear not, child,” Teagan said to Caitlin, ignoring Fergus. “These are the lands I gave to the noon fae. Even were my husband’s power not weakened by his own mischief,” she said and glanced sidelong at the crystal still in Fergus’s hand, “I still hold dominion here. You are of my blood, and as such, you have my protection while here.”
Caitlin let out a deep sigh.
Teagan’s face turned sad. “Your father was—” She smiled, but it was tinged with regret. “Well, he was very dear to me. Until he met your mother, that is.”
Caitlin stared. “So you called him because—”
“I did.” Teagan’s eyes were soft. “I’m truly sorry. I never imagined how deeply he loved your mother. My vision beyond these lands is limited.”
“Teagan, I will not be den—”
“Let me give this child a gift as recompense,” Teagan said. Once more, she touched Fiona’s forehead. This time the light trail was soft green. “Hidden will she remain, from all not of my court or blood, until such time as she has decided for herself how she will live.”
Caitlin dared to feel elation. “Hidden?”
“You needn’t worry this will happen again.” Teagan put a hand on Caitlin’s shoulder. “This child is very special. Both courts in her and mortal blood as well. That is truly rare.”
“She’s special for more than that,” Caitlin said, looking at Fiona, who smiled back.
“Even so.” Teagan looked at the little girl and sighed. “She has your father’s smile. Did you know that?”
Caitlin shook her head, but now it was obvious to her.
“Go now.” Teagan ran a hand down Caitlin’s face. “Your role in this dispute is over.” She cast a quick glance at Fergus and again to the crystal. “My husband and I have private matters to discuss.” Teagan waved her hand and a swirling pool of light appeared. “This will return you to the sidhe mound you used to cross. I wish you both long life and joy.”
Caitlin looked at Teagan. “What about Brendan?”
Teagan shook her head. “I cannot speak for him or his fate. What happens in my husband’s lands is unknown to me and beyond my influence. But the Fian are a noble clan; you should honor him and his choice. Take your child home.”
A cruel smile played across Fergus’s lips, and it sent a shiver through Caitlin.
“Mommy,” Fiona said, yawning. “Me and Paddy Bear are tired and hungry. Can we go home now?”
Caitlin nodded. “Yes, honey. We’re going.” She walked to the portal, holding Fiona tight in her arms. When she reached it, she looked back one last time, but Brendan was nowhere to be seen.
Caitlin wanted to believe he could’ve made it out, but even if he had . . .
She closed her eyes, losing a few tears, and fought back a sob. Teagan was right. Brendan had made his choice, even after knowing what lay ahead and what it might cost him. Of course, Caitlin had made a decision too, and the weight of it was already settling on her shoulders.
Thank you, she thought. I’ll tell her about you, about the brave and good man who saved her. She’ll know what you did for her, what you sacrificed for her and for me. I swear it.
Blinking away the tears, Caitlin stepped through the portal.