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“Yet you went to prison for what demon hunters thought of high demon,” Mulan pointed out.

I chuckled and shook my head. “No,I’mthe reason I went to prison. At first, I went to buy myself some time. I stayed for Fiona’s sake, which was stupid and something I will never do again. Going to prison for Conn’s sake was worth the sacrifice, though. Conn has always had my back. He helped me raise Fiona. He took care of Ma when I was locked up. I trust Conn more than anyone else I know.”

“Even me?” Mulan asked.

“Yes, even you,” I said, softening my answer with a smile. “I judge Conn solely by our history together. I couldn’t care less what others think of him. People worry too much about labels and descriptions.”

Mulan stared at me. “People worry because words have great power.”

“I agree, but let me tell ya, Conn’s favorite word isloyalty. When things get tough, he steps up to do what is needed. I couldn’t love him more if he was my true biological brother.”

“Are you saying I shouldn’t worry that he is high demon? Or that everyone who sees him at my side will think I have lost all my Wu Shaman skills?”

“I would never tell ya what to worry about because I’m not the one living yer life. I worry about scores of things that I’m sure ya would find hilarious if ya knew.”

I grinned at Mulan who looked confused.

“Look... I’m also sure no one would ever think of Connlander of the Fir Bolg, the most notorious demon of all demonkind—as someone who could marry a Wu Shaman and make it work. Just like I can’t imagine what people said when he married Katie’s banshee sister.”

“He loved her.”

“Yes, I’m sure of it. Here’s what I always wondered, though. Sure, Lilith broke his heart when he was young, but why didn’t Conn marry one of his own kind when he finally settled down with one female? We both know he’s never going to be the perfect man for anyonebutanother demon.”

“I wondered same thing,” Mulan said, nodding her head.

I nodded back in understanding. “Oh, I’m sure everyone has wondered that, including Conn himself. What I definitely can say about him, though, is if Conn ever gives his word to ya, be careful before ya offer yers back to him. His word is the surest thing ya could ever find on any plane of existence. He will expect reciprocity. My vows to him as his keeper are sacred to both of us.”

Mulan nodded. “That is what I know of him as well.”

Shrugging, I pulled at some grass. “It isn’t the opinions of others keeping me and Rasmus apart. It’s how Rasmus himself thinks of me and every other human walking this planet. He has a superiority thing going on that drives me insane. I’m never giving my heart to a man who thinks I’m inferior to him. May Goddess Danu strike me dead before that happens.”

Her chuckle was soft, but it was there. “Why do ya bother with him, Aran?”

“I honestly don’t know. Dating a man with wings who can fly away obviously wasn’t a good choice for my rebound-after-divorce relationship. I should have picked someone safer like that male fairy Fiona admires so much. He asked to bed me and I refused his offer. I turned him down because I know I deserve better than to be nothing more than someone’s object of momentary lust. And so does Fiona. We all deserve someone who is ours alone for as long as we want to keep him.”

“I can tell you read articles in glossy magazines to help with your love life.”

I laughed at her observation. “I read them, but do we seriously need bedroom tips and tricks at our age?”

“Tricks in bed can be fun,” she said with a shrug.

“It’s been so long for me, I can’t remember what it was like. I’d settle for the three-minute version to get a reminder.”

Mulan smirked at me. “Poor lonely witch...” she said. “Want to borrow some of my well-trained boyfriends? I have black book like men keep. We will find you best ones to try. Maybe some who like women with curves.”

“Despite yer belief that I’m not skinny enough to be dating, I believe that’s the nicest thing a friend has ever offered to loan me.”

And then we were both laughing. We laughed and laughed until we grabbed our stomachs.

Fiona came back and grinned at us. “I guess I missed all the fun.”

I climbed to my feet. “Mulan offered to loan me her boyfriend book. She said I should call the ones with five stars.”

Fiona snorted. “Women don’t keep track of men like that.”

Mulan stood, ignored Fiona, and rubbed my arm in sympathy. “You have hands full with doubting daughter.”

“Tell me about it,” I said.