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I giggled because it was rare The Dagda didn’t know something. “The Wu Shaman is a Chinese magickal and the new love of Conn’s life. She’s also a woman fast becoming a good friend. But please don’t tell Ma I said that. I’d never hear the end of her bragging about being right concerning the two of us.”

The Dagda laughed as he nodded. “Ya needed a woman friend to round off yer warrior edges, Aran. Warrior women tend to forget they’re female. Although, I have heard that the right haircut can be a life-changing experience. They call it a makeover. Have ya ever considered getting one?”

“Goddess bless, ya sound like my mother.Get yer haircut, Aran. Wear some makeup, Aran.How do you expect to get a date looking so shabby?”

His laughter was loud. “How is Bridget doing these days?”

“Ma’s doing well as far as I know. She doesn’t share a lot of her personal life with me, but Conn tells me she has a booty call man. He’s some farmer who plows her field on the regular. Da’s been gone a long time, so I guess it’s a good thing for her.”

“Goddess bless, Aran. Ya’re too young to be so cynical. Love and romance is critical to our people. Ya know that. When was the last time someone plowed yer field? I know the arse ya married hasn’t touched ya in years.”

“Hush,” I ordered in a commanding voice. “That’s a question ya’re not allowed to ask me. Maybe Danu could—but not ya. Nobody’s plowing my field anytime soon.”

The Dagda rolled his eyes to mimic me. “Every woman’s field needs to be plowed now and again. I can’t wait to meet this guardian of yers. Someone needs to warn the man how resistant ya can be to everything that makes being human so wonderful.”

“I am not resistant.That is not true,” I said, raising my voice until I was nearly yelling.

“You two woke the whole house. Are you trying to wake the whole neighborhood too? It’s too early to be arguing so loudly in the backyard.”

The demon wolves stopped inspecting the yard’s boundaries and ran over to Conn who stooped to pet them.

I sighed and closed my eyes. “Sorry, Conn. I sent out a magickal distress call earlier. Instead of calling me back, The Dagda answered in person.”

“Connlander,” The Dagda said, rising from his seat with a smile of welcome as he stretched his arms wide.

“Lord Dagda, it’s good to see you,” Conn said, smiling as he walked into The Dagda’s embrace.

The two men clasped each other in a hug with so much love contained in it that I got choked up. Feeling this sentimental turned me into a weepy female—the very kind I hated. Whoever believed I was too tough for my own good needed to see me rubbing my burning eyes to keep from crying.

I should have expected this. The Dagda’s help always carried mixed blessings. Thanks to the conversation with my ancestor this morning, I had nothing but doubts about whether or not I was healing from Jack’s betrayal.

My grunt of disgust made both of them turn to stare at me.

“Are you okay?” Conn asked.

“I’m tired and having a moment, but neither of ya are invited to my pity party. I’m heading inside to make coffee because I know that will make me feel better,” I announced as I rose from the chair.

They continued to stare as I walked by them with my blanket billowing like a cape behind my shoulders.

“Why on Earth would you talk to The Dagda without having coffee first?”Conn demanded, instantly pulling free from The Dagda’s hug. “You should have woken me sooner, Aran. I would have made you coffee. We agreed you would never talk to people before you drank at least two cups.”

Not turning around, I lifted my right hand high in the air giving Conn a middle-finger salute.

And then I kept walking until I was through the door and into the kitchen.

It felt good to get in the last word for once.

* * *

We stoodin the hallway talking because the kitchen was too crowded with males.

Mulan’s gaze moved to the three handsome men sitting at the table and my gaze followed hers. None of them were discussing our impending guardian attack. No, they were chatting about football scores and other manly topics. Ya couldn’t tell at all that I was the reason each of them was there.

Fiona had left for an early class. I’d fixed breakfast for everyone and fought for my share of the coffee. Because the men occupied so much space, Mulan had eaten her food standing at the counter next to me.

“When we move, will handsome giant live with you in mansion house?”

I sighed as I studied my godly ancestor. “No, I don’t think so. The Dagda is just visiting for a while.”