Page 8 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)

Chapter Four

Liam

W e asked for directions to the library, but on the way, we passed a bookstore. Wren yelped. “This is better.” Grabbing my hand, she dragged me through the door.

The smell of books reminds me of my school days.

Back then, I couldn’t wait to get out of the classroom and start my military life.

I was young and thought strapping on a sword would be the beginning of the end for Venora.

Arrogance did not get us the prophecy. That was found through education and exploration.

I follow Wren through the stacks like a pet fully enamored by his mistress.

The description is not far off. It should be shameful, but I’m unable to care what anyone else might think.

If the oracle or my parents disapprove, I will fight for Wren for as long as she wants me.

Where did that come from? I need to gather my wits.

It’s clear I’m not acting like myself. Maybe my human has more magic than she knows.

“Here.” She points to a section of books and snatches one off the shelf. Opening to the first page, she holds it out to me. “Look.”

I take the book from her. The print is different than what I’m used to, but it is in the common language. The title page says Celtic Gods and Mythos . Below that, it reads The Tuatha Dé Danann .

She’s already scanning for other books. When she has three, she takes the one from me and sits in a large chair tucked in the corner. Scanning each book, she is focused and serious.

“Shall I read one too?” I lean against one of the floor-to-ceiling shelves and watch her. Adorable, beautiful, and smart, she is everything. She must be stunning to watch make jewelry, though I can see this study of text comes from her mother.

Holding up a finger, she shakes her head. After three or four more minutes, she hands me a colorful soft-covered book. “This is what we need. I’ll put the others back.”

With no shame at all, I watch her bottom as she bends over to replace the books.

As she stands, she looks over her shoulder. “I guess men are the same in your world as here.” Her tone is scolding, but she doesn’t try hiding her smile.

“If you give a man a view like that, how can you expect him not to look?”

With a laugh, she snatches the book from my hand. “Come on.” She pays for the book and rushes out of the shop. “We should check on Momma. I’m sure she’s awake and feeling her head at this point.”

The afternoon brings a light rain, and we jog all the way back to the apartment. As we dash through the door and climb the steps, the pink shirt she’s wearing shows her undergarments and every inch of her beautiful body. A groan escapes me as she reaches the upper floor.

She looks back as she opens the door. My expression must tell the story. One look down at her tits, and she covers them with crossed arms. “I didn’t think this shirt through with the weather in the country.”

“You two are soaked through,” Birdie croons from the kitchen.

A whiff of something on the stove reminds me of winter stew and makes me forget we ate noodles an hour ago.

“You’d better go change before you catch your death. I’m fixin’ to eat something.”

“We ate, Momma.” Wren heads for the bedroom door.

“I reckon Liam will be ready to eat again in no time.” Birdie smiles at me and seems no worse for her early morning whiskey tour.

I go to the stove and give the stew a deep sniff. “I’ll not say no to a pot that smells this good.”

Smiling widely, Birdie slaps my back and chuckles. “That’s the way.”

As soon as Wren is behind the bedroom door, Birdie pulls my arm. “Did she change her mind?”

“We have not discussed it, but she took me to a bookshop, and it seems there are still some similarities between our worlds.” I grab my pack and head to the bathroom.

“Oh. I love a little research.” She rubs her hands together.

I enjoy these Martin women. They are so full of life and joy. “I thought you would. It’s in Wren’s bag.” I point to it on the coat hook near the door.

The worry over keeping Wren and Birdie safe in Domhan has me wide awake well into the night. When the bedroom door opens, I sit up straighter.

Wren stands in the doorway staring at me. She holds up a finger and retreats. A few moments later, she returns with the book we bought. Silently, she closes the door and crosses to the couch. “Why are you awake?”

“My mind is busy.”

She tucks her wild hair behind her ear, but it immediately falls forward again, hiding her eyes. “I’ve been reading this book. Do you think the old gods are really behind the Watcher’s Gate?” She flips to a page and studies the text.

Whenever she’s near, my heart speeds up, and I want to protect her.

As a soldier, I know that bad things happen.

Still, the idea of losing her or Birdie has a knot growing tighter in my gut.

“I don’t know. That’s what the tales say.

As you told me earlier from the book, the people of Ireland believed that when the Tuatha Dé Danann became the hills of the land.

We believe the old gods retreated behind the gate.

No one travels to the northern island. The northern sea is treacherous. Who knows if the stories are true?”

“They had many sacred items like Dagda’s harp. That could be what we have to retrieve.”

I can’t say that I love being sent on missions by the gods. Even in the stories of old, they manipulated elves to do this or that without explanation. I don’t like it. “How will a harp help? I’d prefer the spear or sword.”

Putting the book on the table, she looks at me. “You’re upset?”

“I’m worried. My world is dangerous.” I fail to adjust my tone, and it comes out biting.

She moves a cushion closer. “This world is dangerous. You almost were killed by a car yesterday. Momma nearly got stomped by a horse last week in the park. I almost drowned in the lake when I was ten.”

Taking her hands in mine, I look into the watery blue of her eyes in the moonlight coming through the window. “I don’t want you or your mother to be harmed. I couldn’t bear it.”

“You came here to take me to Domhan, Liam. What’s changed?” She cocks her head. Her hair falls to one side, exposing the length of her neck and making me long to kiss that tender flesh.

Leaning forward, I press a soft kiss just below her ear. “I care now. It would be better if you remained part of an order to be carried out, but we have gone beyond that.”

A soft sigh escapes her parted lips. “Have we?”

I draw back and watch until she opens her eyes, and her gaze meets mine. “If you refused me now, I would walk away. I’d tell the oracle they must find another way.”

“Then you will return to your world and leave me here. We would never see each other again. I will never know if you lived or died in your war. The witch queen might make her way here and continue her reign of terror on this world. How can I want that?” She is all that is good and fine in any species.

“I don’t deserve you caring about my safety. I’m a soldier. I have to go home and do what I can to protect my people. It’s too much to ask me to put you in danger, Wren.”

“I don’t see many other choices, but I like that you care.” She kisses me softly then sucks my bottom lip between hers.

Pleasure shoots through me like a wildfire. I pull her into my lap. “Are you certain this is what you wish to do?”

She wiggles her bottom maddeningly. “Are we talking about you and me or going to Domhan?”

Taking hold of her hips, I keep her still. I whisper against the shell of her ear. “You know, not that long ago, you kicked me in the very spot that you’re now teasing.”

“I remember. I didn’t know you then. All I knew was that a strange man with pointed ears was trying to drag me through a swirling hole in the dentist’s office. That seems worthy of a swift kick to the nuts.” She runs her fingers over my bespelled ears.

When I shake off the glamor, my ears show their true form.

Rather than blanch, she caresses the tip and down again. “You’re easy on the eyes no matter the shape of your ears.”

It’s taken time to get used to the constant stream of euphemisms. “I’m glad you think so.” Taking her hand, I kiss her knuckles, then make sure I have her attention. “Be sure you know what you’re getting into by jumping through a portal with me, Wren.”

She sighs, and her shoulders slump. “I don’t really know.

How can I know? I’ve never been in a war.

I’ve never been the chosen one for anything.

I could die. You could die. Momma could die.

I get it.” She dashes away a sudden tear and draws a sharp breath.

“But if I don’t go with you, your world and everyone you love will surely die, and one day, I’ll have to fight the witch queen in this world. ”

Everything she says is true; I still want to protect her from the very thing I was sent here to do. “Venora might take a lifetime to reach this world.”

“Then my children or grandchildren, if I’m lucky enough to have a family, will have to fight the battle I was too frightened to take on.

” She shakes her head. “No. I can’t be the person who pushes off the inevitable for others to deal with.

I will go with you, and my mother is not going to let me go without her.

There is no changing Birdie Martin’s mind once she’s made it up. ”

I run my hand up her soft thigh and slip my fingers under the bottom of her little shorts. “I want to keep you safe. I should be stronger than this.”

Covering my hand with hers, she pushes me until my fingers graze her wet folds. “I’m in no danger from you.”

Breaking the contact, I get a groan of discontent from Wren. I laugh and adjust our positions, so we’re both lying on the couch. “Your mother is only behind that door. Are you not concerned she’ll storm out here?”

“She was so tired, it would take a four-alarm firetruck siren to wake her tonight. Besides, I’m a grown woman.” Caressing my bare chest, she kisses my neck, then my jaw.