\u201cIt\u2019s not time yet, Uncle.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He opened his eyes at the sound of \u00c9riu\u2019s voice, at the voice of his goddaughter from centuries long past.\u00a0 He took a deep breath and turned to look at her.\u00a0 They stood together on the shore where he\u2019d found her so long ago, found her while out walking with Brighid and Finn and Ciar.\u00a0 He could hear the waves against the shore, smell the salt mingling with the heather and clover smell that he\u2019d always associated with her.\u00a0 She was sitting in front of him, dressed in a white gown, skirts spread around her just shy of the crashing waves.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhy is it that you always look like you did when you were seventeen?\u201d he murmured.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Her laughter chimed like bells.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you look like you haven\u2019t aged since you were twenty-five?\u201d\u00a0 She twisted to look up at him, her eyes luminous in his dreams.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not time for you to go yet.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s too much to do.\u00a0 Too much is happening.\u201d\u00a0 A faint smile touched his lips as he eased forward one step, then another.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t hurt in the dream.\u00a0 That was a pleasant change.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019ve missed you, little one.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She smiled up at him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve always been with you, Uncle.\u00a0 You know that.\u201d\u00a0 Her smile faded after a moment.\u00a0 \u201cYou have to guard them, Uncle.\u00a0 There\u2019s so much evil afoot now.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He shuddered.\u00a0 \u201cI realize that,\u201d he said, tone dry.\u00a0 \u201cTrust me.\u00a0 I have the terrible trio after me these days.\u00a0 They want revenge for what I did to their sister.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI would ask, but I know better.\u00a0 Did you finally manage to kill one of them, Uncle?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Phelan gave her a hand up from the sand, smiling a weak, wry smile.\u00a0 \u201cNot before she almost killed me.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps that\u2019s where the hole in your soul came from, then.\u201d\u00a0 \u00c9riu rose from her seat with his help and then stepped closer to hug him.\u00a0 \u201cIt seems better.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t realize that it was there until you healed it,\u201d Phelan said honestly.\u00a0 \u201cNow that I\u2019m aware of what it feels like\u2026\u201d\u00a0 His voice trailed away.\u00a0 \u00c9riu squeezed his arm.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou have the Spiritweaver,\u201d she said softly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll grow into his gift.\u00a0 I\u2019ll stay as near as I dare.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou frighten Marin,\u201d he said.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know.\u201d\u00a0 Pain briefly flickered through her expression.\u00a0 \u201cI wish I didn\u2019t.\u00a0 I would very much like to\u2026to know her.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou already do,\u201d Phelan said softly.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI know her soul.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s all that matters sometimes.\u201d\u00a0 Phelan folded the girl into his arms and held her tightly.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot in this, Uncle,\u201d she murmured into his chest.\u00a0 \u201cNot in this.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He sighed softly and rested his cheek against her flaxen hair, watching the wind worry the silver trinkets woven into her braids.\u00a0 \u201cShe may warm to you yet.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDoubtful,\u201d the girl whispered, though he could hear the smile in her voice.\u00a0 \u201cBut you were always the one with the hope springing eternally.\u00a0 And the devil\u2019s own luck.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn some things,\u201d he agreed.\u00a0 \u201cThough not in others.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She rocked back, peered up at him.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re still lonely.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEven surrounded by people who care about me, I\u2019m alone.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat won\u2019t last forever, Uncle,\u201d she said, smiling up at him.\u00a0 \u201cI promise you.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He smiled sadly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd how would you know that, \u00c9riu?\u00a0 I\u2019ve been alone for as long as you\u2019ve known me, or near to.\u00a0 Friends only.\u00a0 Nothing more.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut nothing less,\u201d she reminded him gently, then reached up to cradle his face between her palms. \u00a0\u201cAnd that\u2019s important.\u00a0 You\u2019ll not be alone forever.\u00a0 I promise.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He managed to smile and kissed her forehead.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll believe it when I see it,\u201d he said.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She laughed.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cIt\u2019s not time yet, Uncle.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He opened his eyes at the sound of \u00c9riu\u2019s voice, at the voice of his goddaughter from centuries long past.\u00a0 He took a deep breath and turned to look at her.\u00a0 They stood together … Continue reading