The witch who had cursed me stood behind my wife, a twisted smile on her bloodred lips. The green in her eyes had been replaced by the black of a bottomless pit, filled with hate and directed at me. “It’s been too long, my love.”
Hearing the familiar endearment flayed my heart where it clambered in my chest.
“Shit.” I grabbed Keelynn’s hand, dragging her behind me. She wouldn’t make it beneath the wards even if she sprinted. And I couldn’t evanesce through them with her.
We were trapped.
Fiadh’s head jerked like some invisible force had broken her neck. Black hair caught with leaves and twigs dragged along the ground. The witch in front of me looked like a shadow of the strong, vivacious woman I once knew.
“I see you met my human friend. She’s a dote, isn’t she? So young. Sonaïve.” The cursed dagger appeared in Fiadh’s hand, emerald glowing.Impossible. She’d shifted the dagger. How the hell had she shifted it? Enchanted objects couldn’t be shifted. What sort of unholy power must she possess to do the impossible?
“I’d thought her dead,” Fiadh cackled, “but this is far more delicious.”
I dared a glance toward the gates. The Danú inside had begun to gather, remaining behind the safety of the wards. Where the hell was Rían? He was the only one strong enough to defeat her.
“Your fight is with me, not with her,” I reminded Fiadh.
The witch’s head jerked to the other side. “Look who finally found someone he loves more than himself. If only our young friend’s weak human heart could love a murderous monster.”
“Evanesce,” Keelynn whispered, tugging on the back of my shirt.
Did she honestly think I would abandon her to face this vindictive witch? Not a hope would I leave her behind. I stepped forward, prepared to face my fate. “I am sorry for what happened all those years ago. I was young and foolish and too in love with myself to care about those I hurt. But this has gone on long enough.” She’d taken enough from me. This ended today.
“You’resorry?” She cackled, her hand tightening on the glowing dagger. “You think an apology can absolve you of all your sins? You took my life from me.Youmade me what I am. This is allyourfault.”
She was right. This was my fault.
And I’d borne my punishment.
Her black eyes swung to Keelynn. “I’m calling in our bargain,girl.”
Keelynn had never mentioned a feckin’ bargain beyond the truth curse.Dammit.What else had she promised?
Keelynn came around me, sweat beading on her pale skin. “Evanesce, Tadhg. Please. I’m begging you. Go.”
I wouldn’t leave her here. I wouldn’t.
A soft glimmer danced along the ground as Fiadh’s magic drew her forward. “You said you’d kill the Gancanagh.” Fiadh’s smile shot ice through my heart. “Now,do it.”
Kill the Gancanagh.
Shit shit shit.
The only way to release Keelynn from Fiadh’s unearthly hold was to fulfil the bargain. She had to kill me.
Keelynn turned, dagger in hand and tears spilling down her cheeks.
“It’s all right, Keelynn.” I opened my empty hands to the air. That’s what I had been before her. Empty.
She shook her head, her hair tangling with the breeze. “You don’t understand. I can’t stop myself.”
I did understand. I understood better than anyone the consequences of a foolish decision.
Her pleas fell in a jumble, shattering my heart into a million pieces. None of it mattered. Not the reasoning behind the bargain or how foolish she had been to make it in the first place.
“This isn’t your fault. It’s mine.” All of it, from start to finish. Yes, Rían had been the one to ask for my help with Aveen, but if I hadn’t treated Fiadh and countless other women the way I had, I wouldn’t have been cursed in the first place.
I darted a glance at the small crowd to find Rían pushing his way to the front. His eyes met mine, brows drawn together. I shook my head. Fiadh could shift an enchanted object. There was no telling what else she could do.