“Had to seal it to someone. You’re immortal, so I used your name to be safe.”
Lightning cut a handful of fingers across the sky. Thunder exploded, shaking the earth and mixing with Cailleach’s wild keens. Rage twisted her face. The air writhed with her power, turning the space around us a frosty white that stung my skin. My instincts began to spin, demanding distance like two magnets forced together. I pushed into Henry, wishing myself outside the barrier in Deidre’s storm despite her attempts to tear Ireland apart. Henry held me to him, a calming force amidst the chaos.
The thunder quieted first. When the wails died down, Brigid looked at Ailish, a hint of satisfaction perched on her mouth. “My sister may be immortal, but she dies in this world every Bealtaine as I die every Samhain. By sealing the curse to her death, you trapped my daughter until May Day.”
Her meaning spun into shape. May Day—the first day of May. Oh, Saints above! Relief flowed through me like a rush of warm water. Cate would be free in less than six months.
Ailish dropped her head. “Forgive me, mistress. I thought to be serving you.”
The goddess glared at Ailish before turning to Brigid. “I demand balance,” she hissed.
“What do you imply, sister mine?”
Cailleach thrust a slender finger at me. “The scales tipped toward life with this one’s birth. Now that Adair has faded, only Selah’s sacrifice will restore order.”
I blinked at her. Adair... Deri. She must have sensed her daughter’s transformation as Brigid had sensed my impending death.
A low growl rumbled through my back from Henry. I should have been growling as well, having Cailleach demanding my death, but with Brigid so near I felt no fear.
Brigid stared fire at her sister. “The loss of your daughter is balanced by the loss of my son. No other payment is required. Leave it be, and I shall not seek retribution for your trickery in Carmen’s prison.” She flicked a glance at Ailish. “By law your child belongs to me until Bealtaine, when Catria goes free.”
Ice flared in Cailleach’s eyes. “I have every right to reestablish the balance.”
“The only balance you know is when the scales tip in death’s favor. Demand my daughter, and we shall take it to the Dagda.”
Cailleach hissed through her teeth. Frost spread over the ground, nearly reaching my boots when a line of fire cut over its path.
“Watch yourself, sister,” Brigid warned.
“She will be mine—”
Lightning and thunder collided as one, a dozen bright spikes that tore through the sky as the earth quaked in response. I grabbed onto Henry to keep upright. More lightning struck, and treetops exploded overhead from the impact. There was just time to draw breath when a sustained flash of light vanquished the darkness altogether, and I threw a hand over my eyes to shield them from the numberless bolts that spread like spider webs through the clouds. Henry stumbled this time from the thunder, barely keeping his footing. The dolmen stones cracked and groaned from the strain, and I swore Deidre would kill us all before she was done.
I braced myself for another round, when the woods released a shuddering breath and everything went quiet. No wind stirred. No rain pounded the earth. Tree branches hung unmoving, soaked and bedraggled.
Cailleach tipped her head skyward and drew a long breath. “Can it be...” she murmured.
I did the same, filling my nose with the scent of damp earth.
She inhaled again, even deeper this time, and a slow smile crept over her lips, revealing sharp white teeth. “All is well. Order has been restored.”
“Deidre’s babe,” Ailish whispered.
“Yes, child, and he will be a force the mortal world has rarely seen before.” Cailleach cupped Ailish’s chin with her long elegant fingers. “Your foolishness is forgiven.”
“Thank you, mistress.”
Cailleach released her hold and nodded to Brigid and Lugh. Turning, she passed silently into the woods. Near an ancient oak, the air rippled around her like water, and two gigantic hounds appeared. She stroked each of their heads, and together they vanished from sight.
Ailish heaved a breath and glanced to the woods, a strange excitement creeping into her expression. “I best be going.”
“Where to?” I hated the idea of her out in the world alone.
“Oh, I’ll be for Deidre’s first to help with the babe.”
Death’s blood...life’s enemy. I forced back the harsh words in lieu of something less contentious. “Do you still intend to go to London for work? If so, I’m sure Lady Dinley will help you find a good position once she’s free.”
“Maybe someday.” She stole a quick look at Paddy, who stood several paces to her side.
A knot clenched in my chest. “He has no claim on you, Ailish. You don’t have to go anywhere with him.”
Ailish considered him for a moment, her nose twitching in thought. “He’s asked me to come back to the farm.”