Unrequited Love
Back in the basement
Ainmire stares at the sight of Isolde on her knees. Danu hunches over. One hand rests gently on Isolde’s shoulder, the other wipes a stray hair carelessly dangling in front of Isolde’s eyes. An air of gentleness surrounds Danu, but Isolde appears to be pinned to the ground with great force. She struggles and curses Danu’s name each time she tries to stand.
“My child, it is no use struggling.” Danu removes her hand from Isolde’s shoulder. Isolde, however, is still unable to move. “Love is not something I can create.”
Loathing fills Isolde’s eyes. “You made her love him!” She turns her head to glare at Ainmire still standing near the door.
“She never did such a thing,” Ainmire roars in protest.
Danu turns her attention towards Ainmire. She smiles at the sight of the large leprechaun. The thought of the love shared between Branna and him warms her. Her attention slips and Isolde breaks free of her hold. Isolde lunges towards Ainmire. Her frozen fingers dig deep into his forearms. Ainmire flinches and a small scream escapes his lips. A burning sensation creeps up his arms and he feels the ice spread in his chest.
Ainmire shakes himself free of her grasp. He draws in a deep breath to warm his lungs. When he recovers, a swipe of his hand sends Isolde sprawling across the floor back towards Danu. He advances towards Isolde, fire burning in his eyes. “Branna loves me. I love her.” He continues. “Danu only granted her eternal life. She bore me a child. She deserved to see him live.”
Isolde hisses, “I bore you a child! What about me?” She gathers herself and begins to stand. Danu backs towards the wall, watching the scene unfold.
“Lots of creatures have bore me children. It does not make you special.” Ainmire’s words daggers meant to wound Isolde.
“I bore you your first child. The eldest son. Shouldn’t that give me some bearing.” Ainmire has never seen Isolde cry, but a glint of water forms in her eyes.
“I guess if you had given me a son worthy of me, I would not have had to look for others.” Why is he showing her such hatred? Did he really mean these things? His words take him aback.
“You do not mean that, Ain! You loved me.” She chokes back the tears slowly seeping from her eyes.
“I could never love a witch like you!” With the words, he is on top of her. Isolde cowers under him, completely undone. He raises his hand to strike, stopping only inches away from her cheek. “You are not worth my rage.” Ainmire backs away, staring at Isolde trembling on the floor.
Ainmire straightens and with a cool calm says, “I know you went to your mother. I know you asked her to make me your mate. But how could the goddess of winter and death do such a thing.” He sneers. “Do you want to know how?” He waits a beat for an answer, then finishes. “She took my heart from me. She wrapped my heart in eyes and left me blind to only seeing you. But with a frozen heart, I could not love. I only sought pleasure.”
He sighs, “Branna melted my heart. I loved her from the minute I saw her. Just her touch warmed my body. I would have given anything for her.”
Ainmire glares back at Isolde, “You made me cold, evil. You took my soul from me. That is not love. That is obsession. You need to let me go, Isolde.”
Isolde scrambles to her feet. Determination replaces the tears in her eyes. “I love you, Ain. Worship me and I will give you everything you desire."
“Worship and servitude is not love, Isolde.” He turns the knob on the door. “I am not sure if I could have loved you before The Cailleach interfered, but I am sure I cannot love you since.”
Isolde awkwardly stammers across the floor and places herself between Ainmire in the door. “Why do you love her? What does she have that I do not?” She places her hand tenderly on Ainmire’s chest. “Tell me what I need to do to make you love me.”
The once great Ice Faire looks small as she pleads for Ainmire’s attention. A flash of pity passes his eyes for a moment, but is only fleeting. He remembers the pain and despair this woman has caused in the name of her “love”. He firmly removes her hand from his chest and shakes it free. Could he have loved such a vile creature if everything was different? The thought echoes in his brain.
"Please, do not leave.” Her pleas are strained. “I will do anything for you.” She lowers her eyes. “I will kill our son. We can start over, make a new one.”
Ainmire shakes his head, not believing the words tumbling from her lips. “Kill our son. Why would I want that? How can a mother say such a thing?” Disgust mixes with bile in his throat.
“Alroy is the one thing I cherish most in this world. I will give him up for you.” A bazaar tenderness peppers her words. “I will kill all your children, if it will get you to notice me.”
A cruel laugh escapes Ainmire’s mouth. “Only your black and wretched heart would think death could bring love.” He turns the handle and cracks the door. “This, this right here is why even at my evilest, I could never love you, Isolde.”
She throws herself against him. Clawing at his shirt, trying to hold onto him. “You must love me, Ainmire. We are mates. I am your world.”
“You are nothing,” Ainmire roars, pushing Isolde to the floor. “You were never my mate.” He inhales deeply, closing his eyes. When he opens them, he coldly says, “Again, I will never love you.” He opens the door and steps out into the hallway. Before he closes it, he turns his attention to Danu. “Judge her as you will, I will not interfere with your decision.” With that he closes the door and meets the stricken stares of Ciaran and Branna.