Chapter Forty-Nine

Arianna and Darius stood at the seashore again.

“It’s the winter solstice.” He sounded sorrowful.

She put her head on his chest and he held her.

“I haven’t seen Danhoul or Jean-Claude,” Darius said.

“They’re giving us time alone.”

As they gazed down the shoreline Arianna saw a man with a distinctive limp and knew it was Alcott. Arianna heard Emma had left Alcott and gone back to England. Charlotte evidently went with her sister, but oddly enough, she left Rachel with Ethan. Maybe she’d gone knowing she had no hope of being with Darius and wanted to return to her former life…or maybe she’d actually done something unselfish knowing they’d all be better off without her.

Just last night, Arianna had experienced a vision of Ethan and Elizabeth cheerfully spending time together. Although Arianna would always feel some resentment toward them, she genuinely hoped they’d find contentment. Maybe with a new beginning and someone who truly loved them, they’d be good together and Rachel would one day have siblings and a happy home.

Now Darius squeezed her so hard it hurt as he tensed on seeing Alcott.

“Perhaps the demon influenced Alcott. He must have had some darkness within him to begin with. But maybe his festering anger in knowing he couldn’t have Liza attracted the demon. Dark entities feed on anger, resentment and jealousy.”

“It will be difficult for me to let go of my abhorrence of him and too easy to think the demon was wholly responsible.”

“It might be good to let go of that pain, my love.”

“Aye. I’ll have to work on that, but for now, let’s go back to the cottage, my lovely Arianna,” Darius said.

Her heart raced in seeing an unusual glow in the sky. She clutched Darius’s hand with both of hers. “I think that indicates a portal will soon open.”

He pulled her to him and they clung together.

“I’ll love you every moment, Arianna. You don’t have to be here beside me for that, my wee witch.”

“I’ll love you always, too, Darius,” she said looking into his expressive blue eyes.

The sea became wilder and louder; they were startled when Grandmother materialized beside them.

“Hello Tine, Young Wyndham; it’s good to see you. Congratulations on your wedding. I hear there’s other magic as well,” Grandmother quietly said.

Arianna and Darius looked uncertain.

“Your secret’s safe with me,” she smiled. “But there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Surrounded by a glowing light, a lovely woman appeared. She had long golden hair, magical blue eyes and a warm smile.

“You must be Arianna?” she said. “I’ve heard so much about you. I think Danhoul and Tristan are both besotted!”

Arianna stared at her. “Alainn?” she asked. The woman nodded. “Why are you here?”

“Powerful magic’s needed in our journey tonight, magic concealed from the gods. A wish granted by faery magic. We’ll go to a faery glade where Celtic gods can’t enter and time’s held still until we decide what’s to be done.”

“To be done?” Arianna asked.

“About you and your husband’s precious secret,” Alainn quietly replied, her eyes twinkling.

“Pardon me; this is my husband, Darius,” Arianna said.

“I figured that.” Alainn held her hand out and Darius shook it. “I think Tristan might be besotted with you, too,” she said, then laughed at Darius’s expression. “Not in that way! He just boasts about how tall and strong you are.”

Darius only smiled.

“Tristan said we’re going to Boston to the twenty-first century,” Arianna said.

“Eventually. Apparently that’s where the four transcendent witches are to meet. I miss Ireland but I love Boston much more than I thought I might.”

“I do, too,” Arianna said looking at the city across the bay.

“It grows considerably in the next three centuries,” Alainn said.

“How will you take my wife with you?” Darius, who’d been quiet till now, asked.

“When we touch hands, apparently the magic will be powerful,” Alainn said. “But we should go, before the gods suspect anything.”

Arianna looked up at Darius, feeling her heart breaking. He pulled her into his arms and she began to weep. He caressed her hair, then gently held her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

“My wee witch, you must go with Grandmother and Alainn. They’ll look out for you and our wee, wee witch,” he whispered in her ear. “Tell her every day how much I love her till you’re both back here with me.”

“You haven’t told them?” Alainn asked.

Grandmother shook her head.

“Told us?” Arianna sniffled, tears streaming down her face.

“You must take Darius with you, Arianna. I remember the torturous heartache when I believed Killian and I’d be parted by time. I wouldn’t put anyone through that much less someone who’s apparently my distant great-granddaughter. Besides, I’ll not want to contend with a hormonal fire witch without the man she loves. He is your sovereign guardian, but be warned, we’re bound to meet powerful opposition on this.”

“Will my being there make it more difficult for Arianna or cause disfavor with the gods?”

“Danhoul and Cythrawl both convinced me to help,” Alainn said.

“I thought Cythrawl disapproved of me,” Darius said.

“Cythrawl knows you make Tine happy,” Grandmother replied.

“Cythrawl, Danhoul, Grandmother and I conspired to see this done.”

“You have a god, a Druid, a faery and a witch on your side,” Grandmother said. “Cythrawl and Danhoul keep Aine distracted even now.”

Arianna looked up at Darius. “Can you truly be journeying with me through time?”

“Apparently to a faery glade,” Darius said with noticeable relief.

“Faery glades are magical,” Alainn said. “Peaceful with beautiful Celtic music playing on Irish harps.”

“What of your family Darius? They’ll worry if you simply disappear,” Arianna said. “What of our horses and Wolf?”

Jean-Claude appeared.

“Your friend Jean-Claude will speak with Young Wyndham’s family, perhaps suggest you’re off on a journey to Ireland together. I’m certain he’ll take care of the horses, and your wolf will surely stay with him, too.”

“Oui, I’ll do that, mon Sullie. Be happy and be cautious, for your aunt will continue to search for you.”

“Aye, my friend, thank you. I’ll see you again,” Arianna said as she embraced him and tenderly kissed his cheek.

“Take care of her, Darius.”

“I will,” Darius said shaking Jean-Claude’s hand.

Arianna ruffled Wolf’s neck and he looked at her as if he fully understood, then he and Jean-Claude disappeared together.

“When two transcendent witches touch, it’ll be unprecedentedly extraordinary. Hold tight to Tine, Young Wyndham.”

Darius grasped her firmly and Arianna smiled. Alainn reached for Arianna’s hand and a resounding spark was drowned out by the roaring waves. But the ethereal light was dazzling, like the colors of hundreds of rainbows swirling around them.

“This clearly won’t be hidden for long; best we go,” Grandmother urged.

“We’ll be traveling through time and realms. It’ll be dizzying,” Alainn said.

“I’m ready,” Arianna said beaming at Darius.

“I’m ready for anything as long as I’m with you, my wee witch.”

He bent to kiss her as the brilliant color burst across the sky and carried them away.

The End.

About the Author

Since she was a child, Leigh Ann Edwards has always had a vivid imagination and lots of stories to tell. An enthusiastic traveler and author for over twenty years, her adventures in Massachusetts, Ireland, and the UK inspired The Farrier’s Daughter and its sequel novels in the Irish Witch series. Edwards adores animals, history, genealogy, and magical places—and Ireland is filled with many magical places. She lives with her husband and two cats in the lovely city of Edmonton, Alberta.

Visit Leigh Ann at leighannedwards.com.