bond, beyond companion or communion? Do you remember it?”
“The Síorghrá .” Ceri nodded thoughtfully. “The story
of the fated soul mate. Of course I remember it. It says long before we came to
this world, we were each joined to another of our kind. Joined in every sense
of the word. But something happened that physically separated us, and in the
chaos of our first migration, we lost our other half.”
She glanced over her shoulder for a moment, as if looking
for Dian. “The rending left a scar on our spirits. It is why we continuously
seek each other out. Needing contact. Some part of us always longing for what
was lost. Always yearning for more.” Ceri shrugged. “It is a beautifully sad
story, though I clearly recall the archivists inferring it was a morality tale.
That it was not an actual being, but a state of being that we’d lost. A
feeling of being incomplete that, when left unchecked, can lead you down a
dangerous path. The Horde, for example. The more cynical among us believe it to
be an easy excuse for excessive promiscuity. Not that we need one.”
Finn had always believed that. Just a story, a romanticized
tale told to children to explain away any longing for something better,
something more beyond their realm. Fae did not have soul mates. Yesterday he’d
had no doubt. But now? “Aren’t there some Fae who claim they’ve found their síorghrá ?
There was one couple—”
“You mean Caer and Aengus?” Ceri’s long-lashed eyes widened.
“There were rumors that they were pressured by several houses to leave
when they wouldn’t join in our sacred ceremonies. They refused to share their
bodies with anyone but each other, and you know how shocking that is to the
rest of our kind. I heard they went to the Southern Portal to join the shifters
who protect it.” She shook her head. “You have a good memory, Finn. I haven’t
thought of those two in a few hundred years. My question is, why are you? You
can’t actually think that this Sheridan is— Finn, you told me she’s from Áine’s
line. A Druid. And only half of one at that. She’s not Fae, is she? That’s the
only way it could even be possible.”
He knew it made no sense. Knew she was right. “The story
talks about recognizing your mate when you join. Certain telltale signs.”
“And you’ve experienced them?”
“A few. I joined with her in her dream and the experience
was…intense.” She was the only Fae he could share that with who wouldn’t judge.
Who wouldn’t share his secret with those who would ensure he was chastised for
indulging in a long-unused and forbidden practice. “But there have been other
signs since I’ve met her.”
His lack of desire for any other woman immediately sprang to
mind.
Ceri was looking at him strangely. “I’ve never known you to
give in to flights of fancy. If I’m to claim the human, one whom I assume is
important to her, then I have to meet this Druid who has so turned your head.
That’s my condition.”
Finn nodded slowly. He was glad she’d suggested it herself.
Sheridan would demand nothing less. “She and her cousin are with the dragon
prince at the edge of the Eastern Portal. The celebrations begin tomorrow, but
allow me a short time to ready them for your arrival.”
She was laughing again. “I’ve missed my adventures with you,
dear Finn. Now go, so Dian and I can prepare ourselves for what’s to come.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed
gratefully. “My trust in you is complete.”
Her smile was kind as she repeated the vow that preceded any
battle. “As is mine in you. Together, we will not fail.”
“Together, we will not fail.” He couldn’t fail. Never again.
Not when Sheridan was involved. He wouldn’t allow it.
* * * * *
“So you’re saying that ninety percent of this sacred Fae
celebration we’ve been invited to consists of sex, group sex and naked
wrestling?”
Sheridan knew she sounded more panicked than sarcastic, but
she
“The Síorghrá .” Ceri nodded thoughtfully. “The story
of the fated soul mate. Of course I remember it. It says long before we came to
this world, we were each joined to another of our kind. Joined in every sense
of the word. But something happened that physically separated us, and in the
chaos of our first migration, we lost our other half.”
She glanced over her shoulder for a moment, as if looking
for Dian. “The rending left a scar on our spirits. It is why we continuously
seek each other out. Needing contact. Some part of us always longing for what
was lost. Always yearning for more.” Ceri shrugged. “It is a beautifully sad
story, though I clearly recall the archivists inferring it was a morality tale.
That it was not an actual being, but a state of being that we’d lost. A
feeling of being incomplete that, when left unchecked, can lead you down a
dangerous path. The Horde, for example. The more cynical among us believe it to
be an easy excuse for excessive promiscuity. Not that we need one.”
Finn had always believed that. Just a story, a romanticized
tale told to children to explain away any longing for something better,
something more beyond their realm. Fae did not have soul mates. Yesterday he’d
had no doubt. But now? “Aren’t there some Fae who claim they’ve found their síorghrá ?
There was one couple—”
“You mean Caer and Aengus?” Ceri’s long-lashed eyes widened.
“There were rumors that they were pressured by several houses to leave
when they wouldn’t join in our sacred ceremonies. They refused to share their
bodies with anyone but each other, and you know how shocking that is to the
rest of our kind. I heard they went to the Southern Portal to join the shifters
who protect it.” She shook her head. “You have a good memory, Finn. I haven’t
thought of those two in a few hundred years. My question is, why are you? You
can’t actually think that this Sheridan is— Finn, you told me she’s from Áine’s
line. A Druid. And only half of one at that. She’s not Fae, is she? That’s the
only way it could even be possible.”
He knew it made no sense. Knew she was right. “The story
talks about recognizing your mate when you join. Certain telltale signs.”
“And you’ve experienced them?”
“A few. I joined with her in her dream and the experience
was…intense.” She was the only Fae he could share that with who wouldn’t judge.
Who wouldn’t share his secret with those who would ensure he was chastised for
indulging in a long-unused and forbidden practice. “But there have been other
signs since I’ve met her.”
His lack of desire for any other woman immediately sprang to
mind.
Ceri was looking at him strangely. “I’ve never known you to
give in to flights of fancy. If I’m to claim the human, one whom I assume is
important to her, then I have to meet this Druid who has so turned your head.
That’s my condition.”
Finn nodded slowly. He was glad she’d suggested it herself.
Sheridan would demand nothing less. “She and her cousin are with the dragon
prince at the edge of the Eastern Portal. The celebrations begin tomorrow, but
allow me a short time to ready them for your arrival.”
She was laughing again. “I’ve missed my adventures with you,
dear Finn. Now go, so Dian and I can prepare ourselves for what’s to come.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed
gratefully. “My trust in you is complete.”
Her smile was kind as she repeated the vow that preceded any
battle. “As is mine in you. Together, we will not fail.”
“Together, we will not fail.” He couldn’t fail. Never again.
Not when Sheridan was involved. He wouldn’t allow it.
* * * * *
“So you’re saying that ninety percent of this sacred Fae
celebration we’ve been invited to consists of sex, group sex and naked
wrestling?”
Sheridan knew she sounded more panicked than sarcastic, but
she
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