Irish Mist by Caitlin Ricci Page A

it, and hearing it now warmed him. “My Hannah,” he said in response, knowing that she was smiling against his skin as he did so.
    He lifted his gaze to see her companion, a young man he hadn’t seen in person in years. Caelum had been in Ippy’s dreams plenty, but like Hannah, Ippy had left off a few details when he’d projected himself into the dream. Caelum realized Ippy hadn’t really shown him much of himself, not really anyway. He was smaller in the dreams, his curly hair even more unruly, and his features weren’t as fine. Caelum gave him a smile, appreciating the man Ippy had become as he brought a hand away from Hannah’s back to reach for him.
    At first it looked like Ippy might not take it, and for a moment, Caelum was worried. But then Ippy dropped the bags he was carrying and his hand came up to brush against Caelum’s. Caelum didn’t let go of Hannah, he definitely wasn’t ready to do that anytime soon, but he did pull Ippy toward him, bringing the younger man closer to him until he could put his arm around Ippy, and Ippy did the same to him.
    “Missed you both,” Caelum said as Hannah moved aside to make more room for Ippy.
    Hannah titled her head back and smiled up at him. “Missed you, too. The plane ride was so long, and my dads almost made us late since they kept hugging us at the airport. I didn’t think they’d ever let us go. It was a mess. We had to run through security just to make it. I had thought Samson would let us take the pack plane, but he said it was busy or something. Really, I don’t know. I think he was just trying to make us suffer. Coach is not my preferred way to travel at all.”
    With Hannah talking excitedly in his ear Caelum looked over at Ippy. He hadn’t said anything to Caelum, and though he knew Ippy couldn’t talk out loud, they’d always been able to communicate through Ippy’s thoughts. “You okay?” he asked Ippy, hoping nothing was wrong already. They hadn’t even made it inside the door.
    Ippy nodded and gave them both a tentative smile before stepping back and getting the bags. Caelum frowned and Hannah’s smile died on her lips. “Ippy?” she asked him.
    I’m okay. Just tired.
    Caelum knew that might have been it. He’d certainly never be able to sit in a place for nine hours straight. But he wasn’t completely convinced, either. “Okay, well, your beds are made up already if you want to take a nap. It’s not yet dinnertime, but there’s stuff in the fridge if you want it.”
    Ippy nodded and Caelum watched him go into the house, a heavy looking duffel bag in each hand. Caelum was still frowning when he saw Ippy go into one of the unused bedrooms and close the door behind himself. “What’s going on with him?” he asked Hannah as he turned back to her.
    She shrugged and he saw that her attention was on the bedroom door as well. “He’s been quiet lately. Well, just this past week really. I thought it was nerves, but now I’m not so sure. Think he’ll be okay?”
    “Dunno.” Caelum really had no idea. Sure, he’d spent nearly every night for the past two years in Ippy’s dreams, but that didn’t mean much. Not when being in a dream and then being here were so different.
    Hannah stepped out of his arms, but she didn’t go far, instead taking his hand and looking around. “It’s just like in the dreams. We’ve walked this path right here that goes down to the beach. We’ve lain down there together and watched his sky. You really were able to capture all of it.”
    Caelum blushed. “Selkie talent,” he softly reminded her as he ducked his head.
    She gave him a grin, and it looked so easy on her face, like she didn’t have a care in the world. “Well, it’s awesome. And, by the way, your fur is looking pretty fantastic right now. I can completely see him, even his little whiskers.”
    She reached forward and Caelum ducked his head a little since she was a good foot shorter than he was. She touched the side of his face were