Sea's Sorceress by Brynna Curry Page B

chant. “My seal is set, our bargain met, if three can accept love’s pain and joy without condition, then Earth and Sea shall be set free, only Air will be chained to thee.”
    For all she had done, Arianne was still her sister. The kindness in Brie wouldn’t allow her to damn her own blood. Tears carried the weight his words lay on her heart. “I know she has good within her. Please give her hope, though she doesn’t deserve it. It will be for her to decide what to do with it.”
    He considered. A smile crossed his face when he thought of Devin, his young apprentice, and he sighed.
    “Air may scream and howl, but it is her sister’s pleas you will hear now. Fire will come to wrench her free, if he is not bold and Air’s heart grown too cold, love will fail and your chains will hold. Still, if Fire can melt Air’s icy wind, then love will triumph once again. So mote it be, an it harm whomever it need.”
    Daemon collapsed into her arms, spent from the spell.
    “What have you done?”
    “I am the lock, you are the key. Never forget my love for you. Five or five thousand years, my heart will seek yours.”
    Catching the tear that slipped down her cheek, her husband smiled and dissolved into the sea, taking her tear with him. Her sister howled as she vanished into the air, forever trapped within the stone circle. An instant later, Briella became dust on the ground where she stood.
     

 
    Chapter 1
     
    Soft throbs of music hummed through the air of O’Malley’s Pub. Outside, the wind had quieted and rain tapered down to a drizzle. Heavens, she was tired, and the weather wasn’t helping. If Rhia could just have ten minutes off her feet, preferably out of the crowd, to gather her thoughts. Grrr. I can’t even hear myself think . Was it a crime to want a few blessed minutes of peace?
    She lined up four mugs on the counter and began to build the Guinness for table three. Glancing over toward Amy’s section, Rhia noted everyone appeared to be content for the moment. Good.
    “Whew. Sure is busy tonight, boss.” Siobhan passed by on her way from the kitchen to serve the platters she carried to a couple of gentlemen sitting at the bar. As soon as she set down the tray, one hand went to her lower back.
    Rhia finished the last Guinness. “It is at that. Sure you don’t mind covering the kitchen?”
    “Not at all. It’s a blessing to be out of the racket for a bit.”
    “I appreciate it, but get off your feet when you can. I don’t want you to overdo it.”
    Siobhan patted her swollen tummy. At four months along, she was still fascinated with her pregnancy. Every kick and flutter was celebrated at length to anyone within earshot. “I’m healthy as a horse. Besides, I’m sure your pet hunk will be back soon.”
    “Lord, don’t say that in front of him. His ego is big enough already. And how many times do I have to–Oh, for cryin’ out loud. You’d think that bloody phone could stop ringing for five minutes.”
    The pub was really packed this evening and as much as she hated to do it, she would have to call her mother and ask her to run the kitchen for the remainder of the evening shift. Siobhan might put on a brave front, but she wouldn’t be able to hold out another four hours until closing. Maybe her Da would be okay by himself for that long. What else could she do? Skye had all but run out of the kitchen three hours ago, mumbling something about Liv screaming inside his head. He needed to leave. Family comes first, always . So she’d told him to go.
    Tucking her bar towel in the back pocket of worn jeans, Rhiannon picked up the phone behind the bar. If only she could rip the thing out and smash it against something. Her hands were full just working the bar and trying to keep an eye on her waitresses.
    “O’Malleys,” she shouted over the noise of the crowd. “This is Rhiannon. How may I help you?”
    “Hello, love.” His voice was silk, smooth, rich and very dangerous. Skye.
    “Speak of the