Luck of the Irish (10 page)

Maggie sensed fear in his voice and without thinking about it, she moved closer and settled her hand on his lower back. She did it on instinct, wanting to be as close to him as possible, in case the news was grim. Declan stiffened briefly but didn’t pull away and Maggie didn’t miss the sound of disgust from Esmeralda as she huffed away toward the village.

“She’s safe.” Dyanna sniffled and wiped her teary eyes. Smiling broadly, she started walking toward town. “Aurelia is at the lake with Mandor. I tell you that girl may be half witch and half leprechaun but if you ask me, she’s got some selkie in her. The wee one has been in that water most every day since she could swim.”

“Who is Mandor?” Declan growled.

“A young man from the village. His family is all gone and he’s become a surrogate grandson, if you will.” She waved one hand. “ A lovely boy and he adores Aurelia.”

“The boy is half fae and half selkie?” Declan couldn’t help but feel jealous that another man was spending time with his daughter the way he should have been. “Not surprised he chose to remain here. He’d have a rough go of it tryin’ to live among the humans.”

Maggie wanted to ask what the heck a selkie was but she figured it could wait. The older woman glanced over her shoulder and boldly looked Maggie up and down, making her feel a bit like freak. Maggie inched closer to Declan and tucked her hair behind her ears, hoping she looked presentable but knowing she probably looked like a hot mess.

“What’s your name, girl?” She shouted.

“Her name’s Maggie but she won’t be stayin’ long,” Declan said more quickly than Maggie would have liked. “I’ll be takin’ her back to the human realm after I see Aurelia.”

Maggie snapped her mouth shut and sliced an irritated glance at Declan but he kept his sights straight ahead. Leprechaun or not, the guy sure could act like a macho human man when he felt like it. She couldn’t think of the last time someone spoke for her like she was incapable of answering for herself.

“I see.” Dyanna nodded slowly and her gaze fell to the necklace around Maggie’s neck. Her gray eyebrows raised and she hurried along the path. “That’s a lovely amulet you have there, Maggie.”

Before Maggie could respond, Dyanna gestured to the right.

“Come on, then. I’ll tell you everything at the cottage. You’ve been away so long and we can’t have your guest standing out here in those clothes. You may only be staying a short while, but you’ll be dressed proper. As it is, Esmeralda will be stirring up trouble for both of you in no time.”

M
aggie was about to ask what the big deal was about her clothes but when they passed by a few local people, the expressions on their faces told the whole story. It was abundantly clear that humans weren’t exactly common in the leprechaun village. A couple of women gaped at her before whispering and scurrying away.

Yup. She was a freak.

They followed Dyanna in silence for a few moments before Maggie whispered, “They look like regular people.”

“What did ya expect?” He kept his sights on Dyanna and his body remained rife with tension. “Pointy ears and wings?”

“Well, they are fairies.”

“As am I.”

“Yeah, but you’re a
leprechaun
.”

“Aye, and so are all those in the village. They are also part
fae
.” He kept his voice low as they stepped onto the dirt road. He scanned the area the way a soldier would. Tense. Alert. Ready for battle. “A leprechaun’s power is rooted in the gold of the amulet. Ya see that mountain to the right?”

“Mountain?” Maggie squinted against the brilliant sunlight but caught sight of the dome shape in the distance. “Yes, but it looks more like a big hill.”

“That’s where the gold is mined from.” He jutted a thumb over his shoulder. “Many of the men here in the village work in the mines. It’s how we’re able to survive. We trade it with our fae cousins but only the leprechauns can harness its power. Our pure-blooded fae cousins find their power purely in the light. They have no need of gold to access their magic.”

They passed a few more villagers but most of them averted their eyes when Maggie tried to smile at them. If she wasn’t uncomfortable before, she sure as hell was now.

“Why is everyone acting like they don’t see me or if they do see me, they aren’t too happy about it?”

“You’re mortal,” he said abruptly. “Ya don’t belong here.”

“Yeah but how do they know I’m human and not a fae.”

“Ya mean aside from what you’re wearin’?” A grin lingered momentarily on his lips. “Your aura is far weaker than that of a fae. It’s lovely, mind you, but not as bright.” He nodded at a young man who looked away quickly and hurried down the dirt road. “There’s no mistakin’ that you’re a human.”

“Aura?” Maggie frowned and looked down at herself. “I don’t see any auras.”

“That’s because ya aren’t fae, darlin’.”

“What color is my aura?”

“Pink.” Declan smiled at her briefly and Maggie’s stomach fluttered. “I suspect that’s why ya smell of roses.”

They stopped by a bend in the road and he ran his thumb along the curve of her palm. Amazing. Even with all the craziness going on around them, and obviously anxious to see his daughter, the guy still took the time to say something nice to her.

Damn. One minute he’s a macho caveman and the next he’s sweet as pie. Talk about knowing how to confuse a woman. Jeez. Maggie didn’t know what to think.

“Come on now, both of you. Let’s go inside so we can talk in private,” Dyanna said.

Dyanna hurried into a small cottage with a thatch roof that was set off the road and away from most of the other buildings. Before she stepped inside, Maggie surveyed the area one more time and noted the sparkling city in the distance. It looked far more advanced and civilized than this rustic little village.

“Declan?” Maggie pulled him close and kept her voice low as Dyanna hurried to an old fashioned wood stove. “This town seems a lot less fancy than that city with the castle. The buildings over there, they look like they’re made of jewels and, well, this place isn’t.”

He nodded and was about to answer her but Dyanna did it for him.

“Our village is reserved for the outcasts, dear.” Dyanna’s brittle voice, like crackling paper in a fire, cut Maggie to the core because she said that like it wasn’t a big deal. “Those not wanted or accepted by the pure blood fae, or by their other parentage, must live here if they wish to remain in this dimension.”

“What? That’s dreadful to be segregated like that.” Maggie stepped around Declan’s massive frame and went over to Dyanna. “You mean everyone in this village... ”

“Is a mix of fae blood and something else,” Dyanna finished for her. “The unwanted and unclean are sent to live here. Most of us don’t have full fae magic and some have none at all.”

Dyanna stirred something in an enormous cast iron pot and a delicious aroma, a mix of garlic and honey filled the space. A split second later, Maggie’s stomach rumbled loudly and her face heated with embarrassment.

“Sorry,” she said with an awkward laugh. She rubbed absently at her belly and lifted on shoulder. “I guess I haven’t eaten anything in a while.”

“Then you are in the right place, my dear.” Dyanna let out a loud cackle and put some stew in a wood bowl before handing it to Maggie. “Like I was saying, the leprechauns, well, we live under Queen Zemi’s rule but not her protection.”

“Thank you.” Maggie took the bowl and immediately scooped a spoonful of the stew into her mouth. She almost groaned with pleasure when the explosion of flavors danced over her tongue. “Holy cow, this is so good!”

“There’s plenty more, although it’s not cow. It’s more like rabbit,” Dyanna laughed. She pulled out chair and gestured for Maggie to sit. “Put your tiny bottom right there and eat until you’re stuffed. Declan will tell you, there’s nothing I enjoy more than having people gobble up my food.”

Maggie’s butt hit the chair as the word “rabbit” registered in her brain. The spoon stopped mid air and she only paused for a moment before shrugging and eating another mouthwatering bite.

“Where the blazes are they?” Declan groused. He went to the window and braced both hands on either side of it. “How long could they be swimmin’?”

“Keep your kilt on, boy.” Dyanna went back to the pot, stirring again and then placing a lid on it. “They’ll be back soon. I told Mador you’d returned.”

“How could you have told him?” Maggie asked between bites. She scraped the bowl with the spoon, not wanting to miss any of it. “I mean, I don’t see a cellphone or anything.”

“Mador can speak with his mind,” she said, like it was no big deal. “Like your man Declan, I’m part fae, but I’ve also got some witch with a dash of gypsy for good measure. Telepathy is one of the gifts from my father’s line. Mador’s family had it as well. Makes life much easier, especially as I’ve gotten older.”

“Can you do that, Declan?” Maggie rose from her chair as Dyanna took the bowl and spoon. “Talk to people only with your mind?”

“No. None of that in my line.” He shook his head and shoved himself away from the wall, impatience edging his voice. “I’m tired of waitin’. I’m goin’ to the lake.”

“No you’re not,” Dyanna said simply.

“She’s my daughter and I’m goin’ to get her.”

He spun on his heels but Dyanna’s words halted his exit.

“She don’t even know you, Declan.” The old woman’s voice was quiet but carried a wallop. He turned slowly and the sadness that rimmed his steely gray eyes made Maggie’s heart ache. “Think about it, boy. She ain’t seen you since the day she was born. Imagine how that would be for a little girl, having a big brute like you storming up to her out of nowhere. Don’t you think that the first time you see your daughter it should be a bit more formal?”

Maggie stood between Declan and Dyanna, the tension in the room rising and making the air feel thick, like a humid summer day. She looked from one to the other and glanced at Declan just in time to see an expression of acceptance wash over his handsome face.

“Hello.” The sweet angelic voice of a little girl drifted into the room with a cool breeze. “Who are you?”

Standing in the open doorway of the cottage was a young man, who looked to be no more than twenty and he was holding the hand of an adorable little girl who had to be Aurelia. She had long wavy auburn hair that hung in damp tendrils around a heart shaped face with fair creamy skin but what stood out to Maggie the most were the girl’s pale blue eyes that were almost exactly like Declan’s. But she didn’t look like she was three; the child seemed to be closer to five or six.

Declan stood motionless with his arms at his side and stared at the wide-eyed curious little girl but he didn’t move. It dawned on Maggie that the poor guy actually looked terrified. He acted like he didn’t have a single clue as to what to say or do.

“Aurelia, this is your father,” Dyanna said. She crossed the room and stood next to the child and urged her gently toward Declan. “His name is—”

“Declan Ahearn. I’ve heard about you from Mador and Dyanna,” the child said casually. She flicked her blue eyes to Maggie and looked her over from head to toe. “But who are you? You aren’t my mama because she’s dead. She died when I was just a baby, you know.”

“Yes. I mean, no,” Maggie sputtered. “I’m not your mother but, yes, I know she’s passed away.” Maggie smiled and moved in next to Declan. She knelt down so that she and the girl were eye to eye. “My name is Maggie O’Malley and I’m... a friend of your father’s.”

“You’re human. I can tell because you don’t have an aura like the others.” The girl squinted, her gaze stopping on the amulet around Maggie’s neck. Without missing a beat, Aurelia wrapped her little fingers around the gold disc. A smile bloomed on her sweet face. “It’s just like mine.”

“It is.” Maggie’s throat tightened. “Your father gave it to me.”

“Really?” She dropped the disc as her large eyes studied Maggie with far more wisdom than a regular five year old. “He must like you. Leprechauns don’t give their gold to just anyone. Isn’t that right, Mador.”

The boy gave a curt nod and grunted but didn’t move from his spot in the doorway. He did not look happy that Declan had returned. Not happy at all. But Declan didn’t seem to notice. His gaze softened as he studied his daughter and the tension in Maggie’s chest unraveled.

God help her, she was falling in love with a leprechaun.

“Aye,” Declan whispered. He bent at the knees and pulled his amulet from beneath his shirt. “Your necklace is just like mine, as well. I gave it to ya the day ya were born. I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long, lass.”

He reached out with a shaking finger and brushed a lock of hair off Aurelia’s forehead. The girl didn’t move but kept her intelligent stare on her father.

“Ya have the look of your mother.” He dropped his hand and rose to his feet slowly. “Ya are as beautiful as she was.”

“That’s what everyone says.” Aurelia wrapped her fingers over her own necklace and took a step back. She pursed her lips and a line formed between her eyes. “Are you going to stay or will you leave again?”

“I’ll be stayin’ and ya should know that leavin’ ya was never my choice.” Declan cleared his throat. “This is my home... and yours.”

Aurelia nodded slowly and looked over her shoulder at Mador who didn’t look any happier than he had a moment ago.

“I knew he’d be nice,” she said in a loud whisper. “But why is he wearing a dress like a girl?”

Maggie stifled a giggle and folded her arms over her chest when Declan scoffed audibly at the innocent observation.

“Your clothes are funny too.” Aurelia pointed at Maggie’s yoga pants. “You’re wearing pants like a boy.”

Apparently, this unusual village didn’t just look old fashioned. Boys were boys and girls were girls. That could take more getting used to than the noticeable lack of electricity and plumbing.

“That’s enough out of you, young lady.” Dyanna took Aurelia by the hand. “Let’s get you some dry clothes and something to eat. Then you and your papa can start to make up for lost time.”

“Will you be here when I come out?” Aurelia’s hesitant voice cut through the cottage. “Both of you?”