The haze of green grass came back first. Duncan blinked and stretched his hands to the blurry circle of white stones, but even as his sight returned, he knew it was no use.
Evina was gone.
EVINA’S WORLD spiraled in a mix of grass and white light. Wind swept at her from all directions, gentle even as it pulled and tugged at her simple white gown. Her stomach swam with disorientation and her mind whirled.
I love ye, Evina.
Duncan’s words echoed, raw and perfectly honest.
The wind stopped abruptly, and a thick mist filled the air. It sparkled as if it’d been sprinkled with diamond dust and smelled sweetly of summertime flowers warmed by the sun. A calm washed through her and the sensation of solid surface settled against the bottoms of her feet.
She remained in place, unsure if she should move, or if doing so might result in her falling through the cloud. Was it a cloud at all?
She slid one foot forward and found the surface under her still firm. Cautious, she took another step. A giggle sounded somewhere in the hazy depths of the mist and echoed around her.
“Who are ye?” Evina demanded. Her hand went to her belt where the dagger remained.
“Anyone who would be here would be a daughter of Morrigan.” The voice was feminine, childish, and followed by another damn giggle.
“Ye’re a daughter of Morrigan too?” Evina asked.
“I’m ye’re sister.” The fog parted slightly to reveal a young girl. Flowers were caught in her golden ringlets and she wore a similarly simple white gown as Evina. Her deep brown eyes fastened on Evina with curiosity. “Ye have her hair.” Her full pink lips pursed into a frown. “I’ve always wished I had her hair.”
The girl came only to Evina’s waist and could not have been more than seven.
“Yer blonde hair is lovely,” Evina said. And it was true. Never had she laid eyes on a more beautiful child than this girl standing dejectedly before her. The girl’s pursed frown eased into a fresh smile.
“I’m Sorcha.” She held out the hem of her glittering skirt and curtsied.
“I’m Evina.” She offered what she hoped passed for a curtsey, having only done few in her life.
Sorcha gave an amused laugh. “I know who ye are.” She waved a hand and walked through the heavy mist. Her footing seemed sure and she moved with enough confidence to convince Evina they would not topple through the clouds.
“We are allowed to watch our sisters, though it isna often we’re able to intervene.” Sorcha’s serious expression displayed her sincerity. “To do so is done at a high cost to the sister offering aid.”
“Ye can watch each other? And help? What do ye mean by cost?” Evina’s mind spun with more questions than she could possibly voice. “Did ye watch me?”
“Ye ask a lot of questions.” Sorcha lifted her brows and continued to lead the way through the thick shimmering cloud. “But then if I had yer curse, I imagine I’d have many questions too.”
The mist thinned and gave way to an open glen with a large pool shimmering with blue-cast water so clear one could make out the rounded stones within. Swells of emerald green grass grew with patches of purple heather and the sun shone so bright overhead, Evina’s skin warmed with its magnificent heat.
She took it all in, awed by the splendor of what lay before her. Never in her travels had she encountered anything so serene, so breathtakingly stunning. Her gaze combed over each rock, every blade of grass, mentally noting everything to relay to Duncan later. He would love to hear of this place.
Her heart ached suddenly with the loss of his presence. She wished he was here, at her side, meeting Sorcha and seeing such an incredible place.
Sorcha leaned forward. “Does it look familiar?”
Evina turned to the girl, her sister, and her eyes prickled with the threat of tears. “Have I been here before?”
How could she have forgotten such a place?
“Ye have, but it isna yer fault ye canna remember.” Sorcha slid her small hand into Evina’s. The girl’s palm was slightly damp as children’s often are. Apparently the offspring of goddesses were not so different than those of mortals.
A comfortable silence settled in Evina’s soul, and she realized it must be Sorcha’s doing. Perhaps different than mortal offspring after all.
“Is it…part of my curse?” Evina asked. “To forget.”
Sorcha led Evina down the gentle slope of a path. The grass beneath their bare feet was lush and soft. Everything here had a semblance of safety, perfection.
“Aye, yer curse has been a difficult one to witness.” Sorcha paused and looked up at Evina with her deep brown eyes. “I’m sorry ye’ve forgotten so much. Know that we sisters have always loved ye.”
Loved her? Evina blinked at the revelation. No one had ever loved her, save Duncan.
His image slammed into her mind. Handsome with raw power, and yet gentle as he gazed at her with such tenderness. She sucked in a breath. He had cried out his love for her, harsh with pain. As if he thought he might lose her forever.
“Will I be able to return home?” Evina asked.
Sorcha giggled. “Of course. Ye may leave whenever ye like.” Her smile wilted. “But ye canna come back.”
Evina nodded in understanding. This was the only visit she would be permitted, and it would have to be enough to get the information she craved.
Sorcha picked her way down the path once more and waved for Evina to follow. “Mother will be here soon and ye may ask her yer questions. Until then, I can help with some of yer questions. I have wanted to meet you for so verra long.” She kicked her slender legs in a show of excitement and Evina couldn’t help but laugh.
“Can ye tell me
