“If I can grant it, you may.”
She held out her knife, a good strong piece of worked iron. “Touch this.”
He grimaced and pulled back. “You must be well aware I cannot.”
She knew it. He was Fae.
Clíodhna stood, taking several steps back while still holding the knife. She held it not like a weapon, ready to stab, but out in front of her like a talisman, a charm against the man still sitting on his log.
His shoulders slumped. “Danú, I’ve been making a right mess of this. Clíodhna, do please sit again. I vow to you upon my Queen’s life that I mean you no harm. I am not here to hurt or entrap you or your children in a spell, contract, or géis.”
Clíodhna had grown up with the small Aos Sídhe, those sprites of the woods and the land who remained tied to their places by their nature. They might not be precisely Fae themselves, but protected by the Fae. She’d seen them all her life, though most did not. She didn’t fear the spirits or the Fae, not categorically, but all the tales spoke of the danger in dealing with a higher Fae, and this man—no, this Faerie—must be a higher Fae.
Still, Faerie folk also had much magic. Perhaps he sought her out for something to her benefit. His vow seemed tight enough. She couldn’t figure out how he’d wiggle out of it to do her harm, but she’d remain vigilant.
With a fluid motion, she returned to her place on the log, but kept the knife in hand. “Now, tell me first, who you are, second, why you are here, and third, why I should deal with you in any manner at all.”
He let out a deep sigh and, eyeing Clíodhna’s knife, readjusted his seat on the log so he could face her. “I am Adhna and, as you have obviously surmised, I am Fae. I come from the Queen of my kingdom, Áine. She has detected your power and has sent me to assess you.”
Spikes of fear coursed through her blood. A Faerie Queen knew of her and her magic. So much for his assurances of safety. This could only spell danger. “Assess me? Am I a farm to be valued for purchase?”
“You are not a farm. You are a human with some magical talent. If you would like, I can teach you how to harness that power and use it rather than simply raise it and let it dissipate.”
“Everyone does magic. What would you teach me?”
He let out a sigh. “I do not speak of low magic, the sort of spells every woman performs in their kitchen. I speak of higher magic, that of the Fae and the nature spirits.”
“And how would such teaching serve your Queen?”
Adhna shrugged. “It may or it may not. I am granted some latitude in my mission. I could make the argument such lessons would make you a better tool should Queen Áine wish you to serve her. On the other hand, if she sees you as a threat, association with me might keep her from destroying you.”
Such a cold statement made her heart drop. “You said you meant me no harm.”
The side of his mouth rose in a charming half-smile. “And I meant it. You know Fae cannot outright lie. However, her will may override my intentions. I would rather you know this at the outset.”
Clíodhna had never been the same as other women. Her ability to see the forest sprites aside, her independent nature had always been viewed as odd. Other than women warriors, she’d rarely encountered women of power, and while she could wield a knife or a bow readily enough, she’d never pass for a warrior.
“Very well. I will take one lesson. After that, I will decide on further actions.” She placed her knife back into her belt and stood.
Adhna rose and grinned. The mischievous twinkle returned to his blue eyes. “Then I shall not yet ask you to take a formal vow. I will offer the first lesson free of any obligation or repayment.”
“I accept these terms. One lesson with no payment necessary. When?”
His grin deepened. “This time, but tomorrow? We can meet here, if you like. You’re comfortable in this place, and the local power responds to you.”
As much as she ached for time to herself, time to simply be alone, Adhna’s offer intrigued her to her soul. When she had been young, she’d craved to learn the Druí craft, but her father wouldn’t allow her to join their enclave. This might be the only chance she had to learn such mysteries.
She took a deep breath. “Very well.”
* * *
In the morning, Clíodhna decided she must travel to the village. She needed someone to help with watching the children. Donn had been of great help the day before, but if she would be out for a lesson half the day, she needed more reliable help. While Donn acted with consideration for his responsibilities, he was also a young man, and she knew he had his eye on Mugain as a future wife. He might wander off if he heard she’d returned early.
Instead, she decided she’d take that kind monk’s offer to teach them both. Perhaps she could also find someone to care for Aileran during that time. Elsewise, she’d have to bring the baby along on her lessons with Adhna.
She’d dreamt of Adhna all night. The dreams shifted from dangerous flights across the countryside, pursued by some amorphous, unknown danger, to sweet fantasies of making love under the full moon.
By all the gods, it had been much too long since she’d been with a man.
After putting that thought out of her head, she organized the farm for a day away with Donn and Etromma’s help. After greeting the dawn, she fed and cleaned the
