She takes the cup and inhales the scent. “Mmmm, smells so good.” Sipping the hot liquid she enjoys the burst of flavor and looks at him. “Thank you. If you cook as well as you do other things, my heart may be in trouble.”
“I will remember you said that.” Seizing the opportunity he grabs a handful of the towel she is wearing and tugs her close. When his mouth claims hers Serenity relishes the taste of coffee and Michael. “Good morning, beautiful,” he whispers against her mouth.
“Hi handsome,” she sighs. He releases her and holds up a bag of clothes.
“What’s this?” she wonders as she accepts the bag.
“Clothes for our trip to the Well of Souls,” he informs her.
Serenity looks inside the bag and is once again amazed at the thoughtfulness of the man in front of her. “Thank you for thinking of my needs, Michael.”
“Of course, but I need a promise from you, Serenity.” He says sitting on the bed. Serenity listens as she digs through the bag. Jeans, sock, black lace panties and bra, a sweater, he thought of everything. She listens as he talks, lifting the lace from the bag.
“You will not go off alone again, Serenity,” his eyes darken and his mouth begins to water as she drops the towel. “Being a guardian does not mean you are invincible,” he continues staring at her and his heart accelerates when she wiggles into the black lace panties. She pulls on the matching black lace bra, stepping close to him, and his hands begin to sweat.
“You’re right, Michael. We are better together, stronger right?” she asks nudging his knees apart. Her hands begin roaming and his mind goes blank.
“Serenity, I’m serious,” he groans as she buries her hands in his hair. Cupping her bottom he squeezes as she straddles him and takes his mouth again.
“Okay, Michael. I am not invincible,” she responds between kisses. Her heart soars when he stands and flips her onto her back climbing onto the bed above her.
“Promise me, Serenity!” he demands. “Promise me, that you will not leave me again. We will figure this out together.”
“I promise, Michael.” Relief fills his heart at her whispered words. He tugs on her nipple through the lace with his teeth, grinning when her hands tighten in his hair.
“You are such a tease, we both know we are out of time,” she groans when his knee pushes between her thighs and applies gentle pressure. Slowly he grinds his knee against her heat.
“Really? Where there’s a will there’s a way, and I am willing.”
“How fast can you be, because your son is going to be here any second?” His shock shows on his face, and he quickly lets her up off the bed. She laughs and runs into the bathroom snagging the bag.
A few seconds later, Michael hears Sincere call out, “Dad, where’s Renity?”
“Sincere, what are you doing here? I told you to stay home,” he says fiercely when he walks into the living room.
“Daddy, Renity needs me. The bad one is coming again, but she’s bringing friends,” he says with tears in his little eyes.
Michael squats down and picks his son up. “Tell me what you know, son. I will listen.”
Serenity walks in and listens but the moment he speaks, she is struck to her knees with a vision.
Ayva is laughing as she attacks Nick. Noel jumps in front of Nick just as Ayva throws a dagger at him. “They are going to attack your father, Michael! Your mother will try to protect him but she will be hurt! You must go to them!”
“Dad you have to help us.” Michael looks into the eyes of his son and his heart breaks.
“Serenity?” he calls out.
“Go Michael, I will wait here for you,” she promises.
“Now, Daddy! She’s coming!” Sincere cries out.
In a flash they are gone, and Serenity is afraid. Hurrying through the cabin she searches for her boots, then pulls them on and grabs her coat. Inside her coat pocket is the map Nick gave her. She stretches it out on the small table and smiles when it begins to glow.
Lismore, Ireland.
Take the walk.
“That’s just perfect, vague as usual. How am I supposed to get there?” she asks the map, then laughs. “I’m talking to a map.” A cold breeze begins to blow and Serenity’s smile fades. Levitating off the table the map rises and begins to stretch. Illuminated from within, the map has become a doorway! Serenity pulls on her coat and tries to still her beating heart.
“I’m sorry, Michael, but I have a job to do. Lismore, Ireland here I come.” The moment she steps through the doorway, Serenity can feel the air zipping past her. Encircled by a radiant light, she is forced to close her eyes. The air begins to slow and the light begins to dim. Beneath her feet, she is relieved to feel solid earth and she opens her eyes.
As though pulled by an invisible thread, she moves towards the door and steps into Ireland. The castle looms in the distance, surrounded by lush green vegetation. To her left a bridge leads into town with a river running beneath it. The map drops to the earth, small once more. Serenity hurries to pick it up before someone sees and stashes it in her pocket. A quick scan of her surroundings assures her that she is alone. A grey mist covers the land, whispering a promise of soft rain. Any other time, Serenity would have loved to explore the gray stone castle and town, but she has work to do.
“Take the walk,” she whispers to herself. An older couple hurries buy and the older woman smiles at Serenity.
“Hurry dear, or you will miss the tour. The walk begins in ten minutes.” She offers.
“The tour?”
“Yes, the tour of Lismore and the chapel,” the woman’s husband explains.
“I was told to take the walk. Is that what they meant?” Serenity asks following them along the road.
“Yes, we have been here a few times
