Page 99 of Made

“What are you goin’ to do with it?” Kagan had barely finished the question before he vanished.

“Guess the overseer took him,” Killian said. “At least I hope that’s what just happened.”

Keir resumed his biped form so that he could say, “Exscruffenrox and I are going to talk to Evie and Diarmuid.”

“Will ye celebrate with a glass of gold first?”

Keir smiled. “Raincheck. First, I’ll take care of this.” He looked at Excruffenrox. “Then call my wife. My guess is that I’d be neck deep in shite if she didn’t take priority over spirits.”

“Well then,” Killian chuckled. “Fare thee well, brother. ‘Twas a fine adventure.”

Keir grinned. “There’s much on which we do agree.”

Killian and the sailboat both disappeared, leaving him alone on a grassy bank with an early full moon low on the horizon.

“Let me know when you’re ready,” Keir said.

Exscruffenrox pulled himself to a sitting position and sat close enough to lean against Keir. “Thank you,” said the middle head as the head closest to Keir gave him a tentative lick on the earlobe.

Keir smiled at the affectionate gesture. “No thanks necessary. It’s we who are inyourdebt. I fully recognize wewouldn’t have survived this without you, your expertise, and your kindness. I think of our meeting as an incredible stroke of good fortune.”

After a brief pause, the creature asked, “Where are we going?”

“Well, I might not look it, but I’m sort of well-connected. My son-in-law is king of Irish fae.” The monster looked at Keir with interest. “We’re going to talk to him, and the queen, my daughter by marriage. There may be a place for you to live happily within Eire.”

“You look it,” Exscruffenrox said as he got to his feet, albeit slowly. “Feels strange to be free.”

“Understandable. I imagine it will take a while to sink in.”

“Will they come for me, do you think? Take me back?”

“Not if we can hide you well enough. That’s why I’m thinking Eire is a good place to start. Ready?”

“Yes.”

Diarmuid was dreaming of the next Wild Hunt when Evie shook him awake.

“Diarmuid. Diarmuid.”

“What? What?” The king shook his head and wiped at his eyes. “Was I snorin’?”

“Well, yes, but that’s not why I’m waking you.”

“Oh? Then why…?”

“Keir is here with a favor to ask.”

“Keir?”

“Yes. And he’s not alone.”

“Your mum is with him?”

“Mum’s the word. You have to come see.”

When Diarmuid had struggled to raise Evie’s corpse from the darkest depths of the sea, he’d promised himself that,if she lived, he’d never say no to her. And, though he had no intention of sharing that private vow with Evie, she’d never hear the word “no” pass his lips when it came to something she wanted. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, marveling that such a simple gesture as compliance would put the smile he loved on the face he loved.

“Call one of the nannies,” he said.

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