Page 15 of Wind and Water
Momma moans and holds her head. “You two work this out while I finish my nap.”
“Drink more water,” I holler after her.
With a wave, she closes the door.
“I need a walk and some food.” I get up and write Momma a note telling her where I’ve gone.
Liam follows me out. “I’ll join you if you don’t mind?”
We walk along the sidewalk. It’s overcast but not raining. Summer in Texas is a whole different thing from summer over here. I’ve only been able to wear shorts once on the entire vacation. Not that I mind a break from the sweltering heat of home. If I wanted a tan, I’d have gone to the beach and still probably wouldn’t have managed it with my fair skin.
It’s nice the way he walks beside me without needing to keep up a constant line of chatter. He’s a thoughtful man, which is a first for me. He was right, though, going to confront the witch queen probably shouldn’t be taken lightly. “What will I face when I get to your world?”
He flexes his fingers. “I can’t say for certain. The portal is not pleasant. The one I came through was made by the oracle, so it was fairly mild. I expect the one on the Isle of Skye is from the old gods and will be painful.”
“Any good news?”
He smiles. “It won’t kill you.”
“Well, that’s something. Where will it take us? I mean, will we have long to travel when we get to the other side?”
“It will depend on whether there is danger on the other side. The old gates have light magic that keeps those like Venora and her followers from using them. It was put in place to protect this world. There are other spells on the gates in Domhan to prevent us from portaling into danger.”
“I’m going to take that to mean that you don’t know where we’ll land. What happens if the bad guys find us?” A shiver runs up my spine.
“I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, but I can’t make any promises. My world is dangerous since the witch queen began her reign.” His gait is stiff.
The pho restaurant on the corner wafts delicious aromas down the street. “Let’s eat here.”
It’s a nice place. Not fancy but clean and with fun Asian decor.
Once we’re seated, and we order some tea, I look at the menu, but I’m preoccupied. “You said that Venora took the white tower thirty years ago. Have you known a Domhan that wasn’t fraught with danger?”
“I have lived thirty-four suns, Wren. I don’t have much memory before we crossed the sea to escape death at her hands.” There’s deep sorrow lining his words.
My heart aches for him and the life he’s had to live. “You could stay here where there is no dark magic.”
“You tempt me more than I’d like to admit, but I have a duty to my people and my family.” He looks at the menu and his eyes widen. “I think you had better do the ordering.”
“It’s noodle soup but better. Whenever I go to Houston or Tyler, I always stop for pho.” I like that he trusts me, even if it’s only to order food.
When the waiter comes back, I order beef pho for both of us and pour tea into the small handleless cups.
Liam sips his tea and smiles. “This is nice. Different from the tea we’ve had with other meals.”
“It comes from the east. Different parts of the Earth have different cultures and foods. This restaurant features food from parts of Asia. I’ll have to get a map and show you.” Watching him try new things is almost as if I’m trying them for the first time again. I like it. “You’ve mentioned old gods several times. Who are they, and are there new gods?”
Gaze soft and focused on me, he smiles, slow and sexy as hell. “I think they are called old because they’ve been locked behind the Watcher’s Gate for so long.”
“They had a physical presence in Domhan at some point? Who are they? How many are there?” So many questions rush through my head.
“It has been many years since the Tuatha Dé Danann walked among the elves.” The food arrives and his focus shifts.
“Holy crap,” I blurt out as my mind spins with the familiarity of the mythological gods of Ireland.
The waiter blanches. “Something wrong, madam?”
“No. I’m sorry. It looks wonderful.” I can’t believe his old gods are the ancient Celtic gods. “You mean like Brigid and Morrigan?”
