Free Dark Fae by Shannon Mayer Page A

was fit and muscular, his eyes were gentle and he had a strong jaw line. Then it hit me. She was the oracle. The one who’d prophesied everything , the one who had s een her daughters killing each other. And she’d had us anyway. It boggled my mind and yet, even with that, e verything she’d done and said made ridiculous sense in that context.
    She did not give all the prophecies. I gave the first , as I was the oracle before her. She gave the second , after the two of you were born. It was then that she revolted, that she rebelled and did her best to stop loving you girls.
    Cora’s words rocked me and I stumbled outside, ignoring Bres’ concern. “Why tell me this now?”
    I feel that it’s the right time .
    Standing outside the covered shop , I struggled to grasp this new twist. “Does that mean Ashling or I is next in line?”
    You will be the next oracle ; it is through the Tuatha blood that that calling is passed.
    Just what I needed, another responsibility.
    You won’t gain it until your mother is very old. You have time before that happens.
    Turning , I headed back into the shop. I would deal with the prophecy/oracle business when I had to. Right at that moment , it wasn’t the time.
    My eyes met Wil’s hazel ones. “Why her?” I asked, not looking at anyone else. Wil cleared his throat.
    “Your Mama , and I . . .”
    Paddy snorted. “He’s been in love wit her and she wit him for their whole bloody lives. But her damn interfering mudder, she stopped ta marriage. It soured your mama , made her a bit crazy.”
    Wil nodded. “Tis true. I love her. Want her her e wit me.”
    That man could have been my father if things had turned out differently. “I won’t force her , ” I said.
    Angus started to laugh. “You won’t have to, Lass. Al l right. We’ll make ta sword for ya. You send your mama back here and ta deal is done.”
    They shooed us away into the house, the sounds of bellows and hammers on steel following us. “How long?” I asked.
    “As long as it takes.” Was the only answer they g a ve.
    The interior of the house was cool and clean. I plunked down on one of the sturdy wooden chairs, my thoughts racing. “Did you know that my mother was the oracle?”
    He shook his head. “No, whenever the oracle came to see my father, it was at night and her face was covered. But I suspected.”
    Resting my head in my hands, I tried to understand why a woman would have children knowing that they would kill each other. That was the only part that didn’t make sense. Over and over , I turned it in my mind, trying to find the reason why. Because , while I’d told myself we were done, Darcy was still my mother, and if there was a chance we could reconcile , it might be worth the try. Maybe .
    “I’m going outside a minute , ” I said, pushing my chair back with a loud scrape. Bres poured a mug of tea. “Here, take this with you.” The clay mug was heavy, meant for much larger hands than my own.
    I lifted it to my lips and the faint taste of Fairy Honey whispered across my tongue. The ache in my body from the mad dash of flight began to ease within seconds. Clutching my mug, I stepped back outside and went to watch the three Smiths.
    The sight was awe - inspiring. They moved as a unit, a well - oiled machine. Paddy held a piece of metal with a huge pair of tongs while Wil and Angus struck it with hammers, one right after the other. The pounding of the metal was rhythmic and steady. Neither Angus nor Wil moved ; it was Paddy who made adjustments by shifting the steel on the anvil.
    I wanted to talk to Wil , but knew that I couldn’t interrupt him, not now.
    Bres came to stand beside me, putting one hand on the small of my back. “We’re almost there, Quinn. Be easy on yourself for a moment. Rest. Ta battle will be here soon enough.”
    Leaning into his side, I knew he was right. I’d be facing off against Chaos, Ashling , before I was ready .
    Without a word, Bres took my hand and led me away