Part 25 (1/2)
”Tell me what happened to Danu.” He sets the book on the table next to him. ”Knowing the future won't change it.”
”The future? It happened in the past.”
Austin looks away. ”Of course.”
”What? Something is going to happen in the future that will lead to Danu's death?”
”As you said, it's already happened.” His gaze falls to my chest and his solemn expression is transformed by a wicked smile. ”I know that sweater.”
I glance down at the powder blue v-neck. I bought it in Cath. It's the first time I've worn it. He could only know it from this morning. From a thousand years ago. ”You remember?”
”G.o.d yes.” He leans forward and inhales. ”You smell the same. Like the forest.”
”You told me about Morrigan.”
He brings his hand to my shoulder, his thumb tracing a circle near my collar. ”I know.”
”Why won't you tell me about Danu?”
”The past is done, Brianna.”
”If it's done, then there can't be any harm in telling me what happened. You didn't want to kill Danu. I know it. You weren't h.e.l.l bent on starting a war between the Sons of Killian and the bandia. And you didn't want her dead.”
”All true.” Austin's hand slides to my wrist. He turns it over and brings it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against the smooth skin as he pushes the sleeve of my sweater up to my elbow.
”Are you trying to distract me?”
He licks a path from my wrist to the edge of my sleeve. He glances up. ”Is it working?”
”Yes.” I pull my hand away from him. My skin still tingles. ”Just tell me.”
He sighs. ”I'm not going to win this, am I?”
”You trust me, right?”
”With my life.” Austin says it with a certainty that leaves no room for doubt. I believe him.
”Then tell me the truth.”
”Okay.” The worry lines between his brows are back.
I reach up and smooth them away. ”I can handle it. I'm not going to hate you.” I already know Austin. He was my enemy once, but I understand his willingness to kill to protect what he loves. ”I forgive you,” I whisper.
”I didn't kill Danu.”
s.h.i.+t. Not what I was expecting. ”It wasn't Killian. And no one else had a reason to- unless- oh my G.o.d. Was it Gwyn?” Is this my fault? Did I cause Danu's death by trying to stop it? Did I give Gwyn the idea to kill her mother to spark a war?
”No.”
”Who then?” I'm shaking. I can't stop the tremors that roll through me.
He takes my trembling hands in his. ”It was you, Brianna.” He closes his eyes. ”It was you.”
FORTY-TWO.
I can't imagine killing Danu, but now that I know it was me, I know I can stop it. I can control what I do. And no matter what happens, I won't kill Danu. I can stop the war.
I could just not go back to the ruin at all. If I'm not there to kill Danu, then it can't happen. For once, avoidance feels like a real option.
It's easy to stay away from the ruin. It's harder to keep from going into town and s.n.a.t.c.hing my necklace back from Portia. But we have time before the Gathering, G.o.d knows that I don't want to be anywhere but in the present, soaking up every second and keeping it close.
The next few weeks go by in a blur of sword fights and horseback rides and kisses. I work on accessing my powers without the necklace, but it becomes increasingly clear that it's never going to happen. The idea of confronting a bandia with no powers is daunting enough. It's harder when I know how much said bandia hates me. I put it off as long as I can.
I'm still surprised when the week of the Gathering comes. As if Austin and I could block out the world forever.
We can't.
We have two days.
I've gotten better with the broadsword, especially after Austin makes me a smaller one, more proportionate to my size. I might even be able to defend myself if it's one on one. But we will be outnumbered. Unless I can get my necklace back, Austin and I are lambs headed to slaughter.
Unless we make a different decision. ”Maybe we should leave.” I barely touch the eggs on my breakfast plate. ”We're no good to anyone dead.”
”Is that what you want?” Austin has never asked me not to fight, but his voice is laced with hope.
”Can Liam still pull us in now that our powers are gone?”
”I don't think so. I can't feel the gateway anymore.”
Is it really so simple? Can we just walk away and leave the Sons to their battle? Leave Portia to the necklace that is the key to my powers. ”Okay.”
Austin raises his eyebrows. ”Okay?”
”These last few weeks, without Liam or the Sons. I want more of them.” I want more of him.
”I'll have Mikel make the arrangements.”
And just like that, we have tickets to Rome.
Austin stops me in the hall. ”Have you been back to the ruin?”
”No. I've been packing.”
”You came back again. The day Danu-” He stops himself from saying it.
”What if I don't?”
”You do. It's already happened.”
”There's no point in forcing it.”