Three Promises (5 page)

Everyone laughed.

There was a knock at the door, and it opened a crack.

“Are you ladies decent?” Dante asked without stepping in.

“No, but we're dressed,” Casey said. “Damn it all,” she added under her breath.

There was more laughter, though quieter.

Dante stepped in, and Caitlin shook her head as Kris and Casey swooned a little. Not that she could blame them. He was tall, charming, and absolutely beautiful. Caitlin smiled more as it dawned on her that even as good as Dante looked in his tux, she thought of Eddy.

When Caitlin came back to herself, she found Dante staring at her.

“What?” she asked, suddenly nervous. “Do I look okay?”

Dante leaned in and kissed her forehead. “You look radiant, an absolute vision.”

Her friends sighed.

Caitlin felt her face flush.

“I hope Edward remembers how to talk when he sees you,” Dante said.

Caitlin turned away, sure her cheeks were a bright pink, but she smiled and thought of how cute, and so very Eddy, it would be if that happened.

“And you,” Dante said, turned, and kneeled in front of Fiona, “look just like your mommy, and just as beautiful.”

Fiona smiled and gripped Paddy Bear in a hug. “Thank you, Dante.” The little girl leaned forward and kissed Dante's cheek.

“Oh, lucky me,” he said and winked at her. “You're going to save a dance for me, right?”

“Aw,” Janet, Kris, and Casey said in unison.

Dante stood and turned to Caitlin. “Are you ready?”

She opened her mouth, unsure of what was about to come out.

Dante took her hands in his and just stared at them. “You both deserve this.” When he spoke, his voice was so low Caitlin had to strain to hear him. “We all have darkness in our past. It's what we do with it that makes us who we are.”

Caitlin felt shame and guilt try to rise up in her, but she didn't give them any power this time. Instead, she squeezed Dante's hands and smiled. “I'm ready.”

As if on cue, Canon in D Major began to play outside.

There was a flurry of movement around Caitlin, and she felt a bit like she was standing in the eye of a hurricane. The bridesmaids adjusted dresses and checked each other's hair. Someone pushed Caitlin's bouquet into her hand. Someone else handed Fiona the basket of coral-­colored rose petals. She promptly set Paddy Bear in it and was led to the front of the line by Casey.

“Thank you,” Caitlin whispered as she slipped her arm through Dante's.

Dante squeezed her hand. “It's truly my honor and privilege to walk you down the aisle.”

“No, I don't just mean that,” she said.

“I know,” Dante said. “That's my honor and privilege as well.”

Then they were walking out the door. The fresh, heady smell of the trees and flowers that filled Dante's club washed over Caitlin. She was amazed how completely the place had been transformed. Everywhere she looked there were bright flowers, ivy, or silk fabric hangings in her wedding colors. It was hard to believe this was the main floor in one of the most popular night spots in Boston.

Everyone stood and smiled as Fiona made her way down the aisle, casting rose petals out in front of her, pausing every ­couple of steps to pick up Paddy Bear and set him back in the basket.

Caitlin laughed then tried not to look at the guests who rose for her procession. She had no one really, save those in her wedding party; and while Eddy's family wasn't large, he did have one. In fact, they'd spent hours scrounging their past, only to fill a third of the forty seats. When she saw the bride's section nearly full, she almost tripped. As she looked from one smiling face to another, she saw they were all fae. Some were elves, all of those who had helped Dante and Eddy stop the wizard, but there were countless others. Almost every kind of fae was represented, and they were all looking at her with serene smiles. Except for Faolan. He beamed at her and winked.

Caitlin's gaze went to Eddy's parents. His father smiled, but his mother didn't look her way—­she was watching Fiona. Caitlin almost thought she saw the faintest trace of a smile. If anyone could bring Eddy's mother around, and make the family come together, it would be Fiona.

“A wizard has nothing on the power of a little girl,” she whispered, too low for anyone to hear over the music. Or so she thought, until she saw Dante's slight smile.

All this happened within the first five steps. On the sixth, she drew in a breath, looked up, and saw Eddy. The rest of the world vanished. He looked at her like no one ever had. His eyes were a little wide and his mouth hung open. It was clear that she was, to him at least, the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. For his part, he looked incredibly handsome in his tuxedo; his eyes were shining and his crooked smile tugged at her heart, which felt like it might burst. In that moment, every doubt, every fear, every bit of guilt vanished.

Dante led her to Edward and then placed her hand in his, kissed Caitlin's cheek, and took his seat next to Faolan.

She hardly heard anything the minister, an elf named Riley, said, and apparently Edward didn't either.

The minister cleared his throat and whispered to Edward, “You're on.”

“Sorry, I was, ah, a little distracted,” Edward said.

There was a rustle of faint laughter from the guests.

Edward drew a breath and looked at Caitlin in a way that made her heart start to melt.

“Caitlin,” he began, “I've loved you from the first moment I saw you.” He smiled. “Literally. Though I think you might've picked up on that, since I walked into a wall.”

More laughter.

“You came to me looking for help, for a friendly ear, but something incredible happened instead,” he said. “You became my best friend. You let me into your life, trusting me with what you held most precious.” He smiled at Fiona. “We might not have had the most traditional start to our relationship—­”

Dante and Faolan chuckled softly.

“—­and I don't know what the future holds for either of us,” Edward continued. “But I can promise that I will love you, and Fiona, for the rest of my life. I will count each day that I get to love you as a gift. I know I'll screw up.” He smiled. “I sort of excel at that.”

Caitlin wiped at the tears on her cheeks and laughed.

“But I'll love you, both of you. I love you now, and I will forever and always.” Caitlin drew in a breath and swallowed back more tears as he slipped the ring on her finger, a white gold band and diamond encircled by a yellow gold Celtic knot design. “You are truly the love of my life. And however much I have, I give it to you.”

There was a moment of silence. Caitlin blinked, then realized it was her turn.

“Eddy,” she said, “you loved me from the start with the kind of unconditional, selfless love I didn't believe existed. You were always there for me when I needed you most.” She squeezed his hand tight. “Never hesitating, never questioning. You were my best friend long before I was yours. I wish I'd seen sooner what was right in front of me, that I loved you. You are a gift, and I promise to love you for all my days. I will make sure there is never a day when you don't know how much you mean to me. I love you, Eddy, now, forever, and always.”

Kris handed her the ring, and Caitlin slipped it on Eddy's finger. It was a match to Caitlin's, save with no diamond.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister said. “You may kiss—­”

Caitlin threw her arms around Edward, practically tackling him, and kissed him, losing herself in the softness of his lips and the feel of his arms around her. After a moment, he kissed her back, and in that moment, there was no darkness, no sadness, no guilt or shame. There was only hope, love, joy, and light. She knew there would be troubles, but it was time to leave the past behind. This was a new beginning, for them both.

As the kiss drew to a close, a small voice broke through the applause and cheers.

“Is he my daddy now?” Fiona asked.

Edward didn't answer, he just nodded.

Caitlin kissed the tears from his eyes.

“I love you,” he whispered. “Both of you.”

“And we love you too,” she whispered.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the minister said as they turned to face the guests. “It is my pleasure to introduce for the first time, Dr. Edward Huntington, and Mrs. Caitlin Brady-­Huntington.”

 

A PROMISE OF THREE PARTS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

 

PART 1

B
rendan thought back, trying to remember what had come before. Time had no meaning here, which made the memories—­if they were in fact memories—­hard to place in the right order.

“Do you want to remember, love?” Áine asked, her cheek to his chest. There was sadness in her tone.

“I don't know,” Brendan said, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her closer. “Not if it means leaving this place and losing you again.” He had lost her before, hadn't he? He flinched at a flash of memory, of Áine dying in his arms, covered in blood from wounds she suffered at his hands. “No!”

“Shh,
A rún mo chroí
,” Áine whispered and held him tighter. “It's okay. It weren't you.”

Brendan knew that was true, it'd been the demon inside him, the spirit of rage. But he'd been the one to lose control of it.

“You did good things as well,” she said. “Do you remember those? If you remember, you must remember it all.”

He hesitated, unsure if he wanted to. When he looked into Áine's shining eyes, the memories slowly rose up from the darkness. “I remember you, Áine—­no, not you, what was her name, then?”

“Caitlin, love,” Áine said softly.

Brendan nodded. “Aye, Caitlin, that's it.” He shook his head. “She was the very image of you.”

Áine smiled. “Aye, I know. She would be, wouldn't she?”

“Her daughter had been taken by the oíche,” Brendan said. “I remember working with Dante to find where they'd taken her.” The memories slowly unfolded, one leading to another. “She and I, the two of us, we went to the Tír to get Fiona, the
girseach
, back from Fergus.” Brendan stopped. He could sense something dark and terrible just ahead.

Áine moved up and kissed his brow. “It's okay, my beloved, keep going.”

Brendan drew her closer, as if the memories might tear Áine from him. “I remember the Dusk Lands, the three challenges, and a promise—­”

“Aye, that's right,” Áine said. “You promised to get Caitlin and Fiona out.” She buried her face in his neck. “And you did just that.”

It was all blood and fury now, and it was good. Brendan closed his eyes. “Bloody hell, I gave in to the thing, didn't I? Loosed the monster once and for all?”

Áine nodded, reaching up to brush a tear from his eye. “It was the only way. And you gave all to keep your promise.”

It was like falling for a moment, and Brendan reached out, desperate hands grasping for Áine, but only finding empty air. And then he was back in the heart of the Dusk Lands, where the Dark King was his most powerful. Fergus had told them of his plan to make Fiona—­his own daughter—­his queen. With her shaped by him, and the Dawn Court blood she inherited from her mother, Fergus would cast out Queen Teagan and take the Dawn Court for himself. But Brendan had been wounded and, bound by Fergus, helpless to do anything.

“There is another option.” Fergus reached out with his free hand and caressed Caitlin's face. “You needn't lose our child.”

She winced at his touch, but didn't pull away.

Brendan could smell the magic pouring off Fergus and drifting around Caitlin.

“Stay here, with Fiona,” he said, his voice like warm silk.

“What?”

“Think of it. Fiona will be safe.” He said
.
“She'll never get sick, never grow old, and neither will you. She will be a queen, wanting for nothing. Think what a life that will be for her.”

Brendan felt a rush of panic. Don't let him trick you! he shouted, but nothing came out. All the while, he struggled to reach the knives at his back. If he could just get to his blades, his steel blades, he could do something. He looked to the oíche, every one of them wearing a smug smile. One even licked his lips. Brendan's hand moved a hair closer to his knife, and would go no closer. He swore silently and kept trying, but it was no use. The knife was less than six inches away, but it might as well be a thousand miles.

“All need not be lost,” Fergus said. “I'll set the Fian free if you stay. No others need die.”

Caitlin looked at Brendan.

He looked at her, his eyes begging her not to do it.

Fergus leaned in close and whispered something into her ear that Brendan couldn't hear. Caitlin drew in a breath and looked at Fiona. She smiled briefly before her eyes drifted over the court. Then her eyes closed and tears spilled down her cheeks. She wiped them away, reached into a pocket, and pulled out Fiona's stuffed bear. When she opened her eyes, she looked right at Brendan.

“I'm sorry, Brendan,” she said. “I have to.” Brendan knew just what she was doing, and from Fergus's reaction, it was working.

Fergus smiled wide and held his hand out to Caitlin. “Come, my dear.”

Caitlin swallowed and stepped forward, taking Fergus's hand.

He drew her into his arms and whispered into her ear again.

Brendan closed his eyes and knew what he had to do.

Not the girl or her mother, he said silently to the demon of rage inside him. There are plenty of others for you! But not the mother or her child.

There was a silence, as if the monster was considering it.
Very well. As you wish,
it finally said.

I'll have your oath, then!

I swear it by my name and my power!
the monster said, clearly eager for death and blood.

As Brendan opened his eyes and readied himself, a sudden realization came to him. He was at the center of Fergus's power, preparing to face down the faerie king of the Dusk Court. Was this what his parents had in mind when they'd bound this spirit of rage to him? No one, not even Fionn and the first Fianna, would've been able to stand against Fergus. Did they bind this monster to him so that one day, if he had to, he could?

The demon didn't answer, but maybe it didn't have to.

Brendan watched Caitlin as she stepped close to Fergus. Brendan smiled when he saw her hand move to her back and slip under her jacket. Fergus was too busy basking in his victory. He never saw her draw the blade. He had no idea what was happening until Caitlin buried the steel into his back.

Fergus pushed her away as she yanked it out and stumbled, more out of surprise than injury. Caitlin slashed out. Fergus grunted in pain as the blade cut across his right hand. It came open on reflex, and the purple crystal he'd been holding so close fell to the ground.

Brendan saw all the oíche's eyes go wide and their mouths turn up into grins. Fergus tried to catch the crystal, but he missed and it struck the tiles, causing a piece to break off.

“No!” Fergus roared, nearly shaking the standing stones around them. “You insufferable, mortal
striapach
!” He backhanded Caitlin, then picked up the crystal and broken shard.

Caitlin landed on the hard stone a step away from Brendan.

The silver cords began to flicker as Fergus's attention and power slipped.

Fergus rounded on Caitlin, but Brendan could see he didn't have the same power he had moments before.

“I'll show you pain and torment you never dreamed were possible,” Fergus said.

“No,” Caitlin said, wiping blood from her lip. “You made a promise. You swore to me. Don't you remember?”

Aye, love, Brendan answered silently. I remember, and I mean to keep it.

Fergus, the arrogant fool, narrowed his brow. “I made no promise.”

Caitlin blinked her wet eyes, and the last of her tears escaped. “You promised me and you promised her. I need you to keep it now.”

The ocean of rage inside Brendan burst into flames, and it was so vast, so complete, the devil himself would've cowered from it. Brendan's soul sang in delight.

Fergus's eyes went wide in realization, and he turned to Brendan.

“Brendan,” Caitlin said through a sob, “you promised to save my little girl!”

Aye, Brendan said without a word. And I'll make them all pay for what they did to you, and to Áine.

And now death has come for the immortal fae!
the monster sang.

Fergus took a step back.

Strength like Brendan had never known poured into him. There was a loud crack as the silver cords snapped and vanished.

“TAR AMACH, A BHÁIS!”
Brendan roared. Pain, injury, all of it became meaningless. There was only rage, only battle, only blood and death. His eyes met Fergus's as claws emerged from his hands.

“FÁG AN BEALACH!”
Brendan screamed, drew his knives, and hurled them. They streaked through the air, little more than a blur, and hit two oíche so hard they were lifted clear off the ground. Clouds of darkness and sparks trailed them as they flew back behind the throne and vanished.

Brendan saw Caitlin roll to her feet, grab her knife, and sprint toward Fiona.

Fergus turned to follow, but Brendan leapt on him, driving the fae king to the ground.

As his claws dug into Fergus's sides, he bent low and whispered into his ear, “I am the end of you and your court.”

Fergus grabbed Brendan's arm and tossed him across the courtyard, but Brendan landed on his feet.
“DÍOLTAS!”
he yelled. His knives leapt into the air, and into his hands. A banshee opened its mouth to wail, but Brendan drove his knife in, and the banshee near exploded in a cloud of darkness and red lights. Others moved in, but Brendan turned to find Fergus. Brendan saw him reach out for Caitlin as she reached for Fiona. He grabbed Caitlin's shoulder, but she spun and drove her knife into his shoulder, burying it to the hilt.

Fergus screamed and let her go.

Leaving the blade, Caitlin grabbed Fiona, pushed the bear into her little hands, and turned. Fergus grabbed for her, but Brendan leapt, throwing his knives as he did, destroying another banshee and a dusk elf. He landed on Fergus, claws sinking into flesh, and hurled the Dark King across the courtyard and into the frantic mob.

Brendan turned to Caitlin and took a step forward. They could go, all of them. He could see them both safely out!

But Caitlin's reaction chilled him to his soul. She just stared at him with absolute fear in her eyes. She turned her body, shielding Fiona. “Brendan, remember!”

Shame pushed its way up through the fury and rage. He knew then, there was no going back. Not for him. Not ever.

You're a monster, remember. There is no place for monsters in the quiet village. But it takes a monster to destroy monsters!

“Please, remember,” she said again.

He clenched his fists and wanted to say, to scream, that he never forgot, that he never would. But he couldn't. He looked from Caitlin to Fiona and thought of Áine, wondered what might've been for his child and her mother.

We have a bargain
, the demon said.
You have a promise to keep to me as well, monster.

“Go,” Brendan said to Caitlin, so softly even he couldn't hear it. “GO!” he screamed this time, then he turned and leapt onto an oíche who was trying to escape, calling his knives back to him. He cut the oíche down with one blade, a dusk elf with the other. Through the darkness and twinkling lights that danced around him, Brendan saw Caitlin and Fiona vanish.

Then he let the burning frenzy take him completely. He let himself become the monster that monsters fear.

And just like that, the memories vanished. He was back in the place where time had no meaning. Áine lay next to him under a perfect blue sky, her body entwined with his. Her small, warm hands caressed his chest, and her lips left a trail of kisses along his scarred cheek, then moved up to kiss the tears from his eyes.

Brendan shook with fear, pain, and regret. He didn't deserve this, this place, much less Áine. He'd been a nightmare to end nightmares. How many bodies lay in the wake of his life? But despite himself, he drew her closer and kissed over her face. Her scent was joy personified—­fresh green fields after a heavy rain. Just the smell of her was like every good thing that had ever happened to him compressed into a single moment. Was this heaven? It had to be if Áine was here, but how had Brendan gotten here? Had the Almighty taken pity on him?

No chance of that, Brendan knew, which meant only one thing. He swallowed, then lifted Áine's chin and looked deep into her eyes. It was like seeing heaven. He fought to speak the words, even though he knew the answer. “They didn't kill me, did they, love?”

Áine closed her eyes and shook her head. “No,” she said. “They wouldn't let you die. You cost them too much.” She kissed him then, a soulful kiss that tasted of her tears.

Brendan wept too and clung to the angel in his arms even tighter.

“But I'll be here waiting for you,
A rún mo chroí
,” she whispered against his lips.