Deirdre picked up the comb. She was much calmer now. “I can’t believe it,” she muttered, half to herself. “It might all be over today, this whole nightmare between Father and Illann . . . Illann’s quite proud, Clodagh. Being under such suspicion has really tested him. And the southern chieftains seem all too ready to make the whole thing an excuse for stirring up more trouble. Until Illann started to confide in me, I never realized how complicated it all is. Don’t look so surprised. I am married to the man. I’ve tried my best to learn about that part of being a chieftain’s wife, just as you once suggested I should. I thought I was doing quite well. But this . . . it’s been awful. I hate to see Illann so unhappy.”

It seemed I had underestimated my own twin. “Then let’s hope that he and Father sort it all out today, and that everyone learns from the experience,” I said. “I’ve missed you, Deirdre. I’m truly sorry I shut you out. I won’t do that again. If you need me, I’ll be there.”

“Me, too,” said Deirdre. “Clodagh . . . Mac Dara. You actually met him in that place. It’s so strange. I mean, he’s a figure in stories; it’s hard to think of him as a real person.”

He was real all right; as real as a nightmare and as close as the nearest shadow. “Are you nearly finished?” I asked her. “I can hardly keep my eyes open.”

“Your hair’s going to dry terribly curly,” Deirdre said, “but I’ve got the worst tangles out. Clodagh, I can’t believe how brave you were to go and fetch Finbar back. And even braver to rescue this man of yours. I could never have done that. I’m sorry you’ll be living at Inis Eala. It’s so far away, we’ll hardly ever see each other.”

I turned and put my arms around her. “I know, and I am sad about it,” I said. I would miss her. She would always be my twin, the sister with whom I shared a special bond. But I knew in my heart that the prospect of living on the island with the man I loved had quickly relegated the rest of my family to second place. My world had changed. Over the season since Johnny had brought Cathal to Sevenwaters, I had changed more than I could have believed possible.

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17

I had expected to fall into a death like slumber as soon as Deirdre left, but my thoughts kept spinning in circles and after a while, realizing I would not sleep, I rose and dressed again. I went to find my younger sisters, wanting to thank Sibeal once more for her help. Sibeal said there was no need for thanks; she had simply done what a sister should do. Eilis bombarded me with questions about my visit to the Otherworld.