With wet hair still dripping down my back, I went off in search of Morna and found her at the edge of the Adair grove. New saplings were already springing up, pushing their way towards the sky with an optimism that gave me hope for the future. If they could grow here, on this land that was once so desolate and destroyed, then anything could happen. I brushed the nearby leaves, which might look tiny and delicate but were imbued with considerable strength, and cleared my throat.

‘What is it, dear?’ Morna asked, half-turning towards me.

‘Hi,’ I said, the epitome of awkwardness. ‘The trees are looking good.’

Morna smiled. ‘They are, aren’t they? You’ve done a good job. They’re still small but they’re all healthy.’

‘What type of tree fits in your hand?’ She looked at me patiently. ‘A palm tree.’

I received another polite smile in response. ‘Very good, dear. You’re not here because you want me to laugh at your jokes, though.’

‘No.’ I smoothed my hands down my jeans and took a deep breath. ‘You were right. It’s time for you to go.’

Morna looked at me questioningly. ‘Are you strong enough to manage on your own?’

‘I’ll have to be.’ I looked away. ‘It’s too dangerous for you to stay any longer. Aifric is virtually at the gates.’

‘Does he know you’re alive?’

‘Not yet but it’s just a matter of time. There are … other matters to deal with.’

‘The boy? Byron?’

‘No.’ I scratched my neck. ‘Yes. Sort of.’

She tutted. ‘You should just find him, tell him you’re alive and that you’re in love with him.’

I swallowed. ‘He doesn’t want me.’

‘I doubt that very much.’

‘It’s true. It doesn’t matter anyway,’ I said dismissively. ‘It was never going to happen. I’m going to help Tipsania then go across the Veil and try to help the people there.’

Morna’s gaze was sharp. ‘How?’

‘I don’t know yet,’ I answered honestly. ‘I’m still making all this up as I go along.’ Every avenue I thought of ended up in abject failure and my own tortured death but where there was a will…

‘It pays to be prepared.’

I nodded. ‘I know. And I will be. I’ll steal everything I could possibly need until I’m the most powerful damn Sidhe this country has ever seen.’

Morna smiled faintly. ‘You’re already that, dear.’ She put her hand on my arm. ‘Have you been practising while you were away?’

‘A little bit. I stole part of the Gift from a Scrymgeour Sidhe. I didn’t even know what it was and yet I managed to take it. Not all of it ‒ he’s still okay. He still has some magic but…’ I shrugged again.

‘Good. You’re learning self-control. I’m proud of you. Your parents would be proud of you.’

I was both taken aback and embarrassed. Unsure of how to respond, I murmured, ‘Thank you.’

‘When would you like me to leave?’

It was starting to sound like I was kicking her out. I suppose I was. ‘Er … as soon as possible. And I have a favour to ask.’ I winced; I’d already asked so much of her. ‘Can you take Tipsania with you? Drop her off at the MacQuarries’ Land? They’ll keep her hidden for a little while, at least until her wedding date has been and gone.’ I explained briefly about Candy and what I thought was going on.