Darby was leaning against the side of Lugh’s car when we finally arrived back at the parking area but pushed off and walked toward us as we moved through the old metal gates.

“You two both look like crap—what on earth have you been up to?”

“Breaking magic, breaking bones, and talking to a goddess in a standing stone,” I said. “You know, the usual stuff.”

She snorted and planted herself in front of me, forcing me to stop. “I’ll tackle you first. You look the easiest.”

“Um, can’t it at least wait until we get to the car?”

“Well, no, because you need to get yourself home straight away and make yourself presentable for the future husband. And presentable means a nice dress, not jeans and old boots, by the way.”

I gave Lugh a long look. “You told her?”

“Well, of course. You’re not the only matchmaker in this family. I also sent a message to Rogan and asked him to inform Eljin that you’d be picking him up because I broke my arm.”

“And with that all sorted, how about you two stay silent and let me work my magic?”

I smiled but stood still as Darby pressed her fingers against my temples and her magic unfurled through me. After a couple of minutes, she made a satisfied-sounding grunt and stepped back. “You had some bruising along your ribs, which I fixed, and your energy reserves are a little low, but a good cup of tea and a decent meal would soon fix that.”

“Decent meaning not take-away,” Lugh said, giving me the eye. “So bypass McDonald’s and grab something at the tavern before you go back out.”

“Hey, I’m versatile. I can do both.”

He rolled his eyes and tossed me the car keys. “Go. Darby will drive me home once she patches me up.”

I glanced at Darby. There was a definite glint of mischief in her blue eyes, and I rather suspected she was going to use Lugh’s injury to remain in his company for the rest of the day.

“Luck,” I murmured, just soft enough for her to hear, and left them to it.

The drive home was uneventful, and I definitely felt a whole lot better after a long hot shower. I heated up some baked beans, then poured them over a couple of slices of grilled cheese on toast. I wasn’t sure it would fit Darby’s definition of a decent meal, but I couldn’t be bothered cooking something more complex.

After booking a short-term parking space online, I headed over to Liverpool Airport to pick up Lugh’s new partner in crime. The plane arrived on time, and I stood at the back of the lounge area, my arms crossed as I scanned the people pouring off the plane.

Eljin was nigh on the last to come out, and I had to say, his photo didn’t do him justice.

Like most Tàileach pixies, he was golden-skinned and lean in build. His face was sharpish but handsome, his eyes the most delicious shade of old gold I’d ever seen, and his mouth definitely made for kissing. He moved with the confidence of a man very sure about his place in the world, and yet there was nothing in his energy output or expression that suggested this confidence was in any way overbearing or egotistical.