Always Remembered (16 page)

A knock at the door disturbed my thoughts.
Before my uncle could answer it, it burst open and a tall man
strode in. He looked familiar, but he wasn’t one of our own. I
glanced at Kieran. By his broad grin, it was obvious that he
recognized the stranger.

“Cole!” Kieran met the man halfway, pulling
him into a manly hug. “What are you doing here, old friend?”

Now I remembered how I knew him. He was one
of Kieran’s buddies at the dance club. The one who danced with Val.
My stomach tightened, and I fought back tears when a wave of
homesickness hit me. I missed my friends and my grandparents. If I
thought about it, I could picture them clearly—Grandma Mary’s
springy curls and smiling face and Grandpa Jamie’s stern, but no
less loving, demeanor. The year at their house was one full of
love, hugs, and home cooking. I longed to see them again and hoped
someday I would.

What would my life be like now if I had not
gone with my dad? If I stayed in Nova Scotia, then Evan may not
have taken the internship. He could be home and safe. We’d probably
still be together. Would I have been happier? I certainly wouldn’t
feel the knot of worry eating at my gut and making me clench my
teeth. On the other hand, I wouldn’t have Kieran either. It wasn’t
wise to dwell on what could have been when there was nothing I
could do about it now.

Kieran and Cole watched me with odd
expressions. “I’m sorry. Did you say something to me?” I asked.

“I was introducing Cole,” Kieran said. Cole
extended his hand, and I shook it. He was as tall as Kieran, but
fair where Kieran was dark. His eyes were a lovely shade of
hazel.

“Nice to meet you, Cole,” I said. “Although I
do remember you from the club.”

“Do you?” Cole shared an amused look with
Kieran. It was nice that they enjoyed themselves that evening at
our expense. At least Kieran eventually apologized to me. If he
hadn’t, I might not have gotten past thinking he was a conceited
jerk.

“Your friend was delightful. I enjoyed
meeting you as well.” Cole turned back to Kieran, his expression
changing to all business. “Is there somewhere we can go to
talk?”

Kieran moved next to me and reached for my
hand. The gesture was not missed by Cole, who raised an eyebrow at
him. “We can talk in front of Meara,” Kieran said. “And Angus. He
is in charge while David is away.”

This news surprised Cole, if his wide eyes
were any indication. “David is gone? Where is he?”

“Long story, my friend.” Kieran led us to the
couch. He gestured to a chair and said, “Why don’t you sit, Cole,
and tell us why you’re here. After, we’ll send for dinner and fill
you in over the meal.”

Uncle Angus sat in his recliner, and Cole
took the other chair. I sipped my soda, waiting for Cole to begin
and noticing how he eyed the can with envy.

“Cole, can I get you something to drink
before you start?” I asked.

“Please,” he said. “Water would be
great.”

My uncle moved to stand, but I waved him off.
“I got it,” I said. “I know where you keep the glasses.” I moved
quickly, adding ice and water, not wanting to miss the story.

Cole smiled at me gratefully when I handed
him the glass. I returned to my spot beside Kieran. He rested his
hand on my knee. A casual gesture, but I wondered why he was
touching me so much. Was he making a point to Cole that I was
taken? That was ridiculous. We went on one date. We weren’t
betrothed or whatever it was that Selkies do.

After a long drink from the glass, Cole set
it on the table and began, “Your father sent me to check on your
welfare. He was expecting you back shortly after the Dispute
Moon.”

This was news to me. So Kieran was supposed
to leave the same day as my Uncle Ren’s family? Why didn’t he say
anything to me? Was he in trouble with his dad? Cole didn’t appear
to be upset, more curious.

“When you didn’t come home and didn’t send
word, understandably, Stephen grew worried. That’s when he sent
me.” The reproach was clear in Cole’s voice, but Kieran didn’t look
troubled.

“How is my family?” Kieran asked.

Cole smiled. “Tyrese is obstinate as always.
Your father is trying to convince her that it’s time to consider a
mate. She will have nothing of it.”

“Good for her,” Kieran said with a laugh.

“Who’s Tyrese?” I asked.

Kieran avoided my eyes. “My little
sister.”

“You have a sister? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I glanced at Uncle Angus. He watched the three of us with
amusement.

You never asked.
His words flowed
calmly through my mind, but they had the opposite effect on my
emotions. I was furious, especially when he added,
I have a
brother, too.
Out loud, he said, “How’s Alexios?”

“Worried sick, of course, and following your
father around, trying to console him and stand in your place,” Cole
said. “Not that anyone could,” he quickly added when Kieran glared
at him.

“You have a brother
and
a sister?” I
couldn’t hold back the hurt in my voice. “And you didn’t mention
anything to me?”

“Kieran and Alex are identical twins,” Cole
said, looking surprised. “Kieran never said anything?”

“It hadn’t come up,” Kieran said. He squeezed
my hand right before I pulled mine away and moved to the other side
of the couch. He scowled at me. “Really, it’s not a big deal. Alex
and I aren’t even that close.”

“So that makes it okay? There are two of you,
yet since you aren’t close, it’s not worth mentioning?”

Cole laughed, clearly enjoying the sight of
Kieran uncomfortable. “I would never say there are two of Kieran.
The gods help us all. Kieran and Alex may look identical, but their
personalities are as different as the sun and moon.”

“Does your brother keep secrets from the girl
that he proclaims to care about?” I asked. My words were snippy,
but I didn’t care. This wasn’t something small, like, “I forgot to
mention I hate peas.” This was huge. It made me realize how little
I really knew about him. I only knew the facts in the context of
our small little island. I’d let that go to my head.

Disillusioned—that was how I felt at the
moment.

Kieran scrubbed his hands over his face.
I’m sorry,
his words whispered through my mind.
I’ll tell
you anything you want to know about me later, but for now, can you
please let it go? It’s important that I present myself
appropriately in front of Cole.

Fine,
I said.
But this hurts,
Kieran. I don’t really know you.

How well do you think I know you, Meara?
That’s what the human ritual of dating is about, right? Getting to
know each other? You can’t assume after one date that we would know
all there is to know about each other.

Damn it
. Why did he have to make so
much sense? We became friends, and before that, he was my trainer.
I hadn’t told him everything about me. It just felt like he knew
more about my life since he had been with me almost the entire time
I had been a Selkie. He knew very little of my life as a human. We
had a lot to learn about each other.

You’re right,
I relented.
But we
are talking later.

I look forward to it
. His tone made me
shiver.
One more thing, can you move closer so I may hold your
hand again?

I relented, scooting over and taking his
hand. My uncle and Cole watched us with bemused expressions. “Is
your lovers’ spat all settled?” Uncle Angus asked.

My face heated up about two hundred degrees
in response.

“Please continue,” Kieran said. His tone was
cool, yet pleasant. If he was embarrassed, he didn’t show it.

Cole shrugged. “That’s about it, I guess.
Your father is worried, your brother worries for your father, and
your sister fights for her freedom. Everyone else is the same.
Bryce asked me to tell you hello. She looks forward to your
return.”

Bryce?
This time I kept my face
neutral, not even turning my head. I was proud of myself.

She
’
s hot
for my body,
Kieran answered.
Can you blame her?
He gave
me a sexy grin. When I didn’t return it, the teasing expression
melted away.
Honestly, Meara. I don’t feel that way about her at
all. I never have. There’s nothing between us.

“We can leave the room, if you two want to
keep talking.” My uncle sounded more amused than offended, but I
figured it was time we stopped talking telepathically. It was rude,
especially if they were aware of it. We must be ignoring them.

“Should I see about having dinner delivered?”
I asked. It seemed only fair that Kieran spend time with Cole since
he traveled so far, and this was my uncle’s room. I was the most
ideally suited to the task.

“I can go,” Kieran volunteered.

“Stay and visit with Cole,” I said. “It’s no
trouble.”

I squeezed his hand and stood, transporting
to the kitchen. It left Kieran no time to argue with me. Uncle
Paddy stood by the stove as usual, his face flushed from the steam.
He looked happy. I know he would worry less now that he once again
had a supply of fresh fish.

“Hi Paddy.” I walked over and looked in the
pot. The thick, creamy soup emitted an herbal scent. “Is that
chowder?”

“It is.” He picked up a clean spoon from the
counter, dipped it in the kettle, and handed me a taste. “What do
you think?”

A myriad of flavors danced on my tongue. I
tasted fish, but also chives, dill, and butter in the rich broth.
It was delicious, as all of Paddy’s concoctions tended to be. “I
love it. What is it?”

“Cullen skink.”

“What?” That did not sound appetizing at
all.

I must’ve made a face, because Paddy laughed.
“Cullen skink is fish chowder made with haddock. It’s a traditional
dish.”

“Huh. Strange name, but I like it.”
Remembering that I was here for a reason, I added, “Kieran has a
clan member visiting. His name is Cole. We’d like to eat in Uncle
Angus’ room tonight.”

“Cole?” Paddy’s eyes looked distant for a
moment, and then he smiled as recognition dawned on him. “Ah, yes.
Tall chap with blond hair, right? I remember him from my
youth.”

It caught me off guard when my aunts and
uncles talked about their childhood. Except for Uncle Angus,
everyone looked young, much younger than their actual ages. I
forgot that with my dad and Kieran’s dad being close friends, the
two families must have socialized frequently.

“Did you visit Kieran’s home often when you
were young?”

“Enough,” Paddy said. “Until our parents were
killed.” He paused, and then asked, “Why is Cole here?”

“Checking on Kieran from what I gather.”

Paddy nodded. “I imagine Stephan is
concerned. Kieran stayed here longer than he originally planned.”
Paddy gave me a long look, and then cleared his throat. “Of course,
no one planned on David and Brigid getting captured.”

“Right…” The conversation was starting to
feel awkward. I was ready to get back to the others and see if I
was missing anything. “Do you want me to take the food with
me?”

“No, I’ll send someone up in a few
minutes.”

“Will we get to eat some of that?” I asked,
pointing to the chowder.

“Of course,” Paddy said. “Now, out of my
kitchen so I can finish the preparations.”

I transported back to Uncle Angus’ room. The
men sat in the same positions, although now they all held beers.
“Dinner is on its way,” I said. “Cullen skink.”

I took their murmurs to be sounds of approval
and sat next to Kieran again. “Did I miss anything?” I asked.

“Not unless you enjoy a rousing conversation
about basketball,” my uncle said, pursing his lips and wiggling his
eyebrows to make me laugh.

“I’m not much of a sports girl,” I
admitted.

“What?” Cole looked at me in mock horror.
“And Kieran is interested in you?”

Kieran was about to retort when a knock at
the door interrupted him. He moved to open it and let in the Selkie
carrying a tray of food. Paddy wasn’t kidding! The food almost beat
me back to the room. He sent up four large bowls of the soup, a
loaf of warm bread, and crab cakes. For me, he included greens
since I mentioned last week how much I missed a tossed salad and
ranch dressing. I was touched that he remembered.

We sat at my uncle’s table and ate. The three
of us took turns telling Cole about our current situation and how
we got here. The more we talked, the more concerned Cole
looked.

“And now? With the additional guards missing,
what are your plans?” Cole’s gaze moved between Uncle Angus and
Kieran. I tried not to be offended that he wasn’t addressing
me.

“I go next,” I said. “Uncle Angus promised
me.”

“
We
go next,” Kieran countered.

“And I arrived just in time,” Cole said.
“Stephen is not going to like this. Not at all.”

“He doesn’t have a say in the matter!” Kieran
snapped back, shocking me with the venom in his voice. Didn’t he
get along with his father? He always spoke of him warmly.

“What should I report back?” Cole asked. His
tone this time was mild and respectful.

“The truth,” Kieran said. “Tomorrow, Meara
and I will leave to rescue the elders, possibly fight the Blue Men.
We will return victorious.”

I choked on a spoonful of chowder. A sip of
water managed to cover it up, so no one else noticed. I was no
longer hungry. What was the matter with me? This was what I wanted.
To take action, to fight, but now that the moment was upon me, fear
constricted my throat and filled my belly.

Would we, could we, find success where others
failed?