assets. David is still in college, and my mother needs the retirement income selling the place would’ve given her. My family is depending on me.” She shook her head. “There’s so much debt, I wonder if we’ll ever see black.”
Just like that, she handed him the missing piece to the puzzle. He could offer to pay off all her debts in exchange for her help in lifting the curse. For some reason, having the key didn’t make him as happy as he thought it would.
Thomas started the SUV and reached under the driver’s seat to grab the book he’d brought with him. “Don’t forget to take this with you after lunch, Zoe.”
“What is it?” Zoe took the book from his hands and read the title out loud. “ Scottish Myths and Legends. Why are you giving this to me?”
“We’re in it. I’m in it. The Legend of the Druid Laird is about Dermot and my clan.” Zoe made no response. He glanced at her, and found her staring out of the car window with her chin propped on her fist. “Zoe?”
“I almost wish you hadn’t given me this book.” She tossed it to the floor by her feet. “Now I’m thinkin’ you’ve made the whole thing up based on some stupid story you read.”
“I thought I already proved I didn’t make the whole thing up. What’s it going to take before you believe me? Shall we go back to the hotel so I can cut myself again?” Thomas scowled at her.
“Point taken.” She sighed.
“I want to get past this. I need to tell you the rest of the tale and have done with it.” He reached out to wrap one of her blond curls around his finger. “You always were a stubborn little thing.”
Zoe turned to face him, her eyes wide. “Do you mean in my other life?”
“Aye.” Thomas grinned. “Stubborn and bossy.” Zoe’s disgruntled expression made him laugh, and she moved her curls out of his reach.
“And beautiful beyond compare.”
“What was my name?”
“Iselda. My lovely Iselda, as fair as a sunny day in spring you were.” A lump formed in his throat. He remembered everything, even after all these centuries.
“Of course,” Zoe snapped.
Her tone brought him back fast. “What is it, love?”
“I’m feeling jealous…of myself.” She turned to gaze out the window again. “I don’t want to be with someone who only wants to be with me because of who I used to be…even though both are me. I want to be with someone who wants to be with me—the me I am now.” She huffed. “This is so eff-ing confusing.”
“I understand what you’re trying to say.” Thomas reached for her hand. “It’s you I want, Zoe LeBlanc. I canna wait to learn everything there is to know about you. I canna wait to make love with you and have our first fight.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Your spirit is the same as it always was, though you are a different person altogether. Does that make sense?”
“I suppose.” Zoe gave him a small smile. “So, where did we leave off?”
Thomas pulled out into traffic in the direction of the restaurant. “I was about to tell you how Mairéad and Dermot came to be together. Have you heard of the Tuatha Dé Danann? ”
“Sure. Faeries.”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“They’re only a myth, aren’t they?”
“No’ so mythical. Mairéad was Tuatha Dé Danann, a granddaughter to their high king. They’re immortal. Some call them faerie folk, though they refer to themselves as children of the goddess Danu.” He cocked his head as he thought about it. “I do no’ think they’re born immortal.” He flashed her a grin. “I have my theories, you ken.”
“The story, Thomas. Focus.”
“Bossy little thing,” he muttered. “Some things never change.”
She raised her eyebrows at him. “Would you like to have that first fight now?”
Thomas laughed, and ran his hand up her thigh. “Aye, if it means we can have make-up sex.” Zoe giggled and took hold of his hand. His world shifted, and all was exactly as it should be.
“Mairéad met
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