Stars of Fortune (The Guardians Trilogy 1)

“I could see that.”

“Does it frighten you?”

“Not when it’s you. No.”

He held out a hand. “Come, see what we’ve conjured.”

“I didn’t—”

“Your sketch. So what came from you—beauty and imagery—is also in this.” He took her hand, and with his other, reached into the cauldron.

The cuffs were exactly as she’d drawn them, down to the etched symbols, the thinly braided edges. The bronze glowed in the lowering light.

“Can I . . .”

“Of course.”

She ran her fingertip over them. “They’re beautiful. She’ll love them for that alone. I love . . . I love that you made them for her, that you understood she needed another way, and made something strong and beautiful and from light. You . . .”

Swamped in emotion, she looked up into his eyes. “You really do leave me breathless. Beyond the power, Bran. Whatever happens, this time with you? It’s changed my life. It’s opened it.”

“You’ve changed mine.” He took her face in his hands, kissed her gently. “Enriched it. I’ll make you a vow, fáidh, though I don’t have the sight. When we take the stars to where they belong, we’ll stand together, just like this, in their light.”

“That’s a vow I want both of us to keep.”

“Then trust we will.”

She leaned against him a moment, staring out at the sky, the sea—the promontory where she knew they’d also stand together in the teeth of a storm.

“It’s getting late—I lost track. You and I are on kitchen detail.”

“That’s a bloody shame, as I can think of something I’d like to do with you much more.”

“Hold the thought—but Riley needs a meal before sunset. And you should give Annika her bracelets.”

“If you must be practical. Then you’ll take a walk with me later.”

“A walk’s what you’d like to do with me much more?”

“First.” He took the bracelets she gave back to him, then her hand. “I think we’ll have had enough of battle plans and tasks,” he said as they started down. “And I’d like a walk in the moonlight with you.”

“Then it’s a date.” She saw Annika playing tug-of-war with Apollo with a thick hunk of rope. “You should take them to her, and I’ll get started on dinner.”

When she left him to it, Bran started across the lawn. Apollo broke off the game long enough to bound toward him for a greeting.

And Annika’s eyes widened when she saw the bracelets in Bran’s hand.

“Oh! This is what you made for me?” She pressed her palms together, laid them on her lips. “Look how they glow in the sun.”

“They’re of light.”

“And blood?”

“Yours and mine. They’re only for you, and can only belong to you, or your blood—someone from you,” he qualified.

“Thank you.” She took one, almost reverently, then puzzled over it. “I don’t know how to wear it. Is it for the wrist?”

“That’s right.” He took her hand, and the one he still held. “If you want it, it’ll go on. But understand, it’s both weapon and shield.”