“We’re at the mercy of the Fae,” he said, keeping his voice down.

“In other words,” I stated, needing all the facts laid out, “they could kill us if I don’t want to bind with him.”

“Or take us into Faerie,” Dad said.

Mom closed her eyes and shuddered with disgust. I shared a sickened look with my sister.

“It will work out,” Dad said.

I wondered how he could sound so assured. A long, silent pause stretched while we soaked in the information and listened to the drone of jet engines.

“So, what’s it gonna be like there?” Cassidy asked.

“Your father and I have never been to their land, but we know a few people who have. The village is guarded with magical wards so humans who stumble across the land will become disoriented and retreat. The Leprechaun have another job besides making shoes. They also keep one of the portals to the Faerie realm. Their lands are vast, and they’re surrounded only by farmlands for miles. The dome of magic even keeps the village undetectable to anyone who flies over.”

“Are they expecting us?” I asked.

“I assume so. We swore to the Fae woman we’d bring you to the Leprechaun land when you were seventeen and completed your education.”

“How far is the nearest town?” Cassidy’s voice carried a hint of dread.

“At least an hour by car, maybe two.”

“Wow,” Cass said. “A giant farm with no tall guys. Sounds… fun.”

“Oh, I’ve heard the Leprechaun know how to have a good time,” Mom assured us. “Big parties with music and dancing.”

I shot Cass a glance, and nearly snorted at the funny look on her face. A Leprechaun’s idea of a good time was not going to be the same kind of song and dance we enjoyed.

“And they do have a cousin clan called the Clourichaun who live on nearby land. I understand there are quite a few average-sized men among them.” Cass waggled her eyebrows as Mom went on, slurring her words. “The Clourichaun lost flavor with the Fae, ahem, excuse me, they lost favor with the Fae a few centuries ago. I’m not sure what happened there, but they were cursed with infertility. What’s left of them will be the last of them.”

“That sucks,” I said. “They must’ve done something pretty bad.”

“Maybe that’s what I’ll do for fun,” Cass offered.

“What?” I asked. “Get cursed by the Fae?”

“No. I’ll get the lowdown on all the clan gossip. I’m not holding out any hope for cute boys, so I’ve got to stay busy.”

“I see.” We were semi-joking and I knew Cass was trying to get my mind off the worse stuff, but the air was still thick with discomfort.

“I’m good at being nosy,” Cass added.

“You certainly are.” Mom finished off her third glass of wine. “I’m knackered. I think I’ll go have a lie down next to Daddy.”

“You do that, wino,” Cassidy said. Mom leaned across me and pinched my sister’s thigh, making her holler and jump. Then Mom patted my cheek, warming me with the love in her eyes as she whispered, “I’m sorry, my sweet girl.”

With a heavy heart, I nodded.

Looking around to be sure we were safe, she snapped the protective bubble of magic and stood, wobbling on her way across the row to sit next to Dad. He watched, amused, and held out a hand to steady her until she was snuggled up in the seat by his side. He draped an arm across her and looked over at me with question in his eyes. I could almost hear his voice asking me if I was all right. I gave him a small nod; it would be useless for him to worry. His half grin showed that he appreciated my strong act, even though he could see through it. Dad lifted the magazine again and stroked Mom’s hair.

Cassidy rolled her eyes at our lovey-dovey parents.

I wondered if I’d ever be able to have that kind of adoration with someone. I wasn’t in a position to have such dreams and hopes, especially now. All of my romantic notions had flown out the window and landed somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, sinking hard, probably lodged in a continental drift by now.

I didn’t want to feel angry or cheated or tricked, but I did. I spent the rest of the long flight mourning the loss of the boy I’d foolishly allowed myself to envision for years on end. By the time we arrived in Ireland I’d said good-bye to the dream, and let him go. It was time to move on and face reality. Life was too short to wallow.

Too short. Ugh.

DESPITE THE WHOLE, “Surprise, you’re engaged to a Leprechaun!” bomb, Cassidy and I were happy to arrive in Ireland. I’d done plenty of research over the years, so I knew it would be beautiful, but seeing it in real life was so much better. It was called the Emerald Isle for a definite reason. The fields and hills were a lush green.

I loved listening to people talk during our layover at Dublin Airport, even when I could hardly understand what they said. I enjoyed the dry, witty senses of humor and openness of the Irish. A few people got excited when they realized we weren’t locals. We went for coffee and tea at an airport café, and when a little boy heard me order my mocha latte he said, “Ooh, say that again, miss!” His mother laughed and told me he fancied my accent. I had an accent!

Our next flight was on a tiny, rickety propeller plane to a smaller regional airport in Sligo where I changed from sweats into something nicer. The temperature was comfortable, and a light rain fell. Dad warned us to use the bathroom before we got on the road because we were heading in a direction that wouldn’t have any rest stops. Cassidy gave me a fearful look. My little city girl.