“This has been a strange month, for all of us.”

“And then some,” he agreed.

“Most of what’s happened, it’s beyond the scope of anything we could have imagined, anything we might have believed a few weeks ago. And what’s happened, it’s changed me. In a good way,” she added, turning toward him. “I like to think it’s a good way.”

“If you’re going to tell me you turned the key in that lock, and now you don’t love me anymore, that’s too damn bad for you. Because you’re stuck.”

“No, I’m . . . Stuck?” she repeated. “What do you mean stuck?”

“With me, my ugly couch and my sloppy dog. You’re not wiggling your way out of it, Malory.”

“Don’t take that tone with me.” She set the flute down. “And don’t think for one minute you can stand there and tell me I’m stuck with you, because you’re stuck with me.”

He set his flute beside hers. “Is that right?”

“That’s exactly right. I’ve just outwitted an evil Celtic god. You’re child’s play for me.”

“You want to fight?”

“Maybe.”

They both grabbed for each other. With his mouth on hers, she let out a strangled sigh. And held on for her life. She drew back, but kept her arms linked around his neck.

“I’m exactly right for you, Flynn.”

“Then it’s really handy that I’m in love with you. You’re my key, Mal. The one key to all the locks.”

“You know what I want right now? I want a hot bath, some soup, and a nap on an ugly couch.”

“Today’s your lucky day. I can arrange that for you.” Taking her hand, he led her from the room.

Later, Rowena leaned her head against Pitte’s shoulder as they watched the cars drive away.

“It’s a good day,” she told him. “I know it’s not over, but today is a good day.”

“We have a little time before we begin the next.”

“A few days, then the four weeks. Kane will watch them more carefully now.”

“So will we.”

“Beauty prevailed. Now knowledge and courage will be tested. There’s so little, really, that we can do to help. But these mortals are strong and clever.”

“Odd creatures,” Pitte commented.

“Yes.” She smiled up at him. “Odd, and endlessly fascinating.”

They stepped back into the house, closed the door. At the end of the drive, the iron gates quietly swung shut. The warriors that flanked them would stand vigil through the next phase of the moon.