Read Online A Fine Cauldron Of Fish by Cornelia Amiri - Free Book Online Page B

gazed into Margaid’s eyes and
they both answered yes.
    The god’s brow furrowed. “So you would
sacrifice yourselves for each other.”
    Andrew placed his hand gently on
Margaid’s shoulder and leaned down to her. “You shouldn’t do that.
I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”
    “ Nor I you. The worst he
will do to me is turn me into a water horse. I would rather have
that than for you to be killed or harmed.”
    Mannon bellowed, “Why would
you do this? Why sacrifice yourselves?” He turned to Andrew. “She’s
a lhiannan shee ,
who tried to drain your blood.” He glared at Margaid. “He’s an
American tourist, who tried to commit you to a mental
hospital.”
    “ She couldn’t help
it.”
    “ He didn’t mean
to.”
    “ You are both daft.” The
god shook his head.
    “ I love him.”
    “ I love her.”
    “ Oh love. You love each
other,” the sea god said with disdain.
    “ Don’t hurt her.” Andrew
pulled Margaid behind him to protect her.
    But she jumped out in front of him.
“No, do whatever you want with me. You can change me into a water
horse, you can change me into a barnacle, but let Andrew
go.”
    Silence descended as Mannan lifted his
spear. Just as fast as he raised his weapon, he dropped it to his
side in a stance of peace and he burst out in a deep, warm chuckle.
“Why would I harm either of you? I have nothing against love. I
just wanted to see if it was true. Honestly, I have never seen a
worse case of true love.”
    Mannan grasped the hilt of the magic
sword hanging from his belt and withdrew the long, gleaming blade.
He held it high and chanted. “Without delay, for love’s sake, I,
the god of the sea, transform this fey to a mortal woman. In
darkness and light, now and forever, so it shall be.”
    A ray of golden light burst
into the air surrounding the long sword like a halo. “By the
righteousness of my blade, Fragarach, you are free from the fey
bonds and life of the lhiannan
shee . You’re human, Margaid.”
    *****
    Heat filled her body from her heart to
her belly and radiated outward to her skin. A rapt joy bubbled in
the core of her being. From the tips of her toes and fingers the
sensation of transformation deepened until she could barely stand.
Margaid reached out her hand to steady herself as she staggered.
She started to fall.
    Andrew caught her with both hands on
her waist. A mystifying tremor coursed through her body. Then it
all stopped. Her heart fluttered. She slowed her huffing and caught
her breath. This was it, the most profound moment of her long life.
“I am human.”
    Gazing at her patron god,
warm joy bubbled in her. “God of the sea, I give thanks to you for
granting my wish. Blessings upon you great god, Mannan beg mac y
Leir.” But how can I repay him. Is he not the most wonderful god?
“I am sorry I failed you as a lhiannan
shee .”
    “ You didn’t. I wait for
my lhiannan shee to
come out of their caves under the sea and find a man to seduce.
When they do, they fall in love.” Joy shined in his eyes and the
warmth of his smile echoed in his rich, deep, yet melodic voice.
“Margaid, I am known as the trickster god and rightly so for I do
love a good joke. And my lhiannan
shee are a good joke on me. None of them
have the spirit for seducing men or shedding blood. Take your
rightful form as a mortal, as it fits your spirit best and be off
with your true love.”
    “ Oh, I’m so happy.“ She
wrapped her arms around Andrew. “Now I can truly be your lover. As
a free woman, I choose to stay with you forever.” People can see me
and talk to me. I don’t have to fill a red cauldron with blood. I
can throw the cauldron out.
    “ By the way, I’ll need my
red cauldron back.” Mannon folded his arms across his
chest.
    Andrew’s gleaming eyes widened.
“Margaid, you’re human.” His smile broadened. “And you want to stay
with me.”
    “ Forever,” she whispered.
Then she let out a squeal of happiness. “I am human and you