Kelpie Boyfriend: Fionnla Part Two (special preview)

I scoff. “Yes.” I lay my hand back on the top of his head. “He gambled away everything. I was left pregnant, destitute, and homeless because of him.”

“What happened to him?” Fionnla asks. “I mean, how did he die?”

“Drowned,” I scoff. “They found him all bloated and disgusting in the river. Only way we knew it was him was by the pin on his lapel.”

“Hmm,” Fionnla sighs, “sounds like my work.”

I suddenly start to laugh. “Imagine!” I giggle. “You being the one who killed my husband?” I start to cackle. “Right when I had wished him dead with all my heart.”

“Why are you laughing?” Fionnla huffs.

“You ate my husband,” I snicker, “now you’re going to eat me!” I sputter as I try to stop myself from laughing. “Olwen is going to absolutely hate you!” I throw my head back, nearly bursting my ribs, I laugh so hard. 

“I still don’t find it so funny,” Fionnla sniffs. “If I am the one that killed your husband, and eventually you, shouldn’t you hate me just as much?”

I giggle and lay back down in the hay. “I should, shouldn’t I?” My soft chuckles turn into tears that roll down my cheeks. “After he died, everything went so horribly wrong. You’re to blame, aren’t you? Everything that has happened to me. Everyone who has died around me. It’s all because you ate him.” I sniffle and wipe at my eyes. “All those things would have happened anyways,” I whimper. “He just would have been there through them.” I sigh as a smile crosses my face. “I think I have done better without him.”

“Ok sure, crazy,” Fionnla glances up at me. “Knowing it all ends with me, are you still willing to say that?”

I lay back for a long moment of silence then sigh. “Yes. Yes, I am sure.”

“Then go to sleep,” Fionnla grumbles. “I’m exhausted.”

“Me too.” I close my eyes again. “Me too.”

Come morning, I find myself alone in the stable. Fionnla is nowhere to be found. I decide to head on to the apothecary anyways; after all, he can track me. He’s probably gone to find water to submerge himself in for a while anyways. 

I find the apothecary at the edge of town. Excitement and nerves flood me as I realize this place is going to save my son. Inside, I am overwhelmed by the fragrant air of the shop. The pungent odor of spices, plants, tinctures, and oils of the place has created a scent soup where each breath is different. Once it is lavender, the next is wormwood, the following breath is peppermint, while the one after is alcohol.