Page 119 of The Shadow Path
“I’ll fly overhead and spot from the sky,” Cadell said. “Carys can ride with you and Godrik’s people so we can communicate.”
“Good thinking,” Carys said.
She watched Duncan open and shut the door before she started to get ready. Cadell turned his back and watched the fire as she moved behind the screen in the corner by the wardrobe.
“You’ve settled on the surly one then.”
Carys had known he was going to bring it up. Cadell acted like he had no interest in her personal life, but he was as nosy as Laura was.
“Yes,” she said. “He’s…” She didn’t know what to say.
The human one? The smart choice? Those weren’t the reasons she’d fallen in love with Duncan.
“You love him,” Cadell said simply. “You don’t have to explain.”
Okay. Well, that was a relief. “He understands me.”
“He does. So does Lachlan.”
Carys was half-naked when she poked her head out from behind the screen. “What’s that supposed to mean?Nowyou have an opinion?”
“I’ve always had an opinion,” Cadell muttered. “Are you ready?”
“No.” She ducked back behind the screen and pulled on a fresh linen tunic. If she was riding, she’d get sweaty, so she didn’t want to wear wool. The days had been far more summery than cool. “I don’t need your opinion. It shouldn’t matter.”
But it does,he said silently.
“I know it does,” she hissed. “And I don’t understand why.”
“Because I am your dragon.” His voice was soft and mildly amused. “And I am older and wiser than you.”
“Okay, old and wise dragon.” She belted the tunic around her waist and walked toward the fire. “Why is Duncan a better choice than Lachlan?”
“He’s not.” Cadell turned. “But he is the one your heart wants. That’s what matters.”
Carys let out a slow breath. “It hurts, but I love Duncan more.”
“Lachlan’s pain is his own responsibility,” Cadell stood at attention with his hands behind his back. “Duncan Murray is an honorable man who cares for you and is a fierce protector of the people under his authority and care. I respect him greatly.”
Carys nodded. “Okay. You’re right.”
“And he makes you laugh,” Cadell added. “He also makes you angry.”
“That’s a good thing?”
“Anger isn’t the opposite of love, Nêrys. The opposite of love is indifference.” He raised an eyebrow. “And you have never been indifferent to Duncan Murray.”
She rodethe beautiful mare named Leuca from the stables that morning, the dappled grey greeting her with a stomp and a toss of her head.
“I brought you an apple,” Carys said, holding out the shining red fruit to the mare. “And I’m sorry it’s been so many days since I visited.”
The mare laughed a little bit, and Carys remembered who she was. “You’re Epona’s daughter, aren’t you?”
A short whinny in response.
Carys leaned close and whispered, “My mother was born here. She was Shadowkin.” It was the first time she’d said it outloud. “She served your mother when she lived here. I think she loved her very much.”
Leuca turned and pressed her cheek to Carys’s body, letting out a happy huff.
